Written Answers Nos. 498-514
498. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the funding currently being provided to youth work projects in County Westmeath, including the SPY funded project and youth information services, Athlone Youth and Community Project, Athlone Youth Information Service and Mullingar Youth Project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19814/13]
View answerThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme (SPY), the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2, (YPFSF), Youth Information Centres (YICs) and Local Drugs Task Force Projects (LDTF).
Details of the funding allocated in 2013 to youth work projects and youth information services in Co. Westmeath are outlined hereunder:
|
Project |
Funding Scheme |
2013 Allocation |
|
Midlands Athlone Youth Project. |
SPY |
€85,823 |
|
Mullingar Youth Project. |
SPY |
€83,796 |
|
Total |
- |
€169,619 |
|
Youth Information Centre |
Funding Scheme |
2013 Allocation |
|
Athlone Youth Information Centre |
YIC |
€49,001 |
|
Project |
Funding Scheme |
2013 Allocation |
|
The Gateway Project. |
YPFSF (2) |
€86,296 |
The total funding allocation for 2013 to the projects and services outlined above is €304,916.
In addition, my Department provides funding for a Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which supports youth work activities at a local level (€1.035m in 2013). These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through local Vocational Education Committees. The allocation for this scheme will be notified to the VECs, including Co. Westmeath VEC over the coming weeks and applications for funding will be subsequently invited by the VECs from local groups in their areas. No reduction was made to the funding available for this scheme over 2012 and 2013.
499. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of couples and individuals who have successfully completed the application process for the adoption of children, either in Ireland or from abroad, but who have yet to adopt a child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19890/13]
View answerDeclarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt which were issued under Section 63 of the Adoption Act are due to expire on 31st October 2013.
Following consultation with my Department, the AAI and the HSE agreed a process whereby holders of valid Section 63 declarations, may apply to the HSE under Section 37 of the Act for an assessment review, which will not include a full assessment process. These applicants may then obtain a Section 40 declaration of eligibility and suitability to adopt. I understand that the HSE has written to holders of such declarations advising them of the procedures to be followed when renewing their declarations and I am advised by the HSE that, to date, 269 applicants with Section 63 declarations have responded to the HSE confirming their intention to continue the adoption process.
In addition to these declaration holders, the AAI informs me that as of the end of 2012 the Authority had issued 326 declarations under Section 40 of the Act.
500. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Secretary General of her Department, for the purpose of transparency and accountability, will publish his diary on the Department's website on a monthly basis. [19959/13]
View answerMy Department is committed to transparency and accountability and promotes these objectives in respect of its own activities and that of its funded services. Under Section 5 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 my Department has published a Strategy Statement setting out the key objectives and outputs of the Department over a three year period. These objectives and outputs are publicly reported upon by the Department in its Annual Report.
Officials of my Department accompany me to quarterly meetings of the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee to update the Committee on progress in achieving priorities. In order to further promote transparency the minutes of the Department's Management Advisory Committee are published on the Department's website. Details of purchase orders in excess of €20,000 are also published on the website. I am happy to review on an ongoing basis such other measures as may be warranted to promote transparency and accountability having regard to the efficient and effective administration of the Department, although there are no current plans to publish the Secretary General's diary on a monthly basis as a matter of routine.
501. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the legal challenge to the validity of outcome of the children's referendum has required delays in publishing legislation on the part of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19977/13]
View answerThe General Scheme and Heads of Bill of the proposed Adoption (Amendment) Bill was published in September 2012 in conjunction with the publication of the referendum proposal to inform the public of proposed changes to adoption law envisaged if the Constitutional amendment was approved.
The Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013 proposes to make important changes to adoption law to provide the option of adoption for a child who has been placed in long term foster care because his or her parents are unable to provide, or resume, care for that child. The provisions of the proposed Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013 will amend the Adoption Act 2010 to provide for the non-voluntary adoption of a child where his or her parents have failed in their duty towards that child. The draft Bill will change the criteria, applicable under section 54 of the 2010 Act, under which the High Court may authorise the making of an adoption order without parental consent, in the case of a child who is in the care of prospective adopters and where that child’s parents have failed in their parental duty to the child. The proposed legislation is not intended to provide that a child, who has contact with and a strong beneficial relationship with his or her birth parents and wider family, may be adopted unless that child's parents have voluntarily placed the child for adoption and have consented to the adoption order being made in respect of the child.
