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Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012

Written Answers Nos. 405-420

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (405)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

405. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40152/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Consultants Remuneration

Ceisteanna (406)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

406. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the amount paid in consultants' fees by private health insurers annually; and the amount additionally paid to them by persons [40155/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Last year the Health Insurance Authority requested the private health insurers (Aviva, Quinn/ya, VHI) to provide a breakdown of their Returned Benefits for the second half of 2011 into public hospital costs, private hospital costs and consultant costs. Returned Benefits represent approximately 85% of total health insurance claims and do not include claims for Outpatient attendance. The Authority has advised that the data shows that consultant fees paid by private health insurers amount to €203m for the second half of 2011, representing 25% of a total of €811m. The equivalent figure for the first half of 2012 is €183m, representing 22% of a total of €829m. Figures for additional amounts paid to consultants by private patients are not collated.

Question No. 407 answered with Question No. 388.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (408)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

408. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will approve an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40159/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (409)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

409. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40160/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (410)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

410. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when support under the nursing home support scheme will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40162/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services Staff Issues

Ceisteanna (411)

Dan Neville

Ceist:

411. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the appointment of a Director to the National Suicide Prevention Office [40164/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the National Office for Suicide Prevention was established by the HSE in 2005 and is part of the internal organisation of that body the issue raised is a matter for the HSE. On that basis the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Questions Nos. 412 and 413 answered with Question No. 393.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (414)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

414. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if the documentation supplied will be added to the file of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [40172/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

HSE Governance

Ceisteanna (415, 416)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

415. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the date on which the board of the Health Service Executive will be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40173/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

416. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the new governance of the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40174/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 416 together.

In line with the Programme for Government commitments, a series of legislative changes are planned to bring about radical reform of the health services which will see the introduction of Universal Health insurance. The Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 was published last July. The Bill provides for the abolition of the Board of the HSE under the Health Act 2004 and the putting in place of a new governance structure. The Board will be replaced by a Directorate, headed by a Director General and with strengthened accountability arrangements for the HSE. The Bill is scheduled to being second stage in the Seanad on Wednesday 26 September.

In tandem with the proposed new governance structures, new administrative structures will be put in place in the HSE, to reflect the need for a greater operational management focus on the delivery of key services and greater transparency about funding, service delivery and accountability. These new governance and administrative arrangements represent important first steps in the process of delivering the reform agenda contained in the Programme for Government. The next steps, which will include measures to facilitate clearer and better integrated delivery and funding arrangements, are under consideration at present.

Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme Extension

Ceisteanna (417)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

417. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health the position regarding his commitment to extend the Neary redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40176/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A commitment was given in the Programme for Government to seek a mechanism to compensate those women who were excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme. The Scheme of Redress approved by Government was a non-statutory, ex-gratia scheme. Awards were determined by an independent Redress Board in 2007 and 2008. My Department has been engaged in a review to identify the most appropriate mechanism to compensate those women excluded from the scheme on age grounds alone. This review has included taking instructions and legal advice, including advice from the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to bringing proposals to Government for decision. This process has not yet been completed.

Medicinal Products Supply

Ceisteanna (418, 450, 461)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

418. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason a medication (details supplied) is no longer available on the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40178/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

450. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if Oesteoeze is covered by the medical card and drug payment scheme; if he will commit to ensuring that it is, in view of the relative expense and clinical importance of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40381/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

David Stanton

Ceist:

461. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if there are any alternative glucosamine products available to medical card holders free of charge under the GMS scheme since the recent removal of a drug, Dona, from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40500/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 418, 450 and 461 together.

In the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, it has been necessary to suspend from the HSE Reimbursement List certain products which have been found not be cost effective. Glucosamine is indicated for the management of symptoms of osteoarthritis. The National Centre for Pharmoeconomics (NCPE) have assessed the cost-effectiveness of glucosamine on two occasions and concluded that it did not offer value for money to the HSE. However, glucosamine products are available over the counter without prescriptions.

Mobility Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (419)

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

419. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made in relation to an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in relation to an application for mobility allowance; the reason this case is on-going for more than 13 months; the reason this file has not been assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40213/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (420)

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

420. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40214/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

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