Written Answers Nos. 158 - 164
158. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Offaly has been refused a medical card; if he will include spinal injuries under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42118/15]
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. The conditions covered by the LTI Scheme 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.
As the first part of the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for this to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If she has 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.
159. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a dental appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42124/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If he has 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.
160. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health subsequent to the closure of the acute inpatient unit in St. Brigid’s Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway, and as a consequence of the redeployment of staff from the unit, the cost since the closure of travel and subsistence for such staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42125/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
161. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of medical or non-medical positions, including in catering, that are currently unfilled in Toghermore House, Tuam, County Galway; the amount spent in this facility on medical and non-medical agency staff, including catering staff in each month from January 2014 to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42126/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If he has 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.
162. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate concessions for coeliac patients in terms of dietary requirements being available on the medical card and-or long-term illness scheme; if coeliac sufferers are being financially challenged due to the high cost incurred in adhering to their dietary requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42130/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE faces a continuing challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. In 2012, it became necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of items reimbursable under the GMS and other community drug schemes. This includes gluten-free products.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. Coeliac patients can also claim medical expenses tax relief on expenditure incurred on gluten-free products manufactured specifically for coeliacs. There are no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the refusal of a medical card to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42150/15]
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.
164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when access to required tests and assessments at St. James's Hospital in County Dublin will be afforded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42152/15]
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 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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
