Tuesday, 24 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1780-1799

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1780)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

1780. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health plans to visit the HSE community mental health premises at Ladywell, Dundalk; if his attention has been drawn to previous commitments made by the former Minister of State with responsibility for mental health to visit the facility; if his attention has been further drawn to the unsuitability of the premises at the facility; if there is a business case being considered for the upgrade of these premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34840/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I have no plans at present to visit the HSE Mental Health Unit at Ladywell, Dundalk.  I understand that my predecessor was due to visit the unit in June 2017.  However, this visit was cancelled due to the Ministerial reshuffle following the appointment of the new Taoiseach.

As the HSE has responsibility for the delivery of health services, including mental health services and infrastructure at local level, I have referred this question to the Executive to update the Deputy on the specific points raised by him.

Audiology Services Provision

Ceisteanna (1781, 1782)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

1781. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health when the audiologist at the centre of the review of paediatric audiology services in more than 900 cases in counties Mayo and Roscommon from 2011 to 2015 was relieved of their duties; the process that took place; the sanctions that occurred for the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34847/18]

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

1782. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the audiologist at the centre of the review of paediatric audiology services in more than 900 cases in counties Mayo and Roscommon from 2011 to 2015 is employed as an audiologist in a different jurisdiction on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34848/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1781 and 1782 together.

Following a routine review of audiology services in Mayo-Roscommon in 2015 a look-back of paediatric services provided between 2011 and 2015 was initiated. The services had been provided by an external contracted supplier. The contracted service was immediately suspended. The HSE understand that the clinician is currently working in Northern Ireland.

Question No. 1783 answered with Question No. 1641.

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Ceisteanna (1784)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

1784. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the funding received by each of the drugs and alcohol task forces in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34852/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse in local communities. In excess of €27.6 million has been allocated to task forces by the HSE and the Department of Health for community-based drugs initiatives this year. This level of funding is consistent with the amounts provided for the last four years.

 The budget allocation for the 24 local and regional drug and alcohol task forces from the drugs initiative of the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive for 2011 to 2018 is set out in the table.

 An additional €250,000 was provided in budget 2018 to improve the organisational effectiveness of the task forces in implementing the national drugs strategy. Individual task forces can receive up to €10,000 in additional funding. Payment of this funding is currently being processed by my Department and the HSE.

I recently announced a further €290,000 for task forces to support and enhance services addressing drug and alcohol misuse. This money will be allocated in quarter four of 2018. In addition, task forces will be consulted by the HSE on the provision of €710,000 for priority projects and services in CHO areas.

 I strongly believe that resources should be directed towards interventions that are most effective in reducing problem substance use. Measuring the effectiveness of responses to the drug problem is therefore an important objective of public policy. Towards this end, my Department will develop a performance measurement system by 2020 which will improve accountability across all sectors, including the task forces.

