Results 6,421-6,440 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (17 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 217 together. The HSE has received an application for the inclusion of Kalydeco (generic name: Ivacaftor) in the GMS and community drugs schemes which is being considered in line with the procedures agreed with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA). These include clearly documented processes and timelines for the assessment of new...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Delays (17 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (17 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The aspects of the Deputy's question that relate to the provision of health services in Rathkeale have been referred to the HSE, which has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy. Under EU Regulations, the healthcare entitlements of people on a temporary stay (e.g. on holidays) are established through the use of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). An EHIC entitles a person to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme (17 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The following urinary appliances are on the HSE's Primary Care Reimbursement Service list of reimbursable items: - Big Bendi Leg Bag 1300 ml. Non-Sterile 70.47-4-12-20 10; - Big Bendi Leg Bag 1300 ml. Sterile 70.47-4S-12S-20S 10; - Actreen Glys Catheter 225108E/18E 8-18 Ch. Male (Tiemann) 225208E/18E 8-18 Ch. Male & 225306E/16E 6-16 Ch. Female 30; - Actreen Glys Set 226108E/16E 8-16...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Universal Health Insurance (17 Jan 2013)

Alex White: 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 effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (17 Jan 2013)

Alex White: New eligibility rules for medical cards for persons aged over 70 years were announced in budget 2013. The income thresholds would be reduced and the higher income over-70s will receive a GP visit card instead of a medical card. The new rules will not take effect until later in 2013, after primary legislation has been enacted. The implementation date will be announced and publicised in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme (17 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together. Regarding the HSE and the Department of Health, a major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State was concluded in October last. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE National Service Plan (17 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together. The Service Plan for the HSE includes two amounts of €15m to be saved during the course of 2013. Further details of these amounts will be included in regional business plans which are anticipated by the end of January 2013. The €15m related to probity is a savings target related to the purchase and use of goods in local...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Executive Staff Remuneration (17 Jan 2013)

Alex White: On Budget Day, it was announced that the fees/allowances payable to certain health professionals will be reviewed. The professionals concerned are General Practitioners, Pharmacists, Dentists, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians who hold contracts with the HSE, Smeartakers contracted under the CervicalCheck programme and Consultant Psychiatrists who hold contracts with...

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (16 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The Deputy has indicated he would like me to ascertain the level of savings associated with the changes in so far as they apply to Maynooth and I will endeavour to ensure that if the information can be ascertained it will be relayed to him. I cannot explain the broader issue any further than I have done. However, all of us would be concerned if any of the decisions being made in order to...

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (16 Jan 2013)

Alex White: Our primary concern is to ensure the health and well-being of the population, including access to emergency care if needed. If it can be demonstrated there is some risk associated with this change, that must be addressed.

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (16 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I thank Deputy Stagg for raising this issue, for drawing attention to the improvements made in the HSE national ambulance service, NAS, and for affording me the opportunity to outline the ongoing delivery by the HSE and its workforce and representatives of important changes in the way our emergency ambulances and crews are deployed. The Deputy is correct that the NAS is progressing a number...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Water Fluoridation (16 Jan 2013)

Alex White: cal authorities have a statutory obligation to fluoridate public water supplies as provided for in the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies Act) 1960. The Expert Body on Fluorides and Health keeps up to date on new and emerging issues regarding water fluoridation and no new issues have emerged to change the Expert Body's advice to the Department of Health. The opinion of the Expert Body...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme (16 Jan 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. Charges...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Water Fluoridation (16 Jan 2013)

Alex White: Water fluoridation and the use of appropriate fluorides is a major plank of public health policy in Ireland in the prevention and management of tooth decay. In 2002 the Forum on Fluoridation, which was established to review this policy, concluded that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (16 Jan 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 Delays (16 Jan 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 (16 Jan 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: Health Service Funding (16 Jan 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: Drugs Payment Scheme (16 Jan 2013)

Alex White: 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. There are no plans to make changes to the scheme. In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for...