Results 6,161-6,180 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Expenditure (5 Mar 2013)

Alex White: The HSE pays fees and allowances to certain health professionals with whom it holds contracts, including General Practitioners, Pharmacists, Dentists, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians. As the information requested by the Deputy is not routinely provided to the Department, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Treatment Abroad Scheme (5 Mar 2013)

Alex White: The HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation 1408/71, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 574/72, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Within these governing EU Regulations and the Department of Health and Children's Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (28 Feb 2013)

Alex White: As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (28 Feb 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (28 Feb 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (28 Feb 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Topical Issue Debate: Water Fluoridation (27 Feb 2013)

Alex White: Neither Deputy Ross nor I is a scientist but one thing I remember from the study of mathematics many years ago is the concept of "spurious correlation", which I am sure Deputy Ross will understand. There might be a particular incidence or pattern, for example, a high incidence of diabetes or cardiovascular condition in this or that county or country and fluoridation in the water but there is...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Fluoridation (27 Feb 2013)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue which I am pleased to have the opportunity to address. I will respond to some of the specific points raised by the Deputy, but I remind the House by way of introduction that water fluoridation and the use of appropriate fluorides are major planks of public health policy in Ireland on the prevention and management of tooth decay. Fluoride at...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme (27 Feb 2013)

Alex White: The General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme and the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) are separate schemes with separate qualifying criteria. Under the GMS Scheme, medical card holders are required to pay a €1.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €19.50 per month for each person or family....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescription Charges (27 Feb 2013)

Alex White: A repeat prescription facility was introduced to the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme in March 1991. Under this facility, prescriptions for certain drugs and medicines may be renewed on a three monthly, rather than a monthly, basis. Patients who are stabilised on their medication do not need to visit their General Practitioner (GP) every month in order to have their prescriptions...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Universal Primary Care (26 Feb 2013)

Alex White: The Programme for Government provides for significant strengthening of primary care services to achieve Universal Primary Care (UPC) with the removal of cost as a barrier to access for patients. In order to deliver on this commitment, the preparation of a new General Medical Services (GMS) contract with GPs will be required. The Department and the HSE are currently examining the changes...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Strategy (26 Feb 2013)

Alex White: The implementation of the Primary Care Strategy is a priority for this Government. The objective is to develop services in the community which will give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners (GPs), nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others. At the end of December 2012, there were 426 Primary Care Teams operating, i.e....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (26 Feb 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 668 together. The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (26 Feb 2013)

Alex White: There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, people who...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (26 Feb 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 670 and 719 together. Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. There are currently two categories of eligibility for all persons ordinarily resident in Ireland i.e. full eligibility (medical card) and limited eligibility (all others). Full eligibility is determined...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (26 Feb 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Regulations (26 Feb 2013)

Alex White: The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) carries out inspections pursuant to two main sections of the Pharmacy Act 2007:- - Inspections are carried out under Section 19 as part of the registration process for retail pharmacy businesses. Prescriptions are not reviewed as part of these inspections. - Inspections are carried out under Section 67 to review compliance with the Pharmacy Act,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme (26 Feb 2013)

Alex White: As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (26 Feb 2013)

Alex White: The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. The service is provided by contracted dentists. As funding has been capped at the 2008 level of €63 million, the HSE prioritises for treatment patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs. A free oral examination every calendar...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (26 Feb 2013)

Alex White: No exercise has been undertaken to estimate the cost to introduce free General Practitioner care to children aged 6 years and under. The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without...