Written Answers Nos. 237-243
237. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive is seeking audited accounts to renew a medical card from a person who has been in receipt of farm assist for 20 years and who is being assessed by the Department of Social Protection in order to qualify for this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12423/14]
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.
238. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the reports, reviews and studies commissioned by him or his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department since 9 March 2011; the date on which they were commissioned; the date on which they were completed; the date on which they were published; the cost of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12433/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department is not available at present. Information for the period March 2011 to March 2014 is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available. I have asked the HSE to supply the information requested, directly to the Deputy. Operational matters for bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar.
239. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card appeal and award a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12448/14]
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.
240. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned at reports that 30 paediatric beds at the national children's hospital, Tallaght are to be transferred to the adult hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12454/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently no plans to transfer paediatric beds to the adult services within Tallaght Hospital. However, the existing paediatric services at Tallaght will in due course move to the new children's hospital in Dublin 8 when built, as will Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin and Children's University Hospital Temple Street.
A satellite centre of the new children's hospital, providing urgent care and outpatient care, is planned for the campus of Tallaght Hospital. This is one of two satellite centres under the governance of the new children's hospital, which will be developed in order to improve access to these services for children in the Greater Dublin Area, for whom the new children's hospital is their local hospital (the second satellite centre will be located on the campus of Connolly Hospital). Staff of the new children's hospital will work across the main hospital and both satellites.
The three paediatric service providers, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Children’s University Hospital Temple Street and the paediatric service at Tallaght Hospital, have come together to form the Children's Hospital Group and are working closely with the Group CEO towards the integration of their services well in advance of the new hospital being built. I am advised that Tallaght Hospital is currently reviewing its entire bed stock capacity in order to develop plans to future proof service requirements for the years ahead.
242. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Question No. 1110 of 11 June 2013, the number of people who sat the knowledge test for small public service vehicles in 2013; the number of candidates who achieved a pass grade; the percentage score needed to pass; the number of candidates who failed the area knowledge test; the number of those candidates who received an area knowledge test mark of greater than 60%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12233/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009, including responsibility for administering the SPSV Entry Test, which includes both the Industry Knowledge and the Area Knowledge Tests.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. If he does not receive a reply within ten working days please notify my private office.
243. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has concerns that the new permanent markings on taxis make taxi owners a target for criminals who may feel that cash is available within the home where cars are parked outside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12280/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the taxi industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. The NTA is also the lead agency with responsibility for the implementation of the actions agreed in the Taxi Regulation Review, 2011. In line with Action 31 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report, the new external signage introduced in January 2013 aims to improve the recognition of taxis on our streets, promote greater professionalism of the industry and reduce the potential for unlicensed vehicles to operate as taxis.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
