Thursday, 25 Jan 2024

Written Answers Nos. 339-347

Mother and Baby Homes

Questions (339)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

339. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1352 of 17 February 2024, the steps to be taken by a person to have their application to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme given priority by reason of their age or their health; if a procedure is in place to facilitate such requests in advance of the opening of the scheme given the passage of time since its announcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3562/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I believe the Deputy means Question No. 1352 of January 2024.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will be the largest scheme of its type in the history of the State with an anticipated 34,000 people eligible for its benefits. Given its scale and significance the Scheme has been placed on a statutory footing and enabling legislation – the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 – was signed into law last July.

In advancing this legislation I was very conscious that many potential applicants to the Scheme are elderly and that some may be suffering from terminal illness. In that regard I made provision in the legislation that priority may be given to an application depending on the applicant’s circumstances, including their age and their health.

The Case Management System that has been developed to underpin the administration of the Scheme will automatically carry out prioritisation based on the age of applicants. All the applicant has to do is provide their date of birth and the system will prioritise accordingly.

A procedure to accord priority health status to an application will also be in place.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (340)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

340. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a schedule of all purchase orders of €20,000 and above in his Department in quarters three and four of 2023 and to date in 2024. [3567/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Department officials are currently working on both the Quarter 3 2023 and Quarter 4 2023 returns for Purchase Orders over €20,000.

The Quarter 3 2023 return will be published on the Department's website by Friday, 26 February 2024, and the Quarter 4 2023 return will be published as soon as it is available.

A return for all Purchase Orders over €20,000 in Quarter 1 2024 is expected to be available early in Quarter 2 2024.

International Protection

Questions (341)

Brendan Smith

Question:

341. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals, if any, there are to accommodate more international protection applicants or others seeking refuge at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3594/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I thank the Deputy for his question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at [e-mail]

International Protection

Questions (342)

Colm Burke

Question:

342. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify the current position in respect of asylum seekers who can be accommodated in centres (details supplied) in view of the fact that Cork City Council approved each of the centres with a higher number than his Department is prepared to allow; the total numbers of places therefore available between each centre is 40 greater than what his Department has now allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3599/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I thank the Deputy for his question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at [e-mail]

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (343)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

343. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total waiting list for assessments of need, by length of time waiting, for children in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3635/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

The Deputy will be aware that due to the ongoing industrial action by FORSA administrative and management grade staff in the HSE (which commenced on 6 October, 2023), delays remain in receiving answers to parliamentary questions and ministerial representations. 

The HSE has been engaged with Forsa through the auspices of the WRC in an effort to resolve the dispute but a resolution has not been reached as of yet.

Mental Health Services

Questions (344)

Mark Ward

Question:

344. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the total number of people in prison currently awaiting transfer to the Central Mental Hospital from each prison; the average time that prisoners awaited transfer to the CMH in 2023, including maximum and minimum lengths of time, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3409/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

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 (345)

Mark Ward

Question:

345. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the total number of people in prison who were on the caseload of the National Forensic Mental Health Service as of early 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3410/24]

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. 

Medical Inquiries

Questions (346, 354)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

346. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health for an update regarding the sodium valproate inquiry; the reason a chairperson has not been appointed to date; when he expects the chairperson to be in place and for the inquiry to begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3424/24]

Willie O'Dea

Question:

354. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a Chair will be appointed to the promised inquiry into sodium valproate in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3512/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 354 together.

Government approval has been secured for the establishment of an inquiry which will examine the licensing and use of sodium valproate in women of child-bearing potential in the State. This inquiry will be designed to give a voice to patients and their families while looking at the use of sodium valproate in Ireland since it was first licensed.

There is more work to be done to establish the inquiry and it is important that enough time and resources are invested in completing this work. There are many factors to consider, and I want to ensure that the inquiry established delivers and allows those impacted to tell their story and my officials are working to ensure that this will be facilitated. My officials are engaging with the relevant patient groups.

It is my intention to ensure the establishment of the inquiry is progressed. Work is actively ongoing in my Department in relation to sourcing an appropriate person to Chair the inquiry, and the Deputy will appreciate that this is a sensitive matter. The Chair is an essential role that needs careful consideration. The role requires and experienced person who will run a fair and independent process, and who can give the inquiry the time and attention it deserves. 

I will be glad to provide an update on this matter once this work is finalised. 

Health Services

Questions (347)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

347. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to proposals and concerns from a person (details attached) with respect to the severe difficulties in accessing diagnosis assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3448/24]

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.

The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th 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.