Vol. 637 No. 3
70 Deputy P. J Sheehan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the €71 million the Health Service Executive failed to spend on capital projects in 2006 can be carried over to fund capital development in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17731/07]
78 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children if capital projects are multi-annual in nature; the reason allocated capital funding is not automatically transferred from one year to the next; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17738/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 78 together.
The final out-turn on Vote expenditure for the Health Service Executive, showed a capital saving of €114m of which €42m was used to offset a revenue overspend and a further €47m was used to offset a shortfall in projected Appropriations-in-Aid. This left a balance of €25m to be surrendered to the Exchequer.
The Health Service Executive's Appropriation Account for 2006 will show an overall surrender of €365m — the €25m capital and €340m in respect of the Long Stay Repayment Scheme. Unspent capital funding can not automatically be transferred from one year to the next. However, under Section 91 of the Finance Act, 2004, Government Departments and the Health Service Executive may apply to carry over up to ten per cent of any net underspend on the capital Vote to the following year. If approved by the Minister for Finance, provision for such carry over is made in the Appropriation Act for that year.
However, the HSE was not in a position to provide a firm projection of its net capital expenditure saving for 2006 within the prescribed time limit. As a result, the Appropriation Act 2006 does not include any provision for the carry over by the HSE of its €25 capital saving. The HSE has taken steps to strengthen its capital management capacity, including the establishment of a single national Estates function and the appointment of a new Director of Estates. The level of capital funding provided to the HSE for 2007 will support a continuing high level of investment in our public health services and will enable the completion and commissioning of many new acute and community health care facilities.
71 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Health and Children her views in response to the recent statement by the chief executive of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin that a reduction in whole time equivalents would have massive service implications, unacceptable safety risks and inefficiencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17718/07]
83 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin has been directed to bring its number of staff down to approved levels and that this will have serious implications for the ability of the hospital to continue to provide quality care; her further views on reports that the Health Service Executive has ordered other hospitals and voluntary organisations to reduce their staff numbers by 1000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17585/07]
102 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason funding was reduced during 2007 for Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17717/07]
120 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff to be let go at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin following a recent letter from the Health Service Executive to the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17716/07]
145 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the jobs that will be lost at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin following the direction from the Health Service Executive; the services these cutbacks will effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17644/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 83, 102, 120 and 145 together.
I wish to state at the outset that, by the end of this year, there will be substantially more staff working in delivering frontline health care services than at the start. In this context, discussions are ongoing between my Department and the Department of Finance in relation to new posts required this year to reflect policy initiatives and service developments throughout the health service.
It is a long-standing feature of the public service that both pay levels and serving numbers have been subject to a range of control mechanisms to manage Exchequer costs. The Government needs to have available to it a clear understanding of both the numbers and grade make-up of the various sectors of the public service. Such information is vital in circumstances where the Government is seeking to manage its overall fiscal, particularly expenditure, policy and in assessing future public service pension liabilities.
In December 2006 a revised employment ceiling for the health service of 108,000 expressed in whole time equivalents was sanctioned. This represented an increase of 10,450 over the previous approved ceiling. In conveying this sanction, the HSE was asked to ensure that staff costs are controlled and managed to best effect, that an appropriate balance is achieved between clinical and non-clinical posts, that there is a better skill mix within the clinical areas and that staffing levels provide cost-effective and safe/quality care to patients.
Sanction for the revised employment ceiling of 108,000 was, however, subject to the condition that a revised employment ceiling of 107,000 would apply with effect from the end of 2007, i.e. an implicit reduction of 1,000 posts is to be secured through better management of staff resources. This represents an effort to increase efficiency of staff resources by less than 1 per cent, even as staff levels for service developments are being increased substantially.
I am aware of ongoing, routine discussions between the HSE and Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin in relation to budgetary performance. As part of these discussions the hospital has been advised of its requirement to deliver services in line with the Service Plan and to operate within its employment ceiling. The HSE is working closely with the Hospital with a view to ensuring that the delivery of services is in line with the Hospital's Service Plan and that the Hospital operates within its employment ceiling.
72 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to ensure a national approach to asthma management here; her views on whether asthma should be covered by the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17610/07]
Asthma is not a notifiable disease and consequently, detailed information on its incidence in the general population is not routinely available. From the research available in this country, however, asthma is a common childhood condition with approximately 10% having experienced an attack of asthma. Similar to other European countries, the level of asthma has increased and is now approximately 20% in young teenagers.
There are a variety of risk factors for asthma, including environmental and genetic factors. In recent years, the Health Research Board has funded a number of proposals relating to asthma and respiratory disease. Legislation on smoking at work has also provided greater protection from toxic tobacco smoke which contributes to asthma. There is a major international research effort underway to identify risk factors for asthma. Ireland's involvement included the European Union's Joint Research Council initiative on childhood asthma and the co-ordination of an EU approach under the Irish Presidency of the European Union in 2004. Ireland has participated in international prevalence studies on asthma and there is ongoing work on the development of information systems on asthma.
I have no plans to include asthma in the Long Term Illness scheme. People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations.
Non-medical card holders and people whose illness is not covered by the LTI scheme can use the Drug Payment Scheme, which protects against excessive medicines costs. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €85 per calendar month, or approximately €20 per week, towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is easy to use and significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, the Deputy will be aware that non-reimbursed medical expenses above a set threshold may be offset against tax.
73 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on calls for additional investment at the National MRSA Reference Laboratory and the fact that the laboratory is currently not in a position to give hospitals the support they need in tackling the problem of MRSA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17614/07]
The National MRSA Reference Laboratory is operated by St. James's Hospital. It is a purpose-built facility that provides an essential national support to the overall HSE effort in dealing with the problem of MRSA through a range of services. The current budget for the Laboratory is just over €270,000. Plans for expansion of its operation and resources have been submitted to and are under consideration by the HSE which provides the funding. Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) including MRSA is a priority for the Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). I share the public concern in relation to MRSA. The HSE recently launched its ‘Say No to Infection' action plan and a new HCAI Governance Group was established. This Group will manage the HSEs approach to tackling HCAIs including MRSA and is responsible for reducing infection levels in Ireland's healthcare facilities. The Group is supported by eight Local Implementation Teams to ensure that all local facilities are focused on achieving the targets set down.
Over the next three to five years the plan aims to reduce HCAIs by 20%, MRSA infections by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20%. These targets will be achieved through the development of national and local level action plans to reduce the potential for spread of infections between persons in healthcare settings and to reduce and alter antibiotic use in Ireland. The Group has already agreed a detailed Infection Control Action Plan. This Plan involves a number of targeted actions, based on best practice, that will be delivered across the healthcare system.
The HSE has clear hygiene and infection control standards, has undertaken initiatives on reducing antibiotic consumption and education of the public and of health professionals, including a T.V. and media campaign. In addition, the HSE is currently appointing a number of new infection control nurses, surveillance scientists and antibiotic pharmacists. These staff will strengthen specialist support for infection control and facilitate the development of the national surveillance system. I have also instructed the HSE that designated private beds should be used where isolation facilities are required for patients who contract MRSA. While accepting that not all HCAIs are preventable, I am satisfied that significant steps are being taken to reduce the rates of infection and to treat them promptly when they occur.
74 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has taken place in the development of a professional meals on wheels service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17712/07]
The Meals on Wheels service is an important element of the community and domiciliary care provided to older people. The Government has recognised this by providing an additional €2.5m in both 2006 and 2007 for the service. This has resulted in an increase of 50% in the funding for this service. In addition, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has provided additional capital funding to ensure that quality standards are put in place and maintained by voluntary groups. Meals on Wheels is generally provided on the basis of grant payments by the HSE to voluntary groups which in turn undertake the day-to-day management and delivery of the service.
The HSE also provides a range of other supports to the voluntary groups through the community workers in each Local Health Office area, their Environmental Health Officers and their community nutrition service. For example, training has been provided on food safety and hygiene, healthy eating and financial management. Service Level Agreements are now in place with the larger organisations who deliver this service and Community Work Departments have provided training to voluntary management committees on standards, guidelines and financial management of the service.
75 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to the publication of the Teamwork report and the recent release of a Health Service Executive document entitled Teamwork Implementation Project, she will confirm that the accident and emergency departments of hospitals in Monaghan and Dundalk will be closed in 2008 and in Navan in 2009; the 48 jobs that will be lost as a result of this cutback of services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17727/07]
104 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the Health Service Executive regarding the implementation of the Teamwork report proposals which would see further loss of services in Monaghan, Dundalk and Navan hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17351/07]
114 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the selection process for the location of the new regional hospital in the north east; the criteria for this selection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17631/07]
152 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of submissions received proposing a location for the new regional hospital in the north east; the persons who made the applications; their proposed location; the date a decision will be made on the location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17643/07]
156 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether, further to the release of the Teamwork Implementation Project document, it is safe to withdraw local accident and emergency services without alternative services being in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17728/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 104, 114, 152 and 156 together.
I am familiar with the approach being adopted by the Health Service Executive in seeking to improve safety and standards across the acute hospital network in the North East Region, having regard to the issues raised in the Teamwork Management Services Report — "Improving Safety and Achieving Better Standards — An Action Plan for Health Services in the North East". The Teamwork Report includes a number of recommendations to improve patient care in the region. It particularly highlights the need to develop a high quality, responsive emergency and planned service, in line with international standards. It recommends that there be one major regional hospital in the North East, supported by the five existing local hospitals. The new hospital is to provide emergency and trauma services on a 24 hour basis and also provide planned specialist procedures that are complex and require the facilities of a large regional hospital.
The hospital reconfiguration process is being overseen by the HSE Steering Group which is leading the project. No decision has been made to date on the location of the new regional hospital. A sub-committee of the Steering Group was established to progress the issue of site selection. Following a tendering process, the HSE appointed consultants to carry out an independent site location study. The study, which the HSE expects to be finalised in August, will take account of various criteria including demographics, access, planning and development considerations and interdependencies.
The specific issues relating to the criteria for the selection process and submissions relating to the new hospital are a matter for the HSE. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have these issues investigated and to reply directly to the relevant deputies.
The first step in the development of a fully integrated regional health service is to ensure that the people of the North East have local access to both routine planned care and immediate life saving emergency care. Over the next few years, in preparation for all acute emergency in-patient care and complex planned care being provided at a regional centre, services at the existing five hospitals will continue to be improved. My Department has been advised that the existing hospitals will continue to provide services which meet the majority of health needs of the community.
The HSE has given me an assurance that, in progressing the implementation of the Teamwork Report, there will be no discontinuation of existing services until suitable alternative arrangements have been put in place. The HSE advises that the implementation plan will involve some level of redeployment of existing staff, including the 48 staff referred to, but that the plan will result in an increase in the overall number of staff in the region.
76 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the urgently needed completion of phase 2B Longford/Westmeath General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17477/07]
Phase 2B of the development of the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar is divided into two stages. The completion of the first stage of the project will increase the bed complement from 215 to 244. This phase includes the fit out of the existing ward shells, the refurbishment of the existing paediatric and obstetric wards and an interim Special Care Baby Unit. The HSE has advised that the fit out of the existing ward shells is scheduled for completion by the end of September. These wards will then be utilised to facilitate the completion of the refurbishment of the existing paediatric and obstetric wards and the development of the interim Special Care Baby Unit.
The second stage of the project, which proposes to increase the bed complement to 324, is estimated to cost in the region of €48 million. It includes a new Acute Psychiatric Department, an Intensive Care Unit, a new Medicine for Elderly/Rehabilitation Unit, increased capacity in the Medical Assessment Unit and increased capacity for day procedures.
In accordance with Department of Finance requirements, any capital project in the Health Sector costing more than €30 million requires a detailed cost benefit analysis. My Department is advised by the HSE that this analysis has now been completed in respect of the second stage of the Phase 2B development at Mullingar and is due to be considered by the Executive shortly.
77 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children when the cancer strategy implementation report is due to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17737/07]
The aim of the National Cancer Control Strategy, which was published in June 2006, is to reduce our cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality rates relative to other Member States of the European Union. This Government is committed to investing significantly in the implementation of the Strategy to build on the improvements we have made in recent years, particularly the improvements in survival in all the major cancers.
The HSE, at my Department's request, is conducting a national needs assessment for cancer control which will set out priorities in the medium term. I have made available an additional €20.5m this year for cancer control. This is an increase of 74% on the comparable 2006 investment and includes €3.5m to support the initial implementation of the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. The Programme will manage, organise and deliver cancer control on a whole population basis. It will have a strong emphasis on prevention and early detection, integrated across primary, hospital, supportive and palliative care.
The Service Plan of the HSE for this year sets out the detailed deliverables of the Programme. This includes the establishment of the leadership team to implement the Programme, including the Director of the Programme and key medical leaders at network level. I wish to see the appointment of a Director as soon as possible and my Department is in discussions with the HSE to expedite such an appointment.
79 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if her Department has guidelines or standards on the required staffing complements of midwives and nurses for maternity hospitals; and if not, her views on whether the service is adequately staffed in this regard. [17478/07]
My Department has not issued guidelines on the nursing and midwifery complements for maternity hospitals. Subject to overall parameters set by Government the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In this regard, it is a matter for the HSE to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public.
The HSE has recently commissioned a comprehensive review of maternity and gynaecology services in the Greater Dublin Area. This review will include an evaluation of current capacity, usage and deployment of consultants, midwives, beds, neonatal care, theatres, outreach clinics, home care, emergency facilities, diagnostics, gynaecology and other services provided. An independent report will be produced which will make recommendations on the optimal configuration of primary, community and hospital services for safe, sustainable, cost effective and high quality maternity services.
The Government has invested heavily in the education and training of these professions to provide for the healthcare needs of the population. I provided funding for a new direct entry midwifery degree programme which commenced in six higher education institutes in autumn 2006. This programme will reduce the time it currently takes to train midwives. There are 140 places available on this programme each year. The post registration midwifery programmes are also continuing. The current two year post registration midwifery programme is to be replaced by an 18 month programme in autumn 2007 which should make it more attractive to potential candidates. There will be 154 places available on this programme nationally. The combination of the direct entry and post registration programmes will increase the supply of midwives in response to existing and anticipated future workforce needs within a changing health service.
80 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cancelled elective operations in each area in 2005 and 2006 and to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17589/07]
87 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of elective surgeries that were cancelled in each of the health regions for 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17630/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 87 together.
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. The HSE monitors the level of elective activity in each acute hospital. A month on month comparison of elective activity for 2006 compared with 2005 was carried out by the HSE and it did not indicate any significant change in the proportion of elective work. The analysis also suggested that elective activity had not suffered as a consequence of the focus on managing A & E performance.
The National Hospitals Office (NHO) of the HSE is responsible for the collection and publication of performance data on acute hospitals nationally. The NHO has been implementing a system across all NHO hospitals during late 2006 and 2007 to collect a range of performance monitoring data, including information on cancellation rates. Depending on hospital systems, start dates for collection of this information has varied across the hospitals. My Department has requested the HSE to furnish as much information as possible to the Deputy in the matter.
81 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of part-time nursing home inspectorate teams; the number of people on these teams and their expertise; their geographical area of responsibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17689/07]
The well-being of older people living in nursing homes is of critical concern. Formal standards are a key requirement for inspection and registration. The present standards for nursing homes are set out in the 1993 Care and Welfare Regulations and the Health Service Executive (HSE) inspects private nursing homes on the basis of these standards. In 2006 a HSE Working Group produced a report on nursing home inspections and registrations. Last July the Executive began a phased implementation of all the Group's recommendations. There is now in place a national standardised approach to nursing home inspections across the system and this currently underpins the inspection process.
The HSE has made important improvements to its nursing home inspections process since the Working Group report was completed. It has been working to standardise the reports and has engaged with the nursing home inspection teams and with the private nursing homes sector. It is now putting in place dedicated Nursing Home Inspection Teams. All inspections are now unannounced and nursing homes are now inspected at least twice a year. All inspection reports are now available on the HSE website. The Government has allocated an extra €6m for the further development of the nursing home inspection process in 2007-2008.
The HSE has advised my Department that the principal expertise involved in inspections is that of medical, nursing and environmental health professionals. Staff are currently employed on both a full time and part time basis and the position can be summarised as follows: In HSE West, there are 6 teams comprising of 6 Medical Officers, 6 Nursing Staff, 9 Environmental Health Officers (WTE) and 2 Clerical Officers undertaking inspections in Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary, Donegal, Roscommon, Mayo Galway and Sligo/Leitrim; in HSE South, there are 9 teams comprising of 9 Medical Officers, 9 Nursing Staff and 9 Environmental Health Officers undertaking inspections in Cork -South Lee, North Lee, West, and North, Carlow / Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Kerry; in HSE Dublin North East there is one centralised team covering Dublin North East, Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan. The team comprises of 2 Medical Officers, 7 full-time and 2 part time Nursing Staff and an Environmental Health Officer as required; in HSE Dublin Mid Leinster there are 9 teams consisting of 10 Medical Officers, 19 Nursing Staff, 7 Environmental Health Officers and 10 Therapists undertaking inspections in Dublin South City, Dublin South West, Dublin South East, Dublin West, Dublin South/Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow, Kildare/West Wicklow, Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. Donegal, Limerick and Dublin North East teams work full time on the inspection process. The remaining teams consist of staff working on inspections part time. Forty additional posts have been approved since the beginning of 2007 and the majority of these posts have now been put in place. The approach in the implementation of these new posts is being tailored to meet the needs of each area.
Finally I would like to advise the Deputy that the Health Act 2007 provides for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority on a statutory basis. It also provides for the registration and inspection of all nursing homes — public, private and voluntary. Inspections will be carried out by the Social Services Inspectorate, part of HIQA. The HSE is liaising with HIQA to facilitate this and transition arrangements will be agreed as we move towards the new system of inspections which will be governed by HIQA in line with the recently enacted legislation.
82 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the nursing home repayments scheme; the reason for the delays in refunding people; if her attention has been drawn to the difficulty in getting information about refunds and delays; the amount of money it is expected to repay; the total repaid to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17599/07]
The health repayment scheme was launched in August 2006 and is administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in conjunction with the appointed Scheme Administrator KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald. The position at 15th June, 2007 was that 3,200 offers of repayment, with a value of approximately €60m have been issued by the scheme administrator. Arising from these offers approximately 1,800 repayments with a value of approximately €38m have been made to date. The rate of repayment is lower than had been projected. I understand from the HSE that this is due to a number of factors including the legal and technical requirements, a high level of deficiencies in the application forms submitted to the scheme administrator and complexities in the operation of the probate process. In accordance with the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006, priority has been given to repaying living applicants as they were most immediately affected, however repayments to estates have now commenced.
A dedicated website, an information phone line and an e-mail facility have been established by the scheme administrator to assist the public in accessing claim forms and general information on the scheme. The information line operates between the hours of 9.00 am and 6.00 pm Monday to Friday. The helpline has dealt with over 50,000 queries to date. The HSE is monitoring the operation of the repayment scheme and has agreed a range of initiatives with the scheme administrator to speed up the repayment process. The closing date for receipt of applications is 31st December 2007 and I have been informed by the HSE that final repayments should be made by mid 2008.
84 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the new consultant contract; the principal differences between this contract and the common contract agreed in 1997; if consultants will be able to consult private patients under the revised contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17697/07]
90 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the new consultant contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17665/07]
101 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made on the renegotiation of the hospital consultants contract since the dissolution of the 29th Dáil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17354/07]
106 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding the consultant contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17601/07]
178 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the current consultant contract talks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17736/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 90, 101, 106 and 178 together.
The independent chairman of the negotiations, Mr Mark Connaughton SC., has put forward proposals for a Framework Agreement between the employing authorities in the health service and consultants. I have recently met with the organisations representing the consultants, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association and the Irish Medical Organisation, and both organisations expressed their willingness to resume talks within the context of the chairman's proposed framework. I have also met with Mr Connaughton and I am hopeful that the talks process will get underway again shortly and will be concluded by early Autumn.
In relation to consultants engaging in private practice I would like to emphasise that all patients, whether public or private, and subject to clinical need, should receive equitable access to care provided by consultants on public hospital campuses and public community facilities. Where private practice is carried out on public hospital campuses/community facilities, it must not compromise patients' access to consultant-provided care and must be compatible with an equitable and efficient allocation of public funds. In this regard management has already proposed two variants of a new contract: Type A whereby consultants will not receive private fees and Type B where consultants will have access to private practice on-site within agreed parameters.
I would like to remind Deputies that the current consultants' contract needs to be reformed in order to achieve the following objectives: a consultant-provided rather than a consultant-led service; greater flexibility in consultants' work practices and working times; a clearly defined commitment by consultants to the public hospital system; the introduction of consultant team-working as the norm; enhancement of the role of consultants with respect to managerial and financial accountability; a more pro-active and strategic role for consultants in the supervision, education and training of NCHDs; and more effective planning and monitoring of consultants' services.
85 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the timeframe for implementation of the commitment made in the programme for Government for medical card eligibility for parents of children under six; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17613/07]
The Programme for Government commits, in the context of the application and assessment process for a medical card or GP visit card, to a doubling of the income limit eligibility of parents of children under 6 years of age. My Department is at present considering the steps required to enable this commitment to be implemented. As is normal practice, the timeframe for implementing the Programme for Government commitment in relation to eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards in respect of children under 6 years of age will be considered by me and the Government in due course.
86 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether MRSA and other hospital acquired infections are under-reported here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17734/07]
MRSA is not a notifiable disease. The Health Surveillance Centre of the HSE collects data on MRSA but this would not be regarded as a comprehensive national surveillance system. However, key personnel have now been employed by the HSE in this area and it is expected that a national hospital HCAI surveillance system will be in place in the near future. This will provide inter hospital comparisons which will drive best practice in this important area.
88 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children the arrangements within her Department for liaison with the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in the Six Counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17357/07]
The Research, EU and International Unit in my Department has responsibility for overseeing and coordinating North/South co-operation in the health sector and for direct liaison with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, DHSSPS. There is regular on-going contact between officials from the Unit and their counterparts in the DHSSPS. to ensure that co-operation continues in the designated areas and to explore further potential areas for co-operation.
89 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number and location of primary care centres established to date in relation to the national primary care strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17714/07]
128 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of primary care teams established to date in relation to the national primary care strategy; the location of these teams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17713/07]
149 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of primary care teams established to date; the location of these teams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17725/07]
171 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of purpose built primary care centres open to date; the location of these centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17726/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 128, 149 and 171 together.
The Primary Care Strategy aims to develop services in the community to give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, home helps, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others. It has been estimated that up to 95% of people's health and social services needs can be properly met within a primary care setting and the establishment of new Primary Care Teams can contribute greatly to enhancing community based health services.
The Health Service Executive received an additional €10m in funding in 2006 to enable the establishment of up to 100 Primary Care Teams in development; a further €22m is being provided in 2007 to meet the full year costs of the 2006 developments and to enable a further 100 Primary Care Teams in development to be established. The Government has committed under the Towards 2016 agreement to the establishment of 300 Primary Care Teams by 2008; 400 by 2009; and 500 by 2011. A review of these targets will be undertaken in 2008.
The provision of the appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of primary care services is being considered by the Health Service Executive, having regard to a number of factors. These include the type and configuration of the services involved, the mixed public/private nature of our health system, the suitability of existing infrastructure and the capital requirements of the health services generally over the coming years.
As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular matters raised by the Deputies. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have replies issued directly to the Deputies.
91 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children the action taken by her Department to combat the stigma associated with mental illness since the publication of A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17629/07]
"A Vision for Change" the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, which was launched in January 2006, recommends that mental health promotion programmes should focus on those interventions known to enhance protective factors and decrease risk factors for developing mental health problems.
During 2006, the National Office for Suicide Prevention progressed planning for an all-island mental health awareness campaign. Phase One of the campaign was launched in March 2007 with the launch of a TV advert campaign both here and in Northern Ireland. Development of Phase Two of the campaign is being led by the National Office for Suicide Prevention and commenced with launch of a national public attitudes survey on mental health in April, 2007. The aim of the campaign is to develop, in conjunction with voluntary organisations, a national multimedia campaign to combat the stigma of mental health and to encourage the seeking of help.
92 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to ensure that clinical audits, as obliged under the 1997 consultants contract, are conducted and reported on at a national level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17699/07]
In March 2007 the Comptroller and Auditor General produced a report on the operation of the medical consultants' contract. The report found that there was limited follow-through on the obligations set out in the contract concerning clinical audit. The report indicated that consultants have a pivotal role to play in this area and consequently future contractual arrangements should address the obligations of the respective parties and the mechanisms through which clinical audit will be implemented.
I am advised by the Health Service Executive that a significant amount of clinical audit is already undertaken by consultants and their teams in the hospital setting. Currently the National Hospitals Office is developing a framework for quality and risk management and continuous quality improvement across the acute hospital sector. A comprehensive programme of clinical audit, that includes involving professional groups in multi-professional clinical audit, will be one of the key elements of continuous quality improvement in the framework.
