Written Answers Nos. 708-730
708. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52987/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
709. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a care package in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52990/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply
710. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing difficulties with the allocation of funding to a now completed domestic refuge (details supplied) in County Kildare; the number of women and children who are being turned away; if he can work to seek a final resolution to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53034/12]
View answerIn 2010 the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was published. It aims to provide a framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and is lead by Cosc which is the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
The HSE subsequently published its own Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The principal actions are in line with the National Strategy. The HSE's policy states that a health-focused analysis of violence is crucial, not only because the consequences of such violence require a significant amount of healthcare system resources, but most importantly because the health care system is often the first route through which victims seek to access supports.
Services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence – including 20 crisis refuges, 27 domestic violence support services and 16 rape crisis centres received €19.182 Million in 2011.
In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
711. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason podiatry services were withdrawn in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will reinstate same [53068/12]
View answerWhile there is no statutory obligation on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide podiatry services to medical card patients, local arrangements are made to provide such services to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to her as soon as possible.
712. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the number of new State agencies, forums and task forces that have been established in 2012; the number of new employees there are as a result of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53700/12]
View answerI wish to confirm that no new agencies have been established by my Department in 2012 and consequently there are no new employees as a result.
Details in respect of the other bodies referred to by the Deputy, established between January and September 2012, are set out below. In most cases these types of bodies are established on a temporary basis and are usually staffed by existing employees of my Department and/or the relevant agencies/interest groups who undertake the work as part of their normal duties. Occasionally it may be necessary to take on outside experts on a temporary basis to provide additional expertise for the duration of the existence of the body.
|
State Agencies/Forums/Task Forces |
|
Sugar Sweetened Drinks Health Impact Assessment Steering Committee (SAGO Sub-group) |
|
Health and Well-Being Steering Group |
|
Expert Group to review the Mental Health Act 2001 |
|
CORU: Radiographers Registration Board established January 2012 |
|
Review Group on National Children's Hospital: est. March 2012, headed by Frank Dolphin, established to consider decision of An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for National Paediatric Hospital on site of Mater; reported to Minister 8 June 2012 |
|
Strategic Board on Establishment of Hospital Groups, and associated project team: est. June 2012, chaired by Prof. John Higgins; work currently ongoing |
|
Tallaght HIQA Report Oversight Group, est. June 2012, chaired by Deputy Sec. Gen. |
|
Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance (UHI), established in February 2012. |
|
Hospital Financing Sub-Group of the UHI Implementation Group, established in April 2012. |
|
Health Insurance Consultative Forum, established in February 2012. |
|
Universal Primary Care (UPC) Project Team |
|
Implementation Group on Generic Substitution and Reference Pricing established August 2012 |
|
November 2011 - The National Steering Group for the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012 |
|
Tallaght Report Implementation Oversight Group |
|
Ministerially appointed Expert Group on the A, B & C v Ireland Judgment, established 13th Jan 2012, on foot of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the A, B and C v Ireland case, and to fulfil a commitment included in the Programme for Government. The Expert Group will recommend a series of options on how to implement the judgment taking into account the constitutional, legal, medical, and ethical considerations involved in the formulation of public policy in this area and the over-riding need for expeditious action. |
|
Sexual Health Strategy Steering Group and 3 Working Groups established May 2012 to develop a National Sexual Health Strategy. |
|
National Advisory Committee on Bioethics established by Minister for Health in March 2012. The task of this committee is to advise the Minister on the ethical and social implications of scientific developments in human medicine and healthcare. In particular, this includes: 1. Providing advice in the form of expert reports on priority issues of national significance as requested by the Minister. 2. Providing recommendations and assistance towards the development of healthcare policy and associated legislation. 3. Representing Ireland at international fora on bioethics and collaborating, communicating and exchanging information with other national bioethics committees regarding developments in health policy. The Committee is comprised of 12 members. The Committee's membership is multi-disciplinary. Members were invited to join the Committee by virtue of their personal expertise, distinction and authority and not as representatives of particular bodies or professions. |
713. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he will take regarding the fall off in the number of visitors from Britain during the three months to the end of September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52913/12]
View answerThe question relates to the fall in visitor numbers from Britain.
According to the latest CSO figures for January to September 2012, and despite on-going economic difficulties across much of Europe and further afield, our visitor numbers from the European and long-haul markets performed well and North America held steady. However, our visitor numbers from Britain continue to be affected by the slow pace of economic recovery and weak consumer confidence in that market, with overall trips from Britain to Ireland falling by around 4% in the first nine months of the year.
