Liz McManus
Question:86 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will introduce legislation governing in vitro fertilisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39291/09]
Written Answers.
The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 6 to 77, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 78 to 85, inclusive, answered orally.
Assisted Human Reproduction.
My Department is developing proposals for an appropriate regulatory framework, including legislation, in respect of Assisted Human Reproduction. The work involves, among other things, examining the approaches to regulation in other jurisdictions and considering the ethical and legal issues that arise. It will also take into account any report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children in response to the referral to it in 2005 of the Report of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction and the forthcoming judgment of the Supreme Court in the RvR (frozen embryos) case.
The work that the Department of Health and Children is undertaking is intended to result in policy proposals for a legal framework for this area. This work involves exploring and examining areas such as:
legal parentage;
access to treatment services;
certain practices on gametes and in vitro embryos;
donations of sperm, ova and embryos;
arrangements for consent; and
many other areas that are impacted by this wide and complex area.
The development and use of Assisted Human Reproduction technologies raises legal, social and ethical issues that are complex and profound.
Question No. 87 answered with Question No. 83.
Hospital Accommodation.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:88 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to keep acute hospital beds open in winter 2009; her views on a survey by an organisation (details supplied) which indicated that 705 beds were closed nationwide at the beginning of October 2009; the number of beds closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39300/09]
I am aware of the Irish Nurses' Organisation survey which suggests that 705 acute and non-acute beds were closed at the beginning of October 2009. The most recent HSE acute hospital bed census indicates that, at 25 October 2009, there were 554 acute beds closed for cost containment reasons. A further 226 beds were closed for clinical and operational reasons. This includes infection control and refurbishment.
However, it is now established best international practice to avoid focussing solely on inputs such as funding, staff and bed numbers in assessing the performance of healthcare systems. Instead, all countries are shifting the emphasis to measuring outputs and patient outcomes.
The exact number of beds available at any one time will fluctuate depending on the steps taken by each hospital to manage infection control issues, maintenance and refurbishment and to stay within its annual budget.
Irrespective of this, the HSE has concentrated on delivering the levels of activity promised in its 2009 National Service Plan.
The latest HSE Performance Management Report shows that by the end of August, approximately 19,000 more patients had been treated as inpatients and day cases combined than had been treated at the same stage last year. The continued efforts by hospitals to reduce the length of time a patient remains in hospital, and converting inpatient procedures to day case work is unquestionably in the interests of patients. It also allows hospitals to treat more patients.
All initiatives which deliver better outputs and better outcomes for patients within the more limited resources available to us, will continue to have my support. Indeed this type of approach was a central message in the recently published ESRI report.
National Treatment Purchase Fund.
Denis Naughten
Question:89 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the operation of the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39269/09]
I have no plans to review the NTPF's statutory remit. Its operation is subject to ongoing monitoring and review to ensure that resources are used efficiently and are targeted so that they achieve the greatest benefit for patients. I have emphasised to the Fund the need for maximum cost-effectiveness, consistent with safe and effective care. I have asked it to seek even better value from private hospitals and the Fund has successfully negotiated price reductions for certain high-volume procedures. In addition, it will not purchase services where the price is not acceptable. The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report for 2008 examined the NTPF's arrangements for the procurement of treatment. The Report concluded "The examination suggests that, relative to the casemix benchmark, procedures purchased from private hospitals by the NTPF generally cost less than those carried out in the publicly funded hospital system".
To date the NTPF has provided over 155,000 public patients with in-patient procedures and out-patient appointments. In September 2009, the median waiting time for medical and surgical patients was 2.8 months, down from 2.5 years in 2002.
The Fund's 2009 activity targets involve treating 18,875 inpatients and providing 2,000 MRIs and 5,600 outpatient appointments and it anticipates meeting these targets. At my request, the NTPF is working actively with the HSE to focus on people waiting more than twelve months for treatment. I am pleased to say that the number of such cases fell from 4,637 in December 2007 to 1,178 in September 2008. The two organisations continue to work on this issue, with a view to ensuring that no person is on a waiting list for surgery for longer than 12 months.
Cystic Fibrosis Screening.
Seymour Crawford
Question:90 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will roll out a neonatal screening service for cystic fibrosis to ensure early diagnosis of the condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39334/09]
The report of the Working Group established by the HSE on Services for People with Cystic Fibrosis was recently published on the HSE's website. Amongst its recommendations was that a neonatal screening programme should be established.
A Steering Group, ‘Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis', was established in June 2009, under the Chairmanship of Professor Gerry Loftus, Professor of Paediatrics, Galway. The Steering Group has broad membership from key stakeholders and experts in the field of cystic fibrosis and they will ensure that the operational work that is required to implement the Screening Programme will take place.
Currently, expert advice from other jurisdictions that have introduced newborn screening for cystic fibrosis is being examined to ensure that Ireland will be in line with the most up-to-date international best practice. In addition to the design of the newborn screening programme, including appropriate quality and governance arrangements, uniform data collection procedures will be developed for the collection of blood samples carried out in maternity units and community care areas. These actions will be supported by training for all relevant staff and development of appropriate health promotion material for parents/guardians and relevant service providers. An annual audit process is also being put in place.
It is anticipated that the implementation of the newborn screening for cystic fibrosis programme will commence next year.
Medical Cards.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:91 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extra amount of money that will have to be provided in 2009, over and above what was budgeted for, to pay for the extra number of people who will qualify for a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39372/09]
In 2008, the Health Service Executive (HSE) spent nearly €1.786 billion on the medical card and GP visit card schemes. The 2009 allocation is €1.888 billion.
To date, the HSE's monthly Service Plan reports show that the medical card and GP visit card monthly expenditure has been within the overall expenditure projected for the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. My Department and the HSE will continue to monitor this situation as the year progresses.
Based on the HSE's monthly Service Plan reports, it is estimated that there will be in the region of 1,487,000 medical cards by year end, an annual increase of some 135,000. The estimated number of GP visit cards will be 97,600 by year end, an annual increase in the region of 12,000. If additional funding is required it will be provided.
Vaccination Programme.
Billy Timmins
Question:92 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the location of the 45 Health Service Executive swine flu vaccination clinics; the persons who will man them; the opening times of the clinics; the number of patients they will see per day; the number of vaccinations they will administer per day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39316/09]
The incidence of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) reported on 25th October last is at a rate of 210.9 per 100,000 population. This is the highest ILI rate reported since sentinel influenza surveillance began in 2000.
Vaccination is a key strategy that is being used to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. Every person in the country will be offered the vaccine. However, initially the vaccine is arriving in small quantities due to the demand for the vaccine worldwide. Ireland is not unique in the difficulties which we have been experiencing in sourcing the vaccine in the quantities which we would require. Obviously, therefore, vaccination will be prioritised to ensure those who require it most will be first to receive it. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee and the Pandemic Influenza Expert Group have advised that the vaccine should be given to the population in the following order of priority:
People with long term medical conditions aged between 6 months and 65 years and all pregnant women of more than 14 weeks gestation and for women six weeks post partum, i.e. the "clinically at risk" groups;
Health Care Workers;
Children between 6 months and 18 years of age;
Adults over 65 years of age;
The rest of the population.
It is generally agreed that the preferred option for the administration of the pandemic vaccine to people under 65 in the "clinically at risk" groups is through general practice. GPs hold their medical records and are in a position to identify patients with underlying medical conditions for vaccination. It is estimated that there are approximately 410,000 people in this category. GPs have been receiving vaccine over the last two weeks and many patients have already been vaccinated. However, not all GPs are in a position to participate in the vaccination programme and the HSE has set up special vaccination clinics in order to vaccinate the "clinically at risk" patients of such GPs.
A full list of the locations and opening times of these clinics has been provided via the national and local media and is also available on the swine flu website at www.swineflu.ie. I have arranged for a copy of this list to be sent to the Deputy. A typical HSE vaccination clinic will comprise at least 1 doctor, 6 nurses and appropriate support staff. It will have the capacity to vaccinate up to 500 people a day but the numbers actually vaccinated at these clinics will clearly depend on the demand from the public for this service.
Mental Health Services.
Paul Kehoe
Question:93 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a unit designed to cater for the needs of children and teenagers with serious psychiatric problems remains closed almost seven months after the Health Service Executive announced its official opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39365/09]
Dan Neville
Question:144 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the eight bed in-patient facility for child and adolescent psychiatric patients remains closed to patients almost seven months after it was officially opened by her Minister for State. [39264/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 144 together.
The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit at St Stephen's Hospital Cork is a new regional interim facility which will provide specialist in-patient mental health services for children and adolescents who present with severe emotional and behavioural disorders. The service will be provided at St Stephen's, pending the completion of a new 20 bed in-patient unit and school facility, which is currently under construction on the grounds of the Sacred Heart Convent at Bessboro, Blackrock, Cork.
A Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and a Director of Nursing have been appointed and have taken up their positions at the interim facility. New medical, nursing and therapy staff have recently taken up employment and are currently undergoing training. Additional staff will be appointed in due course through a combination of redeployment and recruitment.
As the required staff are now in place, it is anticipated that the admission process of children to the unit will commence next week.
Hospital Accommodation.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:94 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to address the issue of beds in public hospitals which are assigned for public patients being used for private patients; if there is a mechanism in place whereby the public system will be reimbursed for the use of such beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39296/09]
All persons ordinarily resident in Ireland have full eligibility for hospital services. Although public hospitals treat private patients, the core purpose of the public system is to provide services for public patients. Government policy has been to ensure there is equitable access for public patients and, accordingly, that the proportion of private activity is appropriately controlled. Furthermore care is needed to ensure that a perceived need to generate income does not operate to the detriment of service provision to public patients. Subject to these objectives being achieved, effective mechanisms are needed to recover whatever income is due in respect of the accommodation of private patients.
The overall approach to the control of private activity in publicly funded hospitals consists of a number of components. Under the Health (In-Patient) Regulations, 1991, beds in public hospitals are categorised as public, private or non-designated. Under these regulations, no private patient being admitted electively may be accommodated in a designated public bed. The regulations contain reciprocal provisions regarding the accommodation of public patients in beds designated as private. There is provision for some exceptions to cater for emergencies and an instruction has been issued which permits the accommodation of a public patient in a designated private bed where this is necessary to manage healthcare acquired infections.
Hospital consultants are subject to a maximum permitted level of private practice, the extent of which varies according to the specific contract held. I have emphasised to the HSE the importance of effective enforcement of the terms of the consultant contract and the Executive and the management of individual hospitals are working to address those cases where individual consultants' private practice exceeds the permitted level.
With the support of my Department, the HSE is working to improve business processes for collecting outstanding debts due from private health insurers in respect of patients using private facilities in public hospitals.
I have no plans to alter the existing arrangements in order to enable the HSE to levy an accommodation charge in respect of the situations referred to by the Deputy as I believe it would be contrary to the fundamental purpose of public hospital services.
Health Service Expenditure.
Arthur Morgan
Question:95 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the process by which her Department and the Health Service Executive has made inputs to the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme report proposals regarding health and personal social services; her views on these proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39273/09]
Michael D. Higgins
Question:118 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has evaluated the proposals in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes Report as they relate to health and children; her views on the proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39283/09]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:125 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the general review of the health services currently in hand or concluded; if she has specified or identified any particular service or facility likely to be restricted, curtailed or terminated arising from budgetary or other considerations; if she has adopted the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme as it applies to her Department in part or in full; if particular hospitals, health centres or primary care facilities have been targeted for closure or downsizing; if it is intended to ensure delivery of the full range of services in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39267/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 118 and 125 together.
The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes met with officials from my Department and the Health Service Executive in February 2009 and my Department also prepared and submitted to the Group an evaluation paper detailing the areas of expenditure under the Health Group of Votes. The recommendations of the Group will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010 which is currently underway. Deliberations by the Government on the expenditure allocations for next year are likely to continue up until Budget time and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of those deliberations. The very difficult financial position facing the Exchequer will obviously require very careful management across all areas of expenditure.
Health Service Quality Standards.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:96 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children when private health care providers will be subject to regulation and quality evaluation by the Health Information and Quality Authority; her views on the provision of cancer services by private providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39282/09]
In January 2007, as part of the Government's commitment to ensuring patient safety and quality in our health service, I established a Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance to develop clear and practical recommendations to ensure that quality and safety of care for patients is paramount within our healthcare system. The Commission's report —Building a Culture of Patient Safety — was published in August 2008 and accepted by the Government in January 2009. The Commission recommended that there should be a mandatory licensing system in Ireland to cover both public and private healthcare providers. It further recommended that the licensing system should be implemented on a phased basis, starting with acute hospitals and other facilities based on analysis of potential risk to patient safety.
My Department has already begun preparatory work on the development of legislative proposals for a mandatory licensing system to cover both public and private healthcare providers, based on explicit standards to be set by the Health Information and Quality Authority. I intend to bring such proposals to Government by end 2010. The Government also approved the establishment of a steering group, chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of my Department, to drive implementation of all the report's recommendations. This steering group was set up in June and has begun its work on an overall implementation plan to be completed within 18 months of establishment.
A number of private providers provide cancer services and these will be encompassed in the mandatory licensing system in due course. In the meantime, protocols for the clinical management of patients for the main site specific cancers have been, or are in the process of being, drawn up as part of the National Cancer Control Programme, in conjunction with national professional clinical bodies. In addition, I approved Health Information and Quality Authority standards for symptomatic breast disease services in May 2007. The aim of the standards is to ensure that every woman in Ireland who develops breast cancer has an equal opportunity to be managed in a centre which is capable of delivering the best possible outcome. In 2007, my Department contacted hospitals in the independent sector urging them to take steps to ensure that their breast cancer services complied with the standards and it also brought the standards to the attention of private health care insurance providers. My Department's Chief Medical Officer wrote to private health insurers and the independent hospital sector again last month reminding them of the importance of complying with these standards.
Departmental Reports.
Denis Naughten
Question:97 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Prospectus Review of Critical Care Services will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39268/09]
The review in question was commissioned by the Health Service Executive in order to inform plans for the organisation and delivery of adult critical care services within the acute hospital system. I understand that the report is being finalised at present. A decision on publication will be made when the report is completed.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:98 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will release the report of the Vaccine Damage Steering Group; if she will introduce a vaccine damage compensation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39279/09]
Joe Carey
Question:108 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will publish the Report of the Vaccine Damage Steering Group; her proposals in respect of a vaccine injury compensation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39325/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 108 together.
I am currently considering the recommendations in the report of the Vaccine Damage Steering Group and it is my intention to publish the report on my Department's website shortly.
Question No. 99 answered with Question No. 83.
Dinny McGinley
Question:100 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive has to date failed to publish the report of the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Minister of State with responsibility for children on 6 October 2009 informed a Joint Committee that the report would be published on 21 October 2009; the reason for the publication of the report being delayed; and the action being taken to ensure publication of the full report. [39236/09]
Catherine Byrne
Question:119 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive has to date failed to publish the report of the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Minister of State with responsibility for children on 6 October 2009 informed a Joint Committee that the report would be published on 19 October 2009; the reason for the publication of the report being delayed; and the action being taken to ensure publication of the full report. [39232/09]
Alan Shatter
Question:186 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to require the Health Service Executive to publish the report of the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Minister of State with responsibility for children informed a meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children on 6 October 2009 that the report would be published on 21 October 2009; the reason for the delay in the publication of the report; if she acknowledges that it is in the public interest that the report be published; when it will be published. [39511/09]
Alan Shatter
Question:187 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to require the Health Service Executive to publish the report of the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Minister of State with responsibility for children informed a meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children on 6 October 2009 that the report would be published on 19 October 2009; the reason for the delay in the publication of the report; if she acknowledges that it is in the public interest that the report be published; and when it will be published. [39512/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 119, 186 and 187 together.
I am conscious that there is both a public and professional interest in publishing the findings of the reports in question. In this context I asked the HSE to look at the potential of releasing key findings and recommendations, while also respecting the privacy of the deceased and their families. The publication of the findings of the reports was delayed by the HSE to allow additional time for the families of the individuals concerned to be briefed on the contents of the reports. I have been advised by the HSE that arrangements are now being made for the publication, in the very near future, of the key findings and recommendations of the reports.
Palliative Care Services.
Sean Sherlock
Question:101 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in implementing the five year strategy for palliative care which was published in July 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39302/09]
The ‘Medium Term Strategy for the Development of Palliative Care Services' to which the Deputy refers was published by the Health Service Executive in June and is available on the Health Service Executive Website. This framework sets national priorities which have been agreed by all stakeholders based on solid needs analysis to ensure that services do not develop in an ad hoc fashion and that any developments proposed in future reflect areas of greatest need. This methodology ensures an equitable approach to service provision as well as consistency in inputs such as pay and non-pay costs, and staffing levels. The national priorities reflect the gaps that currently exist in particular areas and services and the prioritisation reflects the largest gaps.
When this work was initiated its purpose was to provide a sound planning framework for resource utilisation. It was anticipated that funding for the agreed priorities might be achieved through a combination of reorientation and reconfiguration of existing resources and the identification of additional resource requirements when further funding might come on-stream.
At a meeting following the completion of the report, chaired by the Department of Health and Children and at which the Irish Hospice Foundation, the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Association of Palliative Care as well as the Health Service Executive were represented, it was agreed that the priorities identified in the Framework should be progressed in the context of reconfiguration and re-allocation of existing resources/services; increasing and developing capacity within existing resources; developing skills in community care and care of the elderly settings specifically in relation to palliative care services; and taking the opportunity afforded by integration to identify ways of enabling the delivery of these agreed national priorities. However, all developments are subject to current budget and economic considerations.
