Written Answers Nos. 605-629
605. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which conservation measures already adopted in the context of the common fisheries policy or otherwise have improved fish stocks in traditional Irish fishing waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7381/13]
View answerThe seas around Ireland (ICES Sub Areas VII and VI) are among the most productive and biologically sensitive areas in EU waters. Most of the fisheries resource within the area comes under the remit of the EUs Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). In June 2012, the European Commission reported that fish stocks in European waters are improving (EC COM(2012) 278 final). The proportion of overfished stocks in the Atlantic declined from around 90% of all stocks between 2005-2009 to 47% in 2012. Several stocks in the west of Scotland, Irish Sea and Celtic sea have suffered from being over fished in the past and remain at relatively low levels (i.e. Cod in Divisions VIa and VIIa, Sole in Division VIIa, Whiting in Divisions VIa and VIIa). Scientific advice is that exploitation rates of these depleted stocks appears to remain high in most cases despite significant reductions in fishing effort over the last decade (EC COM(2012) 278.
The Marine Institute has given a workable definition to sustainable fisheries ie when a fishery can be ‘conducted over the long term at an acceptable level of biological and economic productivity, without leading to ecological changes that exclude options for future generations’. Optimum levels of biological and economic productivity are in part management decisions, but though considerable progress has been made in recent years in terms of addressing sustainability issues it is clear that for many stocks there is still room for further improvement. The European Union and Member States have committed themselves to reach the objectives of fishing at MSY by 2015 where possible.
Reform of the CFP itself which is currently under discussion at EU level will help to address many of the key long term fisheries sustainability issues. The advancement of this reform agenda has been prioritised by the Irish EU Presidency. Current proposals for CFP reform encompass a range of innovative proposals for measures to eliminate the practice of discards, achieving appropriate maximum long term sustainable yields (MSYs) and the introduction of effective fair transparent regionalisation mechanisms. It is my belief that the introduction and implementation of these necessary and timely reforms (which must be adopted under co-decision jointly by the EU Fisheries Council and the EU Parliament) will support the ongoing development of a sustainable and thriving Irish and European fishing industry for the future.
606. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost incurred by his Department for assessing means of individual citizens for any reason on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7382/13]
View answerMy Department does not assess the means of individual citizens and as such does not incur any associated costs.
607. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the outstanding appeal payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7397/13]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the TAMS Dairy Equipment Scheme. An appeal was lodged with the Agriculture Appeals Office on behalf of the applicant in relation to the Department’s refusal to award him grant-aid under the Scheme on 27 August 2012. That appeal was subsequently upheld by an Appeals Officer on 11 December 2012. On 17 January 2013, the Department sought a review of this decision by the Director of the Agriculture Appeals Office and the outcome of this review is awaited.
The result of the review will be notified to the applicant as soon it is available.
608. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason, following a visit from the Health Service Executive, Naíonra Tír na nÓg in Manor Street, Dublin 7, was closed. [6702/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
609. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will sanction funding to allow the continuation of the vital work of the childminding development worker (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the cessation of funding for this post; the cost saving made by such; if her attention has been drawn to the impact this will have on childminders in County Tipperary; if she will confirm what will happen to the programmes and activities put in place by this worker in County Tipperary; if an alternative support will be made available; if she will confirm if childminders will be compelled to undertake Garda vetting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7237/13]
View answerThe 1991 Childcare Act provided for regulation of the pre-school sector. However, there was a recognition at the time of the difficulties of regulating the childminding sector, given its scale and the strong view that women should not be subject to regulation if they minded a small number of additional children. As a result, the majority of childminders are exempt from the Regulations currently in place.
The 2000 Expert Working Group on Childcare set out a plan for integrating the various strands of child care and education, including childminding. It made a number of recommendations aimed at overcoming the barriers preventing childminders from moving into the formal economy, most of which have been implemented. These included the introduction of a system for voluntary notification of childminders, and the introduction of Childcare Services Relief, which allows a voluntarily-notified childminder to mind up to three children without paying tax on the earnings and to make a PRSI contribution.
In 2002, the Health Service Executive (HSE) agreed to fund a Childminding Advisory Officer post in each county, who would work with the 33 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) funded under the Childcare Programme, implemented by the then Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The role included notifying childminders of training opportunities, providing networking opportunities and supporting the voluntary notification system which was being developed by the CCCs.
