Written Answers Nos. 565-587
565. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of minors in State care who have been taken abroad for abortions since 1992; the grounds on which the abortions were obtained and justified by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22333/13]
View answerI have requested the information from the HSE and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
566. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of funding for special projects for youth services; the reason there was such a large cut in expenditure for youth services this year compared with other headings in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22646/13]
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.
In 2013, €14.844m has been allocated to special projects under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme.
The savings required under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in respect of 2013 amounted to €5.393m, a reduction in the main of some 10% in respect of staff-led youth projects/services. The reductions required by the CRE were reflected in the 2013 estimates published in December 2012. My Department has tried to be as equitable as possible in achieving these savings and the focus in the distribution of the funding has been on the need to protect the front line youth services in particular for the most vulnerable young people.
With respect to future funding provision, my Department has commenced a comprehensive Policy and Value for Money Review of youth funding 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.
567. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will support funding for an adequate youth service throughout County Laois, which means a county-wide service, which is not possible to achieve on the funding available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22647/13]
View answerIn 2013, my Department will provide some €53.498m to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. This funding will support youth work programmes and services serving some 400,000 young people, delivered by over 1,400 youth work personnel, who in turn support a large volunteer base of some 40,000.
The Comprehensive review of Expenditure published in December 2011 sets out clearly the savings required from my Department in each of the years 2012, 2013 and 2014. The CRE contains a detailed seven page chapter outlining savings required from youth work funding. The CRE requires a 10% saving in 2013, with a lesser saving in 2014. The Comprehensive Review of Expenditure further provided that there were no reductions in 2012 or 2013 in funding for the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which provides funding to volunteer-led youth clubs and groups throughout the country.
The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department funds Laois Youth Services under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and the allocation provided by my Department in 2013 is €83,796. In addition €20,304 has been allocated to Co. Laois Vocational Education Committee in 2013 for distribution to local voluntary youth clubs and groups under the Local Youth Service Grant Scheme.
Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure which amount to €5.393m in 2013, 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.
There is no doubt that the current budgetary situation is challenging for many organisations. In considering how best to manage within the allocations available organisations are being asked to consider the scope for reducing administration costs and other overheads and to work closely with their local VEC that administers the funding on behalf of my Department, in order to maintain the front line services for young people particularly for those young people who may be disadvantaged.
With respect to future funding provision, a Comprehensive Value for Money Review of youth funding has been commenced and this report is expected later this year.
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.
568. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding for youth services which was traditionally paid through Youth Work Ireland is now being channelled through the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee which has no experience in dealing with youth services in various counties throughout the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22648/13]
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.
In 2013, €53.498m will be distributed by my Department to the youth sector. The allocations are distributed to the youth projects through 33 administering agencies/bodies that hold funding administration status on behalf of my Department. These include VECs, national youth organisations and other bodies including some county councils and the City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB), a statutory board established in 1942, under the City of Dublin VEC. Up until January 2013, there were 39 administering bodies including Youth Work Ireland involved in this process.
In January 2013 the funding administering tasks carried out by Youth Work Ireland, along with 5 other bodies, were transferred to the CDYSB. The purpose of the transfer is to secure greater efficiency in the administration of the funding to local projects.
Under the arrangement the CDYSB carries out certain payment tasks for the Youth Work Ireland projects on behalf of my Department. All decisions in relation to the allocations to be provided to the projects are made by my Department.
Furthermore, Youth Work Ireland as the umbrella body for the projects in question, may submit proposals to my Department to reconfigure the allocations to projects having regard to its expert knowledge of the needs of young people using its local services. All such proposals are subject to approval by my Department.
In 2013 €4.681m has been allocated to Youth Work Ireland projects throughout the country.
569. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will indicate a timeframe within which Irish couples through the Adoption Authority will be formally able to adopt a child from the USA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22692/13]
View answerA delegation from the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) 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. The AAI and US State Department have recently finalised these administrative arrangements.