In the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 the Government allocated €21 million new development funding for palliative care. There are now 21 palliative care consultants in post with four vacancies approved for filling, 26 home care teams and nine specialist in-patient units nationwide. Overall spending on palliative care by the HSE in 2008 was €78 million. Palliative care services have developed significantly over the past number of years. Additional in-patient palliative care beds have been opened in existing hospices including six beds in Blackrock Hospice, ten in Milford Hospice, Limerick and an additional four beds in Athlone Hospice which are due to open later this year.
The HSE's August 2009 Performance Report states that the number of patients accessing palliative care services as of the 31 August was 3,612. The majority of these patients were in receipt of home care services (2,917) accounting for 81% of the level of activity reported for the month. Some 323 were in specialist in-patient units, 115 were in receipt of intermediate palliative care in community hospitals and 262 patients were in receipt of day care services.
The provision of appropriate end of life care has been and continues to be a priority for this Government.
Health Service Staff.
Charles Flanagan
Question:102 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is appropriate to award Professor Drumm a bonus of €70,000 at a time when the Health Service Executive is making cutbacks to critical frontline services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39355/09]
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:151 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the planned €70,000 bonus for the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive, in respect of 2007, has been awarded; if she has contacted the board of the HSE in relation to the bonus; her views on whether this payment is in contravention of the letter sent in May 2009 to the HSE and other bodies requesting them not to pay bonuses in the current economic climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39373/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 151 together.
The payment of the 2007 bonus to the CEO of the HSE was not in contravention of a letter sent from my Department to the HSE in May 2009 as it is manifestly a bonus in respect of two years prior. Many other bonuses were paid within the public service, including the HSE, in relation to 2007. The approval of performance-related payments to eligible individual senior managers in State bodies is a matter for the boards of such bodies.
Accordingly, and in line with contract terms, the performance-related payment in respect of 2007 for the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive was assessed and determined by the Board of the Health Service Executive.
The Board of the HSE has agreed to suspend consideration of all performance related awards in respect of 2008. All eligible employees, including the CEO, were informed of that decision. No performance-related payments have been made to senior managers in the HSE in respect of 2008.
Community Care.
George Lee
Question:103 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Health and Children her long-term plans for the provision of public nursing home care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39370/09]
In 2005, my colleague the Minister for Health and Children, in conjunction with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, established an interdepartmental working group to examine the current arrangements for supporting long-term care and to identify policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care. The group reported to the Government in January 2006 and its recommendations have informed a number of key policy developments. With regard to nursing home care, the group offered a number of important recommendations across the areas of capacity, equity and affordability, and long-term financial sustainability.
In relation to capacity, the group recommended that a comprehensive needs analysis of long-term nursing home and respite care requirements for older people should be undertaken. On foot of this recommendation, the HSE, in conjunction with Prospectus, carried out an assessment of bed capacity requirements in the areas of long-stay, dementia-specific and respite care beds over the period 2006-2008. It looked at both immediate capacity requirements across the sector and projected requirements to 2036.
The assessment found that, assuming 4.5% of people over age 65 require long-term nursing home care, there was a national over-provision of long-stay beds in 2006. However, there was an under-provision of such beds in some parts of the country. It concluded that a significant increase in capacity will be required by 2036, even assuming the percentage of people over age 65 requiring such care was reduced to 4%. It also found there was a significant requirement for replacement, refurbishment or up-grading of existing public bed stock in order to meet modern standards.
The capacity assessment provides an objective, evidence-based blueprint for the future development of nursing home care and has already informed the development of a significant number of projects under the HSE's Capital Plan and the Fast-track Initiative. Over the period 2007 to 30 July 2009, 333 additional and 68 replacement beds have been provided nationally. A further 603 additional and 521 replacement beds are planned for the remainder of 2009 and 2010.
With regard to the issues of equity and affordability, the interdepartmental working group recommended a new policy approach in relation to supporting people in need of long-term nursing home care. Its recommendations informed the commitments within the current social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, that:
All relevant public services should be designed and delivered in an integrated manner around the needs of the care recipient based on a national standardised needs assessment. Care needs assessments should be available in a timely, consistent, equitable and regionally balanced basis;
Where community and home-based care is not appropriate, quality residential care should be available;
There should be appropriate and equitable levels of co-payment by care recipients based on a national standardised financial assessment;
The level of state support for residential care should be indifferent as to whether that care is in a public or private facility;
No current resident of a nursing home, public or private, should be put at a disadvantage by whatever new co-payment arrangements for residential care are introduced;
These commitments are realised in the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, which commenced on 27 October 2009. The new scheme seeks to offer assurance to people in need of nursing home care that such care will be affordable and will remain affordable for as long as it is needed. It is complemented by another key development namely, a new regime of registration and independent inspection by HIQA of all residential care settings for older people which commenced on 1 July this year.
As such, this year has seen ground-breaking change within the nursing home sector. There is, for the first time, a single, comprehensive system of registration and inspection for all nursing homes — public, private and voluntary, and a single, comprehensive system of financial support covering all nursing homes — public, private and voluntary. All future developments in respect of nursing home care will have to be considered in the context of these fundamental reforms.
Finally, the interdepartmental working group also highlighted the need to consider long-term financially sustainable funding options to support the future provision of long-term care services (both community-based and residential) having particular regard to demographic trends. This requirement to examine financially sustainable funding models was reiterated in Towards 2016 and preliminary work by the Department of Health and Children has commenced.
Hospital Services.
Michael D'Arcy
Question:104 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to address cancelled operations and lengthening waiting lists for children in need of medical or surgical procedures at hospitals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39340/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services.
Martin Ferris
Question:105 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the progress made on the promised provision of primary care centres across the State; the number of such centres that have been provided, as distinct from primary care teams made up of healthcare professionals located in different places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39275/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Willie Penrose
Question:106 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children when standard eligibility criteria for home care packages will be introduced in accordance with recommendations when the scheme was set up in 2006 and, more recently, in the report of the National Economic and Social Forum on the implementation of the home care package scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39293/09]
Andrew Doyle
Question:110 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the findings of the National Economic and Social Forum report on the implementation of the home care package scheme which concludes that eligibility differs from area to area resulting in inequalities and inconsistencies for people in need of support and that there is much duplication of work, with double or triple assessment of the care needs of older people; the action she will take in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39349/09]
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:135 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the action she proposes to take in response to the report of the National Economic and Social Forum on the implementation of the home care packages programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39271/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 110 and 135 together.
The priorities of the Department in recent times, in relation to Services for Older People, have been the introduction of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, and the bringing into force of new regulations in July last for the long-term residential care sector.
In tandem with these initiatives for the residential care sector, the Department has also been progressing initiatives on the community side and, as part of this, earlier this year commenced an independent Evaluation of Home Care Packages (HCPs). The HCP programme currently undertaken by the HSE involves overall annual funding in the region of €120 million, to provide packages to around 8,700 older people at any one time or approximately, 11,500 over the course of the year. Such packages are intended to enable older people to live at home and in their communities for as long as possible and to facilitate discharge from, or prevent inappropriate admission to, acute hospitals and long-term residential care. The HSE allocates and manages packages on this basis around the country.
The Department's Evaluation , undertaken by PA Consulting Group, will be formally submitted to Minister, Deputy Harney shortly. The aim of the evaluation was to assess, through quantitative and qualitative research at HSE national and local level, whether the objectives of the HCP Initiative are being met in the best possible way. This evaluation was recommended by the long-term care working g roup, and reinforced by a “Towards 2016” commitment. The Department and the HSE has accepted the need for a more standardised approach to HCP provision generally. In the context of the forthcoming Report by PA Consulting Group, the Department is at present, in conjunction with the HSE, considering various issues in relation to HCP provision, including:
finalising and agreeing standardised access and operational guidelines for delivery of Home Care Packages;
adoption and dissemination by the HSE of a voluntary code of Quality Guidelines for Home Care Support Services for Older People; and
consideration of the Law Reform Commission recommendations in the context of possible changes to legislation and regulation in the area of home care for older persons generally.
I am familiar with the recently launched NESF Report which focused on the implementation of home care packages from a policy implementation point of view. It acknowledges that while the home care package initiative was a well designed policy, improvements are required in a number of areas regarding implementation, including the issues raised by the Deputies. These issues are also being addressed in the report commissioned by the Department.
It is intended that various recommendations of the PA report will be implemented or progressed over the course of 2010, including those relating to governance, operational delivery, performance management and funding.
Hospitals Building Programme.
Ciaran Lynch
Question:107 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding package she envisages for the construction of the new national children’s hospital; the way it is intended to seek contributions from the private sector; the public funds which have been committed to the construction phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39284/09]
The HSE has indicated that the capital development cost of the hospital will be approximately €750 million. It is intended that €400 million of this funding will be provided from the Exchequer. The remainder will be raised from other sources, including philanthropic contributions.
A sub-committee of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is to be established in this regard.
Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 98.
Hospital Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:109 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in regard to delivering general hospital services in the future; if the original co-location plan is to continue; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns about the Children’s Hospital Crumlin, in Tallaght and in Naas; the intention to proceed as planned to relocate to the Mater Hospital site, Dublin; if it is intended to retain the full scale of services at the Adelaide and Meath and Crumlin Hospitals; if it is intended to provide centre of excellence quality to services at these locations without restriction in the future; her plans to retain the maximum extent and quality of services at these locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39266/09]
The Government is committed to ensuring quality health services, delivered efficiently and effectively. Ensuring patient safety is paramount, so that people can have confidence in the services and that the best possible patient outcomes are achieved. There is significant international and national evidence that acute complex healthcare, particularly for emergency medicine, complex surgical services and critical care should be provided in hospitals which are suitably staffed and equipped and which undertake sufficient volumes of such activity, in order to maximise clinical outcomes and ensure safe services. At the same time, there is a significant range of less complex care which can continue to be provided safely in smaller hospitals, especially in day surgery, medicine and diagnostics.
The approach being taken by the HSE in relation to the configuration of acute hospital services will result in a system which will facilitate the maximisation of patient outcomes and the further improvement of the health status of the population.
The renewed programme for Government re-affirms the Government's commitment to the current co-location programme. The procurement process which is underway will continue. Projects will be developed within the terms of those project agreements which have been signed or which may be signed. Value for public money criteria remain in place and are to be met by each project.
The way to provide the best possible paediatric tertiary care most effectively involves the creation of one single national paediatric hospital, alongside a major teaching hospital, bringing together all the medical and nursing expertise for complex conditions. The concept of bringing together all three present services is widely accepted.
The Children's Health First report commissioned by the Health Service Executive indicated that the population and projected demands in this country can support only one world class tertiary paediatric hospital. It recommended that the hospital should be in Dublin and should, ideally, be located with a leading adult academic hospital in order to optimise the outcomes for children. Following detailed consideration, it was decided that the most appropriate location for the new National Paediatric Hospital is at the Mater Hospital.
I am aware that concerns have been expressed in the past by some members of staff and families of patients and others who currently access Our Lady's Children's Hospital and the National Children's Hospital at Tallaght. However, I welcome the recent decision by the hospital to participate fully in the development of the project and to nominate representatives to the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.
In 2009 the Government will provide over €250 million for the running of three children's hospitals in Dublin — Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght. The HSE is now pursuing ways in which services across the three children's hospitals can best be co-ordinated, to avoid unnecessary duplication and to achieve savings that can be put back into patient care. We can achieve significant cost savings if services and practices are more closely integrated across the three hospital sites, even before the new National Paediatric Hospital has been completed. The three children's hospitals in Dublin have agreed and developed a model for the development of a joint department of paediatric surgery. The clinical network across the three hospitals will make the best use of the resources that are available and will ensure a ‘single system of care.' A recruitment process is underway to recruit three replacement surgeons that will then give the joint department a complement of seven surgeons (currently five in place, with one due to retire shortly). It is anticipated that these posts will be filled by year end.
The HSE also commissioned a review of paediatric critical care facilities and services in 2008 with a view to addressing any identified deficits in advance of the opening of the new National Paediatric Hospital. Other areas currently being examined in relation to increased co-operation are in the areas of renal services, genetics, endocrinology and dermatology services amongst others.
The new National Paediatric Hospital is scheduled to become operational at the end of 2014. Pending completion of the project, the HSE will continue to finance the provision and development of services at each of the transferring hospitals. The new hospital will include an associated Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght. which is to open in advance of the new hospital. The plans for this proposed Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre (AUCC) are being developed in conjunction with the new paediatric hospital and it is proposed to have the AUCC at Tallaght completed in 2013.
I understand that paediatric patients who currently attend Naas General Hospital may be transferred to Tallaght where appropriate. These patients will continue to access services at the AUCC in Tallaght or at the new National Paediatric Hospital if their condition requires it.
Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 106.
Vaccination Programme.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:111 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the H1N1 vaccination programme to be delivered to the general population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39280/09]
Kathleen Lynch
Question:124 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the legal protection which is in place for general practitioners that are being asked to decide which of their patients should be prioritised for the H1N1 vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39287/09]
Eamon Gilmore
Question:136 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children the categories of staff that will administer the H1N1 vaccine to the general population; if they will be replaced in their regular role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39281/09]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:152 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the deployment of the H1N1 vaccine; and the systems that are in place to ensure that all those at risk receive the vaccine in a timely and efficient manner. [39270/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 124, 136 and 152 together.
The incidence of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) reported on 25th October last is at a rate of 210.9 per 100,000 population. This is the highest ILI rate reported since sentinel influenza surveillance began in 2000.
Vaccination is a key strategy that is being used to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. Every person in the country will be offered the vaccine. However, initially the vaccine is arriving in small quantities due to the demand for the vaccine worldwide. Ireland is not unique in the difficulties which we have been experiencing in sourcing the vaccine in the quantities which we would require. Obviously, therefore, vaccination will be prioritised to ensure those who require it most will be first to receive it. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee and the Pandemic Influenza Expert Group have advised that the vaccine should be given to the population in the following order of priority:
People with long term medical conditions aged between 6 months and 65 years and all pregnant women of more than 14 weeks gestation and for women six weeks post partum, i.e. the "clinically at risk" groups;
Health Care Workers;
Children between 6 months and 18 years of age;
Adults over 65 years of age;
The rest of the population.
It is generally agreed that the preferred option for the administration of the pandemic vaccine to people under 65 in the "clinically at risk" groups is through general practice. GPs hold their medical records and are in a position to identify patients with underlying medical conditions for vaccination. It is estimated that there are approximately 410,000 people in this category. GPs have been receiving vaccine over the last two weeks and many patients have already been vaccinated. However, not all GPs are in a position to participate in the vaccination programme and the HSE has set up special vaccination clinics in order to vaccinate the "clinically at risk" patients of such GPs.
A full list of the locations and opening times of these clinics has been provided via the national and local media and is also available on the swine flu website at www.swineflu.ie. A typical HSE vaccination clinic will comprise at least 1 doctor, 6 nurses and appropriate support staff. It will have the capacity to vaccinate up to 500 people a day but the numbers actually vaccinated at these clinics will clearly depend on the demand from the public for this service.
Staff being assigned to the vaccination clinics will not be replaced and the vaccination programme will, therefore, mean that some other services have to be delayed or curtailed. The HSE has drawn up plans to prioritise services during the period of the vaccination programme but the actual impact on particular services will only become clear as the programme is rolled out. The intention is to start vaccinating other priority groups, like health care workers and children, as soon as possible. However, depending on uptake, vaccine supplies and other factors, it could take 6 to 8 months to vaccinate the entire population.
With regard to legal protection for general practitioners the HSE has asked GPs to make their best effort to identify the relevant patients and the insurance companies involved in providing cover for GPs have indicated that this would be seen as normal GP work and that the existing cover is sufficient.
The House will appreciate that this pandemic is one of the biggest public health challenges which this country has faced. The logistics of undertaking such a mass vaccination programme are challenging. I am confident, however, that the extensive preparation plans which we have in place will assist in meeting this challenge.
Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 85.
Cancer Screening Programme.
Noel Coonan
Question:113 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Health and Children the recent changes to the CervicalCheck Screening Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39330/09]
The matter raised by the Deputy is the responsibility of the National Cancer Screening Service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Chief Executive Officer of the Service to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter raised.
General Practitioner Services.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:114 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures which are planned to increase the supply of general practitioners in accordance with need and her policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39295/09]
Martin Ferris
Question:131 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children the additional measures she is undertaking to address the shortage of general practitioners in our healthcare system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39276/09]
James Reilly
Question:170 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the recent ESRI finding that some 350 general practitioners will retire between 2006 and 2010, 450 will retire between 2011 and 2015 and more than 500 will retire between 2016 and 2020; the action she will take to address this shortage and imminent crisis within general practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39590/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 131 and 170 together.
I am aware of the potential shortage of General Practitioners (GPs) highlighted in the recent ESRI Report and the June 2009 FÁS Report. A number of measures to address this are being pursued, including:
The HSE is in discussion with the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) regarding the scope for increasing the 120 GP training places currently available each year.
The HSE and the ICGP are also in discussion to identify a mechanism for up-skilling long-term locums or assistants who are currently not eligible for GMS contracts.
A list of GMS GP posts has been advertised centrally on the HSE Website.
A recruitment drive is being undertaken in the UK and EU countries to attract qualified GPs to Ireland.
The HSE is encouraging GP assistantships and partnerships in relation to upcoming retirements.
The HSE is issuing new GMS panels in regions urgently requiring additional GPs.
