Written Answers Nos. 350-369
350. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in alleviating waiting lists for day respite for parents of children with special needs in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in centres (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53083/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
351. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his views on the significant number of parents of children with special needs that have had to take cases to the High Court due to failure in the provision of assessments of need by the Health Service Executive; his plans to alleviate the waiting lists for assessments of need for children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53084/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an ongoing legal process and I do not wish to comment on the matter until these proceedings have been completed.
I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
352. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the reason the decision was made to no longer cover medical and adhesive tape on the medical card; and if alternative funding arrangements have been made to cover costs for those who require it for daily use. [53087/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
353. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53110/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
354. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide urgent and immediate emergency funding for respite service proposals that are currently in the HSE's possession, specifically to provide immediate funding for the Talbot proposal as requested in previous parliamentary questions that will provide immediate and substantial relief to the crisis in County Louth as highlighted in a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53111/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
355. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that respite care is urgently provided for a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the exceptional circumstances that now apply. [53114/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
356. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when he expects a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be seen as an outpatient at the national rehabilitation hospital, Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53116/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
357. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the gaps and service disruptions within the care package being made available to a person (details supplied) with complex health needs; if his attention has been drawn to the impact which this situation is having on ensuring continuity of care in respect of this person's care plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53118/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
358. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when prescriptions dispensed by a person (details supplied) will be paid; the status of the claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53123/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
361. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Questions Nos. 1309 of 20 June 2017 and 410 of 21 November 2017, if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing conditions in the gay men's health service, GMHS, clinic in the Royal City of Dublin Hospital on Baggot Street (details supplied); his views on whether these are suitable conditions for the single GMHS clinic in the country to be operating in; if he will visit the facility to see the conditions for himself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53216/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraYour question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter.
362. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 279 of 29 November 2017, if this figure includes persons under 18 years of age entitled to access free general practitioner care by virtue of a medical card; and if not, the number of persons under 18 years of age entitled to free general practitioner care either through the general practitioner visit card or the medical card. [53221/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
363. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health his Department's estimate of the number of persons under six years of age who will be entitled to free general practitioner care in 2018 to 2021 respectively; and the estimated full-year cost in 2018 terms of providing such coverage. [53222/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of GP care without fees to children under 6 years of age in July 2015 was a major step forward in improving access, quality and affordability of health care in Ireland. The under-6s GP service contract, which includes age-based preventive checks focused on health and well-being and a cycle of care for children with asthma, underlines the Government’s commitment to enhancing primary care and keeping people well in their own community. To date, almost 363,000 children have access to GP care without fees through a medical card or GP visit card. This represents approximately 92% of children under 6 years.
Population projections produced by the ESRI for the 0-5 age cohort as part of their work on the recently published “Projections of Demand for Healthcare in Ireland, 2015-2030:First Report from the Hippocrates Mode, (available at https://www.esri.ie/pubs/RS67.pdf), are set out in the following table:
ERSI Population Projections for Health Demand: 0-5 Age Cohort
|
Year |
No. |
|
2018 |
395,839 |
|
2019 |
393,988 |
|
2020 |
392,612 |
|
2021 |
392,502 |
Source: Projections of demand for healthcare in Ireland, 2015-2030: First report (Estimates based on ESRI “Central” scenario, which considers a continued improvement in mortality rates that slowly converge to a standard rate of improvement, unchanged fertility rates (from 2015) and a moderate migration projection).
The HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service estimates that the annual cost of a GP Visit Card for a child under 6 years is €240 and the cost of a Medical Card for a child under 6 years is €340.
364. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will raise with a company (details supplied) that is engaged by the HSE on State contracts the reason it does not recognise a union which represents its staff in view of the fact that it recognises a union in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53234/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
365. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be an exemption in the Brexit agreement regarding transport of approved rescue dogs from both jurisdictions; and if this could be facilitated between Ireland and the UK. [53173/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK proceeded on the basis of the phased approach set out in the European Council Guidelines of 29 April 2017, which foresaw that discussions on the future EU-UK relationship will get under way as soon as sufficient progress has been made on the EU’s key priorities under the withdrawal process – notably citizens’ rights, the UK’s financial settlement and the Irish specific issues.
In this regard, I welcome that Prime Minister May and European Commission President Juncker reached agreement on a joint progress report last Friday and I hope that this week’s European Council will agree with the recommendation of Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier and that we can start discussions on a future relationship and any transitional arrangements as soon as possible.
Post-Brexit arrangements in relation to the movement of animals, including the transport of approved rescue dogs between Ireland and the UK, will form part of the future relationship strand of the EU/UK negotiation process.
As I have indicated previously, my Department’s approach to these negotiations is to work towards ensuring that the future EU-UK relationship will be as close to the current arrangements as possible, thereby minimising the potential impact on the movement of animals, which is important for a broad range of reasons, including the need to ensure that approved rescue dogs can move between Ireland and the UK without undue disruption.
366. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Question No. 170 of 16 November 2017, if he plans to alter the regulations that will allow the landowner to replace existing vegetation with a different type that would be better for the environment and of benefit to the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52617/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2009 hedgerows, trees in a line, drains and ditches were designated as landscape features, deeming them eligible for payment under the Direct Payments Schemes. If a landscape feature is removed it must be replaced with the same feature, for example if a length of hedgerow is removed a corresponding length of hedgerow must be re planted at another location on the holding.
My Department do not foresee any changes to this requirement.
367. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52619/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra368. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52621/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52664/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra372. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52665/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra373. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52666/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52671/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 367, 368 and 371 to 374, inclusive, together.
These 6 PQs relate to a commonage on Carryeen Mountain on which illegal burning has been determined by my Department to have taken place during the period 1st March to 31st August
My Department actively investigates incidents of illegal burning using satellite imagery. Where land has been burned between the period of 1 March and 31 August of any given year it is not eligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2017.
The persons named in the above Parliamentary Questions submitted applications under the 2017 BPS. In order to qualify for payment under the BPS an applicant must have an eligible hectare of land in respect of each entitlement held.
As part of the process of determining land eligibility, parcels declared by the persons named on their 2017 BPS applications have been identified as having been burned outside of the permitted timeframes. Accordingly, such lands are not eligible for the purpose of a BPS payment and this has created an over claim on the named persons' BPS applications.
The persons named have been written to by my Department outlining the current position in relation to their BPS applications and setting out the options available to them in relation to the over-claimed parcels, including the right to seek a review.
Should the persons named seek a review, they should ensure that they submit any supporting documentation which they deem relevant for review accordingly by my Department.
369. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS 1 payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry following the successful review of their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52622/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAfter a review of this case the person named has been approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
The application has been reactivated on the GLAS system and will be run through validation checks for the 2016 payment in the coming days. This will enable the case to be processed with a view to releasing the 2016 payments. Once the 2016 payments issue the case will move forward for processing of the 2017 advance payment. GLAS payments are issuing on a weekly basis.
