Vol. 618 No. 2
57 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the €160 million bill to settle the 1,300 claims for alleged medical negligence lodged with the State Claims Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15463/06]
The estimated cost of settling the 1,300 claims notified to the State Claims Agency since the establishment of the clinical indemnity scheme in July 2002 is based on advice received from consulting actuaries appointed by the State Claims Agency and my Department. The estimate of €160 million is the projected cost of settling these claims over the ten years or so that it will take to dispose of them. There is now some evidence to suggest that we are witnessing a decline in the number of claims arising from medical malpractice. This trend has been observed in Ireland and elsewhere.
The sum of €160 million is still a considerable sum of money and several other uses could be found for it within the health services. However this only represents the projected financial cost of compensating patients who have suffered injury as a result of medical error. It does not include the other costs which medical error imposes on the health service such as increased lengths of stay and additional treatment required to deal with the clinical consequences of error. It does not, and cannot, measure the additional pain and suffering endured by the victims of medial error and their families.
We know from international research studies that most medical error is avoidable. In order to understand the nature and causes of the mistakes which occur in hospitals and elsewhere we need to collect and analyse whatever data we can generate on claims and the adverse events which give rise to claims. In establishing the clinical indemnity scheme the Department decided that each health agency covered by the scheme would be provided with access to an IT system for notifying its claims to the State Claims Agency and for recording and analysing its own adverse events. Ireland is one of the first countries in the world to establish such an electronic network for this purpose. It has the potential to make a major contribution to patient safety and thereby reduce the future financial and human cost of medical error.
Another of the initiatives taken in this area is the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority. It will have overall responsibility for the promotion of safety and quality in the health service. It will take over responsibility for health service accreditation and for the establishment of standards and promulgation of best practice. We also have approximately 200 clinical risk managers working on improving patient safety in agencies funded by the Health Service Executive.
58 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of people waiting for elective procedures in neurosurgery at Beaumont hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15520/06]
Responsibility for the collection and reporting of waiting lists and waiting times for inpatient hospital treatment falls within the remit of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF. Based on the latest information provided to the NTPF by Beaumont Hospital there were 351 patients waiting for elective neurosurgical procedures in mid-April 2006. This represents a decrease of approximately 18% on the number reported in September 2005 of 426. The decrease in the number waiting more than 12 months is even greater at 40%. The NTPF is continuing to work with Beaumont Hospital to refer eligible and suitable patients for treatment. However, there is limited capacity in the private sector for neurosurgery especially for specialised cases and complex patients.
59 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that a memo from the Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children discouraged the Health Service Executive chief executive officer, Professor Drumm, from engaging in written communication; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this is further evidence of a growing lack of accountability within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15459/06]
I assume the Deputy is referring to a media report some time back referring to a meeting last September between the Secretary General of my Department and the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive about my initiative to free up public hospital beds for public patients.
I can assure the Deputy that there is no question of a lack of accountability by or within my Department or the HSE. Both organisations operate under intense parliamentary and media scrutiny.
The Deputy may wish to note a relevant comment in the Travers report to the effect that "any over emphasis on note-taking and recording of the minutae... would undermine the establishment of the mutual confidence essential to a productive working relationship".
There is an open and business-like working relationship between my Department and the HSE with frequent written and oral contacts. While there must be appropriate written communication, an over-reliance on the transmission of formal letters from one organisation to the other is not the way to develop the mutual understanding, trust and confidence essential to a productive working relationship. Such a relationship is essential if the Department and the HSE are to work together with the single aim of delivering the best possible health and personal social services within the resources made available by the Government.
60 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to strengthen tuberculosis control measures in order to meet a World Health Organisation target to eliminate the disease by 2050; the plans she has in place to ensure thorough tracing of patients who have been in contact with a tuberculosis patient to prevent spread of the disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15469/06]
In January 2006, the WHO Stop TB Partnership launched the Global Plan to Stop TB 2006-2015. This plan sets out actions towards a world free of tuberculosis. The plan outlines what needs to be done to make an impact on the global burden of TB and to achieve the partnership's goal of reducing TB deaths and disease by 50% by 2015. The WHO goal for 2050 is the elimination of TB as a public health problem.
In Ireland, there has been an overall downward trend in notification of tuberculosis. The combination of better living conditions, antibiotics against TB and the BCG vaccine has dramatically reduced the number of cases of TB in Ireland. In 2003 the total number of cases notified nationally was 407.
The National TB Advisory Committee and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee keep policy under review. The National TB Advisory Committee advises that there are four components to a successful TB control programme: BCG vaccination; early detection; early treatment; and early contact tracing. The committee also recommends that the universal neonatal BCG vaccination programme should be continued in Ireland for the immediate future with the aim of moving later to a selective BCG vaccination programme which targets high risk groups. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee recommends BCG vaccine for all newborn babies. There is currently a national screening programme for TB in respect of asylum seekers, as these individuals may come from countries with a higher incidence of TB.
The International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease has stipulated that a well functioning TB programme is one of the criteria for countries — with low prevalence of TB — to have attained prior to discontinuing a universal neonatal BCG programme. A well functioning TB programme must have the structures and processes in place to ensure early detection of cases, institution of appropriate treatment in a timely manner, early identification of non-compliers and the capacity and facilities to institute supervised therapy where appropriate. In light of this a subgroup of the National TB Advisory Committee has been established to propose a model for ensuring an effective TB control programme in Ireland.
The objectives of contact tracing are to identify contacts who are likely to have been infected recently and may require preventive therapy, to identify contacts with active disease who require curative therapy, and to identify and treat the original source of the infection. Contact tracing of one case may often involve screening of a large number of people, including household, school and workplace contacts. The minimisation of risk to contacts is dependent on close co-operation between clinicians who must notify cases promptly and public health staff who ensure that thorough contact tracing is carried out.
61 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has visited any of the five hospitals serving the four counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Meath and Louth; if she is satisfied with the management structure looking after that hospital group; her views regarding the fact that inquiries or reviews have had to be carried out at four of these hospitals; her further views on whether in the main, the consultants, doctors, nurses and workforce generally are doing an excellent job but are working under extraordinary strain compared to other hospitals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15023/06]
I visited Louth County Hospital on 27 January 2006 and met the hospital network manager, the group general manager, the Medical Board, consultants, hospital staff and also a group of general practitioners from the Dundalk area. I also visited Our Lady's Hospital, Navan and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda in 2005. I look forward to visiting Cavan and Monaghan General Hospitals as soon as possible.
As the Deputy is aware, management of acute hospital services in the north eastern region is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE. The HSE has an obligation to provide safe systems of health care and related services for patients and clients to the highest possible quality. It also has responsibility for providing a safe working environment for all staff.
The HSE has advised my Department that it is working to consolidate and strengthen management structures at the acute hospital sites referred to by the Deputy. In this regard, the Health Service Executive has procured a consultancy to examine acute hospital services in the north east, to include an evaluation of the risks associated with the provision of acute services on five sites serving a population of approximately 350,000. This review is due to be completed next month.
I am confident that the clinical, nursing and management staff in the north east are working together to achieve our shared goal of a quality health care system for all. The Government is committed to supporting them in the provision of high quality, cost effective and responsive services across the health system.
62 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of emergency neurosurgery procedures carried out in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15521/06]
The hospital inpatient inquiry, HIPE, system collects information from acute hospitals on every patient. Discharge information for 2005 continues to be notified to the HIPE system, and as a result the data for 2005 are not yet complete. In 2004, there were 2,988 neurosurgical procedures carried out as emergency admissions, in addition to 1,998 procedures carried out on an elective basis.
63 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to improve specialist health services in the midlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15496/06]
Responsibility for improvements in specialist health services in the former Midland Health Board region rests with the Health Service Executive, HSE. The executive has advised that a number of capital and service developments have been progressed in the area in recent years to facilitate the improvement of specialist health services in the region. Principal among the capital developments that have been progressed are: building work on a new hospital on the campus of the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore is almost complete; a major capital development at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise is near completion. A new 50-bed acute psychiatric unit and a new 25-bed paediatric unit were commissioned in May 2004 as part of this development and work on a new accident and emergency unit commenced in March this year. A 12-bed assessment unit at the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar has been commissioned.
In addition to these capital developments, a number of service developments have also been progressed in the area in recent years including: the development of a consultant-led oncology service based at Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore; cardiology services and consultant-led accident and emergency services at the three Midland Regional Hospital sites; the appointment of consultant paediatricians at Mullingar and Portlaoise; the commissioning of a renal dialysis unit at Tullamore; and the provision of special care baby units at Mullingar and Portlaoise which are facilitating the earlier return of premature babies to the area from the Dublin maternity hospitals. I am satisfied that the above capital and service developments will significantly expand and improve the range of specialist services available to residents in the area.
64 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the situation with regard to the planned new children’s hospital on a Dublin site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15486/06]
76 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of recent reports that the decision on where the State’s new national children’s hospital will be located will not be made for several more weeks, she will provide the reasons for this delay and the exact timeframe for a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15452/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 76 together.
On 3 February last, the Health Service Executive published a report which was prepared by McKinsey & Co., on the delivery of tertiary paediatric services in this country. This report was commissioned by the HSE following my request to it to arrange a review of those services.
The report recommends that best outcomes for children would be obtained by developing one national tertiary paediatric centre, which would also provide all secondary paediatric services for the greater Dublin area. The report also recommends that ideally the new facility should be located on the site of, or adjacent to, a major adult teaching hospital in order to achieve the maximum service benefit for children.
Arising from the report's recommendations, a joint HSE-Department of Health and Children task group was established to progress matters and to advise on the optimal location for the new facility. The task group has worked intensively over the past six weeks and, in the course of its deliberations, a number of important issues arose that were not included in the group's original remit. In particular, the importance of co-location with a maternity unit has been identified as an issue of significance. In addition, a number of proposals have been received from the private sector in relation to the building of the new facility. The task group's remit has, accordingly, been extended to allow the group to examine the issues which have arisen, as a consequence of which the group is now expected to report around the end of May.
65 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the instructions to the parliamentary affairs division of the Health Service Executive regarding parliamentary questions the subject matter of which involves all eight former health board areas in view of the fragmented nature of replies currently being received by the separate health board areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15490/06]
Prior to the establishment of the Health Service Executive, parliamentary questions concerning access to services, by individuals or in specific geographic areas, were referred to the chief executive officer of the relevant health board-ERHA for direct reply. The establishment of the HSE brought into being a new unitary system for the delivery and management of health services at local, regional and national level.
Parliamentary questions can differ very substantially in the complexity of the subject matter or the extent of the detail sought. Where a question relates to the provision of a service provided by the HSE on a national basis or requests statistical information in relation to a service covering a period of years, it may require the collation of information from a number of different sources. The collation of such information is co-ordinated and monitored by the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to ensure that a complete and comprehensive reply is compiled and issued in response to these questions.
My Department has been informed that where a parliamentary question relates to the executive's responsibility for the provision of services on a national basis, a single response will issue from the appropriate HSE directorate. It is not intended that separate responses would issue from the former health board areas.
If the Deputy has specific concerns on the operation of the HSE in this regard, I would encourage her to contact the HSE parliamentary affairs division. The chief executive officer of the HSE wrote to Members on 1 March 2006 setting out initiatives being taken by the executive to handle inquiries from Members. The letter provided details of a dedicated e-mail address through which Members may submit inquiries to the HSE, and of two dedicated telephone numbers in the HSE's central parliamentary affairs office to enable Members to obtain assistance with inquiries.
66 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the length of time she anticipates the accident and emergency crisis will continue; her views on whether one of the main causes is a lack of bed capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15401/06]
67 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the state of emergency in relation to accident and emergency departments will continue for the foreseeable future; her views on whether the lack of bed capacity is the main cause of the accident and emergency crisis; the status of her ten point plan; the reason she has failed to deal with the accident and emergency crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15392/06]
101 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that the Health Service Executive has asked for an additional 500 staff to help implement her ten point plan introduced 14 months ago, in view of the national emergency faced by the country’s accident and emergency departments; if the Department of Finance is prepared to allow for only 360 staff; the way in which she plans to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15475/06]
111 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress of the recently established task force on the accident and emergency crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15485/06]
139 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason she disagrees with the IMO which claims that one of the main causes of accident and emergency crisis is lack of bed capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15397/06]
144 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on some of the reasons for the accident and emergency crisis as outlined by Professor Drumm, chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive, which includes X-ray departments closing early, lack of out-of-hours general practitioner cover in parts of Dublin, as well as delayed discharges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15474/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 67, 101, 111, 139 and 144 together.
Tackling the current difficulties with accident and emergency departments is the Government's top priority in health. The service being provided to some patients in accident and emergency departments is unacceptable and must be improved. Our objectives are to reduce the numbers waiting for admission, the time spent waiting for admission, and the turnaround time for those who can be treated in accident and emergency departments and do not require admission.
The HSE is continuing to implement my ten point action plan. In addition, it has been agreed with the HSE that a number of additional measures will be implemented by the executive. These include in particular the setting of performance targets for individual hospitals. In terms of implementation, the HSE is taking the following approach: tackling the issue on a hospital-by-hospital basis; developing hospital-specific time-based targets in relation to accident and emergency departments and delayed discharges; development of financial incentives linked to performance in these areas; and development of additional targeted initiatives aimed at delivering an immediate and sustained impact.
In the immediate term, the HSE is introducing a series of measures to improve facilities for patients and staff in accident and emergency departments. Long-term care beds are being secured from within the private sector to facilitate the discharge of patients who have completed the acute phase of their care. The acute beds that become available as a result of this initiative will be ring-fenced for those patients awaiting admission in accident and emergency departments. Funding is being made available within the capital programme to develop admissions lounges to ensure that patient privacy, dignity and comfort are preserved while awaiting admission to an acute bed.
Funding has been provided for an additional 900 acute beds-day places since the publication of the Review of Acute Hospital Bed Capacity in 2002. More than 800 of these are in place, and the HSE has advised that the remainder will come on-stream over the coming months. A further 450 acute beds-day places are in various stages of planning and development under the capital investment framework.
I share Professor Drumm's views that the achievement of improvements in accident and emergency services is dependent on fundamental changes both in hospitals and in other areas of the health service. It is not just a question of putting extra acute beds in place. In this regard, measures being examined by the HSE include: improvements in the processes and procedures in hospitals to ensure that they operate in the most efficient and effective way; the introduction of rigorous admission and discharge planning processes; the broadening of access to diagnostic facilities; and the enhancement and development of primary and community care services.
The HSE has established a dedicated task force to oversee the implementation of the framework for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of services in our accident and emergency departments. The task force will support individual hospitals in identifying specific problems and addressing them. It will work with hospitals to introduce a system of "whole hospital" performance measures to improve the patient's journey not alone through the accident and emergency department but through the hospital system from admission to discharge.
My Department is currently in discussions with the Department of Finance and the Health Service Executive to agree increases in the employment ceiling for the health sector. My Department is advised by the executive that a significant number of staff have been recruited under the accident and emergency action plan.
I am confident that by improving hospital processes and procedures, by providing additional step-down beds for those patients who do not require acute hospital care, and by expanding and enhancing primary and community care services we can achieve a sustained improvement in our accident and emergency services.
68 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has made a decision regarding limiting visiting hours in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15519/06]
I am advised that the HSE is currently considering the introduction of a national visiting policy for acute hospitals. A draft policy has been developed and relevant stakeholders are being consulted. The aims of the policy will be to provide a safe, secure and comfortable environment for patients and staff, to enhance patient privacy and to facilitate optimal treatment and care.
69 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children whether advisers to the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive, Professor Drumm, can claim overtime fees of up to €1,500 a day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15476/06]
Section 24 of the Health Act 2004 empowers the HSE to engage such advisers as it considers necessary for the performance of its functions. Any fees due to an adviser so engaged are payable by the HSE out of funds at its disposal.
As part of the arrangements for the appointment of Professor Brendan Drumm as chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive, the board of the HSE agreed that support and advisory resources would be provided for the implementation of the health service reform programme. It was agreed that one of the roles would be filled immediately by internal reassignment and a second by secondment.
The remaining three roles were of a consultancy nature and were filled through a public procurement process. I understand that all three of these advisers are contracted to provide 135 days each per annum but that different annual rates apply to each individual. Where work is required in excess of the 135 days a per diem rate applies. This is capped at 20%, that is, 27 days per annum. The per diem rates are specific to each adviser and are related to the rate payable for 135 days. I understand that the rates are €1,207, €1,350 and €1,500 for the three individuals concerned. I am advised that the HSE has reserved the right to renegotiate the per diem rate if additional days in excess of 20% are required. The individuals concerned are actively assisting the CEO in implementing the health reform programme, which is the most ambitious reform programme in the history of the State.
Deputies will recall last June the calls from every quarter for the Government to facilitate Professor Drumm in taking up this position. There were accusations also that we were standing in the way of such resources being put in place. These were, of course, completely wide of the mark.
70 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cost of providing a free annual health check for persons under the age of 16; the costing for providing the same service for persons under the age of 18; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15395/06]
The best health for children programme provides a core surveillance programme for all children in the 0-12 age group and covers both pre-school developmental examinations as well as the school health service. The best health for children programme first introduced national recommendations on child health screening and surveillance in 1999 and these were further revised in 2004.
The recommended programme of pre-school developmental examinations for children includes a number of health checks from birth: metabolic screening; developmental assessments; hearing assessments; vision screening; medical examinations; growth monitoring; and oral and dental examinations.
Current recommendations for child health screening that should be offered to children attending primary schools are as follows: health assessment at school entry with follow up selective medical examination, where necessary; hearing screening at school entry; and vision screening at school entry and school exit.
There are no other schemes to provide annual health checks for persons under 16 years of age or under 18 years of age and I have no plans at present to introduce such a scheme. The cost of providing this service would be dependent on the fee charged by the provider, the nature and extent of the health check and whether any consequential treatment would be included in such a scheme.
71 Mr. Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to increase diagnostic services in primary care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15502/06]
In November 2005, a sub-committee of the HSE's National Primary and Community Care Reform Working Group was established to review the current status of GP access to diagnostics; to explore current and potential capacity; and make short, medium and long-term recommendations.
I am advised that work is being undertaken at present to progress two specific initiatives. One is the development of a service to facilitate the transportation of diagnostic specimens from GP surgeries to laboratories. The key objective of this initiative is to increase the current national provision of such a service from 36% to 60% of the population in 2006. Implementing this initiative requires examination of existing and development capacity of transportation and laboratory services, together with the development of joint protocols to encompass delivery of the service. The HSE has indicated that this work is in progress.
The other initiative is the development of a radiology-ultrasound initiative. The key objective of this initiative is to reduce waiting times for GP referrals nationally to a maximum of four weeks for plain film X-rays and eight weeks for ultrasound tests. There are a number of complex factors to be considered in order to meet this objective. These relate to capacity of the current services, the use of both public and private providers, infrastructure, hours of service and engagement arrangements.
The HSE has established a governance group to oversee the implementation of these initiatives. In addition to these specific initiatives, the group will also be progressing other medium and longer-term recommendations in relation to referral guidelines; and developing diagnostic capacity at primary and community service level to reduce the reliance on the acute sector and to enhance clients' experiences of diagnostic services and their outcomes.
72 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to establish a hospital inspectorate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15526/06]
A public consultation exercise is under way on the legislative proposals to provide for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA. It is envisaged that HIQA will set standards on safety and quality of services, including hospital services, provided by or on behalf of the Health Service Executive, HSE. It will monitor and advise the Minister and the HSE on the level of compliance with those standards. It will also have the power to investigate, at the request of the Minister or the HSE, the safety, quality and standards of any service and make whatever recommendations it deems necessary. It is also intended that HIQA will subsume the Irish Health Service Accreditation Board, which currently operates an accreditation programme for hospitals, including those in the private sector.
