Jonathan O'Brien
Question:544. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of education welfare officers who retired in each of the past five years. [43298/12]
View answerEducation Welfare Service Staff
Questions (544, 545, 546)
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:545. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of education welfare officers recruited in each of the past five years. [43299/12]
View answerJonathan O'Brien
Question:546. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of education welfare officers in each county. [43300/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 to 546, inclusive, together.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), which operates under the auspices of my Department, has a statutory remit to ensure that ‘each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education’. The Education Welfare Service, and its network of Education Welfare Officers (EWOs), is a key resource for the Board in delivering on this statutory remit.
The Education Welfare Service consists of 72 staff of which 57 Education Welfare Officers are involved exclusively with case work, 12 Senior Education Welfare Officers provide a frontline service and supervisory support to their respective teams and 3 Education Welfare Regional Managers are also involved in the provision of direct frontline services and operational management.
With regard to the number of Education Welfare Officers delivering services in each county, I am advised by the NEWB that the current position is as follows.
|
County |
Education Welfare Officers* |
|
Dublin |
22 |
|
Meath |
1 |
|
Louth |
2 |
|
South Kildare-West Wicklow |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
Waterford-South Wexford |
1 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Cork |
6 |
|
West Cork-South Kerry |
1 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
|
Clare |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
|
Longford-South Leitrim |
1 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
|
Laois |
1 |
|
Galway |
2 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
*Please note these figures do not include the 15 Education Welfare Officers at Senior and Regional Manager level. In addition, 1 EWO works exclusively in support of the Board’s statutory role in the assessment of education in places other than recognised schools.
Retirement and Recruitment of Education Welfare Officers over the past five years
|
Education Welfare Officers Retiring |
Education Welfare Officers Recruited |
|
|
2007 |
1 |
3 |
|
2008 |
1 |
10 |
|
2009 |
2 |
2 |
|
2010 |
0 |
0 |
|
2011 |
1 |
0 |
|
2012 (as of 9th October) |
2 |
0 |
My Department recently sanctioned the recruitment of an additional three Education Welfare Officers.
The Board has prioritised the introduction of a new integrated practice and case management system which brings together the services of the Education Welfare Service, the Home School Community Liaison Scheme and the School Completion Programme. This new model of practice is designed to draw upon the skills, expertise and knowledge of each service to deliver better outcomes for children, families, and schools.
Children's Rights Referendum
Questions (547)
Michael McGrath
Question:547. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in the context of the forthcoming referendum on Children's rights, if she will outline her commitment to providing sufficient resources to ensure the imprescriptible rights of the child including health and education and the individualised nature of children’s needs are met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42606/12]
View answerWritten answers
The matter of resources for services to children will be considered by the Government in the context of the overall budgetary arrangements for 2013. While it is not open to me, in that context, to pre-empt decisions to be made by Government, I would point out that the Government continues to invest very significantly in services for children. It will continue this approach, to the greatest possible extent, in dealing with the serious financial challenges facing the country overall.
For example in budget 2012, I secured additional funding for HSE Child and Family Services, compared to 2011, and I secured additional funding to maintain the free pre school year in light of increased demand due to increased birth rates.
Adoption Records Provision
Questions (548, 557)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:548. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the Children's Referendum and the fact that there are 50,000 adopted persons here who do not have an automatic right to their birth certificate, their medical information or history, or the right to trace information about their identity, if she will consider introducing legislation to provide for the basic legal rights of adopted persons before they are legally adopted and align them with the rights allocated to other citizens of the State; if the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill will include the adopted child's right to their name, the right to know their parents, the right of the child to preserve their identity including nationality, name and family relations as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42718/12]
View answer
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:557. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the efforts she is making to facilitate the estimated 50,000 adopted persons in this State who have been refused access to their personal medical and other records. [43459/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 557 together.
These issues are being considered in the preparation of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill. It is intended that the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill will provide a structured and regulated way of providing access to adoption information and contact and for the safeguarding and maintenance of all adoption records in the State, with the Adoption Authority having responsibility for ensuring that adopted persons and birth parents have access to their records in accordance with the proposed Bill.
