Wednesday, 29 Nov 2023

Childcare Services

Questions (128)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52607/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Deputy has raised three questions which I will address separately below.

In regards to the first, the regulation of ELC and SAC services is set out in the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. The link to which can be accessed here:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/1a6d67-child-care-act-1991-early-years-services-regulations-2016/.

In regards to the second, Tusla is the independent statutory regulator of ELC and SAC services in Ireland. As Tusla is independent in its statutory functions, I cannot intervene in relation to particular cases and questions on operational matters should be directed to Tusla for a response. The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate can be contacted at 061 440600 or by emailing ey.registration@tusla.ie.

In regards to the third question, ELC and SAC services are required to have insurance as part of their registration with Tulsa, the independent regulator of the sector. My Department provides funding to providers under a number of programmes to provide fully or partly subsidised ELC and SAC services to families. Providers are private businesses and my Department does not provide funding for specific operational costs such as insurance.

It is important to note that neither the Government, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing or provision of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter which individual companies assess on a case-by-case basis. This position is reinforced by the EU Single Market framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive) which expressly prohibits Member States from doing so.

Notwithstanding this, insurance reform is a priority for this Government. The Action Plan for Insurance Reform, which was launched on 8 December 2020, contains a range of deliverables in a number of Government Department policy areas. It is intended that the cumulative effect of the implementation of the actions will be to improve the insurance environment, in particular for businesses. The Minister is a member of the Sub-Group for Insurance Reform, chaired by An Tánaiste, which has been set up within the Cabinet Committee for Economic Recovery and Investment to implement these reforms, and will publish progress reports every six months.

Seeking to secure a more sustainable and competitive market through deepening and widening the supply of insurance in Ireland remains a key policy priority for this Government. In this regard, it is the Government’s intention to ensure that the implementation of the Action Plan can have a positive impact on the affordability and availability of insurance for individuals, businesses and voluntary groups, including providers.

The Department is aware that Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) and Childhood Services Ireland (CSI) operates group schemes to provide insurance at competitive rates to their members.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (129)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

129. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount paid in late payment interest payments for goods and services provided to his Department in each of the years from 2016 to date in 2023; and separately, the top five highest late interest payments made in each of those years, and the service and goods supplier that received the payments, in tabular form. [52641/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The table below details the amount of prompt payment interest paid out by my Department for goods and services per year from 2016 to date in 2023. The significant increase in 2022 and 2023 reflects the challenges associated with paying a large number of providers of emergency accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. A new Procure to Payment system has been developed and is currently being rolled out to ensure the Department pays its providers within the prescribed time limit and to prevent the need for prompt payment interest in future.

Year	Total interest
2016	€3,221.16
2017	€229.72
2018	€4,348.24
2019	€3,579.60
2020	€13,636.60
2021	€21,485.31
2022	€247,632.90
2023*	€3,236,300.91

*As of 24 November 2023

The table below details the five highest prompt payment interest payments each year from 2016 to 2023 to date, and the service and goods supplier that received the payments.

Year	Supplier	Five largest interest payments
2016	Research Matters Ltd	€102.74
2016	Dermot O' Brien	€94.35
2016	IPA	€85.88
2016	IPA	€85.88
2016	ABC Euro Translations Ltd	€80.97
2017	Club Travel Corporate	€75.05
2017	Premium Cleaning Services	€74.50
2017	Glenpatrick Watercoolers Ltd	€40.14
2017	City Cabs	€40.03
2017	N/A (only 4 payments incurred interest)	€0.00
2018	Kilkenny County Childcare	€1,166.44
2018	Croke Park Stadium	€237.99
2018	Citroen	€218.14
2018	Citroen	€218.14
2018	Eumedia Limited	€94.36
2019	Informa	€429.05
2019	Informa	€359.98
2019	Word Perfect Translation Services	€131.35
2019	Early Childhood Ireland	€128.39
2019	Vodafone Ireland Ltd	€106.83
2020	ESRI	€504.03
2020	Archways	€494.47
2020	Hearing Healthcare Ireland	€294.04
2020	Mindshare Media Ireland Ltd	€269.55
2020	pTools Software	€261.69
2021	Mindshare Media Ireland Ltd	€1,971.88
2021	Fr Peter McVerry Trust	€562.94
2021	Millstreet Equestrian Services	€549.30
2021	Tattonward Limited	€482.16
2021	Millstreet Equestrian Services	€473.89
2022	Windward Management Limited	€9,467.33
2022	Brimwood Limited	€9,292.23
2022	Heronwell Limited	€8,093.58
2022	Rossblue Management Limited	€7,658.32
2022	Inua Limerick General Partner	€5,737.28
2023*	Brimwood Limited	€42,896.71
2023*	Word Perfect Translation Services	€28,212.95
2023*	Corduff JG Enterprises Limited	€23,967.49
2023*	Knocknagee Limited	€22,409.39
2023*	Brimwood Limited	€21,104.93

*As of 24 November 2023

Childcare Services

Questions (130)

Martin Browne

Question:

130. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that childcare providers are being asked to produce separate sets of accounts to meet the requirements of Tusla and Pobal as set out in legislation; and if he plans to simplify the process for providers. [52667/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Core Funding, which commenced in September 2022, is a grant to Early Learning and Care (ELC) and/or School Age Childcare (SAC) providers towards their operating costs. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.