73 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she intends to establish an oncology ward in regional hospitals where radiotherapy services are inadequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15518/06]
Last July I announced the Government's plan for a national network of radiation oncology services to be put in place by 2011, commencing in 2008. The network will consist of four large centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway and two integrated satellite centres at Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital. The Health Service Executive in association with the National Development Finance Agency and my Department is currently developing the output specifications for the delivery of substantial additional capacity through a public private partnership.
I am determined to continue to build on the substantial developments and increased capacity in cancer care so that we have a world class service available and accessible to patients in each region in the country. I have received a Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland from the National Cancer Forum. The strategy makes recommendations in relation to organisation, governance, quality assurance and accreditation across the continuum of cancer care from prevention and health promotion through to treatment services, palliative care and research. There is a strong emphasis in the strategy on health promotion, addressing inequalities and quality assurance. My Department is currently examining the strategy with a view to bringing proposals to Government shortly. I will publish the strategy shortly thereafter.
The issue of the establishment of oncology wards relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter raised.
74 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress to date on the implementation of a national action plan for dementia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15527/06]
As part of budget 2006, €150 million was allocated to services for older people and palliative care. This is the largest ever increase in funding for services for older people. At the heart of this funding package is a determination to improve home and community-based supports with almost three quarters, €109 million of the 2006 full year costs, being committed to the support of care in the community. Among other things this package includes additional funding for home support packages, day and respite care and sheltered housing for older people. All the measures contained in the package are targeted at older people, including those with dementia.
Among the areas where funding has been provided are day care and respite care which are an integral part of delivering a comprehensive community service for older people. Day care and respite care offer respite for family members and-or carers and provide social stimulation in a safe environment for older people with mild forms of dementia. The provision of an additional €9 million in a full year will allow for 1,325 additional places per week in these centres together with additional programmes for specific needs such as activity therapy. It also means that many day care centres can increase the number of days per week they open.
The future direction and delivery of all aspects of our mental health services, including services for older people, were considered in the context of the work of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, which published its report entitled A Vision for Change on 24 January 2006. The Government accepted the expert group's report as the basis for the future development of the mental health services and in 2006 made an additional €25 million available to the Health Service Executive to develop the service.
The Health Service Executive advised that following the publication in 1999 of the National Council for Ageing and Older People's report entitled Action Plan for Dementia, each of the former health boards incorporated the report's 33 recommendations in their action plans and annual service plans as part of the development of services for older people. Progress has been made in implementing the recommendations in each health service area. The Health Service Executive also advised that as the implementation of the recommendations will have varied across the former boards, it established a working group to draw together a co-ordinated approach to the implementation, which is due to report its findings in the second half of 2006.
75 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of checks across the food industry for potential shortcomings in traceability and labelling standards the Food Standards Authority of Ireland has carried out between 1 March 2006 and 23 March 2006; the number of inspectors who are employed or contracted by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to carry out such checks; the amount which was spent on the 2004 investigation of 90 food businesses; the amount which has been allocated to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland for such inspections in 2006; the lessons which have been learned by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland since the 2004 investigation of 90 food businesses; and the actions which have been taken arising from the shortcomings in labelling and traceability standards identified since then. [12364/06]
Staff in the official agencies contracted by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, carry out checks on traceability and labelling on a routine basis or as required; however, during the period in question no such checks were carried out. In 2006, the authority proposes to conduct a series of such checks on various sectors of the food industry in conjunction with its official agencies. The results of these audits will be published and where a deliberate intention to mislead the consumer is identified, enforcement action will be taken against the food businesses concerned.
The official agencies contracted by the FSAI for the purposes of labelling and traceability are the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Health Service Executive and the local authorities. Approximately 880 whole time equivalent staff are available to those agencies for food control purposes and the FSAI has allocated approximately €600,000 for control inspections in 2006.
The audit of the 90 food premises in question was conducted by the authority's chief audit manager and three audit managers. In addition to the salary costs of these personnel, travelling and subsistence costs for the purposes of the audit amounted to approximately €16,000. There were also some testing costs for which a separate figure is not available, as these costs are included in the general costs of testing.
Following this audit, the FSAI provided each of the official agencies with a copy of the report on those premises under their supervision which were inspected. The authority has confirmed that follow up action was taken by way of additional visits and inspections and that the matters which required attention have now been rectified.
The audit identified a training need in the areas of recall and traceability and labelling. Consequently, the FSAI devised and delivered training sessions to more than 500 field staff in its official agencies. The training was designed to allow enforcement officers to gain an understanding of the type of audit carried out, the issues which arose and to enable the enforcement officers to carry out similar labelling, traceability and recall audits on an ongoing basis. It was also evident that there was a need to remind industry of its responsibilities regarding traceability and recall and as a result the FSAI participated in a number of industry seminars dealing specifically with these issues.
77 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the new cancer strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15515/06]
I have received a strategy for cancer control in Ireland from the National Cancer Forum. My Department is currently examining the strategy with a view to bringing proposals to Government shortly. I will publish the strategy shortly thereafter.
78 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of the PPARS computerised payroll and personnel system following the calls from senior managers in the Health Service Executive to recommence it on a phased basis; the costings and timeframe of each proposed element of the roll-out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15458/06]
The response from the HSE in this respect is as follows. The board of the HSE, at its meeting on 6 April, discussed a report submitted by the HSE management team. This report set out a high level strategic roadmap in relation to the future direction of PPARS. The HSE board has requested further work to be undertaken by the management team before any decisions could be taken by it. The HSE management team is progressing the work now requested by the HSE board.
79 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of general practitioners who have expressed an interest in the primary care teams; the number of teams she expects to be established in the next year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15500/06]
The primary care strategy is the roadmap for the future development of primary care services in Ireland over a period of some ten years, both as the appropriate service for the delivery of the majority of people's health and social care needs and to complement the services provided by acute hospitals. At the heart of the strategy is the aim of developing services in the community to give people direct access to integrated multidisciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, health care assistants, home helps, occupational therapists and others.
The Health Service Executive has informed me that all GPs have by now received a letter from their local health manager inviting expressions of interest in becoming involved with the HSE in the further development of primary care services, and in particular in the formation of primary care teams either this year or in coming years. I am encouraged to learn that in excess of 1,000 general practitioners have responded positively to this invitation.
Following the identification by the HSE of the GPs to be involved in the development of primary care teams in 2006, a considerable amount of work will be required to realign HSE services to give best efficiencies for team-working and to determine ideal team compositions to meet the needs of identified areas. This will be an operational matter for the HSE.
The HSE has also informed me that it intends to establish 100 primary care teams in 2006, while work will also commence during 2006 with GPs who will help to form teams in 2007. My Department will continue to work with the HSE in order to monitor progress in this regard.
80 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on claims that the best medical care for prostate cancer depends on where one is treated for the disease; if her attention has been drawn to calls from the Irish Cancer Society for the Government to commission a report to examine hospitals and specialists currently providing prostate cancer treatment, the variations in that treatment and make recommendations on the delivery of optimal levels of treatment; her plans to commission such a report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15473/06]
I have received a strategy for cancer control in Ireland from the National Cancer Forum. The strategy makes recommendations in relation to organisation, governance, quality assurance and accreditation across the continuum of cancer care from prevention and health promotion through to treatment services, palliative care and research. There is a strong emphasis in the strategy on health promotion, addressing inequalities and quality assurance for all cancer care, including prostate cancer.
My Department is currently examining the strategy with a view to bringing proposals to Government shortly. I will publish the strategy shortly thereafter.
81 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will publish her proposals for the new consultants’ contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15513/06]
The new contract will set out in detail formal employment arrangements for consultants practising exclusively in the public sector. Its key features can be summarised as follows. It provides for a consultant-provided service — a service delivered by teams of consultants, where the consultants have a substantial and direct involvement in the diagnosis, delivery of care and overall management of patients. As part of a consultant-provided service, consultants will treat all patients and will be remunerated exclusively on a salaried basis, that is, they will not receive additional remuneration for treatment delivered to insured patients. A commitment to public sector service alone will mean that consultants will treat patients only within the public hospital or public community facility. Each consultant's commitments will be set out in an annual work plan, supported by a series of performance indicators and review mechanisms. Work plans will be in line with clinical need, the nature and volume of clinical workload and the 24-seven nature of health services. Consultants will work a 39-hour commitment over the 24-seven period agreed and detailed in the work plan, varying by specialty and location. Work plans will follow a framework developed at national level and will be agreed- reviewed annually by consultants, clinical managers and management. Each work plan will detail specific duties, for example, emergency commitments, operating time, ward rounds, outpatient clinics and diagnostic work; regular on-call commitments and involvement in supporting professional activities, audit and competence assurance.
Each consultant will work as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team, which is led and managed by a clinical director. As a member of the team, consultants will make decisions regarding the care, treatment and discharge of patients during the absence of a consultant colleague who has lead responsibility for such patients. As a member of a team, each consultant will be incentivised to increase productivity through a performance-related awards scheme. The primary role of a clinical director will be to manage and plan how services are delivered. Clinical directors will be appointed by the employing authority; they will develop and implement protocols for service delivery; they will have significant responsibility for how services are delivered; and they will be accountable for the use of resources. In regard to medical education and training, contracts can be constructed for certain consultants that will allow for a defined and measurable commitment to medical education and training and research.
A position paper outlining these proposals on a new employment contract for consultants working in the public health system was tabled by management at a plenary meeting on 26 January 2006. However, at a further meeting on 9 February, the medical organisations refused to engage in substantive discussions on these proposals and talks were adjourned. While the next meeting between management and the consultant representative bodies has not yet been arranged, the independent chairman is maintaining contact with both sides with a view to arranging the resumption of substantive and intensive negotiations at an early date.
82 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that 92,000 medicinal products were seized as a result of Irish Medicines Board investigation in 2006; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the board’s enforcement section seized the products following investigations into the illegal sale, importation of prescription only medicine over the Internet and direct mail; the steps she is taking to address the sale of these illegal medicines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15480/06]
I am aware of the concerns regarding the sale of medicinal products via the Internet. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, previously met a number of interested parties, including the Irish Medicines Board, officers of the Customs drugs law enforcement unit and An Post to discuss this matter.
The sale of prescription only medicinal products via the Internet is a source of concern since such sales do not have any requirement for the type of consultation and safety precautions which would normally accompany the sale of a medicinal product. The sale of prescription only medicinal products in Ireland by mail order is prohibited under Regulation 19 of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003, as amended.
As the Deputy is aware, the sale of prescription only medicinal products and the operation of Internet pharmacies is monitored in Ireland by the Irish Medicines Board, which takes appropriate action where necessary.
84 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the recommendations of the task force on alcohol; if, in relation to each recommendation, it has been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15399/06]
163 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to produce a written policy on alcohol. [15567/06]
164 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason her Department has neither an official adviser on alcohol, nor plans to appoint such an adviser to assist with the formulation of both policy and legislation on alcohol and with delineating a formal stance on the drinks industry, in view of the difficulties Ireland is experiencing with alcohol abuse. [15568/06]
165 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Question No. 160 of 28 March 2006, the recommendations that the working group on alcohol made with respect to having alcohol excluded from below-cost selling upon the revocation of the groceries order; which of these recommendations were conveyed to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; if any were conveyed to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment before the conclusion of the Competition (Amendment) Bill; and if not, the reason for same. [15569/06]
166 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason she has no plans to set up an office of alcohol control, in view of the annual cost of alcohol and the consequences of its abuse to the Irish Exchequer. [15570/06]
167 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether experts on foetal alcohol spectrum disorders should be involved in assessment of the need for pregnancy-specific warnings on alcoholic beverages; and if she will ensure that such experts are appointed to the working group on alcohol. [15571/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 163 to 167, inclusive, together.
The Strategic Task Force on Alcohol was established in January 2002 and was given a remit to recommend specific evidence based measures to Government to prevent and reduce alcohol related harm. It has published two reports which together provide approximately 100 recommendations across a wide range of sectors. Significant progress has already been made across Departments in implementing the task force's recommendations.
Legislative measures which have been adopted include the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 which assists in regulating availability. "Happy hours" have been abolished and restrictions on the access of children to licensed premises have been introduced. The Road Traffic Act 2003 extended the grounds for requesting a breath test to detect alcohol and the Minister for Transport has indicated his commitment to the introduction of random breath testing.
A Voluntary Code of Practice on Alcohol Advertising has been agreed between the Department of Health and Children and the drinks, media and advertising industries. This addresses many of the concerns in relation to alcohol advertising. The Tánaiste indicated her intention to introduce legislation if there is insufficient adherence to the voluntary code.
Significant progress has also been made in terms of research projects, the delivery of responsible server training, awareness-raising campaigns etc. Community mobilisation projects have been identified internationally as one of the most effective measures at reducing alcohol related harm. have been allocated to the Health Service Executive to support such projects here.
The recommendations of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol, together with those of the Working Group on Alcohol Misuse established under Sustaining Progress, constitute my Department's policy on alcohol and there are currently no plans to produce a further written policy.
The executive functions of this Department have transferred to the Health Service Executive which will now have responsibility for progressing many of the recommendations outlined in these reports. It is a matter for the HSE to decide on the structural requirements and levels of expertise needed in this regard. Currently there are no plans to establish an office of alcohol control or to appoint a national adviser on alcohol policy in this Department. I am confident that the implementation of the recommendations will lead to a reduction in alcohol related harm and its associated cost to the Exchequer.
The issue of the information contained on labels on alcoholic beverages was considered by the working group on alcohol, which was established to help mobilise the stakeholders through social partnership to achieve a targeted and measurable reduction in alcohol misuse. The report recommended that a group, representative of all relevant stakeholders, would be established to consider what useful information could be included on non-draught alcohol products, taking account of international evidence. Any future action on the recommendations contained in that report, including the issue of the information on labels, will involve consultation with all the appropriate stakeholders including experts on foetal alcohol syndrome.
The views of the working group on alcohol in relation to below cost selling of alcohol and the abolition of the groceries order were conveyed to the Tánaiste for discussion at Cabinet.
85 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the latest studies from the United States which indicate that fluoride should not be added to water for a variety of health reasons; the reason she does not accept the findings of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15394/06]
Fluoridation of public water supplies as a public health measure is accepted as being one of the most effective methods of ensuring against tooth decay. The World Health Organisation, WHO, recommends fluoridation of public water supplies and has stated that "fluoridation of water supplies, where possible, is the most effective public health measure for the prevention of dental decay". The WHO has also stated that "people of all ages, including the elderly, benefit from community water fluoridation".
The recently completed survey of oral health, covering the whole island of Ireland, shows that fluoridation of public water supplies continues to be a highly effective public health measure. It has contributed significantly to a major reduction in the incidence of dental decay in the Republic of Ireland. This compares favourably with the incidence of dental decay in Northern Ireland, which has significantly higher rates of dental decay and which does not have fluoridated water supplies.
The research carried out shows that, at the levels of usage of fluoride in the Republic of Ireland's public water supply, there is no risk to health. Fluoridation of the water supply in Ireland is limited to a maximum of one part per million. In this regard, the WHO and the European Union have identified that fluoridation levels below 1.5 parts per million are acceptable.
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health was established in 2004. The terms of reference for the expert body are: to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Forum on Fluoridation; to advise the Minister and evaluate ongoing research — including new emerging issues — on all aspects of fluoride and its delivery methods as an established health technology and as required; and to report to the Minister on matters of concern at his or her request or on its own initiative. The expert body is currently examining the reports referred to by the Deputy and will report on its findings to me when its deliberations have been completed.
86 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to reports that staff at the Mater Hospital, Dublin have been given suggested answers to questions they may be asked in the second national hygiene audit; the steps she intends to take to ensure that this second national hygiene audit is fully transparent and accountable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15478/06]
The Health Service Executive has informed my Department that all acute hospitals were notified that the second national hygiene audit was being carried out between February and April 2006. Visits to hospitals were again random and unannounced with hospitals unaware of their audit date.
The audit tool being used for both audits is the Infection Control Nurses Association Audit Tool. This audit tool includes a number of questions which the auditors pose to different staff members during the audit. Best practice by all hospitals in preparing for the audits should be to ensure that staff are familiar with the audit tool and that they are capable of responding to questions posed by the auditors. I am satisfied that the audits are resulting in an increased awareness and resolve in all hospitals to attain the necessary high standards in cleaning and hygiene.
87 Ms Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that despite Professor Drumm’s statement that the solution to the accident and emergency crisis lies in an increase in the numbers of community beds, recent figures show at least nine areas have fewer community beds now compared to 1997; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that out of the 27 Health Service Executive areas only five have experienced a net increase in community beds and that there has been a net decrease of 238 community beds here since 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15449/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
88 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is necessary to carry out another review of hospital beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15525/06]
Following discussions between the Health Services Executive, HSE, and my Department, it has been decided to carry out a review of our acute hospital bed requirements up to the year 2020.
A steering group has been established under the chairmanship of Mr. John O'Brien, temporary national director of the National Hospitals Office. The group includes representatives of the HSE, my Department, the Department of Finance and the Economic and Social Research Institute. Dr. Mary Codd, clinical epidemiologist, who acted as a consultant to my Department for a similar exercise some years ago, is also a member of the group. It is envisaged that the group will engage in consultation with key service providers and stakeholders within the Irish health care system in the course of its work.
89 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress to date in the talks on the renegotiation of the consultants’ common contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15482/06]
186 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on progress to date in the talks on the renegotiation of the consultants’ common contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15711/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 186 together.
As the Deputy is aware, talks on a new consultant contract commenced on 24 November 2005 under the independent chairmanship of Mr. Mark Connaughton SC. At that meeting, and a further plenary meeting in December, both the IHCA and the IMO indicated that they required a number of issues to be addressed before they could engage in substantive negotiations on a new contract.
While some of these issues remain unresolved, a position paper outlining proposals on a new employment contract for consultants working in the public health system was tabled by management at a plenary meeting on 26 January 2006. The medical organisations have not so far engaged in substantive discussions on these proposals. At a further meeting on 9 February the talks were adjourned.
While a further meeting between management and the consultant representative bodies has not been arranged, the independent chairman is maintaining contact with both sides with a view to arranging a formula to effect the resumption of substantive and intensive negotiations at an early date. I am anxious for the negotiations to be concluded within a reasonable timeframe and I have the utmost confidence in the chairman's efforts to achieve that.
90 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether patient safety is robust under the current pharmacy legislation; the areas which she believes could be improved; her plans to improve these areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15512/06]
142 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she intends to publish the two promised pharmacy Bills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15510/06]
149 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to improve patient safety within the practice of the pharmacy sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15511/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 142 and 149 together.
The practice of pharmacy is governed by the Pharmacy Acts 1875 to 1962. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland is the regulatory body for the pharmacy profession. It works closely with pharmacists and other relevant authorities, such as the Health Service Executive, to ensure the safeguards under pharmacy and medicines legislation covering the sale and provision of medicines to the public are complied with.
The Pharmacy Acts are in need of updating and modernisation to reflect the current environment in which pharmacy services are provided. On foot of the recommendations of the pharmacy review group, the Government approved in June 2005 to commence the process of drafting new pharmacy legislation. The purpose of the planned legislation is to ensure the highest standards from pharmacists and the safe and effective delivery of pharmaceutical services.
The heads and general scheme of the first of two planned pharmacy Bills have now been drawn up. The first Bill will provide a modern statutory framework for the governance of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the profession. It will introduce fitness to practice regulations for pharmacists and, as a consequence, allow for the removal of the restriction on pharmacists educated in other EU or EEA countries from owning, managing or supervising a pharmacy in Ireland that is less than three years old. It will also update the registration process for the profession.
