Robert Troy
Ceist:177. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans for dealing with the problem of binge drinking. [34900/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubstance Misuse
Ceisteanna (177)
Freagraí scríofa
Ireland has a significant alcohol problem which needs decisive and innovative action to address it. Last October, the Government approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group on a National Substance Misuse Strategy.
The aim is to reduce alcohol consumption to the OECD average by 2020 (i.e. 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per capita per annum) and to reduce the harms associated with the misuse of alcohol. A broad range of complementary measures is required to achieve this goal. The package of measures to be implemented will include provision for minimum unit pricing, regulation of the marketing and advertising of alcohol, regulation of sports sponsorship, structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets and labelling of alcohol products. Work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing and is hoped to publish a General Scheme of a Bill in the Autumn.
Minimum unit pricing is a mechanism of imposing a statutory floor in price levels per gram of alcohol that must be legally observed by retailers in both the on and off trade sector. This is a targeted measure, designed to prevent the sale of alcohol at very cheap prices. Its primary function is to discourage at risk levels of alcohol consumption and is targeted in particular at harmful and hazardous drinking. The Government has also introduced new low risk limits for alcohol consumption based on the Irish standard drink of 10 grams of alcohol i.e. 112 grams of pure alcohol per week for women (11 standard drinks) and 168 grams of pure alcohol per week for men (17 standard drinks).
The other measures set out in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012, were endorsed by Government and are to be progressed by the relevant Departments and organisations.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (178)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:178. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if the committee which is currently reviewing eligibility for medical cards will consider the question of eligibility for long-term illness cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34905/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government decided that, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure, the Minister for Health would revert to Government with options for providing eligibility for a range of health services on the basis of specific and defined medical conditions. The Director-General of the Health Service Executive established an Expert Panel to examine and recommend the range of medical conditions that should be considered as a basis of eligibility. The Expert Panel is chaired by Professor Frank Keane, past-president of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and clinical lead of the National Clinical Programme for Surgery. The panel includes a range of 23 clinical experts from primary care, specialist services and therapies. The panel also includes a patient representative to ensure that the views of patients are central to the process. The Expert Panel is to report to the Director General of the HSE, who will then advise the Minister of the outcome of the deliberations of the Expert Panel.
The 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.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (179)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:179. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his views on extending entitlement to a long-term illness card for people who are suffering from Huntington's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34906/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Medical Card Reviews
Ceisteanna (180)
Joanna Tuffy
Ceist:180. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the length of time it is taking to deal with medical card reviews; when he expects a decision to be reached in relation to a medical card review in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Dublin who submitted application for review together with all the supporting documentation more than five months ago; the reason for the delay in making a decision in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34911/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (181)
Tom Fleming
Ceist:181. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the Health Service Executive's south region implements the commitments as specified and outlined in the 2014 operational plan in relation to community mental health network team of psychiatry in old age in County Kerry by immediately completing the recruitment process and provide suitable clinical and administrative processes to facilitate an effective team working in line with the enhancing team project and ensure that all staff appointed deal with specific duties that are assigned in the CMHT of old age psychiatry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34917/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue this matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (182)
Tom Fleming
Ceist:182. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34918/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (183)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:183. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of test results from persons in County Kerry that have been affected by suspect test results due to an IT problem in Cork University Hospital. [34924/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (184)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:184. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of hip replacements provided for in each hospital under the Health Service Executive service plan for 2012, 2013 and 2014; the outturn for 2012 and 2013 and to date in 2014 in each hospital concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34928/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (185)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:185. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of knee replacements provided for in each hospital under the Health Service Executive service plan for 2012, 2013 and 2014; the outturn for 2012 and 2013 and to date in 2014 in each hospital concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34929/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (186)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:186. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of coronary interventions provided for in each hospital under the Health Service Executive service plan for 2012, 2013 and 2014; the outturn for 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 in each hospital concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34930/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (187)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:187. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of cranial procedures provided for in each hospital under the Health Service Executive service plan for 2012, 2013 and 2014; the outturn for 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 in each hospital concerned; the current annual capacity for such procedures in each hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34931/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 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.