Some previous restrictions on entry to the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme have been removed.
The maximum retirement age for GPs holding contracts under the GMS and other schemes has been extended from 65 to 70. I am confident that these measures will have a positive impact on GP numbers.
Hospital Services.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:115 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that resources are made available without delay to Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Dublin, to provide adequate additional ICU beds, thus avoiding cancellation of vital operations and long waiting lists for sick children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39239/09]
Mary Upton
Question:153 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will take action to accelerate the provision of new ICU beds in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, in order that children waiting for urgent operations can be accommodated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39297/09]
Alan Shatter
Question:174 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in excess of 150 children are awaiting heart surgery at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin and the delay in such surgery is placing many of these children at serious risk and that many of these children are suffering a diminished quality of life; the action she will take to ensure those children receive the surgery they require without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39445/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 153 and 174 together.
I am very conscious of the importance of providing high quality services across all three children's hospitals in Dublin — Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght. All three hospitals prioritise their services in accordance with clinical need.
Careful planning of critical care services, including those for cardiac patients, is vital. To this end, the HSE commissioned the DNV Consortium management consultancy to review current paediatric critical care facilities and services in Our Lady's Children's Hospital and the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street with a view to developing paediatric intensive care services in the period leading up to the opening of the new national paediatric hospital.
The Irish Paediatric Critical Care network has been established by the HSE with an independent chair to progress the report's recommendations. Additional revenue funding has been allocated to the hospitals this year to commence the implementation of these recommendations. Three new posts of consultant paediatric intensivists have been approved recently.
The HSE has committed to progressing a capital development at Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin to secure additional high quality critical care beds at the hospital as quickly as possible. It must also be stressed that the provision of additional ICU beds is an interim measure pending the completion of the new National Paediatric Hospital, which will combine the services provided by the three paediatric hospitals in Dublin.
The HSE has committed to replacing 13 of Crumlin Hospital's existing ICU beds and to introduce 4 new ICU beds, within 18 months. This will bring the total number of ICU beds at the hospital to 25. The design allows for the provision of an additional 5 ICU beds, subject to approval. A tender for design consultancy services relating to this project has recently been approved. The project team has already met the design team to advance the project in as short a time frame as possible.
The HSE and Crumlin Hospital are examining options to address the current cardiac waiting list service need in advance of the new ICU project being completed.
Mental Health Services.
Sean Sherlock
Question:116 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures in place to protect the budget to implement A Vision for Change; if she can give an assurance that funding will be ring-fenced in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39303/09]
Deirdre Clune
Question:143 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of monitoring she has in place to ensure that funding allocated for mental health services is spent in that area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39237/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 143 together.
Under the Health Act 2004 the Health Service Executive is required to prepare and submit an annual Service Plan to the Minister for approval. The Service Plan must inter alia reflect the policies and objectives of the Minister and the Government.
Significant progress was made in the HSE Service Plan 2009 in terms of incorporating more explicit links between funding, staffing and services and the development of an improved set of activity measures, performance indicators and deliverables in key service areas, including in the mental health area, which are matched with timescales. The HSE reports monthly to my Department on the performance of the health system against the agreed targets. My Department is continuing to work with the HSE to further refine and develop appropriate performance measures in mental health in 2010.
The modernisation of mental health services in line with ‘A Vision for Change’is the responsibility of the HSE. It can be achieved to a significant extent through the remodelling of existing resources.
Health Service Staff.
Kathleen Lynch
Question:117 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the moratorium on staff recruitment in the Health Service Executive is removed in relation to key personnel in the implementation of the national cancer strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39288/09]
The Government decision on the moratorium on recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade is being implemented in the health sector in such a way as to ensure that key services are maintained insofar as possible in the health services, particularly in respect of children at risk, older people and persons with a disability.
The employment control framework specifically exempts staff in the following front line grades in the health sector from the moratorium: Medical Consultants, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Clinical Psychologists, Behaviour Therapists, Counsellors, Social Workers, and Emergency Medical Technicians. The framework actually allows for a growth in the number of those posts within the overall approved employment ceiling (111,800 wtes) for the health sector. The framework also includes provision for the creation of 225 new development posts this year for cancer, mental health and disability services. Following a submission from the Health Service Executive earlier this year, it was agreed that special provisions would also apply in relation to Clinical Engineering Technicians, Dosimetrists, Physicists, and Radiation Therapists, which are specialist grades under the National Cancer Control Programme.
The focus on these key grades is in line with existing Government policy on the prioritisation of certain development areas, for which significant funding has already been provided. The overall result will be to assist in the reorientation of health employment to services delivered in primary and community care.
The HSE will be focussing on the scope that exists within the health services for reorganising and restructuring of work in order to minimise the impact on essential service delivery. The redeployment and reassignment of existing staff will also support the reorientation of care from hospitals to the community and to facilitate the development of integrated care. It is seeking a high level of flexibility from staff and unions to achieve this.
The operation of the framework, including the moratorium on recruitment, is kept under review by my Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance and the Health Service Executive.
Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 95.
Question No. 119 answered with Question No. 100.
Mental Health Services.
Deirdre Clune
Question:120 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in implementing the community based provisions of a Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39238/09]
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Services.
Olwyn Enright
Question:121 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the additional supports which have been provided to community welfare officers to deal with the increased demand for access to support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39433/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 83.
Oral Health Policy.
Brian O'Shea
Question:123 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will publish the draft Report on Oral Health Policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39292/09]
The National Oral Health Policy has to be reconsidered in the light of the current position of the public finances. The draft policy will be revisited once the Estimates and Budgetary process for 2010 is complete.
Question No. 124 answered with Question No. 111.
Question No. 125 answered with Question No. 95.
Use of Sun Beds.
Alan Shatter
Question:126 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children her policy regarding the use of sun beds; the legislation that she proposes to introduce with regard to the usage of sun beds; and the timeframe involved. [30753/09]
I have asked my Department to prepare proposals for consideration by the Government to restrict the use of sunbeds. My Department has completed a public consultation on the matter and has indicated that the following measures may be circulated from the outset:
Restrict the use of sunbeds to those 18 years and over;
Ban commercial sunbed services where such services are not supervised;
Require the placing of warning signs in prominent places on premises where sunbed services are offered;
Require the placing of warning labels on sunbeds, whether for sale or use on business premises;
Require proprietors of sunbed businesses offering sunbed services to register with the HSE;
Introduce enforcement provisions to enable inspections to be carried out and penalties for non-compliance;
Allow exemptions in respect of the use of sunbeds for medical use.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has responsibility for product safety matters generally and discussions have been arranged between the two Departments to consider product safety matters arising in the context of the proposed legislation.
The timing of when these provisions might be introduced is dependent on consideration by Government and the legislative process. In addition, it should be noted that it is a requirement of the Transparency Directive that the EU Commission be notified of legislation which proposes to change the basis on which a product or service is regulated in a particular Member State. This provides an opportunity for Member States and the Commission to submit observations on the draft legislation.
Hospitals Building Programme.
Ciaran Lynch
Question:127 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the alternative plans which are being considered to upgrade or replace the Central Mental Hospital following the rejection of the Thornton Hall site; if consideration is being given to keeping the facility in Dundrum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39286/09]
In May 2006 the Government confirmed the decision to develop a new Central Mental Hospital (CMH) at Thornton Hall, County Dublin. Since then, a draft project brief has been prepared and a Cost Benefit Analysis has been completed but none of the work undertaken to date has been site specific. A number of difficulties have now emerged with the Thornton Hall site; the HSE has identified a need for an Intellectual Disability Forensic Mental Health Unit and a Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health Unit but the twenty acre site at Thornton Hall is not large enough to allow for these additional developments. Neither of the units would be viable as a stand alone facility and they should be co-located with the CMH. Moreover, the construction of these additional units at a location separate to the CMH would incur increased capital and revenue costs. In these circumstances and in the context of the commitment in the Revised Programme for Government, the question of the relocation of the CMH to an alternative site is currently under consideration.
Health Services.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:128 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made by both the Health Service Executive in their discussions with an association and the group chaired by a person (details supplied) in implementing measures that would deliver more cost effective prescribing by general practitioners, greater use of generic preparations and quality prescribing indicators, ensuring that lower prices can be passed onto the customer; and her views on the potential savings to be achieved from the use of branded generic drugs. [39231/09]
Generic drugs are available in Ireland for many medicines. In 2008, 18% of prescription items under the GMS scheme and 11% of items under the Drugs Payment Scheme and Long Term Illness Scheme were dispensed generically. My Department and the HSE supports the increased use of generics where this is appropriate. All options for containing pharmaceutical expenditure pharmaceutical expenditure, including the introduction of a system of generic reference pricing, the promotion of more cost-effective prescribing by GPs, greater use of generic preparations and quality prescribing indicators are under consideration.
A group, chaired by Dr Michael Barry, and comprising of representatives of my Department, the Health Services Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation, was established to oversee the implementation of specific measures that would deliver more cost effective prescribing by GPs, greater use of generic preparations and quality prescribing indicators. In the past year the HSE has worked closely with healthcare professionals to develop quality prescribing indicators for oral nutritional products. This will reduce wastage and inappropriate prescribing of these products while ensuring that patients can access them as required. I am due to meet with the IMO shortly to discuss how the implementation of other measures can be progressed.
Under the terms of the current agreements between the HSE and pharmaceutical manufacturers, price cuts of 35% have been applied to all off-patent proprietary products for which generic alternatives are available on the Irish market. The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics has estimated that off-patent price reductions will have resulted in savings of €250 million in the period from March 2007 to August 2010. The HSE has given notice to both the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of its intention to renegotiate the agreements which govern the supply terms, conditions and prices of medicines supplied under the GMS and other community drugs schemes. Further savings will be sought by the HSE when the agreements are renegotiated in 2010.
Other reforms have also been introduced to lower the cost of medicines. I recently reduced the wholesale mark-up payable on medicines from 17.66% to 10% and reduced the retail mark-up payable under certain schemes from 50% to 20%. Savings from the measures have been estimated at €55 million for 2009 and €133 million on a full year basis.
It is my intention to introduce a system of reference pricing, coupled with generic substitution by pharmacists at the patient's request. My Department and the HSE are examining options to progress this initiative which has the potential to promote the usage of cheaper generic medicines and provide further savings from reductions in prices.
Ministerial Travel.
Jack Wall
Question:129 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the purpose of her visit to the United States in February 2008; the official engagements that she undertook; the persons in her travelling party; the cost arising from the trip, including the cost of the use of the Government jet; and her views on whether this level of expenditure represented value for money for the taxpayer. [39309/09]
The visit to the United States in February 2008 afforded me and senior medical advisors from the Department of Health an opportunity to visit some of the most prestigious healthcare facilities in the world. The purpose of the trip was to learn lessons from visits to world leading medical institutions with particular emphasis on the latest developments in cancer care and on developing a new oral/dental policy for Ireland. Along with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Dental Advisor, I visited the healthcare facilities with a view to seeing, at first hand, how services are planned, organised and delivered. These included the Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, Texas and the Veterans Administration (V.A.) Medical Centre in Washington DC. I also met with Professor Provonost of the Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. The visit allowed discussion with top American medical professionals along with senior Irish doctors who have made a career in the US.
MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston is one of the largest hospitals in the world dealing with approximately 80 thousand cancer cases a year. It has ranked as the number one cancer hospital in the United States for 6 of the last 9 years.
On the recommendation of my Chief Dental Advisor I visited the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health. Regarded as one of the most innovative centres for dental training in the world, the visit was helpful to the process of developing a new oral policy here in Ireland.
The Mayo Clinic is internationally renowned as a centre of medical excellence.
The Veterans Administration has an international reputation for delivering efficient and high quality health services at lower costs than many other parts of the US Healthcare System. The VA hospital in Washington has an increasing emphasis on moving to community based services, using the latest technology in managing chronic illnesses and reducing in-hospital stays, and reducing the cost of treatment.
Our meeting with Professor Provonost of Johns Hopkins University Hospital dealt with aspects of their work on infection control standards. Techniques used by the hospital have delivered significant reductions in the transmission of infection.
I met with the Deputy Secretary, US Department of Health and Human Services, Mr Tevi D. Troy to discuss matters of mutual interest in regard to health policy and health care delivery.
The trip also afforded an opportunity to meet with Science Foundation Arizona, with Craig Barrett, Chairman of Intel and other business leaders as well as members of the Irish Community.
I also met with members of the Arizona state senate, members of the House of Representatives and with Governor Janet Ann Napolitano (now the United States Secretary for Homeland Security).
Details of the party which travelled to the United States are set out below. Mary Harney, TD, Minister for Health and Children Mr Brian Geoghegan, Minister Harney's husband Mr Paul Flanagan, Minister Harney's Private Secretary Dr Tony Holohan, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Children Dr Margaret Shannon, Dental Advisor, Department of Health and Children Mr Chris Fitzgerald, Principal Officer, Public Health Division, Department of Health and Children Mr Derek Cunningham, Press Advisor Ms Patricia Ryan, Special Advisor to Minister. The table below sets out the total paid by my Department in respect of this visit. The cost of air travel in the Government jet is not included as this was met by the Department of Defence.
|
Details |
Amount |
|
€ |
|
|
Hotel Charges |
10,959 |
|
Subsistence |
3,380 |
|
Gifts |
61 |
|
Cars |
10,209 |
|
Total Costs |
24,609 |
The facilities visited are internationally recognised centres of excellence with proven track records for innovation and results. The meetings were of particular benefit to me and my officials with regard to the major reorganisation of our national cancer services and in developing a new oral/dental policy in Ireland. We also looked at a number of patient safety initiatives and developments in relation to performance management and the use of information including electronic patient records, all of which are very relevant to improving health service delivery here.
In regard to official engagements, the itinerary for the visit was as follows:
Friday 1st February 2008 11:45
Depart Baldonnel Airport 13:50
Arrive in Bangor, Maine for stopover 14:50
Depart Bangor 18:00
Arrive in Prescott Arizona 19:30
Arrive at hotel 20:30
Dinner Saturday 2nd February 07:30
Depart hotel for Phoenix 10:00
Visit Mayo Clinic 5777 East Mayo Blvd, Phoenix 14:00
Visit to College of Medicine Arizona State University 300 E. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 16:30
Visit Mr Donald Budinger, Chair of the SFAZ Board 7648 N Shadow Mountain Road, Paradise Valley, AZ 17:30
Meet with Dr W Harris, Science Foundation Arizona and
Mr Craig Barrett, Chairman of Intel 18:00
Dinner hosted by Science Foundation Arizona with representatives from state senate, Senate and the House of Representatives
Sunday 3rd February Private Day
Monday 4th February 06:30
Depart Hotel 09:30
Visit to A.T. Still University (ATSU) Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, Address: 5850 E. Still Circle Mesa, AZ 85206 12:30
Lunch with Governor Napolitano 14:30
Meet with AZ Women's Leadership Forum and Irish Community
Venue: Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix
Evening Dinner hosted by the Dental University
Tuesday 5th February
09:00 Pick-up from Hotel
Transfer to Phoenix Airport 10:00
Depart Phoenix Airport for Houston 13:10
Arrive Houston (Hobby Airport) 14:00
Visit M.D. Andersen Cancer Centre Houston 17:00
18:00pm Dinner hosted by MD Anderson
Wednesday 6 February
08:30 Pick-up from Hotel
Transfer to Hobby Airport, Houston
09:30 Depart Hobby Airport for Washington
13:00 Arrive Andrews Air Force Base
13:10 Transfer to Veterans Administration 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20422
14:00 Meeting with Veterans Administration
16:30 Transfer to Hotel
17:30 Meeting with Dr. Peter Pronovost Conference Room
20:00 Dinner with Professor Provonost, Johns Hopkins University Hospital and Veterans Administration representatives etc
Transfer to Hotel
Thursday 7 February
08:50 Transfer to Department of Health and Human Services
09:30 Meeting with Deputy Secretary of Health, Dr. Tevi David Troy.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. — Washington, D.C. 20201
Transfer to Andrews Airforce Base
14:00 Depart Andrews AFB.
Hospital Accommodation.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:130 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in the provision of additional accommodation at Bandon Community Hospital, County Cork; the date for the commencement of the building works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39230/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Question No. 131 answered with Question No. 114.
Hospital Services.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:132 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans that are in place for the proposed paediatric unit in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, in conjunction with the proposed new national paediatric hospital; if a review of proposals has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39285/09]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:198 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the plans for the provision of paediatric services currently available at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin and Tallaght; her plans to maintain and develop these services for the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39689/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 198 together.
Services at the National Children's Hospital Tallaght, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Children's University Hospital will transfer to the new National Paediatric Hospital. Pending completion of the project, the HSE will continue to finance the provision and development of services at each of the transferring hospitals.
The development of the National Paediatric Hospital is a priority project for the Government. The project is proceeding as planned and is being overseen by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board which was established in May, 2007. The HSE is working closely with the Board in progressing the project, which is scheduled for completion and commissioning in 2014.
The new hospital will be based at the Mater Hospital and will include an associated Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght, which is to open in advance of the new hospital. The plans for this proposed Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre (AUCC) are being developed in conjunction with the proposed new paediatric hospital and it is proposed to have the AUCC at Tallaght completed in 2013.
This Centre will offer a wide range of services including urgent care consultations, outpatient services and day surgery.
Child Care Services.
