Written Answers Nos. 238-247
238. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45531/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
239. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of formal complaints that have been made against the Health Information and Quality Authority inspectors since it's inception relating to nursing home inspections; the number of these complaints that have been upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45537/12]
View answerSince the introduction of the current registration and inspection regime for nursing homes in 2009 the Health Information and Quality Authority has received three complaints relating in some part to inspectors involved in the inspection of nursing homes. Two of these complaints are ongoing. In respect of the third case I understand that some elements of the complaint were upheld.
240. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason a new complaints process for the Health Information and Quality Authority was published by HIQA in June of this year; if it is possible to get a copy of the policy as it existed before this time; the reason it was felt necessary to change it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45538/12]
View answerMy Department has been informed by the Health Information and Quality Authority that it updated its Complaints Procedure on its website in June of this year in accordance with HIQA's standard practice to review all policies and procedures on a regular basis. The change made to the Complaints Procedure was to correct a reference to the role of the Office of the Ombudsman. The Authority will forward a copy of the policy as it existed before June 2012 to the Deputy separately.
241. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason it is expected to take at least 18 months to bring legislation to Dáil Éireann for the introduction of cannabis based medicine for the relief of pain for certain ailments such as multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and others; if it is necessary to run clinical trials when the medicine has already been tested and approved in the UK and Belgium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45541/12]
View answerUnder the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products are unlawful except for the purposes of research.
The Department has been informed by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) that it has received a market authorisation request from a manufacturer under the EU Mutual Recognition Procedure for a medicinal product containing Cannabis extract. This product is indicated for the relief of symptoms of spasticity for people with multiple sclerosis. Clinical trials in Ireland relating to this product will not be required.
Department officials have been engaging with experts on how best to legally describe authorised cannabis-based medicinal products while maintaining existing controls on cannabis and cannabis substances to enable such authorised medicinal products to be prescribed in Ireland and used by patients. While it is not possible to set out an exact timeframe, it is hoped to bring forward legislative proposals in early 2013.
242. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long term residential care place in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin [45578/12]
View answerAs 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 to the Deputy.
243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that adequate funding is provided in the 2013 budget for the construction of a new by-pass for Macroom, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45533/12]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred 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.
244. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if land values used in the Compulsory Purchase Order process are calculated by reference to market value at the time that the CPO is made or at the time that the Notice to Treat is served. [45405/12]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to the CPO in relation to the Galway City Outer Bypass.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred 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.
245. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Dublin Bus to have regular direct service to an area (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45418/12]
View answerThe issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
246. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the occupancy rates at the car-parks of the train stations in Dublin; the individual price structure for each station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45419/12]
View answerThe issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
247. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a prohibition or if he has plans to introduce a prohibition on the use of sulkies on national and county roads; and his views on whether the use of such sulkies particularly in races on public roads are a danger to other road users. [45518/12]
View answerI share the Deputy's concern about sulky racing on public roads and the dangers created by it. Animal-drawn vehicles are bound by road traffic legislation, as are all vehicles used on public roads. If used properly and in accordance with the legislation they should not pose a danger to other road users. I do not believe that it would be proportionate to ban any particular category of vehicle from the roads because some very reckless individuals have used them in ways which are illegal.
It is of course a matter of concern when vehicles are used improperly. In particular, there can be no question of using public roads for races with sulkies or any other kind of vehicle, except in circumstances where sections of public road are temporarily closed to regular traffic by the relevant authorities for the purposes of legitimate sporting events. I am however satisfied that the Garda have sufficient power under current legislation to intervene in cases where people using sulkies, or any other kind of vehicle, are acting illegally, whether by racing or in any other way.
