Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:249. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the Dunne Report into organ retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3471/13]
View answerDepartmental Reports
Questions (249)
Written answers
Ms Anne Dunne S.C. was appointed to carry out a Post-Mortem Inquiry to investigate post-mortem practice and procedure in all hospitals in the State since 1970.The Dunne Inquiry commenced its work in March 2001 and it submitted a report to my predecessor in March 2005.The strong legal advice obtained from the Attorney General was that the report could not be published for legal and constitutional reasons.
In May 2005, Dr Deirdre Madden was appointed to examine the key points raised and findings in it in order to provide Government with a final report on post-mortem policy and practice.Dr Madden's report inquired into the policies and practices relating to the removal, retention and disposal of organs from children who have undergone post-mortem examination in the State since 1970.Dr Madden's report was published in 2006.A subsequent report of a Working Group, also chaired by Dr Madden, on other areas of post-mortem practice and procedures was also published in November 2006.An independent audit of all retained organs in the State, which was commissioned by the HSE, was carried out by Ms Michaela Willis and this report was published in 2009. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has published "Standards and Recommended Practices for Post Mortem Examination Services" and circulated these to relevant hospital staff in March 2012.The overall aim of the standards and recommended practices for post-mortem examinations is to drive high quality post-mortem examination services, which are based on current legal requirements and in keeping with best professional practice.
Roads Maintenance
Questions (250)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:250. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding resurfacing of streets (details supplied) in County Kerry; if this work will be carried out in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3431/13]
View answerWritten answers
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.
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.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
I will announce the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations shortly.
Driving Licence Issues
Questions (251, 252)
Brendan Smith
Question:251. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the concern among general photography/camera businesses in relation to the changes for the issue of photographs for new driving licences; if provision will be made to ensure that existing operators will be able to meet with the appropriate photo requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3628/13]
View answer
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:252. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on claims that the future of high street and photo booth photography business is seriously under threat by the implementation of a new measures into the way photos for driving licences are to be captured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3159/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.
I am aware of concerns raised by those involved in the photo ID business in relation to the new driver licence regime.
The Government decided in 2011 to centralise driver licence provision, following an examination of the options for driver licensing which found that a centralised system would offer enhanced security and consistency, and be more efficient and cost effective. Legislation was passed last year to provide for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to become the central driver licensing authority in Ireland. This came into effect on 12 January 2013.
The new system involves three outsourced elements, a card production facility, a front office for engaging with the customer, and a back office to process applications. All three are being overseen by a ‘centre of excellence’ based in the RSA. The card licence is standardised across the European Union and therefore there must be consistency in the quality and standard of information used.
The tender processes for the outsourced elements was conducted by the RSA and I had no function in the matter. I understand that the contractors have already been procured.
I understand from the RSA, that, when the new system comes into operation later this year, the photograph will be digital and will not be stuck on to the card in the way it is to the old paper licence. The capture of the photograph will be included in the fee for the licence. As the system develops, the SAFE2 ID standard will be implemented, at which point the only option will be the digital photo taken at the Front Office Network.
It should be noted that members of the public will now only have to make one journey to get their photograph taken and license application processed. Furthermore, the €55 fee for a ten year license includes the cost of the photograph as well as the license.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (253)
Billy Timmins
Question:253. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason an application for a sports capital grant was deemed invalid in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3262/13]
View answerWritten answers
The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme. The application was deemed invalid as the club did not provide a letter from their Solicitor stating that they have registered title to the land where the proposed project was to be developed and that this title was capable of supporting a charge.
A letter setting out the reason why the application was deemed invalid has been sent to the club contact. If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.
The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed and all the monies under this round have been allocated.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (254)
Billy Timmins
Question:254. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason an application for a sports capital grant was deemed invalid in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3263/13]
View answerWritten answers
The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.
This application was deemed invalid for two reasons. Firstly, the club did not provided evidence of the required level of own funding. Secondly, the letter from the club's solicitor, required to show ownership of the applicant's land, was dated 15 June 2010 and did not state that the club were registered owners and that the land is capable of supporting a charge.
A letter setting out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid has been sent to the club contact. If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.
The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed and all the monies under this round have been allocated.
Taxi Regulations
Questions (255)
Micheál Martin
Question:255. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale behind the inclusion of limos in the SPSV entry test for those wishing to operate in the SPSV industry; his views on whether it makes sense to apply the same test to limo drivers as applied to taxi drivers particularly in relation to area knowledge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3414/13]
View answerWritten answers
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the SPSV industry under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, including the entry requirements for limousines and area knowledge testing.
I have referred your Question to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for a direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Road Safety Issues
Questions (256)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:256. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are any proposals to extend the use of high-tech driver stimulators as part of the safety campaign organised jointly by the Garda and the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3421/13]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of road safety and measures including the advancement of education, relating to the promotion of the safe use of roads, including co-operation with local authorities and other persons in this regard.
I have received no proposals from the RSA concerning the extension of the use of high-tech driver simulators as part of the road safety campaign organised jointly by the Gardaí and the Authority.
However, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for their information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Driving Licence Issues
Questions (257)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:257. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on of the new driving licence scheme (details supplied); if he intends to address these apparent anomalies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3472/13]
View answerWritten answers
I recently revised the fee structure for driver licences, the first time this has been done since 1989. The new fee structure takes account of the fact that there was no increase since 1989 – which has left the driver licensing service underfunded – and also takes account of EU legislation regarding categories and periods of licence, which came into effect from 19 January 2013.
EU Directive 2006/126 states that, from 19 January 2013, licences for C and D categories shall have a validity of 5 years. The fee for renewing or adding these categories to a licence is €35. There is a production cost associated with each card, and the fee of €35 is to cover the cost of producing the licence so that the overall service can be less reliant on the Exchequer in future years.
In respect of people between the ages of 60 and 67, a driving licence may be granted for a period of 1 year or 3 years, where the application is required to be accompanied by a medical report and the medical report indicates that the applicant appears to require medical review. However, where an application does not require a medical report, all licences with a validity period greater than 3 years and less than 10 will be charged at €55. It would have been administratively difficult to apply a different or proportionate pricing regime in these circumstances.
I have opted to maintain the position that no fee applies to applicants over 70 years of age. Similarly, no fee will apply to anyone wishing to change personal details on a licence.