While Childminding Advisory Officers were established in most county areas, this was not always the case and they were not always located with the local CCC. Despite their presence and the additional supports including training, a small capital grant scheme and the introduction of a tax relief for childminding in 2006, the increase in the number of voluntarily-notified childminders since 2004, when the number was 500, has been relatively small and levelled off at 1,250.
In recent years, HSE funding for the Childminding Advisory Officer posts has gradually decreased, and is no longer in place in some areas. I understand that this is due to pressure on HSE resources and the need to prioritise funding to other areas of front-line services. While this is not a welcome development, I would point to the fact that the CCCs are now well-established and effective bodies at local level, and that supporting the childminding sector is an integral part of their work. As a result, childminders continue to have access to support, training and advice.
My Department provides annual funding to each CCC to enable them to support and advise all childcare providers at local level. In 2012, the total amount allocated to the CCCs was €11.3m. In addition, in 2012 my Department provided €220,000 to the CCCs for Childminding Development Grants. My Department also provides annual funding, totalling €2.85m in 2012, to seven National Voluntary Childcare Organisations to provide support at a local level to their members. This included €358,000 for Childminding Ireland, the representative body for childminders.
My Department has commenced work on Ireland's first Early Years Strategy. One of the policy issues which I have identified for consideration in the preparation of the Early Years Strategy is the development of the childminding sector as a fully-integrated component of early childhood care and education, in particular for the under-one age group.
Under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006, services providing care for children who have not yet commenced primary school are required to notify their service to the Pre-School Inspectorate of the HSE. Childminders taking care of not more than three pre-school children from different families are not covered by the Regulations and are not required to notify. Decisions on how best to regulate and support the childminding sector will continue to form part of the ongoing work on the Early Years Strategy.
As is the case with all regulatory requirements, the Child Care Regulations set the minimum standards which services are legally required to comply with. However, my Department is pro-active in monitoring, promoting and developing the highest standards of care and education throughout the sector, including the regulatory environment, given the important role which these services play in this crucial phase of children’s lives.
The Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, which I published in 2011, provides clarity and guidance for individuals and organisations in identifying and responding appropriately to child abuse and neglect. It also sets out what organisations that care for or work with children should do to ensure they are safe whilst in the care of the organisation. The Government has committed, as a priority, to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First. I published the Heads of the Children First Bill in April 2012. The purpose of publishing the Heads was to allow for a full consultation at an early stage on developing the Bill.
I asked the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children to consider the Heads of the Children First Bill and make recommendations. I received their comprehensive Report and my Department is currently considering the broad range of submissions to, and recommendations of the Joint Committee, including those submissions pertaining to the issue of childminders.
610. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs subsequent to the elimination of the visiting teacher service for Travellers, the details of the number of Travellers assisted by the National Education Welfare Board for the past year for which she has information and the educational outcomes therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7416/13]
View answerThe National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) was established in 2002 under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. Its functions emphasise school attendance, participation and retention. The various strands of the NEWB, the School Completion Programme (SCP), the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the Educational Welfare Service (EWS) work together to secure improved educational outcomes for children and young people.
I am advised by the NEWB that cases where there are significant concerns about a child’s attendance at school, including a Traveller child or where a child is identified as “at-risk” of persistent poor attendance or early school leaving are prioritised by the Board.
The Service does not retain records on individual children on the basis of Traveller or other cultural identities, but in 2012 the Educational Welfare Service worked with 20,011 children who experienced school attendance difficulties.
Within the School Completion Programme, schools may identify particular at-risk children from within the Traveller community for additional supports. The latest data, as reported by schools, for the 2010 / 11 school year estimates that of the 36,147 children participating within the SCP, some 11% were Traveller students.
The SCP supports Traveller students through the provision of school, after school, holiday and out of school supports. In particular Traveller students participate in homework clubs, which are organised in some Traveller sites so students go home directly after school and can avail of the homework club facility in their own environment. Homework clubs are facilitated and organised, in many cases, in partnership with local youth services or Pavee Point.
The NEWB participates on the Traveller Education Strategy Advisory and Consultative Forum, which is facilitated by the Department of Education and Skills and monitors the implementation of the Traveller Education Strategy. The Board has convened a working group under the auspices of the Forum to develop collaborative working arrangements between the NEWB and Traveller Support Organisations (Pavee Point, Irish Traveller Movement, Traveller Women's Forum and Traveller MABS). The objective of the group is to work effectively at local and national level to support traveller parents in their responsibilities to ensure their children remain in school and to develop mechanisms to improve educational outcomes for Traveller children.
