Róisín Shortall
Ceist:187. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the cost in 2017 and in a full year of reducing the prescription levy by 25%, 50% and 75% and of eliminating it altogether. [28015/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrescriptions Charges
Ceisteanna (187)
Freagraí scríofa
The estimated cost of reducing the medical card prescription charge by 25%, 50% and 75% is set out in the following table. The estimated cost of eliminating the charge is approximately €120 million per year.
|
% Reduction |
Cost (€m) |
|
25% |
29 |
|
50% |
58 |
|
75% |
86 |
These estimates assume a monthly cap of ten items per card holder and a linear relationship between the per-item charge and the cost of the reduction.
Prescriptions Charges
Ceisteanna (188)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:188. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the cost in 2017 of reducing prescription charges to €2 and separately, the cost of reducing to €1.50 and to €1 per prescription while retaining the cap of ten prescriptions as a maximum. [28030/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The estimated cost of reducing the medical card prescription charge to €2, €1.50 and €1 is set out in the following table.
|
Charge (€) |
Cost (€m) |
|
2.00 |
23 |
|
1.50 |
46 |
|
1.00 |
69 |
These estimates assume a monthly cap of ten items per card holder and a linear relationship between the per-item charge and the cost of the reduction.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (189)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:189. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27800/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 the Deputy directly.
Ambulance Service Data
Ceisteanna (190)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:190. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will release all safety reviews and incident reports of the ambulance fleet of the National Ambulance Service; the number of incidents that have taken place with the fleet in each of the past five years; if he will provide details of ambulance incidents including, but not limited to, fires, accidents and combustions; the actions taken after any events that occurred; the number of times the ambulance fleet is reviewed and checked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27801/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (191)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:191. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [27809/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
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.
Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (192)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:192. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be issued with a date for an orthodontic appointment; the reason for the delay in issuing this appointment in view of the fact that this person has been on the waiting list for three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27818/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (193)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27819/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 the Deputy directly.
Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage
Ceisteanna (194)
John Brassil
Ceist:194. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will include the drug Respreeza for treatment of patients with alpha-1 in the high-tech scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27825/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Prior to deciding whether to reimburse a medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available.
The decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) of pharmaceutical products for the HSE, and can make recommendations on reimbursement to assist the HSE in its decision-making process.
The NCPE is currently conducting an assessment of Respreeza as maintenance treatment of emphysema in adults with documented severe alpha1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency. Once this assessment is completed, a summary report will be published on the NCPE website. The HSE will then consider the NCPE assessment as part of its decision-making process when considering the drug for reimbursement.
As the NCPE's assessment of Respreeza is ongoing, it is not possible to provide further details at this time.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (195)
Mary Butler
Ceist:195. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital Waterford. [27829/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (196)
Clare Daly
Ceist:196. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that no new staff are to be allocated to the primary care centre in Balbriggan in view of the fact that his predecessor made a number of promises regarding jobs and health services that would come on stream with the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27830/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (197)
Clare Daly
Ceist:197. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has to wait up to 14 months for an assessment by a psychologist, occupational therapist and physiotherapist when this assessment should be completed within six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27838/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (198)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:198. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [27839/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.