Written Answers Nos. 161-180
161. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will take into consideration the exceptional medical circumstances of the case and reinstate full medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28590/14]
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.
162. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if persons (details supplied) in County Kildare will now qualify for a medical card under the new discretionary medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28591/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the Government's decision to develop a policy framework for providing eligibility for health services on the basis of medical conditions, the Government recently announced that a medical card or GP visit card is to be issued to a person, with a serious illness, whose discretionary card was refused renewal since the centralisation of medical card assessments.
If the medical card or GP visit card to which the Deputy refers was awarded by way of discretion and was refused renewal in the period from 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2014 following the completion of an eligibility review, a card will issue by the HSE.
The HSE has commenced issuing letters to the persons concerned and this process should be concluded by the first two weeks of July. No action is required on the part of those affected as the HSE will be in contact. If people do not hear from the HSE by mid July, they should contact the HSE on its Lo-Call contact number: 1890 25 29 19. These individuals will be able to access medical card and GP visit card services in the normal manner when they have been advised by the HSE that their medical card or GP visit card is active.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine the specific query raised 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.
163. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his officials have achieved a budget underspend on the Hepatitis C compensation tribunal for this past year in the region of €30 million; the nature of this budget surplus; and if the source of the saving is associated with recovered costs from previous years, recently discovered administration improvements or a restriction of awards being paid to the victims. [28592/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocations in respect of the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal under Vote 38 Department of Health in 2013 were €24.786m under Subhead F3 (Payments to a Special Account established under Section 10 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Acts 1997 and 2002) and €3.849m under Subhead F4 (Payments to a Reparation Fund established under Section 11 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Acts 1997 and 2002). Spending under these subheads was €21.2m and €3m respectively, giving a total of €24.2m, which represents a saving of €4.435 on the combined allocation of €28.635.
The Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Scheme is a demand led scheme and it is difficult to accurately forecast payments within calendar years. The number of cases giving rise to payments has declined in recent years.
165. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of new discretionary medical cards issued in the first six months of 2014, 2013, 2012; in the first six months of 2011; the second six months of 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively; the corresponding figure for the total number of discretionary cards renewed and refused in each time period; the total entitlement to medical cards in each time period concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28594/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
166. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health in respect of the Government decision of 17 June 2014 regarding the return of discretionary medical cards to those who had lost them following review, the basis on which the date of 1 July 2011 was chosen in view of the fact that the centralisation process commenced in 2009; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 383,488 medical card applications and reviews had been completed by the PCRS between January 2009 and mid-2011; and if he will set out the policy regarding the return of medical cards to those holders who lost discretionary medical cards between 2009 and 1 July 2011. [28599/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current eligibility system for health services, which has been in place since 1970, is based primarily on financial criteria. Therefore, the Government has decided to develop a policy framework for providing eligibility for health services to take account of medical conditions, including new legislation as appropriate and a HSE clinical expert group is to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as part of this process. The group has been asked to make an early report to the Minister for Health in the autumn.
The Government was very concerned about the potential impacts on the health of persons with serious illnesses whose discretionary medical cards and GP visit cards were refused renewals since the centralisation of medical card assessment in 2011. Therefore, in the context of the above eligibility policy development, the Government decided that medical cards and GP visit cards are to be issued to persons with a serious medical condition (or disability) who had the renewal of their discretionary card refused by the HSE, having completed an eligibility review during the period from 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2014.
Under the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) 2009 National Service Plan, it was agreed that the processing of medical card/GP visit card applications & reviews would be centralised and would transfer to the Executive’s Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin.
The process commenced in January 2009 when the PCRS took over the processing of all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over. The second phase commenced in September 2009 with the transfer of the case load from two local health offices (LHOs) in Dublin. In 2010, as part of the centralisation project, the HSE introduced a new website, www.medicalcard.ie , which enables people anywhere in the country to apply for or renew a medical card through a simple and efficient application process.
The final phase extended PCRS responsibility for processing all medical cards to the remainder of the country. This meant that all new medical card applications and reviews made from 1 July 2011 were processed centrally by the PCRS Office in Finglas, Dublin.
Centralisation delivered a consistent and equitable application of eligibility and service provision and has provided clearer governance and accountability, as well as improved management information. It is in the context of the finalisation of the centralisation project - 1 July 2011 - that the Government decided that the HSE would issue cards to persons, with a serious illness, whose discretionary card was refused renewal in the period from 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2014.
167. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently re-assess a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will take into consideration the exceptional medical circumstances of the case and immediately reinstate a full medical card. [28607/14]
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.
168. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and award a discretionary medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28611/14]
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.
169. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are being funded by the Health Service Executive to receive long term psychiatric care outside of the State; if he will provide a breakdown of the cost involved for the past three years; the nature of the specialist treatment abroad and if it is drug lead; if these centres have been inspected by the HSE prior to sending patients there; and if they are being monitored while there. [28622/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
170. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will request the medical assessment unit to re-examine a medical card appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry recently awarded GP visit cards only and issue full discretionary medical cards to their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28623/14]
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.
171. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be granted a medical card under the new discressionary guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28638/14]
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.
172. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 771 of 30 April 2014, if he will arrange an urgent inspection of a facility (details supplied) in Dublin 7, to establish whether it is at an acceptable standard of maintenance, particularly in respect of toilets, shower area, lack of a lift, the need for repainting, privacy for patients aswell as general upkeep, hygiene and health and safety; and if the Health Information Quality Authority or the Mental Health Commission or some other body are responsible for independent inspections of this facility. [28640/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
173. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment date for the dental clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28641/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDental services to children up to 16 years are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE. The service is targeted at children at key stages in their development. Children are given dental examinations and any follow-up treatment required at these stages. When required, emergency dental treatment is available to all children up to 16 years. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
174. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is being charged for glasses for their child when the child in question has a serious eye condition and is under the care of Portlaoise General Hospital and subsequently referred to the eye and ear hospital and the child is the holder of a current medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28644/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE provides an optical screening service for children. Any refractive errors are treated and spectacles or other appropriate care is provided where necessary. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
175. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when the health transport support Bill will go through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28654/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 26 November 2013, the Government decided to assign responsibility to the Minister for Health for the development of a new statutory travel payment scheme. The Department of Health is working to develop proposals on foot of the Government’s decision.
Enabling provisions will be required in primary legislation in the first instance for any new scheme. Any regulations which might be required would be developed according to the policies and principles contained in such primary legislation. Under the new rules on pre-legislative scrutiny, the draft Heads of Bill, once approved by Government, will be brought before the Joint Committee on Health and Children for discussion
Given the dependency on decisions yet to be made, a definitive time frame is not yet available. This will become clearer as the work progresses.
The HSE continue to make an equivalent payment to those who were in receipt of a Mobility Allowance payment before the original schemes were closed. Those individuals have continued to receive the same payment on a monthly basis as before.
176. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of the blind supplementary welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28660/14]
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.
177. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the drug fampyra will be approved by his Department; and if it is to be listed for medical card patients. [28672/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Fampridine (Fampyra®) in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association for the assessment of new medicines.
In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that, as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of fampridine in the Irish healthcare setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product. The report is available on the NCPE's website (www.ncpe.ie ). The NCPE report is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the manufacturer of the drug.
The HSE assessment process is intended to arrive at a decision on the funding of new medicines that is clinically appropriate, fair, consistent and sustainable. In these circumstances, the HSE has not approved the reimbursement of Fampridine under the GMS or other community drug schemes.
However, I am aware that studies are ongoing to assess the wider impact of Fampridine on both walking and quality of life for persons diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The results of these studies will contribute to the evidence base demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of the product which can be used to support future applications for its inclusion on the lists of reimbursable items supplied under the GMS and other community drugs scheme.
The HSE met with Biogen Idec recently to discuss a potential revised application. The HSE expects that Biogen Idec will submit a revised application. The HSE will then re-consider the application in as timely a fashion as possible in line with the agreed procedures and timescales for the assessment of new medicines.
178. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 will have their hip replacement operation. [28684/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular patient query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
179. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will to highlight the urgency of a GMS card for a person (details supplied) to PCRS as this person requires urgent life saving medication for Ischaemic heart disease which they are unable to afford without cover as they are only in receipt of a social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28685/14]
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.
180. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application to his Department's 2014 national lottery fund by a charity (details supplied) in Cork; when a decision is expected on the application. [28686/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received an application for funding from the 2014 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number of applications currently being assessed. The organisation will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.
