Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): Lupus is an uncommon
condition, with 90% of cases occurring in women. The condition causes many different
health problems ranging from mild to life-threatening. As there is no register of patients with
lupus, it is not possible to provide a figure for the total number of annually diagnosed cases.
Patients with lupus are generally under the care of a rheumatologist and may also be seen
by other specialists such as dermatologists. Any person may be referred to their local hospital
by their GP. There is no estimate available of the average cost of treatment.
There are no plans at present for a national campaign to provide information regarding
lupus. The HSE would be happy to make arrangements to meet the Lupus Patient Group. The
HSE National Advocacy Unit will facilitate such a meeting and can be contacted at www.yourserviceyoursay.ie
or 045 880400.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €132 per calendar
month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces
the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical
services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment
process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an
individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail
of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultation.
643. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop and
improve the rural practice grant for general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on
the matter. [7676/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): The current rates
of payments are set out in the Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to General
Practitioners) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 638/2010). Under the Financial Emergency Measures in
the Public Interest Act 2009, fees and allowances payable to GPs were reduced in 2009 and
2010.
Under the General Medical Services (GMS) Contract, GPs are eligible for a Rural Practice
Allowance when they live and practise in an area with a population of less than 500, where
there is not a town with a population of 1,500 or more within a three mile radius of that centre
and where the HSE considers it necessary to pay an allowance to retain a doctor in the area.
The current annual rural practice allowance is €17,530.89.
Under the Programme for Government, it is intended to develop a new contractual framework
for GPs which will be more suited to current needs and will facilitate the planned development
of Primary Care Services. Mechanisms for encouraging GPs to set up practices in rural
and urban disadvantaged areas will be considered, as appropriate, in the context of this review
of the GMS GP Contract.
Drugs Task Forces
644. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the
funding that was allocated to local community projects via a drugs task force (details supplied)
in 2011; the name of each project; the amount they received; and if he will make a statement
on the matter. [7700/12]
621