John McGuinness
Question:697. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a decision will be made on an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [24477/13]
View answerMedical Card Applications
Questions (697)
Written answers
The 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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (698)
John McGuinness
Question:698. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason an operation was cancelled in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if a date will be arranged in the immediate future. [24478/13]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Questions Nos. 699 and 700 answered with Question No. 685.
Hospital Admissions
Questions (701)
Billy Kelleher
Question:701. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the most recent hospital admission and emergency Department visit figures for asthma patients. [24483/13]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Questions Nos. 702 and 703 answered with Question No. 685.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (704)
Jack Wall
Question:704. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a date for their operation in view of the serious impact their medical condition is having on their health and education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24496/13]
View answerWritten answers
Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Collaborating with individual hospitals, the SDU together with the NTPF and the HSE have developed the OP waiting list minimum dataset that allows for data to be submitted to the NTPF from hospitals on a weekly basis and, for the first time, outpatient data is available on www.ntpf.ie. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has been set of 12 months for a first time consultant led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU/NTPF will work closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time. In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
State Bodies Accounts
Questions (705)
Pearse Doherty
Question:705. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will set out in tabular form the names of all State-owned or substantially State-funded organisations under his Department whose latest accounts laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas are more than one year old - that is, relating to a period ending before May 2012 - and the names of such organisations whose latest accounts are more than two years old - that is, relating to a period ending before May 2011. [25023/13]
View answerWritten answers
A tabular schedule providing information to the Deputy on the names of State organisations under my Department whose latest accounts laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas relate to an accounting period ending more than one year and more than two years old (as specified) is set out in the table.
In relation to the accounts of statutory bodies and agencies audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General that are subsequently submitted to my Department, it should be acknowledged that the annual statutory audit process can generally require a number of months to bring to completion following the financial year-end concerned. In this regard, the annual financial statements for the period ending 31 December 2012 are anticipated to be finalised in the coming months, whereupon my Department will in accordance with the normal protocols arrange for their presentation before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
|
Name of Organisation |
Latest Accounts more than one year old1 |
Latest Accounts more than two years old2 |
|
- |
Year-Ended |
Year-Ended |
|
Funded from Department of Health Vote |
- |
- |
|
Food Safety Promotion Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Food Safety Authority of Ireland |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Health Information and Quality Authority |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Health Research Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Irish Medicines Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Mental Health Commission |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing & Midwifery |
- |
31st December 20103 |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council |
- |
31st December 20104 |
|
Funded from Health Service Executive Vote |
- |
- |
|
Health Service Executive |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Beaumont Hospital Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Drug Treatment Centre Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Dublin Dental Hospital Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Leopardstown Park Hospital Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
St. James's Hospital Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Regulatory Bodies/Providers under the aegis of the Department not in receipt of State funding |
- |
- |
|
An Bord Altranais * |
- |
31st December 20105 |
|
Dental Council * |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Health Insurance Authority |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
The Medical Council |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland * |
31st December 2011 |
- |
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service Board |
31st December 2011 |
- |
1 Relating to an accounting period in the calendar year before May 2012
2 Relating to an accounting period in the calendar year before May 2011
3 The accounts for 2011 await final certification by the Comptroller & Auditor General. This body was subsumed into An Bord Altranais on 31st December 2011
4 The final certification of the 2011 accounts by the Comptroller & Auditor General’s Office was received by the Council two weeks ago and the Council are now arranging the formal submission to the Department.
5 The 2011 Annual Report and Financial Statements, which are published and laid together before the Oireachtas, were delayed while awaiting the final approval for publication from its board which was appointed in April 2013.
* Accounts not audited by the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General.
Driver Licences
Questions (706)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:706. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24213/13]
View answerWritten answers
As the operation of the driving test is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
Fodder Crisis
Questions (707)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:707. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the decision taken by the Shannon Airport Authority to allow farming organisations to cut grass on property owned by it to help alleviate fodder shortages in the local area, if he will ask those agencies, companies, authorities, boards and so on who come within his remit to consider similar initiatives on suitable public lands owned by them in conjunction with representatives of local farming organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23774/13]
View answerWritten answers
I very much welcome the initiative by Shannon Airport Authority to help alleviate the fodder shortages in their local area I understand that the Dublin Airport Authority have undertaken a similar initiative. I have forwarded the Deputy's suggestion to all of the agencies under my remit for their information and consideration. If an agency has suitable lands for grass cutting, it will be a matter for the agency if it deems it appropriate to liaise with the relevant farming organisations.