Earlier this year I launched the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance which will advise on the most appropriate systems for patient safety, including the participation by all health care staff in audit programmes which will aim to ensure quality improvement. The Commission is expected to report mid-2008.
93 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has received the annual report of the Health Service Executive for 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17352/07]
Under Section 37 of the Health Act, 2004, the Health Service Executive must submit a copy of the Annual Report to my Department within 21 days of its adoption by the Board. The Annual Report was submitted in line with this legislation on 11 May, 2007. Under Section 37 (4) of the Health Act, 2004, it is my responsibility to ‘ensure that copies of the Annual Report are laid before each House of the Oireachtas'. I wish to inform the Deputy that the Annual Report was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 1 June, 2007.
94 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the timeframe for publication of a report (details supplied); if HIQA will be involved in investigating the misdiagnosis of another person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17619/07]
The investigation by the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, into the care provided by the HSE to the named individual commenced earlier this month. While the exact duration of the investigation cannot be fixed, it is predicted at this stage that HIQA will complete their Report by October 2007. In the case of the second person named by the Deputy it has not yet been decided whether it might be necessary for HIQA to initiate an investigation.
95 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Health and Children the other directions made by the Health Service Executive to reduce staffing numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17719/07]
I wish to state at the outset that, by the end of this year, there will be substantially more staff working in delivering front-line health care services than at the start. It is a long-standing feature of the public service that both pay levels and serving numbers have been subject to a range of control mechanisms to manage Exchequer costs. The Government needs to have available to it a clear understanding of both the numbers and grade make up of the various sectors of the public service. Such information is vital in circumstances where the Government is seeking to manage its overall fiscal, particularly expenditure, policy and in assessing future public service pension liabilities.
In December 2006 a revised employment ceiling for the health service of 108,000 expressed in whole time equivalents was sanctioned. This represented an increase of 10,450 over the previous approved ceiling. In conveying this sanction, the HSE was asked to ensure that staff costs are controlled and managed to best effect, that an appropriate balance is achieved between clinical and non-clinical posts, that there is a better skill mix within the clinical areas and that staffing levels provide cost-effective and safe/quality care to patients.
Sanction for the revised employment ceiling of 108,000 was, however, subject to the condition that a revised employment ceiling of 107,000 would apply with effect from the end of 2007, i.e. an implicit reduction of 1,000 posts is to be secured through better management of staff resources. This represents an effort to increase efficiency of staff resources by less than 1 per cent, even as staff levels for service developments are being increased substantially.
96 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the name and location of laboratories to which backlogged cervical smear tests are sent; the cost of sending these specimens to private laboratories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17622/07]
127 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the name and location of all laboratories here; the number of these which are fully accredited; the reason the remainder are not accredited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17624/07]
141 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is policy to outsource cervical smear tests to private laboratories; the cost of this outsourcing; the extent to which private laboratories are used across the country; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17594/07]
172 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to address staff shortages in laboratories here in order that tests do not have to be sent abroad to private laboratories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17623/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 127, 141 and 172 together.
The Deputies' 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. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond directly to the Deputies in relation to the matters raised.
97 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children the way she plans to address the shortage of long stay rehabilitation beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17740/07]
The Deputy may wish to know that while the main emphasis will continue to be on providing supports that help older people to remain in their own home for as long as possible, additional long-stay residential places will be required in the coming years to meet the needs of an ageing population. Last year, the HSE, in conjunction with Prospectus, undertook a Needs Assessment of bed capacity requirements in the areas of long-stay, dementia specific and respite care beds. This report was submitted to the Department of Health and Children in September 2006. While the report indicates a small national surplus of long-stay beds, it also notes that this surplus masks the uneven distribution of beds between and within regions. In particular, HSE Dublin North east and HSE South have an immediate requirement for additional beds. This shortage is being addressed by the measures outlined below.
In 2006, the HSE contracted a total of 1,050 extra beds in the private nursing home sector. A total of €28m is being allocated to cover the full year cost in 2007 of these beds. In addition, the HSE hopes to contract a further 350 beds in 2007 at a cost of €12m. 220 of these will be procured in the Greater Dublin area and 100 will be procured in HSE South.The HSE also proposes to expand public capacity by 397 beds in 2007 and by 408 in 2008. This expansion will take account of the regional variations identified in the HSE/Prospectus report. The running costs in full year of this additional public capacity will be €42m. According to the overview document for A Fair Deal there is a total of 9,488 beds in public nursing homes including Welfare Homes of which about 8,250 are long-stay beds. Approximately 7,415 older people currently occupy public long-term care beds. Overall between public and private residential facilities there are currently 21,200 older people in long-term residential care nationally. This equates to 4.6% of the over 65 population nationally.
As well as the provision of domiciliary services to support older people to remain living in their own homes, quality residential care facilities will be available to provide, not only long stay beds, but also assessment, diagnostic, rehabilitation, day care and respite services to help prevent hospitalisation and/or admission to long-stay care.
98 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people eligible for the full medical card and the general practitioner only card to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17704/07]
Details of the numbers of medical card and GP visit card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive. The figures are provided on a net basis showing the balance after new cards have been issued and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database e.g. following a review of an applicant's circumstances.
As of 1st June 2007, 1,243,466 people held medical cards. This is 98,383 more people than in January 2005 (1,145,083). As of 1st June 2007, 68,208 people held GP Visit Cards. Approximately 31% of the current national population qualify for free GP services.
99 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in improving access to health care on the basis of need as opposed to financial means, as proposed by the Health Strategy 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17703/07]
In line with commitments made in the Health Strategy 2001, Quality and Fairness — ‘A Health System For You', work is underway on a new legislative framework to provide for clear statutory provisions on eligibility and entitlement for health and personal social services. The aim is to produce a clear set of statutory provisions that ensure equity and transparency and to bring the system up to date with developments in service delivery and technology that have occurred since the enactment of the Health Act 1970. It is intended that the heads of a new Bill will be brought to Government during 2007.
Additional funding has also been made available in recent years to allow for additional persons to become eligible for the medical card and free access to GP visits for those on low income. During 2005 for example, significant changes were introduced making it easier for people to qualify for a medical card or GP visit card. The income guidelines and the income allowances for children taken into account for the purposes of assessment of eligibility for the medical card were increased by 7.5% from 1st January, 2005. A further increase of 20% was made to the income guidelines for medical cards and GP Visit Cards in October 2005. In June 2006, the income guideline for GP Visit Cards, a 25% differential over the new medical card income guideline, was further increased to 50% in excess of the guidelines.
As of May, 2007, the number of people with a medical card was 1,241,331 and an additional 64,690 people held a GP Visit Card. 1.31 million people have free access to a GP through the General Medical Services Scheme.
Since the publication of the Health Strategy, the number of in patient beds and day care places available for use has steadily increased by an average of 300 beds per year. There was around 1,150,000 in-patient and day case discharges from acute hospitals in 2006. Since 2001, in-patient discharges have increased by in excess of 6% and day cases by 55%. In addition, the National Treatment Fund arranged for the treatment of almost 17,000 patients in 2006 bringing the total treated by the fund since it was established in 2002 to 54,890 patients.
The Primary Care Strategy is also being implemented by the HSE, at an operational level, since 2005 and the establishment of 100 Primary Care teams is well underway. These teams will further develop capacity for the delivery of services at local level as part of a modern health system that is accompanied by specific initiatives such as GP Co-operatives, physical infrastructure and upgrading of equipment in support of the Strategy.
Finally, the policy objective behind the hospital co-location project is to free up private beds in public hospitals in order to improve access to acute services for public patients.
100 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the disclosure that the Health Service Executive handed back almost €100 million in unspent money to the Exchequer in 2006; the amount that was returned in 2005; the amount spent to date in 2007; the projects submitted to the HSE in 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007 related to new hospital beds, step down beds and new hospital equipment in 2006; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17605/07]
139 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Health and Children the location where the €97.7 million, allocated to the Health Service Executive by the Government was due to be spent; the reasons it was not spent; the action she will take to ensure that urgently needed resources are delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17730/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 139 together.
The final out-turn on Vote expenditure for the Health Service Executive, in 2006, shows a capital saving of €114m of which €42m was used to offset a revenue overspend and a further €47m was used to offset a shortfall in Appropriations-in-Aid. This left a balance of €25m to be surrendered to the Exchequer. The Health Service Executive's Appropriation Account for 2006 will show an overall surrender of €365m, €25m capital and €340m in respect of the Long Stay Repayment Scheme. In 2005 there was an overall surrender of approximately €79m. The capital programme had a saving of €50m, non-capital programmes saved €4m and Appropriations-in-Aid showed a surplus of €25m.
With regard to expenditure to-date in 2007, the latest figures available from the Health Service Executive report total expenditure to the end of May as being approximately €4.8 billion against projected expenditure of €4.77 billion. Within these figures the trend in expenditure is much the same as in 2006. The capital spend is behind that planned, while the non-capital is running ahead of budgeted spend. I will be discussing corrective action with the CEO as a matter of urgency.
The capital programmes submitted by the HSE in each of the three years, and approved by me, included sufficient projects to absorb its capital allocation for each year. However, actual capital expenditure in 2005 and 2006 turned out to be less than had been planned. In relation to the HSE's capital programme, 2006 was a year of significant transition for the HSE with the establishment of improved arrangements for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the programme. The HSE's Capital Plan for 2006 included a large number of projects across the health sector, many of which were characterised by relatively low levels of required capital investment.
As the year progressed, the HSE endeavoured, where feasible, to introduce substitute projects to compensate for any projected availability of funding arising from slippage on the intended capital programme. The eventual year-end saving on capital expenditure arose mainly from a lower level of progress than anticipated on a range of intended projects, combined with the transition to the new capital monitoring and management structures introduced by the HSE during the course of the year.
The HSE has taken steps to strengthen its capital management capacity, including the establishment of a single national Estates function and the appointment of a new Director of Estates. The level of capital funding provided to the HSE for 2007 will support a continuing high level of investment in our public health services and will enable the completion and commissioning of many new acute and community health care facilities.
103 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the recent statement (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17733/07]
143 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure increased resources for the National MRSA Reference Laboratory in view of the endemic nature of MRSA in hospitals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17355/07]
210 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on calls for additional investment at the National MRSA Reference Laboratory and the fact that the laboratory is currently not in a position to give hospitals the support they need in tackling the problem of MRSA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17867/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 143 and 210 together.
Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections (HCIAs) including MRSA is a priority for the Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). The National MRSA Reference Laboratory is operated by St. James's Hospital. Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services, including funding for St. James's Hospital, has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputies. 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 Deputies.
105 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children when clinical risk management guidelines will be introduced for the acute hospital sector at a national level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17700/07]
The Health Service Executive is currently standardising risk management processes, frameworks and strategies for all services in the Executive, including clinical risk management guidelines for the acute hospital sector.
As operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, including matters relating to such areas as clinical risk management, my Department has requested the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to issue a full reply directly to the Deputy.
107 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children when the national renal strategic review will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17729/07]
My Department is advised by the Health Service Executive that the National Renal Strategy Review has been completed. It is the intention of the HSE to publish the resulting report shortly. Additional revenue funding of €4 million has been provided to the HSE in 2007 to implement the recommendations of the report.
108 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of funding for the new drug for people with multiple sclerosis (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17597/07]
There is a common list of reimbursable medicines for the General Medical Services and Drug Payment schemes. This list is reviewed and amended monthly, as new products become available and deletions are notified. For an item to be reimbursed, it must comply with published criteria, including authorisation status as appropriate, price and, in certain cases, the intended use of the product. In addition, the product should ordinarily be supplied to the public only by medical prescription and should not be advertised or promoted to the public. The product should be one which may be used under the supervision of a general medical practitioner and which is not restricted to hospital or medical specialist use.
Products are considered for reimbursement on application by a supplier. As the product referred to by the Deputy is licensed for hospital use only, it cannot be considered for inclusion on the common list. The provision of this drug to patients is a matter for decision by the hospital concerned. People who experience undue financial hardship in obtaining any particular product should contact the local area office of the Health Service Executive.
109 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of capital projects for 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17739/07]
This Government is committed to a sustained high level of investment in healthcare which will enable the completion and commissioning of numerous new facilities in both the acute and the Primary, Community and Continuing Care sectors.
Responsibility for the planning and management of capital projects in the health sector which include the matters referred to in the Deputy's question are a matter for the Health Services 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.
110 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans for ongoing service development for children and adults with intellectual disability, particularly respite and residential services in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17476/07]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service, 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.
111 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for her decision to sign the statutory instrument providing for the establishment of a single new national children’s hospital on the Mater Hospital campus during the election 2007 campaign; the status of this hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17603/07]
On the 8th March last I announced the appointment of Mr Philip Lynch as Chairman-designate of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board. I indicated publicly at that time that I would shortly be signing an Order establishing the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board on a legal basis. I recently signed the legal instrument giving rise to the legal establishment of the Board. I met with the Development Board last Monday when it held its inaugural meeting.
The principal function of the Development Board will be to plan, design, build, furnish and equip the new National Paediatric Hospital in accordance with a brief to be approved by the Health Service Executive. The brief, which is being finalised, will set out the preferred model of care, the core services to be delivered at the new hospital, and the additional range of services to be provided outside the main hospital, taking account of international best practice in the planning of children's hospital services.
The HSE is being advised in this context by Rawlinson Kelly & Whittlestone Ltd., an established UK-based healthcare planning company. In the interim the Board will be familiarising itself with the issues involved and will begin the process of putting in place the necessary project support structure to progress the development.
112 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that half of all 2006 physiotherapy graduates have been unable to find permanent employment in the health service here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17593/07]
184 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in the recruiting of much needed physiotherapists; the action she will take to aid the recruitment of physiotherapists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17721/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 184 together.
There has been a growing demand for and investment in therapy services over the last number of years. A particular priority for my Department and the Department of Education and Science in recent years has been the expansion of the supply of physiotherapy graduates. Training places for physiotherapists have increased by 134% (from 64 to 150) while the number of physiotherapists employed in the public health service has risen by 130% (from 593 to 1364) since 1997.
The provision of additional physiotherapy services through developments in a number of service areas has been prioritised in recent years. A number of additional physiotherapists will be employed as a result of additional funding provided for new developments in 2006 and 2007. Additional physiotherapists will be required, for example, for the extension of the home care package scheme, the development of primary care teams and networks and the enhancement of the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services in the disability sector.
However, I am aware that a situation emerged whereby some 2006 physiotherapy graduates had difficulty in obtaining employment in the public health service. My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, undertook to address this situation in a proactive manner and made significant progress in creating employment opportunities for these graduates. In this regard, my Department is continuing to chair a working group comprising representatives from the HSE, the therapy managers and IMPACT. The Group has identified the contributing factors and has developed an action plan with a view to addressing these factors to minimise similar difficulties for 2007 graduates. The group is now working through prioritised actions and continues to make progress on several key actions.
I understand that the HSE is reviewing the current panel for basic grade physiotherapists with a view to establishing a new basic grade physiotherapy panel as soon as possible. As a result of the proactive approach taken by my Department and the HSE, I understand that a large majority of the 2006 graduates are now employed.
113 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she plans to take to develop hospice and palliative care services as mentioned in the programme for Government; the timeline for funding for these services; the timeline for implementation of the key recommendations of the national cancer strategy; the funding that will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17616/07]
The Government is committed to further developing palliative care throughout Ireland. My Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are working in partnership with the voluntary sector in planning for the development of palliative care services in line with the recommendations of the report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care (2001).
Funding is being provided for the development of such services on an incremental basis in line with the recommendations in the Report and in the context of available resources and workforce planning across the health service. Additional funding of €5 million was announced in Budget 2007. This funding is being used to improve palliative care services in consultation with the newly established Regional Development Committees.
Also in 2007, my Department will be working with the HSE on developing a paediatric palliative care policy in line with the Report. The HSE, which is now charged with the operational responsibility for delivery of healthcare services is also committed to a number of further initiatives this year including rolling out the Minimum Data-Set for Palliative Care Services and agreeing a framework for National Standards for Palliative Care with the relevant stakeholders.
In relation to the National Cancer Control Strategy, the aim of the Strategy which was published in June 2006, is to reduce our cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality rates relative to other Member States of the European Union. This Government is committed to investing significantly in the implementation of the Strategy to build on the improvements we have made in recent years, particularly the improvements in survival in all the major cancers.
The HSE, at my Department's request, is conducting a national needs assessment for cancer control which will set out priorities in the medium term. I have made available an additional €20.5m this year for cancer control. This is an increase of 74% on the comparable 2006 investment and includes €3.5m to support the initial implementation of the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. The Programme will manage, organise and deliver cancer control on a whole population basis. It will have a strong emphasis on prevention and early detection, integrated across primary, hospital, supportive and palliative care. The Service Plan of the HSE for this year sets out the detailed deliverables of the Programme. This includes the establishment of the leadership team to implement the Programme, including the Director of the Programme and key medical leaders at network level.
115 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the date official national standards for residential care will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17690/07]
Earlier this year I published the Draft National Standards in Residential Care. Following publication, the draft was formally referred to the Health Information & Quality Authority for consultation and finalisation. The Authority established a wide-ranging Working Group to finalise these draft standards. The group has met regularly and while deliberations are at advanced stage a date has yet to be set for finalisation. The Authority will engage in a public consultation process in advance of finalising the standards and submitting them to me.
116 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the problems arising in the Cork area from the delay in replacing two consultants (details supplied) attached to the Cork University Hospital; and the steps she is taking to deal with this matter. [17479/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. The HSE has advised my Department that the first of the two vacancies in question occurred on 15th August 2006 when the post holder retired. A locum took up duty in the post on 11th September, 2006. The second vacancy arose unexpectedly in on 27th March, 2007 when the post holder retired on health grounds. A locum for that post took up duty on 24th April, 2007.
The HSE has already sought to fill one of the consultant posts in an open competition through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). However, no appointment was made following this competition. Arrangements are now in place to seek to fill both posts through the PAS. Pending the filling of the positions on a permanent basis, the HSE has advised that the locum consultants will remain in place.
117 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has received the report of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine, Health and Safety Standards for Irish accident and emergency departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17356/07]
I have not received a copy, to date, of the report referred to by the Deputy.
118 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on claims by the former Irish Medical Organisation president that trolley counts in large hospitals’ accident and emergency departments are being artificially reduced by refusing to admit seriously ill patients from other hospitals; the number of patients that have been affected to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17606/07]
Inter hospital transfers of patients are a feature of the hospital system. Every effort is made to accommodate such transfers where necessary from a clinical perspective and to do so as speedily as possible.
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. 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.
119 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding to be given to groups supporting those with acquired brain injury; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland has the lowest number of medical rehabilitation consultants per capita; the waiting times from 2006 for the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17607/07]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal 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.
121 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the changes to income guidelines for eligibility for the full medical card and the general practitioners visit card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17720/07]
144 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the changes in medical card income qualification guidelines she proposes to make; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17353/07]
186 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the Health Service Executive’s submission to her Department for the current income guidelines used to assess medical care eligibility to be increased by 20%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17592/07]
215 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will increase the qualifying income thresholds for the full medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17841/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 144, 186 and 215 together.
Since the beginning of 2005 the medical card assessment guidelines have been increased by a cumulative 29%. Other significant changes which I have introduced are that applications are now considered on the basis of income net of tax and PRSI and allowance is made for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of mortgage/rent, child care and travel to work. In June 2006, I agreed with the Health Service Executive (HSE) a further adjustment to the assessment guidelines for GP visit cards and these are now 50% higher than those used in respect of medical cards.
In assessing eligibility, the HSE uses national guidelines to assess people's means, which includes their income, certain allowable outgoings and the effect of other factors which may impact on people's ability to meet the cost of GP services. Under the assessment arrangements, persons whose sole income is derived from Department of Social and Family Affairs payments or HSE payments, even if these exceed the assessment guidelines, qualify for a medical card. Since January 2005 to June 2007 an additional 166,591 people have free access to GP services. This figure consists of an additional 98,383 people with a medical card and a further 68,208 people with a GP visit card.
I have no immediate plans to change the guidelines used in the assessment process. However, my Department and the HSE monitor the number of medical cards and GP visit cards on an ongoing basis and the need for changes to the guidelines is kept under review, having regard to factors such as changes in income levels generally, the nature of typical household outgoings and also changes to the various social welfare schemes.
122 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to serious assaults on social care workers as they carry out their work; the processes in place to deal with and record assault rates; the steps she is taking to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17582/07]
The Deputy's question mainly relates to human resource management within the Health Service Executive. I am very aware of the unique challenges faced by employees across the Health Sector, including social care workers, as they carry out their duties. Assault in the workplace is a phenomenon which needs to be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately. I know that a joint working group was established in February 2006, under the auspices of the Health Service National Joint Council, to examine and report on the matter of tackling violence and aggression against staff in the workplace. The terms of reference for the group are to produce a standard policy for the health service on the management of violence and aggression in the workplace, having regard to the body of work currently available within the Health Service Executive and its agents and to best international practice generally.
As the processes in place to deal with and record assault rates would be a matter for the Executive under the Health Act 2004, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have it investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
123 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she plans to take and the timetable to strengthen and develop stroke rehabilitation services as set out in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17617/07]
148 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to fund the development of stroke care units across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17515/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 148 together.
A national audit of stroke services, funded by my Department, is currently being undertaken by the Irish Heart Foundation in association with the HSE. This audit is scheduled to be completed in early Autumn. In addition an audit of the implementation of the existing cardiovascular health strategy ‘Building Healthier Hearts' is being finalised by the HSE. While these audits will inform the development of cardiovascular and stroke services, my Department considers that there should be an over-arching policy framework to set out the broad policy guidelines for development of policy on cardiovascular disease including stroke. My Department is therefore in the process of establishing a national working group to draw up a such a policy framework.
124 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the difficulties elderly people in nursing homes have in accessing chiropody services; the number of chiropodists providing services to elderly people through the medical card; the number of chiropodists currently practising here; her position on top up fees charged by chiropodists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17596/07]
There is no statutory obligation on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide chiropody services to GMS patients; however in practice arrangements are made to provide these services. Before the establishment of the HSE the nature of the arrangements for chiropody and the level of service provided was a matter for individual health boards and so a degree of variation in practice developed over time. Priority is usually given to certain groups of people, including people who are medical card holders aged 65 years and over. In several regions the service is provided by private chiropodists by arrangement with the HSE.
My Department is currently preparing legislation to clarify and update existing legislation on eligibility for health and personal social services. The Bill will define specific health and personal services more clearly; define who should be eligible for what services; set out clear criteria for eligibility; establish when and in what circumstances charges may be made and provide for an appeals framework. I consider that it is inappropriate for private chiropodists who are providing services on behalf of the HSE to charge patients a top-up fee and I have conveyed this view formally to the HSE. My Department requested the HSE to review the fee arrangements in place for the provision of chiropody services with a view to ensuring that such additional fees will no longer be levied on persons in receipt of this service.
While considerable work has taken place to develop arrangements which would ensure that no top-up charges are applied, it is necessary to ensure that any such arrangements and the process by which they are arrived at comply with the terms of the Competition Act 2002. In this context consideration is being given at present to the most appropriate way in which to put in place contractual arrangements for the provision of services by self-employed health professionals.
My Department does not compile statistics on the number of chiropody professionals practising in the State. However, the Deputy may wish to note that the Health Service Personnel Census for end March 2007 returns 33.42 Chiropodists in wholetime equivalent terms. As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it is the appropriate body to consider the other matters raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
125 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to address recent research presented at the annual meeting of the Irish College of General Practitioners which shows that people who cannot afford to pay privately for the investigation of possible cancer symptoms face longer waiting lists that those who can pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17595/07]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the Report Early Detection of Cancer: A Needs' Assessment of General Practitioners. The key findings of this study are a need for increased patient awareness, community diagnostic facilities, improved communication with hospitals, further education and clinical practice guidelines on identification of early stage cancer, appropriate investigative pathways and referral criteria for suspected cancer, identification and screening of ‘high risk individuals' and elimination of inequity between public and private patients.
Population based screening programmes are proven strategies in the early detection of pre-cancers and cancers. I am fully committed to the roll out of BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme, and I have made available the necessary resources for this programme that will ensure national roll out beginning later this year. I expect the roll out of the National Cervical Screening Programme, which will be available to every woman in the 25-60 age group, will take place around the end of the year. Both screening programmes will be available without charge. I have also asked the National Cancer Screening Service to advise on the development of a population based colorectal screening programme and a colorectal screening programme for high risk groups. I expect this advice later this year. The service is required to implement special measures to promote participation in its screening programmes by disadvantaged persons.
