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Tuesday, 9 Apr 2019

Written Answers Nos. 426-434

HSE Staff Training

Ceisteanna (426)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

426. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated by the HSE to trainee clinical psychologists posts since 2016. [16524/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Question No. 427 answered with Question No. 413.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (428)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

428. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the additional amount of funding allocated to provide personal assistants for persons with disabilities in each budget since 2016. [16526/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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

Motorised Transport Grant

Ceisteanna (429)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

429. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if a new scheme will replace the motorised transport grant which was previously cut; and if so, when the new scheme will be implemented. [16530/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013.

My colleague, the Minister for Health and I, brought a Memorandum to Government in May 2018 on proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme. Following  consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the Cabinet Agenda at the time. I intend to revert to Government in due course with revised proposals to reflect the discussions at that Cabinet meeting and further discussions between myself and Minister Harris on the best way to progress the Transport Scheme.

It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.

There are improvements in access to a range of transport support schemes available to persons with disabilities in the State and on-going work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.

Physiotherapy Provision

Ceisteanna (430)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

430. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the steps that can be taken to assist a person (details supplied). [16537/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Question No. 431 answered with Question No. 380.

Ambulance Service Staff

Ceisteanna (432)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

432. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the bases the 12 additional ambulance service personnel will be deployed to in the north-west region; when a second ambulance will be allocated to Carrick-on-Shannon in view of the demand in the area for services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16545/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly. 

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (433)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

433. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of orthodontic treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16553/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Medicinal Products Availability

Ceisteanna (434, 444)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

434. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health his views on the availability of the necessary quantities of Epilim chromospheres in adequate dosages in pharmacies, particularly for patients prescribed daily dosages of 2,000 mg or more; if his attention has been drawn to reports that patients have found it difficult to access the medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16558/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Clare Daly

Ceist:

444. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the situation in which pharmacists are restricted in the amount of chromospheres they are allowed to keep, with particular reference to the fact that such restrictions do not appear to be required in other EU states and cause considerable hardship to persons who require same. [16590/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 444 together.

The company which markets Epilim has confirmed to the Health Products Regulatory Authority that there is no shortage of Epilim products, including Chronosphere, in Ireland. Any pharmacy that needs more than its allocated stock of this product can contact the company to supply more. There is no restriction in place for this product that would impact a pharmacy's ability to meet patient needs.

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