The implementation of the Board’s “One Child, One Team, One Plan” strategy is focussed on securing improved educational outcomes for all students and prioritises those most at risk of early school leaving.
611. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details on the structure and model for the new Child and Family Support Agency; if she will confirm whether the CAFCASS in the UK has been used as a model; the extent to which this has been the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6657/13]
View answerThe Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) is a UK non-governmental organisation which has a very specific remit in representing the best interests of children in family court proceedings in England. In an Irish context, the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) service is the equivalent of CAFCASS. The future governance and organisational arrangements relating to the GAL service are currently the subject of review.
The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the preparation of the legislation is proceeding as a priority and the intention is that the Agency will be established as soon as possible. The Government's consideration of the functions of the new Child and Family Support Agency was informed, inter alia, by the content and recommendations of the Report of the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency which I published in July 2012. The Task Force considered that the Agency needs to be as broadly based as possible and should include those services that might, in the first instance, help prevent problems arising for a family, that would identify problems and provide supports at an early stage and that would assist children and families in managing serious problems requiring specialised interventions beyond their own resources. Therefore, in addition to child welfare and protection services the Task Force considered that the core services of the new Agency must include a broad based range of universal and targeted services with an emphasis on prevention, early intervention, family support and therapeutic care interventions.
612. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 594 of 27 November 2012, if she will expedite this reply (details supplied) in view of the delay experienced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6696/13]
View answerI have requested from the HSE the information requested by the Deputy and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
613. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the progress made to date that she has made concerning inter country adoptions; the progress that the Adoption Authority has made in relation to establishing administrative arrangements with the Hague countries regarding inter country adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6858/13]
View answerUnder section 72 of the Adoption Act 2010, the Adoption Authority may enter into administrative arrangements with another contracting State to the Hague Convention. An administrative arrangement is not mandatory for intercountry adoption between countries that are both signatories to Hague. However some contracting states, including Ireland, may determine that in some instances co-operation in the field of intercountry adoption is best served by the development of such arrangements.
The Adoption Authority is continuing its work to establish administrative arrangements with a number of Hague countries in relation to intercountry adoptions, as provided for under section 72 of the Adoption Act 2010. The Authority has travelled to a number of jurisdictions in order to make contact with the Central Authorities, advise of our processes and procedures, assess the need for additional administrative arrangements or agreements; and to glean as much information as possible of relevance to prospective adopters from those countries. The visits also provide opportunities to streamline processes on both sides and obtain up-to-date information for prospective adopters on developments in these countries.
In September 2012 the AAI and the Vietnamese Central Authority for Adoption agreed administrative arrangements for intercountry adoption. This is the first international administrative arrangement for intercountry adoption entered into by the AAI and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam since both countries ratified the Hague Convention. I understand that the process of approving accredited bodies by the Vietnamese Central Authority is underway.
A delegation from the Adoption Authority made an official visit to the US State Department in Washington in 2012. Following this visit administrative arrangements in relation to intercountry adoption between the United States of America and Ireland were drafted by the AAI and the Authority informs me that it expects to finalise these arrangements in the near future.
A delegation from the Authority is due to travel to India in the coming weeks to meet with officials from CARA, the Indian Central authority. I have recently met with a group of prospective adoptive parents hoping to adopt from India and I am available for a diplomatic meeting with the Indian authorities should that prove helpful in advancing the administrative arrangements with CARA.
ARC has been accredited to facilitate adoptions from Bulgaria and the Authority informs me that the first referrals from Bulgaria are due shortly.
614. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will reverse the cuts to the school completion programme in schools (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in view of the invaluable work carried out by this service and the minimum cost involved; the impact of this cut on students who depend on this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7034/13]
View answerThe School Completion Programme (SCP) aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. The SCP is one of three service strands, which also includes the Home School Community Liaison and the Education Welfare Service, being integrated under the remit of the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB). The SCP is a key programme under the Department of Education and Skills DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) action plan.
In 2013, funding of €26.456m has been made available by my Department to support the programme, which involves 124 projects and initiatives throughout the country.
The Local Management Committee assesses the needs of marginalised educationally disadvantaged students at local level to devise an integrated, costed and targeted proposal of interventions to support these young people. This project model approach allows the Local Management Committee the autonomy to be creative and innovative in developing strategies to encourage attendance, retention and participation of the targeted young people. Accordingly, it is a matter for the SCP to decide on the use of SCP funds in the context of the available grant and the overall programme of activities.