Mary Upton
Question:133 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if an adequate number of social workers will be recruited to address the large number of children in the care of the State and of children deemed to be at risk who have not been allocated a social worker; her views on whether this position can be tolerated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39298/09]
The Implementation Plan for the recommendations of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was accepted by Government and published in July 2009. One of the key recommendations of the Implementation Plan is that an additional 270 additional social workers be recruited by the HSE between 2009 and 2011. This is made possible as the approved Employment Control Framework for the HSE exempts social worker posts from the current moratorium on recruitment and the filling of vacancies.
A further key action of the Plan which is currently being implemented is the conversion of temporary social work posts to a permanent basis to address issues of continuity of care and staff retention within the child welfare and protection services. The need to recruit further additional social workers beyond this cohort will be considered in the light of progress made in delivering necessary reforms in the child welfare and protection service.
Hospital Services.
Emmet Stagg
Question:134 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to reduce the number of people occupying acute hospital beds that are ready for discharge but have no appropriate step down bed or support in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39301/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 106.
Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 111.
Youth Services.
David Stanton
Question:137 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 4 March 2008, the sections of the Youth Work Act 2001 which have been enacted; the timescale for the implementation of the remaining sections of the Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26718/09]
Responsibility for Youth Affairs transferred from the Department of Education and Science to the Office of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with effect from 1 January 2009. The role of my Office is to improve the lives of children and young people and to bring greater coherence and cohesion to policies that impact on their lives.
With regard to the Youth Work Act, 2001, Section 1 provides for sections of the Act to be commenced at different stages. Sections 2-7, 17 and 18 have been commenced to date. The National Youth Work Advisory Committee has been reviewing the implementation of the Act and is finalising its recommendations on its further implementation. These recommendations will be considered in the context of the remit of my Office as outlined above.
Departmental Staff.
Liz McManus
Question:138 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if a derogation from the moratorium on staff recruitment will be applied in order that commitments given in the context of reconfiguration in the north east and in the mid-west can be fulfilled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39289/09]
In order to implement savings measures on public service numbers, the Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade with effect from 27 March 2009 to end 2010. A HSE circular has issued which gives effect to the Government decision in the public health services and other specific aspects of the employment control framework for the health services.
The HSE will be focusing on the scope that exists within the health services for reorganising and restructuring of work in order to minimise the impact on essential service delivery. The redeployment and reassignment of existing staff will also support the reorientation of care from hospitals to the community and to facilitate the development of integrated care. It is seeking a high level of flexibility from staff and unions to achieve this. The Government decision has been modulated to ensure that key services are maintained insofar as possible in the health services, particularly in respect of children at risk, older people and persons with a disability.
In addition, the employment control framework specifically exempts certain front line grades in the health sector from the moratorium and it allows for a growth in the number of those posts within the overall approved employment ceiling (111,800) for the health sector. The framework also includes provision for the creation of 225 new development posts this year for cancer, mental health and disability services. In addition, special provisions apply in relation to certain specialist grades under the National Cancer Control Programme. The focus on these key grades is in line with existing Government policy on the prioritisation of certain development areas, for which significant funding has already been provided. The overall result will be to assist in the reorientation of health employment to services delivered in primary and community care.
The operation of the framework, including the moratorium on recruitment, is kept under review by my Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance and the Health Service Executive.
The HSE has advised that the filling of key front line vacancies associated with the reconfiguration of Acute Services in both the North East and Mid West regions is proceeding at present on the basis of redeployment of resources made available by the reshaping of the services in those regions. These arrangements operate within the requirement to maintain services.
Health Services.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:139 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will address the increase in diseases related to lifestyle such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39307/09]
Approximately 60% of our disease burden is accounted for by 7 leading risk factors. These are tobacco, alcohol, cholesterol, overweight, high blood pressure, poor diet and physical inactivity. Almost 80% of heart disease, stroke and diabetes could be avoided if major risk factors were eliminated.
The recent Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (SLAN 2007) showed the level of these risk factors in the adult population with high levels of physical inactivity, 80% of the population eating too much energy dense foods, smoking rates that have plateaued, 64% of the population having high blood pressure and approximately three quarters having high cholesterol.
SLAN found evidence that positive lifestyles behaviours, including being physically active, eating sufficient fruit and vegetables, not smoking and drinking in moderation exert a profound impact on health.
The control of many of these factors lies outside the direct influence of the health services. Recognising that inter-sectoral action is required, my Department is taking the lead role in developing various policies and initiatives aimed at addressing these lifestyle issues.
Among these initiatives are the establishment of an Inter-sectoral Group on Obesity, the launch of National Guidelines on Physical Activity, the development of a new Cardiovascular Health Policy and the establishment of a steering group to develop a National Substance Misuse Strategy.
Legislative Programme.
Brian O'Shea
Question:140 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Adoption Bill 2009 will be brought before Dáil Éireann; if she will introduce transitional arrangements in the context of the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39290/09]
Michael D. Higgins
Question:179 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the ongoing crisis in the area of inter-country adoption and in particular the impasse surrounding those persons who have been caught in a transitional phase whereby their applications will be void at the conclusion of a new deal on inter-country adoptions; if a transitional agreement will be concluded on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39462/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 179 together.
The Adoption Bill 2009 was initiated in the Seanad and recently passed Committee Stage in that House. The Bill is due to be considered by Dáil Éireann in the current session.
There are transitional provisions contained in the Bill. However, the issue of further transitional measures for prospective parents who are at an advanced stage when the Bill is enacted, and who wish to continue with an adoption from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, have been raised with me by representative groups. I am currently examining this and other related matters.
Cancer Screening Programme.
Emmet Stagg
Question:141 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if the National Cancer Screening Service has asked a company (details supplied) to subcontract a proportion of the cervical smears for which it is responsible to laboratories here; her views on this development in the context of the contracting of all smear analysis to that company based in the US; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39299/09]
The matter raised by the Deputy is the responsibility of the National Cancer Screening Service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Chief Executive Officer of the Service to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter raised.
Mental Health Services.
Róisín Shortall
Question:142 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in reducing the number of children and adolescents that are inappropriately placed in adult psychiatric hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39305/09]
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Question No. 143 answered with Question No. 116.
Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 93.
Health Services.
Joan Burton
Question:145 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children when the waiting times for dermatology services in the south east and in the mid-west will be addressed by the appointment of extra dermatologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39278/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Child Protection.
Alan Shatter
Question:146 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will order an inquiry into the procedures followed by the Health Service Executive and the gardaí in relation to a child (details supplied) in County Galway; if correspondence has been entered into by her with the HSE in respect of this matter; and if so, the replies received. [39229/09]
The matter referred to by the Deputy is proper to the Health Service Executive as the body with statutory responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services under the Health Act 2004.
My Office received representations on this matter in June 2009 and again in October 2009. These representations were forwarded to the Health Service Executive with a request that the matter be examined and a direct reply issued to the correspondent. The Health Service Executive has also been asked, arising from its consideration of the matter, to notify my Office in the event that there are any issues which it considers should be brought to my attention.
Health Service Staff.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:147 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to reduce the number at management level in the Health Service Executive in accordance with recommendations in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39306/09]
The Employment Control Framework, which was agreed in March of this year sets out the overall policy for staffing levels in the health sector for 2009. The Framework incorporates the general moratorium on recruitment in the public sector. However, the moratorium has been modulated to minimise the impact on front line services and, in particular, on areas such as disability, services for older people, and child care.
As part of the Health Estimate for 2009, I announced that there was to be a 3% reduction in management/administration grades in the health sector in 2009. This reduction is encompassed within the Framework. The reduction in management/administration grades in 2009 to the end of September, the latest data available, is 341.52 wholetime equivalents. The HSE has outlined to my Department that it expects the 3% target to be reached by the end of the year, as planned. In addition, the Government will be considering a number of options in framing public expenditure projections for 2010.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:148 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the bonuses awarded to senior Health Service Executive executives since the establishment of the HSE; the amount involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39272/09]
The Performance Related Awards Scheme was introduced following a decision by the Government on the implementation of recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The primary function of the Review Body is to advise the Government from time to time on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to certain public sector posts, including higher management grades in the health service not covered by the Public Sector Benchmarking Body process.
The level of awards made to individual senior managers in the HSE is solely a matter for the HSE Board and my Department has, therefore, asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
No bonus payments have been made to senior managers in the HSE in respect of 2008. At its meeting on 9th July 2009, in response to a request from my Department, the Board of the Executive formally decided to suspend consideration of all performance related awards for 2008 in the HSE pending receipt of further guidelines from central government. All eligible employees were informed of that decision.
Since the payment of bonuses is related to performance in the preceding year, no such payments have been made in respect of 2009.
Mental Health Services.
Dan Neville
Question:149 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in providing a 20 bed unit for child and adolescent mental health services in Limerick which is described as needing urgent attention in A Vision for Change. [39265/09]
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Research Board.
Joan Burton
Question:150 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the Health Research Board is maintained as a separate entity in order to ensure continued funding of health research which is matched by private fund-raising by a number of medical research charities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39277/09]
The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes made recommendations with regard to the Health Research Board. These were linked to wider recommendations around the science, technology and innovation activities of other Government Departments and research agencies. The Government will consider the full range of relevant issues in assessing this recommendation.
In any event I can assure all concerned of the Government's commitment to health research. The benefits of high quality health research activity have been highlighted by the Government in for example, Building Ireland's Smart Economy and the Revised Programme for Government. Just today I published an Action Plan for Health Research which sets out a range of actions to further improve the quality and extent of health research. The Action Plan contains a commitment to continuing close liaison with the voluntary sector, in particular medical charities.
Question No. 151 answered with Question No. 102.
Question No. 152 answered with Question No. 111.
Question No. 153 answered with Question No. 115.
Health Service Staff.
Willie Penrose
Question:154 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the arrangements whereby a small number of Health Service Executive employees are on sick leave for long periods of time at considerable cost; if she has sought an explanation; if contractual arrangements under which such leave is paid will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39294/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. However, my Department has also written to the Executive to enquire as to what steps are being taken to expedite the resolution of cases of employees on long-term paid absence from duty in the HSE, such as those raised by the Deputy.
Job Losses.
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:155 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the contact she has had with a company (details supplied) in County Louth; if she met with the company in New York; the attendees and proposals made; the reaction to the company’s decision to close its operations in Drogheda by September 2010 with the loss of more than 100 jobs; her views and the views of the Industrial Development Authority to the formal announcement by the company in October 2009; the proposals made to the company by the IDA; if these proposals will be improved on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39444/09]
On Wednesday 9th September, 2009, IFF announced the proposed closure of the plant and the possible loss of up to 95 jobs. IDA Ireland met with IFF on a number of occasions in recent months in both Ireland and the US. Consolidation of Drogheda was discussed with a view to adding some additional activities during which IDA outlined a number of supports that could be provided if the investment was made in Drogheda. This was acknowledged by IFF with the commitment that it would be forwarded to its operating committee and taken into consideration in its final decision. The employees also put forward a cost reduction plan.
On 14th October, I met with a deputation of employees from IFF. Following this, I met with IFF in New York on Friday 23rd October 2009 and detailed the case in favour of Ireland.
On 28th October the Company issued a statement that the decision to proceed with the closure of the Drogheda facility had been reached with production to cease on 30 September 2010 following a phased redundancy programme commencing in the second quarter of 2010.
The decision by the company is most regrettable and I have asked the State development agencies to ensure that they provide every possible assistance and support to the workers who will lose their jobs in the coming year.
Work Permits.
Mattie McGrath
Question:156 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of an employment permit application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when she envisages the application will be dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39446/09]
This application was refused on the grounds it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits for highly skilled, highly paid positions or for non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or where there is an officially recognised scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification. Furthermore, it appears that the Business Name is not registered with the Companies Registration Office.
The applicant was notified of this decision in writing by letter dated 19th October 2009 and of their right to appeal within 21 days. To-date no such appeal has been received in the Employment Permits Section.
Redundancy Payments.
Leo Varadkar
Question:157 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average number of additional weeks added to the statutory redundancy payment for workers in both the private and public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39452/09]
Under the Redundancy Payments Scheme all eligible employees are entitled to a statutory redundancy lump sum payment on being made redundant. A redundancy situation arises in general where an employee's job no longer exists and he/she is not replaced. Under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 — 2007 an eligible employee is entitled to two weeks pay for every year of service, plus a bonus week, subject to the prevailing maximum ceiling on gross weekly pay of €600.
The issue of ex gratia payments in excess of statutory minimum entitlements is entirely a matter for negotiation between the employer and the employees and is likely to depend on the individual circumstances of the case and the financial position of the employer. This is not an area in which the Tánaiste or I have any role. Recent cases which have come before the Labour Relations Commission suggest that there is no norm in this regard with settlement terms varying considerably from two weeks in excess of the statutory minimum up to six weeks.
As regards redundancy programmes in the public sector, these would not normally come within the realm of the Redundancy Payments Scheme unless the employee was contributing at the full rate of PRSI.
FÁS Training Programmes.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:158 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applicants who have been placed and commenced work under the FÁS work placement programme; the location of these placements by county; the FÁS areas at which work placements need to be filled; if this information will be provided in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39465/09]
The Tánaiste and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs jointly launched the Work Placement Programme on 27th May 2009. The aim of the programme is to provide 6 months valuable work experience opportunities to 2,000 individuals who have been unemployed for at least 6 months, including graduates. Participants on the programme will retain their existing social welfare entitlements for the duration of their placement.
To date, 85 participants have been placed and have started on the programme, 60 graduates and 25 non-graduates. A total of 1,941 individuals have expressed an interest in the programme. FÁS currently have 398 posts available under the Work Placement Programme. The tables provide a breakdown of the location of current placements and opportunities.
|
Location |
WPP1 (Graduates) |
WPP2 |
|
Dublin |
29 |
12 |
|
Carlow |
4 |
|
|
Cork City |
10 |
1 |
|
Cork County |
3 |
|
|
Clare |
1 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
|
Galway City |
5 |
2 |
|
Galway County |
1 |
|
|
Meath |
1 |
|
|
Louth |
1 |
|
|
Laois |
1 |
|
|
Longford |
1 |
|
|
Limerick City |
2 |
|
|
Limerick County |
1 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
|
|
Roscommon |
1 |
|
|
Donegal |
1 |
1 |
|
Tipperary South |
3 |
|
|
Wexford |
1 |
|
|
Total |
60 |
25 |
|
FÁS Regions |
WPP1 (Graduates) |
WPP2 |
Total |
|
Dublin North |
27 |
11 |
38 |
|
Dublin Central |
44 |
17 |
61 |
|
Dublin South |
34 |
14 |
48 |
|
North East |
19 |
14 |
33 |
|
North West |
7 |
7 |
14 |
|
West |
30 |
12 |
42 |
|
Midlands |
14 |
4 |
18 |
|
Mid-West |
28 |
10 |
38 |
|
South-West |
36 |
11 |
47 |
|
South-East |
42 |
17 |
59 |
|
Total |
281 |
117 |
398 |
Community Employment Schemes.
David Stanton
Question:159 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on easing the conditions relating to employment under the FÁS scheme in view of unprecedented unemployment here; her further views on increasing the three years maximum employment term allowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39584/09]
Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. The purpose of CE is to help unemployed people to re-enter the open labour market by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.
In April 2000 the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment introduced capped limits on the amount of time that a person could participate on CE (3 years total time on CE from 3rd April, 2000 — participation on CE before this date is disregarded). CE capping was introduced to facilitate the movement of participants through the programme, allowing new participants who may not otherwise have such an opportunity, avail of the programme.
Tax Yield.
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:160 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance the number of PAYE workers who earn in excess of €100,000 (details supplied) delineated in €10,000 income brackets; the number of public sector workers in each of these brackets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39450/09]
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:161 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance the number of PAYE workers in income brackets (details supplied); the number of public sector workers in each of these income brackets based on tax returns for 2008; if such data are not available, when it will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39451/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant sector-based information available on employees taxed under the PAYE system is derived from income tax returns filed for the income tax year 2007 and represents about 96 per cent of all returns expected at the time the data were compiled for analytical purposes. On this basis the information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows.
|
Income Tax Year 2007 |
Public Sector Employees |
All PAYE Employees |
|
Range of Gross income |
Total Number |
Total Number |
|
€0 – €10,000 |
49,747 |
414,298 |
|
€10,001 – €20,000 |
64,116 |
392,697 |
|
€20,001 – €30,000 |
69,766 |
379,180 |
|
€30,001 – €40,000 |
69,954 |
263,576 |
|
€40,001 – €50,000 |
55,586 |
167,904 |
|
€50,001 – €60,000 |
34,562 |
103,273 |
|
€60,001 – €70,000 |
22,555 |
67,776 |
|
€70,001 – €80,000 |
15,635 |
45,237 |
|
€80,001 – €90,000 |
10,379 |
29,668 |
|
€90,001 – €100,000 |
7,045 |
19,868 |
|
€100,001 – €110,000 |
4,779 |
13,324 |
|
€110,001 – €120,000 |
3,298 |
9,244 |
|
€120,001 – €130,000 |
2,350 |
6,308 |
|
€130,001 – €140,000 |
1,698 |
4,698 |
|
€140,001 – €150,000 |
1,088 |
3,247 |
|
€150,001 – €160,000 |
694 |
2,313 |
|
€160,001 – €170,000 |
435 |
1,635 |
|
€170,001 – €180,000 |
247 |
1,153 |
|
€180,001 – €190,000 |
206 |
942 |
|
€190,001 – €200,000 |
131 |
708 |
|
€200,001 – €210,000 |
91 |
537 |
|
€210,001 – €220,000 |
66 |
409 |
|
Over €220,000 |
195 |
2,276 |
|
Totals |
414,623 |
1,930,271 |
Comprehensive historical incomes data for 2008 are not yet available in a usable format and are unlikely to be available before Summer 2010. Notes: The sector identifier used on the tax records is based on the 4-digit NACE code (Rev. 1), which is an internationally recognised economic activity code system. The information provided in relation to public sector employees is based on activities which are classified in the NACE code system as Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security, Education and Health and Social work but excluding the categories of Driving School Activities, Dental Practice Activities and Veterinary Activities as being more appropriate to the private sector. A married couple, which has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit.