All Partner Services that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns as per their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.

Core Funding payments to providers must run on a programme year, September-August, in line with the school year, the operation of the ELC and SAC sector, and the payments made to providers under the other DCEDIY schemes. Therefore, the financial returns cover the period from 1st September 2022 to 31st August 2023 and must be submitted by an accountant from a registered practice or a registered professional body (ACA, ACAA, CPA, and CIMA), on behalf of each Partner Service.

My Department is not requesting audited accounts, Partner Services are instead being asked to provide financial information mapped to the Core Funding Chart of Accounts, which has been reviewed, signed off and submitted by an accountant.

Services that already use accountancy packages should be able map to the Core Funding nominal codes from the Chart of Accounts. However, if a service does not use an accountancy package, a series of resources have been designed to assist services with meeting this requirement.

My officials have, in recent weeks, engaged with the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF) on issues raised by providers on the financial reporting requirements under Core Funding.

To date, three meetings have taken place on 7th , 20th November and on 27th November involving members and nominees from Childhood Services Ireland (CSI), Childminding Ireland, Early Childhood Ireland (ECI), the Association of Childhood Professionals Ireland (ACPI), the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP), the National Childhood Network (NCN), the National Community Childcare Forum and Seas Suas as well as representatives from City/County Childcare Committees (CCC) and Pobal.

Arising from these meetings, officials have developed and discussed proposals to significantly simplify and streamline the reporting requirements under Core Funding and to support providers in preparing and submitting these returns. They are now in the process of finalising updated financial reporting requirements and templates, which will be shared with members and nominees of the ELCSF in advance of publication. Once finalised, updated financial reporting requirements will be shared with providers and all communications, including templates and training material will be updated.

My Department acknowledges that there is additional administration for providers with the introduction of new schemes such as the NCS and Core Funding, and has allocated €32.13 million for administration under Core Funding in year two, and €35.34m for the third year of the scheme. In addition, a number of targeted supports are being considered by my Department to enable Core Funding Partner Services to comply with the financial reporting requirement.

In any instances where a service is experiencing financial difficulty, they can reach out to their local City/County Childcare Committee and avail of Case Management Supports. This can include operational supports as well as financial supports through Sustainability Funding if deemed appropriate.

EU Directives

Questions (131)

Holly Cairns

Question:

131. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a list of all EU Directives which have not yet been ratified within his Department; the estimated date of ratification of each Directive; and the deadline set by the EU for ratifying each Directive, in tabular form. [52701/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Deputy. The table below sets out the Directives which have yet to be transposed or where some provisions remain to be transposed.

Directives to be fully transposed	EU Deadline	Estimated date of transposition
Directive (EU) 2019/882 on the accessibility requirements for products and services	28 June 2022	End December 2023
Directive 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers and repealing Council Directive 2010/18	2 August 2022	Q 1 2024
Directive (EU) 2022/2381 on improving the gender balance among directors of listed companies and related measures	28 December 2024	December 2024
Directive (EU) 2023/970 to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms	7 June 2026	May 2026

Vaccination Programme

Questions (132)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

132. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Covid-19 vaccines that were purchased by the HSE between 2020 and 2022; and the total cost of these vaccines. [52849/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

Mental Health Services

Questions (133)

Mark Ward

Question:

133. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the inpatient peri-natal mental health unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital; when this will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52592/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.

Health Service Executive

Questions (134)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

134. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if there has been any engagement with the HSE with regard to funding Daisy Hill Hospital or access of southern patients to the hospital; if so, if he will detail how much investment the Government will provide; how many patients and what type of southern patients will have access to Daisy Hill Hospital; and if the Government has decided to provide funding, if there is any particular blockage to the delivery of funding. [52599/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Enhancing North-South cooperation is a priority for the Irish Government. I am also committed to working with partners in Northern Ireland to improve cooperation in health and social care where there are clear benefits for both jurisdictions and for patients across the island.

The HSE has confirmed that it has no records of funding Daisy Hill Hospital. However, there are a number of agreements in place covering specific specialist Cross Border initiatives that ensure that patients can receive a range of medical procedures/services as close to home as possible. This has helped reduce travel time, and the ease of access, which has been hugely beneficial for patients, their families and carers. The HSE advises that there is a service level agreement (SLA) between the RCSI Hospital Group and the Southern Trust Northern Ireland in relation to the provision of ear, nose and throat (ENT) outpatient and minor day case surgeries by ENT consultants from Southern Trust NI in Daisy Hill Hospital.