The AAI has information on its website (www.aai.gov.ie) in relation to intercountry adoption from the USA, including information in relation to the arrangements and the criteria which must be met before the adoption process can proceed. These criteria will apply to all adoptions taking place between Ireland and the United States of America with immediate effect.
570. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in her Department and in bodies under the aegis of her Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22784/13]
View answerThe information requested in relation to staff in my Department is set out in the table.
|
Salary Range |
Number of Staff |
|
More than €200,001 |
0 |
|
Between €175,001 to €200,000 |
1 |
|
Between €150,001 to 175,000 |
0 |
|
Between €125,001 to €150,000 |
1 |
|
Between €100,000 to €125,000 |
11 |
|
Between €90,001 to €100,000 |
2 |
|
Between €80,001 to €90,000 |
16 |
|
Between €70,001 to €80,000 |
14 |
|
Between €60,001 to €70,000 |
3 |
|
Between €50,001 to €60,000 |
27 |
|
Between €40,001 to €50,000 |
27 |
|
Between €30,001 to €40,000 |
33 |
|
Between €20,001 to €30,000 |
12 |
|
Less than €20,000 |
0 |
My Department does not generally hold information relating to the salaries of individual employees of the various agencies operating under the Department's remit and, accordingly, the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. Officials of my Department have requested that the specific information requested be supplied directly to you by the agencies involved.
571. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political or ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013 relative to her office and the office of the Minister of State; if such payments were made to the Secretary General and advisers, and if so, the amounts for the same period. [22870/13]
View answerIn recognition that Personal Assistants and Personal Secretaries may be required to work overtime from time to time, the Department of Finance Guidelines for Ministerial appointees allows for a maximum of 6 hours overtime per week subject to the normal approval arrangements for these appointees. Since the establishment of my Department in June 2011, my Personal Assistant and Personal Secretary have received overtime payments totalling €12,229.65 and €4,244.65 in overtime payments respectively.
No additional remuneration is paid for extra attendance involving the positions of Secretary General, Special Advisor or Civilian Driver.
572. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made on establishing the family support agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22937/13]
View answerI believe the Deputy is referring to the new Child and Family Agency. The Government has approved the Heads of the Child and Family Agency Bill and has also agreed to the priority drafting of this Bill. The necessary legislative and organisational preparations are being prioritised so that the Agency can be established as soon as possible. The Agency, upon establishment, will assume full statutory responsibility for a range of child and family services currently provided by three separate agencies; namely the HSE, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board.
As part of this ongoing preparatory work, the Government approved, on my recommendation, the appointment of Ms. Norah Gibbons as first Chairperson of the board of the Agency. In preparation for the formal establishment of the new Agency it is my intention to appoint Ms Gibbons as chair of the existing Family Support Agency, one of the constituent bodies to be merged into the Child and Family Agency. In line with the practice established by this Government Ms Gibbons will appear before the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee in advance of her taking up her position. I wrote to the Chairman of the Committee on April 30th last requesting that he facilitate Ms. Gibbon's appearance before the Committee in connection with her appointment.
On 2nd May, a public advertisement seeking Expressions of Interest from those interested in being appointed to the Board of the Family Support Agency was published on the website of the Public Appointments Service. A notice to this effect has also been posted on my Department's website and on the websites of the National Educational Welfare Board and the Family Support Agency. The closing date for applications is Thursday, 23rd May 2013.
573. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an up to date report into the standards and processes of Irish producers selling bottled water to the consumers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22235/13]
View answerThe production and quality standards for bottled water are governed by several sets of regulations in Ireland. The regulations covering production include the European Communities (Hygiene of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 369 of 2006), and the European Communities (General Food Law) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No 747 of 2007).
Bottled water plants also come within the definition of food business operators under EU legislation and, as such, must meet the requirements set down in EC Regulation (EC) 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs which was transposed into national law in 2006. Consequently the operators of water production/bottling plants must ensure that they meet the high food safety standards set out in the legislation.
