Written answers

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Department of Health

Health Services Funding

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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277. To ask the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [4724/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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278. To ask the Minister for Health to increase the funding for persons with Huntington's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4726/16]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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299. To ask the Minister for Health to support the Huntingtons Disease Association of Ireland in its combatting of this disease (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4803/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 299 together.

With regard to Deputy McGrath's reference to funding under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO), that Scheme is operated by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Scheme aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. I understand that the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has appointed Pobal to administer and manage a new round of funding for the Scheme for the period 2016-2019 and that applications for funding were recently invited by Pobal for this funding.

The issues raised by the Deputies relating to funding for services for people with Huntington's Disease and for the Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland are service matters. I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputies. If the Deputies have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, they can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

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