The second Bill will deal with pharmacy practice and the delivery of pharmaceutical services. It will address the regulation of pharmacy and pharmacy services, general provisions on community pharmacy contracts for services, and any remaining recommendations of the pharmacy review group. Work will commence on this second Bill as soon as the first Bill has been completed.
91 Ms Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the timeframe of the report she is expecting from the Health Service Executive in respect of the review of the ambulance command and control centre in central Dublin which called for the establishment of a joint ambulance control in Dublin staffed by the Dublin Fire Brigade and Health Service Executive staff; the levels of involvement of staff in a report on this subject; the interim measures to be put in place to ensure the concerns from the Devine report are addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15448/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.
Pre-hospital emergency care services in the greater Dublin area are provided by both the executive and Dublin City Council through Dublin Fire Brigade. The executive has advised that the review of command and control arrangements in question is being undertaken by representatives from the executive and Dublin City Council. Accordingly, the Department of Health and Children has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy on this matter.
92 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has satisfied herself that hospital hygiene levels are improved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15508/06]
The Department of Health and Children has been informed by the Health Service Executive that the second national hygiene audit of acute hospitals, which commenced in February 2006, will be completed shortly. The audit will assess the extent of the improvements made at hospital level since the publication of the first audit report. Work will begin on collecting the findings and preparing a report which will be available in the coming months. I am hopeful that hospital hygiene will improve as there is now an increased awareness and resolve in all hospitals to attain the necessary high standards.
93 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the updated plan to deal with a ’flu pandemic; if she agrees with Mr. Kevin Kelleher of the Health Service Executive that the health service could not cope with a serious ’flu pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15402/06]
In line with information and evidence available internationally, the Department of Health and Children has consistently stated that a human influenza pandemic would have serious consequences. A global pandemic will affect all countries and will cause widespread disease, death and disruption to the health services and to society.
Pandemic preparedness planning is, therefore, a high priority for the Department of Health and Children and for the Health Service Executive. The overall aims of influenza pandemic planning are to reduce mortality and morbidity, and to minimise the resulting disruption to society in so far as possible.
This work has been ongoing for some time. A model plan for influenza pandemic preparedness was finalised in 2002. A generic public health emergency plan for the health system was prepared in 2004. This included disease-specific operational response plans for SARS, pandemic influenza and smallpox. The Deputy may be aware of the report, How Prepared is Europe for Pandemic Influenza? — Analysis of National Plans, issued by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and published in the on-line edition of The Lancet last week.
The completeness and quality of national preparedness plans were assessed based on the World Health Organisation's preparedness checklist addressing levels of planning and co-ordination; surveillance; public health interventions such as public health control measures, vaccines and antivirals; health system response; maintenance of essential services; communication; and putting plans into action.
The researchers acknowledge that only those plans available for analysis at the time of research, November 2005, were included in the analysis. As such, the report reflects a snapshot of the position as reflected in published documents at that time. Nevertheless, Ireland scores well in completeness of preparedness plans and is generally above the EU average in the thematic areas listed.
Pandemic planning is, however, a dynamic process and work is ongoing on several fronts. The influenza pandemic expert group is updating expert guidance. The pandemic influenza operational response plan is being updated in line with the expert advice. The Department of Health and Children has established a standing interdepartmental committee to consider issues which go beyond the health aspects of an influenza pandemic. Arrangements have been made to procure a stockpile of H5N1 vaccine for key health care workers and other essential workers. The Department of Health and Children is also actively pursuing an advanced purchase order for a pandemic strain vaccine. We are stockpiling 1 million treatment packs of the antiviral drug, Tamiflu. Arrangements have also been made to purchase a supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient to treat children aged between one to five years of age. Contractual arrangements are being finalised for the stockpiling of additional supplies of the other suitable antiviral drug, Relenza.
94 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on criticisms made by Health Service Executive internal auditors on the manner in which computer consultancy services were commissioned for the PPARS payroll system; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that it was maintained that official public procurement policy was not followed strictly enough; the steps which have been put in place to ensure these criticisms will be addressed; if appropriate guidelines will be published and adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15457/06]
The Health Service Executive has advised that the internal audit report has not yet been issued. It has indicated that it is on the agenda for the executive's audit committee at its next meeting on Thursday, 27 April 2006 and that it is expected the report will be published in the coming weeks. This process will have to be completed before any progress can be made on the issues in question.
95 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in regard to the planned introduction of the early child care supplement, the latest estimate or assessment available to her Department of the likely number of claims that could be made in respect of children not resident here and the estimated cost in respect of such payments; the procedures which will be put in place to ensure verification of claims made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11000/06]
The early child care supplement, ECS, was introduced in the 2006 budget. The scheme is under the remit of the Office of the Minister for Children. The administration of the scheme is being undertaken by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, on an agency basis.
The scheme is a universal one and all parents or guardians of children up to six years of age are eligible. It is expected that a total of 260,000 families will qualify for the supplement in 2006, in respect of a total of some 350,000 children. The budget for the ECS in 2006 is €265 million, and in a full year it is estimated at €350 million.
Eligibility for the ECS is identical to that for the child benefit scheme, in that parents who receive child benefit in respect of children under the age of six years will also receive the supplement. Both schemes fall within the definition of a family benefit under EU Regulation 1408/71. One practical effect is that where a national of an EU state is working in Ireland, the worker is entitled, if she or he has a family resident in the EU, to payment of this benefit.
The situation is the same as for the child benefit scheme. The Department of Social and Family Affairs is making child benefit payments to 700 families, in respect of approximately 1,400 children, where the children are resident in another state covered by EU regulations. Approximately 490 of these children are aged under six years and will be eligible for payment of the ECS. The majority of these children are resident in the United Kingdom, most of which are in Northern Ireland.
In addition to this stock of cases, the weekly intake of child benefit claims in respect of non-resident families is 320. It is estimated that these families will have a total of 200 children under the age of six years. It is likely that many claims are from workers who have been present in Ireland for some time, but who were unaware of their entitlement to child benefit prior to recent media attention, and if so, this rate of new claims would most likely decline over the course of the year.
If, however, the rate remained constant, ECS payments of €10.8 million would have accrued by the end of 2006, which would be 4% of the total projected cost of the supplement this year. It is likely, however, that only €1 million of this would be paid by the end of 2006 equalling 0.3% of projected expenditure. This is due to the protracted nature of the claim decision process which involves communication with the authorities in the state in which the family resides.
The Department of Social and Family Affairs operates a strict verification process for child benefit claims and this will also apply to the ECS. The work status in Ireland is checked and birth certificates for the children obtained. It is necessary to correspond with the relevant authorities in the state where the family reside to see what entitlements may be in place there and what effect the supplement will have on payments in both states. In the course of this correspondence, particulars of the children in the family are rechecked and verified. Officials are reviewing these verification and other control measures operated for the child benefit scheme with a view to adapting and expanding them as appropriate for the ECS.
It is not possible to forecast with total accuracy the future number of non-resident children qualified for this payment. This will depend on future immigration flows, the numbers of immigrants who bring their children with them, the number of immigrants who decide to return home, the number of Irish workers with children living outside the State, for example in Northern Ireland, and future birth rates. Based on current figures the expenditure in respect of non-resident children is unlikely to be significant in the context of the overall spending on the scheme.
96 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to improve specialist health services in the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15497/06]
Responsibility for improvements in specialist health services in the former south-eastern Health Board area now rests with the Health Service Executive. The executive has advised that several capital developments have been progressed in recent years to facilitate the improvement of health services in the area. Principal among these are the major capital developments at South Tipperary General Hospitals in Clonmel and Cashel and the construction of an additional 19 acute beds at Wexford General Hospital. Work is also being carried out at Wexford General Hospital on the accident and emergency and outpatient departments. Plans are advancing for the provision of a new outpatient department at St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny.
In addition, several service developments are also been progressed which will significantly improve the range of services available within the area. These include the joint appointment of a consultant radiation oncologist between Waterford Regional Hospital and Cork University Hospital, the development of a regional neurology service linking both sites, expansion of the regional haematology and nephrology services and the development of a stroke unit at St. Luke's Hospital. Plans are being developed within a national framework for the provision of radiotherapy services for the area based in Waterford Regional Hospital.
I am satisfied that the above capital and service developments will expand the range hospital services available to residents in the area.
97 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that one in five births or 23% are by caesarean section despite World Health Organisation recommendations that caesarean rates should not exceed 15%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15468/06]
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of births by caesarean section. Approximately one in five births are now performed through this procedure.
The decision to perform a caesarean section is a clinical one that is taken by qualified medical practitioners. Reasons suggested for the increasing caesarean rates include more widespread availability of foetal monitoring with subsequent earlier surgical intervention and greater patient awareness and demand.
At the request of the chief medical officer of the Department of Health and Children, the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists considered the increase in rates. In its view, there is unlikely to be a single cause responsible. However, it is suggested that better and more comprehensive data would allow the issue to be considered in greater depth.
In March 2006, I announced the establishment of a new national perinatal epidemiology centre in Cork University Hospital that will be up and running in the autumn of 2006, with annual funding of €630,000. Every time a mother gives birth, the important interventions, including caesarean sections, the good outcomes and the complications will be recorded and analysed at the centre.
98 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of additional extended care or community nursing unit places for people suffering from dementia that have been delivered following the publication of the National Health Strategy 2001 which promised 800 of such beds each year for seven years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15528/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
99 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that the administration of repayments of money illegally deducted from patients in long-stay accommodation could cost up to €50 million and that further delays are expected due to these excessive fees being sought by outside consultants; the reasons for not utilising skills within the Civil Service to administer this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15454/06]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the repayment scheme including the recruitment of an outside company with experience in handling mass claims to manage the scheme within the parameters agreed by the Government. The company will provide an independent assessment of the amount of repayment due to each applicant under the scheme. It will also help to reassure the public that the scheme is being operated in the most equitable and effective way possible.
The executive is undertaking a procurement process to select the outside company. The timescale determined by the executive for the selection process, including the appointment of the successful company, is mid-May 2006, with repayments to claimants likely to commence shortly after. As the selection process is by negotiated procedure, it is not possible at this stage to indicate the expected cost of such a company administering the scheme.
Consideration was given by the executive to the involvement of public sector staff to assist in administering the repayments scheme. However, the executive informed the Department of Health and Children that the time constraints of the procurement process and the potential for significant logistical difficulties and protracted delays, with consequent implications for the commencement of the repayment scheme, did not allow for this option to be implemented. The executive has also informed the Department of Health and Children that it would not be in a position to administer a repayment scheme of this magnitude with existing resources without having to divert staff from their normal functions in the delivery of health services.
In recognition of the importance of progressing repayments, I have asked the executive to identify all those living patients who were wrongfully charged and to calculate the details of the repayment due to them in as many cases as possible during the period prior to the selection of the outside company. This will ensure a significant proportion of patients should receive their repayments within a short period of the company becoming operational. The executive has informed the Department of Health and Children that approximately 10,000 repayments have been calculated by the executive to date, approximately half of which relate to those who are alive.
100 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reasons for the continued and ongoing use of hospital trolleys in lieu of regular beds; if the use of trolleys is directly related to a shortage of hospital beds; when she expects to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15531/06]
Tackling the current difficulties with accident and emergency services is the Government's top priority in health. The service being provided to some patients in accident and emergency departments is unacceptable and must be improved. Our objectives are to reduce the numbers waiting for admission, the time spent waiting for admission, and the turnaround time for those who can be treated in an accident and emergency ward and do not require admission. There is a need to build on the accident and emergency action plan and arising from discussions with the Health Service Executive, several proposals have been agreed, including the setting of performance targets for individual hospitals.
The executive has developed and circulated a framework for improving accident and emergency services, setting out clearly the proposed approach. The recently established dedicated task force is overseeing the implementation of this framework. The task force includes accident and emergency consultants, a consultant geriatrician, a respiratory physician, a director of nursing, and a hospital chief executive, as well as full-time representatives from the National Hospitals Office and primary, community and continuing care services. The task force is supporting individual hospitals in identifying specific problems and addressing them, and working with hospitals to introduce a system of whole hospital performance measures to improve the patient's journey not alone through the accident and emergency department but through the hospital system from admission to discharge.
I share the view expressed by the Health Service Executive chief executive that the achievement of improvements in accident and emergency services is dependent on fundamental changes both in hospitals and in other areas of the health service. I am confident that by improving hospital processes and procedures, by providing additional step-down beds for those patients who do not require acute hospital care, and by expanding and enhancing primary and community care services we can achieve a sustained improvement in our accident and emergency services.
102 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to fast-track the development of neuro-services in Beaumont hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15492/06]
108 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the grave concerns expressed by consultants of the national neurosurgery unit based in Beaumont Hospital regarding the sparsity of operating facilities, beds and staff, she has devised a course of action to tackle this crisis; the way in which the level of resourcing within this unit compares with their counterparts in other EU countries; if, in view of the increasing population of Ireland, she will introduce a minimum number of consultants, beds and theatres available per capita and increase same in line with population increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15491/06]
114 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the threat by the entire neurological team at Beaumont Hospital that they may have to resign due to conditions in the hospital; if her attention has been drawn to the claim that the neurosurgery service here is in a worse state now than 30 years ago; if she will publish the report given to her that recommends a significant increase in the number of posts in the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15453/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 108 and 114 together.
At the request of the Department of Health and Children, a committee was established by the former Comhairle na nOspidéal to review arrangements for the provision of neurosurgical services and consultant staffing nationally and, following consultation with the interests concerned, to make recommendations on the future organisation and development of neurosurgical services.
The Department of Health and Children has been informed that the report will be published shortly by the Health Service Executive, which has subsumed the functions of the comhairle. The future development of neurosurgery services will be considered in the light of the report and overall resources available to the executive.
103 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General that found a widespread failure among voluntary bodies to provide audited financial statements or disclose levels of executive pay and that has called for a strategic review of funding relationships; her further views on the fact that approximately 90% of all intellectual disability services and 60% of physical and sensory disability services are provided by the voluntary or not-for-profit sector; her further views on the fact that there has been no evaluation of services by the Health Service Executive into the procurement of services from the voluntary sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15460/06]
I welcome the publication of the report in question. The Department of Health and Children has asked the Health Service Executive to engage with the voluntary organisations to ensure an early and positive response to the report's findings. I anticipate this will be done in a way which meets the best interests of people with disabilities and which respects the partnership arrangements between the Health Service Executive and voluntary organisations. I look forward to seeing an even stronger partnership incorporating improved governance and accountability between the State and the non-profit sector in the future.
104 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to improve specialist health services in the west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15498/06]
Responsibility for the provision of and improvements to specialist health services in the former western Health Board area rests with the Health Service Executive. The executive has advised that the following developments are planned for the current year. At University College Hospital Galway funding of €16 million has been provided to commission new units which include the opening of 22 beds; the appointment of a new cardiac surgeon, the opening of a theatre, ten cardiac surgery beds and three intensive care unit beds; the transfer of orthopaedic trauma from Merlin Park Hospital to the University College Hospital Galway. A consultant endocrinologist and support staff have been appointed at the obesity centre at University College Hospital Galway. An ENT, head and neck cancer specialist and a third oncologist with outreach clinics to Portiuncula and Mayo General Hospitals have been appointed. The number of oncology day treatment places at Portiuncula Hospital have been expanded from four to six. A third renal dialysis shift is being introduced to Mayo General Hospital. A respiratory physician and a paediatrician have been appointed. Two clinical nurse specialists for neurology services at University College Hospital Galway have also been appointed.
I am satisfied that the above service developments will expand the range of hospital services available to the area.
105 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her definition of a public-only contract for consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15499/06]
Proposals for a new employment contract for consultants working in the public health system were recently tabled by the management side in the consultants' contract negotiations. The new contract will be a first step towards the introduction of a consultant-provided service and the appointment of large numbers of dedicated public hospital and community-based consultants, working in teams. This will be matched by a reduction in the number of non-consultant hospital doctors.
A consultant-provided service is dependent on consultants assuming a new role. The contract will set out the terms and conditions associated with employment as a consultant dedicated exclusively to the public health service. It will recognise consultants as senior employees with lead responsibility, within established best practice, for decisions on patient care and treatment.
The public-only contract will differ from the existing category 1 contract. While the category 1 contract permits the consultant to charge private patients for treatment in the public hospital only, the new contract will not permit this. This will help to ensure all patients, both public and private will be treated in an equitable manner.
106 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to ease the dependence on voluntary contributions that one third of home care staff rely on in spite of Government commitments to fully fund core staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15447/06]
I fully appreciate the valuable role played by the home help service in enabling people who might otherwise need institutional care to remain in their own homes. I do not deny that home helps were poorly paid in the past and that this was not acceptable. However, the rate of pay and the conditions of employment for home helps have significantly improved since 2000. Home helps are paid in accordance with the agreed pay scale, €25,590 to €28,451 per annum, or pro rata thereof for part-time staff. The Health Service Executive acknowledges that prior to 2000, small contributions were made due to the low level of pay. However, since improved and standardised pay has been introduced this is no longer a factor. I understand from the Health Service Executive that there has been no recent issue or evidence to support the statement by the Deputy that there is a dependence on voluntary contributions.
I am advised that the appropriate hours of care for clients requiring home help services are determined following a clinical assessment. I have ensured that significant additional funding has been provided to the HSE for home help services this year. An additional €33 million full year cost was allocated to the home help programme in budget 2006, €30 million of which will be for 2006 with the remaining €3 million in 2007, which will enable the Health Service Executive to provide an additional 1.75 million hours nationally in 2006. The additional resource will further enhance the service and facilitate the expressed wish of many more older people to continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible.
107 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the proposal for the establishment of a centralised national organ donor register as a more effective means of ensuring the availability of organs for life-saving transplants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15483/06]
187 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the proposal for the establishment of a centralised national organ donor register as a more effective means of ensuring the availability of organs for life-saving transplants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15712/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 187 together.
The annual organ donor awareness campaign, organised by the Irish Donor Network and administered by the Irish Kidney Association, highlights the necessity for organ donation generally. The campaign, which my Department supports, highlights the need for organ donors by promoting the carrying of an organ donor card. My Department has provided financial support to the donor awareness campaign for a number of years. The grant in 2006 amounted to €550,000. I launched the 2006 campaign on 28 March last.
In a further measure designed to highlight the issue of organ donor awareness, arrangements were put in place recently to facilitate the distribution of organ donor cards through the community pharmacy network. The Irish Pharmaceutical Union has arranged with the Irish Kidney Association, acting on behalf of the Irish Donor Network, for pharmacies to stock organ donor cards.
There are no plans to introduce a national organ donor register. Two systems, opt-in and opt-out, can be used to register an individual's wishes on organ donation. The former system, which operates in this country, requires that the specific consent to donation of each person, or their next-of-kin, be obtained before organs or tissues are removed. The opt-out system presumes that all citizens consent to donation unless they have specifically registered a wish to the contrary.
The practice in this country is that, even when a person has indicated his or her willingness to donate organs by way of carrying an organ donor card, or a driving licence noted accordingly, the consent of the next-of-kin is always sought. Even where opt-out systems are in operation, the relatives of the deceased are approached as part of the donor screening process to seek a medical history of any high-risk behaviour. Thus, the relatives will always be aware that a donation is being considered and can register an objection to the donation if they wish.
Ireland does not have legislation governing transplant issues, but the need for such legislation is being considered, particularly in the context of the living kidney donor programme being developed at Beaumont Hospital, where the issue of consent is particularly important. The EU directive setting quality and safety standards for tissues and cells for human application has been transposed, and provides a legal basis for the practice of donating specific tissues and cells. The position is not as straightforward for organs because they are more scarce, are almost invariably a life-saving therapy and because the timeframe within which they must be used is extremely limited. Nevertheless, the European Commission is considering a directive in respect of organ transplantation, including the issue of consent, and proposes to conduct a thorough scientific evaluation of the situation. It will present a report on its analysis to the Council of the European Union and it is expected that this report will inform decisions regarding the development of a legislative framework in this area.