In addition to the general hygiene requirements above at the processing plants, there are separate requirements in relation to bottled water. These are set down in the European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters, Spring Waters and Other Waters in Bottles or Containers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No 225 of 2007). These requirements include microbiological, chemical and labelling parameters, including sale descriptions. There is on-going testing of all bottled water facilities and the frequency of testing increases in line with production volumes. Business operators must put in place a safety management system which ensures the water is safe for consumption and meets all legal requirements.
The enforcement of food law is a matter for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Bottled water plants are inspected by Environmental Health Services (EHS) from the Health Service Executive (HSE) operating under a Service Contract with the FSAI and are inspected regularly. Samples are taken and tested generally as part of routine inspections – the EHS are supported by the HSE’s network of official microbiological and chemical laboratories in this regard.
In December 2011, the FSAI released the results of a major survey of the microbiological safety and quality of bottled water in Ireland. It showed a significant improvement in the microbiological quality of bottled water since the previous survey was conducted in 2007. When samples were tested against all four of the microbiological standards in the legislation, 2% were found to be unsatisfactory (compared to 7% of similar samples in the 2007 survey). In addition, where non-compliances were detected, manufacturers were required to take immediate corrective actions.
In collaboration with the FSAI, the HSE organises annual programmes of testing for all foods on sale in Ireland, including bottled water. In 2012 the HSE, as part of the annual surveillance programme, completed 410 analyses on samples of bottled water. No recalls were required during the year.
The FSAI and EHS have worked with the bottled water industry in Ireland to develop guidance on safe and hygienic production of bottled water resulting in an updated national hygiene standard available through the National Standards Authority of Ireland. The FSAI and HSE continue to monitor production sites and retail outlets and to investigate customer complaints.
574. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he intends to allow dental health nurses in the Dublin area apply for the planned new targeted voluntary redundancy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22411/13]
View answerThe health service is required to achieve a workforce of 98,955 whole time equivalents (WTEs) by the end of 2013. It is therefore necessary to pursue staff reductions throughout 2013 through natural turnover (retirements and resignations) and targeted measures.
On 1st May 2013 my Department issued a circular to the HSE, authorising the introduction of a Targeted Voluntary Redundancy (VR) Scheme in the HSE and in organisations funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The purpose of this scheme is to facilitate the HSE and such organisations to achieve a permanent reduction of up 1,500 WTE, in the numbers employed in the public health sector from 2013 onwards and to facilitate ongoing health sector reform.
The scheme will give managers greater flexibility in implementing the measures needed to remain within reduced budgets and staffing ceilings. It will be implemented by the HSE on a rolling basis as appropriate areas and functions are identified. Employees in the areas targeted will be given an opportunity to avail of the scheme. There will be no automatic right to redundancy.
The Deputy's question, insofar as it relates to dental health nurses in the Dublin area, is a matter for the HSE, and accordingly, I have referred it to the Executive for direct reply.
575. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long-term illness card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22460/13]
View answerThe HSE is responsible for the administration of the Long Term Illness Scheme, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
576. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the rehabilitation services available for stroke survivors; his plans for the recruitment of additional rehabilitation medicine consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22146/13]
View answerThe HSE National Clinical Care Programmes provide a national, strategic and co-ordinated approach to a wide range of clinical services. In relation to the National Stroke Programme, the aim of the programme is to save lives, reduce average length of stay (AvLOS) in hospitals and reduce admission of stroke patients to nursing homes. One of the objectives of the National Stroke Programme was to establish additional stroke units. Stroke units are generally referred to as acute stroke units, rehabilitation stroke units or combined acute and rehabilitation stroke units. The acute, combined and rehabilitation stroke units located in acute hospitals operate on a 24/7 basis.
In relation to the Deputy’s query regarding rehabilitation services and medicine consultants I have forwarded the question to the HSE who will respond directly to you in this regard.
577. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22152/13]
View answer578. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of persons receiving medicines that are covered on the list who qualify under the long-term illness scheme but who have medical cards and therefore are required to pay a prescription fee each month for the medicines whereas if they were on the long-term illness scheme they would not have to make such a payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22153/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 578 together.
