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Thursday, 8 May 2014

Written Answers Nos. 211-220

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (211)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

211. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in providing a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 with home help. [20694/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

EU Directives

Ceisteanna (212)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

212. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if changes to EU VAT Directive 132 to allow for a zero VAT rate to be placed on defibrillators was promoted by him during the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20695/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The issue of changes to the EU VAT Directive 132 to allow for a zero vat rate to be placed on defibrillators was not addressed during the EU Presidency. However, my Department is actively involved in plans for a Public Access Defibrillation Programme.

The Second Stage of the Public Access to Defibrillators Bill was passed in the Seanad in June 2013. The Bill sets out the requirement to provide defibrillators in a range of settings and for events which have a regular attendance in excess of 100 persons per day. It was agreed that there are a number of questions that need to be considered when designing a public defibrillation programme for Ireland. Government approval was therefore granted for the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of a Public Access Defibrillator Programme for Ireland. This HTA will inform my subsequent decisions on the design and implementation of a national programme of public access defibrillation and the necessary legislation which my Department will draft.

The first meeting of the Expert Advisory Group on Public Access Defibrillation took place on 13 March in the HIQA offices. It was agreed that the second meeting of the Advisory Group would take place in June 2014, with the third meeting and Final Draft Report stage being undertaken in August 2014. In mid-September, 2014 it is envisaged that a Public Consultation will begin, ending on or about 17 October. It is expected that the Final Report will be ready for publication by mid-November, 2014.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (213)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

213. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied). [20708/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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 issued to Oireachtas members.

Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 209.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (215)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

215. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to have a dedicated multiple sclerosis nurse in the mid-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20710/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (216)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

216. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the way in which his Department and the Health Service Executive are dealing with the issue of Parkinson's disease; the support that has been given to the Parkinson's Association of Ireland to enable it to establish a network of Parkinson's nurse specialists; the extent to which research is being undertaken as to the causes of the disease and most appropriate treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20720/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Health services and supports provided to people with Parkinson's disease are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE). I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the HSE and have asked that they outline directly to the Deputy, the services and supports provided to people with Parkinson's disease and to the Parkinson's Association of Ireland along with any information which the HSE has on research into the causes of and treatment for the condition.

Symphysiotomy Reports

Ceisteanna (217)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

217. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on a recent article (details supplied) on proposed redress for symphysiotomy patients which has caused a lot of confusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20722/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The position is that no decision has been made by the Government regarding a redress scheme for women who have undergone a surgical symphysiotomy. Since coming into office, I have endeavoured to satisfactorily facilitate closure for around 250 - 350 women affected by symphysiotomy. On 26 November 2013, Government approved the appointment of retired Circuit Court Judge Yvonne Murphy to assist in setting out a possible course of action in relation to women who have undergone symphysiotomies. Judge Murphy commenced her review of issues relating to Symphysiotomy in December and has submitted her report to me in mid-March.

I am closely examining the report and its recommendations. I will bring a Memorandum to Government in the coming weeks, so that a decision can be taken as early as possible regarding next steps. Any proposals brought to Government will also take into account of the findings of the independent research report on Symphysiotomy in Ireland 1944-1984, which was commissioned by my Department (the Walsh Report), along with any other relevant information.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (218)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

218. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an intellectual disability centre (details supplied) and its service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20732/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (219)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

219. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an intellectual disability service user transferring to another intellectual disability service centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20733/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (220)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

220. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 12 March 2014, the number of persons on the placement list for the nursing homes support scheme; the length of time it is taking for funding to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20761/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On the 29th April 2014 there were 913 people on the national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. At that stage it was about 6 weeks for funding to issue, from the date that the person was first placed on the list.

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