The source of the information provided in relation to numbers and tax is the P35 end year returns filed by employers in respect of their employees but does not include the corresponding figures relating to PAYE taxpayers who are required to return an income tax return form 11 where non-PAYE income is greater than €3,174.
Redundancy Payments.
Leo Varadkar
Question:162 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the guidelines which exist for payment of redundancy to public sector workers; if there is an agreed number of additional weeks to be paid on top of the statutory redundancy payment for public sector workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39453/09]
There are no guidelines in place as regards the amount of redundancy that is payable to public service workers. Neither are there an agreed number of weeks that are payable in addition to statutory redundancy entitlements. Approved redundancy terms in the past have varied, depending on the circumstances of the termination of employment concerned.
Public Sector Staff.
Leo Varadkar
Question:163 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent voluntary early retirement scheme for the Health Service Executive as a model for reducing public sector workers as stated in Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 18 February 2009; the number of persons who left the public service under the HSE VER scheme; the cost of payments to those who left the public service under the HSE VER scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39454/09]
The deliberations of my Department in regard to a targeted Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme for the health sector referred to in my response to PQ 6276/09 culminated in the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) for the Public Service announced in the 2009 Supplementary Budget. The ISER was intended to apply in the health sector.
However, its application in the health sector was suspended by the Health Service Executive (HSE) because staff associations instructed their members not to co-operate with redeployment and other flexibility measures. While the HSE continued to accept applications under the scheme, the processing of these applications to final decision was suspended pending confirmation of union co-operation with the ISER. The most up to date information available is that 305 ISER applications have been received within the health sector.
Freedom of Information.
Niall Collins
Question:164 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance if Bus Éireann is covered by the Freedom of Information Act; if not, the reason for this omission; if there are plans to bring it under FOI legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39456/09]
Bus Éireann is not covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) and there are no proposals to bring it under the remit of the Act. The position on commercial state bodies and FOI is that they should not be included under FOI legislation because it would compromise their ability to compete effectively in the markets within which they operate.
Tax Collection.
Jack Wall
Question:165 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is due a tax rebate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39471/09]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that PAYE Balancing Statements P21 for the years 2005 to 2008 together with any refunds due will issue to the person concerned shortly.
Public Sector Pay.
Richard Bruton
Question:166 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the amount which would be raised from a reduction in public sector pay by a 5% reduction on all incomes from €35,000 to €100,000, a 10% reduction on all incomes from €100,000 to €200,000 and a 20% reduction on all incomes greater than €200,000. [39483/09]
It is estimated that a 5% reduction on all incomes from €35,000 to €100,000, a 10% reduction on all incomes from €100,000 to €200,000 and a 20% reduction on all incomes greater than €200,000 if introduced would save a total of around €750m. Of this amount, around 75% would be accounted for by the reduction on incomes from €35,000 to €100,000.
Tax Code.
Terence Flanagan
Question:167 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39560/09]
There is no provision whereby a homeowner could offset the €200 local authority charge in respect of non principal private residences. Nor is the €200 charge a deductible expense in respect of rental income where such properties are let.
Sean Fleming
Question:168 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if tax is payable by a person who donates land to a registered charity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39561/09]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Section 611 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 provides relief from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) involving the donation of an asset by a taxpayer to a charity. The donation must be a bone fide donation and not a commercial transaction at arm's length. In such circumstances, the transaction is treated as giving rise to neither a gain nor a loss for CGT purposes and thereby Capital Gains Tax would not be payable on such a donation.
I am further advised by Revenue that income tax relief for donations to charities under Section 848A of the TCA 1997 only applies where the donation takes the form of money or designated securities; it does not apply to a donation of land.
Health Service Allowances.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:169 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan has been denied welfare payment from her Department and from community welfare services; the further reason they received a letter from community welfare services stating that they should now contact the reception and integration agency of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which will facilitate their return home. [39587/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 170 answered with Question No. 114.
Róisín Shortall
Question:171 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to deal with the backlog of applications for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance. [34407/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Róisín Shortall
Question:172 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that the number of community welfare officers is sufficient to meet the demand for supplementary welfare allowance, mortgage interest supplement, rent supplement and other basis allowances. [34423/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Cards.
Jack Wall
Question:173 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare for a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39443/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 174 answered with Question No. 115.
Health Service Staff.
Leo Varadkar
Question:175 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people who left the public service under the Health Service Executive voluntary early retirement scheme; the cost of payments to those who left the public service under the HSE VER scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39455/09]
In his Supplementary Budget Statement of 7 April 2009, the Minister for Finance announced that he would make available three schemes to reduce the number of public sector employees in the wider public sector. The Minister for Finance stated that at that time that the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement would be the only scheme providing for early retirement in the public sector. Therefore my Department issued a suite of three circulars to the HSE on 15 May 2009 to give effect to this measure in the public health sector; the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (8/2009); the Incentivised Career Break Scheme (Circular 9/2009) and the Shorter Working Year (10/2009).
The purpose of these circulars is to facilitate a permanent, structural reduction in the numbers of staff employed, along with an associated restructuring of organisation and operations, in as timely a manner as possible and in line with the 2009 Employment Control Framework for the Public Health Sector. While the reduction in numbers achieved under these schemes is intended to contribute significant and ongoing savings to the Exchequer, this must be done in a way that does not undermine essential service provision.
The schemes do not apply to grades exempted from the moratorium on recruitment and promotions under the 2009 Employment Control Framework for the Public Health Sector. Members of all other grades who meet the eligibility criteria will have access to these schemes, provided the grades/staff groups concerned cooperate with the requirements in relation to redeployment, mobility, skill mix and flexibility which are outlined in the employment control framework: this is designed to allow individuals to avail of the schemes while still protecting services. Because staff who retire under the schemes will not be replaced (save in very exceptional cases), employers must pay particular attention, when considering applications, to the scope that exists within the organisation for reorganising and restructuring work in order to minimise the impact on essential service delivery. Staff cooperation and flexibility in that regard is essential.
My Department was informed that the health service trade unions issued a directive instructing their members not to cooperate with redeployment and reassignment requests from management. The unions have stated their opposition to the moratorium on recruitment and promotions as set out in 2009 Employment Control Framework for the Public Health Sector, referred to above. This instruction from the unions severely restricts the ability of management to organise/restructure work practice and contravenes the qualification criteria for the scheme. As a result, the HSE has suspended all three schemes on 18 June and the suspension remains in place. One person in the public health sector had been approved to exit the system by that date and cost of the 10% lump sum paid was €2,307 with an annual pension payable of €11.102 per annum.
I understand that applications continued to be accepted by the relevant employer up to the closing date of 23rd October pending resolution of the outstanding industrial relations issues. I have been informed that the HSE has had discussions with the health service unions regarding its policy on redeployment/reassignment and these discussions are ongoing.
Mental Health Services.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:176 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether reductions to the mental health budget, both current and in budget 2010, are reasonable and fair; her further views on whether further cuts will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39459/09]
Michael D. Higgins
Question:177 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing tragedy of suicide here; her views on whether further cuts in the health budget and particularly in the budget for mental health will exacerbate this tragedy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39460/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. Deliberations by Government on the expenditure allocations for next year are likely to continue up until Budget time and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.
'Reach Out' – A National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, sets out a policy framework for suicide prevention. The HSE, through the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), oversees implementation of the strategy. Initiatives which have been progressed by the NOSP include developing and implementing national training programmes, the development of a training strategy under the direction of a Training and Development Officer, progressing the availability of self-harm services through Hospital Emergency departments, implementing recommendations arising from a review of bereavement services, dedicated suicide resource officers, the provision of funding to the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF), supporting voluntary organisations working in the field of suicide prevention and developing mental health awareness campaigns.
In addition to the €8m available to the HSE for suicide prevention initiatives, once-off funding of €1m was provided in 2009 to further develop services for those bereaved by suicide and to develop an information and awareness campaign aimed at young people. The campaign was launched in October.
Inter-Country Adoptions.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:178 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the ongoing crisis in the area of inter-country adoption; if she will report on a recent meeting (details supplied) held with Vietnamese officials at which it was believed the matter would be discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39461/09]
As the Deputy is aware, my Office has been in negotiations with the Vietnamese Government regarding the drafting of a new bilateral inter-country adoption agreement for some time. I have clearly indicated my intention to await the finalisation of the International Social Services Report on inter-country Adoption in Vietnam before making final decisions regarding the next steps. I will be considering the Report along with the Report published in August by the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. I anticipate the ISS report will be finalised this month. I will be communicating my decision at the earliest opportunity. I am extremely mindful of the difficult position many prospective adopters find themselves at this point in time.
Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai visited Ireland recently. I took the opportunity to meet again with Minister Hai whom I had met with during my July visit to Vietnam. The meeting took place on the 23rd October. Adoption matters were discussed. The meeting was most amicable and allowed both Governments to outline their current positions in relation to the bilateral agreement and legislative developments in each jurisdiction, including Hague Convention ratification. Both Governments restated their desire to achieve the highest standards in inter-country adoption and they committed to ongoing dialogue to advance these goals.
Question No. 179 answered with Question No. 140.
Hospital Services.
Michael McGrath
Question:180 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if a revised appointment will be allocated to a child (details supplied) in County Cork awaiting a procedure at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39485/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:181 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount lost by the Health Service Executive in 2009 as a result of the refusal of health insurers to pay it for treating their private patients admitted to hospitals under consultants holding the type A contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39504/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Inter-Country Adoptions.
Brian O'Shea
Question:182 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify the concerns of persons (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39505/09]
The Adoption Bill, 2009, which is designed to give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption, has passed through the Seanad and is scheduled to be debated in Dáil Éireann in the current Dáil session. The new legislation, which incorporates the provisions of the Hague Convention, is designed to provide a framework to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed and that all adoptions are effected in the best interests of the child. Future inter-country adoption arrangements will be governed by the terms of the Adoption Bill 2009 when enacted.
The current policy position, as set out in the Adoption Bill 2009, is that for an adoption to be registered under the Bill it must be effected in a contracting State to the Hague Convention or in a country with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. For non-Hague countries only those adoptions effected prior to the commencement of the new law can be registered on the Register of Inter-Country Adoptions to be established under the Bill.
There are transitional provisions contained in the Bill. However, the issue of further transitional measures for prospective parents who are at an advanced stage when the Bill is enacted, and who wish to continue with an adoption from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, have been raised with me by representative groups. I am currently examining this and other related matters.
My officials, in consultation with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, have been doing preparatory work on a possible bilateral agreement with Ethiopia. Consideration of this is at an early stage.
Child Care Services.
Finian McGrath
Question:183 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm the funding allocated under the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 in 2009 for counties Sligo, Cavan and Monaghan. [39507/09]
I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010, under which the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme is being implemented.
The total NCIP funding, including Capital funding, Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) funding and funding to support the County Childcare Committees (CCC), approved to date in 2009 for counties Sligo, Cavan and Monaghan is as follows:
|
Sligo total |
Capital |
CCSS |
CCC |
|
€2,419,199 |
€925,488 |
€1,186,842 |
€306,869 |
|
Cavan total |
Capital |
CCSS |
CCC |
|
€1,434,765 |
€0 |
€1,127,896 |
€306,869 |
|
Monaghan total |
Capital |
CCSS |
CCC |
|
€3,559,494 |
€1,369,612 |
€1,883,013 |
€306,869 |
The Deputy should note that of the total capital funding approved for Monaghan to date in 2009, €1,272,612 was in respect of grants originally approved in 2007 which were subsequently decommitted. These decommitments were successfully appealed by the applicants and the grants reinstated in 2009.
Nursing Home Charges.
Tom Hayes
Question:184 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason there is no guideline for application processing times for the new fair deal scheme; the length of time applications are expected to take to process; if persons will be paid for the period of time while their applications are being processed; the reason no backlog is applicable for this scheme when the circumstances may mean that people are delayed in applying for it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39509/09]
The HSE has indicated that the expected timelines for processing applications under the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme and making a determination regarding financial support will vary according to individual circumstances and complexities. However, on average, the following timelines are estimated (assuming that the submitted application is fully and correctly completed):
Straightforward State Support Application: 1-2 weeks
Straightforward Ancillary State Support Application: 3-4 weeks
It must be acknowledged that, in the initial months following the introduction of the scheme, the HSE will have to deal with a huge volume of applications from both existing residents and new entrants. However, this should not impact negatively on existing residents due to the safeguards provided within the primary legislation. The legislation provides that applicants to the scheme who were in nursing home care on the date the scheme commenced (27th October 2009) shall have their State support backdated to that date. Moreover, the HSE's Guidelines on the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme state that, subject to overall resources, people who enter nursing homes after the commencement of the scheme will have their financial support paid either from the date that the application was made or from date of admission to the nursing home, whichever is the later.
Inter-Country Adoptions.
Alan Shatter
Question:185 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the reviews which were undertaken by the joint working group established under part V of the agreement on mutual co-operation concerning adoption between Ireland and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam regarding the provision of humanitarian financial assistance; the evaluation which was undertaken of such assistance provided; when such evaluations were conducted; and the recommendations made following such evaluations by the review group. [39510/09]
I indicated to the Deputy in a previous reply of 13th October 2009 that the Joint Working Group referred to did not meet on a formal basis. However, a number of joint meetings between officials from Ireland and Vietnam were held on an ad-hoc basis to support the implementation of the Agreement. Representatives of my Department and/or the Adoption Board met with their Vietnamese counterparts as required to review issues relating to adoptions from Vietnam on foot of the Agreement. Officials from my Department visited Vietnam on at least 5 occasions since the signing of the bilateral agreement in 2003.
During the course of these visits some of the matters discussed included co-operation on technical assistance, staff training, providing assistance to State competent authorities involved in adoption and the care of children as referred to in Article 24 of the Bilateral Agreement.
The issue of humanitarian aid is referred to in Article 8. 2 of the Bilateral Agreement which states that "when applying for a licence to operate in the state of origin an authorised organisation must submit its non-profit plan, including humanitarian financial assistance for nurturing institutions in the State of Origin". Article 24 allows for the reviewing and evaluating of this aid by the Joint Working Group. However, the Irish Government had no role in authorising any amounts payable or which organisation in the sending country received such monies. Governance and accounting issues in relation to humanitarian aid were discussed during more recent meetings.
The issues discussed at all meetings fed into the thinking and drafting of future bilateral agreements and also informed the deliberations on the inter-country adoption aspects of the Adoption Bill, 2009.
Questions Nos. 186 and 187 answered with Question No. 100.
Hospital Waiting Lists.
Thomas Byrne
Question:188 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive a hip operation in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan. [39557/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services.
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:189 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the national diabetes framework report; the further progress made to develop podiatry services at a local level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39558/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Services.
Sean Sherlock
Question:190 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children when the process of reconfiguration of hospital services in the south will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39566/09]
The Government is committed to ensuring delivery of the best quality health services possible, in an effective and efficient way. Ensuring patient safety is of paramount importance, so that people can have confidence in the services and that the best possible patient outcomes can be achieved.
The HSE commissioned Horwath Consulting Ireland, in association with Teamwork Management Services, to carry out a review of acute hospital services in the HSE South, based on the principle of securing sustainable and clinically safe acute hospital services. The report was launched publicly on 9 June 2009. Professor John Higgins was appointed as Director of Reconfiguration of Acute Services, Cork & Kerry Region. The Teamwork report proposes a single health care system for Cork and Kerry, with a new governance structure for hospitals and community to encompass the relationship between the health care system and the third level educational sector — UCC and Cork and Tralee ITs. The key principles are that complex clinical care should be concentrated on the Cork University Hospital campus and that the other hospitals should, where possible, provide an expanded range of day surgery, diagnostic and out patient services. The reconfiguration process involves both enhancing primary care services and moving hospital services as close as practicable to people's homes.
It is clear that hospitals will have to change significantly the type of services they provide and the way these are delivered. Reorganisation of services must of course occur in consultation with the key stakeholders and on an incremental basis. I believe that it is important to work with health professionals and other interested parties to secure an increasing set of improvements over time.
As the specific question raised by the Deputy is a matter for the HSE, it has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
Departmental Expenditure.
Sean Sherlock
Question:191 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the projected operating budget for 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39567/09]
Sean Sherlock
Question:192 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the annual operating budget for 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39568/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.
The approved budget for the Health Group of votes for 2009 amounts to €15,468.546 million. This comprises €14,599.588 million for the Health Service Executive vote, €480.040 million for the Department of Health and Children vote, which includes funding for a range of health agencies, and €388.918 million for the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Planned expenditure levels for the Health sector will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. Deliberations by Government on the expenditure allocations for next year are likely to continue up until Budget time.
Hospital Services.
Sean Sherlock
Question:193 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the operation of the CT scanner at Mallow General Hospital, Cork, and the appointment of a radiologist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39569/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Sean Sherlock
Question:194 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the average inpatient length of stay at Cork University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39570/09]
Sean Sherlock
Question:195 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the average inpatient length of stay at Mallow General Hospital, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39571/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:196 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that St. John’s Hospital in Limerick has had to close wards for most of 2009 as a result of resource issues; if she will provide an assurance that adequate resources will be available to the hospital to fulfil its envisaged role in the context of reconfiguration in the mid-west and of the swine flu pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39576/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
National Treatment Purchase Fund.
