Written Answers Nos. 497-512
497. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a hip operation will be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52711/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraShould a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
498. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health when the new co-ordinator for Brain Injury Ireland will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52712/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy has confirmed that the organisation concerned is BRÍ - Independent Brain Injury Support and Advocacy Group. As 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.
499. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the national and-or regional supports available for those who have suffered brain injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52713/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra522. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of a dedicated adolescent rehabilitation unit for teenagers who have suffered an acquired brain injury; if his attention has been drawn to the lack of support group or organisation for affected teenagers; if his attention has been drawn to the devastation caused to teenagers as a result of these injuries; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a teenage brain can recover more swiftly and better if the correct supports are put in place; if he will take immediate action to tackle this issue and provide for an adolescent support unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52874/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 499 and 522 together.
The supports provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to people with brain injury involves a multi-disciplinary team approach and incorporates Acute Hospital Services, the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Primary Care, Community Services, Long-term assisted living supports and Rehabilitative training services. These services are provided directly by the HSE and a number of non-statutory organisations. Within Disability Services, Headway Ireland and Acquired Brain Injury Ireland are the two main organisations funded to meet the needs of such persons.
As the Deputies' questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputies.
500. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the reason the threshold for the over 70s medical card is not doubled for a couple in view of the fact that many other tax credits and allowances are doubled for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52714/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that the living costs of an individual living alone are more than half the living costs of a couple living together and this is reflected, inter alia, through the provision of the Living Alone Increase and differential income limits for medical cards for persons aged under 70 years between individuals and couples.
In that context, the over-70s income limit for a single person has been reduced proportionately less than the income limit for a couple.
501. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he plans to have a 24/7 helipad at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52719/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
502. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue in relation to a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52725/13]
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.
503. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if funding is available for students with mild or moderate special needs to be taken on to do some basic training in hair and beauty therapy with a registered hairdresser; and the way such an initiative could be pursued. [52727/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOptions open to meet the training and education needs of individuals with disabilities include SOLAS-funded vocational training and health-funded rehabilitative training.
Vocational training, including training for people with intellectual, physical or sensory disabilities and mental health issues which prepares people for employment in the open labour market, is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Skills and SOLAS (formerly FÁS) while rehabilitative training, which has no connection with the open labour market, is the responsibility of the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The Department of Social Protection is responsible for delivering income supports, activation and employment services and advice to all unemployed citizens, including people with disabilities, to increase their prospects of securing employment. The Supported Employment Programme/EmployAbility Service is an open labour market initiative providing supports to people with disabilities to help them access the open labour market. Supports are tailored on a case-by-case basis by a job coach and can include on-the-job training, social skills training, assistance with travel to and from work, assistive technology and other supports necessary to make the employment successful, for both the employer and the employee. An individual with a disability, including those with mild to moderate special needs, wishing to pursue training and employment in hair and beauty therapy, would be advised to contact their local SOLAS office to explore their options in this regard.
Although supported employment is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Social Protection and SOLAS, some disability service providers also provide this service and it is open to service users to work with service providers through the person centred planning process to identify the type of supported employment that best meets their needs and abilities. Increasingly, service providers are working with service users to identify their goals through this process of person centred planning placing the person, their life choices and wishes at the core of service development.
The HSE, through its Occupational Guidance Service, works with schools, service providers, service users and families to identify the training needs of people with disabilities. The Occupational Guidance Officer provides one to one advice, support and guidance to enable individuals with a disability aged 16 to 65 years to make an informed choice about their rehabilitative training and occupational options.
For individuals with a disability who require foundation level skills before progressing to vocational training, supported employment or open employment, the HSE provide rehabilitative training. The purpose of rehabilitative training is to develop the individual’s life skills, social skills and basic work skills. Approximately 3,000 people with special needs avail of rehabilitative training each year, some of whom then progress to vocational training, other training or employment. RT courses cover a wide range of skills and cater for people with a range of abilities and interests, and may include opportunities for work sampling or work placement. It is open to an individual in liaision with their service provider to pursue basic work skills training which would be of benefit to that individual should he or she wish to progress to training or employment in a specific area, such as hair and beauty therapy.
504. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on whether psychiatric service centres should be closed on weekends (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52729/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
505. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on whether services such as the Samaritans and other helplines which are not free should be made available free (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52730/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of Freephone helplines available for people in emotional distress such as Console, ILife, Childline, Rape Crisis Centre etc. In addition, a number of LoCall helplines are provided by organisations such as Samaritans, Aware, MABS etc.
