Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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451. To ask the Minister for Health if the possibility of reducing the household charge for family carers in advance of budget 2019 will be examined; if the possibility of extending the provision of general practitioner visit cards to those in receipt of the respite care grant in advance of budget 2019 will be examined; his views on the provision of State-funded panic buttons or personal alarms to those aged under 65 who require 24-hour a day care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23720/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I believe the Deputy is referring to the Local Property Tax in the first part of the question. The Department of Health has no responsibility for taxation and accordingly I am referring this matter to my colleague Minister Donohoe's Department for reply directly to the Deputy.

In December 2017, the Government announced that additional funding would be provided to enable all carers in receipt of Carer's Allowance to qualify for a GP visit card. Government approval was given on the 11 April to provide GP services without fees to persons in receipt of either full or half rate Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit and to draft the Heads of Bill to legislate for this provision. These Heads have been prepared and will be submitted to Government next week for approval. It is intended that this measure will be implemented this year, subject to the drafting and enactment of the necessary legislation.

There are currently no plans to extend GP visit Cards to persons specifically in receipt of a Carer's Support Grant (formerly known as the Respite Care Grant), however it is noted that many persons in receipt of this Grant will qualify for a GP visit card as the Carer's Support Grant is paid automatically to persons in receipt of Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit.

The HSE provides products, supports, supplies, aids and appliances through Community Funded Schemes. Personal alarms are not provided by these schemes. Pobal, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, provides personal alarms for people aged 65 years and older through the Seniors Alert Scheme. No such scheme is in operation for the under 65's.

However in its fifth annual progress report of the National Carer's Strategy, the HSE notes that "Primary Care Physiotherapists/Occupational Therapists and Nursing personnel are involved in the assessment and provision of equipment and assistive technologies" and that "a limited number of areas provide telecare support within available resources".