In relation to the development of GP protocols and equitable access to diagnostic services, these are key priorities of the National Cancer Control Strategy which is being implemented by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE and the Irish Cancer Society also have education and awareness programmes in place on the early signs and symptoms of cancer. The National Development Plan 2007-2013 will also support the implementation of the Strategy including infrastructural investment in diagnostic equipment and facilities to support improved access by general practitioners.
126 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children further to comments (details supplied) the immediate action she will take to stop the spread of hospital infections such as MRSA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17732/07]
160 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cases of MRSA in each of the past five years; the number of deaths from MRSA that have occurred in each of the past five years; the liabilities that have arisen for the State out of both infections and deaths from MRSA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17480/07]
183 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the figures in respect of the number of cases of MRSA in each of the past three years and to date in 2007; the number of fatalities attributable to MRSA; the steps being taken to reduce the incidence of MRSA; the measures to improve facilities and tackle overcrowding in hospitals that have been made to deal with MRSA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17591/07]
185 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the action she proposes to take to eliminate MRSA from hospitals here. [17482/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 160, 183 and 185 together.
I share the public concern in relation to Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) including MRSA is a priority for the Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE recently launched its ‘Say No to Infection' campaign and as a result of this a new HCAI Governance Group was established. This Group will manage the HSEs approach to tackling HCAIs including MRSA and is responsible for reducing infection levels in Ireland's healthcare facilities. Over the next three to five years the Group aims to reduce HCAIs by 20%, MRSA infections by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20%.
The HSE has clear hygiene and infection control standards, has undertaken initiatives on reducing antibiotic consumption and education of the public and of health professionals, including a TV and media campaign. In addition, the HSE is currently appointing a number of new infection control nurses, surveillance scientists and antibiotic pharmacists. These staff will strengthen specialist support for infection control and facilitate the development of the national surveillance system. I have also instructed the HSE that designated private beds should be used where isolation facilities are required for patients who contract a HCAI or MRSA.
MRSA is not a notifiable disease but the Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE collects data on MRSA. The data is collected on the first episode of blood stream infection per patient per quarter. This system shows that there were 445 cases in 2002, 480 cases in 2003, 553 cases in 2004, 592 cases in 2005 and 588 cases in 2006. There are no figures available to date in relation to 2007.
It is not possible to identify the number of fatalities attributable directly or solely to MRSA as most cases involve significant co-morbidity factors. The State Claims Agency is dealing with a number of claims against the State which involve an element relating to MRSA. However, the matter of liability in such cases has yet to be established. In relation to the issue of overcrowding in hospitals, focused efforts under the Winter initiative scheme have achieved a reduction in the numbers of patients waiting for admission on trolleys in A&E and a reduction in the time those patients spend waiting. Admission lounges have been put in place in a number of hospitals to ensure that patients are treated with dignity while awaiting admission.
A number of new A&E Departments commissioned in 2005/06 have provision for minor injury clinics, including Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Cork University Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital and St. James's Hospital. In 2006, over 1,000 additional extended care places were provided through privately contracted arrangements. In relation to 2007, the HSE has developed proposals to contract a further 450 beds in private nursing homes throughout the country. There are also proposals for an additional 450 beds within the public system. Additional home-care packages have been put in place to facilitate discharge from hospital to the patient's own home. It is important that people do not remain in hospital any longer than is medically necessary.
While accepting that not all HCAIs are preventable, I am satisfied that significant steps are being taken to reduce the rates of infection and to treat them promptly when they occur. The Department of Health and Children will be monitoring and evaluating the progress being made by the HSE in the management of this issue so that patients can be assured that in the future the risk of contracting an infection will be reduced to the minimum level possible.
129 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the accident and emergency task force report that called for more acute hospital beds and step down beds and the statement made that seven accident and emergency departments are unfit for that purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17604/07]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) recently published the Emergency Department (ED) Task Force Report. The HSE has advised that the infrastructural deficits identified in the seven hospitals referred to by the Deputy are being addressed through a combination of interim and long-term capital improvements and refurbishment. The Task Force recommends that the issues in Emergency Departments be examined on a whole hospital and whole system basis. It identifies the requirement for hospital specific initiatives as well as the development of national responses in relation to key structural issues. A key requirement is the development of strong internal management control processes at hospital and community levels to ensure that capacity is fully optimised and that measures designed to unlock capacity are supported by strong controls which enable an appropriate balancing between emergency and elective workloads.
My Department is assured by the HSE that a series of additional measures are being put in place to ensure the delivery of an improved service for patients and to reduce pressure on A&E Departments. These include a series of hospital avoidance measures including:—
Expansion of the Hospital in the Home scheme to the Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals
Development of Community Intervention Teams
Roll-out of more primary care teams
Expansion of out-of-hours GP services
Expansion of community diagnostic services
Measures being taken to improve and optimise acute hospital capacity and capability include:
Seven new Community Nursing Units in Dublin
Additional long-stay beds outside of Dublin
Development of Admission Lounges
Acute Medical Assessment Units at Navan and Naas
Acute Medical Admission Units at Beaumont, Sligo and Tallaght
Development of enhanced diagnostic capability in hospitals
130 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she plans to expand the role of the pharmacist to provide a wider range of services, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Health and Children in its report on the Adverse Side Effects of Pharmaceuticals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17626/07]
The Joint Committee's report will be considered in the context of the reviews of the pharmacy contract and the state drug schemes, as well as pharmacy legislation.
131 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number and specialty of consultants recruited in each of the years 1997 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17701/07]
The detailed information required by the Deputy is collated by the Health Service Executive. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to compile the information for the Deputy and reply directly.
132 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the provision she will make for additional funding for suicide prevention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17516/07]
"Reach Out", the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, was launched in 2005. The National Office for Suicide Prevention was established by the Health Service Executive to oversee the implementation of the Strategy; to coordinate suicide prevention activities across the State; to consult widely in relation to the planning of future initiatives and to ensure best practice in suicide prevention.
In 2006, an additional €1.2 million was allocated to the Health Service Executive specifically for suicide prevention initiatives. A further €1.85 million has been allocated for 2007 bringing the total funding available to support suicide prevention initiatives on an annual basis to approximately €8 million. This funding will be used to develop and implement national training programmes; to complete the availability of self-harm services through A&E Departments; to implement recommendations arising from a review of bereavement services; to support voluntary organisations working in the field of suicide prevention and to support the World Congress on Suicide Prevention which is being held in Killarney this year under the auspices of the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
The 2007 funding is also being used by the National Office for Suicide Prevention to implement a national positive mental health awareness programme. Future funding will be considered in the context of the estimates process for 2008 and subsequent years.
133 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in relation to the finding by the Comptroller and Auditor General report on private practice in public hospitals, it is acceptable that 34% of elective inpatient cases are private in view of the problem of insufficient availability of public hospital beds for public patients, the associated lengthy waiting lists and that this is supposed to be restricted to 20%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17693/07]
166 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the recent finding by the Comptroller and Auditor General report that private practice in public hospitals significantly exceeds 20% in all categories of clinical activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17692/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 166 together.
I welcome the publication of the Comptroller and Auditor General's Special Report on the Medical Consultant's Contract. The report provides additional supporting evidence for a new consultant's contract. The report, inter alia, identifies the Government’s concern at the extent to which the level of private practice in public hospitals exceeds the 20% of designated beds in public hospitals. There are 2,500 beds in public hospitals designated for use by the private patients of consultants. However, as the report points out admissions to public hospitals of private patients of consultants on an elective basis (i.e. planned rather than emergency) make up about 35% of total elective admissions. There is a need to ensure that a consultant’s private practice does not prevent or hinder access by public patients to public hospital services.
I intend to give early effect to commitments in the Programme for Government to put public patients first and to ensure greater equality in access and care between public and private patients. The interests of public patients must be protected and this requires an end to practices which serve to impede access for public patients and hinders effective hospital management.
134 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children her immediate plans in place to allow patients in Limerick to have timely and appropriate access to dialysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17628/07]
142 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation with dialysis at Limerick Regional Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17611/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 142 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has informed my Department that the number of patients receiving dialysis treatment at the Limerick Regional Hospital has increased by approximately 20% over the last two years. I understand that the dialysis service in Limerick now runs on a seven days a week basis, working at maximum capacity, providing 277 treatments to 99 patients a week. Five patients from the Mid-West area are currently receiving their treatment at neighbouring units as an interim measure until dialysis capacity is increased locally.
Arrangements are well advanced to provide for increased dialysis capacity in Limerick in the short and medium term. The HSE has invited tenders for the provision of additional dialysis services and is also working with the Irish Kidney Association in an effort to increase capacity locally. Additional revenue funding of €12 million was provided to the HSE in 2006 and the current year to support the provision of dialysis facilities, the development of a living-related renal donor programme and the implementation of the National Renal Strategy, which is due to be published shortly by the HSE. I understand that it will recommend the development of additional consultant led renal services on a regional basis.
A number of new renal dialysis facilities have opened recently and others are due to open soon. These include a nine station facility opened in St. Vincent's Hospital in 2006; eight new dialysis stations at Cork University Hospital which are due to open later this summer, and a 17 station unit being opened as part of the new hospital development at Tullamore. This is due to open before the end of this month. In addition 155 patients are now being treated in dialysis units operated by the private sector and 15 living donor transplants will take place this year in Beaumont Hospital.
135 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people in receipt of home help in each county for each of the years 1997 to 2006 and to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17709/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. 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.
136 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a suicide awareness group (details supplied) in County Cork has been forced to withdraw a vital free counselling service for people bereaved by suicide due to lack of financial support from the State; if this service will receive funding following on from commitments to this type of service in the programme for Government; the latest figure of those who have died by suicide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17590/07]
Latest figures available from the Central Statistics Office indicate that there were 431 registered deaths by suicide in 2005.
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive is, therefore, the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. 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.
137 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the promised provision of a cystic fibrosis unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital; her views on the lack of funding given to cystic fibrosis generally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17602/07]
I acknowledge the need to develop services for persons with cystic fibrosis. I identified this as a key priority in 2006 and again in 2007. Development funding of €4.78 million was provided to the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2006 to facilitate the recruitment of additional medical, nursing and allied health professional staff to improve services for cystic fibrosis patients. Additional funding of €2 million has been allocated this year to build on the investment provided in 2006.
I also asked the HSE to address in particular the identified deficits at the national adult referral centre at St. Vincent's University Hospital. My Department is advised by the HSE that recent interim improvements at the hospital have resulted in additional capacity for persons with cystic fibrosis. In addition, the HSE has approved the establishment of a Project Team to progress the next phase of the ongoing major capital development at St. Vincent's. A new Unit for persons with cystic fibrosis has been identified by the HSE as one of a number of priority projects to be included in the development.
In 2005, the HSE established a Working Group to undertake a detailed review of cystic fibrosis services. The Group was asked to review the current configuration and delivery of services to persons with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. The Working Group has completed its work and its report is with the Executive.
138 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide the necessary funding to allow the Health Service Executive to appoint a microbiologist at Kerry General Hospital in view of the high levels of MRSA at the hospital and the numerous outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17743/07]
Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) including MRSA is a priority for the Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the HSE under the Health act 2004 and funding for all health services, including staffing at Kerry General Hospital, has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. 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.
140 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to address the Irish Nurses Organisation’s claims of a staff shortage at the new Cork University Maternity Hospital; when the staff will be in place to enable the opening of the remaining beds at this hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17586/07]
Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) is a state of the art, €75m facility which opened on 31 March 2007. It replaced three outdated maternity facilities in Cork — Erinville, St Finbarr's and the Bon Secours. The approved midwifery staffing complement for CUMH is 376 WTEs. There are currently 329 midwives in place. The hospital is being commissioned on a phased basis to match the recruitment process. There is a recruitment plan in place which includes the following—
An ongoing national recruitment drive
An international recruitment campaign
Back to Midwifery courses — one course completed in May and further courses are planned for later this summer.
31 student midwives will graduate from University College Cork in September. These students have all been offered permanent midwifery posts in CUMH and to date 27 have indicated that they will accept the offer.
Six theatre nurses commenced adaptation in early June and a further five midwives/neonatal nurses are due to commence in July.
HSE South are optimistic that the full approved midwifery complement will be achieved by the end of this year. The hospital opened with 128 beds on 31 March and this has now risen to 137. When fully commissioned the hospital will have 144 beds. The HSE expect to be in a position to fully commission the hospital in late 2007.
146 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will appoint the director of cancer control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17741/07]
The aim of the National Cancer Control Strategy, which was published in June 2006, is to reduce our cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality rates relative to other Member States of the European Union. This Government is committed to investing significantly in the implementation of the Strategy to build on the improvements we have made in recent years, particularly the improvements in survival in all the major cancers.
The HSE, at my Department's request, is conducting a national needs assessment for cancer control which will set out priorities in the medium term. I have made available an additional €20.5m this year for cancer control. This is an increase of 74% on the comparable 2006 investment and includes €3.5m to support the initial implementation of the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. The Programme will manage, organise and deliver cancer control on a whole population basis. It will have a strong emphasis on prevention and early detection, integrated across primary, hospital, supportive and palliative care. The Service Plan of the HSE for this year sets out the detailed deliverables of the Programme. This includes the establishment of the leadership team to implement the Programme, including the Director of the Programme and key medical leaders at network level. I wish to see the appointment of a Director as soon as possible and my Department is in discussions with the HSE to expedite such an appointment.
147 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children the average rate of nursing home subvention payments in each county; the number of persons in receipt of the nursing home subvention in each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17707/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. 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.
150 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing home places, public and private, available in each county for 2007; her plans to extend such places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17711/07]
The Health Service Executive has advised my Department that there were 18,500 private nursing beds and 10,153 public beds in 2006. As part of the overall investment package for the development of services for older people, the DOHC and the HSE have prioritised the delivery of additional public continuing care beds through the development of community nursing units in large urban centres in both Dublin and Cork together with the expansion and the development of additional facilities across all regions. The HSE proposes to expand public capacity by 397 beds in 2007 and by 408 in 2008. The running costs in full year of this additional public capacity will be €42m.
In 2006, the HSE contracted a total of 1,050 extra beds in the private nursing home sector. A total of €28 million is being allocated to cover the full year cost in 2007 of these beds. In addition, the HSE is planning to contract a further 360 beds in 2007 at a cost of €12 million. 220 of these will be procured in the Greater Dublin area, 100 will be procured in HSE South and 40 in HSE West.
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of nursing home places available in 2007. 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.
151 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of negotiations of a new pharmacy contract; the main difficulties with the proposed contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17625/07]
My Department and the HSE have been reviewing the pharmaceutical supply chain, with a view to seeking value for money in the State's drugs bill in order to better fund existing and innovative therapies without compromising continuity of supply or patient safety. The review of the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland (APMI) Agreements, with the proprietary and generic supplier representative bodies, was completed in mid-2006 and the new agreements are in place.
Following completion of the manufacturer agreements and in line with the process agreed by the Cabinet Committee on Health, the State entered talks with the wholesaler representative body, the Pharmaceutical Distributor's Federation (PDF). As wholesale margins are not addressed in the new IPHA and APMI Agreements, the State intended to negotiate direct formal arrangements with the wholesale sector, to address the cost of wholesale supply to hospital and community through fair, transparent and accountable cost structures. In particular, the State wished to examine the high margin, relative to the EU, for wholesale supply to community pharmacy and the wholesalers' claim that they supply hospitals at a loss.
Early in discussions, PDF refused to negotiate a new margin for community supply, based on its own legal advice. Subsequent advice to the HSE, confirmed by the Attorney General's office and Senior Counsel engaged by the Attorney General, indicated that, under section 4 of the 2002 Competition Act, PDF as an association of undertakings may not collectively negotiate fees, prices or margins on behalf of its members. Given this position, and the fact that the Irish Pharmaceutical Union is also an association of undertakings, it is not possible for the State to negotiate with PDF or the IPU on fees or margins and such negotiations place these bodies at risk of prosecution.
The State had intended to address the review of community pharmacy, and in particular how to improve value for money and transparency and fairness in relation to service provision, through negotiation with the IPU, as it had in the past, but this is no longer possible. Accordingly, the negotiating team re-considered, in light of the legal position arising from the wholesaler legal advice, how best to address the review of pharmacy contractor services. Following consultation with the IPU, a procedure was agreed to examine available options for advancing contractual negotiations in compliance with Irish and EU competition law. This process, chaired by Mr Bill Shipsey, SC, has commenced.
The State continues to recognise the IPU as the representative body for its members, but negotiations with the Union must comply with the law. The legal issues that emerged during the wholesale sector review were raised by the wholesaler representatives. Once the State became aware of these issues, it was no longer possible to continue as intended. There is, and will continue to be, ongoing dialogue with the IPU as the representative body for pharmacists, within the constraints of the competition legislation and the negotiating team will consider, in the context of competition law and in particular the relevant Competition Authority guidelines, all available options for advancing the process agreed by the Cabinet Committee on Health. I am satisfied that the Cabinet Committee process for review of the supply of drugs to the State is progressing effectively, within the constraints of relevant legislation.
153 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the timeline for implementation and funding of the A Vision for Change strategy as mentioned in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17618/07]
The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, A Vision for Change, which was launched in January 2006, provides a framework for the development of a modern, high quality mental health service over a seven to ten year period. It is estimated that the full implementation of A Vision for Change will require additional funding of €150 million (2006 prices) over the seven to ten year implementation period. In 2006, a sum of €26.2 million was allocated for the development of mental health services in line with A Vision for Change. A further sum of €25 million has been allocated in 2007 to continue this development.
It is estimated that substantial capital investment in the order of €800m will also be required to provide and equip the proposed new mental health service infrastructure. Funds raised from the sale of lands attached to former psychiatric hospitals will be used for this purpose.
154 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Health Service Executive review into pathology services will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17612/07]
I understand that the Health Service Executive has commenced a review of pathology services. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular question raised by the Deputy. 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.
155 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the roll out of BreastCheck around the country per centre and the latest cost estimates of each centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17600/07]
The extension of BreastCheck is a major priority of mine. In advance of commissioning of the static unit in the West, screening commenced in the West in May last. I would encourage all women who are invited by BreastCheck to avail of this important service.
I am committed to ensuring that the BreastCheck service is rolled out to the remaining regions in the country as quickly as possible. I have allocated additional revenue funding of €8 million for this year to meet the additional costs involved. The full complement of 111 staff for roll-out has been approved. BreastCheck appointed the Clinical Directors for the South and West last November and has recently appointed three Consultant Radiologists, two Consultant Surgeons and two Consultant Histopathologists, all with a special interest in breast disease. The recruitment of Radiographers and other staff is underway.
I have also made available an additional €26.7m capital funding for the construction of two new clinical units and the provision of five additional mobile units and state of the art digital equipment. The static units at the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital in Cork and University College Hospital Galway are on schedule for hand-over in September followed by a three week commissioning period. They will be operational in October. In relation to the cost estimates for each centre, my Department has requested the CEO of the NCSS to reply directly to the Deputy.
157 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of employment of the 32 elder abuse officials promised as a result of the report into Leas Cross; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17584/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. 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.
158 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of home care packages made available to date in each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17710/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. 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.
159 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number and specialty of consultant vacancies to date; where these consultants will be located; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17702/07]
The detailed information required by the Deputy is collated by the Health Service Executive. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to compile the information for the Deputy and reply directly.
161 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of home help hours available in each county for each of the years 1997 to year end 2006 and to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17708/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. 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.
163 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children when progress began on the new Irish Blood Transfusion Service computer system; the projected cost of the upgrade; the total spent to date on the project; the reason this system has been discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17687/07]
My Department has been in touch with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) in relation to their decision to discontinue the upgrade of their computer system. I am awaiting further information on this decision from the IBTS and will communicate with the Deputy when this information becomes available. The IBTS have assured my Department that their current IT system is operating effectively and presents no concerns for patient or product safety.
164 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children when medical cards will be made accessible on laptop computers in order that doctors on call can have clear knowledge of a patient they are visiting or meeting in the on-call centre so that, first, they can give confidence to the patient and their family, and that they have the history of the patient available and their medication and, second, with that information they would be better able to treat the patient and prescribe for them thus avoiding at least some unnecessary hospital admissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17359/07]
Modern information and communications technology (ICT) has the potential to improve radically the range and type of health services, as well as the method of delivery, for professionals and the public. ICT systems can also play a significant role in facilitating integrated team working and collaboration across service delivery settings as well as providing rapid access to clinical and administrative records and to a range of knowledge to assist with decision-making.
A key aspect to achieving these advantages in the health service is the development of the Electronic Health Record (EHR). The National Health Information Strategy sets out the strategic direction for the EHR which will comprise a record of an individual's health from birth onwards. The strategy refers to such records being implemented on a phased basis and emphasises the potential benefits of this development across the health services in terms of patient safety and quality of care. As per the Information Strategy, matters relevant to the development of the EHR are being examined in the context of the proposed Health Information Bill which will provide the legislative underpinning necessary to establish a health system wide information governance framework.
165 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on claims that hospital maternity services across the country are often overcrowded and understaffed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17598/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. 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.
167 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of doctor only medical cards issued to date, with a breakdown on a county basis of where these have been issued; the average income of those who have received these cards; her proposals to improve the uptake of these cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17481/07]
Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In 2005 the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP.
Since the beginning of 2005 substantial changes have been made to the way in which people's eligibility for a medical card is assessed and these apply equally to the assessment process for a GP visit card. The income guidelines have been increased by a cumulative 29% and in addition allowance is now made for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of mortgage/rent, childcare and travel to work costs. In June 2006 I agreed a further adjustment to the assessment guidelines for GP visit cards and these are now 50% higher than those in respect of medical cards.
As of 1st June 2007, 68,208 people held GP visit cards. I should add that between 1st January 2005 and 1st June 2007 a net additional 98,383 medical cards were also issued. The Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for the GP visit card and is the appropriate body to address the other issues raised by the Deputy. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
168 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in regard to the appointment of hospital consultants; when the appointments are expected to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17621/07]
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. 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.
170 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the average floor area space allowed for each bed in open wards in each of the six teaching hospitals in Dublin; the recommended standard for bed space in open wards; the standards for allowance of natural light in open wards; the standards for privacy for patients in open wards in each of the six teaching hospitals in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17615/07]
The design, planning and management of capital projects, including the standards for natural light and privacy in open wards in each of the teaching hospitals in Dublin are the responsibility of the Health Services Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to have the matter investigated and to provide the details requested directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
173 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of the staff recruited to provide ambulance services in each of the years 1997 to date in 2007; the location of the staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17715/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. 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.
174 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the status on the roll out of PPARS; the cost of this project to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17587/07]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of the health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Services Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to have the matter investigated and to provide the details requested directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
175 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children further to a request by the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, if she will deregulate certain prescription medicines; if so, the medicines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17627/07]
The initiative for the reclassification of medicinal products, from prescription-only to non-prescription, currently rests with the relevant product or marketing authorisation holders. These holders are entitled to make application to the Irish Medicines Board (I.M.B.) at any time in respect of medicinal products that are to be presented in a manner appropriate for sale or supply without a medical prescription. Should an authorisation be granted by the I.M.B. in respect of such a product, any regulatory changes that may be necessary would be introduced in order to facilitate that change.
176 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of adults and children on waiting lists for occupational therapy in each of the health regions; the number of vacancies currently available for occupational therapists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17742/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, an additional sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.
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.
177 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of full-time nursing home inspectorate teams; the number and specialty of people on these teams; their geographical area of responsibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17688/07]
The well-being of older people living in nursing homes is of critical concern. Formal standards are a key requirement for inspection and registration. The present standards for nursing homes are set out in the 1993 Care and Welfare Regulations and the Health Service Executive (HSE) inspects private nursing homes on the basis of these standards.
In 2006 a HSE Working Group produced a report on nursing home inspections and registrations. Last July the Executive began a phased implementation of all the Group's recommendations. There is now in place a national standardised approach to nursing home inspections across the system and this currently underpins the inspection process.
The HSE has made important improvements to its nursing home inspections process since the Working Group report was completed. It has been working to standardise the reports and has engaged with the nursing home inspection teams and with the private nursing homes sector. It is now putting in place dedicated Nursing Home Inspection Teams. All inspections are now unannounced and nursing homes are now inspected at least twice a year. All inspection reports are now available on the HSE website. I allocated an extra €6m for the further development of the nursing home inspection process in 2007-2008.
The Executive has advised my Department that the principal expertise involved in inspections is that of medical, nursing and environmental health professionals. Staff are currently employed on both a full time and part time basis and the position can be summarised as follows. In HSE West, there are 6 teams comprising of 6 Medical Officers, 6 Nursing Staff, 9 Environmental Health Officers (WTE) and 2 Clerical Officers undertaking inspections in Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary, Donegal, Roscommon, Mayo Galway and Sligo/Leitrim. In HSE South, there are 9 teams with 9 Medical Officers, 9 Nursing Staff and 9 Environmental Health Officers undertaking inspections in Cork -South Lee, North Lee, West, and North, Carlow/Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Kerry. In HSE Dublin North East there is one centralised team covering Dublin North East, Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan. The team comprises 2 Medical Officers, 7 full-time and 2 part time Nursing Staff and an Environmental Health Officer as required.