Following on from a decision by the European Commission to designate 116 numbers to services of social value, the Commission decided to reserve a common telephone number for emotional helplines in all EU member states. In Ireland, Comreg was charged with responsibility for managing the assignment of the new 116 numbers and it assigned the 116 123 number to the Samaritans.
I am glad to be in a position to inform the House that the Samaritans, last year, entered into a partnership arrangement with six telecommunication providers (Eircom, Meteor, 02, Three, Vodafone and UPC) who committed to funding a vital 24 hour Freephone number. The Samaritans have now completed the technical upgrades required and in June this year commenced piloting the number to the general public in a controlled, geographic area targeting men in the 35-54 age group living in areas of economic deprivation. The Samaritans have met with local public representatives, representatives of religious groups and community workers and have developed a publicity campaign to support this important initiative.
It is expected that the new helpline number 116 123 will be rolled out nationally in March next year.
506. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the instructions that have been given to pharmacies in relation to the new €25 per month maximum prescription charge fee for medical card holders (details supplied). [52743/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs announced in Budget 2014, it has become necessary to increase the prescription charge due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment which requires the Government to achieve additional savings in health expenditure with €666 million of savings targeted in 2014. The increase in prescription charges will account for €43 million of this target. The Government is committed to achieving these savings while protecting front line services to the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible.
Medical card holders will be required to pay a €2.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 per month for each person or family. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme. These new rates are effective from 1 December 2013.
The HSE issues refunds automatically on a quarterly basis where a person or family pays more than €25 in one month, based on information received from pharmacies. There should be no need for refunds if an individual or family visits a single pharmacy and the pharmacist can identify all family members.
Families can confirm or establish a family group on www.medicalcard.ie. If they do not have access to the internet they can get assistance from their local health office or by contacting the HSE on 1890 252 919
507. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health when Crohn's disease will be included on the long-term illness list for free medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52747/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra508. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health when colitis will be included on the long-term illness list for free medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52748/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 507 and 508 together.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultation.
509. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health when a consultant psychiatrist will be recruited and put in place in the midlands area for children aged nought to 18 years with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52774/13]
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.
510. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the annual infrastructure and capital expenditure by his Department on a regional basis and a county basis over the past five years. [52801/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and delivery of the health capital programme is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
511. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card is being reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo when their circumstances have not changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52813/13]
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.
512. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the recruitment of 17 diabetes nurse specialists; if all 17 have now been recruited and are fully operational; if not, the reasons for the delay; and the geographic areas currently served by each of these specialists and the areas not currently served. [52822/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the phased roll out of the National Integrated Care Diabetes Programme, the Government approved funding for the appointment of 17 Integrated Care Diabetes Nurse Specialists (one per HSE Integrated Service Area). These Diabetes Nurse Specialists will play a key role in the development of clinically sound collaborative links between primary care and secondary care providers and will also be an essential resource in empowering patients to achieve optimum diabetes control. Details of the filling of these posts by Integrated Service Area (ISA) are as follows:
Posts filled:
- Cork ISA - Cork - Post filled in October this year;
- Dublin North City ISA - Mater Hospital - Post filled in October this year;
- Dublin South East/Wicklow ISA - Loughlinstown - Post filled in October this year;
- Galway/Roscommon ISA - Galway - Post filled in July this year;
- Kerry ISA - Kerry - Post filled in September this year;
- Mayo ISA - Mayo - Post filled in September this year;
- Midlands ISA - Portlaoise - Post filled in July this year;
- Mid-West ISA - Limerick - Post filled in July this year;
- Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan ISA - Sligo - Post filled in November this year;
Posts accepted:
- Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary ISA - Kilkenny - Post accepted with start date in January 2014 agreed;
- Cavan Monaghan ISA - Cavan - Post accepted, successful applicant will take up position when their existing post in the HSE has been filled;
- Dublin North ISA - Beaumont - Post accepted with start date in December 2013 agreed;
- Donegal ISA - Letterkenny - Post accepted subject to Garda clearance, etc.;
- Dublin South Central ISA- St James's - Post accepted subject to Garda clearance, etc.;
- Dublin South West/Kildare/West Wicklow ISA - Tallaght - Post accepted subject to Garda clearance, etc.;
- Louth/Meath ISA - Connolly Hospital - Post accepted subject to Garda clearance, etc.; and
- Waterford/Wexford ISA - Wexford - Post accepted subject to Garda clearance, etc.
