Pat Deering
Ceist:245. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the proposed alternative to the mobility aid grant. [18078/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMobility Allowance Decision
Ceisteanna (245)
Freagraí scríofa
A special Project Group, which is independently chaired, has been established to seek an alternative method to provide for the priority transport needs of people in a manner that does not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. The Group, who will report to Government next month, have met four times, with the next meeting scheduled for 29th April. The results of the review will be presented to the Government before any final decisions are made on future arrangements. At this stage, I am not in a position to pre-empt the outcome of the review or the decision of the Government.
Accident and Emergency Services Provision
Ceisteanna (246)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:246. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the Health Service Executive plans to expand the Emergency Department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18087/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (247)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6w; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18129/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (248)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18130/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Water Fluoridation
Ceisteanna (249)
Clare Daly
Ceist:249. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the report prepared (details supplied) regarding findings and observations on fluoride by the US National Research Council, examined within the context of a comparison of population health and disease burdens, between the fluoridated Republic of Ireland and non-fluoridated Northern Ireland and Europe; and the steps he intends to take as a result of this research [18163/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The report to which the Deputy refers was not commissioned by the Government or the World Health Organisation. It was received by the Minister in 2012 and referred to the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health for examination. The Expert Body concluded that the report is not reliable. The Expert Body's Appraisal and an Executive Summary of the Appraisal are available on the Expert Body's website, www.fluoridesandhealth.ie. The Expert Body is satisfied that water fluoridation, at its optimal level, causes no ill effects to the health of adults or children. The effects of fluoridation on health and related matters are kept under constant review.
Cross-Border Projects
Ceisteanna (250)
Regina Doherty
Ceist:250. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop the UP4It! project in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18171/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Up4It Programme was a research project funded by CAWT and delivered in four pilot sites of which Cavan and Monaghan under the Border Counties Child Care Network Agency were considered one site. CAWT (Cooperation And Working Together) is a partnership between the Health and Social Care Services in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, which facilitates cross border collaborative working in health and social care. CAWT only fund programmes and projects within the border counties and therefore Meath was not included in the research phase.
The project is currently being evaluated to measure its effectiveness and examine programme delivery for best efficiency. The HSE is presently exploring whether the project can be sustained in existing areas within current HSE allocations. As the project model relies heavily on existing dietetic staff in both the Departments of Health Promotion and Primary Care, it needs to be further explored for possible adaptations to ensure best value for money whilst ensuring project outcomes. Given the current dietetic resources in Meath, dietetic input will prove difficult, however, other delivery options are being investigated.
The HSE Dublin North East offers a range of initiatives and projects which are targeted specifically at children. These include Smart Start, Be Active After Schools Activity Programme, Family- based Dietetic Clinics and Schools Health Promotion programmes.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (251)
John McGuinness
Ceist:251. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be issued to a child (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [18194/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
Water Fluoridation
Ceisteanna (252)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:252. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he has any major health concerns about unsafe mass medication through fluoridation of water in this State. [18205/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Water fluoridation is the adjustment of a naturally occurring element found in water in order to prevent tooth decay. In 2002 the Forum on Fluoridation, which was established to review this policy, concluded that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure.
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects. It advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and is the safest and most cost effective method of protecting the oral health of the population. The opinion of the Expert Body is supported by the World Health Organisation, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Service and the Surgeon General of the United States, the World Dental Federation, the International Association for Dental Research, the Royal College of Physicians of England and by major international scientifically validated reviews in many countries. The effects of fluoridation on health and related matters are kept under constant review.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (253)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:253. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18211/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (254)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:254. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical cards in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18218/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.