Written Answers Nos. 117-120
117. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the costs of external consultants and legal fees incurred by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for the year 2013 to include the hourly and daily rates paid and other costs incurred on the activities of the board to external consultants and legal practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43393/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that as the Nursing and Midwifery Board is a statutory agency and I have referred your question to it for direct reply.
118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide urgent consideration to the restoration of a service as requested by Monaghan County Council (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43405/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoutine dental services resumed at Carrickmacross in October following a temporary interruption to services. It is expected that routine services at Ballybay will be up and running by the end of this month. Patients from Castleblayney will continue to be catered for by Ballybay and Carickmacross clinics. There are no plans to provide additional dental services in Castleblayney at present.
119. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a patient's referral (details supplied) in Dublin 12; the reasons the patient has yet to be referred to the relevant experts despite assurances of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43410/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular patient query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
120. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health his views on adding post-polio syndrome to the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43412/14]
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.
