Dara Calleary
Ceist:181. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health to reinitiate plans to develop a primary care centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10869/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary Care Centres Provision
Ceisteanna (181)
Freagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for the provision and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue. 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.
Family Income Supplement
Ceisteanna (182)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:182. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will regard family income supplement as income in the meanstest assessment for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10876/16]
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 recently 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.
HIQA Remit
Ceisteanna (183)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:183. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his advice on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10877/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent statutory authority established to drive high quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. HIQA's role is to develop standards and inspect and review health and social care services; however its remit does not extend to the regulation of residential centres for elderly members of religious orders.
Under Section 2 of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 premises in which the majority of the persons being maintained are members of a religious order or priests of any religion are offered an exemption to registration.
The agency referred to in the Deputy's question is a voluntary body and has no regulatory function.
Home Care Packages Data
Ceisteanna (184)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:184. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if he has approved home care packages in County Clare since 1 May 2016; the number of applications he received; the number he approved in the past six weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10888/16]
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (185)
Patrick O'Donovan
Ceist:185. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health to revert to this Deputy on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10890/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (186)
Michael McGrath
Ceist:186. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a dedicated nurse to support patients with Parkinson's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10900/16]
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (187, 188)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:187. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health why he and the Health Service Executive did not send a representative to the International Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Symposium in New York in the United States of America especially given that 25 British delegates attended. [10906/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMary Lou McDonald
Ceist:188. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he and the Health Service Executive intend to send a medical representative to the Baltimore, Maryland Conference in the United States of America in July 2016 where the findings of the Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Symposium will be formally delivered. [10907/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions 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.
Treatment Abroad Scheme
Ceisteanna (189)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:189. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health why the Health Service Executive, via the TAS, advises applicants who suffer from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome that they are not eligible for cover to travel abroad for treatment on the basis that treatment is available in Ireland, given that the Executive has stated that following its patient consultation process in 2014 it compiled a submission which was part of the 2016 Estimates process but was not selected for funding, thus acknowledging the need for a specialised consultant-led team for patients suffering from this Syndrome, yet in contrast applications via the European Directive are refused to patients on the basis that the referring consultant must be of the same speciality and there is no specialist in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10908/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. 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.
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.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (190)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:190. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health his plans to update the eligible illnesses under the long term illness scheme, including adding Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. [10909/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (191)
Jim Daly
Ceist:191. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the options available to a person who is not covered by the guidelines of the nursing home support scheme and who has appealed a decision made by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10911/16]
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.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (192)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:192. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of a community-based senior dietician for Clonmel in County Tipperary which formed part of 36 posts which were sanctioned nationally to support the implementation of the type 2 diabetes care initiative which commenced in October 2015 and which appointment was to form part of the 2016 Health Service Executive service plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10923/16]
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 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.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (193)
John McGuinness
Ceist:193. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health to provide the appropriate level of mental health care to a person (details supplied); and his views on the details of the case. [10926/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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
Ceisteanna (194)
John McGuinness
Ceist:194. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will pay the money due to a person (details supplied); and if he will expedite the matter. [10927/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 on the matter with them.
Forestry Grants
Ceisteanna (195)
James Lawless
Ceist:195. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to review the situation that the Irish Farmers Association Irish Hardy Nurserystock Association was not eligible to apply for grants awarded to forestry and hedgerow associations funded by his Department for associations which grow ash trees; to review this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10732/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Over the last number of years the Department has operated a Reconstitution Scheme to restore forests established under its afforestation schemes back to their original form following significant damage by natural causes. The Scheme has been used to assist forestry owners who have been affected by Ash dieback disease. The objective of the Scheme is to eradicate/contain ash dieback in forests by supporting the removal and destruction of trees and leaf litter and to reconstitute the forest by replanting with alternative species. The Scheme provides funding in respect of costs necessarily incurred in clearing the site and reconstituting the forest, subject to the maximum limits laid down.
Due to financial pressures and Departmental budgetary constraints, grant aid was confined to individual forestry owners. Accordingly forestry or hedgerow associations have not been funded.
The Scheme is therefore targeted at the forestry sector and there are currently no plans to either broaden the scope of the Scheme or to introduce any other Scheme for individuals or nurseries that have been affected by outbreaks of plant diseases including ash dieback.
My Department continues to provide funding for the development of the horticultural industry including commercial nurseries through the Horticultural Grant scheme.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (196)
Michael Ring
Ceist:196. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive payment for year 5 under the agri-environment options scheme 2. [10733/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named commenced their AEOS contract on 1 November 2010. Payment issued for the 2010-2014 Scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place. As all AEOS 1 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Officials are working through these files and payment will be made as soon as possible.
Single Payment Scheme Appeals
Ceisteanna (197)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:197. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10736/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Single Payment Scheme, land afforested since 2009 was eligible subject to certain conditions, including that the applicant had to retain 10% of the eligible hectares declared in 2008 in an agricultural activity subject to a minimum of 3 hectares. The person named did not meet the 10% condition in 2013. Accordingly, he did not receive payment under the Single Payment Scheme in 2013 and thus did not qualify for an allocation right into the new Basic Payment Scheme. An application for a Review of Entitlements was submitted on the 8 th March 2016 in which the person named requested to appeal his exclusion from an allocation of entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme on grounds of Force Majeure.
Under EU Regulation ‘force majeure’ is defined as:
(a) The death of the beneficiary;
(b) Long-term professional incapacity of beneficiary;
(c) A severe natural disaste r gravely affecting the holding.
The Review application submitted by the person named was examined on force majeure grounds but as the circumstances pertaining to his case do not comply with the EU definition of force majeure the application was deemed to be unsuccessful. The person named has been notified of this decision in writing and provided with a right of appeal.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (198)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:198. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied) under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10768/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application under Tranche 1 of GLAS was received in my Department on the 21 May 2015 and the person named was approved into the GLAS 1 with effect from 1 October 2015. There are a number of applications, including that of the person named, remaining which have not passed all of the Department’s pre-payment validation checks for the 2015 part-year payment. The Department is continuing to investigate these issues including the correction of any IT or data issues with a view to all these remaining cases meeting the payment validation checks so that they will be paid the full amount of their 2015 part-year payment at the same time the 2015 GLAS balancing payment is due to issue.
TAMS Applications
Ceisteanna (199)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:199. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) will be granted a targeted agricultural modernisation scheme grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10800/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The applicant in question has applied in Tranche one for animal housing and a mass concrete tank under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme of TAMS II. The applicant has passed the administrative checks and it is expected that approval will issue in a matter of weeks.
Farm Improvement Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (200)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:200. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in farm improvement applications approvals; if he is aware that applications to the scheme from November 2015 still have not been approved; given the lengthy delays in grant processing, if he is satisfied that the grant is fulfilling its purpose of enabling recipients to build new slatted sheds-accommodation for animals prior to the winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10828/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Administrative checks on applications received for Tranche 1 of the TAMS II Scheme have been completed and it is expected that any outstanding approvals or part-approvals will issue over the next few weeks. I am aware that applicants are very anxious to proceed with their investments and this matter is receiving the appropriate attention within my Department.