Written Answers Nos. 729-753
730. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a transfer of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly from Kerry General Hospital to the Lakeview unit of Naas General Hospital may be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29440/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
731. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency ambulances with more than 300,000 km, 400,000 km and 500,000 km on the clock respectively; the measure being taken to replace such vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29444/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
732. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29449/14]
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.
733. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3 of 25 June 2014, if he will confirm that all persons who were on the long-term illness scheme and were also medical card holders at any stage during the three-year reimbursement period will receive said reimbursement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29452/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra792. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the prescription charges being incurred by clients who transferred from the long-term illness cards to medical cards have been resolved; if refunds will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29944/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 733 and 792 together.
Persons suffering from prescribed conditions can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Medical card holders are required to pay prescription charges. Prescription charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme.
In the case of persons who have both the medical card and an LTI book, it was HSE policy that they should use their medical card to access medicines. The main reason for this was that when a retail mark-up of 20% was payable to pharmacists for items supplied under the LTI Scheme it cost the HSE considerably more to supply medicines under the LTI Scheme than under the GMS Scheme.
Following a review of the rates of fees payable to health professionals (under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009) my colleague, Minister Reilly, announced (on the 2nd of July 2013) the elimination of the retail mark-up. As a result, the HSE revised its policy on this matter and persons who have both a medical card and LTI can now access medication for their qualifying long term illness condition(s) under the LTI Scheme.
The HSE is actively in the process of identifying any person who had eligibility under the Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme and who, while having concurrent eligibility under the Medical Card Scheme, paid prescription charges prior to the 1st December 2013 for drugs, medicines, medical and surgical appliances related to their qualifying long term illness(es) dispensed under the GMS Scheme, by a registered pharmacist.
The HSE is collating the details regarding the numbers of people affected and how much they will be refunded. It is anticipated that the HSE will be in a position to make refunds to the relevant individuals in the coming weeks.
734. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to any instance whereby eligibility for the long-term illness scheme was revoked on the grounds that the person was also a medical card holder; if there was at any stage a policy whereby a person on the long-term illness scheme could not also be a medical card holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29453/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme is a non-means tested scheme established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended).
Persons suffering from prescribed conditions can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition under the LTI Scheme. Medical card holders are required to pay prescription charges. Prescription charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the LTI Scheme.
In the case of persons who have both the medical card and an LTI book, it was HSE policy that they should use their medical card to access medicines. The main reason for this was that when a retail mark-up of 20% was payable to pharmacists for items supplied under the LTI Scheme it cost the HSE considerably more to supply medicines under the LTI Scheme than under the GMS Scheme.
Following a review of the rates of fees payable to health professionals (under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009) my colleague, Minister Reilly, announced (on the 2nd of July 2013) the elimination of the retail mark-up. As a result, the HSE revised its policy on this matter and persons who have both a medical card and LTI can now access medication for their qualifying long term illness condition(s) under the LTI Scheme.
The Medical Card Scheme is a means tested scheme established under section 58 of the Health Acts 1970 (as amended). The Medical Card scheme does not specifically preclude those persons who had/have eligibility under the LTI scheme.
735. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health if a new application for consideration for the inclusion of the drug Fampyra for multiple sclerosis under the community drugs scheme been received by the Health Service Executive; the timeframe for assessment and decision of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29454/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra759. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to add fampridine or Fampyra to Health Service Executive-funded drug schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29694/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 759 together.
The 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 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 HSE assessment process is intended to arrive at a decision on the funding of new medicines that is clinically appropriate, fair, consistent and sustainable. Due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment in which the Government targeted additional savings in health expenditure of €619 million in 2014, which must be achieved while protecting front line services to the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible, the HSE decided it was not in a position to add the drug to the List of Reimbursable Items supplied under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
It is open to the supplier, at any time, to submit a new application to the HSE incorporating new evidence which demonstrates the cost effectiveness of Fampridine. 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.
736. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29458/14]
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.
737. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the position regarding entitlement to engage with social workers for children and adults with severe and profound disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29477/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
738. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the educational and training services available in counties Louth and Meath for those over 18 years with severe and profound disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29478/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraEducation and vocational training which prepares adults, including those with disabilities, for employment in the open labour market is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Skills and SOLAS (formerly FÁS). Rehabilitative training (RT), which has no connection with the open labour market, is the responsibility of the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The purpose of RT is to develop an individual’s life skills, social skills and basic work skills. Approximately 3,000 people with special needs avail of RT each year, some of whom then progress to vocational training, other training or employment. RT courses cover a wide range of skills and cater for people with a range of abilities and interests, and may include opportunities for work sampling or work placement.
It is open to individuals to work with their service provider through the person centred planning process to identify their goals, including educational and training goals, that best meet their needs and abilities.
In relation to the specific services available in counties Louth and Meath, I have arranged for the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
739. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that an urgent surgical procedure is carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29479/14]
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 him on this matter.
740. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 623 of 17 June 2014, when a detailed response will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29481/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Health Service Executive wrote to the Deputy on 13th June in relation to this matter.
741. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that surveillance equipment was illegally used in an office used by maintenance staff at Letterkenny General Hospital; if he will reassure staff at Letterkenny General Hospital that their right to privacy in the workplace was not compromised; if he will establish if this practice has not occurred anywhere else within the health system; and his plans to ensure that it does not recur. [29485/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have referred the PQ to the HSE for direct reply.
742. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a medication has been withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Kildare after 11 years of supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29488/14]
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.
In relation to the individual case raised by the Deputy, the HSE has been asked to investigate the specific issues surrounding this case and respond directly to the Deputy.
743. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of valid non-discretionary medical cards currently held [29495/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
744. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29499/14]
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.
745. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be seen by a cardiologist at Kerry General Hospital; the timeframe for the current waiting list; the measures being taken to ease the pressure on the cardiology service in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29531/14]
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.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should 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 case raised, as well as the additional information sought by the Deputy, as these are service matters, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
746. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is being forced to retire at 65 years of age from the Health Service Executive when that person will only be entitled to a State pension at 66 years of age and will not be entitled to a discretionary supplementary pension from the HSE for the coming year until reaching 66 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29533/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to an operational matter, I have referred the PQ to the HSE for direct reply.
747. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a patient (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the services currently provided for the patient; and details of the current home care package available to the patient. [29535/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
748. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Cork who made an unsuccessful medical card application in 2012 is included in the special review of medical cards currently being undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29544/14]
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.
749. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the status of the review of the Mental Health Act 2001; and when this review will be completed [29551/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mental Health Act 2001 is the key piece of legislation regarding the rights of people involuntarily detained and treated in approved centres within our mental health services. A commitment to review the Act is contained in the current Programme for Government.
In 2011, I appointed a Steering Group to carry out an initial review of the Act ‘informed by human rights standards and in consultation with service users, carers and other stakeholders’. The report of the Steering Group was published in June 2012 and is available on my Department’s website.
An Expert Group was subsequently established to carry out the second and substantive phase of the review and the Group had its first meeting in September 2012. The Expert Group is coming towards the end of its deliberations and I expect to receive the Group's final report by the end of the third quarter this year.
750. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the documentation outstanding in respect of an application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29560/14]
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.
751. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount of money that is spent by his Department in the area of mental health in each of the 26 counties of the State last year and for each of the previous four years. [29562/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
752. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [29605/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in a table.
|
NAME |
POSITION |
ANNUAL SALARY |
|
Mr Mark Costigan |
Press Adviser |
€87,258 |
|
Ms Camille Loftus |
Special Adviser |
€75,647 |
I appointed Mr Mark Costigan as my Press Adviser in March 2011. In view of his previous salary in his position as Deputy Government Press Secretary and the extent of his experience in that role, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform sanctioned a salary for Mr Costigan at the maximum point of the Principal Officer Standard Scale.
Ms Camille Loftus was appointed as my Special Advisor in August 2013 and was placed on the minimum point of the Principal Officer Standard Scale in accordance with the Department of Finance instructions regarding Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil.
753. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding home help in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29644/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the matter to be investigated by the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