In 2011, 59,274 patients availed of the Long Term Illness Scheme. The corresponding figure for 2012 is not yet available. As at 29 April 2013 the number of persons who hold both an Long Term Illness card and a full medical card is 19,938.
The decision by the previous Government not to extend prescription charges to the Long Term Illness Scheme has given rise to the anomaly identified by the Deputy. This matter is under review.
579. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health his plans to include multiple sclerosis as an automatic qualifying condition for the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22155/13]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970, eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means and medical cards are not awarded to any particular group of patients on the basis of a specific medical condition. However, the HSE has discretion to grant a medical card in certain circumstances. Medical card applicants who are unsuccessful following the means assessment, but who indicate that they suffer from a medical condition, are then referred to the Medical Officer for consideration on a medical discretionary basis.
580. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be issued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22162/13]
View answerThe 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.
581. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of women who committed suicide in the past ten years; and of those women, the number who were pregnant [22166/13]
View answerNational mortality data including that relating to suicide are published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). These data are made available on a quarterly and annual basis and are categorised by age, gender and county. A number of sources of information are used by the CSO to inform the classification of death including the Medical Cause of Death Certificate, the Coroner's certificate and Form 104, a statistical form which is completed by An Garda Síochána following an inquest. However, information on the number of women who died by suicide and who were pregnant is not collected.
The number of females who died by suicide since 2002 is shown in the accompanying table. Data for 2012 has not yet been published.
Female deaths by Suicide since 2002
|
Year |
Female |
|
2002 |
91 |
|
2003 |
111 |
|
2004 |
87 |
|
2005 |
99 |
|
2006 |
81 |
|
2007 |
96 |
|
2008 |
120 |
|
2009 |
109 |
|
2010 |
90 |
|
2011* |
86 |
*2011 figures are subject to revision.
582. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 320 of 20 December 2012, when the medical records of a person (details supplied) will be supplied to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22176/13]
View answerAs was explained to the Deputy in the previous PQ referred to, it is not possible to comment on the release of specific records. Each case must be dealt with individually and each officer making a decision whether to release, not release or partially release records must make the decision based on the specific record set and specific relevant circumstances.
In general, the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 enable an individual to request access to records held by a public body as named in the schedule to the legislation. Access may be granted subject to conditions set out in the legislation. For personal records, as this case would seem to involve, there is no fee for an individual seeking access to their own records, although there may be administrative charges. In the case of medical records, an individual requesting access to their medical records may be asked to nominate a health professional to whom the records will be released in the first instance. This nominated individual should have the expertise to interpret and explain the records to the requester.
Similarly, the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003 provide for access to personal information, again subject to conditions in the legislation. This legislation, however, concerns itself more with protection of data and the length of time that data can be held.
An individual record holder is responsible for the maintenance of its own records and for decisions in relation to release, non-release or partial release of those records. In all cases, reasons for a decision not to release or to partially release must accompany the decision.
In 2007, the HSE published a National Code of Practice for Healthcare Records Management, providing guidelines for hospitals in relation to the management of their healthcare records. This code of practice can be accessed on line at:http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/services/Hospitals/NHO_Code_of_Practice_for_Healthcare_Records_Management_Version_2_0.pdf.
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.
583. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will receive orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22184/13]
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.
584. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will receive orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22185/13]
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.
586. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason medical card holders who are granted a card solely because of their medical needs currently have to reapply for the card each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22192/13]
View answer597. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider making changes to the medical card system in order that medical cards that are issued to an applicant based on medical needs are valid for a five-year period rather than a one-year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22249/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 586 and 597 together.
The Deputy will be aware that, while medical cards are not awarded on the basis of a specific medical condition, the HSE has discretion to grant a medical card in certain circumstances. Medical card applicants who are unsuccessful following the means assessment, but who indicate that they suffer from a medical condition, are then referred to the Medical Officer for consideration on a medical discretionary basis. On average discretionary cards are valid for two to three years, in line with standard Medical Cards/GP Visit Cards. In setting review dates and to avoid causing anxiety, the HSE would be sensitive to the needs and condition(s) of the individual.
