Wednesday, 3 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 209-215

Hospital Services

Questions (209)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

209. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason Crumlin Children's Hospital's Respiratory Department are refusing to treat a person (details supplied) in County Kildare and have instead referred them to Tallaght where they will start from scratch; Crumlin Children's Hospital's will continue to treat them for the several other medical conditions; her views on whether it is good medical practice to treat such a patient in a holistic way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42327/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Closures

Questions (210)

Seán Fleming

Question:

210. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he has received the report in relation to the future of Abbeyleix District Hospital, St Brigid’s Hospital Shaen, Portlaoise and other community nursing homes in the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42335/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Department has received a summary report of the public consultation process in relation to the potential closure of the two community nursing units referred to by the Deputy that was carried out by the Health Service Executive between May and July this year.

I understand that following this process all of the relevant documentation was presented to the HSE Designated Officer for consideration, on 16 August 2012. In accordance with the HSE Protocol Consultation Document the Designated Officer’s recommendation will be conveyed to the National Director of the Integrated Care and the Chief Executive.

Should the HSE conclude that full closure of any unit is necessary a recommendation to this effect will be made to the Minister.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (211)

Seán Fleming

Question:

211. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if a full medical card will be issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42350/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Road Projects Contracts

Questions (212)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

212. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that when road contracts are being awarded to contractors that they ensure that all subcontractors that they employ will have sufficient capital to carry out these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42081/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  Noting this I have referred this part of the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

With regard to local and regional roads, their improvement and maintenance is a statutory function of each road authority in whose area the works are to be carried out, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are, therefore, a matter for the relevant local authority to oversee. 

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (213)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

213. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if a submission to the sports capital programme (details supplied) in County Cork will be considered for funding in view of its importance to the local community and in particular to young persons in the locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42096/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Michael Ring)

My Department has received over 2,350 applications for funding under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.  This is the largest number of applications ever received under the Programme.

Departmental officials are processing all applications and this process will take some time due to the volume of applications received.

I expect to be able to announce the list of successful applicants later this year.  All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application at that stage.

Bus Éireann Services

Questions (214)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

214. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the criteria on which the bus route between Dublin and Sligo has been altered; the reason Rooskey and Dromod have been dropped from the route; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the change this route will leave those without private transport in the area incapable of getting to work or college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42139/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The issued raised is a matter for Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Road Improvement Schemes

Questions (215)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

215. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the date on which work commenced on the N2 Ashbourne/Ardee, N71 Bandon to Inishannon and N87 Belturbet to Ballyconnell Road Schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42154/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting this I have referred these questions to the NRA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.