Denis Naughten
Question:197 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons with County Roscommon addresses referred by the National Treatment Purchase Fund for procedures (details supplied) to hospitals outside Roscommon; the corresponding number operated on at Roscommon County Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39577/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to the operation of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, my Department has asked the Chief Executive of the Fund to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the information requested.
Question No. 198 answered with Question No. 132.
Health Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:199 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide adequate orthodontic treatment for all school-going children having particular regard to an accelerated programme for those already receiving treatment and those waiting on lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39690/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:200 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the need for the upgrading of various health centres throughout County Kildare; the extent to which a programme has been drawn up for refurbishment, improvement or upgrading in the next five years; if a health centre (details supplied) in County Kildare has been included; if her further attention has been drawn to the previous indicators in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39691/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:201 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the World Health Organisation has undertaken research into autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or Asperger’s syndrome; if trends have been identified in any regions worldwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39692/09]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:203 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason she does not collect and-or collate information on children identified with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with particular reference to making comparisons with other jurisdictions and perhaps making helpful information available to parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39694/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 203 together.
The Department of Health and Children does not collect information on children identified with Autism and Aspergers on a national or international basis. Information pertaining to diagnosis is specifically excluded from the National Intellectual Disability Database as the database is not designed as a medical epidemiological tool. Accordingly the database does not record the incidence of Autism or any other disability.
In 2004, the Department of Health and Children, through the Health Research Board, approved expenditure of €5 million on autism research to help improve international understanding of the genetic causes of autism. This €5 million is the Irish contribution to a new major international research initiative called the Autism Genome Project which will receive a total investment of €12 million from a variety of international organisations over three years. The other co-funders in the international consortium include Autism Speaks (US), the British Medical Research Council (MRC), Southwest Autism Research and Resource Centre (SARRC), and the Hilibrand Foundation. This unique combination of international, public and private partners funding a consortium of clinicians and scientists is a new and welcome departure in the field of autism research.
The Health Research Board has informed my Department that this funding was awarded as follows:
€2.8 million: Professor Michael Gill, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, Dublin
€2.2 million: Professor Andrew Green, Director National Centre for Medical Genetics, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin (affiliated to UCD).
This figure represents the largest tranche of funding to be awarded by any of the four funders within the international consortium. The Irish researchers are at the forefront in unravelling the genetic determinants of autism and related disorders. They are using novel state of the art genetic sequencing technology to analyse DNA samples taken from autistic patients to identify candidate genetic markers for autism. They will collaborate with their international colleagues to then link these genetic markers with clinical outcomes. This unique international research effort will greatly improve not only our understanding of the causes of autism, but its diagnosis and treatment.
With regard to the remaining matters raised by the Deputy, these relate 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 these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Vaccination Programme.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:202 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has carried out any studies into any possible side effects or reactions in children in the aftermath of three in one or five in one inoculation combinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39693/09]
The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) is responsible for monitoring national and international emerging evidence about vaccine safety. All medicines and vaccines that are authorized for use in Ireland must first be tested in clinical trials. The products are only authorised if they are deemed to be of acceptable quality, safety and efficacy. The benefits must always outweigh the risks before the any product is authorized for use.
One Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis vaccine (Boostrix) is currently authorised and marketed for use in Ireland. Boostrix is authorised in Ireland (and in many EU member states) through the mutual recognition procedure since 2001. Some of the known side effects with Boostrix are as follows: somnolence (drowsiness), irritability, diarrhoea, vomiting, anorexia, pyrexia (fever > 37.5°C), injection site reactions (such as redness and/or swelling), and injection site pain.
Two 5:1 vaccines are authorised for use in Ireland: Pentavac and Infanrix Penta. Infanrix Penta is licensed through the centralised system which means the same licence applies in all 27 member states. Some of the known side effects with Infanrix Penta are as follows: somnolence (drowsiness), cough, diarrhoea, vomiting, dermatitis, rash, urticaria, lost appetite lost, fever = 38°C, local swelling at the injection site (= 50 mm), fatigue, pain, redness. Also, crying abnormal, irritability, restlessness. Full details of the licence is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency, at www.emea.europa.eu. Pentavac is licensed in Ireland and in many EU member states through the mutual recognition procedure since 2001. The side effect profile for Pentavac is as follows: Somnolence, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Anorexia, Redness, induration at the injection site, Pyrexia, Nervousness (irritability)and abnormal crying.
Detailed product information about all of these vaccines is available on the website of the Irish Medicines Board at www.imb.ie
Question No. 203 answered with Question No. 201.
Pharmacy Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:204 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding her ongoing dialogue with pharmacists, with particular reference to the need to ensure a workable and amicable arrangement that will meet the needs of patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39695/09]
I met the Irish Pharmacy Union on 8 October to discuss the development of pharmacy services in the future. I have also undertaken to engage with the Union as appropriate regarding the impact of the Regulations under the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest Act 2009. This is part of the review process as required under Section 13 of the Act which requires a review of the impact of the Regulations before 30 June 2010 and every year thereafter.
Infectious Diseases.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:205 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the numbers of MRSA and Clostridium difficile or other hospital-based infections that have been reported on a monthly basis in each of the past two years to date in 2009; the extent of variation in this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39696/09]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:206 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which the causes of MRSA and Clostridium difficile infection have been addressed by her directly or through the Health Service Executive; how this has been reflected in the number of cases reported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39697/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.
Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs) continue to be a challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. Ireland is not unique in this regard and tackling HCAIs here continues to be a priority for the government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). In March 2007, the HSE launched a National Infection Control Action Plan. An Infection Control Steering Group is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the plan. Over the period of the Plan the HSE aims to reduce HCAIs by 20%, MRSA infection by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20%. The Steering Group is supported by eight Local Implementation Teams which will ensure that all local facilities are focused on achieving the national targets.
A National Surveillance system was established by the HSE to collect data and provide information to monitor HCAIs in our health system. The number of MRSA bloodstream infections for the past three years are — 588 cases in 2006, 536 cases in 2007 and 436 cases in 2008. This shows a significant decrease of over 25% between 2006 and 2008. The data is collated on a quarterly basis and for the first six months of 2009 the number of MRSA bloodstream infections were 191 which a reduction of over 20% from the first six months of 2008 when the cases numbered 241.
Up until May 2008, C. difficile was not a notifiable disease and, as a result, it was difficult to quantify the extent of infection in the healthcare system. Since May 4th 2008, all cases are required to be notified to the relevant Department of Public Health. These are reported on a weekly basis and the number of cases reported nationally from May to December 2008 was 1625 and from January to 17th October 2009 was 1574.
In order to introduce measures to aid in the reduction of antibiotic prescribing, education campaigns for healthcare staff and the general public around the prudent use of antibiotics commenced last year. The HSE launched a three week awareness campaign in November 2008 to highlight the importance of using antibiotics properly. This coincided with the first European Antibiotic Awareness Day. The awareness campaign included radio ads and distribution of leaflets on the prudent use of antibiotics. Earlier this year, new environmental guidelines to inform infection control policy in all new builds and refurbishments were published by the HSE.
HIQA, since its establishment in 2007, has also taken significant steps in this area. A core function of the Authority is to set standards on safety and quality of health services and to monitor enforcement of those standards in an open and transparent way. In 2007, HIQA developed National Hygiene Standards and commenced a programme of audit against these Standards. The Authority undertook a comprehensive inspection and review of hygiene in our acute public hospitals in 2007 and again in 2008. This included unannounced visits by inspection teams. The reports, which were published, represent a thorough assessment of how hygiene services are provided and managed in HSE-funded acute care hospitals. HIQA noted that the standard of front line services which was already very high in 2007 had been maintained in 2008 and that corporate governance was significantly improved.
In May 2009, HIQA published its National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections to provide an overall framework for health and social care providers to prevent or minimise the occurrence of HCAIs. These Standards include all key areas of importance in the control of HCAIs namely governance, hygiene, microbiological services, antimicrobial resistance and surveillance systems as well as relevant aspects of the design of facilities. Six months will now be allowed for the development by the HSE of a self-assessment tool, gap analysis and implementation plan before HIQA commences its initial review against those Standards.
I am satisfied that significant steps are being taken to reduce the rates of HCAIs generally and to treat them promptly when they occur.
Services for People with Disabilities.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:207 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to support the full range of services available at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare having regard to existing commitments, ongoing needs and future requirements of adults and children; her proposals to meet these requirements in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39698/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Service Reform.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:208 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to ensure that all hospitals and health facilities are brought up to centre of excellence status including the delivery of services in line with best practice throughout Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39699/09]
The fundamental objective of Government health policy continues to be to maximise the health status of the population. The Government is committed to ensuring quality health services delivered efficiently and effectively. Ensuring patient safety is paramount, so that people can have confidence in the services and that the best possible patient outcomes are achieved.
The HSE has commissioned a number of reviews in relation to how acute hospital services should be organised in particular regions. These reviews have highlighted the need for changes to be made in the provision and organisation of acute hospital services in the regions concerned, particularly in relation to accident and emergency services, critical care, acute surgery and medicine. Importantly, the programme also involves developing smaller hospitals to provide a much greater proportion of less complex care, especially in day surgery, medicine and diagnostics. This underlines the fact that smaller hospitals can be reconfigured to provide important services in their local community.
A recent example of reconfiguration in relation to the delivery of specialist services is the development of designated centres for cancer care. A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland 2006 identified an evidence-based requirement for specialist cancer centres each serving a population of 500,000, meaning that eight would be required. It recommended, inter alia, that all cancer care should be provided through a system of four Managed Cancer Control Networks, each with two cancer centres. Under the National Cancer Control Programme, cancer diagnostic and surgical services are being progressively transferred into these eight centres in order to ensure the delivery of care in accordance with best international practice.
In 2007, I established the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) as part of the Health Reform Programme. A core function of HIQA is to set standards on safety and quality of health services and to monitor enforcement of those standards in an open and transparent way. HIQA has already developed national quality standards in areas such as Symptomatic Breast Disease Standards, National Hygiene Standards and National Standards for Infection Prevention and Control. Work has also commenced on the development of National Quality Standards for acute hospitals in the public sector. HIQA standards will apply to all public health services wherever appropriate.
In January 2007, I established the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance and it reported to me in July 2008. Following on from recommendations by the Commission and in line with commitments made in the Renewed Programme for Government, my Department has begun preparatory work on the development of legislative proposals for a mandatory licensing system to cover both public and private healthcare providers, based on explicit standards to be set by the Health Information and Quality Authority. Other recommendations to be implemented include the introduction of a programme of clinical audit across all health services, adverse event reporting, learning dissemination and a system of credentialing for healthcare professionals.
I believe that all of these measures are contributing to an improvement in the quality and standard of our health service.
Hospital Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:209 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the full range of facilities, surgical and medical, at all levels including consultants posts, that are available at the AMiNCH and Naas group of hospitals will remain in place in the aftermath of financial cutbacks imposed or contemplated by her; the effects to date; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of the community in the catchment areas in the event of any restriction of services which might lead to fundamental damage to the original projections for the hospitals concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39700/09]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght (AMiNCH). As these are service issues, the Health Service Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:210 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the future of St. Luke’s Hospital, Dublin in view of the concerns of patients and the need to ensure the availability of services on an ongoing basis; if contacts or discussions have taken place or are pending which might affect the future of the hospital, the co-location plans or other factors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39701/09]
Radiotherapy services will transfer from St. Luke's to St James's Hospital and Beaumont Hospital as part of the implementation of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology. The decision is based on expert advice and is designed to ensure that radiation oncology is integrated with all other aspects of cancer care, including surgery and medical oncology. This is in line with best international practice. 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 and a Transition Team has been established to oversee developments.
No decisions have yet been taken in relation to the future use of the site and facilities at St. Luke's. However, I am anxious to ensure that these resources are utilised in the best interest of the health services. I understand that the Friends of St. Luke's are preparing a report on possible future uses of the site and facilities and I hope to receive a copy of this report shortly.
It is important to note that the complete transfer of services from St. Luke's Hospital to new facilities at St. James's Hospital and Beaumont Hospital is not due to take place for a number of years. A partial transfer will occur in the last quarter of 2010. In the meantime, additional linear accelerators were commissioned at St. Luke's last year in order to provide much needed interim capacity pending the roll out of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:211 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the degree to which all the facilities available at Naas General Hospital, County Kildare, including theatres, staff requirements, equipment and accommodation have become fully operational in accordance with the original development plan for the upgrading of the hospital; the remainder and schedule for completion of outstanding works; if she will give an assurance that the development of the facilities thereat will not in any way be reduced, impaired or downsized for whatever reason and that the hospital will meet in full its obligations to serve the needs of people in this important catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39702/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Parking Regulations.
Róisín Shortall
Question:212 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will include, in the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill 2009, provision for free of charge residents only parking to deal with the problem that current parking laws only allow for residential disc parking which requires a charge and acts as a deterrent for consensus among neighbours on measures to deal with parking problems; and if, failing inclusion in the Road Traffic Bill 2009, he will refer the matter to the Law Reform Commission and request that they consider the way such a law might be introduced. [39506/09]
I have no plans to amend the legislation on this matter.
Citizenship Applications.
Joe Costello
Question:213 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will receive their certificate of citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39464/09]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in March 2006 and I decided in my absolute discretion to grant a certificate of naturalisation.
I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that a certificate of naturalisation is an exceptional and important document that facilitates a non-national becoming a citizen of Ireland. In practice, a necessary period of time elapses while applications that have been approved have their certificates of naturalisation prepared, as certificates must be printed, signed and sealed under strict controls. A certificate of naturalisation will issue to the person concerned in the near future.
Visa Applications.
Jack Wall
Question:214 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for a holiday visa in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39484/09]
The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 20 October 2009. The applications were refused by the Visa Officer on 30 October 2009 for the following reasons: The evidence of finances shown by the reference was deemed insufficient. Further, there was no bank statement submitted by the applicants as evidence of finances. There was insufficient documentation submitted in support of the application. There were no details of savings, proof of income or proof of accommodation being owned or rented. Further the applicants had not submitted a letter of undertaking that they would observe the conditions of a visa where one was granted. There was no link to the reference shown and there were no obligations to return to the home country shown and it was the opinion of the Visa Officer that the applicants may not observe the conditions of the visas if granted.
The decisions of the Visa Officer may be appealed within two months of the date of decision.
Decentralisation Programme.
Denis Naughten
Question:215 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the timetable for the completion of the Property Registration Authority offices in Roscommon town; the number of whole time personnel to be based in Roscommon; the number currently located in Roscommon; the breakdown between decentralised posts and posts transferred from other local offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39583/09]
The Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for providing the accommodation in Roscommon, has informed the Property Registration Authority (PRA) that the building contractors took possession of the site in September 2009 and that work on the new building has commenced. The OPW has further advised that the building is due to be completed in the last quarter of 2010.
Under the Government's decentralisation programme the total number of posts envisaged for the Roscommon office of the PRA is 230. On 31 October 2009, 73 staff were employed by the PRA in its temporary accommodation in Roscommon Town. This number comprises 20 staff who decentralised from Dublin offices, 18 staff who previously worked in the Department of Agriculture in Roscommon Town, and 35 staff recruited specifically for the Roscommon office.
Closed Circuit Television Systems.
Mary White
Question:216 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of funding he has provided in respect of closed circuit television for Carlow town; and when it was provided. [39687/09]
A Garda "Town Centre" CCTV system has been installed and is operational in Carlow town. It consists of fourteen (14) cameras located at various locations within the town and is linked to Carlow Garda Station. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the cost of installing this system was approximately €450,000.
Garda Stations.
Mary White
Question:217 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if funding will be provided for an extension to Carlow town Garda station in view of the pressures on gardaí in the town and the challenges regarding crime in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39688/09]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that additional temporary accommodation provided at Carlow Garda Station in March this year has served to ease the accommodation pressures at the Station.
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána. The future accommodation needs of Carlow Garda Station is being considered in this context and in light of available resources.
Asylum Applications.
Rory O'Hanlon
Question:218 Deputy Rory O’Hanlon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the plight of a person (details supplied); if he will make representations on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39458/09]
This case was brought to the attention of my Department by Bethlehem University at the end of last week. At that stage, unfortunately, our enquiries revealed that the person concerned had already been forcibly returned to Gaza on the day she was detained. I understand that she is still in Gaza at present.
Through our Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah, we have brought this case to the attention of the EU Presidency and partners on the ground, who will follow closely any developments in the case.
There appears to be no credible justification for forcing the person concerned to return to Gaza, and preventing her from completing her studies, simply because she came from there originally. There does not seem to be any question — or suggestion — of any security danger relating to her presence in Bethlehem. It should be obvious that young Palestinians like her, who despite her difficult background is just a few weeks short of graduating with a Degree in Business, represent the best hope for a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and should be encouraged.
This Israeli action has very negative implications for the future of Bethlehem University and the ability of young Palestinians to receive third level education. I call upon the Israeli authorities to reverse this apparently unjustified and mistaken action, and allow the person concerned to return to Bethlehem immediately.