It is intended that the Bill will provide for the Adoption Authority to have access to and control over records currently held by a wide range of information sources including the HSE, giving the Authority an oversight role with regard to the maintenance of adoption records. In addition the National Contact Preference Register will be put on a statutory basis. It is intended that the proposed Bill will provide for a pro-active tracing and reunion service for all persons affected by adoption by appropriate bodies with the Adoption Authority having the overarching responsibility for the service.
Ministerial Responsibilities
Questions (549)
Simon Harris
Question:549. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline in tabular form the commitments in the Programme for Government pertaining to her ministerial portfolio; the current status of these commitments in terms of implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42874/12]
View answerWritten answers
In March 2012, the Government published the first Annual Report in relation to the Programme for Government and it is the intention of the Government to publish the second Annual Report in March 2013, which will set out specific progress on implementation during the second year. My Department's commitments in the programme for Government and their status is as follows.
Programme for Government Actions to be Led by Department of Children and Youth Affairs
|
Programme for Government Commitment |
Status |
|
A referendum to amend the Constitution to ensure that children’s rights are strengthened, along the lines recommended by the All-Party Oireachtas committee. |
Referendum to be held on Saturday 10 November. |
|
We will maintain the free pre-school year in Early Childhood Care and Education to promote the best outcomes for children and families. We will improve the quality of the pre-school year by implementing standards and reviewing training options. |
In Progress. Additional funding secured in Budget 2012 to maintain the free pre school year in light of increased demand due to increased birth rates |
|
As resources allow, this Government will invest in a targeted early childhood education programme for disadvantaged children, building on existing targeted pre-school supports for families most in need of assistance such as the young Ballymun project. |
In Progress. To be considered as a part of Ireland's first early years strategy which is currently under preparation. |
|
We will end the practice of sending children to St. Patrick’s Institution. |
In March 2012 I announced a €51 million redevelopment of National Children Detention facilities at Oberstown Co. Dublin, to facilitate the ending of the practice of detaining under 18 year olds in St. Patrick's Institution. In the interim I have signed an order ending the detention of 16 year olds in St. Patrick's Institution. |
|
We will fundamentally reform the delivery of child protection services by removing child welfare and protection from the HSE and creating a dedicated Child Welfare and Protection Agency, reforming the model of service delivery and improving accountability to the Dáil. |
Report of the Taskforce on the Child and Family Support Agency published in July 2012. Legislation to establish Agency to be published and enacted in the current Dáil term. |
|
We are committed to implementing the recommendations of the Ryan Report including putting the Children First Guidelines on a statutory footing and legislating for the use of “soft information”. |
In Progress. Draft heads of Children First Bill published in March 2012 ahead of consideration by Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. Committee has issued a comprehensive report which is currently being considered by my Department ahead of publication of the Bill. |
|
We will enact legislation to consolidate and reform the law on adoption. |
In Progress. Draft Adoption (Amendment) Bill published. Work continuing on Adoption (Tracing and Information) Bill. |
Adoption Records Provision
Questions (550, 551)
John Lyons
Question:550. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the rationale behind the maximum declaration approval for Irish applicants of three years for adoptions from Hague Convention approved countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43132/12]
View answerJohn Lyons
Question:551. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to amend the existing restriction of a three year approval period for adoptions from Hague Convention approved countries in view of the situation when the adoption process can take in excess of this period for approved applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43133/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 550 and 551 together.
The expiration of declarations is covered under Section 41 (1) of the Adoption Act, 2010. The section provides that a declaration of eligibility and suitability expires after 24 months from the date of issuance of the declaration or after a further period of not more than 12 months that the Adoption Authority may specify. The Adoption Act, 2010, does not make provision for any further extension of declarations under any circumstances.
In relation to applications to the Authority for extensions to declarations issued under the provisions of Section 63 of the Adoption Act, 2010, the Board has decided to extend the declarations for one further year, i.e. from 1 November 2012 to 31 October 2013.
In the event of a declaration expiring an applicant would need to apply for a new declaration and undertake a fresh assessment under sections 37-40 of the Act. Given the length of time since declarations were originally granted, it would be necessary for the application to be examined to ensure that current circumstances are accurately reflected. Officials in my Department intend to meet with representatives of the Adoption Authority and the HSE to discuss how best to expedite the process within the parameters laid out in legislation.