In the context of increasing the number of donor organs available for transplant, my Department asked the Health Service Executive early last year to undertake a review and analysis of the factors that impact on organ procurement and retrieval rates in hospitals around the country. This review has recently commenced. One of the issues that will be examined is the relatively low level of donor organ retrieval in hospitals where higher levels might be expected.
109 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the Government policy on the funding of care of the elderly as announced in the health strategy 2001 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15509/06]
As part of budget 2006, €150 million was allocated to services for older people and palliative care. This is the largest ever increase in funding for services for older people. At the heart of this funding package is a determination to improve home and community-based support with almost three quarters, €109 million of the full year costs, being committed to the support of care in the community. It includes extra funding for home support packages, day and respite care and sheltered housing.
A working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs was established last year to examine issues relating to the financing of long-term care. The objective of this group was to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, including improvements in community care, taking account of the Mercer report, the views of the consultation undertaken on that report and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Professor Eamon O'Shea. This group presented its report to Government, where it is under consideration.
110 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she has made to improve clinical audit and competence assurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15504/06]
All medical practitioners have a responsibility to ensure their practices are safe and their skills are up to date. In this regard, I have pursued a number of important policies and actions, in particular the introduction of a new contract for hospital consultants, which is intended to include provisions for clinical audit and competence assurance and the introduction of a new medical practitioners Bill, which I hope to bring to the House later this year.
The medical practitioners Bill will provide for a statutory basis for an appropriate scheme of competence assurance for medical practitioners. The Medical Council will be the body responsible for the co-ordination and administration of the scheme. Pending the introduction of the legislation, the Medical Council has actively worked on addressing the gaps in this area. Recently, it announced a scheme of voluntary random performance assessments for doctors. The audits will complement existing schemes of continuing professional development which many medical practitioners participate in at present. The scheme is a welcome development in this area. Furthermore, I have asked my Department to develop mechanisms in conjunction with the HSE to ensure that clinical governance arrangements are strengthened throughout the health system.
112 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the cervical cancer screening roll-out will begin, in view of her recent comments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15481/06]
I am fully committed to the national roll-out of a cervical screening programme in line with international best practice. My Department has requested the Health Service Executive to prepare a detailed implementation plan for a national programme. The plan is to have cervical screening managed as a national call and recall programme via effective governance structures that provide overall leadership and direction, in terms of quality assurance, accountability and value for money. All elements of the programme, call and recall, smear taking, laboratories and treatment services must be quality assured, organised and managed to deliver a single integrated service.
Significant preparatory work is well under way involving the introduction of new and improved cervical tests, improved quality assurance training and the preparation of a national population register. An additional €9 million is available to the executive for cancer services development in 2006, including the continuation of preparations for the roll-out. The programme would be best rolled-out in the primary care setting, subject to affordable and acceptable arrangements being agreed. A review of the contractual arrangements for the provision by general practitioners of publicly-funded primary care services is being conducted at present, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. I have requested that the general practitioner elements of a national cervical screening programme be tabled at these discussions. Any remuneration arrangements agreed must be capable of delivering a high uptake among women. Payments must be primarily based on reaching acceptable targets.
We must also have in place tailored initiatives to encourage take up among disadvantaged and difficult to reach groups. I wish to see the programme rolled-out as quickly as possible but only when the essential infrastructure, organisation and services are in place that are quality assured and meet international standards.
113 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason she will not introduce a universal health insurance; the cost of such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15396/06]
Regarding an insurance-based funding model, the issue of what is an appropriate method of funding the health services was discussed in the health strategy of 2001, which remains Government policy. The conclusion in the strategy was that the present system should remain as "there is no compelling evidence that any alternative approach to the tax-based system would deliver significant improvements".
My view of an extension of full eligibility to everyone, which the health strategy did not propose, is that it is reasonable to expect those who can afford to pay for services to do so. Many supports are already available to those without full eligibility. Treatment in a public ward of an acute hospital is free other than a modest hospital charge for non-medical card holders, and the drugs payment scheme contributes significantly towards the cost of pharmaceuticals. In addition, reliefs are available in respect of medical costs under taxation provisions.
The largest element of cost in extending full eligibility to the entire population would arise under the general medical services scheme. If this were extended to the whole population, the estimated cost would be in excess of €3 billion, based on current fees to participating contractors, such as pharmacists and GPs in the GMS scheme. This estimate takes no account of adjustments to fees to the contractors which might result from negotiations that would be required with the representative bodies of the contractors involved. The additional costs that might arise under other schemes, such as the dental treatment services scheme, DTSS, and other community services, have not been taken into account. It is therefore likely that the ultimate cost of extending full eligibility to the entire population would substantially exceed this estimate.
115 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she and her Department make to educate young people about sexually transmitted diseases and infections and alcohol abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15523/06]
The national health promotion strategy clearly sets out the rationale for and objectives of health promotion in schools in Ireland. The strategy contends that "a health promoting school can be characterised as a school constantly strengthening its capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working".
The social, personal and health education, SPHE, support service is a partnership between the Departments of Health and Children and Education and Science and the Health Service Executive. It provides the cornerstone for health promotion work in the school setting. The partnership has been formally in operation since September 2000 and ongoing support is provided to all schools to enhance the implementation of the programme.
Social, personal and health education, SPHE, is a broad based health education programme which aims to enhance the self-esteem and decision making skills of young people across a range of topics including relationships and sexuality and substance use using experiential learning methodologies. Evaluation of several of these programmes to date has shown that effective knowledge gains can be achieved, that skills can be developed and curriculum development can be supported.
116 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the delays in receiving replies to written parliamentary questions since the establishment of the Health Service Executive; her further views on the fact that a written parliamentary question submitted on 29 November 2005 and answered on the 29 March 2006 is unacceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15464/06]
Prior to the establishment of the Health Service Executive, parliamentary questions concerning access to services, by individuals or in specific geographic areas, were referred to the chief executive officer of the relevant health board or ERHA for direct reply. The parliamentary affairs division of the HSE, which was established in April 2005, provides a central contact for all Oireachtas requests for information relating to matters within the statutory remit of the executive.
Parliamentary questions can differ substantially in the complexity of the subject matter or the extent of the detail sought. Where a question, such as that referred to in the Deputy's question, relates to the provision of a service provided by the HSE on a national basis, or requests statistical information on a service covering a period of years, it requires the collation of information from a number of different sources. The collation of such information is co-ordinated and monitored by the parliamentary affairs division to ensure a complete and comprehensive reply is compiled and issued in response to these questions. I am satisfied that the HSE continues to develop its structures and capacity for dealing with parliamentary affairs, as a matter of priority, and that it is fully committed to enhancing performance in providing timely replies to Oireachtas Members.
117 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the various stages that a new capital development requires to proceed; if she is satisfied with the current timescale for such projects; the timescale and status of the Orthopaedic Hospital of Ireland, Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3 capital development project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15368/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme. Accordingly, my Department will request the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
118 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a recent report on hospice services which revealed continued inconsistencies and inequities in accessing hospice services throughout the country; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that a world-class hospice palliative care service throughout the country could be provided at half the cost of running a large acute hospital for one year; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that only eight of the State’s 38 acute general hospitals with more than 150 beds have approved a full palliative care team; the plans she has in place to meet this need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15446/06]
As part of the budget day announcement last December on the provision of €150 million in a full year for older people and palliative care, a total of €13 million, €9 million this year, was committed to statutory and voluntary providers of palliative care. This is the largest incremental increase ever provided for this programme. The funding included resources for areas of the country where the services were not developed. Funding for the further implementation of the report of the national advisory committee on palliative care is a matter for consideration in the context of the annual Estimates.
119 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a report into Nenagh Hospital which shows that smaller hospitals treat patients more effectively and efficiently than larger hospitals; her views on the reported key element in tackling the accident and emergency crisis of direct referral by general practitioners to hospitals; the steps she intends to take to replicate this success nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15467/06]
131 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received the report Small Hospital, Big Service published by the Nenagh Hospital Action Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15484/06]
188 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received the report Small Hospital, Big Service published by the Nenagh Hospital Action Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15713/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 131 and 188 together.
I recently received the report Small Hospital, Big Service, referred to by the Deputies, which was published by the Nenagh Hospital Action Group. The report will be examined by the Health Service Executive in the context of its role in the management and delivery of health and social services.
I understand that an independent external review of acute hospital services in the mid-west was approved by the Health Service Executive. The Health Service Executive informed me that all aspects of the report undertaken by the Nenagh Hospital Action Group, including direct referral by general practitioners, will be taken into account as a key component of the review process. The review is to be completed by the end of the year following which the findings will be published.
Concerns raised by individuals and groups, particularly regarding the smaller hospitals in the region, and the work already undertaken by groups such as the Ennis General Hospital Development Committee, the Independent Reconfiguration Panel in the United Kingdom and the Nenagh General Hospital Action Group, will also be taken into account as a key component of the review process.
120 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her plan to employ new hospital consultants on public only contracts will affect her proposal to build private hospitals on the grounds of public hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15514/06]
The Health Service Executive employers agency has tabled proposals for a new consultant's contract which envisages consultants practising exclusively in the public sector. The impact of the new contract on proposals to locate private facilities on public hospital sites is one of a range of issues that will fall to be considered as part of the transition arrangements to a new contract.
121 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to improve specialist health services in the north east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15495/06]
Responsibility for improvements in specialist services in the former north eastern health board region rests with the Health Service Executive, HSE. The executive has advised that a number of capital and service developments have been progressed in recent years to facilitate the improvement of specialist health services in the region.
Principal among these developments are the establishment of joint departments of surgery in both the Louth-Meath and Cavan-Monaghan hospital groups; the development of midwifery-led units at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and Cavan General Hospital; the development of the ICU, CCU and HDU areas in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; the expansion of symptomatic breast services in the region; the installation of a CT scanner at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; the expansion of renal services at Cavan General Hospital; the appointment of an additional consultant cardiologist at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and Louth County Hospital, Dundalk; the appointment of an additional community paediatrician for Cavan-Monaghan; and the appointment of an additional consultant dermatologist to the region with a special interest in paediatric dermatology.
My Department has requested the HSE to furnish a more detailed profile of developments in the north-eastern region directly to the Deputy. The executive has commissioned a general study of health service configuration in the north-east. This review will inform future decisions on the configuration and development of specialist hospital services in the region. The HSE has advised my Department that the review is due to be completed next month.
122 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the need for the introduction of hearing screening for all newborn babies; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the failure to introduce this screening is causing serious lifelong disadvantage to deaf children, arising from late diagnosis of deafness; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that newborn hearing screening is the accepted standard of care in all developing countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15451/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
123 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the recommendations of the Lourdes report that she has implemented to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15506/06]
145 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to implement the recommendations of the Lourdes report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15505/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 145 together.
The report of the Lourdes Hospital inquiry was published on 28 February. Since the publication of the report, I have met with many of the key stakeholders including Patient Focus, the Health Service Executive, the Medical Council, and the management and medical board of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. I have listened carefully to the views of these bodies on the recommendations in the report.
The report of the inquiry highlighted the urgent need for change and reform in our hospitals and particularly in the area of clinical governance. The recommendations in the report underline the importance of the approach being taken by my Department in a number of areas. These include: the preparation of the new Medical Practitioners Bill which I intend, subject to Government approval, to bring to the House later this year; and the new contract for hospital consultants, which is urgently needed for the recruitment of many more consultants.
The report will help to inform the continued approach of my Department to these very important issues. The inquiry also made a series of recommendations of an operational and service nature, the implementation of which is a matter for the HSE. My Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have a detailed reply issued to the Deputy on the implementation of these elements of the report.
124 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether a proper primary care service could help to deal with the crisis in accident and emergency services; the progress made to date in implementing a primary care strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15400/06]
The primary care strategy sets out the Government's vision for the development of primary care as the central focus for the delivery of health and personal social care services in a modern health system. The strategy aims to shift the emphasis from an over-reliance on acute hospital services to one where patients will be able to access an integrated multidisciplinary service provided by a primary care team in their local community.
The HSE is adopting a wide ranging approach in order to address the current difficulties in accident and emergency services, including the enhancement and development of primary and community care services. The HSE has emphasised the importance of developing primary care services, both as the appropriate service for the delivery of the majority of people's health and social care needs, and to complement the services provided by acute hospitals. This is an important priority for the executive, which has my full endorsement. Well-developed, integrated and accessible primary and community services are essential for improving the efficiency of hospital services, particularly accident and emergency services.
The strategy is also about the re-orientation of existing resources to develop new ways for medical professionals to work together for the benefit of people accessing primary care services in their own communities. With regard to implementation, an initial ten primary care teams have been established nationally, with funding to enable existing staff resources within the public system to be augmented. These teams enable the primary care model to be demonstrated in action and have allowed practical experience to be gained of the process involved in developing a primary care team and providing expanded services in the community. The HSE will be building on the experience gained in these ten projects as it develops team-based primary care services on a wider scale.
Significant resources are invested by the HSE in primary, community and continuing care services. In 2006 over €7 billion will be spent on those services, with almost half of this specifically designated for primary care and community health services. Additionally, the 2006 Estimate for the Health Service Executive includes an extra €16 million in revenue funding to enable the establishment of up to 100 new primary care teams to allow the further development of GP co-operatives and to continue a phased increase in the number of GP training places from 84 to 150.
The wider implementation of the primary care strategy will focus on developing new ways of working and of reorganising the resources already available to the health service in line with the service model described in the strategy. This whole-system approach to implementation means change will be required in many sectors in the health service, and not solely within primary care itself. It is in this context that additional resources can be deployed to best effect.
125 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a treatment for Parkinson’s disease known as deep brain stimulator that is not being made available for patients here; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that according to physicians worldwide deep brain stimulator is hailed as one of the most significant advances in the treatment of tremor disorders, a family of disease which Parkinson’s belongs to, in the past 30 years; the steps she plans to take to ensure this treatment will be available to patients here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15465/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
126 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to reduce public waiting lists for orthodontic treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15529/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE, under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
My Department has been advised that the HSE is establishing an orthodontic review group to review orthodontic services and to examine the recommendations contained in the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Health and Children on public orthodontic services.
127 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the recommendations of the task force on obesity; if each recommendation has been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15398/06]
As part of the reform of the health services the responsibility for implementing relevant recommendations from the report of the National Task Force on Obesity has transferred from the Department of Health and Children to the population health directorate of the Health Service Executive. Revenue funding of €3 million has been allocated to the Health Service Executive to progress the implementation of relevant recommendations of the National Task Force on Obesity.
Projects approved to take place during 2006 include: expanding the Healthy Food Made Easy programme; recruiting four physical activity officers to target obesity in all settings; providing four specialist community dietician posts for obesity and weight management to support all initiatives; purchasing equipment for growth monitoring; and further progressing work with the food service sector on healthy food provision.
The Health Service Executive plans to: consolidate the one existing obesity service that operates from St. Colmcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown and support the development of additional centres based in Cork, Galway and north Dublin; and commence the development of a service for children based at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. Some €400,000 has been allocated to develop the service in St. Colmcille's Hospital in 2006. This will allow for the appointment of additional relevant staff and improvements to the physical infrastructure.
The Food Dude programme positively alters children's behaviour regarding consumption of fruit and vegetables. Bord Bia has received EU funding to extend this programme to 150 primary schools over three years. This funding is matched by an equal contribution from Government and the fresh produce industry. The roll-out of the programme commenced in October 2005 and will reach over 30,000 children in the three-year period. The programme is fully endorsed by the Department of Education and Science, which is facilitating its implementation in the selected schools and the in-service training of the in-school co-ordinators.
There is a need to focus on the underlying causes of obesity and this requires collective action across Departments, with the private sector and other statutory and non-statutory agencies. The Department of Health and Children is currently developing a proposal for the establishment of a Health improvement forum, which will have the capacity to co-ordinate health promotion and population health approaches across ministries and to provide a support structure for the implementation of the multi-sectoral recommendations of the report of the national task force on obesity.
128 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to provide a dedicated oncology ward at Cork University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15517/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal, social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter raised.
129 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the 60% increase of private maternity care to VHI over the past five years despite a decrease in maternity claims to VHI; her further views on the claims by the director of midwifery and nursing at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin that there has been no increase in the number of women choosing private or semi-private care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15466/06]
The vast majority of women having babies in this country do so in public hospitals. Over half of the female population has private health insurance and a significant proportion of these women avail of maternity services in public hospitals. I am advised by the Health Service Executive that with regard to obstetric activity at the National Maternity Hospital, the public to private split has remained consistently at 56% public, 44% private over the past five to six years.
The cost of a private bed in most public hospitals has increased by 130% since 2001 and this would be a significant factor in the increase in costs to private health insurers. However, in the interests of equity, it is Government policy to gradually eliminate the effective subsidy for private stays in public hospital beds and relieve the taxpayer of the burden of carrying these costs. Even with these increases, the cost of providing services to private patients in the main hospitals continues to exceed the income arising from the charges.
130 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Hanly report is Government policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15493/06]
The national task force on medical staffing was set up to: devise a strategy for reducing the average working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors, NCHDs, so as to achieve the requirements of the European working time directive; address the consequent medical staffing needs of Irish hospitals; analyse the practical implications of moving to a consultant-provided hospital system; and consider the requirements for medical education and training arising from any changes to the current model of delivering services.
The report of the national task force, the Hanly report, made a series of important recommendations. These covered issues such as: the changes needed in NCHD work patterns; the need for a significantly revised contract for medical consultants; the need for a significant increase in the number of consultants; reform of medical education and training; and the reorganisation of acute hospital services.
My Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive to build on, and progress, these recommendations. Negotiations on NCHD work patterns and on a new contract for consultants have begun. The Government also announced details of a €200 million initiative for a major reform of medical education and training including an increase in the number of medical training places. These measures, combined with ongoing investment in acute hospital facilities, extra consultant posts and the organisation of services around hospital networks, are designed to provide patients with faster access to high-quality consultant provided services.
The issues that led to the setting up of the national task force remain to be resolved, including the full implementation of the European working time directive and the introduction of a consultant provided service. Addressing these issues requires negotiation and agreement with the medical representative bodies. This process is ongoing.
132 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount the Government invested in health promotion in 2005, the percentage of the overall health budget this constitutes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15393/06]
159 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount the Government invested in health promotion in 2005; the percentage of the overall health budget that constitutes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15635/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 159 together.
My Department is committed to the promotion of health in its broadest sense and with regard to the healthy lifestyles and behaviours among the Irish population. The health promotion policy unit is charged with the development and roll-out of health promotion policies and initiatives.
In 2005 the total spend for health promotion activities by the health promotion policy unit was €9.6 million. Over half of the total budget was allocated for various awareness raising campaigns, information development and dissemination. The balance provided for health promotion policy development and implementation. The health promotion unit spend represented 2.52% of the overall Department budget in 2005.
The Health Service Executive also makes a significant annual investment into health promotion activities as part of its responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to forward details of its investment in health promotion directly to the Deputy.
133 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount allocated to cancer services for 2006; the breakdown of where these funds are going; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15507/06]
Since the implementation of the national cancer strategy in 1997, approximately €920 million has been invested in the development of cancer services. The Vote for the Health Service Executive in 2006 includes an additional €9 million to continue to meet the additional service pressures in cancer care, improve the quality of care, facilitate better access to radiation oncology services and to continue the preparation for the national cervical screening programme.
The allocation of these funds, and funding for cancer services generally, is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter raised.
134 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is Government policy to insist that no contract beds will be bought or paid for by the public health services unless a contract of care is drawn up between the health authorities and the private nursing home involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15524/06]
Private nursing homes are required to be registered under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and the providers must have the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise to provide appropriate care to all clients.
