Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken or proposes to take to speed up the process of medical card and rent or mortgage support applications with particular reference to the need to meet the needs of the community arising from the current economic climate; if she and or her Department has given any instructions to the relevant officers not to respond to the queries from Members or other public representatives; if her attention has been drawn to the growing practice in this context; her plans to address the issue arising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20228/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE), with my full support, has decided to centralise the processing of all medical cards and GP visit card applications and renewals to its Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin. The process commenced in January 2009 when the PCRS took over the processing of all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over. The second phase commenced in September 2009 with the transfer of the case load from two local health offices in Dublin.

The HSE has advised that when fully implemented, the initiative to centralise the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications and renewals will ensure:

Improved turnaround times for the processing of applications: under the new arrangements the HSE will be aiming for a turnaround time of 15 working days or less, with provision for emergency applications to be dealt with immediately;

Consistent and equitable application of eligibility and service provision;

Clearer governance and accountability, as well as improved management information.

In a communication to all Oireachtas members on 19th January 2010, I provided a list with the names and telephone numbers of the local health office managers and, in each case, a contact name or names and telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for enquiries from Oireachtas Members about medical card and GP visit card applications being dealt with by local health offices. The list also gave the contact details of a dedicated contact person in the PCRS for enquiries from Oireachtas Members about medical card and GP visit card applications and reviews being dealt with by the PCRS.

The Deputy will be aware that ongoing industrial action by certain HSE staff is affecting some of the Executive's work. Neither I nor officials in my Department have instructed HSE officials not to respond to queries from Oireachtas Members or other public representatives.

In relation to the other issues raised in the Deputy's question, I wish to advise that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If these matters remain of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise them with me again in due course.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the cost of rolling out retinopathy screening nationally in view of the recommendations of the Health Service Executive Expert Advisory Group on Diabetes; if the retinopathy screening programme planned for the west is operational; the position regarding the expansion of diabetic retinopathy screening to other areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20295/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of primary care teams that are now operational; the number that operate from a designated centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20196/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.