Written Answers Nos. 113-130
113. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the grounds on which 50,277 medical cards were withdrawn in the first three months of this year; the savings achieved as a result of their withdrawal; and the projected target of savings from medical card reviews and withdrawals for 2014. [24046/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 1 January 2014 there were 1,849,380 individuals covered by a medical card. On 31 March 2014, the number of individuals covered was 1,799,103. This means there has been a reduction in the register of 50,277. I have asked the HSE to provide the details directly to the Deputy.
All medical cards are subject to a periodic review of eligibility to determine continuing eligibility. The change in the number of existing cards will be dependent on the extent of ineligibility detected. It is important to note that where a medical card is withdrawn, it is not withdrawn due on the cost implications for the HSE. In accordance with the Health Acts, a medical card can only be withdrawn due to eligibility not having been established.
I can advise the Deputy that probity measures are estimated to yield €23m in savings in 2014.
114. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health in view of the announced suspension of medical card reviews, if this suspension affects cards which are currently under review, and cases currently under appeal following a review. [24047/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra119. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the discretionary medical cards that were withdrawn from medical card holders following the recent review by the Health Service Executive will be reinstated; and the steps he plans to take to arrange for the reimbursement of medical expenses for persons in such circumstances. [24072/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out in detail the outworking of the Government decision of 29 May regarding medical card reviews; if the suspension of reviews includes the restoration of medical cards awarded on a discretionary basis and already withdrawn after review; if it includes other categories of medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24077/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 119 and 123 together.
The HSE decided last week to suspend reviews of medical cards held on a discretionary basis. The process of extending eligibility for those who had been undergoing a review or appeal has commenced.
Those affected are being notified through the normal routes, including text message.
With regards to individuals who had already lost their medical card following a review, there is currently no legal basis under which the HSE can reinstate eligibility. Identifying the appropriate legal and legislative measures required to provide medical card eligibility on the basis of medical need will be undertaken as part of the review of the legislative framework, supported by the work of the expert panel currently being established by the HSE.
Under the current legislation, persons with limited eligibility can benefit from the Drugs Payment Scheme.
115. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early hospital appointment will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [24052/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
116. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Laois is due a refund on the purchase of medical equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24061/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
117. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24064/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
118. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a fair deal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24066/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
120. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the numbers on waiting lists in respect of assessment and treatment for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy with a breakdown by therapy and by duration on the waiting list and by area and by age category. [24073/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter and as the information requested is not routinely provided to the Department by the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
121. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the plans for the allied health professionals such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists under his universal health insurance plans; the way these services will be provided; by whom; the persons who will employ such therapists; and the way they will be paid for. [24074/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe White Paper on Universal Health Insurance, published by Government on 2 April 2014, indicates that under UHI citizens will have access to a package of primary and acute hospital services, including acute mental health services. The White Paper also sets out policy proposals for the treatment of different service areas, which incorporates the services of allied healthcare professionals. UHI will focus on services delivered at the individual patient or client level, and allied healthcare professionals will have an important role in this approach.
The Government will shortly establish an Expert Commission to consider in detail the range of services to be included either within the UHI standard package of services or within the overall health basket. The inclusion of services delivered by allied healthcare professionals will be considered as part of that process. The Commission will consult widely and will present a series of options to Government. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children will also review the options presented by the Commission. The final decision on the services to be included in the UHI standard package and the overall health basket will be made by the Government. I am cognisant of the need for service integration at an operational level between services funded by the standard UHI package and those funded separately to UHI, both for individuals availing of the services and for those who provide the service.
I am keen to hear the views of allied healthcare professionals given the important role they play in the delivery of primary and community care. I would like to thank those who made a submission during the first consultation process, which focused on the White Paper and ran from 2 April until 28 May. I would encourage their full participation in the remaining consultation processes.
122. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) in County Mayo will have his full medical card restored in view of the recent announcement that reviews of discretionary medical cards is to be suspended; his views on whether a child suffering Down's syndrome should be automatically entitled to a full medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24075/14]
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.
124. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if, when he appointed Mr. Noel Daly as Chair of the West/North West Hospital Group, he was aware that he was a 50% shareholder and founder of N and M Health Partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24078/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMr. Noel Daly was an employee of the D&F Health Partnership Ltd and retired from this position in December 2011. On June 11 2012 he was appointed Chair of the then Galway and Roscommon University Hospitals Group and resigned as a director of D&F Health Partnership Ltd some days later, on 19 June 2012. Although listed as a 50% shareholder in D&F Health Partnership Ltd, my understanding is that Mr. Daly has had no involvement with the company or received any financial reward from them since his retirement in December 2011.
I am aware that an issue has arisen in relation to the commissioning of the review of maternity services on behalf of West/ North West Hospital Group and that the HSE Internal Audit Unit has established that the procurement of services was not in accordance with HSE National Financial Regulations. I understand that the Director General of the HSE has written to both Mr. Daly and the CEO seeking to ensure that there will be no further breaches of procurement rules. I am satisfied that this operational matter is being dealt with appropriately by the HSE working with the CEO and the Group Board, and that any issues will be resolved in that context.
125. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the application for an amendment to a licence will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23991/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in individual cases. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
126. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify for taxi drivers who enter their destination to their satellite navigation software on their smart phones whether the automatic data updates for route information received during their journeys is prohibited as being data access while driving under the new legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24013/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic Act 2006 (restriction on Use of Mobile Phones) Regulations 2014, which came into effect on 1 May 2014, make it an offence to send or read a text message from a mobile phone while driving a mechanically propelled vehicle. These regulations apply to mobile phones which are not being held, i.e. to hands-free devices. A text message in these regulations includes an SMS or MMS message, or an email.
The automatic data updates from satellite navigation software operates over the internet, therefore it is neither SMS- nor MMS-based. Email operates over the internet. As the Regulation specify email, which does operate over the internet, this implies that non-email communication received via the internet is not covered by the regulations.
127. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is hoped to have a reciprocal driver licensing agreement put in place between British Columbia in Canada and here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24017/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra129. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a timeframe in place for the implementation of the reciprocal driving licence between Ireland and British Columbia similar to the agreement proposed for the Canadian Provinces of Ontario, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24042/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 129 together.
Agreements on mutual recognition of driving licences involve very detailed negotiations. On the Irish side, these negotiations are undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). In Canada, each individual province is responsible for its own driver licensing rules. The RSA has therefore been in negotiations with the various provinces in Canada, with a priority given to reaching an agreement with Ontario due to the large numbers of Irish residents there.
I understand from the RSA that most issues have been agreed with Ontario. However the issue of licences based on exchange for a third country licence has delayed matters. My Department is aware of this, and has been in communication with the embassy in Ottawa in order to explore ways of overcoming this. Negotiations are also at an advanced stage with Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador. While it is hoped to make progress in due course with British Columbia, it will not be among the first agreements reached.
Reaching such an agreement is not only a matter of facilitating the exchange of licences by Irish residents in Canada or by Canadian residents in Ireland. Rather it also involves both sides ensuring that the people licensed to drive in the other jurisdiction are properly qualified. As a result, when Ireland makes agreements of this kind with other jurisdictions, we require, as a standard component of the agreement, that we will not accept for exchange licences issued by the other jurisdiction if those licences were in turn derived from an exchange with a third country with which we do not have an exchange relationship.
I am keen to see exchange agreements reached with the Canadian provinces as soon as possible.
128. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received the preliminary report from the expert panel established to find a resolution to the Aer Lingus pensions dispute; if not, when he expects to receive same; and when the expert panel is due to submit its final report. [24033/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Expert Panel, established to carry out an investigation of how a final resolution of the industrial relations issues relating to the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS) can be secured, updated the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ibec and Congress on progress to date on the 30 May. The Panel has confirmed that it has had a productive round of engagements with the various stakeholders. The Expert Panel is expected to submit their final report to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ibec and Congress within two weeks.
130. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is any central Government funding available to newly-established not-for-profit organisations who provide care services to young adults who were in the care of the State as children but, on reaching the age of 18, find themselves with little support, social exclusion and, more crucially, no homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23989/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraYoung people who leave State care are entitled to advice, guidance and practical support. This is delivered in partnership with the young person, his or her family, foster carers, social workers, key residential social care workers and other statutory, community and voluntary agencies. Approximately 450 children leave care annually.
Aftercare is the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of a young person who is leaving statutory care at 18 years of age, to assist him/her in making the transition to independent living. The most important requirements for young people leaving care are for continuity of relationships; secure, suitable accommodation as well as further education, employment or training.
The core eligible age range for aftercare is from 18 years up to 21 years. This can be extended until the completion of a course of education and training in which a young person who has left care, or is leaving care, is engaged. Many young people remain in their foster care placement after 18 – the assistance they need may be a continuation of the fostering arrangements and support in accessing educational opportunities. Young people who do not have family support from a foster carer or family base are assisted in finding accommodation in either supported lodgings, sheltered housing or independent accommodation and encouraged and supported financially in furthering their training and education.
As the Deputy will be aware, it has been decided to strengthen the legislative provisions regarding aftercare. The approach adopted is to impose a statutory duty on the Agency to prepare an aftercare plan for an eligible child or eligible young person. The aim is to create an explicit, as opposed to implicit, statement of the Agency’s duty to satisfy itself as to the child’s or young person’s need for assistance by preparing a plan that identifies those needs for aftercare supports. The draft provisions also clarify the range of agencies providing relevant services with which the Agency will cooperate in the development of the plan.
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, at its sitting on 1 April, considered the draft aftercare provisions. I understand that following this meeting a report is being prepared, which will be forwarded to me in due course. I will consider its content prior to refining the text of the provisions in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
There is no funding directly available from my Department to not for profit organisations providing services for care leavers. Aftercare is delivered directly by the Child and Family Agency with additional support provided through Service Level Agreements between the Agency and Focus Ireland, Cross Care, Don Bosco and the Simon Community. The Agency has advised that there is no new funding currently available to develop such additional services. However, any organisation interested in providing aftercare services is invited to forward their proposal to the relevant Regional Service Director of the Agency. These will be considered by the Agency in the context of its ongoing review of funding to all service providers.