Private Residential Tenancies.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:219 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the requirement for landlords who receive rent allowance to be registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board; if it is necessary to change legislation or to introduce secondary legislation in order to make such registration mandatory before rent allowance is paid to a landlord; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39573/09]
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, landlords are legally obliged to register tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). The Department is working closely with the PRTB to ensure that all tenancies where rent supplement is in payment are registered with the PRTB. To that end, the Department provides details of new rent supplement payments to the PRTB to enable them identify tenancies that are not registered and to take any follow-up action necessary.
Landlords are legally obliged to register tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) within one month from the start date of the tenancy or at a later date on payment of an increased fee. For this reason, it is not practicable for the Department to insist that a tenancy be registered with the PRTB before payment of rent supplement can be made. There are also instances where a rent supplemented tenancy need not be registered with the PRTB, for example, in the case of renting a room in a house or where a premises is owner occupied.
Rent supplemented tenancies which are liable for registration with the PRTB, should be so registered. In that regard, the close working arrangements which the Department has with the PRTB should ensure that over time, all tenancies that come within the area of rent supplementation comply with the statutory system of tenancy regulation and safeguards.
Social Welfare Payments.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:220 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the administration of rent allowance will be transferred from the aegis of the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39574/09]
The Government decided in February 2006 that the administration of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, together with staff and other associated resources, would transfer from the Health Service Executive to the Department. Rent and Mortgage Interest Supplements are components of the SWA Scheme. Provision has been made in the Social Welfare and Pensions Acts 2007 and 2008 for the transfer. These provisions are subject to a Commencement Order.
A considerable amount of preparatory work has been completed. Talks are currently underway at the Labour Relations Commission to try to resolve issues raised by the trade unions representing staff due to transfer from the HSE. The first meeting of the parties took place on 22 September in the LRC with two further meetings taking place in October. Meetings are continuing in an effort to achieve a collective agreement with these unions, the next of which is scheduled for 17th November. Discussions have also taken place with the unions representing the staff in the Department in relation to the transfer proposal.
The management side's intention is to reach agreement with all of the unions concerned as soon as is practical so that the transfer can be implemented as early as possible in 2010.
Social Welfare Appeals.
Michael Ring
Question:221 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if another appeal will be opened in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the other avenues open to them following the decision by the deciding officer to refuse the appeal. [39434/09]
The claim for disablement benefit, by the person concerned, was allowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who was of the opinion that the loss of faculty in this case was 40%.
The person concerned appealed this decision and I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, including that adduced at an oral hearing, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. If there is any new evidence or new facts pertinent to this case that was not brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer during the determination of this appeal, they may be submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for further consideration. Additionally, the Chief Appeals Officer has power under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 to revise any decision where it appears to him that the Appeals Officer's decision was erroneous by reason of some mistake having been made in relation to the law or the facts. In making a request for such a review an appellant must set down the reasons why he or she believes a mistake was made having regard to the application of the law or the facts.
The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 also provides that any person who is dissatisfied with either the decision of the Appeals Officer or the outcome of the review carried out by the Chief Appeals Officer may appeal that decision and/or outcome, as the case may be, to the High Court on any question of law.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Sean Sherlock
Question:222 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of an appeal for disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39470/09]
Sean Sherlock
Question:224 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of an appeal for disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39586/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 224 together.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, following receipt of the relevant Departmental papers including comments on the grounds of appeal, the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Social Welfare Payments.
Denis Naughten
Question:223 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the situation whereby persons in receipt of the carer’s allowance who are providing care to a child are eligible for the free travel pass, but the child is not; if she has evaluated the cost of extending this entitlement to such children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39579/09]
Carer's allowance is a social assistance payment which provides income support to people who are providing certain older people or people with a disability with full time care and attention and whose incomes fall below a certain limit. Persons who are in receipt of carer's allowance also receive the annual respite care grant, the household benefits package and the free travel pass.
In the majority of cases, persons who are being cared for will be in receipt of a payment in their own right (for example a state pension or disability allowance) and will be entitled to have a free travel pass. This includes anyone aged over 16 who qualifies for disability allowance.
For a child requiring full-time care who is under age 16, a domiciliary care allowance of €309.50 per month may be paid to the parent or guardian. This payment is not means tested and is to provide for the additional costs involved in providing care and supervision that is substantially more than that normally needed by a child of the same age. This may include additional travel costs.
A child who is attending school may be eligible for assistance under the Department of Education and Science's school transport scheme.
I have no plans at present to review the qualifying criteria for the free travel scheme or to provide free travel passes for children other than those who are in receipt of a qualifying payment from the Department.
Question No. 224 answered with Question No. 222.
Departmental Properties.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:225 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the position relating to his Department’s lands at the former Magee Barracks in Kildare town; if he will proceed with the proposed transfer of these lands to Kildare County Council; if it is not intended to so proceed, his alternative plans for this land bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39435/09]
The Government decided on 1st July 2003 that Magee Barracks in Kildare Town would be among the State lands released to Kildare County Council for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative. The final Contract of Sale was sent to the Solicitors for Kildare County Council for signing on 6th January 2009. My Department is currently making plans to have the site secured.
Local Authority Charges.
Deirdre Clune
Question:226 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the payment system for the non principal private residence charge; if the payment methods were designed to encourage people to pay via the Internet; if non-Internet methods are user friendly; if he will review the payment methods and establish an easier to use payment method for people who do not use the Internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39472/09]
The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on all non-principal private residences, the detail of which is set out in the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009.
Payment of the charge may be made via a dedicated website, www.nppr.ie, which is a shared service across local authorities and is the most cost-efficient method of collecting payment. Payment may also be made by post or in person at the office of the local authority in whose area the property concerned is situated.
Deirdre Clune
Question:227 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount received to date under the non principal private residence charge; the amount received by 1 October 2009; the amount still to be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39473/09]
The amount received in respect of the non-principal private residence charge under the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 was €20,218,400 on 1 October 2009. This figure had risen to €41,752,200 by 2 November 2009. It was originally estimated that the charge would earn approximately €40,000,000 in a year.
Social and Affordable Housing.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:228 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify the position in relation to a proposed affordable housing development at Magee Barracks, Kildare town, in view of the changed circumstances which prevail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39436/09]
The site at Magee Barracks was one of the state lands assigned to the Affordable Housing Initiative. In light of the recent significant changes in the housing market, and the associated implications for affordable housing, I am reviewing the Affordable Housing Initiative, and the position with regard to the Magee Barracks site is being considered in that context. In addition, the Project Board to oversee the development of the site via a Public Private Partnership has recently concluded that the site cannot be economically comprehensively developed at this time for the purposes of the Affordable Housing Initiative.
Water and Sewerage Schemes.
Deirdre Clune
Question:229 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will approve funding to Cork City Council under the Water Services Investment Programme 2007 to 2009 for watermain rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39440/09]
Cork City Council has an allocation of €13.030 million available under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009 for water conservation purposes. The revised Preliminary Report for the replacement and rehabilitation of water mains under Phase 2 of the Council's Water Conservation Programme is being assessed by my Department and a decision on it will be conveyed to the Council in due course.
Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services, including water conservation works, to my Department by 23 October. These assessments will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. It is anticipated that the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 will be published in early 2010.
EU Directives.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:230 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take following the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice which has found Ireland in breach of the directive by failing to license private septic tanks as required by the Waste Framework Directive 1975; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39457/09]
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that Ireland failed to fulfil its obligations under Articles 4 and 8 of the Waste Directive as regards domestic waste waters disposed of in the countryside through septic tanks and other individual waste water treatment systems.
The renewed Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a scheme for the licensing and inspection of septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems. My Department, which has already established a Task Force to consider the matter, will be developing proposals to give effect to this commitment and to respond in full to the ECJ judgement. This will include consultation with the public and other interested parties. My Department will also be engaging with the European Commission on developing our response to the judgement.
Local Authority Funding.
Michael McGrath
Question:231 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding allocated to a local authority for works (details supplied) in County Cork. [39481/09]
In 2009, my Department has provided funding of just over €2.75 million to Cork City Council to support the extensions element of the Council's improvement works programme. An application to continue this programme has been received from the Council and will be considered in the context of the allocations to be made on foot of the outcome of the 2010 estimates process.
Social and Affordable Housing.
Deirdre Clune
Question:232 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he will provide housing for the large number of single persons who are applicants on the local authority housing lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39503/09]
Housing authorities make available a broad range of social housing supports and options to those in need of housing. In particular the Rental Accommodation Scheme and the Social Housing Leasing Initiative provide access to a wider range of social housing than has traditionally been available under the Social Housing Investment Programme. These new supply options will make it easier for housing authorities to meet the needs of single persons on their waiting lists.
Urban Regeneration.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:233 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has brought the Limerick regeneration plans to the Cabinet for formal approval; if there have been discussions with the Department of Finance and other Departments to ensure that funding is made available in the estimates and budget 2010 toprogress the regeneration programme in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39575/09]
The October 2008 draft Limerick Regeneration Programme/ Masterplan is a flexible and evolving plan for the physical, social and economic regeneration of the areas over the next decade. As is widely acknowledged, this programme will require significant investment of time and resources from public and private stakeholders in delivering the mixed use, mixed tenure sustainable communities envisaged over the period of implementation for the project.
My Department is now finalising its consideration of the proposals in the draft Programme with a view to its formal presentation to Government in the coming weeks. Other Government Departments and State Agencies, as well as local community and business interests, through their involvement on the Boards of Directors of the Limerick Regeneration Agencies, have also been considering the draft Programme and further engagement in regard to social regeneration is taking place as part of a high level initiative with relevant Departments and key agencies.
With regard to the ongoing funding of the project, my Department has provided almost €26 million this year alone to support a broad range of regeneration activities from demolitions and site clearances to social inclusion initiatives. I am acutely aware of the importance of the need for continued progress on the regeneration programme and I will be considering the funding position for next year in the context of the 2010 Estimates process.
Waste Management.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:234 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the promised new waste strategy and policy will be published in view of a circular (details supplied) from his Department on 29 May 2009; his plans to introduce a moratorium on further incinerator applications pending clarification of the new national waste strategy and policy, and in doing so avoid potential conflict in emerging waste solutions, and the stress and financial burden to the communities who will have to fight the case against these proposals in their neighbourhoods in the intervening period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39703/09]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:235 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the stance against incineration outlined in his draft P60 proposal submitted for public consultation in summer 2009 and his proposal on treatment of commercial organic waste presented for public consultations, the new waste strategy will address the waste problem at source; his proposals for waste minimisation, the implementation of a national network of recycling and composting facilities to address sustainable waste management and create employment opportunities, the co-ordination of waste plans at a national level to leverage economies of scale in the identification and implementation of green and sustainable solutions; if same are addressed in the new waste strategy; his plans to conduct public consultation on same and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39704/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 235 together.
The Programme for Government contained a commitment to carry out an international review of waste management plans, practices and procedures and act on its conclusions. This review is currently underway and a significant milestone was reached recently when consultants delivered a major international report on waste management policy. I am currently examining this report and its recommendations, which will be central to informing what further measures may be necessary to underpin sustainable waste management services. I will shortly publish the report to facilitate a full interaction with stakeholders in the context of a set of recommendations which address issues surrounding the management of waste at each level of the waste hierarchy, together with associated institutional and regulatory issues. I will also be bringing necessary legislative and policy proposals to Government.
I also recently arranged for environmental consultants to prepare an Environmental Report, according to Strategic Environmental Assessment requirements, to inform the policy making process for waste management in respect of a proposed policy direction under section 60 of the Waste Management Act which would be intended to achieve a number of objectives.
One such objective is to seek to ensure that incineration capacity does not reach a level such that waste is drawn to incineration which could have been dealt with by prevention, reuse, recycling, composting/anaerobic digestion of source segregated biowaste, MBT or other methods which are higher up the waste hierarchy.
In advance of finalising the Strategic Environmental Assessment comments on the environmental report were invited from relevant stakeholders, and any other interested parties, which attracted a wide range of submissions, a number of which were very detailed and technical. My Department is currently considering the submissions and in accordance with Article 18 of the SEA Regulations the next stage in the SEA process will be the preparation of an SEA statement.
Natural Gas Grid.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:236 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to an application by a company (details supplied) under section 40 of the Gas Act 1976 to construct an upstream pipeline with offshore and onshore elements as part of the Corrib onshore gas pipeline route; when a decision on the application will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39442/09]
Shell E&P Ireland Limited submitted an application to me pursuant to section 40 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended on 9 February this year for a gas pipeline to link the Corrib gas field to the Corrib gas terminal at Bellanaboy, County Mayo. The application is under consideration and when a decision has been made it will be published in accordance with section 40A of the Gas Act 1976 and will be published on the Department's website.
Telecommunications Services.
Damien English
Question:237 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the options open to residents of Kilmessan, County Meath, to attain broadband services in the absence of the area being included in the national broadband scheme and in the absence of DSL broadband being available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39489/09]
Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e over the telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre. I understand that broadband is available in Kilmessan from mobile, wireless and satellite service providers. Details of broadband availability throughout the country are available at www.broadband.gov.ie. I would add that information contained on this website is provided by the service providers.
Price Inflation.
Arthur Morgan
Question:238 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the wholesale energy prices from 1999 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39591/09]
Arthur Morgan
Question:239 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the breakdown of energy prices from 1999 to date in 2009; the overall figures for energy prices as a whole from 1999 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39592/09]
Arthur Morgan
Question:240 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the electrical prices for industrial users here from 1999 to date in 2009; the electrical prices for industrial users here as compared to the UK from 1999 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39593/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 to 240, inclusive, together.
Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) collects and publishes energy statistics to support policy analysis and development, in line with national needs and international obligations. Every six months SEI publishes a report on Understanding Electricity and Gas Prices in Ireland which details electricity and gas prices to every category of domestic and industrial user and compares those figures with other Member States of the European Union. In June 2007, the EU Commission adopted a new EU-wide methodology for gathering energy price data. This new methodology was applied to all statistics gathered from July 2007 onwards. SEI advises that the compilation of meaningful comparative price statistics prior to July 2007 is not readily achievable without undue commitment of staff resources and administrative costs.
The tables provided by SEI include a comparison of industrial electricity and gas prices between the UK and Ireland from July 2007, in the most common bands of volume consumption. The price excluding VAT was used as this is the most relevant for industrial/services consumers and the UK price was converted to Euros at the average sterling exchange rate for the 6-month period in question. Clearly, exchange rate differentials over this period will also have an impact on the price comparisons.
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Electricity Prices to Industry |
without VAT (c/kWh) |
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Band IC – Annual Electricity Consumption500 < 2,000 MWh |
July 07 – Dec 07 |
Jan 08 – June 08 |
July 08 – Dec 08 |
Jan 09 – Jun 09 |
|
Ireland |
12.35 |
13.02 |
14.19 |
13.14 |
|
United Kingdom |
10.78 |
9.77 |
10.88 |
11.17 |
|
Band ID – Annual Electricity Consumption 2,000 < 20,000 MWh |
July 07 – Dec 07 |
Jan 08 – June 08 |
July 08 – Dec 08 |
Jan 09 – Jun 09 |
|
Ireland |
10.86 |
12.01 |
12.76 |
11.07 |
|
United Kingdom |
9.44 |
8.80 |
10.10 |
10.18 |
|
Band IE- Annual Electricity Consumption 20,000 < 70,000 MWh |
July 07 – Dec 07 |
Jan 08 – June 08 |
July 08 – Dec 08 |
Jan 09 – Jun 09 |
|
Ireland |
10.94 |
11.91 |
11.50 |
9.67 |
|
United Kingdom |
8.85 |
8.53 |
9.77 |
9.98 |
|
Band IF – Annual Electricity Consumption 70,000 < 150,000 MWh |
July 07 – Dec 07 |
Jan 08 – June 08 |
July 08 – Dec 08 |
Jan 09 – Jun 09 |
|
Ireland |
10.26 |
.. |
10.04 |
8.79 |
|
United Kingdom |
8.46 |
8.80 |
9.94 |
9.78 |
|
Gas Prices to Industry |
without VAT (€/GJ) |
|||
|
Band I2 – Annual Gas Consumption 1,000< 10,000 GJ |
July 07 – Dec 07 |
Jan 08 – June 08 |
July 08 – Dec 08 |
Jan 09 – Jun 09 |
|
Ireland |
10.83 |
10.88 |
12.70 |
10.51 |
|
United Kingdom |
8.93 |
8.89 |
9.74 |
9.33 |
|
Band I3 – Annual Gas Consumption 10,000< 100,000 GJ |
July 07 – Dec 07 |
Jan 08 – June 08 |
July 08 – Dec 08 |
Jan 09 – Jun 09 |
|
Ireland |
9.72 |
11.05 |
10.99 |
9.30 |
|
United Kingdom |
7.17 |
7.73 |
8.69 |
8.35 |
|
Band I4 – Annual Gas Consumption 100,000< 1,000,000 GJ |
July 07 – Dec 07 |
Jan 08 – June 08 |
July 08 – Dec 08 |
Jan 09 – Jun 09 |
|
Ireland |
6.91 |
8.05 |
9.07 |
8.72 |
|
United Kingdom |
6.10 |
7.29 |
8.30 |
7.37 |
The tables show that Irish energy costs, in general, tend to be above those in the UK. This is to be expected, not least because Ireland imports over 95% of natural gas supplies from the UK and consequently faces higher transportation and interconnection charges, which also has an impact on electricity prices. Ireland also faces structural factors, including a smaller and more widely dispersed population and lack of economies of scale in electricity generation, which tend to increase energy costs in Ireland. However, the figures also demonstrate that in two categories of electricity consumption bands, Irish electricity costs have moved below those in the UK.