In HSE Dublin Mid Leinster there are 9 teams consisting of 10 Medical Officers, 19 Nursing Staff, 7 Environmental Health Officers and 10 Therapists undertaking inspections in Dublin South City, Dublin South West, Dublin South East, Dublin West, Dublin South/Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow, Kildare/West Wicklow, Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. Donegal, Limerick and Dublin North East teams work full time on the inspection process. The remaining teams consist of staff working on inspections part time. Forty additional posts have been approved since the beginning of 2007 and the majority of these posts have now been put in place. The approach in the implementation of these new posts is being tailored to meet the needs of each area.
The Health Act 2007 provides for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority on a statutory basis. It also provides for the registration and inspection of all nursing homes — public, private and voluntary. Inspections will be carried out by the Social Services Inspectorate, part of HIQA. The HSE is liaising with HIQA to facilitate this and transition arrangements will be agreed as we move towards the new system of inspections which will be governed by HIQA in line with the recently enacted legislation.
179 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to address the serious rise in the incidence of prostate cancer; her plans for the introduction of a national screening service to combat prostate cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17609/07]
The most recent figures available from the National Cancer Registry show that there has been an increase in prostate cancer cases from 6037 to 9216 in the period 1994-1998 to 1999-2003. The National Cancer Registry has informed my Department that most of this increase seems to be due to PSA testing, which is running at around 300,000 tests a year at present. This has the effect of shifting diagnosis to an earlier age, which means that the cancer is being diagnosed on average about three years earlier in 1999-2003 compared to 1994-1998. The most recent mortality data from the Central Statistics Office shows that the number of deaths from prostate cancer increased by an average of 0.5% per year from 1994 to 2004 but when adjusted for population increase and ageing the rate of change was a fall of 0.9% per year.
The National Cancer Control Strategy does not recommend the introduction of a population based screening programme for prostate cancer as there is currently insufficient evidence available. This position is consistent with the Recommendations adopted by the European Union which advocate the introduction of cancer screening programmes which have demonstrated their efficacy having regard to professional expertise and priority setting for health care resources. The EU proposals do not provide for specific recommendations in respect of screening for prostate cancer. My Department and the National Cancer Screening Service will keep emerging international evidence under review including the results of randomised trials that are currently being conducted internationally.
Appropriate treatment for men diagnosed with prostate cancer is available at major hospitals throughout the country. Any man who has concerns in relation to prostate cancer should contact his GP who will, where appropriate, refer him to the appropriate services in his area.
180 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children the way she came to the decision that €531 a week was the cost of nursing home care in Cavan/Monaghan; her views on whether it is right that an old age pensioner with an income of €209 per week will have to pay €106 of that towards a nursing home caring for their spouse; if it is wrong that someone entering the same nursing home in the year 2006 should be fully covered by subvention and yet this person because they entered in 2007 has to use their full pension plus their spouse’s pension to pay for their keep; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17358/07]
The matter that the Deputy is referring to is the payment of subvention towards the cost of private nursing home care. The cost of private nursing homes is set by the nursing home and is not determined by my Department. The subvention scheme was introduced to assist with the cost of private nursing home care and it was never intended that a subvention payment would meet the full costs of private nursing home care. The Regulations including limits on income and assets were introduced to ensure that available resources were directed to those most in need. These regulations apply to all applicants for a subvention.
From 1 January 2007 there are no longer three separate rates for subvention. Persons who apply may receive any amount up to a maximum of €300 per week. The payment of subvention is subject to means testing. In addition, the HSE may pay an enhanced subvention to people who cannot afford to meet the cost of care. An extra €30 million has been provided in 2007 for this purpose.
Earlier this year the HSE finalised National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme. Under the guidelines, the assessment of means will now be carried out using a national standard financial assessment method.
The Government is currently considering new policy on Long Term Care and several principles underlying this were agreed with the social partners in "Towards 2016". These principles include, for example, that there should be one standardised national needs assessment for older people needing care. The use of community and home-based care should be maximised. Sheltered housing options will be encouraged. Where residential care is required, it should be quality care and there should be appropriate and equitable levels of co-payment by care recipients based on a national standardised financial assessment. The level of support for residential care should be indifferent as to whether that care is in a public or private facility. The financial model to support any new arrangements must also be financially sustainable.
The start date for the new nursing home support scheme — A Fair Deal — is 1 January, 2008. This is because primary legislation must be passed in order for the scheme to commence. The Department is currently working on preparing the Heads of the Bill. Some of the benefits and key commitments to individuals as part of A Fair Deal will be:
Nursing home care will now be affordable to every person and fair to all;
For those currently in private care, their costs will be reduced;
Individuals will be asked to make a contribution towards the cost of care, limited by the cost of care;
The basis for contributions will be fair, based on each person's means and assets;
A person's family will not have to contribute towards their cost of care;
Care recipients will not have to sell or mortgage their house to meet the contribution;
A spouse will not have to sell or mortgage the house to meet the contribution;
The deferred contribution from the principal private residence will be capped at a maximum of 15%;
Remaining spouse or partner will retain a minimum income of at least the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), i.e. €200 per week at present.
Under the new scheme the State will continue to fund the largest part of care costs overall.
181 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether her target to reduce the incidence of MRSA by 30% over five years is unambitious and disappointing in view of the fact that the Welsh managed to reduce MRSA by 60% over four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17735/07]
According to the Health Infection Society's most recent survey of HCAIs, the prevalence of MRSA in Ireland is lower that the UK, including Wales. The HSE recently launched its ‘Say No to Infection' campaign and as a result of this a new HCAI Governance Group was established. This Group will manage the HSE's approach to tackling HCAIs, including MRSA, and is responsible for reducing infection levels in Ireland's health care facilities.
Over the next three to five years the Group aims to reduce HCAIs by 20%, MRSA infections by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20%. These targets are being achieved through the development of national and local level action plans to reduce the potential for spread of infections between persons in health care settings and to reduce and alter antibiotic use in Ireland.
The Group has already agreed a detailed Infection Control Action Plan for HCAI prevention and control including specific guidance for senior managers across all health care settings and local implementation teams to carry out the action plan. This Plan involves a number of targeted actions that will be delivered across the health care system. The various steps that need to be taken to tackle HCAIs are based on best practice and targets are based on evidence to be gathered from hospital and community health care settings.
The reduction of health care associated infection (HCAI), including MRSA, requires a coordinated response including national and local implementation of strategies to reduce HCAI and antimicrobial resistance, continuous quality improvement initiatives in health care, surveillance of HCAI and antimicrobial resistance, education and training of health care staff and the public in the principles of HCAI prevention and control, and adequate resources to operate HCAI control and antimicrobial stewardship. The HSE action plan incorporates all these important principles. I am confident that this will lead to a significant decrease in HCAI over a 5-year period similar to the reductions experienced in other health care systems.
182 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the number and type of private and public beds in each hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17698/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular question raised by the Deputy. 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.
187 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of home helps employed in each county for each for the years 1997 to date in 2007; the number of vacancies in each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17706/07]
Over 120,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the number of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the health care needs of the population into the future.
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of the Actual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.
188 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children the timeframe for the delivery of cervical cancer vaccine; the persons who will be the intended recipients and funding of the vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17608/07]
The most effective strategy for the prevention of cervical cancer requires decisions based on an assessment of the relative contributions of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination and cervical screening in reducing the burden of both existing and projected cervical pre-cancerous changes and cervical cancer. Issues to be examined include the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the vaccine for different age groups and for differing levels of screening provision and uptake. As is being done in other jurisdictions, Ireland is now considering the potential role of HPV vaccination in addressing the problem of cervical cancer prevention.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recently undertaken an scientific assessment of the public health value of HPV following a request from my Department. NIAC and the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS), agreed that this work needed to be complemented by a study of the cost effectiveness of the vaccine in the current Irish context. Accordingly, both organisations requested that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) undertake this study. HIQA has recently been established on a statutory footing and one of the key functions of the Authority is the assessment of health technology, drugs and health promotion activities. When I have received the policy advice from HIQA and NCSS I will make the necessary decisions that arise from the advice.
A quality assured population based cervical screening programme aims to reduce cervical cancer in Ireland by approximately 80%. I expect the NCSS to have such a programme in place from around the end of the year. A national cervical screening programme will still be required regardless of a decision on a HPV vaccination programme.
189 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17864/07]
No decisions have been overturned or amended by me under Section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005.
190 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Taoiseach if relatives of the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings have sought voluntary disclosure of certain documents from the commission of investigation into the 1974 bombings which are in the custody of his Department; if the documents will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17987/07]
The voluntary disclosure of certain documents amassed by the Commission of Investigation into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings is subject to ongoing legal proceedings. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment on the issue.
191 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the specific means by which he will use the taxation system to encourage good environmental behaviour and discourage poor practice, for example, through rebalancing the VRT system to reward the purchase of greener cars. [17801/07]
The tax system can be used either to encourage or to deter certain behaviours which have an impact on the environment. I have been using the tax system to promote good environmental behaviour through the following policies:excise relief of over 200 million euro for biofuels over 5 years from 2006; 50% VRT relief for flexible fuel vehicles, hybrid cars and electric cars; the inclusion of recycling companies in BES/Seed Capital Schemes from 200; and extending the tax relief for corporate investment in renewable energy.
In addition, as the Deputy will be aware, in my 2007 Budget Statement, I announced that I planned to introduce changes to the current VRT system to take greater account of environmental issues, and in particular Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions. The Programme for Government re-affirms this commitment. A public consultation in this regard has taken place. Work on the matter is ongoing and a range of possible options are being considered at this stage. It is intended that the changes made to the VRT system will be broadly revenue neutral.
192 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has received an application for funding for flood relief works involving the replacement of piping at Arklow, County Wicklow, from Arklow Town Council; if so, what the application consisted of; the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18089/07]
The Commissioners of Public Works are working with Arklow Town Council to establish whether economically and environmentally sustainable measures can be identified to alleviate the flooding in the Town. In this regard a Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Assessment are currently being undertaken. The Commissioners have no proposals for replacement of pipes as part of flood relief works at this stage.
193 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a couple buying a house together are entitled to relief from stamp duty when one is a first time buyer and the other has purchased before; his views on such proposals as the first time buyer is being penalised in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17792/07]
Reduced rates of stamp duty on second-hand residential property for first-time buyers were introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2000 in order to assist first-time buyers entering the housing market. The Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007, that was recently published, will exempt first-time buyers from stamp duty on all houses. To qualify for relief, the purchaser or purchasers must declare that they have not purchased property previously and that they will occupy the property for at least five years. Where a property is purchased jointly, each purchaser must satisfy the conditions in order to qualify for first-time buyers exemption. This position has existed since the first-time buyers exemption was introduced.
194 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17859/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, Section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2003 is of general application and statutory instruments, or indeed related decisions, are not made under that provision. The Section provides for a general rule that a statutory instrument made under other enactments can be revoked or amended even though those enactments do not contain an express power to do so. In this context, the definition of a statutory instrument is very broad ranging and in the time available it is not possible to review the range of possible statutory instruments in this category. However, if the Deputy has a particular decision or statutory instrument in mind I will clarify the position for him.
195 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the tax credits available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is caring for a disabled stepson. [17874/07]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that incapacitated child tax credit can be claimed by a parent for a child who is permanently incapacitated either physically or mentally from maintaining himself or herself and had become so before reaching 21 years of age or finishing full-time education. The term "child" includes stepchild, formally adopted child, informally adopted child or any child of whom the claimant has custody and maintains at his or her own expense. For 2007, the value of the credit is €3,000. The home carer tax credit and health expenses relief may also be available in certain circumstances. Further information may be obtained from the Revenue website www.revenue.ie or by calling the Revenue PAYE Locall service 1890 22 24 25.
196 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if tax relief can be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Cork for educational costs in view of the fact that they are employed part time and in part-time education. [17875/07]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that tax relief at the standard rate of tax is available for tuition fees paid for certain full-time and part-time approved undergraduate courses of at least two years duration. Tax relief is also available for tuition fees paid for certain approved training courses in the areas of IT and foreign languages and for fees paid for certain approved postgraduate courses. Details of qualifying courses may be obtained from the Revenue website www.revenue.ie or by calling the Revenue PAYE Local service 1890 22 24 25.
197 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if parents who avail of private tuition for dyslexic children can avail of taxable allowance in regard to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17937/07]
The position is that the tax system does not provide relief in respect of private tuition expenses incurred by parents who have children with dyslexia. The general issue of provision for children with special educational needs, including those with dyslexia, was discussed during the Finance Bill 2007 debates in the Dáil. In recent years, the supports available through the direct expenditure system for children with disabilities, including those with dyslexia, have increased significantly.
In 2005, approval was given for the Department of Education and Science to move from individual allocation of resources for children with special needs, on foot of a psychological assessment, to an approach whereby all schools are allocated resources based on a weighted model without the need for individual psychological assessments for the high incidence categories of need, such as dyslexia and mild/borderline-mild general learning disability. In all, it is projected that over €820 million of the 2007 Estimates allocation for the Department of Education and Science will be related to disability and special needs. As with many areas where State support may be required, the question arises as to whether such support may be more effectively provided through the direct expenditure route rather than through the tax system. One advantage of the former mechanism is that the support may be better targeted at those in need, irrespective of family income, whereas support through the tax system can only benefit those whose incomes are high enough to benefit from tax relief.
As I have indicated in response to previous Parliamentary Questions and representations on this issue, I have no plans to extend tax relief to cover expenses for tuition for children with dyslexia.
198 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when a certificate of discharge from capital acquisitions tax by virtue of section 62(2) of the Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidated Act 2003 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17947/07]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Certificate of discharge from Capital Acquisition Tax issued to the applicant on 25 June 2007. The certificate was forwarded to the person's agents.
199 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position regarding the proposed plans by the Office of Public Works to alleviate flooding in the Clonlara area, County Clare; if works have commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17950/07]
The Commissioners of Public Works are currently working with Clare and Limerick County Councils, the ESB and other relevant bodies with a view to implementing a solution to the flooding problem that would be both cost effective and environmentally acceptable. An environmental assessment of potential options is being carried out at present.
200 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position in regarding the repair and refurbishment of Dunmanway Garda station in west Cork; and the estimated timeframe for same. [17959/07]
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that a contract has been awarded for the first phase of work at Dunmanway Garda Station, Co. Cork. Phase one of the project consists of the demolition of a shed and construction of a new shed on the adjoining neighbours property. This is to facilitate access/aggress to the rear of the adjoining Garda Station property. These works commenced on Friday 22 June 2007. Simultaneously, specifications are being prepared for the main refurbishment project and it is anticipated that the Commissioners of Public Works will proceed to invite tenders in September of this year.
201 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a company (details supplied) is registered for VAT. [17982/07]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for reasons of taxpayer confidentiality, it is not possible to provide the information requested. However, if the Deputy wishes to supply a VAT number the Revenue Commissioners can check that it is a valid VAT number.
202 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will request a report from the Office of Public Works regarding concerns that new traffic and parking restrictions in the Phoenix Park are limiting the ability of elderly strollers to reach more scenic areas of the park. [17985/07]
Arising from recommendations contained in the Phoenix Park Transportation Study, published in October 2006 and a Press Release on the matter, issued on 17 January this year, the following traffic measures were introduced on 24 June 2007: a one way traffic system involving entry only at the Chapelizod Gate and exit only at the Islandbridge gate; closure of the Military Road to through traffic. Both of these measures will greatly enhance safety for all Park users and also enhance the ability of all users to reach more scenic areas of the Park. As the Deputy is aware the Transportation Study involved wide ranging consultation prior to formulation of the Study and following publication.
203 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the tax treatment here of profits generated by persons running private equity funds; and if the inequities recently highlighted in the UK tax treatment apply here. [18037/07]
The issues recently highlighted in the U.K. arose from special rules applied in that jurisdiction that provide for a reduced rate of capital gains tax on such profits in certain circumstances. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the profits generated here by persons running private equity funds are taxed in the normal way without the application of special rules.
204 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children if her Department is costing the picture archiving communication system which would help resolve storage problems in hospitals; the hospitals that have received funding for the PACS; if St. Luke’s Hospital, County Kilkenny is under consideration for funding for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17964/07]
The Government's sustained high level of investment in health care has enabled the completion and commissioning of numerous new facilities in both the acute and the non-acute sectors. This year, the sum available for expenditure in health under the Health Service Executive's capital plan is €546 million.
The HSE has responsibility for the planning and management of capital projects in the health sector, including the developments referred to in the Deputy's question. 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.
205 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason it is necessary for people in receipt of domiciliary allowance to obtain a letter from their doctor every year stating that the person who they are caring for has autism; her plans to change the system to awarding domiciliary allowance on a long-term basis; and if her attention has been drawn to any case of a person having autism, no longer being autistic. [17966/07]
Domiciliary Care Allowance may be paid, as the Deputy is aware, in respect of eligible children from birth to the age of 16 who have a severe disability requiring continual or continuous attention which is substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age. Eligibility is determined primarily by reference to the degree of additional care and attention required rather than to the type of disability involved. As stated in the circular, which governs Domiciliary Care Allowance, Medical Reviews on recipients are carried out based on the recommendation of the Senior Area Medical Officer/Area Medical Officer.
206 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to reduce the burden of child care costs on parents; if she will examine innovative ways such as the VAT system for reducing such costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17247/07]
The Government has introduced a number of measures to support parents with the cost of childcare and to increase the supply of quality child care places available to parents. To stimulate the provision of quality childcare places the Government established the EU co-funded Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP). Together, the two programmes have a combined budget of almost €1.1 billion and are projected to create over 90,000 child care places, with some 34,000 of the new places already in place. These places are provided either through community based/not for profit childcare groups or by private providers.
Under the programmes applicants can apply for capital grants for the building or expansion of childcare facilities. The maximum funding available under the NCIP for community based services is €1.2 million and for private providers there is a maximum of €100,000 per facility and a maximum of €500,000 for multiple services in different catchment areas subject to programme criteria.
Furthermore under the EOCP, community based providers have also been able to apply for staffing grants to assist with the costs of employing childcare workers in community based childcare centres with a focus on disadvantage. This ensures that less advantaged parents have increased access to quality childcare and that they are charged fees which are less than the economic cost of providing the service. Under the NCIP a successor scheme to support childcare costs for disadvantaged parents is being developed and is expected to be announced shortly.
This Government is committed to providing enhanced childcare supports to ensure that there are quality services available to parents throughout the country while also offering real choice to all parents in relation to the care of their children. In Budget 2007, the Minister for Finance announced the Government's commitment to invest an additional one billion euros in Child Benefit over the course of the next 5 years, to support all parents with the cost of caring for their children. Child Benefit has been increased in successive budgets and in Budget 2007, it was increased by €10 per month for the first two children to €160 per month; and by €10 per month for the third and subsequent children to €195 per month. The total cost of Child Benefit in 2007 is expected to be €2.258 billion.
In addition, in Budget 2005 the Minister for Finance announced the introduction of the Early Childcare Supplement of €1,000 per annum. This is a direct, non-taxable payment of €250 per quarter year, in respect of each child less than 6 years of age. The total cost of the Early Childcare Supplement in 2007 is expected to be €406 million. Child Benefit and the Early Childcare Supplement mean that a family with 2 children under the age of 6 years is now in receipt of a direct payment per annum of €5,840 at a total cost to the Exchequer of over €2.6 billion.
To further support parents, major increases in Paid and Unpaid Maternity Leave was introduced in 2006 and 2007. In March 2007 Paid and Unpaid Maternity Leave was increased in total by a further 8 weeks bringing the total duration of Paid Maternity Leave to 26 weeks and the total duration of Unpaid Maternity Leave to 16 Weeks.
In relation to Value-Added Tax (VAT) the position is that the provision of pre-school childcare services is already exempt from VAT under the First Schedule to the Value Added Tax Act 1972 (as amended). This means that such services are not subject to VAT.
207 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will hold a referendum to amend the family articles in the Constitution and propose new provisions in respect of children’s rights. [17240/07]
On 3 November, 2006, the Taoiseach proposed a referendum on the place of children in our Constitution and requested the then Minister for Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to initiate a process of consultation and discussion with the Dáil parties and all relevant interest groups in this regard.
The Minister engaged in a series of discussions with political party representatives, the Ombudsman for Children, non-governmental organisations (represented by the Children's Rights Alliance) and faith-based groups. The purpose of the consultation was to achieve consensus on an appropriate wording for an amendment to the Constitution which would reflect the need to establish robust safeguards and protections for children.
On the direction of the Government, proposals were brought to cabinet by the Minister on a referendum to amend the Constitution in respect of Children's Rights and the Twenty-Eighth Amendment to the Constitution Bill, 2007 was published on 19 February 2007.
In line with the Programme for Government, it is proposed to establish an all-party Committee to examine the proposed constitutional amendment with a view to further deepening consensus on this matter. It is envisaged that the published Bill will provide a framework for the work of the Committee.
208 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the role of the proposed Minister of State with responsibility for older people; if, in conjunction with this position does she envisage the appointment of an ombudsman to advocate on behalf of the elderly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17108/07]
Services for Older People are a priority for the Government. The Deputy may wish to know that it is the intention of this Government to appoint Deputy Máire Hoctor T.D. as Minister for Older People. It is intended that the Minister of State for Older People will also be a Member of the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. The appointment of an Ombudsman for Older People will be considered in the context of overall policy developments/initiatives in the coming months.
209 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied with the rate at which persons who were illegally charged for nursing home care are being refunded; the difficulties that have been encountered in the repayment of these moneys; the date she anticipates the health repayment scheme to complete repayments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18004/07]
The health repayment scheme was launched in August 2006 and is administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in conjunction with the appointed Scheme Administrator KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald.
The position at 15th June, 2007 was that 3,200 offers of repayment, with a value of approximately €60 million have been issued by the scheme administrator. Arising from these offers approximately 1,800 repayments with a value of approximately €38 million have been made to date. This rate of repayment is lower than had been projected. I understand from the HSE that this is due to a number of factors including the legal and technical requirements, a high level of deficiencies in the application forms submitted to the scheme administrator and complexities in the operation of the probate process.
In accordance with the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006, priority has been given to repaying living applicants as they were most immediately affected; however repayments to estates have now commenced. A dedicated website www.repay.ie, an information phone line 1890 886 886 and an e-mail facility queries@repay.ie have been established by the scheme administrator to assist the public in accessing claim forms and general information on the scheme. The information line operates between the hours of 9.00 am and 6.00 pm Monday to Friday. The helpline has dealt with 50,161 queries to date.
The HSE is monitoring the operation of the repayment scheme and has agreed a range of initiatives with the scheme administrator to speed up the repayment process. The closing date for receipt of applications is 31st December 2007 and I have been informed by the HSE that final repayments should be made by mid 2008.
211 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist persons (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [17817/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. The Executive is, therefore, the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. 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.
212 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not receiving physiotherapy which was recommended and which they require as rehabilitation arising from a stroke that they suffered and who was a patient at the Cork University Hospital and subsequently St. Finbar’s Hospital. [17821/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, an additional sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism, including the provision of additional resources towards therapy services.
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal 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.
213 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 will be issued a birth certificate for their child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17839/07]
An tÁrd Chláraitheoir, the Registrar General, is the person with statutory responsibility for the administration of the system of civil registration in Ireland. I have made enquiries of an tÁrd Chláraitheoir and the position is as set out below.
Section 46 of the Status of Children Act 1987 governs presumptions of paternity and non-paternity. Subsection (1) of Section 46 provides that where a woman gives birth during a subsisting marriage, or within a period of ten months after the termination of the marriage, her husband is presumed to be the father of the child. Subsection (2) of Section 46 provides that where a married woman who is living apart from her husband under a decree of divorce or a deed of separation gives birth more than ten months after the decree was granted or deed executed, her husband shall be presumed not to be the father of the child unless the contrary is proven on the balance of probabilities.
Section 19 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 provides that when a child is born in the State, it is the duty of the parents or, if the parents are dead or incapable through ill health, another qualified informant to attend before any registrar, to give to the registrar the required particulars to register the birth, and to sign the register in the presence of the registrar.
Section 22 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 provides for registration of the father's details where the parents are not married to each other. Section 22(1) states that the father of a child who was not married to the mother at the time of the birth or during the period of ten months before the birth shall not be required to give information about the birth. The remainder of this provision provides for the registration of the father's details, including circumstances where the mother was married to a person other than the father. The effect of this provision is that where the parents are not married to each other, the father's details may be omitted from the registration of the birth. If the parents, or one of them, want the father's details recorded, Section 22 sets out the procedures to be followed, including the requirement for a rebuttal of paternity where the mother is married to someone who is not the father of the child.