In accordance with the Nursing Homes (Care and Welfare) Regulations 1993, a provider must enter into a contract of care with each dependent person and a person acting on his or her behalf. This is set out in paragraphs 7.1 to 7.3 inclusive in the regulations. Also, the code of practice for nursing homes published by the Department of Health and Children sets out the specific requirements in regard to a contract of care.
The HSE, when referring clients to private nursing homes for the provision of care, enters into an agreement with the nursing home with regard to all aspects of care and welfare of the client. The provider must undertake, during the term of the agreement with the HSE, that it will at all times provide care and welfare for each of the patients or clients referred by the HSE, in proper accordance with their individual needs and requirements and, more particularly, strictly in accordance at all times with the terms, conditions and obligations contained in the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and the Nursing Homes (Care and Welfare) Regulations 1993, as amended.
Generally, prior to admission, a care plan, which will specify the extent of the services required by the patient or client must be developed by the provider in conjunction with the hospital and medical personnel referring each patient or client and the provider undertakes to implement same. This will include all services considered essential to the maintenance of a person in a nursing home.
135 Mr. Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is her policy to implement the primary care strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15501/06]
The Government is fully committed to the implementation of the principles contained in the primary care strategy, which provides a template for the reform and development of primary care services. The implementation process at operational level is a function of the Health Service Executive, whose chief executive officer has identified as a priority the development of multidisciplinary primary care services, both as the appropriate service to meet people's health and social care needs and to complement the services provided by acute hospitals. This is an important priority of the executive and has my full endorsement.
The 2006 Estimate for the HSE includes an additional €10 million in revenue funding to enable the establishment of up to 100 new primary care teams. This will enable the provision of some 300 additional frontline personnel to work alongside GPs in order to provide integrated and accessible services in the community. Work by the HSE to establish these teams is under way. In addition, €2 million has been allocated to allow the further development of GP co-operatives and €4 million has been provided to continue a phased increase in the number of GP training places from 84 to 150.
Implementation of the primary care strategy will focus on the reorganisation of the resources already available to the health service and on developing new ways of working in line with the service model described in the strategy. Over €7 billion will be spent by the HSE on primary, community and continual care services in 2006, and almost half of this is already specifically designated for primary care and community health services. This whole-system approach to implementation means change will be required in many sectors in the health service, and not solely within primary care. It is within this context that additional resources can be deployed to best effect.
136 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she is taking to increase the number of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists available to meet the needs of children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15487/06]
I am advised that clinical therapies can make a significant contribution to children with developmental delay, including children on the autistic spectrum disorder. Commitment to developing therapy services has been demonstrated in the growth in staff numbers in occupational therapy and speech and language therapy over the last five years. The current total of 759 in occupational therapy and 548 in speech and language therapy, according to the employment census of September 2005, represents a 44% and 37% growth rate in the two services respectively since 2001.
In 2001, the Government significantly increased the number of training places for occupational therapy and speech and language therapy from 40 and 30 respectively to 115 and 105. I understand that arising from this increase there will be a substantial increase in the number of graduate therapists from 2007 onwards. As part of the investment package for disability services for 2006, a sum of €12.5 million was made available to the Health Service Executive to enhance the multidisciplinary support services for people with disabilities. This will facilitate the recruitment of a substantial number of additional speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Furthermore, I understand that the Health Service Executive has embarked on an international recruitment drive to meet current vacancies in addition to the extra posts created in 2006 arising from the investment package.
137 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the necessary services for assessment and initiation of methadone treatment will be provided in the former southern health board; when the follow up treatment services for drug users in the former southern health board area will be provided; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that patients have to travel to Cork or Dublin to get this service on a weekly or twice weekly basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15450/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
138 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the prohibitive costs of IVF treatment, that is, in the region of €4,000, and that this cost is beyond the reach of majority of people; her plans to ensure that this treatment is affordable to those who need it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15471/06]
The Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction, CAHR, was established in March 2000. Its terms of reference were: "To prepare a report on the possible approaches to the regulation of all aspects of assisted human reproduction and the social, ethical and legal factors to be taken into account in determining public policy in this area". The CAHR was comprised largely of persons with expert knowledge spanning medical, scientific, social and legal domains; this expertise was a prerequisite to a precise examination of the issues concerned.
The report of the commission was published on 12 May 2005. The Government referred the report to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children to consider and report in due course on the recommendations of the commission. The report remains under consideration by the joint committee and the conclusion of the committee's deliberations on this matter is an essential step before any policy proposals, including direct funding of IVF treatment, are considered.
The Deputy may wish to note that persons undergoing IVF treatment are eligible for tax relief on medical expenses, and that the drugs payment scheme covers a number of drugs used as part of fertility treatment.
140 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to ensure tighter regulations of sunbed use, in particular the banning of the use of sunbeds for all those under the age of 18 as called for by the Irish Cancer Society; her views on the fact that at present there are no rules or regulations governing sunbeds despite the high level of skin cancer here and the links between UV light and skin cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15455/06]
I am advised by the medical staff in my Department that ultraviolet light, either through natural exposure or sunbed exposure, increases the risk of developing skin cancer, particularly melanoma. The use of sunbeds leads to damage from ultraviolet radiation in the same way as sunlight exposure. Exposure in childhood is associated with even greater risks of subsequent melanoma.
The National Cancer Forum has considered measures to reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation in the context of the development of the new national cancer control strategy. The forum submitted the strategy to me in January and my Department is currently considering the document prior to submission to Government.
141 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to address concerns from hospital consultants to establish a national re-admission study to assess the number of patients who had to be taken back into hospital with the same illness within a short period of time after discharge; her views on management moves to instruct consultants to discharge up to 50 patients a day in some hospitals to relieve pressure on accident and emergency departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15462/06]
In the context of the Health Service Executive's framework for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of accident and emergency services, the management of accident and emergency attendances and admissions has been identified as a key component of the overall approach to tackling the problem, and the issue of re-admissions has been highlighted as requiring further analysis and focus. I have asked the accident and emergency task force to further examine this issue, with a view to identifying appropriate community and clinical supports to avoid re-admissions.
I am not aware of any instructions to consultants in some hospitals to discharge up to 50 patients a day to relieve pressure on accident and emergency departments. I am aware that hospital management routinely issue communications to relevant hospital staff, including consultants, regarding the numbers of patients awaiting emergency admission. These communications in no way suggest that patients should be inappropriately discharged, but form part of a multifaceted discharge planning approach by hospitals.
143 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to concerns expressed regarding the inadequacy or infrequency of school medical examination; if she proposes to take steps to ensure that children’s health is adequately protected by way of comprehensive school medical examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15530/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
146 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the recent withdrawal of the tendering process for out-of-hours service in north Dublin; the steps she plans to take to lessen the stress this places on nearby hospitals; her further views on whether there is a need to provide out of hours general practitioner cover in north Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15470/06]
The arrangements for the provision of out-of-hours general practitioner services in any particular area are the responsibility in the first instance of the Health Service Executive, HSE, under the Health Act 2004. I understand that the proposals received by the executive in response to its request for tenders to provide an out-of-hours GP service in north Dublin did meet the quality standards required. I further understand that the executive is now pursuing alternative arrangements to meet the needs of the population of north Dublin for structured, accessible and high-quality out-of-hours GP services.
147 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she expects the new 15 bed unit at St. James’s for tuberculosis patients to be built; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15522/06]
The Deputy's question refers to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
148 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the omission of a protection for whistleblowers in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005; her views on the commitment that a protection for whistleblowers would be written into all relevant legislation; if and when this omission will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15461/06]
Under the Health and Social Care Professions Act 2005, provision is made for the establishment of registration boards for each of the professions covered by the Act, in order to provide guidance on ethical conduct and support to those registered with the boards in the practice of their profession. This is in line with existing provisions for other health care professionals. The Medical Council has a guide to ethical conduct and behaviour which deals with matters of confidentiality and consent, including circumstances where there are exceptions to the rules on confidentiality and where doctors should report on the behaviour or competence of other doctors. An Bord Altranais has a code of professional conduct for nurses and midwives which provides that any circumstances which could place patients or clients in jeopardy or militate against safe standards of practice should be made known to the appropriate persons or authorities.
At present, there are statutory provisions in respect of governance in the health services. Under section 35 of the Health Act 2004, there is an obligation on the Health Service Executive to draw up a code of governance which will include guiding principles applicable to the executive as a public body. My Department has issued a framework document for corporate and financial governance for the Health Service Executive and requested the executive to draw up a code of governance in line with the framework. Under the section dealing with codes of conduct and quality customer services, the framework document specifically highlights that the Government in 2001 approved a code of practice for the governance of state bodies, under which such bodies need to set out objectives on maintaining proper standards of integrity and disclosure of confidential information. Under the 2004 Act, the executive is obliged in its annual report to indicate its arrangements for implementing and maintaining adherence to the code. In December, the executive submitted to me an update on progress in its code of governance. The executive is still working on the contents of the code and my Department is in communication with it in this respect.
In addition, section 25 of the Health Act 2004 provides that members of the board of the Health Service Executive, members of any committees of the board, employees of the executive or any person engaged by the executive as an adviser shall maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest. In order to ensure the implementation of such standards, the executive is obliged to draw up a code of conduct for the employees not covered by standards applied by the Ethics in Public Office Act, 2001 and advisers and their employees. The code must indicate the standards of integrity and conduct to be maintained by them in performing their functions. Such a code should more than adequately cover the rights and obligations of employees, advisers and consultants in disclosing confidential information in appropriate circumstances to the appropriate authorities.
I am, however, conscious of public concern and the concerns expressed in this House regarding the level of protection provided to employees in the health service who raise issues pertaining to the safety and welfare of patients. These concerns are often expressed in the light of the findings of the inquiry into the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, which noted that concerns about Dr. Neary's practice were raised by nurses working in the hospital. In view of the concerns, I am examining the issue of introducing specific provisions regarding the authorised disclosure of information in the context of a number of pieces of legislation currently being drafted by my Department.
150 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to deliver consultant led services in each of the health regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15494/06]
The Deputy's question refers to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
151 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the ongoing failure to fill the post of chief pharmacist in her Department; her views on the fact that the failure to fill this post leaves a serious vacuum at the heart of decision making on health policy, including public health protection and patient safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15479/06]
The post of chief pharmacist at the Department of Health and Children is currently vacant following the retirement of the former chief pharmacist after many years of service. However, in recognition of its importance in the Department's policy making function, including public health protection and patient safety, the post of chief pharmacist has been filled in an acting capacity pending the restructuring of the Department. The duties of the post are currently being finalised and we hope to be in a position to advertise it as soon as possible. In the interim, the services of the former chief pharmacist continue to be available to my Department in an advisory capacity.
152 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the national immunisation advisory committee will not recommend vaccination for all children against the most common cause of meningitis; if her attention has been further drawn to calls from the Irish branch of Meningitis Trust to have the vaccination campaign extended to all children; her views on a universal campaign for children and the elderly which has recently commenced in the UK and which identifies children aged under two as a particular risk group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15477/06]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the inclusion of the pneumococcal vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme to immunise against pneumococcal meningitis. Ireland's recommended immunisation programme is based on the guidelines of the national immunisation advisory committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. These guidelines are prepared with the assistance of an active committee composed of members from associated disciplines in paediatrics, infectious diseases, general practice and public health. Vaccines are continually evolving and guidelines change according to the nature of these developments. The inclusion of the pneumococcal vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme is being considered by the national immunisation advisory committee as part of its review of the immunisation guidelines. No decision has yet been reached. My Department and the Health Service Executive will be guided by expert advice from the NIAC in this regard.
The immunisation guidelines for Ireland recommend vaccination against pneumococcal disease for persons who are at increased risk of the disease and its complications, particularly for those with: asplenia or severe dysfunction of the spleen, including surgical splenectomy; chronic renal disease or nephrotic syndrome; chronic heart, lung or liver disease illness including cirrhosis; diabetes mellitus; sickle cell disease; immunodeficiency or immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, including HIV infection at all stages; patients with CSF leaks, either congenital or complicating skull fracture or neurosurgery; and persons aged 65 years or older. A vaccine is licensed for use on at risk children under two years of age.
153 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to deliver radiotherapy services for the north west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15516/06]
Patients in the former North Western Health Board are currently being referred for radiation oncology treatment to the radiation oncology department at University College Hospital, Galway and to St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin.
Following discussions between my Department, the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Belfast City Hospital, BCH, it has been agreed to commission Co-operation and Working Together, CAWT, to progress the referral of County Donegal patients to the cancer centre at BCH. CAWT has a track record of successfully managing cross-border projects. Radiation oncology services at BCH commenced last month for cancer patients in Northern Ireland as part of the hospital's integrated and comprehensive cancer care programme, which I expect will be among the best in Europe.
154 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps that will be taken to ensure the quality of care will be properly monitored and audited in the private sector venture for elderly people in their homes, known as comfort keepers; the criteria whereby persons will be entitled to a level of support from home care packages that part fund this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15456/06]
The draft general scheme and heads of the Health Bill 2006 provide for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, incorporating the office of the chief inspector of social services on a statutory basis. It is intended that under the provisions of the Bill, HIQA will set standards on safety and quality of services provided by or on behalf of the HSE. It will monitor and advise the Minister and the HSE on the level of compliance with those standards. It will also have the power to investigate, at the request of the Minister or the HSE, the safety, quality and standards of any service and make any recommendations it deems necessary.
The Health Service Executive has advised that the Dublin-mid-Leinster area is currently finalising documentation prior to inviting tenders from private and voluntary sector organisations for inclusion on a panel of preferred providers to provide high quality home support and personal care services for older people. At three and six-month intervals the Health Service Executive will review contractors' performance using the criteria included for awarding contracts and determine whether the contractor should remain on the panel of preferred providers or be removed. This tender will ensure that home care services contracted in by the Health Service Executive will reach the highest standards and, by regular review and audit in line with the tender provisions, that these standards will be carefully monitored. Persons who make private arrangements with contractors included in the list of preferred providers can be assured that the organisations they deal with have reached the standards outlined above and that evidence of maintaining those standards will be regularly monitored.
Home care packages consist of a mixture of grants, contracted care services, therapeutic input, equipment and other such community services as determined by a needs assessment to facilitate an older person to remain living in his or her own home. Home care packages are targeted at those people who have maximised their usage of existing core community services. I understand the tax and VAT issues raised by the Deputy in his question will be addressed by the Minister for Finance in a separate response to a parliamentary question.
155 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on a proposal (details supplied) to fund a youth worker in Tramore, County Waterford; her further views on using the proposed project as a pilot scheme for the Government’s recreational strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15590/06]
My office is currently developing a recreation policy for young people aged 12 to 18 in conjunction with a number of Departments and agencies directly involved in the provision of recreation facilities and programmes for young people. The policy will be available in 2006. It is intended that the issue of youth cafés will be dealt with in the policy. The management and delivery of health and personal social services are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. My Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the Health Service Executive to arrange to have this proposal examined and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
156 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the situation with regard to the planned new children’s hospital on a Dublin site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15715/06]
On 3 February last, the Health Service Executive published a report which was prepared by McKinsey & Co., on the delivery of tertiary paediatric services in this country. This report was commissioned by the HSE following my request to it to arrange a review of those services. The report recommends that best outcomes for children would be obtained by developing one national tertiary paediatric centre, which would also provide all secondary paediatric services for the greater Dublin area. The report also recommends that ideally the new facility should be located on the site of, or adjacent to, a major adult teaching hospital in order to achieve the maximum service benefit for children.
Arising from the report's recommendations, a joint HSE-Department of Health and Children task group was established to progress matters and to advise on the optimal location for the new facility. The task group has worked intensively over the past six weeks and, in the course of its deliberations, a number of important issues arose that were not included in the group's original remit.
In particular, the importance of co-location with a maternity unit has been identified as an issue of significance. In addition, a number of proposals have been received from the private sector on the building of the new facility. The task group's remit has, accordingly, been extended to allow the group to examine the issues which have arisen, as a consequence of which the group is now expected to report in or around the end of May.
157 Mr. McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the Health Service Executive on the provision of a community hospital, ambulance base and primary care unit on the Tuam Health Campus site in Tuam, County Galway; the status of the project; when the project will be allowed to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15562/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme. Accordingly, my Department is requesting the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
158 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether she should take up the offer made by a Galway clinic on 11 February 2003 to provide a BreastCheck service until the unit was built in Galway in view of the fact that breast cancer is a terrible killer and in further view of the fact that health care apartheid exists here and that 260 more women will die needlessly in the west and south before BreastCheck is up and running; if she cannot fast-track BreastCheck before 2007, if she will allow the Galway clinic to provide a breast screening service in the meantime to save these 260 women’s valuable lives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15563/06]
BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, commenced in 2000 with the programme covering the former Eastern, North Eastern and Midland Health Board regions. In 2003 the extension of the programme to counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford and the national expansion of the programme to the rest of the country was announced. Screening commenced in Wexford in March 2004, in Carlow in April 2005 and in Kilkenny in March this year. I informed the House last month of my meeting with representatives of BreastCheck and of my wish to have the programme rolled out to the remaining regions of the country as quickly as possible. Some €2.3 million was made available to BreastCheck this year to provide among other things for the early recruitment and training of staff. The interview process for the posts of clinical directors is now completed and BreastCheck has also commenced the recruitment process for other essential staff. The notice for the procurement of the construction company for the new clinical units in Cork and Galway has been published in the EU Journal and the design team is now in the process of short listing applicants. Following the selection of the contractor, construction of the units can commence. BreastCheck is confident that the target date of next year for the commencement of the national roll-out will be met. On full roll-out, all women in the target age group in every county will have access to breast screening and follow up treatment where appropriate.
As I previously informed the House, any proposal received by BreastCheck to support the roll-out of its screening programme is carefully examined to assess the extent to which it complies with existing standards. BreastCheck has advised my Department that it has engaged in extensive discussions with the clinic referred to by the Deputy. BreastCheck has conducted an evaluation of this proposal and has concluded that the clinic in question would not be in a position to provide a population-based screening programme in line with BreastCheck's requirements.
160 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the housing aid scheme for the elderly work will be carried out for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [15564/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for the provision of the housing aid scheme for the elderly, on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
161 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the immediate steps she is taking to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the investigation into complaints made by a person (details supplied) against the early intervention service and the Health Service Executive, north east region in December 2005. [15565/06]
As the Deputy is aware the management and operation of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive under the Health Act, 2004. There have been previous representations to my office on this matter and I have made inquiries with the Health Service Executive in that regard. The report of the independent investigation, to which the Deputy refers, made significant recommendations for services both locally in the north east and nationally. The recommendations for services locally are currently being implemented and nationally the HSE is reviewing policies and procedures in this area. This review will be informed by the need to provide for and protect the welfare of children while having regard to the rights of parents and guardians and relevant legislative requirements.
162 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of general practitioner visit cards that have been allocated in County Louth since the introduction of the scheme; the number of full medical cards currently in the system in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15566/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
168 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of children here who were born with adverse affects from the drug thalidomide. [15572/06]
Thalidomide preparations were marketed in Ireland from May 1959 to January 1962, when they were withdrawn from sale by the manufacturers. In May 1970, following confirmation by the Department of External Affairs that an offer of compensation by the German manufacturers of thalidomide applied to Irish-born children with conditions attributed to thalidomide, the Department of Health issued advertisements inviting parents and others involved in the care of such children to furnish particulars, which were forwarded to representatives of the manufacturers.
In May 1973, the Government decided in principle that it should provide financial assistance in addition to that paid by the German foundation. The then Minister for Health established the Irish Thalidomide Medical Board to identify the number of Irish children affected and report on each individual case. The board concluded that 34 Irish children were affected by the drug, one of whom was a beneficiary of the British compensation scheme, as the mother was prescribed the drug while living in the UK. In December 1974 the Government granted each of the remaining 33 children further financial assistance by way of a lump sum and a monthly allowance for life.
