Tuesday, 26 May 2015

Written Answers Nos. 607-623

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Ceisteanna (607)

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

607. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the new national list of aids and appliances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19865/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and 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.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (608, 647, 648)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

608. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the eight therapist posts allocated to County Laois and County Offaly, among 80 posts allocated nationally under progressing disability services, for services for those with disabilities between zero and 18 years of age; the locations where the eight therapists have been placed; the services they offer; the therapists' specialty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19870/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

647. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the areas to which the 80 posts under progressing disability services were allocated; the roles these entailed; the number of these posts that were filled; the number that are to be allocated this year; the location where they will be placed; their roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20018/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

648. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of the 80 posts allocated under progressing disability services that were located in County Waterford in 2014; the roles these entailed, the number of these posts that were filled in County Waterford; the number to be allocated this year in County Waterford; the location where they will be placed; their roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20019/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 608, 647 and 648 together.

The Health Service Executive has recognised the need to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities, including autism, are delivered.

The Executive is currently engaged in a major reconfiguration of its existing therapy resources for children with disabilities into multi-disciplinary geographically based teams, as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years). The key objective of this Programme is to bring about equity of access to disability services and consistency of service delivery, with a clear pathway for children with disabilities and their families to services, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of the individual child's difficulties.

The Programme is a key priority for the HSE's Social Care Directorate. An additional €4m was allocated in 2014 to assist in implementing the Programme, equating to approximately 80 additional therapy posts. Further investment of €4 million will also be made to support the development of therapy services in 2015 (equating to €6 million in a full year). The transition to this new service model is taking place on a phased basis and includes consultation and engagement with stakeholders, including service users and their families.

My Department has asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of the detailed operational issues that she has raised. 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.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (609)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

609. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a new medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who has misplaced her card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19882/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 (610)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

610. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the clear referral pathways for specialist mental health services for self-harming or suicidal adolescents in County Laois and County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19891/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As 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.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (611, 612, 618, 619)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

611. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for persons requiring occupational therapy in County Laois and County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19892/15]

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

612. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for persons requiring speech and language therapy in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19893/15]

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

618. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the speech and language treatment facilities available in special needs schools and specific autism spectrum disorder classes in County Laois and County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19889/15]

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

619. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the occupational therapy treatment facilities available in special needs schools and specific autism spectrum disorder classes in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19890/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 611, 612, 618 and 619 together.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. 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.

Autism Support Services

Ceisteanna (613, 620)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

613. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied there is adequate delivery of service for persons with autism in counties Laois and Offaly and if this complies with what has been stated in the service statements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19894/15]

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

620. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of assessments of need that were delivered within the statutory timetable in County Laois and County Offaly in 2014; the number that were delivered outside of this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19898/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 620 together.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. 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.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Administration

Ceisteanna (614)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

614. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a refund of prescription charges will be issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who holds a long-term illness card and who paid prescription charges for medicines dispensed in respect of her long-term illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19886/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (615)

James Bannon

Ceist:

615. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if an early appointment will be arranged at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dublin 11, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford in view of the fact that the person's circumstances are deemed urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19904/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (616)

James Bannon

Ceist:

616. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if an early appointment will be arranged at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford in view of the fact that the person's circumstances are deemed urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19905/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.

Autism Support Services

Ceisteanna (617)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

617. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the residential respite houses in counties Laois and Offaly available for children with autism spectrum disorder; the number of persons who used these facilities in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19888/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Questions Nos. 618 and 619 answered with Question No. 611.

Question No. 620 answered with Question No. 613.

Autism Support Services

Ceisteanna (621, 622)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

621. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for psychological assessment for children on the autism spectrum in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19899/15]

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

622. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans and a clear timeframe to clear the backlog of waiting lists for children with autism who require speech and language therapy and occupational therapy in County Laois and County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19900/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 621 and 622 together.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. 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 Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (623)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

623. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a date will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for a tonsillectomy at the University Hospital Waterford without any further delay in view of the fact that the person's condition has deteriorated considerably; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19911/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular 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 my officials will follow the matter up.