Written Answers Nos. 174-183
174. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date to develop a scheme to replace the motorised transport grant, which has been closed to new applicants since 2013; the timeframe for when legislation for a new mobility scheme will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35271/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra193. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the status of his plans to introduce a grant to replace the mobility allowance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35347/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 193 together.
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Scheme in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013. The Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments which support choice and independence. In that regard, monthly payments of €208.50 have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time the scheme closed.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals in this regard is at an advanced stage and I anticipate that this will be brought to Government shortly.
The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
176. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health further to his attendance at the Oireachtas health committee on 28 September 2016, the number of meetings and level of consultation he or any of his officials have had with a person (details supplied) in respect of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35284/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health further to his attendance at the Oireachtas health committee on 28 September 2016, if he or any of his officials have any meetings planned with a person (details supplied) to discuss or consult on the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35285/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
Officials in my Department are progressing work in relation to this matter. No meetings have yet taken place with Deputy Kelleher on the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2016.
178. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if a rebate scheme formed part of the previous medicine pricing agreement between his Department and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, which applied up to November 2015; if so, the way in which this rebate scheme was applied and operated; the total revenues that were generated by these rebates over the lifetime of the agreement; the amounts raised during each year of the agreement; the way in which these moneys were collected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35286/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Clause 9 of the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines there is a rebate of 4% of the value of all medicines dispensed in the GMS and community drugs schemes. No rebate was payable in respect of those medicines covered by Clause 6 'Patent Expired Medicines' of that Agreement.
A full copy of the Agreement is available at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/Who/cpu/IPHA_Agreement_2012.pdf.
As the HSE was responsible for the implementation of that Agreement, I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy on the other matters he has raised.
179. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which the rebate scheme that forms part of the current medicine pricing agreement between his Department and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association will apply and be operated; the total revenues that his Department anticipates will be generated by these rebates over the lifetime of the agreement; the amounts expected to be raised each year of the agreement by this rebate scheme; the way in which these moneys will be collected; if he will publish the details of same at the end of each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35287/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated value of the rebate, calculated under Clause 9 the Agreement, is €300 million. A copy of the Agreement is available at: http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/framework-agreement-on-the-supply-and-pricing-of-medicines/.
The breakdown of the amounts expected to be raised each year are set out in the table below.
|
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
|
|
Estimated Value of the Rebates* |
€65m |
€70m |
€80m |
€85m |
*Rounded to the nearest €5m
My Department, in consultation with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, are currently monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and associated savings, and will give consideration to the publication of the savings achieved on a yearly basis.
The issues in relation to the application of the rebate and its collection across PCRS and hospitals has been referred to the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy, as this is an operational matter.
180. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE charges and calculates rebates for biosimilar drugs that are approved and for sale in the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35288/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the level of rebates and medicines to which it applies are set out in the new Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines 2016-2020. The Agreement is available at:
http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/framework-agreement-on-the-supply-and-pricing-of-medicines/.
The issue in relation to the calculation of the rebate by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service and hospitals has been referred to the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as this is an operational matter.
181. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if an allocation of a drink supplement will be increased in respect of a person (details supplied). [35291/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
182. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will consider employing a liaison officer in hospitals for victims of institutional abuse (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35295/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraYour question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
183. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the status of an application (details supplied) for funding to the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35297/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
