Written Answers Nos. 207-217
207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the basis on which the children of a person (details supplied) Dublin 15 have been taken into care; the extent to which they received information in this regard at the meeting which took place on 29 October last; if the grounds for keeping the children in care have been adequately explained to the family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47593/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information from the HSE and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
208. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if it is possible for a person in receipt of the automatic extra €10 for being over 80 years of age to give up that extra payment to enable them to meet medical card gross income limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47422/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card and GP Visit Card eligibility for persons aged 70 or older is based on assessment on a gross income basis and takes account of all income, as set out in the Health Act 1970 (As Amended).
For persons aged 70 or older who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds that apply, they may also have their eligibility assessed under the means tested medical card scheme. This assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses and the qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over-70s gross income thresholds. If a person is means assessed ineligible for a medical card under the general scheme, and that person has other social, medical or financial circumstances relevant to an assessment of their ability to provide for their medical needs or the medical needs of any dependants they may have, these factors will be considered to decide if a medical card or GP visit card should be approved on discretionary grounds under the 'undue hardship' or 'undue burden' provision of the medical card scheme.
209. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when orthodontic treatment will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47446/13]
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 him as soon as possible.
210. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47454/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
211. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if an application for a long-term illness scheme book will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 ; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47487/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is responsible for the administration of the Long Term Illness Scheme, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
212. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a determination will be made on an appeal for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47497/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
213. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health when construction of Corduff primary care centre will commence and if the funding for the project is in place. [47505/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivery of healthcare infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
214. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the allocation to the Blanchardstown Local Drug Taskforce for 2014; and the allocation made in 2011, 2012 and 2013 in tabular form. [47507/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem. No decisions have been taken yet in relation to the allocations to Drugs Task Forces for 2014. The matter is currently under consideration. It is anticipated that Drugs Task Forces will be informed of their allocations later in the year.
The allocation made to support community drug initiatives in the Blanchardstown Local Drugs Task Force area from 2011 to date is outlined in the table.
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Allocation |
€1,152,227 |
€1,124,343 |
€1,090,613 |
215. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health when construction of Navan Road Primary Care centre will commence; and if funding for the project is in place. [47508/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivery of healthcare infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
216. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a determination will be made on an application for a medical a card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47514/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
217. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his position regarding the use of cannabis for medical purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47522/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products are unlawful except for the purposes of research.
My Department is aware that cannabis for medicinal use has been legalised in some countries and that there have been several studies internationally on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids for a number of medical issues. Notwithstanding the Government's reluctance to loosen the controls on cannabis generally, Department officials have engaged with experts on how authorised cannabis-based medicinal products for patients may be legally prescribed by medical practitioners and used by patients. Draft Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations which will give effect to this are being finalised and it is anticipated that they will be introduced early next year.