While British visitors spend less and do not stay as long as other overseas visitors, Britain remains our single most important tourism market. I am determined to restore it to growth. In this regard, I was pleased to welcome last month's report of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce's (TRT), entitled “GB Path to Growth”, and I understand that its recommendations for restoring growth in visitors from Britain will be reflected in the 2013 plans of our tourism agencies and businesses.
Tourism Ireland has been conducting an extensive promotional programme this year focusing on our main markets, including Britain. Its autumn/winter campaign aims to boost late-season travel to Ireland from around the globe, as well as promoting The Gathering Ireland 2013. For next year, The Gathering Ireland 2013 will form the central focus of all tourism campaigns, with the TRT recommendations further informing marketing plans and activity in the British market.
Growth in visitor numbers from Britain is dependent on improved economic conditions and consumer confidence, as well as the efforts of the tourism industry and agencies. Using The Gathering as our centrepiece for 2013 and building on the approach set out by the TRT, I know that Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and the tourist industry will work to sell Ireland overseas and to strengthen the competitiveness of our product. I am confident that we can grow tourist numbers, from Britain and further afield, for 2013 and beyond.
714. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is any assistance available from the Sports Council or any other body to assist exceptional athletes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52286/12]
View answerThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding for individual athletes.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Sports Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
715. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if ABS breaking system lights and airbag lights are excluded from examination in a national car retest; if so, the reason this decision was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52305/12]
View answerThe subject matter of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
716. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support the establishment of an investigation into the events leading up to the collapse of the Waterford Pilot Training College which has resulted in uncertainty and severe hardship for the students and parents involved, in order to ensure that measures can be proposed and implemented where possible to avoid another similar collapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52540/12]
View answerOn 28 September last the High Court ordered the liquidation of the Pilot Training College Waterford (PTC). I fully understand the frustrations of the students and their families who have lost considerable sums of money to this company and while I have great sympathy for their plight, neither the Government, nor the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), have any liability in this regard; the taxpayer cannot be liable for the failures of private sector companies.
Flight training organisations in the EU are approved on the basis of common rules and IAA's approval of PTC as a flight training organisation was in accordance with these rules. Unfortunately PTC is not an isolated example – there have been other similar failures in other European Member States in the recent past, including in the UK, where students also suffered losses.
I understand that a complaint has been made to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement in relation to this company and that body is the appropriate body to investigate any potential breaches of company law.
717. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the withdrawal, by Aer Lingus of its services, provided in this instance by its subsidiary, Aer Arann, to the UK airports, London Luton, London Southend, and Manchester from Waterford Airport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52561/12]
View answerThe decision by Aer Arann, operating as Aer Lingus Regional, to suspend the services mentioned between Waterford and the UK in January 2013, is regrettable. It was, nonetheless, a commercial decision that the airline decided to make as it believed that it could no longer sustain the losses it was incurring on these routes. The air transport market in the European Union is completely liberalised so airlines are free to decide what routes they will serve based on their own commercial judgements taking account of the demand for services. I understand that the airline is currently concluding a strategic growth plan and has not ruled out returning to Waterford at some point in the future, if the business case can be justified. I know, also, that Waterford is in discussions with other airlines about new or replacement services.
The air transport market to and from Ireland is highly competitive with a very significant number of airlines operating services. It is, of course, open to any Irish or European airline to operate services from Waterford or any other Irish airport.
In relation to support for Waterford Airport more generally, there is very significant state support provided to this airport. As the Deputy will be aware it is one of the four regional airports that is in receipt of funding (both current and capital) under the Regional Airports Programme. This is in line with recommendations of the Value for Money Review on the Regional Airports Programme published in 2011, which recommended to reduce the number of airports in this scheme.
As part of this, I recently approved €1.2m for Waterford Airport under the Core Airport Management Operational Expenditure Subvention 2012 Scheme. This is the highest level of support provided to any of the four regional airports under this scheme, representing 49.6% of the total funding available under the scheme.
718. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in hi Department, or in bodies which fall under the remit of his Department, whose annual remuneration including salary, pension and benefits at 31 December 2011 fell into bands of €400,000 and above, between €300,000 to €399,999, between €200,000 to €299,999 and between €150,000 to €199,000; and if he will provide a breakdown of the positions held by the staff in the relevant pay brackets. [52564/12]
View answerOnly one member of staff in my Department earns a gross salary that falls into the bands stated in the question. The Secretary General's salary is €200,000 after the deduction of a voluntary waiver which he has made. When pension levy, tax and other statutory deductions are taken into account, the net sum received by this individual does not exceed €100,000.
