Written Answers Nos. 648-72
648. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding elderly persons in nursing homes losing their medical cards because their payment toward their care is not considered in the assessment of their income (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25414/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the arrangements effected by the Health Act 2008, a revised system of assessment for eligibility was introduced for those 70 years of age and over, based on the significantly higher gross income limits rather than the standard net income thresholds. This advantageous arrangement for persons aged over 70 years has facilitated a much greater share of this cohort qualifying for a medical card compared to the general population as a whole.
However, persons aged 70 or older who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds may also have their eligibility assessed under the means tested medical card scheme where they face particularly high expenses, e.g. nursing home or medication costs. This assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses and the qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over -70s gross income thresholds.
Furthermore, persons aged over 70 years may still be eligible for a medical card on a discretionary basis where they face undue hardship in arranging medical services as a result of medical or social circumstances.
650. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of so-called section 38 agencies and organisations in receipt of funding from the Health Service Executive; and if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount of funding received by each organisation in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 and indicating the purpose for which funding was provided to each agency or organisation. [25421/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply
651. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of so-called section 39 agencies and organisations in receipt of funding from the Health Service Executive; and if he will provide in tabular form the amount of funding received by each organisation in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 and indicating the purpose for which funding was provided to each agency or organisation [25422/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
652. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the medical protocols, procedures and treatments in the public health system for the diagnoisis, prevention and treatment of Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25470/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE is responsible for the surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases such as Lyme Disease. The HPSC has begun the process of establishing a Lyme Borreliosis Sub-Committee with the primary aim to examine best practice in prevention and surveillance of Lyme Disease and to develop strategies to undertake primary prevention in order to minimise harm caused by Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland. This will involve, inter alia, raising awareness among clinicians and the general public.
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy .
653. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the incidence of Lyme disease diagnosed per annum for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25471/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE is responsible for the surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases such as Lyme Disease. The HPSC has begun the process of establishing a Lyme Borreliosis Sub-Committee with the primary aim to examine best practice in prevention and surveillance of Lyme Disease and to develop strategies to undertake primary prevention in order to minimise harm caused by Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland. This will involve, inter alia, raising awareness among clinicians and the general public.
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy .
654. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if a formal complaint lodged by a person against the Health Service Executive is recorded on the complainant's medical records. [25473/14]
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.
655. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25474/14]
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.
656. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the basis on which, in the determination of eligibility-assessment of means in respect of nursing home care in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, it was determined that their spouse was deemed not to have an interest in the family home thereby reducing the support under the fair deal scheme; if consideration was given to the wider implications of such a determination in respect of a spouse of more than 20 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25475/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
657. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Irish Wheelchair Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25482/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Wheelchair Association receives funding from the Health Service Executive under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004. The HSE has a service level agreement with the Irish Wheelchair Association to provide services to people with a disability. The agreement covers the nature and levels of services to be provided by the Irish Wheelchair Association for people with a disability within the funding provided on an annual basis.
The issues raised in the correspondence attached to this parliamentary question including attendance at the Irish Wheelchair Association's recent Annual General Meeting are issues more appropriate to the Board of the Irish Wheelchair Association and are not within the ambit of the Minster for Health or the HSE.
658. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the amount of financial support provided by the Health Service Executive to the IMO, the Irish College of General Practitioners, Spunout.ie, Alcohol Action Ireland and Drugs.ie for each of the past four years, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the amount allocated by the HSE to each of these bodies in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25491/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.
660. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 5 June 2014, if he will answer the specific question with respect to different policies between Cork-Kerry and the rest of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25496/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined in my reply of 5 June, a standardised policy is not in place for the longer-term provision of bras to post-mastectomy patients who hold medical cards. The first prosthesis and two bras are provided free of charge to all such people throughout the country.
Variations exist across regions in regard to the longer-term provision of bras to post-mastectomy patients. Therefore, it is not an issue of one approach applying in the Cork/Kerry region and another applying across the rest of the country.
As outlined previously, a national group has been established in the HSE to review practices in the area of aids and appliances. As part of this work it will develop a national policy on the provision of prosthesis bras, as well as hairpieces, for cancer patients. It is anticipated that the Group will complete its work in the first half of 2015.
661. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the current delays and difficulties being experienced by wheelchair users; if he will provide an update on the number of outstanding electric wheelchairs needing repairs that are currently in the system (details supplied); the number that are not being repaired within the contract time of three days or 24 hours for emergencies; the current average length of time that clients are now waiting to have their chairs repaired; the measures his Department is taking to resolve the delays; and when the time span for repairs will be reduced and returned to some normality. [25512/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
662. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the circumstances regarding the medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; if he will review the refusal and-or revocation of the full medical card in June 2014 in view of the fact that their conditions are incurable and progressive; if a medical card will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25516/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from the Deputy's question that the individual in question was subject to a review under the revised gross income limits under the scheme of assessment for an Over-70s medical card. Under the legislation, determination of eligibility for a medical card - an appeals thereon - is the responsibility of the HSE and, as I have no role in this process, it would be inappropriate for me to interfere.
If, however, the medical card held was originally awarded after the exercise of discretion, the Deputy will be aware of the recent decision of the Cabinet committee on Health that a policy framework should be drawn up in a manner in which medical conditions could be fully taken account of in the assessment of eligibility for a medical card. The HSE has established an Expert Panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as a basis for eligibility.
In the context of the work of the Expert Panel, the Director General of the HSE suspended further reviews of medical and GP visit cards where discretion had been exercised to take account of medical circumstances, pending the outcome of this process. This includes people who are currently in the review or appeals process.
663. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the total amount of capital spending on construction projects carried out by his Department and by bodies operating under the responsibility of his Department since 2008 and to date in 2014; if he will provide the information on an annual basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25540/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra664. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount of the €397 million designated to the Health group for direct Exchequer capital funding according to the Government Estimates for 2014 that is expected to go towards construction related projects; if he will list the projects; if he will provide an update on any of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25556/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 664 together.
Of the €397 million, circa €7 million indented for infrastructure to accommodate the delivery of child care service was transferred from the HSE's Vote to the DCYA Vote in the 2014 REV process. The health capital allocation for the Health Group of Votes for 2014 is €390.159 million of which the HSE's allocation is €374.159 million. This includes €40 million for the Executive's information systems and related services. The remaining €334.159 million which includes €8 million to be generated from the proceeds of the disposal of surplus assets is allocated to the Executive's construction and equipping projects.
Details of the construction and equipping projects currently underway are published on the HSE's website at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/est14.pdf. Details of the small number of new projects included in the Capital Plan 2014-2018 - year 2014 will be published by the HSE on completion of the approval process. While I have approved the HSE's Capital Plan 2014-2018 - year 2014, the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is awaited. In relation to the HSE's capital expenditure on construction related projects for the years 2008 to 2013 and to end May 2014, your question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
My Department's 2014 capital allocation is €16 million which includes provision of circa €7.522 million in respect of construction related projects.
With regard to construction related projects funded by the Office to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMYCA), the attached spreadsheet shows the capital expenditure outturn for the relevant years. Due to the short time frame it is not possible to extract this information from archived records and definitively determine construction related projects. The National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) was announced by the Minister for Finance in Budget 2006. The NCIP is an Exchequer funded successor Programme to the EU co-funded Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP). Both the EOCP and NCIP were designed to improve the availability and quality of childcare options, primarily through capital grant-aiding the construction and refurbishment of childcare facilities and through current support grants for community services.
Details of expenditure on construction related projects for agencies under the aegis of the Department including the OMYCA are shown in the following spreadsheet.
Department of Health - Vote 38
Agencies under the aegis of Dept.
Expenditure on construction related projects since 2008
|
Year |
€m |
|
2008 |
2.71 |
|
2009 |
1.01 |
|
2010 |
0.30 |
|
2011 |
0.00 |
|
2012 |
0.00 |
|
2013 |
2.53 |
|
to date 2014 |
1.23 |
665. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of projects that have gone to tender or commenced construction by the Health Service Executive under the Government's stimulus plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25566/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the PPP primary care centre project referred to in the July 2012 the PPP Stimulus Plan has not gone to tender or commenced construction yet, considerable progress has been achieved to date. Although it was decided that the HSE would retain responsibility for processing the locations through the planning process, this process ran in parallel to the normal long preparatory PPP period that is common to all PPP projects. Nevertheless this project is still on target for delivery in late 2016 / early 2017. As at end May 2014, planning permission has been awarded at eight locations.
The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) published a Prior Indicative Notice (PIN) / Pre-Qualification Questionnaire in the OJEU on 19 December 2013. Four submissions were received by the closing date which was 10 March 2014. It is expected that 10-14 sites (indicative number 12 based on affordability) will be delivered as part of a single PPP contract with the remaining centres to be delivered by the HSE using other procurement means. Information can be located at the following web address - http://www.ndfa.ie/TenderCompetitions/PrimaryCareCentresPPPProgramme.htm. Health care services to be delivered at the PPP locations will include General Practitioner (GP) services and in addition a number of centres will include a wider range of community based services, for example, dental services, community mental health services, child and adolescent mental health services, early intervention teams, and doctor on call services.
The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care system. Supporting infrastructure, procured through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary health care.
666. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect an appointment in the neurology department, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [25567/14]
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.
667. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Longford may expect an appointment at St. Luke's Hospital, County Kilkenny. [25572/14]
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.
668. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health the proposals he has to ensure the continued operation of a community nursing unit (details supplied) in County Offaly in view of a large number of bed closures and reduction in services in recent months due to staffing shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25581/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
669. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if their current care is still valid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25584/14]
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.
670. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide post-primary students with free dental care treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25585/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra720. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the different dental services provided by the State to each age cohort of the population including young children, school children, young adults and adults generally; the dental services provided to medical card holders; if orthodontic treatment is automatically provided for those with cleft palates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25936/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 670 and 720 together.
Dental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons of all ages with special needs are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE through its dental clinics. All HSE dental clinics prioritise emergency care for children up to 16 years of age, treatment for special needs patients and screening of children aged from 11 to 13 years, including referral for orthodontic services where necessary. The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines called the Modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need, including those with defects of cleft lip and pallet, are provided with treatment. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is also provided in hospitals. Other services, including screening of children 6 to 8 years, are provided but may be deferred in clinics where there is pressure on resources.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme provides access to dental treatment for medical card holders over the age of 16. The service is provided by contracted dentists. The HSE prioritises for treatment patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs. A free oral examination every calendar year and free emergency dental treatment with a focus on relief of pain and sepsis are available to all eligible patients, regardless of their medical condition. This includes 2 fillings per year, all extractions, including surgical extractions, and a number of complex treatments.
671. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25615/14]
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.
672. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of cases before the Labour Court, Equality Tribunal, CPSA and EAT involving civil servants taking cases against his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25641/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have any cases before the Labour Court, Equality Tribunal, CPSA or EAT involving civil servants taking cases against the Department.