LDATF	2011	2012	2013	2014 DOH	2014 HSE	2015 DOH
Ballyfermot	€1,492,413	€1,569,489	€1,522,404	€461,150	€1,025,582	€255,446
Ballymun	€1,209,976	€1,180,695	€1,145,274	€632,817	€488,098	€422,958
Blanchardstown	€1,152,227	€1,124,343	€1,090,613	€179,305	€913,589	€179,305
Bray	€1,612,114	€1,573,101	€1,525,908	€573,860	€916,271	€573,860
Canal Communities	€1,600,987	€1,562,243	€1,515,376	€338,605	€1,141,309	€338,605
Clondalkin	€1,455,032	€1,421,577	€1,428,930	€388,114	€1,007,948	€388,114
Cork	€1,617,730	€1,578,581	€1,531,224	€411,988	€1,108,299	€411,988
Dublin 12	€1,148,145	€1,120,360	€1,086,749	€74,013	€990,134	€70,997
Dublin NE	€1,259,256	€1,228,782	€988,234	€422,251	€594,836	€422,251
Dun Laoghaire	€949,137	€926,167	€898,382	€94,676	€786,755	€94,676
Finglas Cabra	€959,818	€936,590	€908,492	€263,277	€627,960	€263,277
NIC	€2,428,391	€2,369,624	€2,298,535	€576,956	€1,652,623	€494,856
SIC	€2,215,434	€2,161,821	€2,096,966	€255,720	€1,788,337	€176,043
Tallaght	€1,281,356	€1,250,347	€1,262,837	€452,712	€782,240	€341,438
Total LDATF	€20,382,016	€20,003,720	€19,299,924	€5,125,444	€13,823,981	€4,433,814
RDATF	2011	2012	2013	2014 DOH	2014 HSE	2015 DOH
East Coast Area	€872,716	€851,596	€584,227	€58,200	€508,500	€58,200
Midland	€870,581	€849,513	€824,028	€307,810	€491,497	€136,816
Mid-West	€1,533,540	€1,496,428	€1,451,535	€147,982	€1,260,007	€147,982
North East	€1,010,546	€986,091	€956,508	€0	€927,813	€0
North West	€784,597	€765,610	€742,642	€272,485	€447,878	€258,633
North Dublin City & Co.	€846,574	€826,087	€801,304	€456,080	€321,184	€309,778
South East	€1,160,794	€1,132,703	€1,098,722	€0	€1,065,760	€0
South West	€870,592	€849,524	€824,038	€102,820	€696,497	€102,820
Southern	€1,059,956	€1,034,305	€1,003,276	€0	€973,178	€0
Western	€720,104	€702,677	€681,597	€136,994	€524,155	€136,994
Total RDATF	€9,730,000	€9,494,534	€8,967,877	€1,482,371	€7,216,469	€1,151,223
Overall Total	€30,112,016	€29,498,254	€28,267,801	€27,648,265		€27,648,265

LDATF	2015 HSE	2016 DOH	2016 HSE	2017 DOH	2017 HSE	2018 DOH	2018 HSE
Ballyfermot	€1,231,286	€255,446	€1,231,286	€255,446	€1,231,286	€255,446	€1,231,286
Ballymun	€697,957	€422,958	€697,957	€422,958	€697,957	€422,958	€697,957
Blanchardstown	€913,589	€179,305	€913,589	€179,305	€913,589	€179,305	€913,589
Bray	€916,271	€573,860	€916,271	€573,860	€916,271	€573,860	€916,271
Canal Communities	€1,141,309	€338,605	€1,141,309	€338,605	€1,141,309	€338,605	€1,141,309
Clondalkin	€1,007,948	€388,114	€1,007,948	€388,114	€1,007,948	€388,114	€1,007,948
Cork	€1,108,299	€411,988	€1,108,299	€411,988	€1,108,299	€411,988	€1,108,299
Dublin 12	€993,150	€70,397	€993,750	€70,397	€993,750	€70,397	€993,750
Dublin NE	€594,836	€239,971	€777,116	€239,971	€777,116	€239,971	€777,116
Dun Laoghaire	€786,755	€94,676	€786,755	€94,676	€786,755	€94,676	€786,755
Finglas Cabra	€627,960	€263,277	€627,960	€263,277	€627,960	€263,277	€627,960
NIC	€1,734,723	€394,856	€1,834,723	€394,856	€1,834,723	€394,856	€1,834,723
SIC	€1,868,014	€176,043	€1,868,014	€176,043	€1,868,014	€176,043	€1,868,014
Tallaght	€893,514	€336,022	€898,930	€336,022	€898,930	€336,022	€898,930
Total LDATF	€14,515,611	€4,145,518	€14,803,907	€4,145,518	€14,803,907	€4,145,518	€14,803,907
RDATF	2015 HSE	2016 DOH	2016 HSE	2017 DOH	2017 HSE	2018 DOH	2018 HSE
East Coast Area	€508,500	€58,200	€508,500	€58,200	€508,500	€58,200	€508,500
Midland	€662,491	€136,816	€662,491	€136,816	€662,491	€136,816	€662,491
Mid-West	€1,260,007	€147,982	€1,260,007	€147,982	€1,260,007	€147,982	€1,260,007
North East	€927,813	€0	€927,813	€0	€927,813	€0	€927,813
North West	€461,730	€258,633	€461,730	€258,633	€461,730	€258,633	€461,730
North Dublin City & Co.	€467,486	€266,245	€511,019	€266,245	€511,019	€266,245	€511,019
South East	€1,065,760	€0	€1,065,760	€0	€1,065,760	€0	€1,065,760
South West	€696,497	€102,820	€696,497	€102,820	€696,497	€102,820	€696,497
Southern	€973,178	€0	€973,178	€0	€973,178	€0	€973,178
Western	€524,155	€136,994	€524,155	€136,994	€524,155	€136,994	€524,155
Total RDATF	€7,547,617	€1,107,690	€7,591,150	€1,107,690	€7,591,150	€1,107,690	€7,591,150
Overall Total		€27,648,265		€27,648,265		€27,648,265

