Written Answers Nos. 157-169
157. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of overseas study visits undertaken by officials of his Department since 9 March 2011 with regard to the proposed introduction of universal health insurance; the details and destinations for each; and the costs and expenses incurred in each. [25442/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of symposiums and conferences organised by officials in his Department since 9 March 2011, with regard to the proposed introduction of universal health insurance; the details of same; and the costs and expenses incurred in each. [25443/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.
Since February 2011, two overseas study visits, one to the Netherlands and one to Germany, were undertaken by officials from my Department in order to examine those countries’ health systems as part of the implementation of universal health insurance.
The study visit to the Netherlands on 17th June 2011 involved a meeting between the Irish delegation, comprising officials from my Department (2 Principal Officers) and the Health Insurance Authority, and the Dutch Ministry for Health, Welfare and Sport and the Dutch Health Care Insurance Board. As well as considering that country’s health insurance system, the meeting focused predominantly on Risk Equalisation. The total costs incurred by my Department in relation to the attendance of the two officials amounted to €2,344.42. It should be noted that this amount also covered costs associated with a meeting in Brussels on 16th June 2011 between the two Department of Health officials and the EU Commission in relation to the private health insurance market. The costs arising in the case of those attending from the Health Insurance Authority were met by the Authority.
The study visit to Germany in March 2012 involved a meeting between officials from my Department (1 Principal Officer) and the HSE and the Inek Institute (German Institute for Hospital Remuneration). The discussions centred on hospital financing, notably Germany’s experience with its DRG case-based prospective system for funding hospitals. The total cost incurred by my Department amounted to €244.98. This is exclusive of a sum of €124 in respect of the return journey by train from Frankfurt Airport to the Inek Institute in Siegburg which was paid for by the HSE.
With regard to symposiums/conferences on UHI organised by officials in my Department since March 2011, the position is as follows:
- a seminar on UHI was held in Dublin in April 2011 which was attended by 4 experts from the World Health Organization, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the Dutch Health Ministry. The costs associated with this seminar amounted to €1,981.27 covering the cost of attendance (travel and accommodation) of the experts.
- a one day policy dialogue symposium on the design of the health basket under UHI was held in Dublin in November 2013. It was facilitated by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and included 5 international experts from the Netherlands, Israel and the WHO/European Observatory. The costs associated with this policy dialogue amounted to €3,359 covering the cost of attendance (travel and accommodation) of the five international experts.
Finally, the Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance was established in March 2012 to assist in developing detailed and costed implementation proposals for universal health insurance and to help drive the implementation of various elements of the reform programme. The Group held a total of 10 meetings during 2012 and 2013. The Implementation Group membership comprised a mix of those with executive responsibilities within the health service as well as external expertise, including international experts working with the World Health Organization, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and others. The costs associated with the attendance of the international experts at the meetings (travel and accommodation) amounted to €2,165.54.
159. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, given that the person has submitted all the relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25447/15]
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.
160. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for a hospital (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25454/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCobh Community Hospital is a voluntary organisation providing long-term residential and short-term care. As an approved centre for the purposes of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme residents can receive financial support towards their cost of care at Cobh. The hospital also receives funding from the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004.
Since 2009 all nursing homes - public, voluntary (including Cobh Community Hospital) and private - have been registered and inspected by HIQA. Demand for capital investment for the Community Nursing Unit programme far exceeds the funding available, and investment must therefore be allocated as effectively as possible based on the HSE's assessment of priorities. At present this funding programme focuses on the upgrade and refurbishment of existing public facilities to achieve compliance with HIQA requirements.
161. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the arrangements under way to procure legal services for the Health Service Executive and for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, when its current legal services contract expires at the end of February 2016; the timeframe and proposed model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25455/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraYour question relates to operational matters within the HSE and accordingly has been referred to that organisation for direct reply to you. If you do not receive a response within 15 working days please contact my office who will follow up the matter. Questions regarding Tusla should be addressed to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
162. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25459/15]
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.
163. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25470/15]
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.
164. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will have an application for a medical card processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25476/15]
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.
165. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the dermatology department in Temple Street hospital in Dublin 1 has closed; the reason it has closed; and the alternative that has been put in place for current patients (details supplied). [25479/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 queries 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.
166. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment date for a hip replacement operation at Tallaght hospital in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25492/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
167. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a claim under the national repayment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25494/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If a reply has not been issued within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
168. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, given the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25495/15]
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.
169. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health his plans to have Lyme disease added to the long-term illness scheme. [25500/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.
