Written Answers Nos. 453 - 468
453. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange to have a replacement hearing aid approved for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who needs it as a matter of urgency. [40393/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
454. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the extent to which language barriers affect public health service delivery here; the amount of money spent on translation services for frontline medical services for non-English speaking patients/staff; if technological services (details supplied) have been considered in addressing this need; [40404/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
456. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are partaking in the long term illness programme; if he will provide a full patient breakdown in relation to diseases and the total cost to the Exchequer of running the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40461/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being collated by the HSE and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
457. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the position regarding free general practitioner visit announced in Budget 2012, for persons who are under the long term illness programme; the date on which this will commence and the total cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40462/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.
Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by this Department and the Office of the Attorney General and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
An annual budget of €15 million was provided for the first phase of the roll out of GP care without fees.
458. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the amount paid per meeting in expenses to members of each of the Regional Health Forum since its creation. [40463/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive provides the necessary administrative services to enable the Regional Health Forums to perform their functions. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
459. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40470/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
460. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if there are any alternative omega 3 triclyceride products available to medical card holders free of charge under the GMS scheme since the recent removal of a drug, Omacor, from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40499/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
There are no alternative Omega-3 triglyceride products available under the Community Drugs Scheme. However, these products are available over the counter.
462. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the services available to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who requires a secure placement in a Psychiatric Unit since the closure of St. Michael's Psychiatric Unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40504/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
463. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the National Advisory Committee on Drugs will be re-constituted [40526/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reconstitution of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs is currently under consideration with a view to finalising arrangements in the area before the end of the year.
464. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) who is a patient in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40534/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
465. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the current situation in which Alprozolam is being purchased without prescription through the internet; his views on the addictive qualities of this drug; his views in relation to the health implications of the unregulated sale of the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40539/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlprazolam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety, sleep disturbance and insomnia and are known to be associated with dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Consequently, benzodiazepines are usually recommended for short-term treatment only. The Irish Medicines Board-approved prescribing information for alprazolam products states that they are only to be used when the symptoms of anxiety are severe. It is also recommended that treatment with an alprazolam product should be as short as possible and generally not more than 8 to 12 weeks, including a tapering off process.
In Ireland, benzodiazepines are prescription-only medicinal products. Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, it is prohibited for a person to supply a prescription medicine except in accordance with a prescription and the supply must be made from a registered pharmacy by or under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist. A person who contravenes these Regulations is guilty of an offence. The Regulations also make it illegal for prescription medicines to be supplied by mail order. The definition of mail order includes reference to electronic custom solicitation and order for supply. This includes ordering prescription medicines through internet sites.
The Irish Medicines Board is aware of illegal supply of alprazolam from internet sites outside Ireland and is working closely with the Revenue's Customs Service officials to detain supplies on entry to Ireland and, where possible, with counterpart agencies in other countries to stop the supply.
Furthermore, my Department is reviewing the Misuse of Drugs Regulations with a view to introducing additional controls on certain prescription drugs, including benzodiazepines. These include the introduction of import and export controls as well as an offence of unauthorised possession, thereby assisting the law enforcement roles of Customs and of the Garda Siochána. My Department is consulting with key stakeholders in relation to the proposed amendments and it is anticipated that new legislation will be introduced by early 2013.
466. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of free GP visits in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford with a long-term illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40567/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
467. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the waiting list over the past two and a half years of young persons seeking orthodontic treatment in County Kerry in tabular form; the steps that are being taken to ensure that persons will receive these necessary treatments in a speedy fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40585/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
468. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting for more than 15 months for a medical card and now faces a five month wait for an MRI scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40586/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
