Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has made or will make representations to the Health Service Executive in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if she has ascertained the status of this case; if the HSE intends to close the case. [20012/07]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and social services which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Office has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. In view of the reply which has issued to Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, the Minister has requested that the HSE reply directly to the deputy as a matter of urgency.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20025/07]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when funding will be made available for home help in County Clare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20027/07]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will review an application for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20028/07]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for dental treatment; and if this treatment will be carried out in Castlebar. [20058/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been postponed four months to January 2008. [20059/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will carry out a complete audit into the way that children are assessed and deemed eligible or otherwise by the Health Service Executive for orthodontic treatment; her plans to review the 1985 guidelines to ensure that the same severity index is used to determine the need for treatment in order that patients with malocclusion will receive treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20060/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the 1985 guidelines with regard to orthodontic treatment for children, particularly in view of the numbers of children being refused treatment despite their need for it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20505/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 373 together.

The Orthodontic Review Group, established by the HSE in 2006, finalised its report this year. One of the recommendations contained in the report relates to the guidelines issued in 1985. The Review Group made a unanimous recommendation to the HSE to replace these guidelines with new assessment criteria based on Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). The national implementation of the proposed guidelines will ensure equity of access to treatment for all patients deemed eligible. The Review Group's report has been approved by the HSE's Management Team.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the health repayment scheme. [20061/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive.

My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a unit (details supplied) in County Galway will be operational; the reason it was removed from use; and the steps that have been taken or need to be taken to ensure that the equipment is put back in use. [20062/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular question raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the health repayment scheme. [20063/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of vehicles currently available, within the Health Service Executive, for the west region for WESTDOC; the number and type of vehicle, year of manufacture, number of drivers employed and so on; the annual cost of this service for 2006 and to date in 2007; the number of staff employed in relation to the WESTDOC service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20064/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the funding allocated and the amount spent in relation to the provision of transport for people attending hospital appointments in County Mayo in each of the past five years. [20065/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the alternative plans that have been put in place to accommodate persons (details supplied). [20129/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive west has changed its policies in relation to a service (details supplied). [20130/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive west are no longer transporting people (details supplied). [20131/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action that will be taken regarding people (details supplied) in relation to their travel arrangements to hospital appointments. [20190/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 321, 330 to 332, inclusive, and 342 together.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case/issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position between the Irish Dental Association members and the Health Service Executive regarding the dental treatment service scheme; the progress made in resolving this dispute; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20066/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person who holds a medical card can no longer access dental treatment through the family dentist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20115/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 329 together.

The Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides for a range of dental services for adult medical card holders from participating dentists holding contracts with the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The DTSS Review Group was established in May 2006 to undertake a comprehensive review of Primary Care Oral Health Services provided under the DTSS. Represented on the Review Group are the HSE, the Health Service Employers Agency, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Department of Finance and the Irish Dental Association (IDA). The Group is chaired by Mr Finbar Flood.

Since the Group was established, a legal issue has arisen with regard to the Competition Act 2002 as it relates to the negotiation of professional fees. The issues involved are complex and my officials are working with the Attorney General's office to clarify the way forward.

The existing contractual arrangements with private dental practitioners under the DTSS for provision of dental services to eligible patients remain in place although I am aware that some dentists have indicated that they wish to resign from this scheme. It should be noted that dentists withdrawing from the scheme are obliged to work a three months notice period.

If an eligible patient cannot access the services of a dentist because the dentist has resigned from the DTSS, that patient may approach any dentist within the Scheme for treatment.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the health repayment scheme. [20067/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.