Written Answers Nos. 231-239
231. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the actions that are being taken in areas in the health service that have higher than normal sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43530/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe health sector, as with other public service employers, has sick leave schemes for staff when they are absent from work through illness.
The HSE has strengthened its policies and procedures on attendance management in light of the 3.5% target in its 2012 National Service Plan, including:
- Action plans for all sites for the management of absence over 3.5%
- Analysis of certified and uncertified absence on each hospital site and community care area
- Monitoring adherence to Attendance Management Policies such as return to work interviews, counselling, referral to Occupational Health
- Use of disciplinary processes where appropriate
A greater focus has been placed on early intervention and attendance management training is being provided to line managers. In addition, HR and Occupational Health support is available for line managers to assist in managing attendance more effectively. The overall rate of sick leave is 4.9% to July 2012 and almost 90% of this is certified.
The Public Service Reform Programme contained a commitment to review sick leave policies in the Civil and Public Service with a view to improving productivity and reducing absences. The Labour Court recently issued recommendations which will lead to the introduction of reformed sick leave rules for the Irish public service. This included a halving of permitted self-certified sick leave to a maximum of seven days in a rolling two-year period. Certified sick-leave for circumstances other than critical illness will be halved from 2014 to a maximum of 3 months on full pay followed by 3 months on half pay in any rolling 4 year period.
232. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long term illness card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin [43534/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
233. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health when a decision on the application for the respite care grant scheme through National Lottery grant scheme funding can be expected in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43545/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received an application for funding from the 2012 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number currently being assessed by my Department, and the Deputy will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.
234. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hearing aid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43551/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
235. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the total spend in the last available 12 month period in each primary community and continuing care area on home nursing care for children with life limiting conditions; the number of children who availed of the service in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43557/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
236. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his view regarding coeliac products and a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43561/12]
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. Unfortunately, it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of reimbursable items. This includes gluten-free products.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. A Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement may be awarded by the Department of Social Protection to eligible persons. Persons wishing to apply for this allowance can do so by completing an application form which can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Forms/Documents/swa9.pdf. Separate application forms are available for children. For persons who are not awarded a Diet Supplement, monies spent on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
237. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who has been attending Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43565/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
238. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an breakdown of the cuts that have been imposed in neurosurgical services outside of Dublin, in the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43572/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
239. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health when the decision was made not to automatically qualify cancer patients for a medical card (details supplied); if he will advise the Health Service Executive consultants of this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43578/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical cards are not awarded to any particular group of patients on the basis of a specific medical condition. Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. There are currently two categories of eligibility for all persons ordinarily resident in Ireland i.e. full eligibility (medical card) and limited eligibility (all others). Full eligibility is determined mainly by reference to income limits, and is granted to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable to provide general practitioner, medical and surgical services to themselves and their dependants without undue hardship. There is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons who have cancer.
There is a provision for discretion to grant a card in cases of "undue hardship" where the income guidelines are exceeded. The HSE recently set up a clinical panel to assist in the processing of applications for discretionary medical cards where there are difficult personal circumstances. There is an emergency process for a person who is terminally ill, or in urgent need of medical attention and cannot afford to pay for it, that provides a card within 24 hours while the normal application process is completed. Once a letter from the patient's GP or consultant is received, stating that the person is terminally ill, and the required personal details are provided an emergency card is issued to that person for a six-month period.