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Ceisteanna (1785)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

1785. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the amount a 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% increase in funding for each of the DATFs would amount to based on current funding in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34853/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse in local communities. In excess of €27.6 million has been allocated by the Department of Health to task forces in 2018 for community-based drugs initiatives. This level of funding is consistent with the amounts provided for the last four years.

 A Table setting out a 5%,10%, 20% and 30% increase in funding for each task force follows, differentiated between direct Department of Health funding and funding provided via the HSE.

 An additional €250,000 was provided in Budget 2018 to improve the organisational effectiveness of the task forces in implementing the national drugs strategy. Individual task forces can receive up to €10,000 in additional funding. Payment of this funding is currently being processed by my Department and the HSE.

 I recently announced a further €290,000 for task forces to support and enhance services addressing drug and alcohol misuse. This money will be allocated in quarter four of 2018. In addition, task forces will be consulted by the HSE on the provision of €710,000 for priority projects and services in CHO areas.

 I strongly believe that resources should be directed towards interventions that are most effective in reducing problem substance use. Measuring the effectiveness of responses to the drug problem is therefore an important objective of public policy. Towards this end, my Department will develop a performance measurement system by 2020 which will improve accountability across all sectors, including the task forces. 

LDATF	2018 DOH Funding	5% increase	10% increase	20% increase	30% increase
Ballyfermot	€255,446	€268,218	€280,991	€306,535	€332,080
Ballymun	€422,958	€444,106	€465,254	€507,550	€549,845
Blanchardstown	€179,305	€188,270	€197,236	€215,166	€233,097
Bray	€573,860	€602,553	€631,246	€688,632	€746,018
Canal Communities	€338,605	€355,535	€372,466	€406,326	€440,187
Clondalkin	€388,114	€407,520	€426,925	€465,737	€504,548
Cork	€411,988	€432,587	€453,187	€494,386	€535,584
Dublin 12	€70,397	€73,917	€77,437	€84,476	€91,516
Dublin NE	€239,971	€251,970	€263,968	€287,965	€311,962
Dun Laoghaire	€94,676	€99,410	€104,144	€113,611	€123,079
Finglas Cabra	€263,277	€276,441	€289,605	€315,932	€342,260
NIC	€394,856	€414,599	€434,342	€473,827	€513,313
SIC	€176,043	€184,845	€193,647	€211,252	€228,856
Tallaght	€336,022	€352,823	€369,624	€403,226	€436,829
Total LDATF	€4,145,518	€4,352,794	€4,560,070	€4,974,622	€5,389,173
RDATF	2018 DOH	5% increase	10% increase	20% increase	30% increase
East Coast Area	€58,200	€61,110	€64,020	€69,840	€75,660
Midland	€136,816	€143,657	€150,498	€164,179	€177,861
Mid-West	€147,982	€155,381	€162,780	€177,578	€192,377
North East	€0	€0	€0	€0	€0
North West	€258,633	€271,565	€284,496	€310,360	€336,223
North Dublin City & Co.	€266,245	€279,557	€292,870	€319,494	€346,119
South East	€0	€0	€0	€0	€0
South West	€102,820	€107,961	€113,102	€123,384	€133,666
Southern	€0	€0	€0	€0	€0
Western	€136,994	€143,844	€150,693	€164,393	€178,092
Total RDATF	€1,107,690	€1,163,075	€1,218,459	€1,329,228	€1,439,997
Overall Total	€5,253,208	€5,515,868	€5,778,529	€6,303,850	€6,829,170