It is understood that the person in question is in a subsisting marriage, but asserts that her husband is not the father of the child. It is also understood that the person does not propose to enter the father's details in the birth registration. As the person is in a subsisting marriage, the presumption of the paternity of her husband, as provided for under Section 46 of the Status of Children Act 1987, applies. In order for the birth to be registered to exclude her husband's details, it will be necessary to obtain a rebuttal in writing from the husband stating he is not the father of the child. When this rebuttal is to hand, the birth can be registered without delay.
214 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is the case that medical card holders may no longer have work done free of charge by their dentist; the reasons for this; and if she will immediately intervene to ensure that full entitlement is restored. [17840/07]
The Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides for a range of dental services for adult medical card holders from participating dentists holding contracts with the Health Service Executive (HSE). The DTSS Review Group was established in May 2006 to undertake a comprehensive review of Primary Care Oral Health Services provided under the DTSS. Represented on the Review Group are the HSE, the Health Service Employers Agency, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Department of Finance and the Irish Dental Association (IDA). The Group is chaired by Mr. Finbar Flood.
Since the Group was established, a legal issue has arisen with regard to the Competition Act 2002 as it relates to the negotiation of professional fees. The issues involved are complex and my officials are working with the Attorney General's office to clarify the way forward. The existing contractual arrangements with private dental practitioners under the DTSS for the provision of dental services to eligible patients remain in place.
216 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17861/07]
The Interpretation Act 2005 provides general rules for the interpretation of laws and, as such, decisions and regulations are not made under provisions of that Act.
217 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will urgently assist in having a person (details supplied) admitted to long-term care. [17876/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. 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.
218 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for nursing home subvention for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [17877/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. 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.
219 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive payments from the health repayments scheme in regard to an application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17930/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.
220 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive payments in regard to an application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17931/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.
221 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be assessed for orthodontic treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17938/07]
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.
222 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the role her Department plays in the provision of education for children with special needs particularly autism and related conditions; if her attention has been drawn to the position of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who is urgently awaiting a place at the special unit built in a school; the reason this facility remains unopened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17944/07]
As the Deputy is aware the education of a child, irrespective of their disability, is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Science. Where applicable my Department, through the Health Service Executive, supply support services to enable the particular person to avail fully of the educational system being offered.
With regard to the funding of health related services, an additional sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.
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.
223 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the directive she has issued to her Department officials to provide funding for health services in Tubbercurry for a new social project (details supplied) as there is a provision in this development for special needs units; if extra nursing posts or primary community and continuing care posts will be made available; if there are plans to decentralise the Health Service Executive, Tubbercurry to this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17949/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, an additional sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, including the provision of funding for a health facility in Tubbercurry, 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.
224 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans in place to retain and develop surgical facilities in Bantry Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17955/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. 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.
225 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the provision of additional accommodation at Bandon Community Hospital; and the estimated timeframe for same. [17960/07]
This Government is committed to a sustained high level of investment in healthcare which will enable the completion and commissioning of numerous new facilities in both the acute and the primary, community and continuing care sectors.
Responsibility for the planning and management of capital projects in the health sector which include the matters referred to in the Deputy's question are a matter for the Health Services 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.
226 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if a 24 hour ambulance cover for Scariff, County Clare is envisaged by the Health Service Executive for 2007 and 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17961/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. 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.
227 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [17962/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. 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.
228 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 as soon as possible. [17963/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. 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.
229 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the delays in payment to haemophilia sufferers arising from the policy to appeal all legal fees awarded to appellants by the High Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17973/07]
The issue raised by the Deputy relates to legal fees claimed by a particular law firm in respect of work done in connection with appeals to the High Court against decisions of the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal.
I understand that the Office of the Chief State Solicitor has referred certain fee notes from one law firm to the Taxing Master as it considered the amounts claimed excessive. The matter is before the High Court at the moment awaiting decision.
I wish to make it clear that this does not affect the payment of awards to claimants.
230 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children when the nursing home repayment scheme for a deceased person (details attached) will commence; the breakdown of the moneys that will be awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18012/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.
231 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation with respect to an application for funding by a hospital (details supplied) in County Wicklow to ensure that the additional accommodation recently developed will be utilised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18035/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. 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.
232 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her proposals to alleviate overcrowding at accident and emergency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18070/07]
239 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has taken place to provide hospital beds and eliminate the use of trolleys; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18077/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 239 together.
Improving the delivery of Accident and Emergency services 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 in A & E and do not require admission.
The Health Service Executive continues to report significant improvements in the number of patients in A & E departments who are awaiting admission to an acute bed as compared with the same period last year. The average number of patients awaiting admission during March, the last full month for which reliable information was available, was 59% lower than the equivalent period twelve months ago.
Last year the HSE introduced a target of 24 hours within which all patients should be admitted, following the decision to admit. This target is being achieved by the vast majority of hospitals. The HSE is working closely with the small number of hospitals who are continuing to experience difficulties to assist them in reaching this target. The HSE has announced that it will be introducing a revised target of 12 hours within which a patient should be admitted, following the decision to admit. The HSE is also to introduce a monitoring system to record the total time patients spend in A & E departments, from the time they arrive to the time they are either discharged or admitted.
In terms of A & E capacity the HSE has developed admission lounges at a number of hospitals in 2006 and further lounges are being fast tracked to come on-stream in 2007. These admission lounges alleviate pressure on A & E and enable patients awaiting admission to an acute hospital bed to be managed safely while preserving their right to dignity and privacy. Other measures being put in place to improve services for patients and to reduce pressure on A & E departments include a series of hospital avoidance measures as follows:
Hospital in the Home Scheme
Development of Community Intervention Teams
Roll-out of more primary care teams
Expansion of out-of-hours GP services
Expansion of community diagnostic services
Measures being taken to improve and optimise acute hospital capacity and capability include:
Seven new Community Nursing Units in Dublin
Additional long-stay beds outside of Dublin
Additional Acute Medical Assessment Units and Acute Medical Admission Units
Development of enhanced diagnostic capability in hospitals
The Programme for Government commits to the provision of an additional 1,500 dedicated public beds. In addition, the HSE is currently reviewing the acute hospital bed requirements up to 2020. This review will identify the number and type of acute beds that are required, the capital and revenue implications, and advise on how to meet the identified need. The findings and recommendations of this review will inform the Government's policy on developing capacity in acute hospitals into the future.
233 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children and adults currently accommodated and provided for at a centre (details supplied) in County Kildare; the anticipated accommodation and education and health requirements and support services expected to be required there at in the future in view of demographic trends and referrals; her proposals to fund such requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18071/07]
234 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she and her Department have evaluated the services available at a centre (details supplied) in County Kildare; the extent to which she proposes to fund these necessary services in the future with particular reference to ensuring adequate places for the number of children expected to rely on such services in the future; if her attention has been drawn to the ever increasing pressure for the places and services at the centre; if she will increase funding and support in line with these requirements in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18072/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, an additional sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.
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. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
235 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients awaiting cataract surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18073/07]
Statutory responsibility for the collation, management and publication of data on waiting times and numbers of persons waiting for surgical procedures rests with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). My Department has, therefore, asked the Chief Executive of the NTPF to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the information requested.
236 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to offer facilities and support to the parents of autistic children in a co-ordinated and structured one stop shop fashion ranging from diagnosis to speech and language therapy services, advice and support with a view to meeting the most urgent requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18074/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, an additional sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.
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.
237 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which all the facilities including state of the art operating theatres are fully operational at Naas General Hospital; her plans in this regard for the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18075/07]
238 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the final phase of the Naas Hospital project plan to be completed; the full compliment of facilities including beds then expected to become available; if it is intended to review the bed compliment with a view to an increase in line with demographic trends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18076/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues raised by the Deputy. 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.
240 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the augmentation of the public hospital bed complement in the short term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18078/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive, and specifically the National Hospitals Office, is the appropriate body to consider the particular question raised by the Deputy. 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.
241 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is intended to review the proposal to locate the new children’s hospital adjacent to the Mater Hospital; if she has received or examined the compelling submissions from experts including consultants who are adamant that the previously available site for the children’s hospital has greater advantages in terms of future development potential, accessibility and space for the provision of ancillary or support facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18079/07]
I have outlined to the House on a number of occasions the background to the selection of the site for the new National Paediatric Hospital.
The development of the National Paediatric Hospital is being overseen by a joint HSE / Department of Health and Children Transition Group. The current stage of the process involves the preparation of a high level framework brief for the new hospital. The brief is being developed for the Transition Group by Rawlinson Kelly & Whittlestone Ltd (RKW), an established UK-based health care planning company. RKW is advising on a range of issues which will help to inform the design of the new hospital. They are advising, for example, on the preferred model of care, on the core services to be delivered at the new hospital, and on the additional range of services to be provided outside of the main hospital through the urgent/ambulatory care service, and on the location(s) for this service, taking account of international best practice in the planning of children's hospital services. Final consultations with stakeholders are being held this week in advance of the publication of the High Level Framework document.
I recently signed the Order establishing the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board on a statutory basis. The principal functions of the Board will be to plan, design, build, furnish and equip the new hospital in accordance with the brief approved by the HSE. The Development Board held its inaugural meeting earlier this week.
242 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the needs of cancer sufferers are best served by the retention of St. Luke’s Hospital and the facilities thereat, having particular regard to the extent to which patients have confidence in and rely on the services at St. Luke’s which has served Ireland well over the years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18080/07]
243 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the opposition to the proposed closure of St. Luke’s Hospital; if she will review her proposals in this regard in view of the dependency of cancer sufferers on the facilities available at the hospital and the particular ethos that has developed there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18081/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
The Government's policy on radiation oncology is based on the Report on ‘The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland'. The Report was prepared by a multi-disciplinary group of experts in radiation oncology, medical oncology, public health and palliative care, including significant expertise from St. Luke's Hospital and the Irish Cancer Society. The Report has had significant international endorsement from such bodies as the US National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. The Report recommended that there should be two radiation oncology treatment centres located in the Eastern region, one serving the southern part of the region and adjacent catchment areas and one serving the northern part of the region and adjacent catchment areas. A detailed request for proposals issued to six hospitals in Dublin in June 2004 and an International Panel submitted its advice to me in January 2005.
The decision to transfer St. Luke's Hospital was taken by the Government in the context of this advice and its consideration of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology Services. The decision is designed to ensure that radiation oncology, one element of cancer care, is integrated with all other aspects of care, including surgery and medical oncology. This is in line with best international practice. I am convinced that this model will provide better patient centred treatment with improved quality of service and outcome for patients. The Board of St. Luke's Hospital and its Executive Management Team are fully committed to supporting the Government's decision in relation to the development of radiation oncology. A transfer on similar lines took place last year in Northern Ireland when radiation oncology services transferred to Belfast City Hospital, a major academic teaching hospital.
In progressing the transfer, I will build on the expertise and ethos of St. Luke's. I have ensured that experts at St. Luke's are centrally involved in the planning and delivery of the National Plan. The plan consists of large centres in Dublin (at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals), Cork and Galway and two integrated satellite centres at Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital. The Chief Executive at St. Luke's will lead the management team of the new facility at St. James's. I also appointed the Chairman of St. Luke's to chair a National Radiation Oncology Oversight Group which is advising me on progress on the implementation of the plan.
Discussions on transfer, facilitated by the HSE, are taking place involving the Chief Executives of both hospitals. A working group is in place to develop close working relationships and ensure a smooth transition. In addition and in recognition of the role for St. Luke's in the new facility at St. James's, I will pursue discussions with the Boards of both Hospitals about its governance and a re-configuration of the Boards. The twin goals are to ensure continuity of expertise and ethos in the care of cancer patients and the effective integration of multi-disciplinary patient care at the one site.
244 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she or the Health Service Executive have studied the extent to which an expanded role in the provision of health services can be undertaken by the network of local health centres here as has been the case in other jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18083/07]
The Primary Care Strategy aims to increase health service capacity through the development of services in the community to give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of occupational therapists, general practitioners, nurses, home helps, physiotherapists and others.
It has been estimated that up to 95% of people's health and social services needs can be properly met within a primary care setting and the establishment of new Primary Care Teams can contribute greatly to enhancing community based health services.
The HSE received funding totalling €32m in 2006 and 2007 for the establishment of 200 Primary Care Teams, which altogether will involve the appointment of some 600 additional front-line professionals and thus a significant increase in capacity to meet people's health and social care needs in the community. The Government is committed under the Towards 2016 agreement to the establishment of 300 Primary Care Teams by 2008; 400 by 2009; and 500 by 2011. A review of these targets will be undertaken in 2008.
The provision of the appropriate infrastructure for the effective functioning of the Primary Care Teams is considered by the HSE, having regard to a number of factors. These include the type and configuration of the services involved, the mixed public/private nature of our health system, the suitability of existing infrastructure and the capital requirements of the health services generally over the coming years.
As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. 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.
245 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the inappropriateness of locating the Central Mental Hospital in the grounds of the proposed prison site at Thornton Hall and the negative message and connotations that such a location sends out to the patients and families of the Central Mental Hospital and the appropriateness of locating the hospital in an isolated area with very poor private transport links and no public transport links for patients’ families and staff of the Central Mental Hospital. [18156/07]
In May 2006, the Government approved the development of a new national forensic mental health facility at Thornton Hall, Co Dublin and the disposal of the site at Dundrum.
The redeveloped Central Mental Hospital will be a separate capital development project, independent of the prison complex to replace Mountjoy Prison, managed and directed by the Health Service Executive. The Health Service Executive has established a project team to progress the redevelopment of the Central Mental Hospital. The new hospital will be built on its own campus and will retain its identity as a separate, therapeutic health facility owned and managed by the Health Service Executive. The new hospital will have its own grounds with a separate entrance and address to the prison complex.
246 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing home teams in 2006 and to date in 2007. [18161/07]
The Health Service Executive has advised my Department that the principal expertise involved in inspections is that of medical, nursing and environmental health professionals. Staff are currently employed on both a full time and part time basis and the number of teams for both 2006 and to date in 2007 can be summarised as follows:
In HSE West, there are 6 teams comprising of 6 Medical Officers, 6 Nursing Staff, 9 Environmental Health Officers (WTE) and 2 Clerical Officers undertaking inspections in Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary, Donegal, Roscommon, Mayo Galway and Sligo/Leitrim.
In HSE South, there are 9 teams comprising of 9 Medical Officers, 9 Nursing Staff and 9 Environmental Health Officers undertaking inspections in Cork -South Lee, North Lee, West, and North, Carlow / Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Kerry.
In HSE Dublin North East there is one centralised team covering Dublin North East, Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan. The team comprises of 2 Medical Officers, 7 fulltime and 2 part time Nursing Staff and an Environmental Health Officer as required.
In HSE Dublin Mid Leinster there are 9 teams comprising of 10 Medical Officers, 19 Nursing Staff, 7 Environmental Health Officers and 10 Therapists undertaking inspections in Dublin South City, Dublin South West, Dublin South East, Dublin West, Dublin South/Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow, Kildare/West Wicklow, Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.
Donegal, Limerick and Dublin North East teams work full time on the inspection process. The remaining teams consist of staff working on inspections part time.
Forty additional posts have been approved since the beginning of 2007 and the majority of these posts have now been put in place. The approach in the implementation of these new posts is being tailored to meet the needs of each area.
247 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if the inspection teams report on the standard of nursing home care and its adequacy and inadequacy; if not the reason for same; and her plans to address this shortfall if it exists. [18162/07]
248 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing homes that remain to be inspected; and when a nationwide inspection will be completed. [18163/07]
249 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if adequate resources, manpower and funding is in place to carry out comprehensive annual inspections in all nursing homes; if State nursing homes are included in these inspections; and if not, the reason for same. [18164/07]
250 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if an independent inspectorate has been established, funded and staffed; and if it will inspect State nursing homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18166/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 to 250, inclusive, together.
The present standards for nursing homes are set out in the 1993 Care and Welfare Regulations. The HSE inspects private nursing homes on the basis of these standards. Inspections are carried out on an on-going basis and there is now in place a national standardised approach to nursing home inspections across the country, and this underpins the inspection process. All inspections are now unannounced and nursing homes are now inspected at least twice a year.
The HSE has advised that in 2006 there were 437 private nursing homes in operation across the country and they completed 870 inspections. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that since July 2006 the inspection reports have been made available on the HSE's website. I am also pleased to say that I provided an additional €6m for the development of the nursing home inspection process in 2007/8.
In addition to the work undertaken by the HSE on inspections, I published Draft National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in January 2007. The standards, when finalised, will replace those set out in the Nursing Homes (Care and Welfare) Regulations 1993. Importantly, the new standards will apply to all residential settings (public, private and voluntary) where older people are cared for and for which registration is required.
As the Health Act, 2007 provides that this enhanced inspection function will be taken over by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), I formally handed over the draft standards to the Authority to be finalised following a public consultation. A wide ranging working group was immediately established by HIQA and the next step in the process will see the Authority publish their draft for public consultation prior to finalising the standards. Regulations will then be drafted by my Department to give statutory effect to the new standards.
The Chief Inspector of Social Services will then be required to monitor, against these standards set by HIQA, residential care services provided to older persons (amongst others) in public, private and voluntary settings.
HIQA was formally established on 15th May 2007 and has received its allocation for 2007. The staffing complement for the organisation including all of the posts for the Inspectorate has been agreed with my Department. I understand that HIQA is already in the process of recruiting its senior management team. Realistically the organisation must be given time to get its full complement of staff in place.
The HSE is also liaising with HIQA to facilitate transition arrangements as we move towards the new system of inspection in line with the recently enacted legislation.
251 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a stock of extra, spare replacement trolleys for use by ambulances in a secure, clean storage area at all accident and emergency facilities and hospitals in order to prevent and terminate the current situation where ambulances are parking and laid up while they wait the return of their trolleys from patients lying and waiting on them for admission to or in accident and emergency departments and hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18169/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. 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.
252 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine his views on having a system put in place whereby local authorities inform people when their driving licence is due to be renewed, similar to the information provided on renewal of motor tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17835/07]
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the oversight of the operation of the driver licensing system.
253 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine his proposals, having particular regard to the safety of fishermen who are fishing alone, to approve the type of electronic positioning emergency radio beacon which can be pinned to the fisherman’s life jacket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18088/07]
All fishing vessels are already required under the Fishing Vessels (Radio Installations) Regulations, S.I. No. 544 of 1998, to carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).
EPIRB's must comply with the technical standards of the satellite service provider COSPAS-SARSAT, and with relevant European Directives, and must be programmed with the vessel's identification details. There is no restriction on attaching an EPIRB to a lifejacket as long as the deployment of the EPIRB or the lifejacket is not compromised in any way.
254 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the legislative basis for the practice by some local authorities and by An Garda Síochána of notifying car parking fines by post rather than by placing a parking ticket on the windscreen of the offending vehicle. [17818/07]
The legislative basis that provides for the use of the alternative modes that the Deputy refers to for issue of a fixed charge notice by members of the Garda Síochána in respect of vehicles that are believed to be illegally parked is set out in Section 103 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as substituted by section 11 of the Road Traffic Act 2002.
The corresponding provision that is used by traffic wardens that are employed by local authorities to enforce the parking laws is contained in section 3 of the Local Authorities (Traffic Wardens) Act 1975 as substituted by section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 2002.
Subsequent amendments to those section 103 and section 3 provisions referred to above, in relation to the issue of fixed charge notices, are contained in the Road Traffic Act 2004 and the Road Traffic Act 2006.
255 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine if he will undertake to introduce legislation to allow greater flexibility to local authorities in having publicly accessed footpaths which are in private ownership, for instance outside older neighbourhood shops, to be properly maintained and regulated. [17844/07]
Road authorities only have a statutory role in relation to the maintenance of public roads. The scope of their remit does not extend to areas of private property, such as those referred to by the Deputy, which are situated in front of a shop premises. The maintenance and use of private property is a matter for the owners or occupiers of the property. Any liability arising from the condition of that property is a matter under civil law for the private parties. I do not propose to extend the application of the Roads Acts or of the Road Traffic Acts to areas of private property.
256 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17865/07]
No decisions relating to work in my Department have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005.
257 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the policy for public transport in relation to the elderly and disabled on entering and exiting such public transport in view of the difficulties many elderly and disabled people meet in being able to get onto a bus at an official bus stop where steps may be too high. [17886/07]
Transport Access for All, the sectoral plan for transport under the Disability Act 2005, was approved by the Oireachtas in Autumn 2006. The Plan addresses the accessibility needs of people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments across all transport modes and contains time bound targets for the progressive realisation of accessible transport in Ireland. The Plan includes specific targets in respect of urban bus services, inter-city coach services, bus stops and bus stations. Local Authorities, the NRA, bus operators and the Garda Síochána are following through with the implementation of the measures necessary to achieve these targets. Significant resources are being provided under Transport 21 and the National Development Plan 2007 — 2013 for the implementation of the Sectoral Plan. I am satisfied that progress to date is in accordance with the Plan.
258 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the regulations and requirements for the use of an open space in a densely populated residential area as a landing site for helicopters; if ground staff are required for safety consideration; if proximity to houses is a consideration; and if concerns that children were playing on a sports field (details supplied) in Dublin 9 while helicopters landed unsupervised will be investigated. [17988/07]
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is the agency within the remit of my Department which is the designated body responsible for overseeing the operating standards of aircraft, including helicopters. Regarding the regulations and requirements for helicopter operations operating to/from an open space in the proximity of a densely populated residential area, the IAA has informed me that the following requirements are in place:
Articles 5(d) and 5(e) of Statutory Instrument S.I. No 334 of 2000 (Aerodromes and Visual Ground Aids) Order, as amended, (S.I. 216 of 2005), states that an aircraft shall not take off or land at any place in the State — “In the case of a rotorcraft any place where the aircraft may take-off or land without undue hazard to persons or property and in respect of which the owner or occupier shall have given permission”.
Rule 2 of Statutory Instrument S.I. No 72 of 2004 (Rules of the Air) Order, states that "An aircraft shall not be operated in a negligent or reckless manner so as to endanger life or property".
Aeronautical Notice 0.2 identifies the operating performance criteria for helicopter operations.
Aeronautical Notice NR O.41 ‘Operation of Helicopters at unprepared sites' reinforces the regulations set out in both S.I. 72 of 2004 and S.I. 334 of 2000 while at the same time gives additional guidance on procedures to be followed at ad hoc landing sites.
Operations Advisory Memorandum 08/2000 contains advisory information to ensure the safe and efficient operation of helicopters.
In summary, the regulatory requirements are in place and are under constant review by the Authority and where necessary are amended to ensure that safety is not compromised. The IAA has informed me that all the legislation relating to the regulation of helicopters can be viewed on its website, www.iaa.ie. The IAA has further informed me that all complaints regarding the safe operation of helicopters or indeed fixed wing aircraft are investigated by the IAA where sufficient details of the alleged breach are available. Individuals may contact the Authority directly with any concerns regarding safety matters arising from helicopter operations in their areas. The IAA has advised me that they have not received a complaint regarding the specific incident referred to in the Question. In this regard the Deputy or any individual can contact the IAA directly.
259 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the number of drivers currently driving on full licences and the number currently driving on provisional licences; the number of drivers on provisional licences of more than three years duration; and the waiting times for driving tests in each local authority. [18084/07]
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the oversight of the driving licensing system, driver testing and the issuing of certificates of competency.
260 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17860/07]
The purpose of the Interpretation Act 2005 is to assist in the proper interpretation of statutes, regulations and other subordinate legislation. Section 22 of the Act clarifies that a power to make a statutory instrument includes the power to repeal, amend, or replace it. The Interpretation Act 2005 came into operation on 1 January 2006. Since that date, the only Order I have made which relates to the question is the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 (Designated Member States) Order (No. 2) 2007 (S.I. No. 59 of 2007).
261 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specifics and workings of market rights and the way they are accessed and used by the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18013/07]
I assume the Deputy's question refers to market rights as defined under the Casual Trading Act 1995. The 1995 Act sets out the law regarding selling goods in public places. Casual trading is defined as "selling goods at a place (including a public road) to which the public have access as of right". The activity is regulated by way of by-laws made by local authorities under section 6 of the Act. The by-laws cover the functional areas of local authorities. "Market Right" is defined in section 1(1) of the Act as "a right conferred by franchise or statute to hold a fair or market, that is to say, a concourse of buyers and sellers to dispose of commodities". These market rights refer to markets and fairs created by statute or royal decree in the period from the Norman invasion to 1922. In section 7 of the Act provision is made whereby local authorities can either by agreement or compulsorily acquire any market right in their functional area. Provision is also made whereby if a market right has not been exercised for a period of not less than 10 years the market right shall stand extinguished. Section 8 of the Act sets out the powers and obligations on local authorities in respect of market rights owned by them. Whereas the previous casual trading legislation — the Casual Trading Act 1980, now repealed — excluded trading pursuant to a market right from the Act the current legislation covers trading carried out under a market right. Therefore trading pursuant to a market right is subject to the by-laws in force under the Casual Trading Act 1995 in each local authority functional area. These by-laws cover, inter alia, the designation of casual trading areas, the fixing of fees and the regulation of access to casual trading areas, etc.