169 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive has discontinued funding to the Irish Osteoporosis Society; her views on whether the society carries out invaluable work in promoting public awareness of osteoporosis and in providing support to sufferers; if she will ascertain the plans that the Health Service Executive has to provide the services that were formerly funded by various health boards through the Irish Osteoporosis Society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15573/06]
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Voluntary organisations providing health and personal social services are funded by the executive, and it is a matter for the executive to agree the levels of service and the appropriate funding in respect of each such organisation. My Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to reply to the Deputy regarding funding to the Irish Osteoporosis Society.
170 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to increase the number of isolation beds available in Temple Street Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15574/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
171 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the appeals officer has examined a medical card appeal application form; if not, when a decision will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15625/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
172 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of an appeal for mobility allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15628/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
173 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of an appeal application under housing aid for the elderly for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15629/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. That includes responsibility for provision of the housing aid scheme for the elderly, on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
174 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when an application for subvention will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15630/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
175 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of hospital beds general, medical or surgical available here in each year from 1991 to date in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15700/06]
The number of acute hospital beds, both inpatient and day beds, is set out in the following table. A medical-surgical breakdown of beds is not available.
|
Year |
Inpatient |
Day |
Total |
|
1991 |
11,301 |
368 |
11,669 |
|
1992 |
11,362 |
456 |
11,818 |
|
1993 |
11,035 |
514 |
11,549 |
|
1994 |
11,104 |
521 |
11,625 |
|
1995 |
11,243 |
535 |
11,778 |
|
1996 |
11,208 |
581 |
11,789 |
|
1997 |
11,119 |
609 |
11,728 |
|
1998 |
11,047 |
636 |
11,683 |
|
1999 |
11,056 |
673 |
11,730 |
|
2000 |
11,187 |
719 |
11,906 |
|
2001 |
11,373 |
771 |
12,144 |
|
2002 |
11,687 |
811 |
12,498 |
|
2003 |
11,806 |
908 |
12,714 |
|
2004 |
11,887 |
1,132 |
13,019 |
|
2005 |
12,030 |
1,221 |
13,251 |
Notes:
(i)Figures for 1991 and 1992 refer to "bed complement" at 31 December whereas figures from 1993 onwards refer to the average number of beds available for use over the year taking beds that were temporarily closed or opened into account.
(ii)Figures for 2005 are provisional.
(iii)Any discrepancy in totals is due to rounding.
Source: Integrated Management Returns, IMRs, Department of Health and Children.
176 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average number of patients on hospital trolleys on a daily basis over the past 12 months as determined by her Department or the Health Service Executive; the numbers as determined by the Irish Medical Organisation; the reason for the disparity; her plans to deal with the issue by way of extra beds or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15701/06]
Information on daily activity levels in accident and emergency departments since April 2005 is available on the HSE website at www.hse.ie. In relation to the data collected other than by the HSE, I presume the Deputy is referring to the accident and emergency data collected by the Irish Nurses Organisation.
My Department is advised by the HSE that the reason for the discrepancy between the INO figures and the HSE figures is that the figures are compiled at different times of the day. The INO figures are collected at 8 a.m. each day while the HSE figures are collected at 2 p.m. I am of the opinion that media debates about the differences in numbers between the trolley count taken by the HSE and that taken by the INO add no value. Accordingly, the HSE has agreed that its trolley count will in future be undertaken at the same time as the INO count as well as at the normal time of 2 p.m.
Tackling the current difficulties with accident and emergency is the Government's top priority in health. The service being provided to some patients in accident and emergency departments is unacceptable and must be improved. Our objectives are to reduce the numbers waiting for admission, the time spent waiting for admission and the turnaround time for those who can be treated in accident and emergency and do not require admission.
The HSE is continuing to implement the ten point action plan. In addition, it has been agreed with the HSE that a number of additional measures will be implemented by the executive. These include in particular the setting of performance targets for individual hospitals.
The HSE has established a dedicated task force to oversee the implementation of the framework for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of services in our accident and emergency departments. The task force will support individual hospitals in identifying specific problems and addressing them. It will work with hospitals to introduce a system of "whole hospital" performance measures to improve the patient's journey not alone through the accident and emergency department but through the hospital system from admission to discharge.
I share the view that has been expressed by the chief executive of the HSE that the achievement of improvements in accident and emergency services is dependent on fundamental changes both in hospitals and in other areas of the health service. I am confident that by improving hospital processes and procedures, by providing additional step-down beds for those patients who do not require acute hospital care, and by expanding and enhancing primary and community care services we can achieve a sustained improvement in our accident and emergency services.
177 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if studies have been done arising from the incidents of the various forms of cancer on a regional or county basis; if there are discernible trends in respect of particular forms of cancer associated with any particular county or region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15702/06]
The National Cancer Registry has routinely collected data on county of residence for all incidences of cancer since 1994. The data have been published in a number of reports, including Cancer in Ireland 1994-2000 and two all-Ireland cancer reports, All-Ireland Cancer Statistics for 1994-1996 and 1998 -2000. Up to date tables describing cancer incidence by site, sex and county of residence are also available to the public on the registry website www. ncri.ie. In addition to this routine analysis, the registry has carried out a number of analyses of cancer incidence for single counties in response to specific local issues.
The most recent detailed analysis of the relationship between cancer incidence and county of residence was carried out for the second all-Ireland cancer report, 1998-2000, which was published in 2004. While this report showed some relationship between region of residence and cancer incidence, there were few instances where this relationship could be shown at county level. In general, the number of cancer cases diagnosed at county level were too few, and the variation in incidence between counties too small, for any meaningful conclusions to be drawn. The only clear exception to this was for lung cancer, where incidences and mortality was significantly higher in Dublin than elsewhere. This variation in lung cancer incidence between urban and rural setting was also found in Belfast and Derry and is consistent with the pattern of incidence of lung cancer in other countries.
178 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of children in receipt of orthodontic treatment in each of the past six years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15703/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
179 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the anticipated number of beds by category likely to be provided on the conclusion of the final phase of development at the Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15704/06]
185 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she expects to give approval for the commencement of the next phase of the Naas hospital development plan; when she expects the project to go to tender; when it is anticipated site works are likely to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15710/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 185 together.
The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. The executive has responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
180 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of psychology, speech and language therapy and occupational therapist posts to be filled throughout County Kildare at the present time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15705/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
181 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of psychology, speech and language therapy and occupational therapist posts to be filled here at the present time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15706/06]
184 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of professional vacancies currently unfilled throughout the health services; her plans to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15709/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 184 together.
Employment information collected by my Department refers to numbers employed rather than to vacancies. As the information requested by the Deputy relates to the delivery of health and social care services and human resource management issues which are matters for the Health Service Executive, the parliamentary affairs division of the executive has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy in regard to the information sought.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department's health service employment census, which encompasses staff employed by the Health Service Executive, the voluntary hospitals and some intellectual disability agencies, shows a total of 101,978 whole-time equivalent staff, excluding home helps, at end December 2005. This compares with a total of 67,814 at end December 1997 and represents an increase of 34,137 or 50.32%. There has been an increase of 2,290 or 46.06% in medical and dental personnel, an increase of 7,902 or 28.9% in nursing personnel and an increase of 8,014 or 134.98% in health and social care professional, including psychology, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy, personnel over end 1997 figures.
Numbers employed in the specific health and social care professions referred to by the Deputy are set out in the following table.
|
Grade |
31/12/1997 |
31/12/2005 |
Increase |
% Increase |
|
% |
||||
|
Occupational Therapist — all grades |
288 |
837 |
550 |
191.28 |
|
Psychologist — all grades |
300 |
572 |
272 |
90.54 |
|
Speech and Language Therapist — all grades |
282 |
583 |
301 |
106.90 |
Source: Health Service Personnel Census
Note: All figures are expressed as wholetime equivalents
182 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which full school medical examinations are carried out on a regular basis; her plans to improve the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15707/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
183 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of hospital consultant posts currently unfilled throughout the health services; her plans for the filling of such posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15708/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
189 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the progress of the recently established task force on the accident and emergency crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15714/06]
Tackling the current difficulties with accident and emergency units is the Government's top priority in health. Our objectives are to reduce the numbers waiting for admission, the time spent waiting for admission, and the turnaround time for those who can be treated there and then and do not require admission. I believe that there is a need to build on the accident and emergency action plan and, arising from discussions with the Health Service Executive, a number of proposals have been agreed, including the setting of performance targets for individual hospitals.
The Health Service Executive has developed and circulated a framework for improving accident and emergency services, setting out clearly the proposed approach. The recently-established dedicated task force is overseeing the implementation of this framework. The task force includes accident and emergency consultants, a consultant geriatrician, a respiratory physician, a director of nursing, and a hospital chief executive, as well as full-time representatives from the national hospitals office and primary, community and continuing care services. The task force is supporting individual hospitals in identifying specific problems and addressing them, and working with hospitals to introduce a system of "whole hospital" performance measures to improve the patient's journey not alone through the accident and emergency department but through the hospital system from admission to discharge.
190 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she is taking to increase the number of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists available to meet the needs of children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15716/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
191 Mr. McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the services which are available for a person (details supplied) in County Galway with severe physical and learning disability who is being cared for at home by their parents; the respite service which is available to this person; if she will investigate the matter with a view to ensuring that an immediate and regular respite service is available as a first step; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15721/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
192 Mr. McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will liaise with the Health Service Executive to ensure that additional multidisciplinary support is provided to a school (details supplied) in County Galway. [15722/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
193 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals in the matter of issuing Health (Amendment) Act cards to women testing negative to Hepatitis C who had received a contaminated batch of anti-D (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15723/06]
The issue of an extension of the Health (Amendment) Act 1996 to provide free health care for the women referred to by the Deputy has been carefully examined and advice taken from a number of relevant experts. While I am sympathetic to the women in question, I cannot support an extension to the current eligibility requirements. This position was signalled to the support group representing the women at a meeting that I had with them in February 2005. Following further analysis of the matter I confirmed my decision to the support group in September last.
194 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 to Coillte. [15596/06]
I have no proposals at present to extend the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 to Coillte.
195 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the representations from persons in receipt of a State disability payment expressing concern at the impact that VAT charges have on equipment and support services which they must purchase due to their disability; if he will put a system in place whereby the VAT on such equipment and utility charges such as the ESB be refunded having regard to the low level of weekly income to which they are entitled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15605/06]
In the case of persons suffering from disability, a special provision for relief is available under the Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax)(No. 15) Order 1981. This allows the refund of VAT paid on certain aids, appliances and medical devices which are purchased for the exclusive use of disabled persons suffering a specified degree of disablement. In order to determine whether a particular purchase qualifies for a refund of VAT, applicants should contact the Revenue Commissioners, VAT Repayments (Unregistered Section), Kilrush Road, Ennis, County Clare.
For utility charges, the social welfare household benefits package is provided, subject to household and income conditions, to people in receipt of a social welfare disability income payment. The package comprises an electricity or gas allowance, a telephone allowance and a free lifetime TV licence. Up to 1,800 units of electricity per annum and normal standing charges are covered by the electricity allowance. The annual value of the electricity allowance is €260, inclusive of VAT at 13.5%. The gas allowance is an alternative to the electricity allowance if a customer's home is connected to a natural gas supply. Here, the customer is entitled to the supply charge and up to 1,674 kW hours of gas per year. The annual value of the gas allowance is €313, inclusive of VAT at 13.5%. The telephone allowance is applied to a customer's account as a fixed credit which amounts to €296.35 per annum, inclusive of VAT at 21%.
Relief also exists within the income tax code in respect of qualifying health expenses incurred in the provision of health care for an individual and-or his or her dependants. The relief consists of a deduction from total income for the tax year in which the expenses are incurred in respect of qualifying health expenses in excess of €125 in the case of one individual, or in excess of €250 in the case where the expenses are incurred for two or more individuals. Qualifying health expenses include expenses representing the services of doctors and dentists, diagnostic procedures carried out on the advice of a doctor, maintenance or treatment in a hospital, drugs or medicines prescribed on the advice of a doctor and the supply, maintenance or repair of any medical, surgical, dental or nursing appliance used on the advice of a doctor or dentist.
196 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if there are sections or references in the Finance Bill 2006 that would allow a person’s personal details and account information to be passed from a bank or other financial institution on to the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15736/06]
I assume the Deputy is referring to section 125 of the Finance Act 2006, which contains an enabling provision which will allow the Revenue Commissioners to make regulations, with my consent, requiring financial institutions and State bodies to make an annual return of names and addresses of customers and others resident in the State to whom interest or other profit payments are made and the details of those payments. The enabling provision will facilitate the phasing in of reporting requirements for financial institutions. There will be detailed consultation with the financial institutions and other parties on the logistics of implementing a reporting system in the different sectors before the provision is enacted. Automatic reporting is primarily about closing off safe havens for large untaxed lump sums. Taxpayers whose deposits were made with fully taxed funds have absolutely nothing to fear, as the deduction of deposit interest retention tax by the financial institution from any interest paid will fully discharge any tax liability they may have. This measure is designed to combat tax evaders who have hidden large untaxed sums in bank accounts without disclosing the existence of the accounts on their tax returns.
197 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if a person’s personal details and account information could or would be passed to any other agency, institution or other party; the agency, institution or other party that would have access to this information; the reason or the circumstances under which such information would be given; and if the person would be notified if this were to occur. [15737/06]
I assume the Deputy is referring to information held by the Revenue Commissioners. I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that individuals' personal information and personal account information is held and processed by the commissioners for the administration of all taxes and duties under their care and management. All processing of personal information by the Revenue Commissioners is carried out in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1988, as amended by the Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003. The Office of the Revenue Commissioners is a registered data controller — registration No. 0720/A — in accordance with the Acts. Personal information is disclosed to agencies, institutions or other parties. Section 5 of Revenue Commissioners' annual data protection registration sets out the current list of disclosees. The registration is reviewed and submitted annually to the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, in accordance with the data protection legislation and full details are published on the Data Protection Commissioner's website, www.dataprotection.ie. As the processing of information occurs within the rules set down by data protection legislation, there is no requirement to inform the parties involved.
198 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the efforts which have been made by his Department relating to 1994 disabled drivers, disabled passengers tax concessions scheme; if and when changes are likely in the operation of the scheme arising from the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15738/06]
A special interdepartmental review group reviewed the operation of the disabled drivers' scheme. The terms of reference of the group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in determining the future direction of the scheme. The group's report, published on the Department of Finance's website in July 2004, sets out in detail the genesis and development of the scheme. It examines the current benefits, the qualifying medical criteria, the Exchequer costs, the relationship with other schemes and similar schemes in other countries. The report also makes a number of recommendations, both immediate and long-term, encompassing the operation of the appeals process and options for the possible future development of the scheme. The short-term recommendations in respect of the appeals process have been implemented. In respect of the long-term recommendations, including the qualifying disability criteria, given the scale and scope of the scheme, further changes can only be made after careful consideration. For this reason, the Government decided in June 2004 that the Minister for Finance would consider the recommendations contained in the group's report in the context of the annual budgetary process with regard to the existing and prospective cost of the scheme.
The best way of addressing the transport needs of people with disabilities of whatever kind and the effectiveness, suitability or otherwise of the disabled drivers' scheme in that regard will be considered and progressed in consultation with the other Departments which have responsibility in this area. A car tax concession scheme can obviously only play a partial role in dealing with this serious issue. The examination of the scheme is taking place in that context. Any changes to this scheme will be considered in the context of the overall development of policy in this area.
199 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which a cardinal buoy was positioned on a diffuser in the tidal water of the River Suir without the diffuser having a foreshore licence; if a process or procedure exists for the decision to place buoys and if they were followed in this instance. [15575/06]
201 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that South Tipperary County Council as part of a sewerage treatment project installed a diffuser in the Suir river without a foreshore licence; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that it obstructed the fishing operations of commercial snapnet men; and if his attention has further been drawn to other local authority projects which have proceeded in the tidal or coastal waters of the Barrow, Nore and Suir from 2002 to 2005. [15589/06]
203 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of foreshore license applications received and granted in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; the number and names of works completed by local authorities in tidal and coastal waters before the foreshore licenses were granted; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that South Tipperary County Council had placed a diffuser in the tidal river downstream of Carrick-on-Suir without a foreshore license which obstructs the fishing operations of snapnet fishermen; and the measures he intends to bring forward to address concerns of fishermen. [15594/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 199, 201 and 203 together.
South Tipperary County Council has located outfall pipes, with diffusers, for the new Carrick-on-Suir waste water treatment plant in the River Suir. Representatives of snap net fishermen who operate on the River Suir expressed the view to the Department that the location of the outfall diffusers is likely to disrupt their operations by creating a snagging or fouling hazard for their nets. In light of these concerns, a report on the matter was obtained from the engineering division of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The report advised that the outfall diffusers and the associated navigation buoy would have a minor effect on snap net fishing. Specifically, the report was of the view that any effect would be limited to a comparatively small area in the vicinity of the diffusers. The Department asked South Tipperary County Council whether it had any proposals to reconsider the location of the outfall pipes and diffusers. The council indicated that it had no such proposals. In view of the council's position on the matter, and as I am advised that any effects of the diffusers and the associated navigation buoy on fishing are localised and minor, I do not consider that action relating to their relocation is warranted. The Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport, which acts as an expert adviser to the Department on navigational issues, has advised that a buoy should be put in place to mark the location of the diffusers. This advice was conveyed to South Tipperary County Council by the Department. The outfall pipes and diffusers were installed by the council before the application for a foreshore licence had been determined. The formal granting of a licence is now being finalised. In the time available, it has not been possible to assemble the information on foreshore cases requested by the Deputy. The data is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.
200 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if fishing for razor clams close to Portmarnock beach near Baldoyle Bay is permitted by the EU habitats directive of 1992. [15588/06]
Fishing for razor clams in the area referred to is not prohibited by the habitats directive of 1992, as transposed into Irish law, but is managed as a living aquatic resource under the Common Fisheries Policy. As I have previously advised the House, the harvesting of razor shells is subject to legislative controls and the areas in which such harvesting can take place is classified by ministerial regulations every six months following consideration of the results of an ongoing sampling programme. A system of gatherers' dockets is implemented whereby important information is collected on the fishery in such aspects as the precise location and date of harvesting, the quantities involved and the destination of the harvested razor shells. The staff of the Department's inspectorate carry out periodic inspections of fishing activity to ensure that harvesting activities are undertaken in accordance with the prevailing regulations. As part of the work of the molluscan species advisory group, established under the shellfish management framework and which includes a representative of the razor clam fishermen, a razor clam local advisory committee has been established and held its first meeting earlier this month. The committee will be facilitated by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and will seek to develop a sustainable management framework for the fishery.
202 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, further to Question No. 95 of 20 October 2005, when the stamp for 2006 commemorating Michael Cusack, the founder of the GAA on the centenary of his death, will issue; if plans have been made with regard to the design of the stamp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15576/06]
The design of the stamp, to commemorate the centenary of the death of Michael Cusack, received Government approval on 20 December 2005. The stamp, which features a specially commissioned portrait of Michael Cusack, is due to be issued in October of this year.
204 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to the request for a compensation scheme for fishermen who were employed on decommissioned vessels from the Kilmore Quay fleet; the efforts made towards establishing such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15734/06]
As the Deputy is aware, the fundamental aim of the decommissioning scheme is to secure the permanent withdrawal of excess capacity in both the whitefish and shellfish sectors to bring these fleets into balance with available fishing opportunities. The withdrawal premiums payable under the scheme for whitefish vessels are the maximum permitted by EU regulations and are related specifically to the permanent removal of the fishing vessels concerned from the EU register of sea fishing vessels. The premium for scallop vessels is 20% below the maximum allowed. The scheme implements the recommendations of the White report, Decommissioning Requirements for Ireland's Demersal and Shellfish Fleets, which was accepted by the Government last July.