Inter-Country Adoptions
Questions (552)
Eoghan Murphy
Question:552. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she expects to conclude her review of the reports submitted by the Adoption Authority of Ireland following their visit to Ethiopia. [43246/12]
View answerWritten answers
Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. In these circumstances, future adoptions from Ethiopia would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Ethiopia. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010 which states that "the Authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non-contracting state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State."
The Adoption Authority delegation visit to Ethiopia in April of this year was an initial part of the Authority's deliberations on the feasability and suitability of entering into discussions with Ethiopia on a bilateral adoption agreement. The Authority is awaiting legal advice and will contact me once it has received this advice and completed its consideration of the matter. Once I have received the Authority's assessment I can then fully consider the appropriate next steps in this regard.
Adoption Records Provision
Questions (553)
Eoghan Murphy
Question:553. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she expects the Adoption Authority of Ireland to contact her regarding the legal advice sought on Ethiopian adoptions; and when she expects the AAI to have completed its consideration of this matter. [43247/12]
View answerWritten answers
Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. In these circumstances, future adoptions from Ethiopia would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Ethiopia. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010 which states that "the Authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non-contracting state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State."
The Adoption Authority delegation visit to Ethiopia in April of this year was an initial part of the Authority's deliberations on the feasability and suitability of entering into discussions with Ethiopia on a bilateral adoption agreement. The Authority is awaiting legal advice and will contact me once it has received this advice and completed its consideration of the matter. Once I have received the Authority's assessment I can then fully consider the appropriate next steps in this regard.
Child Care Services Provision
Questions (554)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:554. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce a programme of supports for established small private creche providers, similar to the community childcare subvention programme that targets the community not for profit childcare services, in view of the considerable investment made and the serious hit that these providers have taken because they cannot access CCS funding or other comparable supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43319/12]
View answerWritten answers
My Department currently provides funding to support three childcare programmes - the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme.
As the Deputy is aware, the CCS programme provides funding to community not-for-profit childcare services to allow them to charge reduced childcare rates to qualifying parents. The CCS is implemented under the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP). The NCIP programme succeeded the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) which was a joint EU/Exchequer funded childcare programme introduced in 2000.
The key elements of the EOCP included the provision of capital assistance to community based not-for-profit childcare facilities and the provision of grant assistance towards the staffing costs for community facilities, which were identified as being in areas of significant disadvantage. The increase in childcare places, which this investment provided for, ensured that parents who were disadvantaged or on low incomes had access to affordable and quality childcare which otherwise they would not have been in a position to avail of.
The NCIP, which is Exchequer funded only and which was introduced in 2006, built on the success of the EOCP and continued to support the development and maintenance of community childcare facilities. The CCS provides targeted funding towards disadvantaged parents and in the region of €40 million annually is provided by my Department to support this programme.
As already stated funding is also provided to support the ECCE programme and CETS programme to which all childcare services, both community and commercial, have access. Almost €200 million is provided annually to support these programmes and in excess of 4,300 childcare services, which includes private and commercial providers, throughout the country are participating. The capitation provided under these programmes, which is paid to participating services in advance of each school term or commencement of training courses, is a guaranteed source of income and is a very beneficial support for the private childcare sector at this time.
The Government has made a very significant commitment to maintaining all three childcare support programmes despite the current budgetary situation. The challenge for my Department at this time is to ensure that childcare services in which considerable funding has been invested are in position to continue to deliver quality services and are accessible to the large number of parents who need to avail on them.
Future developments relating to early years care and education including the design of schemes and eligibility of providers, will be considered during the preparation of the new National Early Years Strategy which is currently being developed by my Department.
Youth Services Provision
Questions (555)
Bernard Durkan
Question:555. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which youth support services have been identified and catered for in terms of the appointment of youth officers on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43366/12]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has a range of services in place for young people. Funding of some €56.806m is available from my Department in 2012 to support the provision of youth services and programmes throughout the country through a number of schemes. These include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund and certain other provisions including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, the European Youth in Action Programme (administered by Léargas – the Exchange Bureau) and Gaisce – the President’s Award.
These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
To support this significant infrastructure, my Department provides funding for 24.25 (WTE) Youth Officers posts in VECs throughout the country. Youth Officers have an important role in the delivery of the services funded by my Department. They have a specific function in supporting the implementation of the National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for staff-led youth work throughout the country. Their work includes: providing briefing/familiarisation sessions on the NQSF to youth work services and projects; supporting the establishment of NQSF implementation teams and the development of continuous improvement plans in projects; and undertaking external assessments of projects in implementing the NQSF and providing reports to my Department on projects.
