Written Answers Nos. 72-76
72. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health if performance-related pay has been paid to any of his staff or staff in his Department for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; if so, the number of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39397/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPerformance-related pay has not been paid to any staff in my Department for the years in question.
73. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an over 70s medical card was refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly as they were 68 cent over the income limit; if there is discretion in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39403/14]
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.
74. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39407/14]
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.
75. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a full third party investigation is carried out in relation to the case of an independent midwife (details supplied) to ensure that due diligence was executed in this case; if necessary corrective actions will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39416/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis matter is sub-judice and I am therefore restricted in the response I can give to your question.
My role as Minister for health primarily relates to national policy decisions, legislation, implementing the programme for government and securing an overall budget for health and accounting for it to the Oireachtas. I am in no way personally involved in decisions about individual patients, members of staff or contractors. I have had no role in this matter which is one for the HSE and it would be inappropriate for me to intervene regardless of political pressure or lobbying. I hope you can understand and respect why that is.
With regard to this case, I understand from the HSE that her indemnity has been suspended temporarily due to specific and serious concerns expressed by other clinical staff about patient safety. When the HSE suspends an individual as precautionary measure subject to a review/investigation, it does not do so lightly. An overall competence and performance review is planned. I hope this will be done as expediently as possible.
I have been informed by the HSE that there were 12 mothers-to-be, contracted for home births with Ms Canning at the time of her suspension. Three mothers have delivered of their babies. The remaining mothers-to-be are awaiting delivery of their babies. Of the remaining mothers, some have accepted the services of the SECM, some are still deciding, some have decided to access private maternity services and some have accessed the maternity hospitals for confinement. I would suggest that if any of the remaining mothers-to-be known to Ms Canning and contracted to the HSE, have any concerns, that they should contact their designated midwife officer.
On the broader issue, pregnancy is not a disease but a physiological condition and there is no reason why women with a normal pregnancy, should not have their baby delivered at home by a community midwife or in a midwife-led unit. It should be a mother’s choice within safe guidelines. This will form part of the general review of maternity services being carried out over the course of the next twelve months.
76. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health with regard to the 1,099 persons on the national disability database in County Louth, if he will provide the number that have a physical disability, intellectual disability or mental health disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39423/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Intellectual Disability Database and the National Physical & Sensory Disability Database are managed by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health. The Databases are sets of information which outline the specialised health services currently used or needed by people with an intellectual or physical & sensory disability. Participation in the databases is voluntary and not every individual in Ireland who has an intellectual or physical & sensory disability is availing of or requiring a specialised disability health and personal social service.
The position at 31st December 2013 was that there were 1,070 individuals registered on the National Intellectual Disability Database and 628 individuals registered on the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database from County Louth.