In September 2012, the Local Management Committee responsible for each SCP project was notified that a reduction on last year’s allocation would apply for the coming academic cycle. €341,234 was made available to the School Completion Project raised by the Deputy for the 12/13 academic year.
Projects were requested to revise their plans for 2012/13 in order to achieve efficiencies and reduce costs whilst prioritising evidence based services to support children’s educational outcomes. The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), under the remit of my Department, has provided assistance to projects through this process in accordance with its management responsibilities for the programme.
In the present challenging financial circumstances it is not feasible to alter the notified allocations to individual projects. I would note that my Department intends to complete a review of the SCP over the course 2013. It is anticipated that the review will assist to identify operational efficiencies and other reforms necessary to consolidate the programme on a sustainable footing as a key component of an integrated school support service under the NEWB.
The purchase of food by schools is separately funded by the Department of Social Protection. In this instance these funds are channelled through the local School Completion Programme. I am advised by the NEWB that the Local Management Committee of the Programme in question, having reviewed all provisions across its programme, took the decision to prioritise SCP funding this year for interventions in other areas. However, I am advised by the NEWB that the Local Co-ordinator and SCP Chairperson are continuing to explore options to support delivery of the meals programme for students in the schools in question.
615. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the State has not funded Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency, in accordance with Hague conditions that such organisations should be state funded, in order to avoid profiteering from adoptions. [7200/13]
View answerThe Hague Convention does not require that accredited agencies be State funded. It is not currently the policy of the Department to fund accredited agencies. While accredited bodies are required to be not-for-profit organisations, it is open to them to charge reasonable amounts for services provided to applicants. Therefore, ongoing funding should arise from the payments for services provided. A number of issues in relation to accredited agencies are being examined by my Department in consultation with the Adoption Authority and the HSE; however, no decision in relation to future funding of accredited agencies has been made.
616. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost incurred by her Department for assessing means of individual citizens for any reason on an annual basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7384/13]
View answerMy Department does not incur any costs for assessing means of individual citizens for any reason.
617. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount allocated and the subsequent outturn for the special projects for youth for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; and, within that budget, if he will list the allocation and subsequent outturn for projects working with Travellers. [7400/13]
View answerFunding under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme (SPY),is made available to organisations and groups for specific projects which seek to address the needs of young people who are disadvantaged due to a combination of factors e.g., social isolation, substance misuse, homelessness, early school leaving and unemployment. Projects facilitate the personal and social development of participants thus enabling them to realise their potential. This aim underpins all programmes and activities of the Scheme. There are currently some 179 projects funded under this scheme.
Details of funding allocated to the Special Projects for Youth Scheme is outlined hereunder for 2008 to 2012. The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is working on the funding allocation for youth services in 2013 and every effort is being made to advise youth projects and national youth organisations, of their 2013 allocations as soon as possible.
Details of allocations and out-turn for this Scheme are outlined as follows:
|
Year |
Allocation |
Out-turn |
|
2008 |
21,381,006 |
21,381,006 |
|
2009 |
19,975,681 |
19,975,681 |
|
2010 |
19,475,670 |
19,475,670 |
|
2011 |
18,156,452 |
18,156,452 |
|
2012 |
17,041,730 |
17,041,730 |
The Special Projects for Youth Scheme operates several youth work initiatives that are specifically aimed at young Travellers, such as the initiatives operated by Involve (formerly the National Association of Traveller centres (NATCs)), Exchange House Traveller Youth Service and Pavee Point. In general, these youth work initiatives entail consultation with the local traveller community, the involvement of members of that community in the management of the project and liaison with other voluntary and statutory agencies operating in the youth service sphere. Other projects funded other these schemes may include services and activities for young travellers but they are not exclusive to young travellers. A detailed breakdown of grants allocated to projects working with Travellers will be provided directly to the Deputy this week.
618. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the December 2012 Exchequer statement, if he will explain the source of the €45 million titled "Medical Defence Union Receipts". [6626/13]
View answerThe receipt of €45 million from the Medical Defence Union (MDU) is in respect of an agreement reached with the MDU in settlement of litigation. The agreement brings to a conclusion a long standing dispute with the MDU following their refusal to indemnify large numbers of their members and former members in Ireland.
619. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when it is intended that Ireland will join with France and the 11 other countries in signing the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6669/13]
View answerIreland played a significant role in drafting the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Treaty which was ratified by the State in November 2005. Ireland is fully committed to its implementation and has been an active participant in the Conference of Parties to the FCTC.
The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products was adopted by the Parties to the WHO FCTC in November, 2012 in Seoul. My Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners were represented in Seoul and actively supported the Protocol adoption.
The Protocol is now open for signature by the Parties until 9 January, 2014. Arrangements will be made in the near future for Ireland’s signature to the Protocol, which is held in the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
620. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to provide counselling or the access to psychology services in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [6809/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
621. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that immediate sanction will be provided for a new prosthetic socket in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 in view of the fact that the person is unable to function independently due to an ill fitting prosthetic leg. [6901/13]
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.
622. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided, under the scheme of grants for counselling organisations, for counselling services for Travellers for each year 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the amount anticipated for 2013. [7420/13]
View answerAn amount of €10,546,230 was spent on Traveller health via Traveller Health Units during 2011. This amount excludes the costs of core/mainstream services accessed by members of the Travelling community e.g. GP services, foster care etc. Efforts have continued to ensure that funding for all vulnerable groups remains protected as far as possible.
The specific information on the amount of funding provided, under the scheme of grants for counselling organisations, for counselling services for Travellers in each of the years requested is not readily available. However I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
623. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health his views on the VHI statement that one of the factors that will lead to a 6% increase in premiums is an ineffective risk equalisation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6580/13]
View answerI recently expressed my disappointment with the VHI's announcement of a further price increase and I consider an increase of this level unacceptable. I met with the Board of the VHI on 19 December last and with the Chair and CEO last month to voice my concerns and to emphasise the absolute need for VHI to manage its costs. Given VHI’s very significant share of overall costs in the market, I will continue to focus strongly on the need for the VHI to address its costs and to address aggressively the base cost of procedures including professional fees. I have consistently urged the VHI and all health insurers to do everything possible to keep down the cost of health insurance and I am determined to address costs in the sector, in the interests of consumers.
The Government is committed to keeping down the cost of health insurance so that it is affordable for as many people as possible and remains committed to protecting community rating, whereby everyone pays the same price for the same health insurance product, irrespective of age or health status. The Health Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2012 introduced a new permanent Risk Equalisation Scheme (RES) for the private health insurance market with effect from 1 January 2013. An effective and robust RES is required in order to protect affordability for those who need it most. The Scheme is also of benefit to insurers with increased adverse risks, in particular, the VHI.
My officials have had a number of discussions with VHI officials to assist them in understanding the divergence between their calculation of the effectiveness of the new RES and that of my Department. My Department has also conferred with its actuarial advisors who have concluded that the calculation methodology used by VHI understates the effectiveness of the scheme. In addition, the Health Insurance Authority ( HIA) , the industry regulator, has confirmed, based on market average claim costs for prescribed benefits, that the 2013 scheme compensates for 75% of the higher claims costs for those aged in their seventies and compensates for 83% of the higher claims costs for those aged in their eighties. The 2013 scheme has also provided for a measure of health status whereby an amount of €75 per night will be payable from the Risk Equalisation Fund in respect of each hospital stay involving an overnight stay in a hospital bed in private hospital accommodation, including in a designated private bed in a publicly funded hospital. This measure benefits each insurer who pays for a customer to use an overnight hospital bed and also benefits VHI to a significant level given its market share and customer profile.
I should also point out that compensation levels under risk equalisation are based on average claims for the market as a whole rather than on the claims for any particular insurer such as VHI. To do otherwise might be seen as providing an incentive for inefficiencies in claims cost management.
624. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in implementing A Vision for Change; the reason there is a priority to review the Mental Health Act 2001 prior to replacing the A Vision for Change implementation expert group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6581/13]
View answerImplementation of A Vision for Change (AVFC) and the reform of our mental health services is a priority for this Government. Implementation of AVFC has been slower than originally expected. It has been delayed by a number of factors including the changed economic context, constraints in public spending and the moratorium on recruitment.
Nonetheless, a great deal of progress has been made with the accelerated closure of old psychiatric hospitals and their replacement with bespoke new facilities, better suited to modern mental health care. Progress also includes shorter episodes of in-patient care and the involvement of service users in all aspects of mental health policy, service planning and delivery.
A modern mental health service is best delivered in the community and in 2012 a special allocation of €35m was provided primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both adult and children’s mental health services, to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems and to facilitate the re-location of mental health service users from institutional care to more independent living arrangements in their communities, in line with AVFC .