As well as comparative figures for Ireland and the EU, SEI's report also provides valuable insight into the drivers of higher energy costs in our market. These include our significant dependence on volatile imported fossil fuels, particularly gas, as well as a requirement for very significant investment in energy infrastructure, following two decades of under-investment in the networks. The under-investment in networks and power generation posed real risks to security of supply which had become a major concern for enterprise. The Government is committed to increasing competition as the best means of exerting downward pressure on energy prices, and also towards ensuring diversity of energy supply to reduce our exposure to high and volatile external energy prices. Significant progress has been made to date, most notably with the all-island Single Electricity Market now in place, the sale of ESB generation capacity, entry of new players and new generation capacity coming on-stream in the Irish market.
Departmental Properties.
Terence Flanagan
Question:241 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he will take in the case or an organisation (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39468/09]
Terence Flanagan
Question:246 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he will take in the case of an organisation (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39488/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 246 together.
The organisation in question held a lease on a property in Howth Fishery Harbour Centre. A number of conditions were included in the lease agreement. One of these conditions set out that at the end of the term the lessee will "quietly yield up the demised premises with all buildings erected thereon in a good and tenantable state of repair and condition". This lease has now expired. My Department is obliged to ensure that it secures the maximum return from its resources as set out in the Public Procurement Guidelines issued by the Department of Finance. Accordingly, and in line with existing policy and guidelines, my Department will have the site valued and a public tender process put in place to award a lease on the site to the successful bidder.
Food Industry.
Arthur Morgan
Question:242 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the Irish economic expenditure of the food sector for each of the past ten years; the IEE of the food sector as a percentage of total expenditure in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39685/09]
Arthur Morgan
Question:243 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the Irish economic expenditure of the food sector as compared to the IEE of total manufacturing industry for each of the past ten years; the way Irish economic expenditure of the food sector as compared to the IEE of total manufacturing industry excluding the food sector for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39686/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
Data on Irish Economic Expenditure is published by Forfás in the Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (ABSEI). This survey covers the client base of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Udaras na Gaeltachta, Shannon Development and comprises of all manufacturing firms with over ten employees. The data collated relate to the aggregated estimates of the contribution of these clients to the Irish economy over the course of the survey, which began in 2000. The results of The Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact are published annually and are available on the Forfas website: www.forfas.ie/publication/search.jsp
Detailed data with regard to the IEE of the Food, Drink & Tobacco sector as well as the overall manufacturing sector are set out in the tables.
|
FDT Sector |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
|
Payroll |
1,517 |
1,580 |
1,680 |
1,605 |
1,603 |
|
Irish Materials Purchased |
6,155 |
6,550 |
6,176 |
5,716 |
5,914 |
|
Irish Services Purchased |
1,537 |
1,688 |
1,637 |
1,646 |
1,667 |
|
IEE by FDT |
9,209 |
9,819 |
9,493 |
8,967 |
9,184 |
|
Total Materials Purchased |
7,697 |
7,790 |
7,539 |
7,114 |
7,443 |
|
Total Services Purchased |
2,346 |
2,414 |
2,518 |
2,799 |
3,319 |
|
Total Payroll |
1,517 |
1,580 |
1,680 |
1,605 |
1,603 |
|
Total Expenditure |
11,559 |
11,785 |
11,737 |
11,518 |
12,365 |
|
IEE by FDT as a % of Total Expenditure |
79.7% |
83.3% |
80.9% |
77.9% |
74.3% |
|
FDT Sector |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
|
Payroll |
1,732 |
1,775 |
1,832 |
1,832 |
|
Irish Materials Purchased |
6,145 |
6,278 |
6,659 |
6,839 |
|
Irish Services Purchased |
1,783 |
1,806 |
1,889 |
1,854 |
|
IEE by FDT |
9,660 |
9,860 |
10,380 |
10,525 |
|
Total Materials Purchased |
7,696 |
7,893 |
8,610 |
8,848 |
|
Total Services Purchased |
3,497 |
3,712 |
4,140 |
4,244 |
|
Total Payroll |
1,732 |
1,775 |
1,832 |
1,832 |
|
Total Expenditure |
12,926 |
13,380 |
14,582 |
14,924 |
|
IEE by FDT as a % of Total Expenditure |
74.7% |
73.7% |
71.2% |
70.5% |
|
Manufacturing & Other Industry |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
|
Payroll |
7,256 |
7,610 |
7,563 |
7,578 |
7,864 |
|
Irish Materials Purchased |
11,812 |
12,680 |
12,030 |
11,196 |
10,933 |
|
Irish Services Purchased |
5,431 |
5,590 |
5,540 |
5,799 |
5,503 |
|
IEE by Total Manufacturing |
24,499 |
25,880 |
25,134 |
24,572 |
24,300 |
|
Total Payroll |
7,256 |
7,610 |
7,563 |
7,578 |
7,864 |
|
Total Materials Purchased |
30,224 |
30,889 |
30,080 |
30,091 |
30,343 |
|
Total Services Purchased |
11,489 |
12,110 |
13,112 |
14,634 |
14,594 |
|
Total Expenditure |
48,970 |
50,608 |
50,755 |
52,303 |
52,801 |
|
IEE in Manufacturing as a % of Total Expenditure |
50.0% |
51.1% |
49.5% |
47.0% |
46.0% |
|
Manufacturing & Other Industry |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
|
Payroll |
8,221 |
8,638 |
9,201 |
9,171 |
|
Irish Materials Purchased |
10,600 |
10,674 |
11,358 |
11,359 |
|
Irish Services Purchased |
5,535 |
5,891 |
6,415 |
6,137 |
|
IEE by Total Manufacturing |
24,356 |
25,204 |
26,975 |
26,666 |
|
Total Payroll |
8,221 |
8,638 |
9,201 |
9,171 |
|
Total Materials Purchased |
31,218 |
33,995 |
36,400 |
37,138 |
|
Total Services Purchased |
15,240 |
19,312 |
20,817 |
19,939 |
|
Total Expenditure |
54,678 |
61,946 |
66,418 |
66,248 |
|
IEE in Manufacturing as a % of Total Expenditure |
44.5% |
40.7% |
40.6% |
40.3% |
Foreshore Licences.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:244 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a decision will be made public on the application by a company (details supplied) for a foreshore licence in respect of the revised Corrib onshore gas pipeline route following the recent completion of the public consultation period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39441/09]
The public consultation period in respect of this foreshore licence application ended on 18 October. Consideration of the application by my Department, in conjunction, with legal, technical and scientific advisers, is ongoing. The final determination in the case will be made available to the public in the normal way, including by means of my Department's website. It is not possible at this stage to give a precise date for this.
Irish Equine Industry.
Michael Creed
Question:245 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the purposes for which a stud book is primarily held in view of the fact that in Horse Sport Ireland’s mission statement, no reference is made to a primary commitment to the preservation of the Irish draught horse as a the sole indigenous Irish horse breed; his views on whether it is appropriate that a body whose primary commitment and purpose is the breeding of sport horses should hold the Irish Draught Horse stud book; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39463/09]
EC Directive 90/427/EC defines a studbook as “any book, register, file or data medium:
which is maintained either by an organization or an association officially approved or recognized by a Member State or by an official agency of the Member State concerned, and
in which equidae are entered or registered with mention of all their known ascendants".
Horse Sport Ireland's (HSI) Strategic Plan 2009-2012, which includes the Mission Statement that you refer to, makes specific reference to the Irish Draught breeding programme. Horse Sport Ireland has undertaken to deliver on its mission through the adoption of various strategies and programmes with accompanying actions. This includes a specific strategy relating to the breeding policy for the Irish Draught Horse, which is entitled "Develop a sustainable breeding policy for the Irish Draught Horse in association with Irish Draught breeders". Furthermore, I am satisfied that the studbook, as maintained by HSI is operated in accordance with the relevant national and EU legislation.
Question No. 246 answered with Question No. 241.
Pigmeat Sector.
Sean Sherlock
Question:247 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the details pertaining to the individual primary processors awarded costs totalling €30 million as a result of the dioxin incident in December 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39564/09]
The list of primary processors who have received payment under the Pigmeat Recall Scheme will be supplied separately to the Deputy.
Dairy Industry.
Denis Naughten
Question:248 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to review the regulations covering the sale of raw milk. [39580/09]
The draft legal instrument to introduce a ban on the sale of raw milk from all species for direct human consumption is at an advanced stage. Officials from my Department have been in consultation with the Department of Health and Children with a view to implementing the ban by means of a Statutory Instrument under the Health Act of 1947 (as amended).
A public consultation process was undertaken last year and resulted in the receipt of some twenty submissions from interested parties relating to the proposal to extend the ban to milk from sheep and goats. Following examination of these submissions it was decided, with the agreement of the FSAI, that the consumption of unpasteurised milk is an unnecessary and unacceptable risk to public health and that a ban on the sale of unpasteurised milk from all species should be implemented. Part of the process in introducing the proposed ban will involve notifying the EU Commission as required by EU Directive 98/34, which deals with the provision of information regarding technical standards and regulations. This process will commence shortly.
Higher Education Grants.
Olwyn Enright
Question:249 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if the third year of a college course has been included on the list of approved courses provided to a vocational education committee under the higher education grant scheme 2009 to allow a student (details supplied) in County Offaly to continue with their studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39475/09]
The Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme provides an integrated general education, vocational training and work experience programme for young people who have completed their Leaving Certificate and adults returning to education. The college referred to by the Deputy is an approved PLC centre. As an approved centre, it applies on an annual basis for approval of PLC courses it intends to run. There are currently no approved PLC courses of three years duration in the college referred to by the Deputy.
Under the PLC Maintenance Grant Scheme, grants may only be awarded in respect of approved PLC courses. The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority — i.e. the local authority or VEC.
Departmental Expenditure.
Brian Hayes
Question:250 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimate of the average cost of constructing a classroom, renting a prefab and building a new primary or second level school in view of the downturn in the economy; the way this differs from the cost of doing so at the height of the construction boom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39493/09]
The cost of building a new classroom or new school building will vary from project to project depending on the complexity of the project, site conditions and ultimately on the tender outcomes. I can say that recent tenders are yielding a reduction of up to 30% in overall building costs for major projects in comparison to prices at the height of the construction boom.
The Planning and Building Unit of my Department is in the process of finalising the revision of the basic building cost limit per square metre for major primary and post-primary construction projects. This figure is used to set and monitor the budget for school projects as the project progresses through the design stages and to assess the value-for-money of tenders. Indications are that the new cost limit will be significantly lower than the current figure, which has been in effect since June 2006. I expect the new cost limit to be finalised and published on my Department's website shortly. Prefab rental costs are also showing a price decline and I will be in a position to provide the Deputy with comparative average rental costs for prefabs at the end of the current financial year. Because of the nature of rentals, calculations on average costs at this stage of the year will not accurately reflect comparative year-on-year costs.
School Accommodation.
Brian Hayes
Question:251 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of new prefabs which will be allocated to schools under the estimated €100 million to be spent on prefabs in 2009; the amount which will be spent on rental costs for existing prefabs; the number of schools which have temporary accommodation of some kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39494/09]
To date in 2009, 210 schools have been approved funding for the purchase of prefabricated classroom(s) with the option of providing a permanent solution. The latest figures available show an estimated cost of €28 million for these approvals. 61 of the approved schools have indicated to my Department that they intend purchasing prefabs and 60 intend providing a permanent solution. The remaining schools have not yet indicated their preference. Until such time as they do so it will not be possible to state how much of this year's approvals will be related to new prefabs, however I can say that it is unlikely to exceed €20 million. It is anticipated that the rental costs for 2009 will be in the region of €39 million, a saving of €14 million on the 2008 outturn, however I will be in a position to give actual detail at the end of the year.
Around 830 schools are on my Department's rental list at present. In order to improve the information systems available to my Department in relation to primary and post-primary schools, my Department's Forward Planning Section uses Geographical Information System technology which contains a certain level of information on all schools in the country, at both primary and post-primary level. To further expand and improve the capabilities of the system, arrangements are being made to conduct a survey of accommodation at primary and post-primary level that will be linked to other information held in the GIS including information. Work on the development of an on-line facility for the compilation of the inventory of school accommodation is well advanced.
The on-line facility will enable schools to provide information about their accommodation, including its composition in terms of permanent and temporary structures, electronically to my Department. My Department will also be collecting information on the age of existing school accommodation including both purchased and rented prefabs. It is expected that the facility will be made available to all schools to start uploading information before the end of 2009. When all the information has been received from schools, the Inventory will provide key data and statistics on the existing school building stock throughout the country at both primary and post-primary levels.
Departmental Expenditure.
Brian Hayes
Question:252 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount spent by him to date in 2009 in terms of capital expenditure; the proportion of this amount which has been spent on primary, secondary and third level capital projects; when each of the projects delivered were first given approval for proceeding; when they were announced by him as proceeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39495/09]
Brian Hayes
Question:253 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proportion of the school building programme 2009 being spent on major capital works; the amount being spent on smaller works, including the summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39496/09]
Brian Hayes
Question:254 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of major capital works at primary and second level which have been fully completed to date in 2009; the number fully completed during the course of 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39497/09]
Brian Hayes
Question:255 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the school building projects which were approved to proceed to construction each year for the past five years; when it was announced each project would proceed; the projects which have been fully completed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39498/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 to 255, inclusive, together.
Details in relation to the school building projects which were approved to proceed to construction each year for the past five years, when they were announced to proceed and the projects which have been completed to date are currently being compiled and I will arrange for them to be forwarded to the Deputy shortly. To date in 2009, 18 major primary school projects and 7 major post primary school projects have been completed. In 2008, 77 major primary school projects and 18 major post primary school projects were completed.
Total capital expenditure this year to the end of October amounts to just over €510 million on the Primary, Post-Primary and Third Level sectors. The Primary sector accounts for almost €227 million of the expenditure, the Post-Primary sector has expended €141 million and the Third Level sector accounts for almost €143 million of the expenditure. Expenditure on large scale projects was profiled for 2009 at 50% of the almost €614 million allocation for the school building programme and expenditure on devolved projects was profiled at 35% of the allocation. The exact position will only become clear at the end of the year.
It should be noted that any saving in 2009 relating to the later than expected commencement on site of any major project is a deferred or delayed commitment. This commitment will now arise in 2010. The rolling multi-annual capital envelope framework allows for the carry-forward into the following year of up to 10% of the annual capital budget and my Department will be engaging with the Department of Finance in this regard. The balance of the expenditure will be accounted for on other elements of the school building programme such as the Minor Works Grant, furniture and equipment grants and the remediation programme.
Brian Hayes
Question:256 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimate of the level of funding that will be provided under the summer works scheme 2010; the proportion of funding which will be allocated to water conservation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39499/09]
My Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme is divided into a number of component elements or sub programmes. These include Large Scale Building Projects (new school buildings and major extensions/refurbishments); Summer Works Scheme; Emergency Works; Site Acquisitions; Remediation Programmes (asbestos removal, radon mitigation); Furniture and Equipment; provision of Temporary Accommodation and the Small Schools and Permanent Accommodation Schemes. The breakdown of the 2010 funding under the various elements of the Programme including the Summer Works Scheme and my new Scheme for Water Conservation Works has not yet been determined. This will be finalised in the light of the assessment of applications received and other demands on the Programme.
Schools Building Projects.
Brian Hayes
Question:257 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science how many of the 78 projects announced as commencing construction in 2009 which have completed the tendering process; the number which will begin construction in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39500/09]
The position with regard to the 78 projects which I announced in late 2008 and early 2009 is as follows: 7 projects have reached practical completion stage, 15 projects are under construction, 31 projects are at various stages of the tendering process and 25 projects are at pre-tender stage. Of the 31 projects currently at various stages of the tendering process it is difficult to give a definitive statement as to the number of these projects which will commence on site in 2009. Delays can occur in getting clarifications on tenders, with contractors securing the necessary documentation (insurances, bond, tax clearance etc.) needed before a contract can be placed and the period of time between when a contract is awarded and when a contractor physically starts on site. Any project that does not commence in 2009 will commence in 2010, subject to all relevant matters being in order.
Brian Hayes
Question:258 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost incurred to date by schools which were required to have additional documentation prepared or existing documentation amended to comply with the new form of public contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39501/09]
Additional design team fees have been and are being incurred due to the change to the new form of public contract and these will be funded by my Department. As these additional fees are currently being negotiated with the relevant consultants on a case by case basis, I am not in a position to provide the Deputy with the amounts already agreed due to the commercial sensitivity of these negotiations. The additional fees relate primarily to the re-working of sections of the bill of quantities, specifications etc. It is anticipated that these fees will be modest in comparison to the overall fees for the projects in question. It should be noted that the post-contract design team fees on these projects will reduce substantially in line with current reduced tender levels.
Olivia Mitchell
Question:259 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the funding application for an extension to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; when a decision on funding will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39516/09]
The project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget. The proposed building project will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2010 and subsequent years. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the delivery of the project at this time.
Departmental Staff.
Denis Naughten
Question:260 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of vacant posts at each grade in his offices in Athlone, County Westmeath; the corresponding figure for his Tullamore, County Offaly offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39582/09]
The current vacancies in the Department's offices in Athlone and Tullamore are as follows:
|
Number |
|
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Staff Officer |
2 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
Number |
|
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
2.0 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
0.5 |
|
Executive Officer |
7.1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1.0 |
Above figures given as whole time equivalents.
Vacancies in both locations are expected to rise further in 2009 and 2010 due to natural retirements, incentivised retirements, and incentivised career breaks. Vacancies cannot be filled due to the ongoing moratorium on recruitment.