Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy James Reilly.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Such future legislation will also include appropriate provisions for the transfer of HSE
employees to these bodies.
Other organisational reform priorities this year include the relocation of the National Clinical
Care Programmes and the National Cancer Control Programme to my Department and the
establishment of a Programme Management Office in the Department to drive the implementation
of this wide ranging process of reform.
Medical Cards
678. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite a
medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [7912/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): As this is a service
matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
679. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if he will put in place a plan to
provide speech and language therapy services for pupils of a school (details supplied); and if
he will make a statement on the matter. [7918/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): 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.
Tobacco-Related Diseases
680. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the results of analyses in the tobacco
content of cigarettes smuggled illegally here with regard to harmful chemicals and carcinogens
which exceed the permitted levels in cigarettes in this country; and if he will make a statement
on the matter. [7922/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): The Revenue Commissioners and An Garda
Síochána have primary responsibility for dealing with the issue of illicit trade of tobacco products.
I understand from the Revenue Commissioners that they do not carry out any analysis of
seized products. The only testing carried out in relation to tobacco product seized by Revenue
is done under the auspices of O.L.A.F. (E.U. Antifraud Office) and is only to determine if
large scale seizures consist of counterfeit or contraband product.
Health Service Staff
681. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if a transition team has been established
with his Department to manage the exodus of staff from the health services to avail of
pension entitlements before the end of February; the members of the transition teams; when
were they established; and the number of times the team has met. [7924/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): Considerable work has been undertaken by my
Department and the HSE in recent months to deal with and plan for retirements from the
health sector, together with the reduction in financial resources available for the health services
in the current year. My approval on 16 January 2012 of the HSE National Service Plan followed
a rigorous examination of budget allocations and human resources, aimed at minimising the
impact on frontline services and identifying where efficiencies will be driven. In recent weeks
my Department has been briefed in detail on the HSE Regional Service Plans and the measures
being taken to safeguard service provision in the current year.
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