Written Answers Nos. 260-267
260. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the grants available for community groups wishing to purchase defibrillators; and if there are any plans to introduce new incentives for community groups to install defibrillators in their local areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24724/13]
View answerAs this is a Service Matter it has been transferred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
261. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health in relation to the reconfiguration of Waterford Regional Hospital to university hospital the number of specific academic posts to be allocated as in Consultant posts and professorships and the process being used to select the individuals to those posts [24747/13]
View answerFollowing the publication of the report on hospital groups, UCC has confirmed its commitment to putting in place five academic clinical appointments including three at professional level; two at senior lecturer level and one at tutor level with associated administrative support. Discussions within the new hospital group's corporate governance structure and in turn with the Department of Health and the HSE will now commence to give effect to this. An exact time frame cannot be put on this but the appointments will be made as soon as possible.
262. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24748/13]
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.
263. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the meetings he or his junior Ministers have had with the masters of the Rotunda hospital, the Coombe hospital and Holles Street hospital since 1 October 2012; where these meetings took place and the persons who attended the meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24797/13]
View answerI met with a delegation from the Rotunda Hospital in Leinster House on 28th November 2012:
Ms Hilary Prentice
Dr Sam Coulter-Smith
Ms Pauline Treanor
Ms Margaret Philbin
I met with a delegation from the Coombe Hospital in Leinster House on 17th December 2012:
Mr Aidan O'Hogan
Prof John O'Leary
Prof Michael Turner
Dr Pamela O'Connor
Dr Michael Carey
Dr Sharon Sheehan
Dr Chris Fitzpatrick
I met with Dr Rhona Mahony, National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street in Leinster House on 21st January 2013.
Minister of State Alex White T.D. also met with Dr. Mahony in Holles Street on 19th November 2012.
Minister of State Kathleen Lynch T.D. had no meetings with the masters of any of the hospitals concerned during that time.
264. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine a matter regarding a National Car Test (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24706/13]
View answerVehicle roadworthiness testing is a function of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and I have therefore referred the Deputy's query to that agency for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
265. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of all roads downgraded in County Dublin from 2010 to date in 2013; when the downgrade occurred; the name and stretch of road; its previous designation and current designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24509/13]
View answerSection 10 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended, provides for the Classification of National, Regional and Local roads. Changes to the Classification status of National or Regional roads are by Regulation of which the most recent was in 2011. Roads other than National or Regional roads are automatically classified as Local roads. Roads other than National or Regional roads are automatically classified as Local roads.
Of the most recent Classification Regulations for National and Regional roads with regard to County Dublin:
- the sections of National road that lie within the M50 C ring namely: N1 to Whitehall; N2; N3; N4; N11 to Mount Merrion Avenue and N81 were reclassified from National to Regional roads,
- the N32, between its junction with the M50 link road at Clonshaugh and its junction with the R106 at Main Street Baldoyle, was reclassified to R139,
- the N82 linking the N7 to the N81 through the Citywest Business Campus as well as O'Connell Street became local roads.
Copies of the 2011 Roads Classification Regulations are available from the Dáil library.
266. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an investigation of additional charges associated with airline travel, including bag charges, credit card fees, and so on is being carried out at an EU level by him as part of the Irish Presidency of the EU; if so, from what perspective it will be investigated, for example competition/ consumer rights/law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24522/13]
View answerI understand that the European Commission has commissioned a study into the issue of air ticket price transparency. The aim of this study is to assess whether the rules on transparency of prices to consumers are meeting their objectives. The outcome of the study is not available yet. Further information is available from the Commission's website at the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/internal_market/fitness_check_en.htm
267. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent industrial action in Bus Éireann, if he has examined those routes where commuters and customers have no alternative means of transport due to lack of competition; if he intends to make changes to those routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24555/13]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