The draft Bill will also provide for the voluntary placement for adoption of any child irrespective of the marital status of his or her parents. In the case of a child of married parents, both parents must place the child for adoption and before doing so, will be counselled and given information in accordance with the provisions of section 14 of the Adoption Act 2010.
It is my intention to bring the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013 before the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible, following conclusion of all proceedings and processes relevant to the confirmation of the referendum certificate of the 31st Amendment to the Constitution.
502. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the progress made with regard to the provision of a new children's detention centre at Oberstown, Lusk, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20006/13]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware I announced in April 2012, following agreement with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, an investment package for the project to expand the detention places and facilities on the Oberstown campus, known as the national children's detention facility (NCDF) project. The main objective of this project is to meet the Programme for Government commitment to end the practice of detaining children in St Patrick's Institution.
My officials in the Irish Youth Justice Service continue to work closely to progress this project with the Office of Public Works (OPW) which is providing the relevant project management services for my Department. The tender process for the award of a contract for the project is currently ongoing and the current projected timeline estimate from the OPW indicates that the first new residential units, to provide sufficient capacity to end the practice of sending 17 year old boys to St. Patrick's Institution, will be available for use by mid 2014. My aim is to deliver suitable detention facilities on the earliest possible date, in a manner that complies with all design, planning and heath and safety requirements. I am also conscious that the Oberstown campus is already the location of the existing children detention facilities and these must remain in operation during the construction project. The overall project for the campus, which will also replace some existing outdated buildings and deliver education, visiting and other ancillary facilities, is currently scheduled for completion by mid 2015.
503. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will confirm the latest update with regard to the negotiation of a bilateral agreement with relevant authorities in Russia; and if a trip to Dublin is scheduled for April 2013 as previously advised. [20097/13]
View answer504. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will advise on the current situation with regard to the registration by the Adoption Authority of Ireland of adoptions from Russia. [20098/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together.
I recently travelled to Moscow, accompanied by Dr Geoffrey Shannon, Chair of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, in order to discuss at a diplomatic level issues in relation to the potential for a bilateral agreement with Russia. During my visit I met with my counterpart, Minister Dmitry Livanov, Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. This meeting was productive and allowed for an exchange of views on the possibility of Ireland entering into a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption with Russia.
The Russian authorities acknowledged the satisfactory outcomes for Russian children adopted in Ireland and expressed a willingness to conclude an agreement with Ireland which would be subject to the approval of the Russian parliament. My Department, in consultation with the AAI, is continuing efforts to draft wording of a bilateral agreement, including in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, which would satisfy our legal and Constitutional requirements, in particular in relation to the Russian requirement for post adoption reports. The wording of the draft bilateral agreement will be a matter of consideration by the Attorney General's office in advance of any further discussions with the Russian authorities.
The Authority advises that a question has arisen with regard to the interpretation of Section 63 of the Adoption Act, 2010. Therefore the Board has adjourned making a decision on a small number of applications for an entry in the Register of Intercountry Adoptions while the Board seeks advice from its legal advisors.
505. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding allocations to all youth projects in Dublin funded by her Department and administered by the City of Dublin Youth Services Board for the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20107/13]
View answerThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2, Youth Information Centres and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 400,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
Funding provided by my Department to support youth projects in the Dublin City area is administered, on behalf of my Department, by the City of Dublin Youth Services Board (CDYSB).
Details of funding allocations for 2013 are outlined hereunder in tabular form.
|
Scheme |
2013 Allocation |
|
Special Projects for Youth Scheme (SPY) |
3,235,289 |
|
Young People Facilities and Services Fund (1) (YPFSF) |
3,182,633 |
|
Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (2) (YPFSF) |
4,300,941 |
|
Local Drug Task Force Projects (LDTF) |
766,971 |
|
Total |
11,485,834 |
My Department is currently collating the funding allocations to the individual youth projects and this information will be forwarded directly to the Deputy this week.
506. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, in the context where youth work in communities across the country is of invaluable importance she will take steps to reverse the position whereby expenditure on youth work has decreased by more then 25% since 2008, which is six times the rate of cut in Government expenditure; the steps she will take to ensure that a youth service (details supplied) in County Longford which has only been in existence since 2005, is allocated an appropriate budget commensurate with its programme of increased activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20120/13]
View answerThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.173m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 400,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides funding to the Co. Longford Youth Services Project under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and the 2013 allocation is €77,559.
The savings required under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in respect of 2013 amounted to €5.393m. Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department has tried to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.
A comprehensive Value for Money and Policy Review of youth funding has been commenced in my Department and this report is expected later this year. It is anticipated that this report will inform the provision of funding for youth programmes/services going into the future.
In addition my Department is developing a new youth policy framework for publication later this year. The new youth policy framework will aim to enhance the provision of youth services and activities and it will, inter alia, promote co-ordination between government departments and youth sector organisations with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the State funding available to support services for young people in future years.
507. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if youth organisations (details supplied) are defined as part of the informal education or educational sector; the implications it may have for regulation under the charity Acts and tax issues, following the transfer of youth affairs on the creation of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20141/13]
View answer508. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to any concerns that voluntary organisations within the youth sector which her Department oversees may no longer be considered as charitable bodies for tax purposes in view of the fact that they are now regulated and funded by her Department instead of the Department of Education and Skills; if she has discussed these concerns with the bodies involved; if she had discussed these concerns with the Department of Justice and Equality; the steps she proposes to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20142/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 507 and 508 together.
The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities.
Funding for the support of voluntary youth work is made available on an annual basis to national and major regional voluntary youth organisations through the Youth Service Grant Scheme. In 2013 some €10.337m is being provided to support the work of 31 such organisations under this Scheme.
The continued funding of voluntary youth organisations through the Scheme is intended to ensure the emergence, promotion, growth and development of youth organisations with distinctive philosophies and programmes aimed at the social education of young people. The work of these organisations is based on the following philosophy:
- it is educational in design and objective
- it is concerned with the personal, social, recreational, cultural and spiritual development of young people
- it rests upon the concept and practice of voluntary adult involvement with and for young people
- it promotes the concept and practice of youth participation in the programme and life of the organisation itself, local communities and society in general
- it promotes co-operation among youth and youth work organisations
- it seeks to respond to the real needs of youth.
My Department has received no representations on behalf of any of the voluntary youth organisations funded under the Youth Service Grant Scheme in relation to the Charities Act 2009. Implementation of this Act is a matter for my colleague Mr Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence.
509. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details of the total amount of funding paid directly to vocational education committees to cover the cost of administering local youth work funding including the total pay of VEC youth officers and the total non-pay element of direct assistance to VECs. [20246/13]
View answerThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 400,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
The funding under the above schemes is administered on behalf of my Department by 33 administering bodies which in the main are Vocational Education Committees. Funding in the region of €1.2m was paid to the VECs in 2012 by my Department to cover administration costs. These administration costs also include assessment and coordination functions by these bodies in relation to the projects within their area of responsibility.
Grant aid funding of €1.74m is being provided to VECs to cover the costs of the youth officer salaries in 2013.
All of the funding provided by my Department to support the provision of youth services is by way of grant aid from a non-pay subhead.
510. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will convene a meeting with the Department of Social Protection, his Department and the thalidomide survivors groups as a matter of urgency to prepare a comprehensive plan for the delivery of a care package for the 32 thalidomide survivors which honours the commitment given to their parents in 1975. [19920/13]
View answer511. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funds are ringfenced to meet the needs of the 32 thalidomide survivors, including access to car and dwelling adaptations, personal assistances, and any other measures necessary in a comprehensive care package. [19921/13]
View answer583. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to assist the 32 thalidomide victims with compensation; if he will meet a delegation representing them to discuss their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20366/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 510, 511 and 583 together.
31 Irish thalidomide survivors currently receive financial support from the State. This support is in addition to the financial support they receive from the German foundation set up to support people affected by the German made drug.
