Written Answers Nos. 189-97
189. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in Cork city, and county, awaiting approval under the nursing home support scheme; the number of persons in Cork city and county approved but currently awaiting funding under the scheme; and the expected waiting time for a person in Cork city, and county, from the date an application is submitted to the expected approval date for funding. [8641/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive 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.
190. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the action he is taking to provide the level of funding required to the supported care homes (details supplied) in counties Carlow and Kilkenny, to upgrade their facilities to meet Health Information and Quality Authority standards; if the immediate funding of approximately €100,000 required by Saint Lazerian's in County Carlow, will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8672/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive 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.
191. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, who was an employee of the Health Service Executive, will be reviewed to determine if that person's retirement can be based on ill health, in view of the history of the case and the ongoing medical issues involved; and if he will expedite the matter. [8673/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to look into this matter and to respond to the Deputy 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.
192. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a new director of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council has been appointed; if the position went through the Public Appointments Commission; the way the interview process was conducted; the number of persons interviewed; the level of pay for the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8679/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproval to proceed with the process for the appointment of a Director of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Council (PHECC) was conveyed to PHECC in December 2014. Section 27 (2) of S.I. No. 109 of 2000: the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (Establishment) Order, 2000 provides that the Director shall be appointed by the Council. In these circumstances, the recruitment process in relation to this position is an operational matter for the Council.
193. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the medical cards, and pensions, in respect of older persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8682/15]
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.
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.
194. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding ChildVision, the National Education Centre for Blind Children, which is at risk of losing its funding for 2015; his views on reversing these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8683/15]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
195. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to Article 18 of the Havana Declaration, supported by the United Nations, and its implication for the plain tobacco packaging legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8684/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of standardised packaging has the support of the Government and has been considered and approved by Government. As the Deputy is aware, the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 was passed by the Seanad and completed Second Stage in the Dáil during 2014. The Bill completed Committee Stage in the Dáil on 17 February 2015 and Report and Final Stages are scheduled to take place today, 26 February.
I would remind the Deputy that tobacco consumption is today the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature death in Ireland, killing over 5,200 people a year; that smokers die on average 10 years sooner than non-smokers; and that one in every two of smokers will die from a tobacco related disease. I am of the view that standardised packaging for tobacco products is a proportionate, evidence-based public health measure which will assist, together with the many other initiatives outlined in Tobacco Free Ireland, in reducing the overall prevalence of smoking in Ireland.
196. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if any new surgeons have been employed by the Health Service Executive to carry out kidney transplants in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8689/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBeaumont Hospital is facing some challenges in the recruitment of renal transplant surgeons to fill three current vacancies. Highly trained transplant surgeons can be difficult to locate and the hospital continues to carry out an international recruitment campaign.
197. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that correspondence, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, is dealt with, as this person has been in contact with his Department on a number of occasions and the issues raised have never been satisfactorily rectified by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8698/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a response within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