I have referred the question to the State Agencies who will respond directly to the Deputy. If you do not receive a reply from the Agencies within ten working days, please advise my private office.
719. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made any contacts requesting staff whose annual salary is in excess of €200,000 in his Department or in any body under the remit of his Department, to waive 15% of their salary or such amount in excess of €200,000 whichever is the lesser; if he has, the date on which he first made this contact; the number of staff whose annual salaries were in excess of €200,000 at that date; the number of staff who acquiesced to the request for the waiver; the number of staff who refused the request for the waiver and the number of staff who have not responded to the request for the waiver. [52565/12]
View answerFollowing the Government Decision of 21st June 2011 in respect of Pay Ceilings for the Senior Public Service and Chief Executive Officers of the Commercial State Companies, I wrote to all agencies under the aegis of my Department on 28th July 2011 requesting the voluntary waiver of salary of 15%, or by a lesser amount if the application of the full 15% would bring their salary level to below the applicable pay ceiling - €200,000 for the Public Service and €250,000 for the CEOs of the Commercial State Companies. In the case of staff below CEO level in the Commercial State Companies, I asked that a voluntary waiver be sought from those staff with a salary in excess of €250,000.
I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the various State agencies under my Department's aegis for their response of the position as of now. If the Deputy does not receive a reply from the agencies within ten working days, please advise my private office.
With regard to my own Department, the Secretary General of the Department receives a salary of €200,000 after the deduction of a voluntary waiver which he has made.
720. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to fill the vacant positions on the Port of Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52580/12]
View answerUnder the Harbours Act 1996 I make appointments to the boards of port companies with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I am currently consulting that Minister in relation to a number of proposed appointments to Cork Port and I expect to proceed with them in the coming days.
721. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a problem with the punctuality of the Enterprise train service travelling from Dundalk into Belfast on early morning services; the reason this problem exists; the steps being taken to resolve the problem; when the problem will be resolved; and if the newly purchased train sets will be designated on this line now or in the future. [52586/12]
View answerThe issues raised are matters for Iarnród Éireann, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company and the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
724. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the road safety strategy for 2013 and if he will advise specifically in relation to the speed limit review and the role of education in road safety matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52724/12]
View answer731. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to announce the new road safety strategy for the period to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52749/12]
View answer732. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the main measures and targets that he expects to include in road safety strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52750/12]
View answer747. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to announce the new Road Safety Strategy for the period to 2020; the main elements it is likely to contain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52885/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 724, 731, 732 and 747 together.
The Road Safety Authority is currently preparing the next Road Safety Strategy, which will cover an 8-year period from 2013 to 2020. The aim of this Strategy, like all previous, will be to save lives and prevent injuries by reducing the number and severity of collisions on the road.
The Strategy will adopt a safe system approach by reinforcing the concept of shared responsibility across organisations, businesses and communities. Like its predecessors, the Strategy will contain key, definable actions that will seek to achieve the overall aims and close the gap between Ireland and the best performing countries in the EU. These actions will cover a range of key areas in road safety performance including engineering, enforcement and education. Education is a vital tool in creating cultural and behavioural changes as it raises awareness across the entire population, young and old.
The RSA is currently working with all stakeholders to finalise the Strategy and I hope to be in a position to launch the document early in 2013.
In relation to the speed limit review, which I announced earlier this year, a stakeholder group to progress this review has been established by my Department. This Group includes representatives from the local authorities, the Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority as well as the National Transport Authority. Much progress has been made and I expect to receive a report from the Group by the end of the year. I will give careful consideration to implementing any recommendations that emerge from the Report.
726. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline his contact with the Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland and his views on the future and sustainability of professional football in Ireland, particularly with reference to the wage level of League of Ireland footballers, and funding provided to the Football Association of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52726/12]
View answerI have had no contacts with the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland. The development of professional football in Ireland is a matter for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). The FAI is an independent, autonomous body and I have no role in its operational matters.
727. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of applications that Dublin City Council made under the sports capital programme; when Dublin City Council will be notified on their outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52742/12]
View answerDetails of all applications received under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme are available on my Department's website at http://www.dttas.ie/sport/grants_funding/files/2012-Sports-Capital-Programme-all-applications.pdf. 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.
728. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will contact the Chief Executive Officer of Dublin Bus requesting a bus service (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52743/12]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) 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.