The report does not provide for direct payment to the crews of the vessels concerned, however, the owners of vessels receiving decommissioning aid have been asked to acknowledge the contribution made by crew members, particularly those of long service and make an appropriate contribution to them from the aid. While the decommissioning scheme will remove some of the older and less economically viable vessels from the fleet right around the coast, the majority of the fleet will continue fishing and will continue to need crew. I understand that at present many skippers are experiencing great difficulty securing crew, as there is an overall shortage reflecting the strong performance of the economy generally. In this situation there remain good opportunities for crew members whose current boats are leaving the fleet.
205 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which the Government voted on the EU decision to withdraw funding from the Palestinian National Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15609/06]
206 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action the Government plans to take in order to ensure that the EU rescinds the decision to withdraw funding from the Palestinian National Authority. [15610/06]
207 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government intends to increase the funding provided directly to the Palestinian National Authority in order to assist with the shortfall resulting from the recent EU decision to withdraw funding from the Palestinian National Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15611/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 to 207, inclusive, together.
The meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, which I attended in Luxembourg on 10 April reviewed developments in the Middle East peace process in the light of the approval of a new Government by the Palestinian Legislative Council and the outcome of the Israeli general elections. There was consensus in GAERC that the EU would review its assistance to the Palestinians against the new Government's commitment to the principles set out by the Council and by the International Quartet on 30 January. These entail renunciation of violence, recognition of Israel's right to exist, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including those of the roadmap for a lasting and peaceful settlement based on the co-existence of two viable states.
The Council noted that the absence of commitment to the principles set out clearly by the international community will inevitably have an effect on direct assistance to the Government. However, it stressed that the EU will continue to provide necessary assistance to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian population. In the review process now under way, Ireland will press for a generous and wide-ranging interpretation of what constitutes this necessary assistance. At the same time, I would emphasise that positive movement from Hamas would greatly facilitate such an approach, and would serve the interests of the Palestinian people. The Council also urged Israel to take steps to improve the humanitarian and economic situation of the Palestinians including resumption of transfers of withheld Palestinian tax and customs revenues.
The Government is strongly committed to continuing Ireland's bilateral assistance to the Palestinian people, with particular emphasis on meeting humanitarian needs. It is strongly committed to continuing Ireland's bilateral assistance to the Palestinian people, with particular emphasis on meeting humanitarian needs. We have already made clear that we are determined to maintain the overall volume of our assistance, which amounted to over €4 million in 2005. I can assure the Deputy that, both nationally and in co-operation with our EU partners, the Government will continue to promote a lasting, just and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We will also do all that is within our capacity to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, while taking full account of the wider political realities.
208 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who has requested repatriation on medical grounds; the assistance which can be given by the Irish Embassy; and if he has raised the issue with his British counterparts. [15631/06]
This case continues to be monitored by my Department through the Irish Embassy in London, which remains in contact with the prison authorities. In particular, the embassy has made representations to the prison authorities in relation to the medical condition of the person. A diplomatic officer from the embassy is due to visit the person in the next few weeks.
As regards possible repatriation, I am informed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that his Department received the formal application for transfer of the person concerned from the United Kingdom authorities in September, 2005. Various reports were then sought and received by that Department from bodies in this jurisdiction. The State's legal officers reviewed the application in order to ensure that the requirements of the Council of Europe Convention on the transfer of Sentenced Persons and the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts 1995 and 1997 were satisfied. Having received their advices in the matter, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has requested and is awaiting a further document from the British authorities in relation to this application. This is expected in the near future.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform would expect, upon review of this further document by the State's legal officers, to be in a position to make a decision on the application.
209 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will intervene in the proposed closure of St. Paul’s Swimming Pool, Raheny; and if he will outline new swimming facilities on the north side of Dublin in 2006. [15560/06]
As I indicated in my reply to similar parliamentary questions on 29 March last, the swimming pool in question was built, I understand, by a religious order and while privately owned and operated, has been open to the public. I also understand that the pool receives some financial support from Dublin City Council. Under the local authority swimming pool programme, my Department provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of a new or replacement public swimming pool or the refurbishment of an existing pool. The programme provides for a maximum grant level of 80% of eligible costs — 90% in the case of disadvantaged areas — subject to a maximum of €3.8 million. Where a project is being undertaken by an organisation other than a local authority, the proposal must be considered, supported and submitted by the relevant local authority. Before supporting a project, the local authority must be satisfied that the proposal is viable, that the balance of funding required to complete the project is available and that the project, when completed, will have a suitable level of public access. Consequently, again as I indicated in March, questions relating to the location or operation of a public swimming pool should be directed towards the relevant local authority.
The priority under the current round of the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department and where the deadline for submission of applications was 31 July 2000, is to continue to support those projects remaining to be completed. Of the 57 projects being dealt with, 32 have been grant aided, of which 18 have been completed, leaving 14 under construction or about to begin construction. The remaining 25 projects are at various stages in the programme — six are at tender stage, 11 at contract document stage and eight at preliminary report stage. I am pleased that activity under the programme has increased considerably as evidenced by the results for 2005 and 2006 to date where I approved: grant aid for eight projects which permits the developers to proceed with placing the contracts and having the work commence; contract documents for 12 projects allowing them to invite tenders for the projects; and preliminary reports for nine projects which permit the preparation of contract documents.
My Department is carrying out an expenditure review which is examining, among other things, the number and nature of projects supported and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme. On the completion of this review, which I expect will be available by mid-year, the question of re-opening the programme to new applications by local authorities will be considered.
Under the current round of the local authority swimming pool programme the following projects have been or are being dealt in the Dublin area as of end March 2006: Skerries — contract document stage; Finglas — replacement pool — completed; Ballymun — replacement pool — completed; Ballyfermot — replacement pool — construction stage; St Michael's House — new — tender stage; St Joseph's House — refurbishment — preliminary report stage; Jobstown — new — construction stage; Clondalkin — replacement — construction stage; Glenalbyn — refurbishment — contract document stage; and Dundrum — replacement — preliminary report stage.
210 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will increase the bereavement grant to a more reasonable level in line with actual funeral costs; the amount which has been spent on this scheme for each of the past five years on a county basis; when this grant was last increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15581/06]
There are various schemes within the social welfare system to assist families in dealing with death and funeral expenses. These include the payment of a bereavement grant to insured people and their families, the payment of six weeks social welfare following the death of persons in receipt of certain social welfare schemes or their spouse, and the payment of the widowed parent's grant.
The bereavement grant is based on PRSI contributions and is payable on the death of an insured person or a family member, including a child under the age of 18, or under the age of 22 if in full-time education. The amount of the grant is €635. The grant was last increased in 1999 and will be reviewed in the context of budget 2007, as usual with schemes like this. The expenditure on the bereavement grant on a county basis over the past five years is set out in the following table.
|
Expenditure |
Expenditure |
Expenditure |
Expenditure |
Expenditure |
|
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Carlow |
146,050 |
152,400 |
146,180 |
169,360 |
148,590 |
|
Cavan |
170,180 |
161,290 |
140,340 |
151,240 |
166,370 |
|
Clare |
275,590 |
285,110 |
232,540 |
231,720 |
263,530 |
|
Cork |
1,417,420 |
1,418,080 |
1,357,250 |
1,385,560 |
1,510,670 |
|
Donegal |
391,800 |
408,940 |
389,890 |
375,190 |
405,130 |
|
Dublin |
3,769,480 |
3,750,690 |
3,606,410 |
3,684,250 |
3,794,760 |
|
Galway |
543,310 |
479,550 |
496,160 |
506,290 |
524,510 |
|
Kerry |
393,950 |
415,920 |
351,410 |
377,900 |
382,910 |
|
Kildare |
400,810 |
393,830 |
384,170 |
355,490 |
382,910 |
|
Kilkenny |
216,540 |
213,610 |
209,550 |
213,440 |
220,350 |
|
Laois |
139,700 |
159,380 |
144,270 |
137,150 |
151,130 |
|
Leitrim |
113,280 |
108,580 |
89,540 |
91,300 |
104,780 |
|
Limerick |
592,460 |
596,260 |
562,230 |
534,740 |
560,070 |
|
Longford |
109,860 |
122,550 |
117,480 |
125,190 |
137,790 |
|
Louth |
353,060 |
390,530 |
327,030 |
357,310 |
375,290 |
|
Mayo |
386,080 |
364,620 |
346,070 |
367,330 |
413,390 |
|
Meath |
327,030 |
313,690 |
311,530 |
288,120 |
335,920 |
|
Monaghan |
137,800 |
132,710 |
110,490 |
149,450 |
133,350 |
|
Offaly |
202,690 |
187,330 |
171,070 |
188,180 |
190,500 |
|
Roscommon |
145,570 |
162,690 |
140,970 |
133,470 |
161,290 |
|
Sligo |
177,800 |
168,270 |
166,370 |
167,860 |
190,500 |
|
Tipperary |
485,140 |
479,420 |
432,560 |
476,180 |
498,480 |
|
Waterford |
367,030 |
366,400 |
330,200 |
293,850 |
340,990 |
|
Westmeath |
217,170 |
212,850 |
219,710 |
205,060 |
252,100 |
|
Wexford |
385,570 |
391,160 |
341,250 |
364,130 |
368,300 |
|
Wicklow |
354,960 |
363,350 |
363,850 |
311,200 |
335,920 |
|
Total |
12,220,330 |
12,199,210 |
11,488,520 |
11,640,960 |
12,349,530 |
211 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will introduce a uniform waiver policy for refuse charges in the household benefits package to assist low income households that cannot afford refuse charges for their privately operated or local authority operated refuse service; if he will investigate such a proposal and prepare a costing on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15582/06]
The setting of waste management charges and the introduction of waivers in respect of waste charges is, as stated by my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, a matter for each local authority.
The introduction of a national social welfare scheme to address the issue would be complex, given the wide range of charging regimes and cost structures that exist in respect of waste management throughout the State. Any system put in place to assist people who rely on private domestic waste collection would have to be sensitive to the different local arrangements. Because of the complexity involved, the cost of such a system is not readily available. I intend to keep the matter under review and to monitor the experience of welfare customers under various charging systems and cost structures.
212 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in view of the fact that rents in the private sector are continuing to rise he will consider revising the thresholds allowed in regard to rent assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15733/06]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, provides for the payment of a rent supplement to assist eligible people who are unable to provide for their immediate accommodation needs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.
Rent supplements are subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant for rent supplement may incur. Notwithstanding these limits, under existing arrangements the Health Service Executive may, in certain circumstances, breach the rent levels as an exceptional measure, including: Where there are special housing needs related to exceptional circumstances, in particular, for example, disabled persons in specially adapted accommodation or homeless persons whose housing needs cannot be met within the standard terms of the rent supplement scheme etc; where the person concerned is entitled to an income disregard and has sufficient income to meet his or her basic needs after paying rent, and; where the tenant will be in a position to resume responsibility for his or her rent within a short period. This discretionary power ensures that individuals with particular needs can be accommodated within the scheme.
Setting maximum rent limits higher than are justified by the open market would have a distorting effect on the rental market, leading to a more general rise in rent levels and in landlord income. This in turn would worsen the affordability of rental accommodation unnecessarily, with particular negative impact for those tenants on lower incomes.
On 26 July 2005 regulations were introduced providing for new rent limits for the period 26 July 2005 to 31 December 2006. These new regulations provided for moderate increases in certain rent limits with no change in others — no rent limit was reduced. Later this year, my officials will be reviewing the current levels of rent limits in order in determine if any amendments, either upwards or downwards, to the current limits are required. The review will take account of the prevailing rent levels in the private rental sector generally, based on indices from the Central Statistics Office, together with detailed input from the Health Service Executive on the market situation according to patterns of rent supplement applications within each of its operational areas.
The review will also include consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Private Residential Tenancies Board. My Department will also welcome submissions in regard to this matter from the various voluntary agencies working in this area.
In the meantime, I would point out that while rent levels have risen by some 3% since the current rent limits were set, it is too early to determine whether that trend will be maintained in the medium term. Rent levels also fall in response to market conditions and, for example, rent levels are currently at or below the levels reached in May 2001 and again in August 2003. The planned review later this year will ensure that the rent limits will reflect realistic market conditions throughout the country, and that these limits will continue to enable the different categories of eligible tenant households to secure and retain suitable rented accommodation to meet their respective needs.
213 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Transport if the Corrib Great Southern Hotel, Galway and the Great Southern Hotel, Eyre Square, Galway are sold; if so, if the proceeds of sale will be reinvested in Galway or where the returns generated from the hotel sales will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15595/06]
This is a day-to-day operational matter for the Great Southern Hotel, GSH, Group and the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA. However, I am informed by the DAA that the group has retained advisers to advise on all aspects of the disposal process for the hotels, including the two referred to by the Deputy. At this stage none of the hotels have been sold.
GSH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the DAA and I understand that any proceeds of the sale, net of all applicable liabilities and costs and after repayment of capital invested by the DAA, will accrue to the company and not to the State. The application or re-investment of any such proceeds will be a matter for the board of the DAA to determine in the context of its commercial mandate under the State Airports Act 2004.
214 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the service plans which are in place to provide for rapidly developing areas that have transport needs but which do not feature in Transport 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15735/06]
Transport 21 sets out the Government's transport capital investment priorities for the ten-year period 2006 to 2015. In developing Transport 21, my Department took account of the national spatial strategy, regional planning guidelines, the Dublin Transportation Office strategy document, A Platform for Change, the strategic rail review and the national road needs study. My Department also engaged with relevant State agencies in order to identify the transport investment priorities.
Transport 21 provides the basis for addressing the transport requirements of all known development areas around the country and there is active engagement between the relevant local authorities and transport agencies in this regard. Transport 21 has identified the most urgent investment priorities and, I believe, has struck the correct balance between the transport investment needs of the greater Dublin area and those of other cities and regions.
215 D'fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an gcuirfidh sé deontas breise ar fáil leis an bhalla chosanta ag an Bhaile Thiar, Oileán Thoraigh, a chríochnú. [15604/06]
I 2005, ar iarratas ó Chomhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall, cheadaigh mé deontas €32,500, nó 50% den chostas, faoi Chlár Oibre na nOileán 2005-06 chun an balla cosanta ag an mBaile Thiar, Oileán Thoraí, a láidriú agus tá an obair sin curtha i gcrích.
De réir meastacháin a fuarthas ón gComhairle Chontae, áfach, chosnódh sé €255,000 breise chun obair ar an mballa a chur i gcrích ina iomláine, ar a n-áirítear an balla a ardú agus síneadh 30 m a chur leis.
Déanfar an cás seo a mheas tuilleadh i gcomhairle le Comhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall, i gcomhthéacs an airgid a bheidh ar fáil dom le caitheamh ar fhorbairt oileánda i 2006-07 agus na n-éileamh éagsúil a bheidh ar an airgead sin.
216 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the criteria for the community support for older people will be extended to include house alarms for pensioners. [15612/06]
217 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will undertake a review of the scheme of community support for older people to ensure that elderly pensioners who do not live in a community alert area can avail of assistance more easily; his views on liaising with the Department of Social and Family Affairs to ensure that every pensioner is made aware of the help that is available under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15699/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.
The scheme of community support for older people, CSOP, encourages and assists the community's support for qualifying older people, aged 65 years and older, by means of a community based grant scheme, which provides funding for door locks, window locks, door chains, security lighting, smoke alarms and towards the once-off cost of installing socially monitored alarm systems. I have no plans at present to extend the scheme to provide house alarms for pensioners.
Any local voluntary or community based organisation involved in supporting older people in their community can apply to my Department for funding under the scheme. My Department has been engaged in an extensive review of the CSOP scheme, including consultation with a range of CSOP applicant groups. l will formally announce details of the 2006 scheme shortly, including a number of changes intended to make the scheme more accessible to applicant organisations and older people in their communities over the course of the year, and to facilitate participation by a wider range of groups. The 2006 scheme will be advertised in the national and provincial press.
218 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15583/06]
An application under the 2005 single payment scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2005. The person named also submitted an application for the transfer of entitlements by way of private contract clause, lease, under the 2005 scheme. As my Department has processed this application and transferred the entitlements to the applicant, payment will issue to him shortly.
219 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare did not receive the single payment for 2005; when they will receive payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15584/06]
The person named submitted an application for the transfer of entitlements by way of the inheritance measure under the single payment scheme. Following processing of his application he was notified that his application was successful. Consequently, payment under the single payment scheme can issue to the applicant shortly.
220 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications under the 2005 single payment scheme national reserve that were successful, in each category of application on a county basis; and the number of applications that were unsuccessful in each category on a county basis. [15585/06]
221 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications received in her Department under the 2005 single payment scheme national reserve; and the details on a county basis. [15586/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.
The position is that some 17,500 farmers submitted applications to the national reserve but when account is taken of the number of farmers who applied under two or more categories over 23,000 files have to be processed.
The following table sets out the number of farmers per county who applied under the national reserve, including those who applied under more that one category and the number accepted and rejected under the first tranche of allocations. Processing of applications is continuing and allocations will be made where appropriate over the coming weeks.
|
County Name |
No of Applications |
Acceptance |
Rejections |
|
Carlow |
204 |
62 |
63 |
|
Cavan |
649 |
193 |
243 |
|
Clare |
1,151 |
459 |
343 |
|
Cork |
1,886 |
443 |
848 |
|
Donegal |
753 |
197 |
299 |
|
Dublin |
73 |
15 |
37 |
|
Galway |
1,601 |
517 |
584 |
|
Kerry |
954 |
229 |
384 |
|
Kildare |
230 |
74 |
74 |
|
Kilkenny |
513 |
167 |
175 |
|
Laois |
390 |
128 |
135 |
|
Leitrim |
482 |
148 |
174 |
|
Limerick |
731 |
175 |
316 |
|
Longford |
637 |
98 |
98 |
|
Louth |
156 |
45 |
42 |
|
Mayo |
1,461 |
405 |
589 |
|
Meath |
438 |
126 |
173 |
|
Monaghan |
604 |
151 |
248 |
|
Offaly |
399 |
114 |
140 |
|
Roscommon |
852 |
296 |
285 |
|
Sligo |
584 |
177 |
256 |
|
Tipperary |
1,282 |
311 |
525 |
|
Waterford |
355 |
109 |
120 |
|
Westmeath |
384 |
149 |
117 |
|
Wexford |
470 |
108 |
152 |
|
Wicklow |
275 |
83 |
82 |
|
17,514 |
4,979 |
6,502 |
222 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the application for extra milk quota on hardship grounds for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [15613/06]
Allocations of milk quota from the national reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota from individual producers.
The person named applied to the tribunal in the 2005-06 quota year and the tribunal examined his application last January. They did not recommend an allocation of additional quota on that occasion, and the person was notified of this outcome in early February.
223 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if it is possible for a majority of landlords in a commonage area to agree to divide the land into individual plots. [15614/06]
Decisions affecting the structure of the holdings of shareholders in commonage land are a matter for the individual shareholders or owners themselves.
I understand that it is possible for the majority of shareholders of a commonage to pursue its division under the Partition Acts of 1868 and 1876 under which the High Court has the power to order the sale of such property and the division of the proceeds among the co-owners in proportion to their shares.
224 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will cause Article 26 of the nitrates directive to be amended to change the definition of an offence to avoid criminalising farmers who can manage their stock over the winter months with storage capacity below the minimum set in the regulations without causing pollution but who comply with regulations in all other respects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15726/06]
The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who has made regulations last December giving legal effect to the provisions of Ireland's action programme.