262 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17857/07]
I am advised that section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005 is of general application and statutory instruments, or related decisions, are not made under that provision. Section 22 provides for a general rule that a statutory instrument made under other enactments can be revoked or amended even if those enactments do not contain an express power to do so. In this context, the definition of a statutory instrument is very broad and in the time available it has not been possible to determine positively whether or not section 22 has been relied upon in respect of statutory instruments within my Department's sphere of responsibility. Once my officials have established the position, I will revert to the Deputy.
263 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17852/07]
There have been no decisions overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005 in my Department since the commencement of the Act.
264 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of the renewal of family income supplement for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17794/07]
Family Income Supplement is designed to provide income support for employees on low earnings with children and thereby preserve the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if s/he were claiming other Social Welfare payments. My Department received an application for Family Income Supplement from the person concerned on 19 April 2007. It was necessary for her application to be referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation of her employment. The information required to complete the investigation has now been received from her employer, and the Inspector is completing his report. The application will be referred shortly for decision which will be communicated to the person concerned.
265 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to the back to education scheme. [17823/07]
The back to education allowance (BTEA) is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. It is designed to assist people on long-term social welfare payments and is not intended for the general population. To qualify for participation an applicant must be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment and must be at least 21 years of age before commencing an approved course of study. The person concerned is not in receipt of a qualifying payment and will not qualify for participation in the BTEA scheme. The requirement to be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for a minimum period has always been a feature of the BTEA scheme and this eligibility criteria is considered necessary to ensure that limited resources are directed at those most in need.
266 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the qualifying criteria for the fuel allowance with a view to including people in receipt of a small occupational pension as eligible applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17843/07]
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive payments with meeting the cost of their additional heating needs during the winter season. Fuel allowances are paid for 29 weeks from end-September to mid-April and are not intended to meet the full cost of heating. Some 274,000 people benefited from the fuel allowance in 2006 at an estimated annual cost of €125.1million. As a consequence of the increase in rate and the increase in the income threshold for eligibility as announced in the recent Budget, annual expenditure on the scheme in 2007 will increase by an estimated €36.4 million. The total annual cost in 2007 is estimated at €161.5 million. Eligibility to the fuel allowance scheme is subject to means and other conditions. The main conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with a qualifying dependant. People who already qualify for means-tested pensions or allowances such as old age (non-contributory) pension, long-term unemployment assistance or one-parent family payment do not have to undergo a further means test to qualify for fuel allowance. Most people who receive fuel allowances qualify because they satisfy the relevant means test for their primary weekly payment. However, from 29 September 2006 people in receipt of the State Pension can have earnings of up to €100 per week from insurable employment and still maintain their entitlement to fuel allowance.
In the case of contributory pensions such as State pension (contributory), State pension (transition) and invalidity pensions which are not means tested, earnings from insurable employment and/or occupational pensions are normally regarded as means for the purpose of determining an individual's entitlement to a fuel allowance. A person may have a combined household income of up to €100 per week, or savings/investments of up to €58,000, over and above the maximum rate of State pension (contributory) and still qualify for fuel allowance. Any changes in the means rules for the scheme, would have cost implications and would have to be considered in the context of the budget and in the light of the resources available for improvements in social welfare generally. In addition to the fuel allowance, some 340,000 pensioner and other households qualify for electricity or gas allowances through the household benefits package, payable towards their heating, light and cooking costs throughout the year, at an overall cost of €117 million in 2006.
267 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17863/07]
In accordance with specific provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 and the Pensions Act 1990, I am empowered to make regulations governing the operation and administration of the social welfare and supplementary pensions code. Given the nature and range of statutory social welfare schemes provided for in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, the regulations governing these schemes are, of necessity, amended on an ongoing basis. In general, these regulations provide for Budgetary and other changes in these schemes such as increases in the weekly rates of payment. Similarly, the statutory instruments made in accordance with the Pensions Act 1990 are reviewed, and, where necessary, amended to further strengthen the regulatory regime in relation to occupational pensions. In progressing my Department's commitment to regulatory reform, a number of social welfare Statutory Instruments have been repealed, or repealed in part, since the commencement of the Interpretation Act on 1 January 2006. Any such repeals were effected under the general regulatory powers contained in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, to which section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005 applies, and were undertaken in the context of my Department's programme of legislation consolidation, and in the interests of better regulation generally.
268 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it is possible for a person who was part of a company pension scheme and then left the company to bring their contributions to a new pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17965/07]
Part III of the Pensions Act 1990 is designed to protect the pension entitlements built up by employees in a company pension scheme in the event of the person leaving his or her employment. The Act provides for the preservation of benefits accrued in an occupational pension scheme and the option for transferring such benefits to another pension scheme. All occupational pension schemes, except certain public sector schemes, are required under the Pensions Act to provide for preservation of benefits. Public sector schemes are exempt from these requirements subject to the condition that the benefits they provide for early leavers are no less favourable than those required by the Pensions Act. The way in which preserved benefit is calculated depends on whether the scheme is a defined benefit scheme or a defined contribution scheme. This preserved benefit is a proportion of the long service benefit to which the member would have been entitled if he or she had remained in relevant employment until reaching normal pensionable age and is calculated on an actuarial basis. The Pensions Act also provides for the annual revaluation of such preserved benefits in relation to defined benefit schemes.
Instead of availing of a preserved benefit in the scheme of the employment they are leaving, early leavers have a right to opt for a transfer payment to another scheme of which they are becoming a member or to an approved insurance policy or contract providing retirement benefits. In addition a person may transfer to a Personal Retirement Savings Account provided they have not been a member of the pension scheme from which they are transferring for more than 15 years. A transfer payment is the current cash equivalent, as calculated by the scheme actuary, of the preserved benefit to which the member would otherwise have been entitled. The transfer value payable in respect of any preserved benefit from a defined benefit scheme may be reduced by the trustees of the scheme on the advice of the scheme actuary, if the scheme does not satisfy the Funding Standard under the Pensions Act. This is designed to protect the viability of the scheme from which the person is transferring. In a defined contribution scheme the transfer payment is the accumulated value of the appropriate contributions paid in respect of the member. If an early leaver opts for a transfer payment to his or her new scheme, the trustees of that scheme must accept such payment and provide benefits equal in value to the amount of the transfer payment. A person who is leaving a pension scheme should always seek advice on which option is the best for him or her. The Pensions Board provide information booklets on the various aspects of the Pensions Act and they are available on the Board's website, www.pensionsboard.ie.
269 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will review the €80 maintenance charge on the free alarm and security light scheme for needy elderly persons as it is preventing many elderly accessing the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17986/07]
The Scheme of Community Support for Older People is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. The purpose of the Scheme is to assist and encourage the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme. A maximum individual grant of €300 is provided under the Scheme in respect of the once-off installation cost of socially monitored alarms. The private commercial suppliers engaged by the community groups charge the ongoing monitoring costs that usually arise with such alarms. I understand these costs are of the order of €80 per annum per individual, which equates to approximately €1.50 per week. Given that the Scheme has benefited as many as 100,000 older people, the cost to my Department of providing funding for all such monitoring costs would be considerable. It is my view that the available resources are better spent on continuing to improve the security of older people in their homes rather than paying for ongoing running costs and, accordingly, I have no plans at present to introduce a subsidy in regard to the monitoring costs for socially-monitored alarm systems.
270 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will approve vital additional funding for a project (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [17790/07]
The project in question was awarded Dormant Accounts funding of €188,568 by the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board under the initial round of funding. The grant was to develop a youth work programme for Travellers in the Finglas area. The Deputy will appreciate that the Dormant Accounts Fund cannot of its nature be regarded as a source of indefinite funding for specific projects. However, I am keen to ensure that when projects which can demonstrate strong impacts in tackling disadvantage are coming to the end of their funding term, full consideration is given by relevant Departments to their possible mainstreaming. To assist in this process, earlier this year the Government approved the allocation of additional Dormant Accounts funding to enable a limited number of projects, approved by the former Board under the initial round of funding, to continue for a defined period. This funding will be targeted at certain projects that are awaiting decisions by Departments or Statutory Agencies on mainstreaming. I understand that the project in question is among those which have recently been contacted with a view to making application for further Dormant Accounts funding in this context.
271 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17854/07]
I wish to inform the Deputy that no decisions have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005 by my Department.
272 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will approve an application under the programme of grants for locally based community and voluntary organisations by a centre (details supplied) in County Kerry for grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17948/07]
My Department has received an application from the group referred to by the Deputy under the Programme of Grants for Locally-Based Community and Voluntary Organisations and they will be notified of the decision on this in the near future.
273 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the Office of the Minister for Integration Policy will have authority within Departments other than the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in developing and coordinating a strategic, long term national integration strategy; the mechanism that will be put in place for liaising with all Departments to ensure a comprehensive, informed and well coordinated integration strategy is developed and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18005/07]
274 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding that has been allocated to the Office of the Minister for Integration Policy; the steps that will be taken to provide sufficient human and financial resources to ensure proper implementation and coordination of a national integration strategy; the number of staff members who have been allocated for this office and their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18006/07]
275 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps that will be taken to ensure that minority groups are involved throughout the process leading to the establishment and implementation of a national integration strategy; if efforts will be made to recruit members of minority groups to its staff and to the staff of the Office for Integration Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18007/07]
276 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the Office of the Minister for Integration Policy will have responsibility for immigration matters, as recommended by the Immigrant Council of Ireland in their call for a cross-Departmental structure to coordinate the work of all statutory bodies that have a brief in the area of immigration and integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18008/07]
277 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding has been allocated or is proposed for a coherent data collection system or coordination of currently collected data and research on migration, under the remit of the Office of the Minister for Integration Policy or elsewhere, in order that national strategies and planning can be well informed and coherent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18009/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 to 277, inclusive, together.
It can be expected that the Office of the Minister for Integration will be structured along similar lines to the Office of the Minister for Children and it will be among my first tasks to secure appropriate resources both in terms of staff and funding for the new Office. As a first step, staff from the integration unit of the Reception and Integration Agency will be moved to my Office.
As Minister for Integration, I will have a clear cross Departmental mandate to develop, drive and co-ordinate integration policy across other Government departments, agencies and services. In this context, I will have a close relationship with Ministers and policy makers in other Departments.
My intention is to ensure that the development of a long-term national policy on integration will be informed by widespread consultation at a national level, properly structured objective research and international experience and best practice.
Immigration matters are the direct responsibility for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. There are no plans at present to change this position, although of course the appropriate synergy will be maintained between immigration and integration policy issues.
278 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to address the decentralisation situation arising from the fact that An Bord Pleanála has recently turned down the application for decentralised Government offices at Ireland West Airport, Knock, County Mayo. [18086/07]
My Department has been considering the implications of the An Bord Pleanála decision with the Office of Public Works, with a view to identifying the options available and I expect to have recommendations for action shortly.
In the meantime, I want to repeat what I said publicly: the policy of decentralisation is unchanged and I remain fully committed to the decentralisation of the Department's headquarters to Co. Mayo.
279 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will cite any and all examples whereby decisions have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17851/07]
I am not aware of any decision or legislation, operated by this Department, having been overturned, or amended by specific reference to this section.
280 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has not secured an allocation under the national reserve; if she will reconsider the matter in view of correspondence supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17923/07]
The person named applied under Category A of the 2006 National Reserve which catered for farmers who inherited land or received land free of charge or for a nominal sum from a farmer who had retired or died by 16 May, 2005 and who had leased out his/her holding to a third party during the reference period 2000 to 2002. The person named was not successful under this category as the land acquired was not received free of charge or for a nominal amount.
My Department's records indicate that the person named has submitted an appeal which has been forwarded to the Independent Single Payments Appeals Committee who will carry out a full review of the case. The Independent Single Payment Appeals Committee will correspond directly with the person named following the outcome of their review.
281 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their outstanding REP scheme payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17924/07]
This application has been approved and payment will issue within 10 working days.
282 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway was deemed to be an unsuccessful seller under the milk quota trading scheme phase 2 2007 to 2008; the further reason 30% of the quota was surrendered to the priority pool despite the fact that the applicant was unsuccessful in selling to the trading scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the applicant suffers from Parkinson’s disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17925/07]
The detailed rules relating to the operation of the Milk Quota Trading Scheme state that offers to sell quota which are at or below the Market Clearing price as calculated on the exchange are deemed to be sold at that price. Accordingly, an applicant wishing to sell will be unsuccessful if the price at which the quota is offered exceeds the Market Clearing price.
In the case of the person mentioned, the quota was offered for sale at a price of 17 cent per litre. The Market Clearing price on the exchange concerned was 16 cent per litre. Therefore because the applicant's offer price exceeded the Market Clearing price, his offer was deemed to be unsuccessful.
A further stipulation in the rules governing the Milk Quota Trading Scheme is that 30 per cent of all quota offered for sale is sold at a maximum price into the priority pool, for subsequent distribution to priority category producers. This is the case in respect of all applicants, regardless of whether they are successful on the exchange. The Trading Scheme is now being reviewed, and a third exchange will take place in the autumn.
283 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her plans to implement a country of origin label on all meat products sold here particularly pig meat from South America which is currently sold under Irish Labels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17936/07]
All beef sold in the retail or catering sectors is required to bear an indication of its country of origin. I am fully in favour of pigmeat, poultry and sheepmeat being similarly labelled. To this end, my Department has prepared a draft Statutory Instrument and is in consultation with the Department of Health and Children with a view to making the necessary legislative change since the legal basis for any such legislation comes within the remit of that Department. The legislation will also require clearance from the European Commission.
I have also raised the issue in the Council of Agriculture Ministers and sought the support of EU Ministerial colleagues for EU-wide action on origin labelling. In the context of a European Commission consultative process on the broad question of food labelling my Department has confirmed my strong preference for origin information for meat and the desirability of a common EU-wide approach to this.
284 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if in view of a statement (details supplied) she will immediately state that the current proposal with An Bórd Pleanála for the construction of a waste to energy incinerator at the old ruin site at Tynagh will not be allowed to proceed as this proposal is causing serious concern to the local community especially as it is a rural and agricultural area in the main. [17940/07]
This matter concerns a proposed development by a private concern. As this proposal is under review by An Bórd Pleanála, it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment at this time.
285 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will confirm that the issue of the consolidation of entitlements under the 2006 single payment scheme for a person (details supplied) in Cork south west in respect of whom an appeal was lodged in January 2007 has been finalised and that the application has been granted. [18014/07]
The person named has made applications under the Transfer of Entitlements and Consolidation measures of the Single Payment Scheme. The Consolidation application will be processed on completion of the Transfer of Entitlements application which will be processed on receipt of outstanding documentation.
286 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will confirm that the application of transfer of entitlements by a person (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of lands in Cork south west has been processed; if not, the reason for same; and if the relevant single farm payment will be made without further delay. [18015/07]
The position is that an application for the Transfer of Entitlements from the first person named (deceased) to the second person named was submitted on the 10th May 2006. It was not possible to transfer the entitlements at that time, as the second person named was not a registered herdowner. The second person named subsequently agreed to withdraw the application. The second person named has recently become a registered herdowner and the transfer was fully processed. Payment in respect of 34.14 entitlements, transferred to the second person named issued on the 8th May 2007.
287 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the decentralisation of her Department to Athlone; when the new offices will be occupied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17831/07]
One hundred (100) posts in my Department will relocate to Athlone when the new office accommodation is ready for occupation next year.
288 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 638 of 3 April 2007 the progress regarding the provision of a new building to house a new second level school in Buttevant in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17798/07]
I would like to inform the Deputy that my Department has finalised the long term projected enrolment for the proposed new second level school in Buttevant, County Cork. Department officials are currently engaged in an exercise to revise schedules of overall accommodation for the proposed project. The building project required to deliver this new accommodation is being considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.
289 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will resolve the outstanding matters in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo relating to a home tuition package. [17814/07]
290 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will assist persons (details supplied) in County Mayo. [17815/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the home tuition scheme provides funding to facilitate the provision of education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting an educational placement. As there is an educational placement available to the pupil she does not qualify for tuition under the terms of the scheme.
As the Deputy is aware a specific function of the National Council Special Education, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is to identify appropriate educational placement for all children with special educational needs. The SENO is a focal point of contact for parents and school and is available to parents to provide support and advice.
I understand from my officials that the SENO is currently liaising with the parents to progress the post primary options available to the pupil in question.
291 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if a home tuition grant for a pre-school child with autism spectrum disorder will be allowed to be used towards the tuition fees for a school (details supplied) in County Meath; if not, the reasons for this being the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17830/07]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the tuition grant can be used towards the fees of the pre-school concerned as my Department has reached agreement with the provider in question.
292 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the circumstances surrounding the problem that arose in certain schools with regard to Junior Certificate ordinary level maths paper two held on 11 June 2007 whereby some questions were missing from the paper; the number of schools affected; the arrangements being made to ensure that the students concerned are not disadvantaged in their results because of the error; if an investigation is being carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17832/07]
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations, including organising the holding of examinations and making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examination.
In view of this, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to her.
293 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the commitment in the new Programme for Government on ABA schools includes those that are awaiting a decision from her Department to grant them recognition under the pilot scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17833/07]
The Programme for Government commitment in this area is for the long term funding for the existing centres that are currently in the ABA pilot scheme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable my Department to support them as primary schools for children with autism.
In relation to specific provision for children with autism, my Department considers that as each child with autism is unique, they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs. Applied Behavioural Analysis, or ABA, is one of the methods used in special classes for children with autism.
The issue of contention is whether ABA should be the only method used in some settings. Advice received from international experts on autism, NEPS and the Inspectorate inform my Department's view that a range of approaches should be used, rather than just one. An analysis of research — including the report of the Irish Task Force on Autism — supports this approach too, while Autism societies in other countries also caution against relying on just one method.
By enabling children in special autism-specific classes to have access to a range of methods, including ABA, my Department is doing what we are advised is in the best interests of such children. In addition, children in special classes have the benefit of fully-qualified teachers who are trained in educating and developing children generally and who have access to additional training in autism-specific approaches, including ABA. The level of such training available to teachers has improved dramatically in recent years and is a major priority for the Government. Children in special classes also have the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration into mainstream classes and of interaction with other pupils.
The National Council for Special Education will continue to expand the number of special classes for children with autism to meet demand.
294 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the process by which a parent who wishes to transfer their dyslexic child from a special school to a mainstream school can do so; and if she will examine the case of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [17838/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
In general, it is a matter for the parents of the child concerned to apply to enrol their child in their local national school.
295 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received a report from Bus Éireann in relation to extending the school transport service to pupils residing in Dunderick East, to enable them to avail of the school transport service to attend a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if she will sanction the extension of the service; the estimated cost of extending the service in this way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17845/07]
A minimum of seven eligible pupils residing in a distinct locality are required for the establishment of a school bus service. Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, have advised that the pupils referred to in the details supplied are residing in a separate distinct locality from the area already covered by the existing service. However, there is not a sufficient number of pupils offering for transport to warrant the establishment of a service.
Should the number of eligible pupils increase this situation may be reviewed.
296 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans she has to purchase a site and to build a new primary school (details supplied) in Killeagh in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17846/07]
My Department is not in receipt of an application for major capital investment for the purchase of a site or the construction of a new school, from the management authority of the school in Killeagh, County Cork as referred to by the Deputy.
297 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17856/07]
I am not aware of any decisions in the area of education which have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005.
298 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties that some primary schools (details supplied) in County Cork are faced with in meeting the costs of refuse collection charges; and if additional funding can be allocated to those schools. [17871/07]
The position regarding refuse collection charges for schools is that charges payable to the various Local Authorities do not come within the remit of my Department. It would be a matter for the Local Authorities to decide whether schools are liable to pay such charges. Where it is decided that schools are liable for such charges, the cost would form part of the normal running costs of schools and would fall to be met from the capitation funding which schools have received from my Department.
The primary school capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from €57.14 per pupil to €163.58 with effect from 1st January, 2007. This represents an increase of over 186% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 1997.
Enhanced rates of capitation funding are paid in respect of children with special educational needs who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools. The current rates range from €418 to €805 per pupil. These were increased by an average of 30% recently. The capitation grant is in addition to the Ancillary Services Grant which provides additional funding for primary schools towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. The standard rate of grant per pupil under the scheme was increased from €102 per pupil in 2002 to the current rate of €145.50 per pupil.
Under the new Programme for Government, we are committed to doubling the standard capitation grant for primary schools over the next five years. Grants to schools for the employment of secretaries and caretakers will also be increased significantly.
299 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the overcrowding at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that the school authorities, through their architectural team, are preparing Stage 3 submission for the extension and renovation of the school; when action will be taken in her Department on this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17927/07]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that an extension and refurbishment project is currently in progress for the school referred to. The project is in the early stages of Architectural Planning.
Approval to proceed to Stage 3 (Developed Sketch Scheme) of Architectural Planning has been granted to the school authorities. Officials from my Department will be in further contact with the school authorities when the Stage 3 documentation has been received from the Design Team and evaluated by my Department's Technical Team.
Progression of the project to tender and construction will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.
300 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if her attention has been drawn to the overcrowding in this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17928/07]
An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension has been received from the school in County Galway referred to by the Deputy.
The assessment of the long term projected staffing, on which the schools accommodation needs are based is required. Once the long term projection has been determined and agreed with the school authorities the building project will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.
301 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the grants available to a person (details supplied) in County Laois for travel costs and maintenance grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17929/07]
My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students. These are the Higher Education Grants (HEG) Scheme, the Vocational Education Committees' (VEC) Scholarships Scheme, the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees (TLT) and the Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC). The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC.
Generally speaking, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. In order to qualify for financial assistance under the Third Level Student Support Schemes operated by my Department, a person must pursue a full-time undergraduate course, which must generally be of at least two years duration, at an approved third level institution.
Apart from the funding provided through the Student Support Maintenance Grant Schemes, financial assistance is also available from my Department for student with disabilities through the Fund for Students with Disabilities. The National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education administers this Fund on behalf of my Department. This Fund aims to assist students with disabilities in third-level institutions and PLC colleges to participate in further and higher education. Grants are provided for students who have serious sensory, physical and/or communicative disabilities.
Applications for funding should be made on behalf of the student by the Disability Officer in the institution. The student referred to by the Deputy should discuss their particular disability, and the equipment or services required, with the Disability Service in Sligo IT.
302 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made in relation to the commitment given by her Department prior to the general election for the continuation of second level education in Kinvara, County Galway; if she has examined the suitability of the sites available in Kinvara; if she has made direct contact with the trustees of a school (details supplied) with a view to providing first intake in September, 2007; the result of this contact; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17941/07]
On the 16 May 2007, I announced the provision of a new second level school for the Kinvara area. This decision was and remains predicated on the Mercy Order as Trustees of Seamount College accepting first year students each year until the end of the 2011/2012 school year. As part of this announcement, I indicated that I had instructed my officials to enter into discussions with the Trustees on the proposals.
Department officials subsequently met the Trustees to discuss these proposals. Subsequently, the Trustees indicated, inter alia, that while the decision to close the College in 2012 stands, they are open to revisiting the enrolment of first years at the school subject to a number of conditions being meet with. I intend to respond to the Trustees shortly.
303 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is proposed to open the special unit for children which is part of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if her attention has been drawn to the significant number of children with autism and related special needs urgently in need of places in such a facility in the Dublin 15 area; the reason for the delays involved in opening the unit; if there are budgetary and staffing issues involved and if so what these are; the annual costs associated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17942/07]
The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism, receive an education appropriate to their needs. Therefore, I share her interest in the opening of the autism unit to which she refers to facilitate the children concerned and ensure that they receive the supports they need to reach their potential.
However as the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible for establishing the unit and I have requested details from them in this regard to establish how to expedite the opening of the unit and I will arrange for her to be advised accordingly.
304 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the position of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who is urgently awaiting a place in the special unit at a school catering for children with autism and related special needs; if she will review the case of this child as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17943/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
305 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm that her Department has completed its examination of the overall accommodation needs of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if so, when a decision will be made on the level of accommodation to be provided under the school building and modernisation programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17954/07]
The long term accommodation needs of the school referred to by the Deputy has been determined as 6 mainstream classrooms plus appropriate ancillary accommodation and the school authority have been notified of same. The building project required to deliver the school accommodation is being considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.
306 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in County Carlow has been assigned a band 2 rating for the school building programme; the information that would assist the school being put into a band 1 category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17967/07]
The Department recently received an updated application for large scale capital funding from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers.
