Written Answers Nos. 275-283
275. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the decision to close ten beds at Dungloe Community Hospital; if he will immediately reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23350/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
276. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the pre-emergency medical response in the case of the death of a young boy in Midleton on 6 May 2013; the details of the investigation into this incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23362/13]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sympathies to the family on the tragic death of their child. The incident has been referred to the HSE's Serious Incident Management Team. In line with HSE incident review methodology, an incident review has been commissioned into the manner in which an emergency 999/112 call received at 14.00 hours on 6 May 2013 was managed. A preliminary report has been requested as a matter of urgency and this will be followed by a full report. The NAS has appointed a Liaison Officer to the family to keep them informed of progress and the outcome of the review.
277. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the measures he will take to tackle the issue of non consultant hospital doctors working excessive hours of between 60 to 65 hours and continuous shifts of 36 to 80 hours per week without adequate breaks or rest which can impair their health and their ability to work professionally and is causing many such doctors to leave the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23366/13]
View answerThe Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) by 2014. I have emphasised to the HSE the high priority the Government and I attach to this issue, and also the need to address NCHDs working conditions more generally.
The Health Service Executive’s Service Plan for 2013 specifically recognises the need to address EWTD compliance as a priority, stating that there will be a particular focus in the acute hospital service on the achievement of compliance with the European Working Time Directive amongst the non-consultant hospital doctor workforce, in line with the Implementation Plan submitted to the Commission in 2012.
Key priorities for the HSE in 2013 are a reduction of average weekly hours worked and also a reduction in the duration of shifts undertaken. The Executive is bringing a strong and particular focus to the achievement of compliance with the Directive. New and demanding targets and timescales have been issued to hospital managers and clinical directors and progress on a site-by-site basis will be assessed against these. Measures the HSE has identified that will support NCHD retention include the protection of training time, the implementation of formal bleep policies and the transfer of tasks often inappropriately undertaken by NCHDs to more appropriate staff.
I am satisfied that the HSE is making every effort to improve the working hours of NCHDs and to implement other measures to improve their working conditions which will in turn facilitate the provision of improved and safer delivery of services to patients.
278. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 13 March 2013, when the sports capital fund stream of funding will be open for applicants in 2013; and whether a club (details supplied) will be entitled to apply [23128/13]
View answerNo decision has been taken on the timing of the next round of the Sports Capital Programme. Any such decision will of course have to be taken in the context of the likely capital provision for the subhead in future years. It is open to any club to apply under any future round of the Sports Capital Programme, subject to the terms and conditions that will apply at that time.
279. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the name and contact details of the Irish representative on the Joint Committee of the EU-US Open Skies Air Transport Agreement. [23148/13]
View answerThe Aviation Services Division of my Department has line responsibility in my Department for the EU US Open Skies Air Transport Agreement. The Committee meets twice a year but not all Member States attend and Ireland has not attended as part of the EU delegation in recent years. However, Ireland is represented at meetings of the Transport Council's Aviation Working Group where the EU's position for the Joint Committee meetings is prepared. The Division can be contacted by e-mail at aviationservices@dttas.ie.
280. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a road (details supplied) in County Kerry; when this road will be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23244/13]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
281. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of employees including management in Bus Éireann that earn over €100,000; the level these employees are at; and if any employee including management received a bonus over the past five years. [23298/13]
View answerThe issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
282. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the annual wages and any pension agreements in respect of a person (details supplied). [23300/13]
View answerAs Chairman of Bus Éireann, Mr Paul Mallee receives a fee of €21,600 per annum. This is the gross amount and is subject to tax and other statutory deductions. The fee payable is in accordance with Government guidelines. The fee payable to Mr Mallee is in respect of his combined role as Chairperson of Bus Éireann and member of the Board of CIÉ. There are no pension arrangements in place in respect of his role at Bus Éireann or CIÉ.
283. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown on a yearly basis of the legal and travel costs his Department has incurred as a result of litigation in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, the General Court in Luxembourg and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from the years 2005 to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23320/13]
View answerThe material in relation to the legal costs is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days. The breakdown of travel costs requested by the Deputy is not available within my Department.
Details of external expenditure by my Department, including on legal matters, are available from the Department's website. The 2012 figures are due to be updated shortly.
