Dara Murphy
Ceist:260. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive received money in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [20804/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraGeneral Medical Services Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (260)
Freagraí 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.
HSE Expenditure
Ceisteanna (261)
John Browne
Ceist:261. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the Health Service Executive are spending more than €46,000 per year on legal fees; if he will clarify that the HSE seek tenders for this spend and that the moneys are divided up between just a small number of legal eagles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20808/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All Government Departments and Agencies funded from the Exchequer must comply with EU Directives and national guidelines on procurement. Procurement of products, goods and services including legal fees which support the delivery of health care is a service matter. The Deputy's question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (262)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:262. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a review of a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [20809/13]
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.
HSE Health Insurance Claims
Ceisteanna (263)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:263. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to collect outstanding moneys owed to the Health Service Executive by health insurers; the total sum outstanding; the progress made to date in ensuring doctors complete paper work within a set period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20822/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am informed by the Health Service Executive that it is continuing a drive to reduce the time taken to submit claims to private health insurance companies. The number of days taken for consultants to complete forms has reduced from an average of 62 days in 2010 to an average of 44 days in 2012 representing an improvement of 29%. The HSE target is 14 working days for consultant sign-off.
Significant progress has been made in the last three years. However I recognise that there is a significant challenge in improving the speed of payments from insurers and my Department continues to engage with the HSE and private health insurance companies on this issue. I understand that the HSE has provided a comprehensive response directly to the Deputy with regard to the issues raised in his question.
Medicinal Products Prices
Ceisteanna (264)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:264. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date in cutting the drugs spend in the State; the steps that will be taken to encourage health care professionals to prescribe generic drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20823/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following intensive negotiations involving the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), the HSE and the Department of Health, a major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State was concluded in October last. It will deliver a number of important benefits, including
- significant reductions for patients in the cost of drugs,
- a lowering of the drugs bill to the State,
- timely access for patients to new cutting-edge drugs for certain conditions, and
- reducing the cost base of the health system into the future.
The gross savings arising from this deal will be in excess of €400m over 3 years. €210 million from the gross savings will make available new drugs to patients over 3 years. Thus, the deal will result in a net reduction in the HSE expenditure on drugs of about €190m. The Department of Health and the HSE have also successfully finalised discussions with the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland (APMI), which represents the generic industry, on a new agreement to deliver further savings in the cost of generic drugs. It is estimated that the combined gross savings from the IPHA and APMI deals will be in excess of €120 million in 2013.
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012, which is currently before the House, provides for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. These reforms will promote price competition among suppliers and ensure that lower prices are paid for these medicines resulting in further savings for taxpayers and patients. The Bill passed Committee Stage in the House on the 19th of March. Report Stage was initiated on the 24th of April and is scheduled to resume on the 9th of May. I hope that the Bill will complete its passage through both Houses shortly thereafter.
It is not possible, at this juncture, to provide accurate figures regarding potential savings resulting from the introduction of generic substitution and reference pricing, as these depend on various factors including prevailing prices, number of competitors, availability of substitute products, and market dynamics.
In addition, the recently established HSE Medicines Management Programme has identified ‘preferred drugs’ for prescribers when prescribing Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) or statin medication for patients. This is the first time that the State has introduced a preferred drug initiative. PPIs are prescribed for patients with peptic ulcer disease and/or reflux and statin medication is for high cholesterol. The preferred PPI is Lansoprazole and the preferred statin is Simvastatin. The HSE is asking doctors to prescribe these preferred drugs in order to save money, both for patients who pay for their medication and to deliver savings of an estimated €15million for the taxpayer.
The Department is also committed to establishing high-level annual targets by the end of September for the share of generic penetration over the medium-term. These targets will be informed by the findings of a report currently being completed by the ESRI which is examining the usage of generics in Ireland and comparable EU jurisdictions.
Road Projects Status
Ceisteanna (265)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:265. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has provided funding for the construction of a by-pass around Maigh Cuilinn in County Galway; the proposed timescale for the construction of this by-pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20581/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
Semi-State Bodies Expenditure
Ceisteanna (266)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:266. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if CIÉ has breached any of its loan covenants in the course of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20667/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
CIÉ has not breached any of its loan covenants in the course of 2013. CIÉ is currently in the process of renewing its banking facilities, at an increased level and on a long term basis, and I understand that this process is progressing well. I recently consented to the extension of the current facilities, with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required under section 28 of the Transport Act 1950. This extension was arranged to maintain CIÉ's current banking arrangements pending the finalisation of the long term renewal of its banking facilities.
Road Projects Status
Ceisteanna (267)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:267. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application by the Slane Bypass Action Group; when he will allow the application for the Slane bypass to return to planning stage in view of the safety concerns held by local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20726/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
Traffic Management
Ceisteanna (268)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:268. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding heavy goods vehicles using Griffith Avenue, Dublin 7, during school opening and closing times 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. [20737/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The enforcement of any traffic restrictions is a matter for An Garda Síochána.