The updated application is currently being assessed. When this has been completed, the project will be assigned a Band rating under the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and progress on the project will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
307 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the extra learning supports available for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly attending secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17970/07]
Schools with students who have special educational needs can be provided with a wide range of supports and assistance including additional teaching and care resources as well as specialist equipment and assistive technology if this is considered necessary. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. SENOs also make recommendations where assistive technology is required. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
308 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the request of a special school (details supplied) for an anger management qualified person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17981/07]
I am having enquiries made into the matter and will revert to the Deputy in the near future.
309 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the construction of a new school building for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 at its current location on the basis of a 40 year sub-lease of the site to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17983/07]
The Department is considering a number of options to address the long term accommodation needs of the school to which the Deputy refers. One of the options proposed by the schools Board of Management is the building of a permanent structure on the school's current site which is based at the local GAA club. In this regard, a member of the Department's technical staff visited the school recently. The site report is currently under consideration together with the legal implications for the Department of building a school on a site with is neither in its ownership nor that of the school.
The Department acknowledges the need for a solution to the school's accommodation needs and is committed to working to achieve a satisfactory solution as soon as possible.
310 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has responded to and if she will detail her response to the request from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 to clarify the commitment made in Dáil Éireann for a permanent location for the school at Grangegorman, Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17984/07]
A submission has been received by the Department from the school authority in relation to a permanent location for the school on the Grangegorman site. The Department has always stated that it has no difficulty in principle with the school being permanently located in Grangegorman. This is acknowledged in the school's submission. The Department is requesting that this requirement be included in the master planning process for the overall site.
The decision on whether the Grangegorman site can provide a solution for the school's long term needs will ultimately rest with the Grangegorman Development Agency.
311 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the directive she has issued in relation to the sanctioning of the DEIS for a school (details supplied) in County Sligo as all the relevant information on the educational attainment and socioeconomic of the student cohort has been furnished; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that it is challenging to operate as a socially mixed school and inclusion in DEIS would provide some extra support, and as one third of the students live in a designated RAPID region; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that their main feeder schools and partner school completion has been recognised as disadvantaged for some years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18011/07]
DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion, provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated School Support Programme. DEIS will bring together, and build upon, a number of existing interventions in schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage.
The process of identifying primary and second-level schools for participation in DEIS was managed by the Educational Research Centre (ERC) on behalf of my Department and supported by quality assurance work co-ordinated through the Department's Regional Offices and the Inspectorate.
In the case of second-level schools, the Department supplied the ERC with centrally-held data from the Post-Primary Pupils and State Examinations Commission databases. Based on an analysis of these data, the variables used to determine eligibility for inclusion in the School Support Programme were as follows:
Medical card data for Junior Certificate candidates (including Junior Certificate School Programme candidates)
Junior Certificate retention rates by school
Junior Certificate exam results aggregated to school level (expressed as an OPS — "Overall Performance Scale" — score). This was based on each student's performance in the seven subjects in which s/he performed best
Leaving Certificate retention rates by school.
The identification process was in line with international best practice and had regard to and employed the exiting and most appropriate data sources available.
A review mechanism was put in place to address the concerns of schools that did not qualify for inclusion in DEIS but regarded themselves as having a level of disadvantage which was of a scale sufficient to warrant their inclusion in the programme. The review process operated under the direction of an independent person, charged with ensuring that all relevant identification processes and procedures were properly followed in the case of schools applying for a review.
An application for review was received from the school referred to by the Deputy, but it was not among those schools recommended for inclusion in the programme. As a result of the identification and review process, 873 schools have been included under the DEIS action plan. These comprise 670 primary schools and 203 second-level schools.
Schools that did not qualify for inclusion in the DEIS programme will continue to be supported in their efforts to deal with educational disadvantage among their students.
312 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if, following the closure of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5, she will ensure that the facility is retained for educational and community purposes; if she has met any of the interested groups who wish to carry on the educational and community function of the school; if not, if she will arrange a meeting with all of the interested parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18016/07]
I can confirm to the Deputy that the property to which he refers will be retained for educational use. Discussions with various providers have been on-going in this regard and I expect a final decision to issue shortly.
313 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Science when a new primary school will be provided in Balbriggan, County Dublin; when a new secondary school will be provided in Skerries, Balbriggan, Swords and Lusk, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18153/07]
The Department is aware that there are extensive housing developments and population increases in the Swords, Skerries, Balbriggan and Lusk areas of Fingal and that this has led to increased demand for school places.
Earlier this year, the Department published a Draft Area Development Plan setting out infrastructural requirements for the foreseeable future for the north Dublin, east Meath and south Louth areas. This Plan covers the areas referred to by the Deputy.
The Commission on School Accommodation has completed a public consultation process on the Draft Plan and it is currently consulting with both Local Authorities and school authorities. It is the Commission's intention to complete and publish a final plan by late Summer. When this is published, it will become the framework against which capital investment for the areas concerned will be made for the foreseeable future. The Draft Plan shows that considerable interventions have already been made by the Department to increase pupil places in the areas concerned and that these interventions are being backed up by a significant capital investment programme.
For example, at primary level in Swords, the Department is providing three new school buildings for Swords Educate Together NS, Gaelscoil Brian Boroimhe and Gaelscoil an Duinninigh. An extension is also being provided at St. Cronan's Senior NS, Brackenstown. The Department has reserved three further sites in Swords for primary provision and is moving to acquire two of these sites immediately. In Balbriggin, the Department granted recognition to Gaelscoil Bhaile Brigín, which commenced operation last year.
In addition, St. Teresa's NS, Balbriggan is included among the schools recently given approval for the appointment of a design team to progress an extension project.
The Department has also recently advertised for a Design Team for the construction of two brand new 16 classroom schools in Balbriggan. One of these will provide a permanent school building for Balbriggan Educate Together N.S. The patronage and management of the second school has yet to be determined. There are a further two sites reserved in Balbriggan for primary school purposes and the Department will move to acquire and develop these as the need arises.
At post primary level in Balbriggin, a new 1,000 pupil post primary school is being delivered under the Department's expanded Public Private Partnership process. In Rush and Lusk approval was recently given to Lusk NS, St. Catherine's NS, Kenure, and Rush N.S., to appoint design teams to progress extension projects. Two sites have been reserved for further primary provision in Lusk, one of which is currently being acquired under the Fingal School Model process for the purposes of accommodating the Rush/Lusk Educate Together N.S.
In Rush itself a site has also been reserved for primary school development. In Skerries, the Department has reserved two sites for educational provision, one of which is currently being acquired under the Fingal School Model process to accommodate a new primary school to commence operation in September 2008 and to permanently accommodate St. Micheal's House Special School. The totality of these interventions demonstrates both the awareness of the Department of the requirements of the areas concerned and its willingness to address these needs on an on-going basis.
314 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to resolve the crisis situation developing in Skerries where a national school site is available and a need for a new national school has clearly been identified with a demand for at least 80 places in 2008; her plans to have a school in place by then; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18158/07]
Fingal County Council has reserved two school sites in Skerries for primary education requirements. The Department has instructed the County Council to acquire one of the sites as a matter of top priority for the purpose of providing both a new primary school and permanent accommodation for St. Michael's House Special School.
It is the Department's intention to have suitable temporary accommodation in place on this site to enable the commencement of a new primary school for September 2008. It is expected that the Patronage of this new school will be decided under the New Schools Advisory Committee process.
315 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to address the crisis situation in primary school education brought about by the reluctance of organisations and individuals to become patrons of new badly needed national schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18160/07]
It has become evident that, in some rapidly developing areas, the traditional manner in which Patron's establish schools can no longer be assumed. In recognition of this phenomenon, I announced earlier this year, the development of a new Patron model, with the VEC to act as Patron. This suggested model has been broadly welcomed by the Education Partners. Work on the development of a new Patron model is on-going within the Department in consultation with the Education Partners.
316 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will reconsider her Department’s position on ABA and ABA schools and recognise, approve and provide funding, support and training for such schools in the education of children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18174/07]
The Programme for Government commitment in this area is for the long term funding for the existing centres that are currently in the ABA pilot scheme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable my Department to support them as primary schools for children with autism.
In relation to specific provision for children with autism, my Department considers that as each child with autism is unique, they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs. Applied Behavioural Analysis, or ABA, is one of the methods used in special classes for children with autism.
The issue of contention is whether ABA should be the only method used in some settings. Advice received from international experts on autism, NEPS and the Inspectorate inform my Department's view that a range of approaches should be used, rather than just one. An analysis of research — including the report of the Irish Task Force on Autism — supports this approach too, while Autism societies in other countries also caution against relying on just one method.
By enabling children in special autism-specific classes to have access to a range of methods, including ABA, my Department is doing what we are advised is in the best interests of such children. In addition, children in special classes have the benefit of fully-qualified teachers who are trained in educating and developing children generally and who have access to additional training in autism-specific approaches, including ABA. The level of such training available to teachers has improved dramatically in recent years and is a major priority for the Government. Children in special classes also have the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration into mainstream classes and of interaction with other pupils.
The National Council for Special Education will continue to expand the number of special classes for children with autism to meet demand.
317 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will examine and reconsider the regulations regarding the supply of language support teachers for national schools to help them cope with the range of nationalities attending the schools in particular the regulation regarding 13 pupils per language teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18175/07]
In order to meet the language needs of students in our schools whose first language is not English or Irish, additional support is given to their schools which can take the form of financial assistance, additional teaching posts or portions of posts.
The level of extra financial or teaching support provided to any school is determined by the numbers of eligible non-English speaking students enrolled. I indicated in January last that the limit of two teachers per school and the limit of two years' support to an individual pupil which had applied up to then, will no longer apply. As a result, an individual school may be allocated up to six language support posts under the arrangements now in place.
Schools with between 3 and 13 eligible pupils receive grant assistance towards the cost of employing part-time teachers. Schools with 3 to 8 such pupils receive a grant of over €6,300, while schools with between 10 and 13 such pupils receive over €9,500. Schools with 14 or more such pupils are entitled to one or more language support teachers, the number of which has increased dramatically in recent years. There are now approximately 1,450 language support teachers in our schools. This compares with just 262 posts in the 2001/02 school year.
In line with the Government's commitments under the ‘Towards 2016' partnership agreement, a further 350 language support teachers will be provided between 2008 and 2009. In order to ensure that schools can accurately and objectively assess the language requirement of children, my Department will be sending to schools assessment materials which have been developed by Integrate Ireland Language and Training (IILT). The assessment materials will enable schools to ensure that the specific language requirements of children needing support are met in a targeted way. The IILT materials will also enable accurate initial and on-going assessment of the language proficiency of the child and his or her need for continued language support.
318 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Defence if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17855/07]
In October 2006, I introduced S.I. No 522 of 2006, Irish Red Cross Society (Directions As To Ambulance Service) (Revocation) Order, 2006. This Order revoked the Irish Red Cross Society (Directions as to Ambulance Service) Order, 1955 which outlined that the Red Cross Society shall not ply for hire or advertise or offer the services of Red Cross ambulances on hire.
I was advised at that time by the Office of the Attorney General that by virtue of the provisions of section 22(3) of the Interpretation Act, 2005 that I was empowered to revoke an Order made under section 6 of the Red Cross Act, 1954.
319 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the position in relation to Army ambulances; the reason there are delimiters installed in their ambulances which prevent them from reaching allowable motorway speed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17951/07]
The Defence Forces maintain a small ambulance fleet to meet their own needs. These ambulances are primarily used to transfer Defence Forces patients to and between hospitals and to attend Risk Training Exercises. Risk Training exercises would include operational exercises, Artillery shoots, Infantry Support Weapons shoots and Live Battle practices. In late 2005/early 2006 there was an investment of €850,000 on 6 road ambulances by the Defence Forces to replace an aging fleet.
There are a total of 17 Defence Forces ambulances in service at present 16 of which are deployed across the country in the various brigades and 1 which is overseas, in Kosovo. One of these vehicles is located at the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh Camp.
The maximum speed permitted in the 6 new Army Ambulances is 90 KPH. The vehicle is "governed" by the manufacturers (Ford Motor Company) to prevent exceeding this limit. In order to implement this restriction a speed limiter, also known as a "governor", may be fitted to the vehicle. There is a legal requirement that such governors are fitted, on import, as the vehicles exceed 3,500kg. The Defence Forces decided when these ambulances were delivered in late 2005 not to interfere with the governor. The vehicle is designed for a gross vehicle weight of 4200kg and taking into consideration the routine use of such vehicles for military purposes it was felt that 90 KPH was adequate. Such "governors" are not on the older ambulances since they are lighter in weight and only require a Class A driving licence. The new ambulances are much heavier in weight and require a Truck Drivers Licence.
While these ambulances are for Defence Forces needs and are configured accordingly, arrangements exist between the HSE and the military authorities in three locations nationwide whereby the HSE receives very occasional support from the Defence Forces ambulance units. These areas are Finner Camp, Co. Donegal, the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Curragh, Co. Kildare and Custume Military Barracks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Ambulances from these locations are used on a very occasional basis to meet additional demands on HSE services. The Defence Forces ambulance crews are under the direct control of the HSE ambulance service during their deployment in support of the HSE ambulance service.
320 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff left in the Civil Defence school, Ratra House, Phoenix Park, Dublin 7; the plans and time-scale for its renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17979/07]
The Civil Defence Board completed its relocation to Roscrea, Co. Tipperary in May 2006. The former headquarters of the Board at Ratra House, Phoenix Park has been handed back to the Office of Public Works. It is understood that once refurbishment works are complete, Ratra House will be used by The President's Award-Gaisce and by the Office of Public Works. Two members of staff have transferred to the OPW.
My Department has agreed with the OPW and the Office of the President that it will retain the use of the Civil Defence training range, which is located to the rear of Ratra House. Two staff of the Department of Defence are currently located on the training range to provide for its use and maintenance. One member of staff is in Ratra House awaiting a transfer to another Government Department, which is remaining in Dublin.
321 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Defence the timescale for the decentralisation of his Department from Parkgate Street, Dublin 7 to Newbridge, County Kildare; the options available to staff who do not wish to make the move; if a financial severance package will be available to interested staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17980/07]
The Government decision on decentralisation, announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget statement on 3 December 2003, provides for the transfer of all my Department's Dublin based civil service staff to Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200.
It is understood that an application for planning permission for the construction of office accommodation in Newbridge for my Department's new Headquarters will be submitted shortly to Kildare County Council. Depending on the outcome of the planning process, the Office of Public Works has indicated that construction and fit-out will take 18 months to complete. It is not anticipated that any staff will move to Newbridge prior to the completion of the new building.
Arrangements have been put in place by the Department of Finance whereby those staff who wish to remain in Dublin are offered posts under the ‘Dublin Arrangements' system operated by the Public Appointments Service. To date, 27 of my Department's staff have volunteered for assignment to other Government Departments which are remaining in Dublin.
The question of any severance package for those staff who do not wish to decentralise is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
322 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the number of people currently within posts in Dublin due to decentralise to the Curragh, County Kildare who have opted to move, distinguishing civilian and military staff; and if the move will be voluntary for all staff concerned. [18036/07]
Following the Government decision on decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget statement in December 2003, a Defence Forces Decentralisation Implementation Plan was produced on 28 May 2004. This plan makes provision for the movement of approximately 413 military personnel currently employed within posts in Dublin to move to the Curragh with approximately 335 of those personnel being located at the new Defence Forces Headquarters building in the Curragh Camp. DFHQ Communications and Information Services Company and the Defence Forces Printing Press will be located in a separate new facility within the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh. This new facility will cater for approximately 78 personnel. In addition, a further 43 military personnel are planned to be co-located with Department staff in the Department's new headquarters in Newbridge.
The terms and conditions of service of military personnel differ from public servants greatly. The transfer of Defence Force personnel to the Curragh and Newbridge will be carried out under the terms of pre-existing Defence Force Regulations. In these circumstances the move by military personnel to the new Curragh and Newbridge facilities will be on the same basis as normal transfers of military personnel and will not be voluntary.
In addition to the above, in the order of 30 civilian employees are assigned to sections of DFHQ that are due to relocate to the Curragh Camp. The move will be voluntary for the staff in these positions with the exception of 4 employees recruited to positions since December 2003 on the basis that they would, in due course, transfer to the Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare. Of the remaining civilian employees assigned to sections of DFHQ that are due to relocate, I understand that 1 employee has expressed an interest in moving to the Curragh Camp.
323 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will have the UN protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons especially women and children and the Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings ratified by the Irish Government. [17812/07]
Legislation creating an offence of recruiting, transporting, transferring to another person, harbouring or knowingly arranging or facilitating the entry into, travel within or departure from the State of a person for the specific purpose of the trafficked person's sexual or labour exploitation or removal of his or her organs is at present being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
In addition, it is intended that the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, 2007 will, upon enactment, provide a framework to deal with immigration related matters arising from the relevant protection provisions in the Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in persons.
On enactment of these pieces of legislation, which I am treating as an urgent priority within my Department, Ireland will be in a position to ratify the international instruments on trafficking in persons.
324 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of operational speed cameras on roads currently operated by members of An Garda Síochána; and his plans to increase the number of cameras by way of privatisation of the system. [18085/07]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they operate a range of mobile speed detection equipment, including six Gatso vans (mobile units with on-board cameras, radar and computer system) throughout the State. There is also a number of fixed camera installation posts at various locations in the Dublin area and the Louth/Meath Division. Three cameras are rotated between these posts, two in the Louth/Meath Division and one in the Dublin area. I am informed that the mobile camera speed detection vans will be updated in the near future with digital technology and additional units will be brought into service. In addition in-car camera systems will be fitted to Traffic Corps vehicles, a significant proportion of which will also incorporate speed enforcement equipment.
The Garda Síochána also operate other speed enforcement equipment, including in excess of 400 hand held speed detection devices and car/motor cycle systems.
The Garda speed enforcement capability will be enhanced significantly through outsourcing the operation of safety cameras to a private service provider. Following a call for expressions of interest, six candidates were awarded pre-qualification status and have been issued with a detailed Request for Tender, with a closing date of 25 July 2007. Following an evaluation process the successful tenderer will be selected on the basis of the tenders received and a contract will be entered into with the successful tenderer.
As part of the Request for Tender, tenderers are being asked to indicate the equipment, including cameras, which they consider will be necessary to provide the service required.
325 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has plans to issue regulations or bring forward legislation to address the shortfalls in the operation of management companies and to address the situation where late filing of annual returns is blocking the sale of properties under the aegis of such management companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18159/07]
Issues relating to multi-unit developments and the operation of property management companies were discussed at a Conference organised by my Department and the Law Reform Commission on 25 January last. The Conference provided an opportunity for a preliminary discussion of the wide range of policy issues identified in the Law Reform Commission's Consultation Paper on Multi-Unit Developments which was published late last year. The Commission intends to publish a Report containing its definitive recommendations for reform later this year following completion of a consultation process.
The Consultation Paper makes it clear that solutions to the difficulties arising in this area will require action across a broad range of policy areas, including the planning and development code, company law, consumer protection law and the development of regulatory structures. In recognition of this, and the cross-cutting nature of many of the issues, the Government has established a high-level interdepartmental committee to assist in the development of a coherent and comprehensive legislative response to the difficulties arising in relation to property management companies.
The committee comprises representatives of the following Departments and Offices:
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment;
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government;
Department of Finance;
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform;
National Consumer Agency;
Office of the Attorney General;
Office of the Director for Corporate Enforcement, and
Office of Public Works.
A key task of the committee is to identify the key legislative and administrative actions to be taken and to determine a timescale for implementation as soon as possible. In particular, the committee will have regard to the Law Reform Commission's definitive recommendations for legislative reforms in its forthcoming Report on Multi-Unit Developments.
326 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will allow a person (details supplied) in County Dublin currently attending a voluntary secondary school to continue attending this school in view of the disruption this would cause to their studies. [17791/07]
I understand that the parent of the person referred to by the Deputy has permission to remain in the State until 31st July 2007 on a self-sufficiency basis.
Permission to remain was granted in respect of the parent strictly on the grounds that she cannot have access to State funds, services or benefits. She cannot therefore have an expectation, having been granted permission to remain on a self-sufficiency basis, to avail of State benefits and services which includes attending State funded schools.
It follows that the child of an individual in the State on a self-sufficiency basis is not entitled to attend a public/non-fee paying school. Should such an individual wish to enroll their child in the schooling system they would have to do this through a fee-paying school or fee-paying institution.
327 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will resolve the serious anti-social issues at a bus stop (details supplied). [17813/07]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area in question is actively policed by Gardaí from Coolock Garda District. Local Garda management is aware of complaints of anti-social behaviour in the area concerned and have directed that additional patrols by uniform and plain clothes Gardaí, including the local Community Policing Unit, the District Drugs Unit, the Mountain Bike Unit and supplemented by the Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Units, be deployed in the area, with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible presence in the area.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that current policing policy in the area is predicated on the prevention of public order offences, the prevention of crime including crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of quality of life of the residents. This strategy will continue to be central to the delivery of a policing service to the area.
The Joint Policing Committee for the Dublin City Council area and its subcommittees, established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, provide forums where members of the City Council and senior Garda officers, with the participation of Oireachtas Members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of an area including the levels and patterns of anti-social behaviour such as that referred to by the Deputy.
328 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made regarding the application to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17825/07]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 8 September, 2001 and worked illegally for four years following which he applied for asylum in 2005. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 29 December, 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.
This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement). I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.
329 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the application to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/07]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 15 April, 1997 and applied for asylum. His application was refused at appeal stage following consideration of his case.
The person concerned was informed by letter dated 26 November 1999, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him and afforded him three options in accordance with Section 3(3)(b)(ii) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, namely to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a deportation order or to submit, within 15 working days, representations to the Minister, in writing, setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State.
His case was examined under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 as amended, and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 on the Prohibition of Refoulement. Consideration was given to representations received on his behalf from his legal representative for temporary leave to remain in the State. On 11 May 2000, my predecessor refused temporary leave to remain in the State and signed a deportation order in respect of him.
An application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish born child was made circa August 2002 and refused by letter dated 22 April 2004. An application under the IBC/05 Scheme which introduced revised arrangements for the processing of claims for permission to remain in the State from the non-national parents of Irish born children was refused by letter dated 19 January 2006.
An application for revocation of the deportation order in this case is still under consideration in my Department. I expect to be in a position to make a decision on this matter shortly.
330 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will expedite the introduction of on the spot fines with increased penalties for public urination in view of the extent of this problem in residential areas close to major stadia on big match or event days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17827/07]
The Criminal Justice Act 2006 contains provisions to deal with public order offences. Section 184 amends the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to provide for a fixed penalty procedure in relation to the public order offences of disorderly conduct in a public place and intoxication in a public place as an alternative to proceedings being taken in the first instance (and for the prescribing of the penalty).
I am informed by the Garda authorities that work on the necessary arrangements for the introduction of these provisions as soon as possible is progressing.
Policing arrangements for public events and in locations generally, along with the allocation of Garda resources, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. Where such events take place the Garda authorities work closely with local residents in order to avoid as far as possible disruption to local communities.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that every effort is made by local Garda management, on the occasions of major match days or events, to ensure appropriate attention is afforded to public order offences. Gardaí on duty on such occasions are pro-active in dealing with any attendant problems arising. In addition, Garda patrol vans are also on patrol to assist in addressing public order offences.
331 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if there is anything he can do to assist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17828/07]
I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the person referred to by the Deputy is in custody having been found in Contempt of Court.
The Deputy will appreciate that in such cases the ongoing detention of the person is a matter for the Courts. Consequently it is not open to me to intervene in this matter.
332 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) and that they have been deprived of an income for the past two years during the period of investigation; the status of the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17829/07]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the person in question was arrested and detained for questioning, pursuant to the Offences against the State Act 1939, as amended, in February 2005 in the course of a Garda investigation arising from the seizure of a large amount of cash in the State. I am further informed that this person was subsequently released without charge.
I understand that a Garda investigation file has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of this ongoing investigation and that directions are awaited.
333 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who has been here for over six years, is highly qualified and was given refugee status in 2002 but has been refused a naturalisation certificate due to a minor incident that occurred more than six years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17836/07]
The person referred to in the Deputy's Question applied for a certificate of naturalisation in April 2005 and my predecessor decided to refuse the application. The reason for my decision was disclosed to the individual concerned in a letter dated 21 May 2007.
It is open to the individual mentioned to lodge a new application at any time provided he satisfies the relevant statutory conditions. In doing so, however, he should give due regard to the reasons for refusing the previous application.
334 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will set out the policy in relation to the issuing of stab vests to student Gardaí; if it is the case that no stab vests are issued; the reason for this; and if he will immediately review it in the interests of the safety of student Gardaí. [17842/07]
The Deputy will be aware that the provision of equipment to members of An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is the policy of An Garda Síochána to issue anti-stab/ballistic vests to all Garda personnel, including student Gardaí. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the deployment of anti-stab/ballistic vests is taking place on a phased basis and, in this context, initial priority was given to Gardaí already engaged in operational duties. Currently all student Gardaí are being issued with anti-stab/ballistic vests prior to commencing Phase 2 of their training.
