Results 4,441-4,460 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Expenditure (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: A major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State was concluded with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) in October 2012. It will deliver a number of important benefits, including - significant reductions for patients in the cost of drugs, - a lowering of the drugs bill to the State, - timely access for patients to new cutting-edge drugs for certain conditions, and -...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Expenditure (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1073 and 1074 together. The data requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. - 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total Drug Spend (€m) 943.21 1092.70 1198.14 1365.17 1508.47 1628.53 1694.73 1564.87 1501.24 1565.32 Total Drug Payment Scheme Spend (€m) 204.42 226.83 246.68 285.79 310.11 315.03 263.47 173.44...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I am advised by the HSE that refund claims from clients are processed on a case by case basis. Applicants who feel they have incurred medical costs as a result of undue delay on the part of PCRS in processing their medical card application may submit a request for a refund enclosing the relevant receipts for consideration.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive Community Audiology service administers and monitors hearing tests for adults who are at risk for hearing loss. Appointments for the audiology service are sent in a strict chronology according to clinical priorities and date of receipt of referral. The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Data (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: The HSE National Service Plan 2013 provides for up to an additional 100,000 medical cards in 2013. At the same time, policy changes are expected to lead to a reduction of approximately 40,000 medical cards. These changes reflect measures agreed by Government under Budget 2013 relating to the changes to income thresholds for the over-70's medical card and changes to income calculations for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: Under the relevant legislation, there is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons with specific illnesses. The HSE has, however, discretion to award a medical card to avoid undue hardship, even where the person exceeds the income guidelines. At Minister Reilly's request, the HSE set up a clinical panel to assist in the processing of applications for discretionary medical...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: The Government recognises that the living costs of an individual living alone are more than half the living costs of a couple living together and this is reflected, inter alia, through the provision of the Living Alone Increase and differential income limits for medical cards for persons aged under 70 years between individuals and couples. In that context, the over-70s income limit for a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1099 and 1152 together. Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, the assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. There is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons with a specific illness or disability. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Expenditure (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: The HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Waiting Lists (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1119, 1120, 1189 and 1190 together. The Public Dental Service of the HSE provides dental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons with special needs through its dental clinics. All HSE dental clinics prioritise emergency care for children up to 16 years of age, treatment for special needs patients and screening of children aged from 11 to 13...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Generic Drugs Substitution (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, which came into operation on the 24th of June, introduces a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. This legislation will promote price competition among suppliers and ensure that lower prices are paid for these medicines resulting in further savings for both taxpayers and patients. Under the Act, the Irish Medicines...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Expenditure (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1123 and 1161 together. The HSE is not in a position to increase the current levels of expenditure on ostomy and urinary products unless cost effectiveness with clear patient benefit can be demonstrated. The HSE will require evidence to be presented as part of any product application process for addition to the List of Reimbursable Items in accordance with...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1125 to 1128, inclusive, together. The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (5 Nov 2013)

Alex White: Arrangements have been in place for the rental of Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure Machines for some time both for Medical Card Holders and Drug Payment Scheme card holders where the person suffers from sleep apnoea. Funding for the purchase of such appliances by medical card holders may be considered within the overall priority setting for funding at local level from the Aids and...