Swimming Pool Projects
Questions (708)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:708. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that communities such as Carrickmacross, County Monaghan are eager that their towns develop public swimming pools with ancillary facilities; if he will launch a new local authority swimming pool programme; when he will announce details of same; the bodies that will be in a position to apply for such funding; the format the programme is expected to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23792/13]
View answerWritten answers
The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was closed to new applicants on 31 July 2000 and no application was made in respect of a public swimming pool for Carrickmacross before that date.
Under the current round of the Programme 58 applications were received, of which 47 projects have been completed and opened to the public, and 11 other projects are at various stages of development. The priority now is to work with the relevant Local Authorities in completing the remaining 11 pool projects, which are included in the current round.
No decision has been taken on the timing of a new round of the Programme. If the Programme re-opens it would be open to each Local Authority, including Monaghan County Council on behalf of Carrickmacross, to submit an application under the terms that would apply at that time.
Taxi Regulations
Questions (709, 710)
Finian McGrath
Question:709. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 8% of all full-time taxi-drivers have to claim social welfare benefits. [23799/13]
View answerFinian McGrath
Question:710. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on taxi drivers double-jobbing and working long hours, and the impact on public safety. [23800/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 709 and 710 together.
The Deputy raised these issues when I introduced the Taxi Regulation Bill, 2012, in Dail Eireann last Thursday. The position is that any person can apply for an SPSV drivers licence and, subject to passing the necessary licensing requirements including vetting by Garda Síochána, can be licensed to operate a small public service vehicle.
The provisions of the Taxi Regulation Bill will support the protection and safety of passengers, taxi drivers and other road users against the risks of driver fatigue. Section 11 of the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 places an obligation on an applicant for or holder of an SPSV licence to inform the National Transport Authority (NTA) of any other occupation that involves driving. Under Section 19 of the Bill the NTA is provided with powers to make regulations concerning taxi drivers' hours.
However, this is a complex legal area and it is my intention that the Bill puts in place a provision that is balanced and proportionate having regard to the rights of individuals relating to privacy and to earn a livelihood. Taking account of legal advice which suggests that there are legal difficulties in applying restrictive measures in this area I intend bringing a further amendment to the Bill.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report, arrangements have been put in place for the sharing of data on small public service vehicles licences and drivers with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection. This is intended to combat tax and social welfare fraud by dishonest operators in the business.
I do not have information on the number of taxi drivers availing of social welfare benefits.
Arts Promotion
Questions (711)
Finian McGrath
Question:711. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider selling off the motorway sculptures around the country [23801/13]
View answerWritten answers
The sculptures were provided under the Per Cent for Art Scheme. The guidelines associated with the Scheme provided for local authorities to commission a suitable piece of artwork from the funds provided by the NRA for the construction of roads projects in their administrative area. The ownership of the sculptures rests with individual local authorities.
As Minister, I have no function in this matter.
Ministerial Travel
Questions (712)
Simon Harris
Question:712. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline in tabular form, the amount of travel and subsistence, both foreign and domestic, claimed individually by each Minister and Minister of State and Secretary General in his Department, for each year in the period 2005 to March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23824/13]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.
Ministerial Staff
Questions (713)
Simon Harris
Question:713. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline in tabular form, the number of staff appointed by each Minister and Minister of State in his Department or constituency office and their relevant costs including travel and subsistence, in each year for the period 2005 to March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23840/13]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.
Roads Maintenance Funding
Questions (714)
Tom Barry
Question:714. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when secondary and primary routes are being upgraded and renewed, if he will consider setting aside a certain proportion of funding to address the excessive wear to regional and rural roads which bear the traffic of the major roads during the construction process. [23859/13]
View answerWritten answers
I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to work carried out on national primary and national secondary roads.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. 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.
Roads Maintenance Funding
Questions (715)
Seán Kenny
Question:715. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times and dates in 2011 and 2012 that the National Roads Authority had the M50 litter picked and road markings re-marked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24033/13]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.
The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects as well as their subsequent maintenance and upkeep 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.
Sports Funding
Questions (716)
Seán Kenny
Question:716. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grant allocation to Swim Ireland, the Irish Canoe Union, Irish Hockey Association, Rowing Ireland, Irish Sailing Association and the Irish Ladies Golfing Union in each of the past three years; if CEOs of these bodies are accountable to the Irish Sports Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24034/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding for the National Governing Bodies of Sport.
As this question is a matter for the Irish Sports Council (ISC), I have referred it to the ISC for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.