Each Irish survivor received lump sum payments from the German Foundation and the Irish Government in the early 1970s. In 1975 the lump-sums paid by the Irish Government ranged from €6,400 to €21,000. In addition, each survivor receives on-going monthly payments from both the German foundation and the Irish Government. Combining the Irish and German payments, most individuals receive over €2,500 per month, or €575 per week tax free.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to reopen discussions with Irish survivors of thalidomide. I met with both representative organisations in July 2011 and have been in correspondence since.
Given the challenges that persist for each individual, this Government's aim is to address the health and personal social care needs of thalidomide survivors living in Ireland. I have stated that I am willing to enter into discussions about a health care package on a non-statutory basis; an ex-gratia payment having regard to current financial circumstances; and a statement to the Dáil recognising the challenges faced by survivors.
The Irish Thalidomide Association announced publicly in 2012 that it had ceased talks with the Government. The Association's legal advisor has initiated personal injuries claims against the manufacturer and distributors of the thalidomide drug and the State.
I have asked the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society to consider, in good faith, proceeding with a Health Care Protocol which envisaged appointing and training a multi-disciplinary team, arranging a multi-disciplinary health evaluation, identifying and documenting each individual's healthcare needs/issues and developing plans to address those needs. The team is planning to attend a centre of excellence in Sweden next month. The Society is unwilling to proceed on this basis and is seeking commitments to additional supports I am not in a position to provide. Each Irish thalidomide survivor has a medical card and it is open to each individual to apply for the numerous public supports available to people with a disability provided by other Departments such as housing adaptation grants, disabled drivers tax concessions and disability allowance.
512. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the reason that no care plan or long term structure either financially or mentally, has been put into place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [20054/13]
View answerThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
513. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the reason for fluoridation in the water here. [20113/13]
View answer514. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the policy of fluoridation of our national water system has been reviewed recently. [20114/13]
View answer565. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the health benefits and the reason for fluoridation in water here. [20112/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 513, 514 and 565 together.
Water fluoridation and the use of appropriate fluorides is a major plank of public health policy in Ireland in the prevention and management of tooth decay. Fluoridation of public water supplies is provided for in the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies Act) 1960. The policy of water was reviewed by the Forum on Fluoridation, which published its report in 2002. It concluded that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure. In 2011 the EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), published its ‘Opinion on critical review of any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride and the fluoridating agents of drinking water’. The main conclusions of the SCHER report are that there are no known health implications from fluoridating water at levels used in the EU.
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters. It advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and is the safest and most cost effective method of protecting the oral health of the population. The opinion of the Expert Body is supported by the World Health Organisation; the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Service and the Surgeon General of the United States; the World Dental Federation; the International Association for Dental Research; the Royal College of Physicians of England and by major international scientifically validated reviews in many countries. The Expert Body keeps the policy of water fluoridation under constant review.
515. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if recognition is to be provided to creative arts therapies and if it is intended to include the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists under the provisions of the Health and Social Social Care Professionals Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20538/13]
View answer516. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he is considering including creative art therapists under the registration of persons qualifying for the use and title of a designated profession for the determination of complaints in relation to their fitness to practice under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20646/13]
View answer585. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health his views on statutory recognition and registration of creative arts therapies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20372/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 515, 516 and 585 together.
The Health and Social Care Professionals Council (HSCPC) and the 12 registration boards to be established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 - the Act - are responsible for protecting the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training and competence among the registrants of the following 12 health and social care professions designated under the Act: clinical biochemists, dietitians, medical scientists, occupational therapists, orthoptists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, radiographers, social care workers, social workers and speech and language therapists. In time, only registrants will be entitled to use these titles. The Council - also known as CORU - was established in March 2007 and is working to put in place the necessary structures for registration, education and fitness to practise for the 12 designated professions. The first registration board to be established, the Social Workers Registration Board, was established in August 2010, and the associated Social Workers Register opened for receipt and processing of applications on 31 May, 2011. A second registration board, the Radiographers Registration Board, was established on 16 December, 2011 and its register is expected to be established on 30 June 2013. Three further registration boards, the Dietitians Registration Board, the Occupational Therapists Registration Board, and the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board have been established with effect from 1 November 2012. It is proposed to establish the Physiotherapists Registration Board shortly and expressions of interest from interested parties are currently being sought through the Public Appointments Service to fill vacancies on the soon to be established Board. All the registration boards and their registers for the remaining designated professions should be established by 2015.
