Tuesday, 14 Feb 2017

Written Answers Nos. 467-491

Primary Care Centres Administration

Ceisteanna (467)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

467. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide additional disabled parking spaces at the entrance to the primary care centre Clonbrusk, Athlone, County Westmeath. [7120/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Ceisteanna (468)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

468. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a general practitioner home visit service at Clonbrusk primary care centre, Athlone, County Westmeath, for persons who are not well enough to travel. [7121/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, GPs must be available to provide services in their practice premises or by way of domiciliary visits, as appropriate, for their medical card and GP visit card patients, for 40 hours each week. They must also make arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum/deputy, for emergencies outside of these hours. It is a matter for the GP to decide whether it is appropriate to see the patient in his/her surgery or in the patient's home based on the clinical need, social and other circumstances in any particular case.

Motorised Transport Grant Closure

Ceisteanna (469)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

469. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when he expects the motorised transport scheme grant will be replaced in view of the fact this scheme was discontinued in February 2013 and has not received any application since this date. [7126/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Scheme in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013.

The Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments that support choice and independence. In this regard, monthly payments of up to €208.50 have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance.

The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage and I anticipate that this will be brought to Government shortly. The proposals seek to ensure that:

- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;

- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;

- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and

- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.

The Deputy may be interested to note that people who previously benefitted from the now-closed Motorised Transport Grant, may, if they satisfy the criteria under that scheme, be eligible for tax relief under the Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme. This scheme is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance and is operated by the Revenue Commissioners. Details of the scheme can be found on www.revenue.ie.

Ambulance Service Provision

Ceisteanna (470)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

470. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the details of the proposed establishment of an ambulance base in Buncrana; when and the way in which this will be set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7141/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.

Food Prices

Ceisteanna (471)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

471. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to reducing the cost of food incurred by coeliacs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7146/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the HSE has responsibility for this matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.

Ambulance Service Response Times

Ceisteanna (472)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

472. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the measures the Government is implementing to improve ambulance response times in rural areas, particularly those which have been identified as black spots for ambulance response times (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7155/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (473)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

473. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE hydrotherapy pool situated in Navan has been closed for the past 18 months; his plans to reopen this facility soon; and his views on the fact that persons with conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and other conditions requiring hydrotherapy pain relief and rehabilitation must travel outside County Meath when a suitable facility could be reopened in Navan. [7156/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

HSE Funding

Ceisteanna (474)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

474. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if extra funding will be allocated to the HSE in order for it to be ring-fenced to a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7157/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 makes provision for the HSE to provide assistance to bodies that provide services similar, or ancillary to, services that the HSE may provide.

Section 39 organisations provide a broad range of services and these are governed by Service Level Agreements with the HSE. Decisions on the provision of funding to these organisations is a matter for the HSE.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (475)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

475. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card form in respect of a person (details supplied). [7161/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 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 was issued to Oireachtas members.

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (476)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

476. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange to have a person (details supplied) assessed for the provision of home help. [7162/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services Charges

Ceisteanna (477)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

477. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if a person on a medical card with a long-term illness, such as coeliac disease, is liable for a €20 individual charge for each blood test, urine test and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7165/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 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 was issued to Oireachtas members.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (478)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

478. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied), including when they can expect an appointment at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [7168/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (479)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

479. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if a position (details supplied) in the CHO1 area has been filled by the HSE. [7176/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

HSE Funding

Ceisteanna (480)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

480. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding his Department and HSE national lottery grants for 2017; the closing date for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7184/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department no longer operates a National Lottery Fund. However, it should be noted that the HSE operates a similar scheme and continues to provide grants to health agencies and other organisations from National Lottery funds. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy with details of its 2017 National Lottery Fund.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (481)

Jim Daly

Ceist:

481. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding services at Cork University Hospital. [7185/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.

Medical Card Eligibility

Ceisteanna (482)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

482. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when children who are recipients of domiciliary care allowance will be approved for full medical cards without assessments, as promised in July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7186/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I received permission from Government to draft the new Bill in December. This new legislation will effectively mean that all children in respect of whom a Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) payment is made will automatically qualify for a medical card and, therefore, no longer be subject to the medical card means test at any point in the future while in receipt of DCA. The legislation is currently being prepared and will be brought before the Oireachtas as quickly as possible.

In addition to the preparation of the legislation, I have asked the Health Service Executive, so that the proposal can be implemented in a smooth and efficient manner, to commence the process of planning for the requirements of the scheme and how the cards will issue.

Dental Services Provision

Ceisteanna (483)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

483. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the number of dental screenings that have been provided in schools, by county, for each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7189/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Dental Services Provision

Ceisteanna (484, 523)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

484. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health his plans to integrate dentists into multidisciplinary teams which care for elderly persons in nursing homes; his views on whether the HSE is reneging on its duty of care to some 27,000 nursing home patients by failing to meet their dental health needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7190/17]

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

523. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if training programmes in oral care are currently provided to health care assistants; his views on whether a national model of publicly delivered dental care for elderly persons and patients with special care needs is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7304/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 523 together.

The National Oral Health Policy, which the Department of Health is currently developing, will inform future provision of dental services. This three-year project, which is being led by the Chief Dental Officer, commenced in 2014 and is due to be completed later this year.

Older persons can access dental treatments via the Dental Treatment Services Scheme. This dental service is available for all medical card holders and includes those patients who are aged over 70. For older nursing home residents who are high risk; on medication and with other special care requirements, a broader number of items of dental treatments are available under this scheme to ensure that their oral health can be supported. The National Quality and Qualifications Ireland Level 5 Health Service Skills Certificate, Care Skills 5N2770, contains learning outcomes on oral care. This is a core module for all Health Care Assistants.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (485)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

485. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will have cataract surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7194/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.

Medical Records

Ceisteanna (486)

James Lawless

Ceist:

486. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the reason the medical records of a person (details supplied) were not updated to include a specific injury. [7196/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Departmental Correspondence

Ceisteanna (487)

Jim Daly

Ceist:

487. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will issue a final reply to a query (details supplied) that was recently sent to his office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7197/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My office replied to the Deputy setting out the position on the issue on 13 February 2017.

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (488, 489, 491)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

488. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of patients outsourced at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, for each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7199/17]

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

489. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, for each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7200/17]

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

491. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the outpatient waiting times at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, broken down by speciality and in waiting time bands of up to three months, six months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, two years and over two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7202/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 488, 489 and 491 together.

In relation to the queries raised by the deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to him directly.

Accident and Emergency Departments Data

Ceisteanna (490)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

490. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7201/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Question No. 491 answered with Question No. 488.