The regulations, which came into legal effect on 1 February 2006, specify the minimum storage capacities for livestock manure required on farm holdings and provides for reduced storage capacities in certain, clearly defined circumstances. Aspects of the regulations are currently being reviewed following a short de facto deferral of Part 3 of the regulations which covers nutrient management and the submission of new scientific advice from Teagasc. Any changes to the regulations will, however, have to be agreed with the European Commission.
I have announced a number of measures, including a revised and significantly improved farm waste management scheme, to assist farmers in meeting their obligations under the regulations. It remains the responsibility of the occupier of any holding to ensure that he or she has adequate storage.
225 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a single farm payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15727/06]
The person named submitted a 2005 single payment application declaring 27.31 hectares of forage land and received payment for 27.31 entitlements on 1 December 2005.
The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2005 single payment scheme national reserve under Category C. Category C caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, participated in the milk quota restructuring scheme and who converted to a farming sector for which a direct payment under the livestock and/or arable aid premium schemes would have been payable during the period 2000-2002.
A formal letter setting out my Department's decision has issued to the person named. However, should he be dissatisfied with my Department's decision, he has the opportunity to appeal this decision to the Independent Payment Appeals Committee. An appeals application form is available from any of my Department's offices or on the Department website at www.agriculture.gov.ie.
226 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the actions his Department has taken to give people an opportunity to make an observation or submission to the working group on domestic partnership; where the advertisements seeking submissions were placed; and when was same advertised. [15597/06]
227 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will extend the date for submissions to the working group on domestic partnership. [15598/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 619 and 620 of 25 April 2006. I have nothing further to add to that reply other than to state that the Working Group on Domestic Partnership advertised its terms of reference and sought submissions in the following newspapers: on 2 April 2006 in The Sunday Business Post, Ireland on Sunday, Sunday Independent, The Sunday Tribune and Sunday World, on 3 April 2006 in Irish Examiner, Irish Independent, The Irish Times and Metro, and on 8 April 2006 in Foinse.
228 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of requests for repatriation which have been received each year for the past ten years; the number which have been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15632/06]
I wish to advise the Deputy that information and statistics relating to applications under the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts 1995 and 1997 are contained in the annual reports by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the Houses of the Oireachtas on the operation of the Acts. I expect to lay the annual report for 2005 before the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming days. The last three annual reports are also available on my Department's website —www.justice.ie.
229 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in processing an application for repatriation from a person (details supplied), particularly since all required documentation has been with his Department since September 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15633/06]
I can confirm that my Department received the formal application for transfer of the person concerned from the United Kingdom authorities in September 2005. Various reports were then sought and received by my Department from bodies in this jurisdiction. The application was reviewed by the State's legal officers in order to ensure that the requirements of the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts 1995 and 1997 were satisfied. Having received their advices in the matter, my Department has requested and is awaiting further supporting documentation from the UK authorities on this application.
It should be noted that the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons requires extensive documentation to be exchanged between both jurisdictions in order to allow an application to be fully considered. A three-way consent is also required to enable any transfer to take place, that is, from the authorities of both jurisdictions and from the person concerned. On receipt of those consents, assuming they are forthcoming, an application must be made to the High Court for a warrant authorising the transfer of the person concerned and his or her continued detention here.
These procedures are required under the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts and must be adhered to in processing each application. Upon receipt of the documentation from the UK authorities and a review of same by the State's legal officers, I would expect to be in a position to make a decision on this application. I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to complete this process as quickly as possible.
230 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda stations which have working video recording interrogation or interview facilities; the number of such suites per station; the number of such suites which will be fitted out at the end of the tendering process on the supply and fitting of such equipment; the details of this tender; and the previous tender for supply of same. [15741/06]
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are 228 interview rooms in 131 Garda stations that have video interview recording facilities. The number of interview rooms per station varies between one and four units. Apart from a very small number of rooms that were fitted out prior to June 2000, the equipment has been drawn down from a contract put in place in April 2001.
With regard to future and additional requirements I am advised that the Garda Commissioner is proceeding to prepare a tender for issue to the market for the provision of additional audio video systems.
It should be noted that it was never the intention that all Garda stations would be equipped to carry out audio/video recording of interviews. Rather the intention was that a sufficient number of interview rooms in Garda stations across the country be equipped to provide a broad nationwide coverage.
231 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if unilaterally or in consultation with his EU colleagues, he has in mind proposals to combat child pornography on the Internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15747/06]
Measures to combat illegal materials and activities on the Internet are hampered by a multiplicity of jurisdictions, differing legal systems, and differing societal norms. Combatting illegal, harmful and predatory use of the Internet, therefore, requires a combination of responses at national, EU and international levels. Ireland is fully committed to continuing to play its part, at home and internationally, to both detect and prevent child pornography. Ireland's Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 is acknowledged as one of the most robust pieces of legislation anywhere.
With regard to enforcement, in Ireland, as well as in most jurisdictions, what is illegal off-line is considered illegal on-line. The Garda is committed to the investigation of all cases of child pornography and the importance of investigating the child protection issues involved in such cases. The paedophile investigation unit, which is located within the domestic violence and sexual assault unit of the national bureau of criminal investigation, is in existence since November 2002. This unit is tasked with the investigation and co-ordination of cases relating to the possession, production and distribution of child pornography and any alleged sexual abuse pertaining to it.
On the structural side, a system of self-regulation by the Internet service provider industry is in place, the components of which include an Internet Advisory Board, IAB, which promotes awareness of Internet downside issues and monitors the progress of self regulation by the Internet service provider industry and a public hotline for reporting child pornography; an industry code of practice and ethics setting out the duties and responsibilities of each Internet service provider.
The Internet Advisory Board was established in February 2000. As well as overseeing a self-regulatory regime for Irish Internet service providers, it encourages best practice procedures, provides advice and facilitates research in internet-related issues including child safety. My Department provides secretarial and other supports for the board's work. The hotline, www.hotline.ie, funded by the Internet Service Providers’ Association of Ireland with support from the EU safer Internet action plan, was launched in November 1999. It accepts and investigates reports from the public in relation to child pornography and other illegal material on the Internet. Special protocols operate between the Garda and the hotline, which maximise co-operation on law enforcement issues so that offences in the area of child pornography can be detected and prosecuted. The hotline’s recently published third report, covering the period July 2003 to December 2005, showed increasing levels of reporting of potentially illegal material by the public but no case where the material was confirmed as referring to illegal child pornography was traced as either hosted in, or distributed from, Ireland. The hotline works closely with, and is a founding member of the international INHOPE Association, www.inhope.org, a network of European hotlines which is expanding to all parts of the world. The INHOPE Association develops procedures and shares information on the best practices for the tracing and tracking of illegal child pornography.
The self-regulatory approach to Internet regulation is the norm at EU level and indeed world-wide. The Internet Advisory Board helps and supports the Irish Internet service provider industry to deliver an effective self-regulation environment, in accordance with a code of practice and ethics for the industry, agreed with the board in February 2002. The Irish code of practice and ethics is recognised throughout Europe as a model of its type.
The European Union has taken a strong line on combating child pornography and other illegal and harmful uses of the Internet. Since 1999, under the safer Internet action plan, the EU has provided financial and other supports for measures in the member states to combat illegal and harmful uses of the Internet, with particular emphasis on protecting children. A new EU action plan, safer Internet plus, covering the period 2005 to 2008, and with a budget of €45 million, was agreed under the Irish presidency in June 2004 and is now in operation. My Department is represented on the management committee for the programme.
The EU Council adopted a Framework Decision on Combating the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography on 22 December 2003. While Ireland's Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 is a particularly robust legislative measure, my Department is preparing additional legislative provisions to ensure compliance with this Framework Decision. Ireland signed up to the Council of Europe's Convention on Cybercrime in June 2002. The main objective of the convention is to foster international co-operation in protecting society against cybercrime. The convention deals specifically with the distribution of child pornography on the Internet, infringements of copyright, computer related fraud and violations of network security.
232 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make public the findings of the inquiry into the resignation of former chief executive officer (details supplied) from the Clare Vocational Educational Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15591/06]
The inquiry report was forwarded earlier this year to a number of individuals specifically referred to in the report. The report has also been provided to County Clare Vocational Education Committee and I have asked the VEC for its proposals in the light of the report's findings, following which I will consider what action to take. Once this process has concluded, I will consider the issue of wider circulation of the inquiry report.
233 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application for resource teaching for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be approved in view of the medical evidence submitted in support of their needs. [15592/06]
My Department provides a range of supports to second level school management to enable schools to cater for pupils with special educational needs. The supports in question include remedial and additional teaching support, special needs assistant support and funding for the purchase of specialised equipment. With effect from 1 January 2005, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, took over key functions from my Department in special educational provision. The NCSE was formally established as an independent statutory body on 1 October 2005 under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2005. The council acts under the broad policy direction of my Department but has the resources and the remit to play the leading role in the delivery of education services to children with disabilities-special needs. The NCSE co-ordinates with the health services, schools and other relevant bodies regarding the provision of education and related support services to children with disabilities-special needs.
The responsibilities of the NCSE include the following: deciding on applications for additional teaching support in respect of children with disabilities with special educational needs at second level; deciding on applications for special needs assistant, SNA, hours; and processing applications for school placement in respect of children with disabilities with special education needs. The precise model of provision made available at second level will depend on the assessed needs of the pupils involved. Some pupils are capable of attending ordinary classes on an integrated basis with additional teacher and-or special needs assistant support. In other cases, placement in special dedicated classes or units attached to the school may be the more appropriate response. Such special classes operate at significantly reduced pupil-teacher ratios. Pupils attached to these special classes may be facilitated in attending ordinary subject classes on an integrated basis wherever possible.
Under the new arrangements, the council, through the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, will process the relevant application for resources and inform the school of the outcome. In the case of decisions on additional teaching and SNA support, the SENO will outline the process to the school and parents, where appropriate, and will at the end of the process outline the basis on which the decision was made. My Department has been informed by the NCSE that the case referred to by the Deputy is under review by the SENO.
234 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in County Mayo has been removed from the school support programme 2006-2010; if her attention has been drawn to an application of appeal lodged in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15600/06]
The school has not been removed from the school support programme. It was not selected for inclusion in this new programme which is aimed at providing extra supports for the most disadvantaged schools in the country. Schools not included in the new programme have no reason to worry, as they have not been told that they will lose resources as a result of DEIS, rather they have been assured that they will continue to receive support in line with the level of disadvantage among their pupils. DEIS is designed to ensure that schools serving the most disadvantaged communities benefit from the maximum level of support available. Over the years, no less than eight separate schemes for disadvantaged primary schools have been put in place. Some schools were benefiting from just one or two of these and others were benefiting from more. The DEIS initiative is designed to ensure the most disadvantaged schools benefit from a comprehensive package of supports, while ensuring that others continue to get support in line with the level of disadvantage among their pupils.
Four urban-town primary schools, 59 rural primary schools and six second level schools in Mayo have been invited to participate in the new programme and almost 20% of all the rural schools invited to benefit from the new programme nationally are in Mayo. The new DEIS programme will be of huge benefit to schools in Mayo. The Deputy will agree it is important to make sure schools serving the most disadvantaged communities get all the additional support possible and he will welcome the extra resources that DEIS will provide for Mayo schools. I assure the Deputy that there is no reason for schools that have not been identified for the new programme to worry, as they will continue to receive support in line with the level of disadvantage among their pupils. None of these schools has been told that it will lose supports as a result of DEIS.
A review process has been put in place for primary and second level schools that did not qualify for participation in the new school support programme and that regard themselves as having a level of disadvantage which is of a scale sufficient to warrant their inclusion in the programme. The review process will operate under the direction of an independent person, charged with ensuring all relevant identification processes and procedures were properly followed in the case of schools applying for a review. The closing date for receipt of review applications was Friday, 31 March 2006.
The school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an application for review and a formal acknowledgement has issued to the school. It is anticipated the review process will be completed before the end of the current school year. The Deputy will agree that the additional supports being made available will be of great value to those schools in Mayo which, based on the information submitted by their principals, have been selected to benefit from the new programme.
While the rationale behind the new programme is to ensure the most disadvantaged schools benefit from all the available supports, schools that are benefiting from existing schemes will keep the additional resources — financial and human — that they are getting under these initiatives for the 2006-07 school year. After that they will continue to get support in line with the level of socioeconomic disadvantage among their pupils.
235 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools that have closed since 1996 in the Dublin South East, Dublin South and Dún Laoghaire constituencies; the new schools which have opened in the same period; and the change in numbers of school places over the period. [15728/06]
The following is a list of primary schools that have opened since 1996 in South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council areas: Monkstown Educate Together NS opened in 1997; Lucan Educate Together NS, opened in 1997; John Scottus NS, Dublin 4, opened in 1999; Griffeen Valley Educate Together NS, opened in 2002; Holy Trinity NS, Sandyford, opened in 2005; and Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan, opened in 2005. Information is not held by Dáil constituency. The following schools opened as a result of amalgamation: The Harold school, Glasthule, in 2001, formerly the Harold BNS and The Harold GNS; St. Anne's Primary School, Fettercairn, Tallaght, in 2003, formerly St. Anne's JNS; and St. Anne's SNS Archbishop McQuaid NS, Loughlinstown, in 2005, formerly Archbishop McQuaid JNS and Archbishop McQuaid SNS. In 2004, Archbishop Ryan NS, Balgaddy, reorganised to form a junior and senior national school. There were no primary school closures during this period.
The following post-primary schools commenced operation since 1996: Gaelcholaiste Leamhcáin, Lucan opened in 1997; Knocklyon community school, Dublin 16 opened in 2000; and John Scottus secondary school, Dublin 4 opened in 2000. The following post-primary schools have closed since 1996: Sandymount high school, Dublin 4, closed in 1999; St. Anne's secondary school, Milltown, Dublin 6, closed in 2000; and Pembroke school, Dublin 4, closed in June 2005.
236 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the extremely high pupil teacher ratios that feature in a school (details supplied) in County Kildare she will sanction and provide funding for the employment of an additional teacher in order to ensure the standard of teaching does not suffer as a result of overcrowding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15729/06]
The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management of the school referred to by the Deputy, the enrolment in the school on 30 September 2005 was 232 pupils. In accordance with the staffing schedule, circular 0023/2006, which has issued to all primary schools and is also available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, the mainstream staffing in the school for the 2006-07 school year will be a principal and eight mainstream class teachers. To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeal board is in place to decide on appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department primary circular 24/06. The board of management of the school in question has submitted an appeal to the staffing appeal board. The appeal will be considered by the board at a meeting which is scheduled to take place in May. The board of management will be notified of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible thereafter. The appeal board operates independently of the Minister and my Department and its decision is final. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate to intervene in the operation of the independent appeal board.
237 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in the event that the schools in a town (details supplied) in County Kildare establish a mutually acceptable enrolment policy she will allow a school to open up its enrolment to include classes other than junior infants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15730/06]
The school to which the Deputy refers is a new school, which opened in September 2005. It accommodates two junior infant classes. When fully occupied, the school will operate as a two-stream 16-classroom school. To enable it develop in this manner, it can only enrol two junior infant classes annually. This incremental development is common to all newly established schools to ensure a shortage of accommodation at the school is avoided by an over enrolment in the early stages and crucially, to ensure that the enrolments and staffing levels in other schools in the area, where older pupils would inevitably be drawn, are not adversely affected. Notwithstanding this position and as an exceptional matter, the school has been given approval to enrol three junior infant classes for the next school year on the grounds that this will not impact negatively on the other schools in question.
Typically, a new school commences in temporary accommodation. Accommodation is provided incrementally, thereafter, to meet the schools junior infant intake level each year in the context of junior infant accommodation available in other schools in the area. A new school would have achieved a certain sustainable growth level without affecting other schools before transferring to its permanent accommodation. Its developmental curve would continue on this basis until all its accommodation is in use. Because a building is available for the school in question at inception does not mean that an orderly growth can be abandoned, given the effect that excessive enrolments will have on other schools in the area that have also been funded by the taxpayer. While enrolment policies are a matter for school authorities, the Department expects the enrolment polices of individual schools to complement the demand for pupil places in an area and, as in this case, to assist the growth of the new school in an orderly fashion. This is in the best interests of the schools, pupils and wider community alike.
Fundamentally, the existing schools, which have served the community well, particularly by obliging with extra pupil places when there was severe pressure for such places in recent years, have a level of accommodation and teaching allocations in place. This cannot be ignored because a new school and a new building have come on stream which will, in their own right, cater for the continuing needs of the area as time goes by as was always my Department's intention. The question is how to support the new school until it is in a position to operate within the confines of its own current funding resources which will grow year on year. This is under discussion with the board of management.
238 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on the building of a new school (details supplied) in County Galway; the status of this project; when construction of the school will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15731/06]
239 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by a school (details supplied) in County Galway in catering for the number of children seeking places there due to the lack of classrooms, toileting areas, storage and so on; the action she will take to address the situation; her plans for so doing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15732/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together.
An application for capital funding towards the provision of a new school building has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. An assessment of the school's current and projected accommodation needs is under way in conjunction with the school authority. The building project required to deliver suitable accommodation for the school's needs will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2006 to 2010. In the meantime, my Department continues to fully fund the cost of rental of temporary accommodation for the school in question.
240 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the proposed sewerage scheme for Killybegs, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15587/06]
The Killybegs sewerage scheme has been approved for construction under my Department's water services investment programme 2005-07 at an estimated cost of €17.5 million. The wastewater treatment plants for both Killybegs and Bundoran will be procured under a single design/build/operate contract. Donegal County Council's preliminary reports for both the Killybegs and Bundoran sewerage schemes are under examination in my Department in conjunction with more recently submitted water services pricing policy reports for both schemes. I expect my Department to be in a position to convey a decision to the council within a matter of weeks. When the preliminary reports are approved, the council will be in a position to proceed with the preparation of tender documents.
241 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15616/06]
A reply to this correspondence issued on 18 April 2006.
242 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the directive he has issued to Mayo County Council regarding the water supply in the Cloontia and Doocastle region in County Sligo; if his attention has been drawn to the conditions this person encountered due to lack of a basic adequate water supply; the steps he will take to redress this matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15617/06]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 418 of 6 April 2006.
243 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has issued guidance to local authorities on the implementation of the Planning and Development Act 2001 as it relates to unauthorised developments in view of the reasoned judgement by the European Commission which sought to outlaw permission to retain structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15724/06]
A reasoned opinion was received from the European Commission on 5 January 2005 on planning enforcement procedures for unauthorised developments in which environmental impact assessments are required. A formal response issued to the Commission on 8 March 2005. My Department has not received any further formal communication from the Commission or from the European Court of Justice and no guidelines have been issued to local authorities. The issue raised about retention does not relate to the generality of this provision which has been part of the planning code since 1963.
Environment Commissioner Dimas visited Ireland on 2 and 3 March and I had very useful and informal discussions with him on a wide range of issues, including that referred to in the question. It would not be appropriate for me to disclose the detail of these discussions, which were of course without prejudice to any legal proceedings which may continue between Ireland the European Commission.
244 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will remove the requirement for non-party independent candidates in elections to have 15 assentors for local elections and 30 assentors for general elections, such practice being undemocratic in requiring members of the public to publicly identify with a candidate at election time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15725/06]
The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2002 provides that non-party candidates at European, Dáil and local elections must have their nomination paper assented to by 60, 30 and 15 persons respectively who are registered in the register of electors in the constituency or local electoral area to which the candidate is seeking election. The form is left in a local authority office for the assentors to sign and they must produce a specified photographic identification document. Details of the procedures for assenting are included in the notes to the nomination papers. The assentors requirement was introduced following a High Court judgment in 2001 which held that the deposits system was unconstitutional. Many other countries have some requirements, whether signatures, deposits or both, for candidates standing at elections in order to ensure that candidates have a serious intent. While electoral law is subject to ongoing review, there are no proposals to alter the existing arrangements.
