Written Answers Nos. 166-176
166. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will review a refusal of an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will approve a discretionary card in view of the person's circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18023/15]
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.
167. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine an application and allow for a continuous glucose monitor in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18026/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to you. 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.
168. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the status of legislation relating to infertility; if the heads of the Bill have been agreed; if the Bill will examine governance of the sector; if medical card patients may be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18030/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February of this year I received Government approval to draft the General Scheme of a Bill for assisted human reproduction, which will include provisions relating to numerous different aspects from the beginning to the end of the assisted human reproduction process. There will be a number of provisions relating to the establishment of an independent regulatory authority to monitor compliance with the law.
Following the completion of the draft General Scheme (by the end of 2015), I intend to submit the Scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for pre-legislative scrutiny. In addition, my Department will conduct a widespread consultation on the draft General Scheme during which stakeholders and members of the public will be invited to share their views.
As I have previously stated it is currently not the case that the public funding of fertility treatments will be included as part of these provisions. While I would favour public funding of fertility treatments in principle there are many other pressing funding demands on the health service at this time.
Although in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment is not provided by the Irish public health service, there is some support available in that patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Scheme administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Medicines covered by the High Tech Scheme must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and approved by the HSE ‘High Tech Liaison Officers’. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.
169. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the plans to establish an acute mental health unit at Wexford General Hospital prior to the change of Government in 2011; if so, the results of that plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18032/15]
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 reply within 15 working days please contact my private office and they will follow up the matter with them.
170. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive is sufficiently funded to implement its plans to bring the 21 nursing homes that were identified by the Health and Information Quality Authority as having major non-compliance issues up to the regulations and standards applied to all designated centres, thus avoiding sanctions being imposed by the authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18049/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been working with the Health Information and Quality Authority over the past number of months to meet the re-registration requirements of a number of public residential facilities. These discussions are ongoing and there is adequate flexibility available within the terms of existing legislative provisions, and through ongoing discussions between the HSE and HIQA, for solutions to be found.
The objective of the Department and the HSE is to ensure that the funds that are made available are applied in the most effective way possible and that residents continue to receive the high standard of care that they need.
171. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on an application to the Department's 2015 national-lottery funded schemes; the total funding available under the programme for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18082/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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. Funding in 2015 amounts to €3.286 million.
My Department has received a large number of applications under the National Lottery Discretionary Fund which are currently being processed. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.
172. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the supports that may be provided to support a capital project for a group (details supplied), which has raised almost €300,000 to develop a permanent home for the group. [18086/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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. Funding in 2015 amounts to €3.286 million.
My Department has received a large number of applications under the National Lottery Discretionary Fund which are currently being processed. As most of these applications were only received at the end of last week I cannot yet say if an application has been received from Remember Us for 2015. However, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.
Remember Us applied to my Department for funding towards this project in 2014. I awarded a grant of €10,000 which was paid to them in July 2014.
173. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of the 15 recommendations of the 2012 Report on the Review of Drugs Task Forces and the National Structures Under Which They Operate that have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18089/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra174. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a merger of two organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18090/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) regarding local drugs task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18091/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 175, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the conclusions of a review of the future direction and role of Drugs Task Forces and the national structures that underpin the general drugs area were announced in December 2012. The review recommended a series of changes to better equip the Task Forces to respond to the current pattern of substance misuse. In line with the recommendations, the role of the Task Forces has been extended to tackle alcohol misuse and a National Coordinating Committee has been established to guide the work of the Task Forces and drive implementation of the National Drugs Strategy.
The National Coordinating Committee is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the recommendations. Of the 15 recommendations, 11 have been fully implemented. I have asked my Department to provide the Deputy with a full report on the status of each recommendation. In relation to the recommendation on boundary changes it is intended to consult with the Task Forces concerned by these proposals before introducing any changes to catchment areas.
176. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the cost to the Exchequer of the payment of increments to all public sector staff under his remit per year since 2008. [18334/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the part of the question relevant to the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. 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.
The information sought in respect of Non-Commercial State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is currently being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
