Written Answers Nos. 195-204
195. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to restore the medical cards to persons over 70 years of age in households earning over €900 per week after the lowering of this band in recent budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6258/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Act 2013 sets out that, when a person attains the age of 70, the medical card income limits are €500 gross income per week for a single person and €900 gross income per week for a couple.
The Deputy will be aware that persons aged 70 or older, who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds, may also have their eligibility assessed under the means tested medical card scheme in the event that they face particularly high expenses, e.g. nursing home or medication costs. This scheme is open to all persons, irrespective of their age and assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses. The qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over 70s gross income thresholds.
Furthermore, persons, including those aged over 70 years, may be eligible for a medical card where discretion is exercised where they face undue hardship in arranging medical services as a result of medical or social circumstances.
The Deputy will be fully aware that, from August 2015, the Government ensured that all persons aged 70 or older can access a GP service without charges regardless of income under the second phase of universal GP care.
The gross income limits are reviewed annually and considered in the context of the budget.
196. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will have gallstone surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6128/17]
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 HSE, 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.
197. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the provision of home help for a person (details supplied); the timeframe this person is expected to be on a waiting list; if additional funding will be provided for home help hours in County Roscommon in view of the fact that the budget has been exhausted to provide home help care for existing clients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6131/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
198. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided in 2016 for the provision of home help hours in counties Roscommon and Galway; the amount of funding for home help allocated to both counties for 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6134/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra199. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the specific number of home help hours which funding allowed for in County Roscommon in 2016; the specific number of hours which funding will allow for in County Roscommon in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6135/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra200. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if additional funding for home help hours will be made available to County Roscommon for 2017 in view of the fact that funding is being exhausted to cater for existing clients while new clients are being left on long waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6136/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 to 200, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
201. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 12 of 12 July 2016 and 109 of 18 October 2016, the status of the review of A Vision for Change; when the review will be published; the composition of the review body; the terms of reference of that review; the steps that have been taken to reinstate the implementation body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6139/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra'A Vision for Change' has guided national mental health policy for the past 10 years and its term came to an end in 2016. The Department of Health, following a recent request for tender, awarded a contract for an expert evidence review and analysis of national and international best practice in the development and delivery of mental health services. The review aims to identify sites of best practice, outlining how these models can apply to the Irish context. The review will also assess the current delivery of Mental Health Services in Ireland having regard to the international evidence and the implementation of 'A Vision for Change',and will have regard to both human rights and Health and Well-being objectives. It is expected that this review will be completed by end-February 2017.
This evidence review will inform the parameters of a review of 'A Vision for Change'. Consideration is also being given to establishing the appropriate oversight structure for the policy review process.
202. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be allocated a social worker to assess the person's case to be discharged and allocated with a home care package;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6145/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
203. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the names of the hospitals where 24-7 liaison psychiatry is available in emergency departments nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6160/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
204. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical nurse specialists in posts as part of the clinical self-harm programme, including their location and their hours of operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6161/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