Budgetary pressures within the HSE delayed the full utilisation of this funding, but this sum is now available to mental health services along with an additional €35m allocated in Budget 2013 for the continued development of mental health services across a range of headings, including the further ongoing development of community services. This represents a total of €70m additional revenue to modernise and reform our mental health services in 2013. Over 800 new mental health professionals are being employed to strengthen these services.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the Independent Monitoring Group for A Vision for Change which ceased its term in June 2012. This Group was appointed in line with the recommendations in AVFC to assess and report on progress on implementation. AVFC also contained a commitment that it would be reviewed after seven years.
In relation to the review of the Mental Health Act 2001, Section 75 the Act obliges the Minister to carry out a review of the operation of the Act not later than 5 years after the establishment day. While a limited review was conducted in 2007, a more comprehensive review is required now as Part Two of the Act only commenced in November 2006.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review the Mental Health Act 2001 and in June 2011, I appointed a Steering Group to undertake the first phase of the review. The terms of reference for the initial phase of the review required the Steering Group to consider “the extent to which the recommendations of A Vision for Change could or should be underpinned by legislation”. This was done on the basis that the Mental Health Act 2001 which was enacted five years before the publication of AVFC does not reflect the significant changes in thinking about the delivery of mental health services that have taken place in the last ten years, such as the shift to community based services, the adoption of a recovery approach in every aspect of service delivery and the involvement of service users as partners in their own care and in the development of the service.
With the direct connection between the Mental Health Act and A Vision for Change, it makes sense that we finalise our work on the review of the Act before considering a review of Vision. I expect that the review of the Act will be completed and presented to me in quarter two of this year. In the interim, the HSE continues to implement A Vision for Change with substantial additional funding provided in 2012 and 2013, and reports on this on a monthly basis, through the HSE National Service Plan.
625. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if persons with chronic asthma will be issued with a medical card on health grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6597/13]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970, eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. There are currently two categories of eligibility for all persons ordinarily resident in Ireland i.e. full eligibility (medical card) and limited eligibility (all others).Full eligibility is determined mainly by reference to income limits and is granted to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable to provide general practitioner, medical and surgical services to themselves and their dependents without undue hardship. There is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons with any specific illness.
There is a provision for discretion to grant a card in cases of "undue hardship" where the income guidelines are exceeded. The HSE set up a clinical panel to assist in the processing of applications for discretionary medical cards where there are difficult personal circumstances.
There is an emergency process for a person who is terminally ill, or in urgent need of medical attention and cannot afford to pay for it, that provides a card within 24 hours while the normal application process is completed. Once a letter from the patient's GP or consultant is received stating that the person is terminally ill and the required personal details are provided, an emergency card is issued to that person for a six-month period.
626. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if all contributors to the national carers' strategy are listed in this document titled, "Submission to the National Carers' Strategy Process"; if he will confirm whether the contributions centralised and collated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6600/13]
View answer627. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if there was a blueprint that was followed when writing the national carers' strategy; the policy reasons for determining the time period of the strategy until 2016; the way this compares with international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6601/13]
View answer628. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the way the periodic review of the national carers' strategy as outlined in the roadmap to implementation will be carried out; if he will provide details on the involvement of the various Government Departments; if a date been set for these periodic reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6602/13]
View answer629. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the ongoing work / action plans / procedures being established to support the four national goals of the National Carers' Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6603/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 626 to 629, inclusive, together.
The National Carers’ Strategy, which was published in July 2012, is a cross-departmental strategy that sets the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers.
The content of the Strategy was informed by a consultation exercise conducted in 2008 and a consultation session with national organisations representing carers in 2012. It was also informed by a review of carers’ strategies from other jurisdictions.
As the Deputy is aware, it sets out a Vision and an ambitious set of National Goals and Objectives to guide policy development and service delivery. The Strategy also contains a Roadmap for Implementation, which outlines a suite of Actions and associated timelines and Departments with responsibility for the implementation of these Actions.
Each Department has appointed a senior official to take responsibility for relevant actions and for the provision of up-dates to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. Each Department will also produce an annual report on progress, which will be published on its website.
My Department has responsibility for overseeing implementation and a progress report on overall implementation will be produced on a periodic basis over the lifetime of the Strategy and presented to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy.
As implementation progresses, the Strategy will be reviewed on a periodic basis to consider whether adjustments or additional actions are appropriate