LDATF	2018 HSE Funding	5% increase	10% increase	20% increase	30% increase
Ballyfermot	€1,231,286	€1,292,850.30	€1,354,414.60	€1,477,543.20	€1,600,671.80
Ballymun	€697,957	€732,854.85	€767,752.70	€837,548.40	€907,344.10
Blanchardstown	€913,589	€959,268.45	€1,004,947.90	€1,096,306.80	€1,187,665.70
Bray	€916,271	€962,084.55	€1,007,898.10	€1,099,525.20	€1,191,152.30
Canal Communities	€1,141,309	€1,198,374.45	€1,255,439.90	€1,369,570.80	€1,483,701.70
Clondalkin	€1,007,948	€1,058,345.40	€1,108,742.80	€1,209,537.60	€1,310,332.40
Cork	€1,108,299	€1,163,713.95	€1,219,128.90	€1,329,958.80	€1,440,788.70
Dublin 12	€993,750	€1,043,437.50	€1,093,125.00	€1,192,500.00	€1,291,875.00
Dublin NE	€777,116	€815,971.80	€854,827.60	€932,539.20	€1,010,250.80
Dun Laoghaire	€786,755	€826,092.75	€865,430.50	€944,106.00	€1,022,781.50
Finglas Cabra	€627,960	€659,358.00	€690,756.00	€753,552.00	€816,348.00
NIC	€1,834,723	€1,926,459.15	€2,018,195.30	€2,201,667.60	€2,385,139.90
SIC	€1,868,014	€1,961,414.70	€2,054,815.40	€2,241,616.80	€2,428,418.20
Tallaght	€898,930	€943,876.50	€988,823.00	€1,078,716.00	€1,168,609.00
Total LDATF	€14,803,907	€15,544,102.35	€16,284,297.70	€17,764,688.40	€19,245,079.10
RDATF	2018 HSE	5% increase	10% increase	20% increase	30% increase
East Coast Area	€508,500	€533,925.00	€559,350.00	€610,200.00	€661,050.00
Midland	€662,491	€695,615.55	€728,740.10	€794,989.20	€861,238.30
Mid-West	€1,260,007	€1,323,007.35	€1,386,007.70	€1,512,008.40	€1,638,009.10
North East	€927,813	€974,203.65	€1,020,594.30	€1,113,375.60	€1,206,156.90
North West	€461,730	€484,816.50	€507,903.00	€554,076.00	€600,249.00
North Dublin City & Co.	€511,019	€536,569.95	€562,120.90	€613,222.80	€664,324.70
South East	€1,065,760	€1,119,048.00	€1,172,336.00	€1,278,912.00	€1,385,488.00
South West	€696,497	€731,321.85	€766,146.70	€835,796.40	€905,446.10
Southern	€973,178	€1,021,836.90	€1,070,495.80	€1,167,813.60	€1,265,131.40
Western	€524,155	€550,362.75	€576,570.50	€628,986.00	€681,401.50
Total RDATF	€7,591,150	€7,970,707.50	€8,350,265.00	€9,109,380.00	€9,868,495.00
Overall Total	€22,395,057	€23,514,810	€24,634,563	€26,874,068	€29,113,574

Drug Treatment Programmes Data

Ceisteanna (1786)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

1786. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the location of each adult medical detoxification unit and community based residential detoxification beds; and the location of same for adolescents. [34854/18]

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 attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Drug Treatment Programmes Data

