Written Answers Nos. 154 - 159
154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37565/14]
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.
155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37567/14]
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.
156. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding ambulances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37585/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
157. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the replacement for the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance; when he hopes to announce same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37594/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraConscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26th February 2013. The Government subsequently decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Decisions in relation to eligibility criteria have yet to be made in relation to any potential new scheme.
158. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will meet a delegation from the drugs task force in order to deal with the drugs crisis. [37604/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe membership of the Oversight Forum on Drugs which I chair, includes representatives of the networks of the chairs of the Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. Both the chairs and the co-ordinators of the Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces are represented on the National Co-ordinating Committee for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. These arrangements ensure that national policy on drugs is informed by the work of the Task Forces. In addition, in line with the National Drugs Strategy, I plan to arrange a meeting with the chairs and co-ordinators of the Task Forces in due course.
159. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a matter (details supplied) regarding a medical condition. [37605/14]
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.
