Written Answers Nos. 173 - 178
173. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive cancelled a medical card when it is valid until December 2013 and due for renewal on 31 December 2013; if the HSE will refund the €143 medication bill in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48464/13]
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.
174. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health when an assessment will be completed on a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48468/13]
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.
175. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48476/13]
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.
176. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [48481/13]
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.
177. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to develop a national forum for discussions to take place between the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the national representative body for nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48490/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 674 of 28 May 2013.
178. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the waiting list to be admitted to nursing homes who are seeking to avail of the fair deal scheme; and the number of patients who are currently in hospital wards across the country and who are waiting to be accommodated in nursing homes. [48501/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total budget for long-term residential care in 2013 in €974m. The HSE operates a national placement list to enable it to operate within the budget for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. All applicants who are approved for funding are put on the placement list in chronological order by the date of determination of their application. Funding issues to applicants in this chronological order to ensure equity nationally. The HSE makes every effort to match available funding to demand by releasing funding on a weekly basis. According to the latest figures available from the HSE dated end September 2013, there were 523 people on the placement list with an average waiting time of 25 days.
As the issues raised by the Deputy are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