335 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17862/07]
There are innumerable instances of powers of various kinds conferred on me, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, by enactments, and such powers are exercised daily by or on my behalf. It is also part of my normal day-to-day work and that of my Department that individual exercises of such powers are in some instances the subject of a fresh exercise of those powers to reverse or vary in some other way a decision. It would involve a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources to attempt to enumerate such instances.
336 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide statistics on the number of prosecutions taken by Gardaí and convictions secured against motorists for activities (details supplied) in each of the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 with a further breakdown for the Dublin metropolitan area. [17939/07]
Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling and publishing criminal statistics and has published provisional headline crime statistics for the third and fourth quarters of 2006 and for the first quarter of 2007. In addition, it has compiled and published a series of quarterly and annual statistics for the period starting with the first quarter of 2003. I understand that the CSO are examining how the crime statistics published might be expanded and made more comprehensive.
I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to her.
337 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the new Garda station proposed at Ballinhassig, County Cork. [17956/07]
The Deputy will be aware that the Office of Public Works has responsibility for the provision, refurbishment and maintenance of Garda buildings, including Garda stations. In all cases the Office of Public Works consults closely with the Garda authorities. I am informed that the Office of Public Works is at present finalising the framework and scoping of works for the engagement of a design team for the new Garda Station at Ballinhassig. I can assure the Deputy that the works will be brought forward with all due haste.
338 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the repair and refurbishment of Dunmanway Garda station in west Cork; and the estimated timeframe for same. [17958/07]
The Deputy will be aware that the Office of Public Works has responsibility for the provision, refurbishment and maintenance of Garda buildings, including Garda stations. In all cases the Office of Public Works consults closely with the Garda authorities. I refer the Deputy to the reply to his Question No. 200 of today to the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance on this same issue.
339 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on the status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 who is married to an Irish citizen. [17974/07]
The person concerned entered the state on 4/01/2001 and applied for asylum. Her asylum application was refused by the Refugee Application Commission and this decision was upheld by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. She applied for residency on the basis of marriage to an Irish National and this application was refused by my Department on the 21/11/2005.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 21 November 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.
This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement). I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.
340 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ask the Garda authorities if alcohol is served through a window hatch to persons on the public footpath on match days by any licensed premises on the Drumcondra Road, Dublin 9; if this practice is permissible; if action is taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17975/07]
I wish to inform the Deputy that, due to technical difficulties in the Oireachtas Questions Office, the Deputy's question was not received in my Department in sufficient time to obtain a report from the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy again as soon as the report is to hand.
341 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will request a report from the Garda authorities regarding a request from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 regarding threats to their home by drug dealers and the requisitioning of their son’s car to repay alleged drug debts; the action the Gardaí are taking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17976/07]
I wish to inform the Deputy that, due to technical difficulties in the Oireachtas Questions Office, the Deputy's question was not received in my Department in sufficient time to obtain a report from the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy again as soon as the report is to hand.
342 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will request a report from the Garda authorities at Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station, Dublin 1 regarding the practice of a business (details supplied) in Dublin 1 abandoning untaxed and uninsured cars in residential streets in the north city areas of Dublin; if the garage proprietor has been spoken to; if further action will be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17977/07]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management and members of the Community Policing Unit have had a number of meetings with the owner of the business referred to concerning the on-street parking of vehicles. An undertaking was received from the owner that these practices would cease and local Gardaí are satisfied that this undertaking is being honoured.
I am also informed that local Garda management has directed that particular attention be paid within the Garda District concerned by Garda foot and mobile patrols to such parking of vehicles. The Garda authorities have requested the local authority to have in excess of twelve vehicles removed, none of which local Garda management attribute to the business in question.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that specific complaints regarding particular vehicles left abandoned, uninsured or untaxed will continue to be investigated and appropriate action taken, including requesting the local authority to remove the vehicles.
343 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of untaxed and uninsured cars abandoned in a residential street (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and the action the Gardaí at Fitzgibbon Street are taking in the matter. [17978/07]
I wish to inform the Deputy that, due to technical difficulties in the Oireachtas Questions Office, the Deputy's question was not received in my Department in sufficient time to obtain a report from the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy again as soon as the report is to hand.
344 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Office of the Minister for Integration Policy will have responsibility for immigration matters, as recommended by the Immigrant Council of Ireland in their call for a cross-Departmental structure to coordinate the work of all statutory bodies that have a brief in the area of immigration and integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18010/07]
Immigration policy as such will continue to be centrally managed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service which is an executive office of my Department.
345 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps that have been taken to support Mr. John Gallagher SC, the eminent legal person conducting the review of all of the new evidence relating to the Stardust disaster of 1981; the amount of the agreed funding for this process that has been transferred; when the rest of the agreed funding will be released; the proposed timetable for carrying out and concluding the review; the outcome he expects from the review of the evidence of the tragedy that cost 48 young lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18017/07]
I can inform the Deputy that arrangements are being made to finalise the terms of reference and to put in place facilities to support the independent examination of the submissions made by the Stardust Victims Committee. In addition, and in accordance with the Government's decision on this matter, €100,000 has recently been made available to the Stardust Victims Committee to support their legal costs arising from participation in this process.
346 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason people are recommended to send a photocopy of their licence with payment in processing their payment of their penalty points instead of being told that they must send a photocopy of their licence; and the number of persons who have had their fines increased from €60 to €90 due to such confusion. [18038/07]
I wish to inform the Deputy that, due to technical difficulties in the Oireachtas Questions Office, the Deputy's question was not received in my Department in sufficient time to obtain a report from the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy again as soon as the report is to hand.
347 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda Reserve manpower will be allocated to Dublin north; if such manpower would have a role in addressing well known points of anti-social behaviour, such as large groups of youths engaged in illegal underage drinking in parks and residential estates in Dublin north; if anti-social behaviour orders and warning letters have a role in such situations; and if there are proposals to allocate extra Garda manpower to the rapidly growing area of Dublin north. [18157/07]
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for his comments on the deployment issues raised by the Deputy. When I have received these I will respond directly to the Deputy at the earliest opportunity.
348 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the first annual report setting out progress on meeting climate change targets will be published. [17799/07]
The National Climate Change Strategy 2007–2012 includes a commitment for an annual Implementation Status Report to be laid before the Oireachtas, followed by its presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Local Government. It is intended that the first report will be prepared in 2008 in respect of 2007. I am also currently examining the options for ensuring consistency between this commitment and relevant reporting commitments contained in the Programme for Government.
349 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to make clear provisions in development plans for environmentally sustainable transport methods. [17800/07]
Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, a development plan must set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned.
Development Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities, published on 8 June 2007, provide that the development plan must offer clear guidance on sustainable development policies and objectives, both national and local, and address the various issues involved, including land use and transportation. Development plans are required explicitly to address the inter-relationship between land use and transport by setting out aims for the achievement of sustainable travel patterns, reducing reliance on private car usage and promoting public transport, as well as other sustainable modes (cycling, walking).
My Department is also advancing new Planning Guidelines on Residential Density including an Urban Design Manual. Both these documents will place considerable emphasis on the need for the design and layout of new residential development to be optimised in such a way as to strongly encourage the development and usage of environmentally sustainable forms of transport such as public transport, walking and cycling.
Finally, my Department is working with the Department of Transport and the Marine to ensure close linkage between future planning guidance and the work of that Department in promoting sustainable transport.
350 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the specific means by which he will use the taxation system to encourage good environmental behaviour and discourage poor practice, for example through rebalancing the motor tax system to reward the purchase of environmentally friendly cars. [17801/07]
I will be pursuing, with colleagues in Government, a range of commitments set out in the Programme for Government to utilise economic instruments, including taxation, in pursuit of environmental objectives. In addition, the new Commission on Taxation will be specifically charged with investigating fiscal measures to protect and enhance the environment, including a carbon tax.
The proposals included in Budget 2007 to rebalance the motor tax system in favour of cars with lower CO2 emission levels have been the subject of public consultation. Following evaluation of submissions from interested parties, I intend to proceed with suitable measures to incentivise the driving of cleaner cars.
351 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way it is planned to offset all official air travel in support of urban forests. [17803/07]
The National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 undertakes to introduce a carbon offsetting scheme for all air travel on Government business, including flights by Ministers and by civil servants, from January 2008. It is intended that a contribution will be made to an appropriate fund to secure verified emissions reductions equivalent to the annual emissions associated with Government air travel. The Programme for Government notes that this scheme should support urban forests. My Department is currently developing proposals in this regard.
352 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will establish a high level commission on climate change; the functions the commission will have; and the way it will be composed. [17804/07]
The Programme for Government and National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 commit the Government to the establishment of a Climate Change Commission, which will be attached to the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) under the auspices of the Department of Taoiseach. The Commission will monitor and assess Ireland's progress in addressing climate change and increase awareness in all sectors of the opportunities and challenges presented by the transition to a low-carbon economy. It will report annually to Government through an appropriate Cabinet Committee. Arrangements are currently being made for the establishment of the Commission.
353 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to undertake an international review of waste management plans, practices and procedures. [17805/07]
I am carefully considering the form which the review of regional waste management plans provided for in the Programme for Government should take. It is important that the review is properly structured so as to make a lasting contribution to the manner in which Ireland undertakes waste management planning and the achievement of international best practice in this area, while meeting challenging national objectives and EU requirements.
354 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the new ambitious waste management targets that will be established for maximum prevention, re-use, recycling and modern waste treatment; and the best EU performance for re-cycling which it is intended to match. [17806/07]
The Programme for Government commits to the setting of new ambitious waste management targets for maximum prevention, re-use, recycling and modern waste treatment to ensure that we match the best performance in the EU for recycling with the objective that only 10% of waste or less is consigned to landfill (down from 66% now).
Irish waste management policy is based on the internationally recognised integrated approach which places the main emphasis on waste prevention, reuse and recycling. This approach is now delivering demonstrable and successful results. In 1998 Ireland had a recycling rate of just 9% but this had risen to 35% by 2005, reaching a national target set for 2013. Our recycling of packaging waste over the same period rose from 15% to 60%, thus exceeding the 50% EU target set for 2005 and reaching the EU 2011 target.
The Government is determined to build on these achievements and I will be giving this matter priority over the coming months. The review of regional waste management plans provided for in the Programme for Government should also better equip Ireland to achieve these ambitious targets.
355 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the landfills which are currently provided for under regional waste management plans, which the Government intends will be the last to be constructed for a generation. [17807/07]
The waste management plans for which local authorities have statutory responsibility, generally operating in regional groupings, identify the landfill capacity which those authorities consider necessary to meet the needs of each region while meeting national and EU objectives and requirements. My Department does not compile details in respect of existing or proposed facilities and all such facilities are required to be licensed by the EPA. In the context of the demanding landfill diversion targets established by the EU Landfill Directive it is clear that a significant move away from our current reliance on landfill is essential. I anticipate that this will be borne out by the international review of the regional waste management plans which is provided for in the Programme for Government.
356 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when it is intended to fully implement the Aarhus Convention. [17808/07]
Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level and, in that context, the European Union has adopted two Directives as part of the ratification process for the Convention. These deal with public access to environmental information (2003/4/EC) and public participation in certain environmental decision-making procedures (2003/35/EC).
Regulations transposing the European Communities (Access to information on the Environment) Directive 2003/4/EC were signed and came into effect on 1 May 2007.
The process to transpose Directive 2003/35/EC is already well advanced with legislation already completed to amend a range of consent systems. The remaining work will be finalised by the Departments concerned at the earliest possible date.
Having regard to the above, I will ensure that the instrument of ratification of the Aarhus Convention is submitted to Government and laid before the Dáil as soon as possible.
357 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way it is intended to update and consolidate the law on National monuments to maximise and clarify the protection provided to Ireland’s archaeological heritage. [17810/07]
A considerable amount of preparatory work has been done in my Department to develop proposals for the consolidation and modernisation of current national monuments legislation. The enactments relating to the protection of archaeological heritage date from 1930 to 2004 and need to be consolidated and updated to take account of current and future circumstances. In doing so account will also have to be taken of the consequential implications for other statutory codes, including the Roads Acts and the Planning Acts.
I intend to review this matter in the coming months, with a view to submitting new legislative proposals to Government for approval. Before doing so, I wish to consult the various interested parties, to ensure that we produce a modernised and effective code that gives the highest possible priority to the protection of our archaeological heritage, to which I am fully committed. Arrangements for these consultations are being put in place.
358 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when it is intended to seek designation of Clonmacnoise as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; if he will also seek such designation for Tara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17811/07]
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to seek designation for Clonmacnoise as a World Heritage Site. I have requested my Department to liaise with UNESCO in relation to this designation.
Tara is not one of the sites on the tentative list for World Heritage status prepared by a Departmental Committee following public consultation before I became Minister. However I will keep the issue of seeking designation for Tara under review.
359 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the circumstances surrounding the decision to proceed with the construction of the M3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17847/07]
360 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when exactly he was informed of the decision regarding the decision to progress with the M3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17848/07]
362 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department or former Minister consulted with any Members of the Oireachtas, either directly or indirectly, prior to 15 June 2007 regarding the decision to proceed with construction of the M3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17850/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 359, 360 and 362 together.
The statutory role of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in relation to an approved road development lies in the issuing of directions as to how works of an archaeological nature are to carried out on the approved route. The recent issuing of the statutory directions in this case arose in circumstances where a national monument was discovered during the carrying out of M3 road development subsequent to its approval by An Bord Pleanála, and neither that approval nor the Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the scheme dealt with the newly discovered monument.
I first knew of Minister Roche's directions when I received a text in this chamber on the evening of Thursday 14 June. Neither I norany of my party colleagues had any prior contact with Minister Roche on this issue. On 15 June 2007 following my appointment as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I examined my Department's file in relation to the directions given to the National Roads Authority (NRA) regarding the National Monument discovered at Lismullin, County Meath on the approved route of the M3 motorway. The directions had been made on 12 June 2007.
In issuing directions in this case, the then Minister followed the procedures prescribed under the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004. These included the required consultation with the Director of the National Museum. The advice from both the Director and the Department's Chief Archaeologist indicated that excavation of the National Monument at Lismullin was the preferred archaeological approach in the circumstances of this particular case. Based on this advice the directions issued by the then Minister required the NRA to fully excavate and record the National Monument.
The Act of 2004 also provides that where the Minister has issued directions to a road authority, the road authority shall inform An Bord Pleanála of those directions and of any change to the road development, which it is satisfied is necessitated by the Minister's directions. It is a matter for the road authority to determine if any such changes are necessary as a consequence of such directions.
361 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the advice of the Director of the National Museum regarding the recent discovery at Lismullen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17849/07]
Before directions issued in this case under the National Monuments Acts, the Director of the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) was consulted as required by law and offered detailed comments by way of written submission. The issues raised by the Director in relation to the National Monument discovered at Lismullin were considered and taken into account in finalising the directions which issued.
In his letter the Director agreed that the scale and comparative rarity of the monument type found at Lismullin made a compelling case for designating it as a National Monument. The Director gave his assurance that the NMI would be of every assistance in affording the fullest advice and support in the necessary excavation programme of the henge. I welcome the Director's offer of the full assistance of the National Museum.
A recommendation from the Director that a special committee should be quickly installed in order to afford the National Monument at Lismullin the fullest and most detailed attention and a full excavation to the highest and most transparent standard has also been accepted. That committee will meet for the first time this week.
The Director also requested copies of various reports and that he be facilitated in any inspection of the archaeological works at Lismullin. Copies of these reports will be supplied to him and the Director will be facilitated in inspecting the archaeological works.
363 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17858/07]
I am not aware of any decision or instrument made under the auspices of my Department the aspects of which has been repealed or amended by reference to section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005.
364 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of funding for a project (details supplied) in County Cork; the commencement date of the development; the contribution being made by Cork County Council to this development; and the overall cost of the development. [17873/07]
In April 2007, my Department approved a proposal by Cork County Council to invite tenders for the provision of a new fire station at Youghal, Co Cork.
The commencement date and overall cost of the development will not become clear until the tender process is completed by the fire authority.
My Department meets 100% of the capital cost of the construction of fire station projects provided value for money is obtained and relevant procurement procedures have been followed.
365 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the persons he appointed to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; and their nominating body in each case. [17935/07]
The following persons were recently appointed by my predecessor as Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the Executive Board of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, in accordance with Section 17 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997.
Niall Coveney
Donal Curtin
Brendan Malone
Mary Moylan
Catherine Mullarkey
Donal O'Connor (Chairperson)
Sheila O'Donnell
Niamh O'Sullivan
The following persons were recently appointed by my predecessor as Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the Council of the Authority, in accordance with Section 16 of the 1997 Act.
|
Nominating Organisation(s) |
|
|
Malcolm Alexander |
Electricity Supply Board |
|
Betty Ashe |
St. Andrew’s Resource Centre Gallery Quay Residents Association Grand Canal Docks Trust |
|
John Boylan |
Bord Gáis Éireann |
|
Denise Brophy |
Dublin City Enterprise Board |
|
Enda Connellan |
Dublin Port Company Ltd |
|
Cllr. Emer Costello |
Dublin City Council |
|
Cllr Daithi Doolan |
Dublin City Council |
|
Willie Dwyer |
East Wall Community Development Council |
|
Gerry Fay |
|
|
Niall Grogan |
Córas Iompair Éireann |
|
John Henry |
Dublin Transportation Office |
|
Cllr. Kevin Humphreys |
Dublin City Council |
|
Seanie Lambe |
Inner City Renewal Group Inner City Organisations Network |
|
Oilbhe Madden |
Hanover Quay Residents Association |
|
Charlie Murphy |
Irish Nautical Trust Ringsend Action Project Ltd Ringsend Community Training Centre Ltd |
|
Geraldine O’Driscoll |
North Wall Women’s Centre |
|
Cllr. Aodhán O’Riordáin |
Dublin City Council |
|
Fionnuala Rogerson |
Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland |
|
Deirdre Scully |
Irish Planning Institute |
|
Cllr. Tom Stafford |
Dublin City Council |
|
Margaret Sweeney |
Dublin Chamber of Commerce |
|
John Tierney |
Dublin City Council |
|
Colm Treanor |
Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
Liam Whelan |
Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
|
Dolores Wilson |
St. Andrew’s Resource Centre Grand Canal Docks Trust Irish Nautical Trust Ringsend Community Training Centre Ltd |
366 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the flexibility that is allowed with reference to the gross household income limits pertaining to the disabled persons grants scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17952/07]
The administration of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme is delegated to local authorities within the framework laid down in statutory regulations; as far as is practicable, this is designed to give an appropriate degree of flexibility at local level. In the light of substantially increased demand for grant assistance in recent years, the majority of local authorities have reviewed their schemes, in order to streamline their operation, and have introduced a variety of mechanisms to ensure that the available resources are targeted to those in most need, including medical prioritisation, means testing and/or cost control.
The issue of means testing was considered in the context of the review of the operation of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme, which was undertaken by my Department. One of the primary aims of the review was to ensure that the available resources are targeted to those in most need of such assistance.
Details of the revised housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability were announced in February 2007 as part of the Government's new housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities. A revised scheme to be known as the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability will assist in the provision/adaptation of accommodation to meet the needs of people with a disability. The revised scheme is designed to ensure that available funding is targeted at lower income households and those whose need is greatest. Prioritisation of eligibility will be on the basis of medical and financial need with 95% of the approved cost of works available to those with annual household incomes of less than €30,000 tapering to 30% for those with annual incomes of €54,001 to €65,000. The income bands for the purposes of means testing will be amended annually in line with the amount of wage inflation in the preceding year. It is expected that the revised schemes will be implemented during 2007. Detailed administrative guidance for local authorities on the operation of the revised schemes will be issued in due course.
367 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to abolish charges for submissions and objections to planning applications at the local authority stage in accordance with EU regulations; his views on extending the submission period from five to the original eight weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18018/07]
The Planning and Development Regulations 2001 provide that any person or body who makes a submission or observation to a planning authority regarding an application for permission must pay a fee of €20. The primary purpose of the fee is to contribute towards the costs of the service provided by planning authorities to persons who make submissions.
The European Commission lodged an application with the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on 17 May 2005 initiating proceedings against Ireland on the grounds that the charging of this fee was contrary to the public participation provisions of Directive 85/337/EEC on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The ECJ heard the Commission's case on 24 April 2006, and on 9 November last dismissed the Commission's action.
However, my Department is currently undertaking a study of the cost of the planning service with a view to reviewing the fees regulations in the context of improving service delivery. I believe that this study also provides a useful opportunity to review the fee for making submissions on planning applications.
In relation to the public consultation period on a planning application, the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 provide that the period during which the public may make submissions on a planning application is 5 weeks from receipt of the application by the planning authority. Accordingly a planning authority may not make a decision on a planning application until the period for public consultation has expired.
Previous regulations did not provide a finite period for the making of submissions. This had resulted in some uncertainty for third parties in terms both of the timing of making of submissions, and of the decision making process itself. The current provisions give greater clarity and ensure that planning authorities are given a sufficient period in which to consider all the relevant information, including submissions and observations from third parties on an application, before reaching a determination.
368 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the media reports regarding rural housing regulations and in particular the reports that the EU will rule that local authority restrictions on applications for planning permission in rural areas be limited only to rural residents are illegal and unenforceable; and if so, his Department’s plans to address such a situation. [18167/07]
The European Commission wrote to the Irish authorities last Autumn, seeking views on a complaint received by them regarding the application of local needs policies in relation to the granting of planning permission for a one-off rural house in County Wicklow. A reply to the Commission issued on 27 November, stating that the settlement strategy within Wicklow's County Development Plan was in line with the National Spatial Strategy, Regional Planning Guidelines and the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines. It was pointed out that the county settlement strategy had a specific criterion which facilitates those who need to be located in a rural area for economic activity.
My Department has received no further communication from the Commission on this matter. It is, however, understood from recent media reports that the European Commission will be considering the matter at a meeting on 27 June. If my Department receives any further correspondence from the Commission on this issue, it will be given due consideration.
369 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will cite any and all examples whereby decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17853/07]
Having consulted with Divisions in the Department, I can advise the Deputy that there is no instance where decisions made have been overturned or amended under section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005.
In the inland Fisheries area, bye-laws, aimed at the effective management, protection and improvement of inland fisheries may from time to time be revoked or amended under the 2005 Act.
Section 22 facilitates the making of adjustments to existing by-laws and the introduction of additional by-laws necessary for the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource on an ongoing basis.
370 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of broadband in a location (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will investigate the difficulties in this area in connection to the internet. [17869/07]
371 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of broadband in an area (details supplied) in County Cork. [17870/07]
372 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for the extension of broadband services to those parts of the country that are not at the moment broadband enabled. [17953/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 to 372, inclusive, together.
The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of the Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers.
It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These include providing grant aid under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in over 120 towns and cities under the Regional Broadband Programme.
Despite Government investment in broadband in the regions through the Regional Broadband Programme, there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. The procurement process for the Government's new National Broadband Scheme (NBS) was launched on the 2 May 2007. This scheme will provide broadband services to the areas of Ireland that are currently unserved and ensure that every reasonable request for broadband in these unserved areas is met. The estimated timescale for the award of the NBS contract is December 2007, with rollout of the services due to begin as soon as possible thereafter, subject to agreement with the chosen Service Provider.
373 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the legal position in relation to the transfer of assets from the ESB to Eirgrid; if legislation or new regulations are necessary in order to transfer assets away from the ESB; the timetable and steps that he will take to transfer the ESB assets including all financial arrangements that will be necessary for the transfer to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18019/07]
The Programme for Government together with the White Paper on Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland, sets the end of 2008 for completion of the transfer of the electricity transmission network assets from ESB to EirGrid.
The mechanisms to implement the successful transfer of the transmission assets comprise a range of legislative, commercial, legal and financial components.
I intend to bring the necessary legislation forward for Government approval by the end of the year. The Bill will include provisions enabling EirGrid to own infrastructure and undertake any necessary borrowing. The full extent and substance of the statutory provisions required will be teased out over the next number of months. The legislation is also likely to include a range of amendments to the Electricity Supply Act 1927 and the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to fully reflect the new arrangement.
In line with successive Partnership Agreements, there will be a full process of engagement with the Management and Unions of both ESB and EirGrid on implementation of this policy decision by the end 2008 deadline. The process of discussion will also include the legitimate concerns of the ESOT.
The transfer of the transmission assets will be undertaken in a manner that ensures the future positioning of both EirGrid and ESB as strong Semi-State companies, as well as reflecting the position of the State and the ESOT as shareholders. I am confident that the ESB Group will remain a strong, commercially viable and integrated entity after completion of this process. It is equally important that EirGrid, as the independent owner and operator of the national grid, is securely positioned in that strategic role so that it can fully contribute to developing effective competition in the electricity market, reducing energy costs and encouraging investment as well as ensuring security of supply.