While the legislation empowers the Minister for Health to include, if he considers it appropriate and in the public interest to do so, additional health and social care professions in the regulatory system over time, and under specific criteria, I have no plans at present to regulate creative arts therapists. The question of regulating further health and social care professionals may be reviewed post 2015 in the context of progress made by CORU at that juncture. The issue of recognition of creative arts therapies in the public health services, the need for such services and the direct employment of creative arts therapists are matters for the Health Service Executive in the first instance.
517. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be facilitated at the dialysis clinic in Tullamore, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19726/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
518. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health if an application for a E112 will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19727/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
519. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the most recent outpatient waiting times at Waterford Regional Hospital; if he will provide a breakdown of same by speciality and by waiting time, less than three months, three to six months, six to nine months, nine to twelve months, one to three years and more than three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19766/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
520. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be seen by a Health Service Executive dentist for the fitting of braces; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19784/13]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
521. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out in tabular form on a hospital by hospital basis, the number of persons who were waiting for initial consultancy appointments in January 2011, January 2012 and January 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19792/13]
View answerImproving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Building on work already undertaken by the HSE, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data. For the first time data is available on www.ntpf.ie. The collation and analysis of outpatient waiting time data in a standardised format will reveal the distribution of long waiters across all hospitals. In the first instance, this will allow resources to be targeted towards those patients who are waiting longest and ensure that they are seen and assessed. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment. In parallel with reducing the numbers of longest waiters, the SDU will also work with the HSE Clinical Programmes to reform the structure, organisation and delivery of outpatient services to ensure that the right patient is seen and assessed by the right health professional at the right time.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
522. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will present a report on official visits to Tallaght community drug projects by the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, if any positive actions are proposed in respect of issues raised with the Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19793/13]
View answer523. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health his views on the implications for community drug and alcohol services in the Tallaght area following the review of the drugs task force. [19794/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 523 together.
The Deputy will be aware that I announced details of a series of measures arising from a review of Drugs Task Forces last December. The reforms, which are intended to better equip the Task Forces to respond to the current pattern of substance misuse, also provide for the extension of their remit to include alcohol addiction. Against this background, on 26 February, on receipt of an invitation from the Board of the Tallaght Local Drugs Force, I met with Members of the Board at Kiltalown House (Tallaght Rehabilitation Project), who provided a very comprehensive briefing on the day to day challenges the Board face in tackling the on-going destructive consequences of drugs in their communities. The Board expressed their support for the forthcoming proposals on Alcohol policy, and the role Local Task Forces may play in combating the excessive levels of alcohol in society. I also made a short visit to a number of local drugs related projects including JADD - Jobstown Assisting Drug Dependency and St Aengus Community Action Group to see at first hand the excellent work being progressed by Local Drugs Task Force projects.
As previously outlined to the House, the review of Drugs Task Forces is ongoing. It is envisaged that the final report will take account of Government decisions in relation to addressing the alcohol issue.
524. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19802/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
525. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the criteria which determine exceptional needs; what constitutes exceptional medical needs, with regard to provision of medical card services; if he will clarify if exceptional medical needs are considered when reviewing an application which has been deemed ineligible on the basis of national income guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19808/13]
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 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.
The Primary Care Reimbursement Service of the Health Service Executive has confirmed that all medical card applications are firstly considered on income grounds. Where an applicant is over the income threshold applicable for a medical card and where the applicant has included details of medical circumstances along with supporting documentation such as a GP or consultant's letter, the application is then forwarded to the Medical Officer for discretionary consideration. Every application is reviewed on its own merits and the Medical Officer provides recommendations based on the nature of the medical circumstances of the applicant, considered within the context of the applicant's household income.
526. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the reasons for disallowing an appeal in respect of medical card services on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Louth. [19809/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
527. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their appeal for medical card. [19857/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
528. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their review of medical card. [19858/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
529. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their review of medical card. [19859/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
530. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their application for a medical card. [19860/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
531. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for a medical card. [19861/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
