Written Answers Nos. 870-898
870. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount raised from the emergency department charge in each year since 2011 to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33312/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
871. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount raised from public hospital inpatient charges in each year since 2011 to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33313/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
872. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the annual cost of the drug payment scheme in each year since 2011; the annual number of beneficiaries of the scheme; the number of individual monthly claims in each year to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33314/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
873. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount raised by the State from charges on the estate of persons who received nursing home care under the nursing home support scheme in each year since 2011 to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33315/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
874. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of charges or co-payments which may apply to persons using the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33316/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a range of statutory charges applying to persons using the public health service.
Medical card holders are required to pay a €2.50 charge (per item) for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 per month for each person or family. Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
The Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013 provides for a €100 charge for out-patient services provided at an emergency department, an accident and emergency department, a casualty department, a minor injury unit, an urgent care centre, a local injury unit or any other facility providing similar services, subject to certain exemptions. In addition, under the Health Services (Out-Patient) Regulations 1993, the HSE may levy a charge on private patients for the use of an MRI machine in a public hospital.
Under the Health (In-Patient Charges) Regulations 1987 (as amended) public in-patients in public hospitals are liable to a €75 per day charge subject to a maximum of €750 in any 12 consecutive months, subject to certain exemptions. Under the Health (Amendment) Act 2013 private in-patients in public hospitals are subject to charges that range from €329 to €1,000 per day. The charge levied depends on whether accommodation is provided in a single or multiple occupancy room and if overnight accommodation is provided.
As required by the Health (Amendment) Act 1986, where a hospital is informed that the patient, their personal representative or a dependent is pursuing a Road Traffic Accident (RTA) claim, billing data is generated on the local billing system. Invoices can be raised for an RTA related in-patient or out-patient charge depending on the services provided at the hospital.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme provides financial support to those in need of long-term residential care. Participants contribute towards the cost of their care in accordance with their means. Participants contribute up to 80% of relevant income and up to 7.5% per annum of the value of relevant assets. This applies to a principal private residence for three years only.
Under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005-2011, charges apply for in-patient services other than for acute hospital care and for long-term residential care services supported under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Fair Deal). Under these Regulations, the HSE and agencies providing services on its behalf, must apply charges (subject to certain exemptions) to all those who receive inpatient services for longer than 30 days over a rolling 12 month period. Charges apply whether or not the person has full or limited eligibility. The level of the charges is based on income and cannot exceed 80% of the weekly non-contributory State pension. The regulations currently provide for a maximum charge of €175 per week where inpatient care is provided in a setting with 24-hour nursing care or a maximum of €130 per week where inpatient care is provided in other settings. The charging legislation provides that the HSE may reduce or waive charges where necessary to avoid financial hardship, having regard to individual financial circumstances (including whether there are dependants).
875. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will approve 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. [33319/14]
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.
876. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health his plans to revise the list of illnesses classified as long-term illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33326/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive (HSE), unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
879. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hearing aid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33345/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive Community Audiology service administers and monitors hearing tests for adults who are at risk for hearing loss. Appointments for the audiology service are sent in a strict chronology according to clinical priorities and date of receipt of referral. The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
880. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33347/14]
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.
881. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the position regarding surgery in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth. [33352/14]
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.
882. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the position regarding surgery in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth. [33353/14]
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.
883. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a recent Health Service Executive review of podiatry services identified additional funding for three senior grade podiatrist posts to be located in the north east with one position in County Louth; and if he will confirm a timeframe for the recruitment of the senior grade podiatrist for County Louth. [33354/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
884. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that according to Health Service Executive figures, between 2011 and 2013 the number of persons in County Louth with diabetes related foot ulceration requiring inpatient treatment rose from 34 to 76; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in 2010 the HSE sanctioned the development of a national foot care programme, employing 16 senior podiatrists to identify, assess and treat persons with diabetes at high risk of developing serious foot ulceration, that County Louth was not allocated one of these posts; the reason County Louth was not allocated a senior podiatrist in 2010; and, in view of the above, if he will confirm if a senior podiatrist will now be allocated to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in County Louth. [33357/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the detailed query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
885. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the national disability strategy implementation plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33358/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen the Government took office in March 2011, I was privileged to be appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for people with a disability. The remit spans the whole of Government. It is a pillar of Government policy that people with disabilities should be empowered by policy and programmes to participate meaningfully as citizens in Irish society. The National Disability Strategy is driven by this basic, but fundamentally important, objective. It is Government's goal to develop the most effective combination of legislation, policies, institutional arrangements and services to support and reinforce equal participation for all people with disabilities.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a realistic implementation plan for the National Disability Strategy. That Implementation Plan was published in July 2013 and is the first such implementation plan to be put in place since the National Disability Strategy itself was launched in 2004. The Plan was prepared by the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group, which I established in 2011. I continue to chair the Group to oversee the implementation of the Strategy. The Implementation Group brings together representatives of the relevant Government Departments and representative organisations, including the Disability Federation of Ireland, and also a number of people with disabilities. Significant discussion was undertaken between disability stakeholders and Government Departments to reach agreement on the suite of actions contained in the Plan. The Plan sets out the practical measures across all Government Departments that will be taken to advance the Strategy and ensure that available resources are used to best effect. Progress on the Plan is kept under review by the Implementation Group and thematic meetings, at which all relevant bodies are present to ensure cross-sectoral input and review, are convened. Two such thematic meetings were held in 2013 and focused on the themes of Housing and Irish Sign Language.
The vision for the Health Service Executive's Disability Services Programme is to contribute to the realisation of a society where people with disabilities are supported, as far as possible, to participate to their full potential in economic and social life, and have access to a range of quality personal social supports and services to enhance their quality of life. The Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2014 and the recently published 2014 Operational Plan for the Social Care Division outline the quantum of specialist disability services, the key reform initiatives and the additional investment in 2014 which it has assured me will give effect to this vision in 2014. The HSE will spend €1.4 billion and employ a staff level of approximately 15,000 whole time equivalents in 2014 to provide specified levels of services. 2014 will also see an additional investment of €14m to address deficits in disability services, a reform programme to transform services to a community based model of person centred supports, a focus on the implementation of the Health Information and Quality Authority standards for residential services for people with a disability. These developments and reform proposals will be carried out in an environment of effective communications and engagement with all those involved in services, including people with a disability and the Disability Federation of Ireland, through the HSE's National Consultative Forum.
886. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a case in which the Health Service Executive made commitments to a person (details supplied) in County Clare to provide a new wheelchair by April 2014 and that as of 24 July 2014, this person has still not received their wheelchair; when this person might expect to receive the wheelchair; his views on whether this delay has been acceptable; and the action he will take to rectify this situation. [33361/14]
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.
890. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children in Cork city and county who are awaiting an appointment with the community ophthalmic physician having been referred by the school health services; the number waiting more than six months, more than 12 months, more than 18 months, and more than 24 months for such an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33373/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Optometric Services are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE has therefore been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
893. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long-term care plan in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33381/14]
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.
894. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the significant number of children on the waiting list for speech and language therapy in Dublin west; that due to the number of referrals received and the very limited resources there is presently a long delay in reviewing referrals; the steps he will take to resolve the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33387/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service issues and as the information on waiting times for such therapy services is not routinely returned to my Department by the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in these matters.
895. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33392/14]
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.
896. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a definitive list will be available of medical conditions requiring high water usage where water charges will be capped; if support groups and other interested parties will be consulted in compiling the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33393/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWater charges are the responsibility of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government.
My Department has and will provide any advice sought by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on the issue of providing safe clean water to our population including those with increased water usage associated with their medical conditions.
897. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the oncology department at Cork University Hospital has ceased its on-call telephone advice service between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. and at weekends for patients due to staffing shortages and has advised patients receiving chemotherapy and who may suffer an allergic reaction to report to accident and emergency or the on-call GP-South Doc service; his views on whether this is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33396/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
898. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants under the nursing home support scheme in Cork city and county who have been approved under the scheme and who are currently on the waiting list for funding; the expected waiting period for funding for an approved application at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33403/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
As of the 4th September (latest figures available) there were 1,753 people on the National Placement list with await time of 14 weeks.
