Written Answers Nos. 235 - 243
235. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse 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. [19201/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
236. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when an application for a primary medical certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13, will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19208/13]
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.
237. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if any of his Department’s 2012 capital expenditure allocation was used for current expenditure purposes last year, the amount used for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19217/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra238. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the month by month profile for his Department's 2013 capital expendiuture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19233/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.
None of my Department's 2012 capital allocation was used for current expenditure.
My Department's capital allocation for 2013 is €16m. The following table shows the 2013 capital allocation profile.
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
0.033 |
0.040 |
0.945 |
1.040 |
1.540 |
1.540 |
2.540 |
1,540 |
1.540 |
1.540 |
1.540 |
2.162 |
239. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in relation to the filling of the 414 posts for community mental health services committed to in the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2012, the number of these positions that have been filled by existing HSE staff members; the action being taken regarding the back filling of the positions these staff members have vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19300/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2012, a special allocation of €35m was provided for mental health to be used primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both adult and children’s mental health services, to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems and to facilitate the re-location of mental health service users from institutional care to more independent living arrangements in their communities, in line with A Vision for Change.
As at 5th April, 384 of the 414 posts approved in 2012 have either been filled, are under offer or awaiting clearance. The remaining posts will be filled as soon as possible.
In relation to the specific issues 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.
240. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in relation to the occupational therapists appointed in 2012 and 2013 to community mental health teams, if he will indicate if these newly appointed staff are receiving supervision from a senior professional from within their discipline who is trained in the area of work being supervised in line with the Health Service Executive's guidance framework for health and social care professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19301/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
241. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm for each year over the past ten years the number of women that have availed of services in State funded crisis pregnancy clinics to obtain information on abortion in the UK; the number of women that have subsequently travelled outside the jurisdiction for the purpose of procuring an abortion; the number of these that can be said to be on the basis of a risk to the life of the mother from suicide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19304/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
242. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm for each year over the past 20 years the number of pregnancy terminations that have been carried out in this jurisdiction on the basis of the law as it stands; if he will specify the number of cases relying on the suicide grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19305/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is examining this request and will be in touch in due course.
243. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding per annum to all State funded crisis pregnancy advice clinics over the past 10 years; the conditions that pertain to their funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19306/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the Deputy's query regarding State funding of crisis pregnancy counselling services, the specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
244. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a submission from an organisation (details supplied) about the rationalisation of health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19310/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2010 the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was published. It aims to provide a framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and is lead by Cosc which is the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The HSE subsequently published its own Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The principal actions are in line with the National Strategy. The HSE’s policy states that a health-focused analysis of violence is crucial, not only because the consequences of such violence require a significant amount of healthcare system resources, but most importantly because the health care system is often the first route through which victims seek to access supports. Nationally the HSE funds 42 frontline domestic violence service providers. 20 of these provide refuge accommodation and this number has risen from 15 since 2000. The services provide a wide range of supports such as crisis refuge, advocacy and counselling and were funded to the amount of €13.465 Million in 2012. In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
245. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 248 of 17 April 2013, if he will specify the person in the Health Service Executive that will be dealing with the person's case (details supplied) in view of the fact that this situation has been on-going for a considerable amount of time with the H.S.E. not responding to my correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19311/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an increase in home help assistance is available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose home help has recently been reduced to one hour per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19331/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
247. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health with reference to mobility allowances and motorised transport grants, his plans for provision of services to persons who live with cystic fibrosis; if the criteria will take specific account of lives conditioned by cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19338/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA 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.
248. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will receive orthodontic treatment from the Health Service Executive and much needed braces in view of the fact that a delay in treatment will mean that this child will require extensive invasive surgery at a later date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19339/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to her as soon as possible.
249. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the amount that was recouped from EU member states for the awarding of medical cards to persons under EU regulation 883/04 in each year from 2010 to 2012; if he will provide the breakdown by member State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19340/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra250. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 and 227 of 6 March the way in which his Department knows how to recoup costs of medical cards awarded under EU Regulation 883/04 if the Primary Care Reimbursement Service of the HSE does not track the details of those eligible under these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19341/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together.
The amounts received by Ireland in respect of reimbursement of healthcare costs provided under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, for the years in question are: 2010 - €320,000,000; 2011 - €270,000,000; 2012 - €220,000,000.
All the above monies were received from the United Kingdom. Ireland's primary interaction is with the United Kingdom with whom it operates a bilateral healthcare reimbursement agreement, covering such persons as temporary visitors between the two countries, pensioners of one country and their dependants residing in the other country, and the dependant families of persons employed in the other country. Under the terms of the agreement net liability between the two countries is calculated on a lump sum basis rather than an individual basis. The payment made in any one year is based on an estimate of the number of persons falling within categories eligible for reimbursement and for whom each country is liable and an estimate of the average cost of providing healthcare treatment. Payment is made following discussions and agreement between the two administrations. Payments are made in advance and are subject to final settlement once all necessary statistical and financial information is complete. Total payments in any one year can relate to both final settlements in respect of previous years' liabilities and advance payments in respect of the current year. Ireland has had waiver and bilateral agreements with many member states whereby such costs are mutually waived. Some of these agreements have been terminated in recent years. In view of this and of the increased numbers availing of services since the EU was expanded the HSE is putting in place measures to enable it to commence the issuing of claims for reimbursement of costs to the relevant competent states in the future.
251. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish citizens over the age of 60 who have worked in other EU countries but retired to Ireland with a contributory pension from another EU country that are in receipt of non-means tested medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19342/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
252. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the number of EU citizens that are in receipt of non-means tested medical cards here under EU Regulation 883/04; if he will provide a breakdown by country and further outline the information the PCRS of the HSE holds on these recipients such as age and nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19343/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