Youth Officers will also have an instrumental role in the implementation of the forthcoming National Quality Standards for Local Volunteer-led Youth Groups.
Youth Officers assist my Department in administering grant-aid allocations to the local youth services/clubs in their respective areas under Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Special Projects for Youth Scheme, Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, Youth Information Centres and the Local Drug Task Force funding scheme.
My Department is developing a new Youth Policy Framework for publication in 2013. The framework is intended to enhance coordination and delivery of youth services throughout the country. The framework will have a particular focus on further supporting and developing the youth work infrastructure to enhance the collective contribution of Youth Officers, youth organisations, youth services and volunteers to enhance youth services provision. The Youth Policy Framework will set out the priorities to be achieved for effective and responsive services for young people in the years ahead.
Adoption Records Provision
Questions (556)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:556. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will outline her policy in relation to open and closed adoptions; if he will detail the relevant guidelines and protocols which advise authorities in this regard; the effect the upcoming Children's Referendum and associated Adoption Bill will have on these protocols; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43458/12]
View answerWritten answers
Under Adoption legislation, all domestic and inter country adoptions registered in Ireland are what are referred to as "closed adoptions".
An "open adoption", whereby some level of ongoing contact is maintained between the natural family, usually the mother, and the child, is not currently provided for in Irish legislation.
The upcoming Children's Referendum and associated draft Adoption Bill will address the inequalities that exist in adoption law today in relation to the marital status of parents of children and adoption, and the adoption of children in long term care who have been abandoned by their parents.
Question No. 557 was answered with Question No. 548
Nursing Home Repayment Scheme
Questions (558)
Clare Daly
Question:558. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the steps he proposes to take to assist those incorrectly charged for nursing home care while in receipt of a medical card as allowed under the 1970 Health Act; if he will recover this money as previously specified in a Supreme Court ruling. [42614/12]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the Supreme Court ruling referred to by the Deputy, the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 provided a clear legal framework to repay recoverable health charges for publicly funded long term residential care. The closing date for receipt of applications to the scheme was 31 December 2007. All living fully eligible persons who were wrongly charged were entitled to have their charges repaid in full. The estates of all those fully eligible persons who were wrongly charged for publicly funded long term residential care and had died since 9 December 1998 were also entitled to have the charges repaid in full.
Water Fluoridation
Questions (559)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:559. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if an in-depth study has been carried out on the effects of fluoride in water on children and vulnerable persons; if not, the international study that is used in determining if it is safe for children and young persons to drink fluoridated water here; if his attention has been drawn to the European Commission, SCHER, report concluded last year that there was evidence to show that fluoride may cause osteosarcoma, an often fatal bone cancer in children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42724/12]
View answerWritten answers
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters. It advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and is the safest and most cost effective method of protecting the oral health of the population.
Water fluoridation is supported by reputable international authorities including, among others, the World Health Organisation. There are a number of authoritative international reviews of the the evidence available, the most recent of which was carried out by the EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER). It concluded in 2011 that the available evidence did not support a clear link between fluoride and osteosarcoma and cancer in general. Since then, a major study from Harvard University 'An Assessment of Bone Fluoride and Osteosarcoma'(Kim et al 2011) has concluded that there is no evidence of a link between fluoride and osteosarcoma. The results of 'Drinking water fluoridation and osteosarcoma incidence on the island of Ireland' (Comber et al 2011) do not support the hypothesis that osteosarcoma incidence on the the island of Ireland is related to public water fluoridation.
Ambulance Service Provision
Questions (560)
Billy Timmins
Question:560. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the bus/ambulance to the day Hospital at St Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, Dublin which brings patients to the day hospital for physiotherapy from all areas (details supplied); if this will be examined and reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42863/12]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Proposed Legislation
Questions (561, 676)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:561. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if, having considered the issue of the illegal purchase of prescription drugs on the internet, he will consider introducing regulations to obtain information from the banking sector on the use of credit or debit cards through internet sites on the same, purchase and supply of prescription drugs with a view to securing prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43273/12]
View answerPatrick O'Donovan
Question:676. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to the purchase of prescription drugs on internet websites, he will consider introducing regulation to detect through the banking and credit care sector details of those purchasing and selling prescription drugs through mail order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43274/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 676 together.
Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, 2003, as amended, it is illegal for prescription medicines to be prescribed by mail order. This includes ordering prescription medicines through internet sites. Under the Irish Medicines Board Acts 1995 and 2006, authorised Irish Medicines Board (IMB) inspectors are empowered to enter any premises and inspect, take copies and remove documents and records which he or she has reasonable grounds for believing are related to illegal internet trade.
The IMB works closely with the Revenue's Customs Service and an Garda Siochana to prevent the illegal sales of prescription only medicines. In addition, the IMB, the Custom Services and the Gardaí work within electronic payment processors and others to target the online purchase of illegal and counterfeit medicines. Under the current legislation banks and credit card companies are obliged to cooperate fully in relation to investigations.
The Deputy may be aware of the recent Operation Pangea V, an international week of action which took place from 25th September to 2nd October 2012 targeting the online sale of counterfeit and illegal medicines. Operation Pangea annually involves national medicines agencies, international police and customs authorities working closely with electronic payment providers to identify the sale of illegal and counterfeit medicines. The Operation was supported by companies such as Legitscript, Visa, Mastercard and PayPal and resulted in the shutdown of 18,000 websites worldwide which are linked to illicit online pharmacies.
Water Fluoridation
Questions (562)
Emmet Stagg
Question:562. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health the cost to each local authority for the fluoridation of the water supply in their areas for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. [43277/12]
View answerWritten answers
The information sought by the Deputy is as follows.
|
Local Authority Area |
2009 € (incl VAT) |
2010 € (incl VAT) |
2011 € (incl VAT) |
|
Carlow |
16,545 |
18,561 |
14,760 |
|
Cavan |
12,231 |
13,275 |
12,170 |
|
Clare |
62,308 |
64,397 |
59,617 |
|
Cork County |
187,908 |
193,997 |
200,077 |
|
Cork City |
43,512 |
57,557 |
55,946 |
|
Donegal |
53,544 |
38,155 |
46,513 |
|
Fingal |
151,824 |
159,940 |
159,975 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
590 |
538 |
635 |
|
Dublin City |
409,057 |
407,968 |
408,542 |
|
Galway County |
55,477 |
53,882 |
52,804 |
|
Galway City |
33,478 |
44,363 |
51,340 |
|
Kerry |
25,235 |
50,488 |
63,853 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
2,904 |
4,356 |
|
Kilkenny |
28,634 |
24,251 |
25,808 |
|
Laois |
15,019 |
16,423 |
12,620 |
|
Leitrim |
10,827 |
14,689 |
10,740 |
|
Limerick County |
6,898 |
1,236 |
0 |
|
Limerick City |
75,757 |
52,722 |
63,248 |
|
Longford |
14,571 |
17,834 |
16,694 |
|
Louth |
62,038 |
50.580 |
63,923 |
|
Mayo |
58,522 |
61,498 |
61,309 |
|
Meath |
22,304 |
29,420 |
28,028 |
|
Monaghan |
11,700 |
13,583 |
12,031 |
|
Offaly |
18,324 |
20,779 |
22,997 |
|
Roscommon |
26,029 |
23,820 |
33,167 |
|
Sligo |
30,015 |
42,540 |
31,131 |
|
North Tipperary |
27,840 |
28,337 |
24,086 |
|
South Tipperary |
25,296 |
20,147 |
24,216 |
|
Waterford |
41,492 |
41,617 |
42,440 |
|
Westmeath |
33,047 |
36,310 |
41,983 |
|
Wexford |
31,188 |
34,817 |
39,559 |
|
Wicklow |
7,782 |
7,227 |
3,955 |
Medical Card Applications
Questions (563)
John O'Mahony
Question:563. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on the renewal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42592/12]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Questions (564)
Gerald Nash
Question:564. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health the position regarding two recent announcements on primary care centres (details supplied); if site locations have been announced for the developments; if agreements of any description have been entered into between the Health Service Executive and interested parties; if he will set out the process involved in the completion of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42593/12]
View answerWritten answers
Delivery of the health capital infrastructure is a service matter so the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.