Ceisteanna (1787)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

1787. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the location of each adult residential rehabilitation bed; the number of each; the number provided for adolescents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34855/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Consultant Data

Ceisteanna (1788)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

1788. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of approved consultant positions in each public and voluntary hospital; the number which are filled on a whole-time equivalent basis; the number which are vacant as of 19 July 2018 or the latest date available; and the number which are filled on a locum or non-specialist basis in tabular form. [34880/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

HSE Agency Staff Expenditure

Ceisteanna (1789)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

1789. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the agency spend on staff in each public and voluntary hospital to date in 2018, in tabular form. [34881/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

HSE Agency Staff Data

Ceisteanna (1790)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

1790. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the agency spend on staff for each community healthcare organisation to date in 2018, in tabular form. [34882/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

HSE Agency Staff Expenditure

Ceisteanna (1791)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

1791. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the spend by the HSE on agency staff to date in 2018; and the proportion of the projected spend for agency staff originally estimated for 2018 that has now been spent. [34883/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Speech and Language Therapy Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (1792)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

1792. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long waiting times and difficulties being experienced by families accessing speech and language supports from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; the length of time and number of children waiting on speech and language supports; and his plans to alleviate the pressure on these families and their children. [34884/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

HSE Planning

Ceisteanna (1793)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1793. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 71 of 29 May 2018, if the process for wider consultation has commenced on the draft action plan for the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; the progress to date on the matter; the status of the draft plan prepared by regional management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34890/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I am committed to securing and further developing the role of the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise as a constituent hospital within the Dublin Midlands Hopsital Group.  Since 2014, the focus has been on supporting the hospital to develop and enhance management capability, implementing changes required to address clinical service deficiencies, and incorporating the hospital into the governance structures within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.

Significant work has been undertaken to strengthen and stabilise current arrangements for services at the hospital to ensure that services that are not sustainable are discontinued and those that are, are safety assured and adequately resourced.  Funding has increased by 35% relative to the 2012 budget and staffing levels have risen by 29% from the 2014 base.  Governance and management arrangements in Portlaoise Hospital have been strengthened, additional clinical staff has been appointed and staff training, hospital culture and communications have improved.

As outlined at a meeting with Laois Oireachtas members, no decision has been made yet on the draft Action Plan for Portlaoise Hospital and I am currently giving consideration to a process for wider consultation.

HSE Staff

Ceisteanna (1794)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

1794. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the maximum redundancy package will be offered to the staff at St. Patrick's care centre, Kells Road, Kilkenny; if his Department or the HSE is involved in the negotiations with the staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34891/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Long Stay Residential Units

Ceisteanna (1795)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

1795. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of residential places for persons (details supplied) with disabilities in Dundalk whose parents are elderly; when such provision will be available; the number of places that will be provided; if his Department is working with Louth County Council, housing bodies and external agencies on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34893/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 a number of individual cases, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (1796, 1797)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1796. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of primary percutaneous coronary interventions carried out at University Hospital Waterford for the first six months of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34899/18]

Mary Butler

Ceist:

1797. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency percutaneous coronary interventions carried out at University Hospital Waterford in 2016 and 2017 for the first six months of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34900/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1796 and 1797 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Medical Card Data

Ceisteanna (1798)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

1798. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the cost of introducing a secure medical card for persons with disabilities. [34905/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the cost of medical card provision to all persons with a disability that do not currently qualify it is noted that the data required to model this is not available and it is therefore not possible to produce an estimate of the cost of such a proposal.

 Medical card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.  The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure and every application must be assessed on that basis.  Under the legislation, having a particular illness, in itself, does not establish eligibility for a medical card. Where the applicant's income is within the income guidelines, a medical card or GP visit card will be awarded.

 Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services. The HSE affords applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting information documentation to fully take account of all the relevant circumstances that may benefit them in the assessment, including medical evidence of cost and necessary expenses.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Data

Ceisteanna (1799)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

1799. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the cost of developing 12 neuro-rehabilitation teams and three transitional units. [34909/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.