Wednesday, 23 Jan 2013

Written Answers Nos 223-231

Food Safety Authority Inspections

Questions (223)

Martin Ferris

Question:

223. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the reason the Food Safety Authority of Ireland were conducting tests on the burgers which were later found to be contaminated. [3157/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As part of its proactive monitoring activities the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) continually monitors foods on the Irish market to ensure that they are complying with the requirements of food law and are safe. As part of this routine activity a small survey was carried out to investigate the authenticity of meat products on the Irish market. This survey was conducted as part of the FSAI monitoring and surveillance programme on labelling of foods, specifically to check on the type of animal species in meat products.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (224, 248)

Finian McGrath

Question:

224. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason for cuts to speech therapy in an autism unit (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [3441/13]

Finian McGrath

Question:

248. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding speech and language support in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 [3446/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 248 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Education and Skills has primary responsibility for addressing the educational needs of children with disabilities. However the health sector has a role in terms of providing health-related supports to these children, where required. The Health Service Executive is currently reconfiguring therapy resources for children with disabilities aged 0 to 18 year, including those with autism. Its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years) , established since 2010, seeks to bring consistency in service delivery and a clear pathway to services for all children with disabilities according to need, regardless of where they live, which pre-school or school they attend or the nature of their disability. In practical terms this means that health professionals and parents will know exactly where a child should be referred and how to refer them. Services may be provided at primary care level or by early intervention and school age disability teams, with access to specialist services, according to the child’s needs.

The particular issue of speech and language supports that has been raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the Deputy's questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (225)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

225. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate home help hours in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3163/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Health Services Provision

Questions (226)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

226. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3201/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services Provision

Questions (227, 228)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

227. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the provisions in place for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 to remain in full time day care. [3212/13]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

228. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 will continue to need full time day care when his current placement ends later this year. [3213/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together.

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 to the Deputy

Disabilities Services Funding

Questions (229, 230, 231)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

229. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the total funding by county for rehabilitative training placements in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the number of persons this funding supports or supported for each of these years. [3214/13]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

230. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the total funding by county for day service placements in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; and the number of persons this funding supports or supported for each of these years. [3215/13]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

231. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who required full time day service care after their placement in rehabilitative training programmes for school leavers came to an end in each of the years 2010, 2011 and 2012; and the estimated number who will require ongoing day service care in 2013. [3216/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 to 231, inclusive, together.

Rehabilitative training (RT) focuses on the development of an individual's life skills, social skills and basic work skills with the objective of enhancing the trainee's quality of life and general work capacity. RT, which is foundation-level training not connected to the labour force, is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and provided by the HSE and by specialist disability service providers.

Some people who graduate from RT make the progression to vocational training, which is funded by SOLAS (formerly FÁS), or to employment. Others require day services or supports funded by the HSE. Day services for adults with disabilities and mental health issues provide a network of support for over 25,000 people who have a wide spectrum of need, ranging from those with severe and profound disabilities who are likely to need long-term specialist service provision to people with lower support needs and greater potential for community participation and inclusion.

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 to the Deputy.