Pat Breen
Ceist:129. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43422/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (129)
Freagraí 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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (130)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:130. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to relocate O’Casey rooms in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, in view of the Mental Health Commission publication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43428/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Ceisteanna (131)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:131. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the planned 50% increase in the annual retention fees for nurses and midwives by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; if he is satisfied that this increase is fair in view of pay cuts for health services staff in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43431/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The Department has no role in setting or approving registration fees.
The Board is an independent body, answerable to the Oireachtas, with the responsibility to ensure that it has the financial capacity to undertake all its legal obligations. The cost of enacting the additional requirements under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 was set out in the Regulatory Impact Analysis that was carried out prior to the enactment of the legislation. These costs include an enhanced regulatory process with supporting systems for continued professional development and certain education and training requirements for the professions.
It was also made clear at the time of the legislation that the Board would continue to be self-funding and needed to plan and cost how it would fulfil its legal obligations. Following detailed negotiations with the Executive and Board members in 2013 it was agreed in October 2013 that an initial once-off sum of €1.6m would be granted by the Department to the Board to cover 2013/2014 costs, but that the Board would have to increase its income in 2015 to undertake its commitments in the legislation. The Board of the NMBI made the decision to increase the annual registration fee at its meeting on 17th September, 2014. A helpline, email address and website information page have been made available by the NMBI to provide clarification for registrants who may have queries on this matter.
I am aware that a campaign by the staff associations not to pay the fee is actively underway and I am concerned regarding the possible implications for the health service and patient safety should this action continue. My Department has requested the Board to give this matter very careful consideration at its meeting of the 18th November, with a view to agreeing and implementing a course of action most likely to achieve a satisfactory outcome. I understand that the staff associations have sought discussions with the Board in this regard.
HSE Investigations
Ceisteanna (132)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:132. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the conclusion of a Health Service Executive investigation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43435/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to thank the Deputy for the question raised.
The most up to date information from the HSE is that there are 2 investigations ongoing into the Philomena Canning case. I understand that there is an Internal System Analysis investigation that is expected to report within approximately 4 months. There is also an Independent Supervisory Investigation to be carried out in parallel, in order to expedite the overall process. The HSE is not yet in a position to provide a timeline for this second investigation.