Finian McGrath
Ceist:377. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding treatment abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10005/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTreatment Abroad Scheme
Ceisteanna (377)
Freagraí scríofa
This is a decision that the family itself must make based on the advice of the relevant medical consultant in this case and taking into account the information on both the Cross-Border Directive and Treatment Abroad Scheme options which has been provided by the HSE following the previous question put by the Deputy. The relevant HSE offices will provide further detail if required. It would be inappropriate for me to provide advice to the family on the option to select in reaching a decision on this matter.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (378)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:378. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding providing specialised professionals to help, and support the families of persons and children with Prader-Willi syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10006/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Patient Transport
Ceisteanna (379)
Dan Neville
Ceist:379. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding transport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10024/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Home Help Service
Ceisteanna (380)
Dan Neville
Ceist:380. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on home help services in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10026/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
General Practitioner Services Provision
Ceisteanna (381)
Derek Nolan
Ceist:381. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the free general practitioner care initiative for children under six years of age will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10028/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees, as set out in the Programme for Government. The Government has commenced this process in respect of all children under 6 years. The Health (General Practitioner Service) Act 2014, which provides an entitlement for all children aged under 6 to a GP service without fees, was enacted on 25 July 2014. Under a Framework Agreement, the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO are engaged intensively on the introduction of GP services without fees for children aged under 6. The aim is to have the under-6’s phase implemented by Quarter 2, 2015, subject to the conclusion of those discussions and the conclusion of the fee-setting process.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (382, 383)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:382. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the reason operating theatre space in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis, County Clare, remains under-utilised at a time patients are waiting considerable periods of time for surgical procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10033/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTimmy Dooley
Ceist:383. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the reason some surgeons utilising the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis, County Clare, only use 20% or, in some cases, even less of their allocated operating theatre time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10036/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together.
As these are service matters, 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 my officials will follow the matter up with them.
Question No. 384 answered with Question No. 364.
National Lottery Funding Disbursement
Ceisteanna (385)
Sean Fleming
Ceist:385. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for a project (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10046/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. An organisation wishing to apply for National Lottery Funding must complete and submit a formal application. The application form and detailed procedures for applying are available on my Department's website at www.health.gov.ie. The closing date for receipt of the application form is 1 May 2015 at 12:00 noon.
Motorised Transport Grant Applications
Ceisteanna (386)
Dan Neville
Ceist:386. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the motorised transport grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10049/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance Scheme, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes. The Government decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Motorised Transport Grant remains closed. Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Once policy proposals have been finalised and approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer.
The Revenue Commissioners operate a Disabled Drivers and Passengers Tax Relief Scheme which provides a range of tax reliefs in connection with the purchase and use of motor vehicles by people with disabilities. Details are available on the Revenue Commissioners website at www.revenue.ie
Medical Card Administration
Ceisteanna (387)
Derek Nolan
Ceist:387. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason the Government decision to return discretionary medical cards to those who had them withdrawn, as announced in June 2014, did not apply to former medical card holders (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10050/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (388)
John McGuinness
Ceist:388. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the support professionals, who are available at St. Luke's Hospital, County Kilkenny, to assist children diagnosed with diabetes; if a paediatrics diabetes nurse will be appointed in the hospital in view of the fact that three children a week are being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes; the waiting list number and the time frame for treatment; and if he will expedite the matter. [10051/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 my officials will follow the matter up with them.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (389)
John McGuinness
Ceist:389. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if his Department will assess the services being delivered by the L'Arche Ireland community, Callan, County Kilkenny, which have been underfunded for years, with a view to putting a long-term sustainable funding model in place to provide certainty to the service users; if the immediate need for capital funding to meet Health Information and Quality Authority standards and fire regulations will be examined as a matter of urgency with a view to his Department or the Health Service Executive covering the costs; if he will meet with the L'Arche Ireland community at an early date to assist with the issues facing the community and the services provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10058/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Home Care Packages Provision
Ceisteanna (390)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:390. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if a home care package in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow has been applied for; if it will be granted so that the person might leave hospital and return home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10059/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (391)
Robert Dowds
Ceist:391. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he has followed through on his recent commitment to increase funding for orthopaedic treatments in hospitals; when this funding is to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10060/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am pleased to say that additional funding is being made available in the HSE Service Plan for 2015 for the overall development of orthopaedic infrastructure nationally. This will support spinal surgery provision at Tallaght Hospital, emergency spinal surgery provision at the Mater Misericodiae University Hospital, and consultant orthopaedic surgeons at Galway and Cork. There is also provision in 2015 for the opening of current closed and under-utilised capacity at Cappagh Hospital. In relation to scoliosis surgery, the funding will allow for the appointment of an orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist and support staff at Crumlin, which will maximise the use of available theatre sessions in the hospital.
Ministerial Responsibilities
Ceisteanna (392)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:392. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to have a Minister with responsibility for tackling illegal drug abuse in view of the effect this abuse has on communities across the State; if a Minister will be appointed in view of the fact that such a role has existed for the past 20 years; the measures planned and in place to tackle these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10085/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is a cross-cutting area of public policy and service delivery which requires a co-ordinated response to tackling the drugs problem. As Minister for Health, I have overall responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy at Government level. The Oversight Forum on Drugs, which I chair, is responsible for the high-level monitoring of the Strategy, and solid progress is being made in delivering on its objectives across the five pillars of treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, supply reduction and research.
Drug law enforcement remains a key priority for the Government. Drug seizures play a critical role in disrupting crime gangs and in helping to protect communities from the destructive impact of drugs misuse and associated criminality. Drug seizures valued at approximately €62m were made by An Garda Síochána during 2014. This does not include a joint operation involving An Garda Síochána, Revenue Customs Service and the Naval Service which led to the interception of a yacht off Ireland's south-west coast in September 2014 containing cocaine with an estimated street value at that time of over €70m.
There have been marked improvements in access to treatment services. At the end of December 2014, 97% of clients over the age of 18 accessed treatment within one calendar month of assessment, and 100% of those under 18 received treatment within one week of assessment. There is much wider coverage of needle exchange services outside the Dublin area, with more than 130 community pharmacies recruited and trained. In a major effort to reduce drug-related deaths, the HSE is undertaking a pilot project to make the life-saving drug naloxone more widely available to treat overdoses. Naloxone reverses the effects of drugs like heroin, morphine and methadone if someone overdoses.
The budget of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces has also been protected, with €29m provided for local drugs initiatives this year. An additional €2.1m has been provided in the HSE budget this year for measures targeting vulnerable problem drug users, including enhanced residential detoxification and rehabilitation facilities.
I am committed to working with my colleagues across Government to ensure full implementation of the National Drugs Strategy. My Department is beginning work on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy for the period after 2016. The process will include a comprehensive consultation with key stakeholders and the public on the current national drugs policy and future priorities. It will also take account of evidence-based research, information and data sources on the extent and nature of problem drug use in Ireland. As Minister with lead responsibility for drugs policy and Chair of the Oversight Forum on Drugs, I will play an active role in the development of the new Strategy and I look forward to engaging with all interested parties in this work.