Furthermore, I have met with, and had representations from, representatives from South Down in relation to service provision in this hospital. As I informed them, there is ongoing and good engagement between my Department and the Department of Health, Northern Ireland. Most recently, Senior Officials from both Departments met in Dublin in July, in follow up to a previous engagement in Belfast in January, to discuss areas of health cooperation which could be expanded to benefit residents on the island of Ireland. There are also a number of channels through which collaboration is supported including the INTERREG and PEACE PLUS programmes as well as the Shared Island initiative.

This year, my Department also established an intra-departmental North-South Working Group to support this broad North-South cooperation in all areas of my Department's work. The Group was set up with Secretary General Robert Watt's endorsement to underline the importance of this work. The Group has identified a number of areas which would benefit from enhanced North-South cooperation which is guiding Senior Officials’ engagement. I am committed to continuing close and productive cooperation with Northern Ireland.

Addiction Treatment Services

Questions (135)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

135. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if funding will be allocated to a community group (details supplied) in County Kildare; if so, the amount of funding; the date such funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52601/23]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.

Mental Health Services

Questions (142)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

142. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of adult mental health beds in CHO7; the location of each; and the number that are currently available for patients. [52624/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.

Hospital Staff

Questions (143)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

143. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers removed or frozen at Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare as a result of the HSE CEO's recent memorandum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52627/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible

Hospital Staff

Questions (144)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

144. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers removed or frozen at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athy, County Kildare, as a result of the HSE CEO's recent memorandum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52628/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible

Hospital Charges

Questions (145)

Sean Fleming

Question:

145. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if the hospital bill that was issued in respect of a medical card patient (details supplied) for a stay in a hospital will be cancelled in view of the fact the bill should have been covered by their medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52633/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (146)

Alan Kelly

Question:

146. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the location of all primary care centres built from 2016 to date; the location of all primary care centres currently in development; and the location of all primary care centres that are currently at contract stage or in planning. [52639/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (147)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

147. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount paid in late payment interest payments for goods and services provided to his Department in each of the years from 2016 to date in 2023; and separately, the top five highest late interest payments made in each of those years, and the service and goods supplier that received the payments, in tabular form. [52649/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

The first table below shows prompt payment interest and compensation paid per year by my Department for the years 2016 to date. The second table shows the the top five highest late interest payments for each of these years.

Year	Total Interest Paid
	€
2016	2,050.50
2017	3,597.16
2018	4,463.46
2019	2,551.24
2020	5,788.89
2021	22,392.31
2022	9,087.66
2023 to date	8,172.19

Year	Interest Paid	Supplier
	€
2016	136.42	Youth Work Ireland
	117.17	Tomorrow's World
	83.07	Future Range
	82.27	Texpro Printwear and Promotions
	77.12	JBS Group

2017	201.15	Tomorrow's World
	178.40	Hewlett-Packard Ireland Ltd
	138.59	Brambles Deli Café Ltd
	134.66	Tomorrow's World
	122.58	Tomorrow's World

2018	614.23	Brian Murphy
	336.43	Cawley NEA/TBWA
	251.88	Tomorrows World
	149.29	Clarus
	137.53	Ace Draughting T/A Informa

2019	216.84	Ion Solutions
	176.02	Micom IT Ltd
	82.14	Club Travel
	79.78	Club Travel
	74.79	Cyclone Couriers

2020	278.17	Domino People
	255.74	Detail Furniture Ltd
	152.91	Amarach Research
	148.55	Electric Ireland
	146.43	Grainne Healy

2021	1,340.11	Brian Kennedy
	1,299.67	PHD Media
	1,182.94	Ruth More O Ferrell
	1,030.08	Christopher Mills
	770.17	PHD Media

2022	538.06	MCG Facilities
	376.21	Cawley NEA/TBWA
	365.61	MCG Facilities
	344.55	MCG Facilities
	248.62	Thomas Montgomery

2023 to date	627.05	Version 1 Software
	501.30	Bridge interpreting
	418.45	Mazars Consulting
	387.90	Byrne Wallace
	308.79	Bridge interpreting

Vaccination Programme

Questions (148)

Michael Creed

Question:

148. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the policy with regard to the shingles vaccination; if he is aware of the significant cost involved for patients; the proposals if any he has to make this cost more affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52669/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.

NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.

Shingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme. Further information is available here: www2.hse.ie/conditions/shingles/

It is open to any individual who is aged 50 years and older and who wishes to receive the vaccine to consult with their GP or pharmacist.

It may be of interest to note that the Health Information and Quality Authority are currently carrying out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.

The outcome of the HTA, once it is complete, will inform future decision making on this matter in relation to whether or not any amendments are required to the National Immunisation Programme.