Written Answers Nos. 872-888
873. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the full value of the community childcare subvention programme is not available for citizens participating in the JobBridge scheme in view of the fact that her policy generally focuses constrained resources on assisting those citizens actively attempting to rejoin the paid workforce. [28095/13]
View answerThe Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme provides funding to community childcare not-for-profit services to enable them to charge reduced childcare rates to parents in receipt of social welfare payments or on low to middle incomes. Community childcare services qualify for grant aid on the basis of the level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. Parents qualify for support under the CCS programme on the basis of their social welfare entitlement. The JobBridge scheme, which is implemented by the Department of Social Protection, is a National Internship Scheme which provides work experience placement for unemployed people. Participants in the JobBridge scheme receive a weekly allowance of €50 in addition to any social welfare entitlement they may have.
Participants in the JobBridge scheme do not, on the basis of participation in the scheme, automatically qualify for subvention under the CCS programme but qualify on the basis of their underlying social welfare entitlement. For example, a parent who was in receipt of Job Seekers benefit and who holds a medical card qualifies for a subvention payment of €50 per week towards the cost of full-time childcare. If that parent enters the JobBridge scheme they will continue to be subvented at the rate of €50 per week for the duration of their participation in the scheme. A parent entering the JobBridge scheme and having been in receipt of a social welfare payment that qualified them for the higher rate of subvention of €95 per week under the CCS programme would maintain that level of subvention support for the duration of their participation in the JobBridge scheme.
874. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding mobility allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [27221/13]
View answerFollowing detailed consideration arising from the position of the Ombudsman regarding the legality of the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes, the Government decided in February that the schemes could no longer continue and that an alternative must be devised. Those that were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance continue to receive payment up to and including June. A Review Group was tasked to seek solutions which will not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. The Review Group's interim report regarding the immediate issue of the closure of the schemes is under consideration by Government.
875. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the action plan submission following the report of the steering group on National Substance Misuse Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27224/13]
View answer884. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health his plans with regard to alcohol firms and the sponsoring of sporting events; if he will provide specific details in terms of the actions he intends to take and the date when a ban will be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27799/13]
View answer983. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the time frame for the implementation of minimum pricing for alcohol here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27412/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 875, 884 and 983 together.
Proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy 2012. These proposals cover all of the areas mentioned in the report, including legislation on minimum unit pricing; controls on alcohol advertising and sponsorship; labelling of alcohol products, and measures on access and availability of alcohol. The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has considered these proposals and it is intended to bring forward a finalised package of proposals for consideration by Government shortly. In the meantime, work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing. A health impact assessment is being commissioned in conjunction with Northern Ireland as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. The health impact assessment will study the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact.
876. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street is scheduled to relocate to St. Vincent's Hospital, if the site will be turned over the Office of Public Works upon completion of the move; the use Holles Street building and facilities will be put to once the transfer is complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27309/13]
View answerConstruction of the National Maternity Hospital on the St Vincent's University Hospital campus is estimated to be completed by 2018. On the transfer of the hospital services it is planned that the ownership of the premises at Holles Street will be ceded to the State. At this early stage it would be premature to speculate as to the future use of the premises.
877. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26675/13]
View answer881. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place to support those persons affected by the cessation of the mobility allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27605/13]
View answer911. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans for the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant in view of the project review group interim report; the recommendations in the interim report; if he will provide an update on plans to replace these schemes; when he expects to receive the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27294/13]
View answer916. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the date on which the project review group report on mobility allowance will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27311/13]
View answer972. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work being carried out by the project group appointed by him on 27 February 2013 to review the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance schemes; when he expects the review to be completed and new schemes put in place; his views on whether the review process will be complete prior to the current schemes ending; if he will reassure those currently in receipt of payments under these schemes that they will continue to receive their payments until the new schemes are put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27022/13]
View answer982. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that final payments have now been received, his plans for the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant; the way recipients will be affected when current payments are scheduled to cease; if the review group has reported; the recommendations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27403/13]
View answer1023. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in developing replacement payments and supports for persons who are in receipt of mobility allowance and motorised transport grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27746/13]
View answer1036. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he is planning a replacement scheme for the mobility allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27895/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 877, 881, 911, 916, 972, 982, 1023 and 1036 together.
Following detailed consideration arising from the position of the Ombudsman regarding the legality of the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes, the Government decided in February that the schemes could no longer continue and that an alternative must be devised. The Government decided that payments of Mobility Allowance would continue for a further four months to those already in receipt. An independently chaired Review Group was tasked to seek solutions which will not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. The Review Group's interim report regarding the immediate issue of the closure of the schemes is under consideration by Government. At this stage, I am not in a position to pre-empt any decision Government may make. However, I can assure the Deputies that the Government is aware of the needs of people with a disability relying on individual payments which support choice and independence and will take all of this into consideration when making a decision on future arrangements.
878. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health his policies in relation to services for children and young people affected by autism and or autistic spectrum disorders; if he is looking at ways to make autism spectrum disorder specific services available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26771/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, current Government policy advocates a mainstreaming approach to the provision of services and supports for people with disabilities including those with autism, whereby people with disabilities have access to the same services as the general population, and in addition receive the appropriate supports and interventions to address individual needs. The HSE completed a review of the autism services provided by the health sector for both children and adults with autism in 2012. Its National Review of Autism Services: Past, Present and Way Forward Report, reviews and identifies appropriate pathways of care for individuals with autism, given the existing diverse system of delivering services and varied approaches across the health sector. It recommends a move to a more consistent model of service delivery in line with the Government’s mainstreaming policy of equal access for people with a disability to the appropriate service for their individual needs. It also recommends a reconfiguration of existing service provision, with access at the appropriate level, depending on need, through the primary care system, school age teams, and specialist intervention services as appropriate. It endorses the reorganisation of services for children and young people under the Progressing Disabilities Services for Children and Young People(0-18s) Programme. This Programme, established since 2010, aims to achieve a national unified approach to delivering disability health services, so that there is a clear pathway for all children to the services they need regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability or developmental delay. The Programme is rolling out at national, regional and local level and involves representatives from the health and education sectors, statutory and non-statutory service providers and parents working together to see how current services can best be re-organised. Implementation of the Programme will have a positive impact on the provision of clinical services for all children, including those with autism, who require access to health related supports.
The National Review of Autism Services Report will be implemented, within existing resources and taking account of the need for greater efficiency and effectiveness in the current climate, and within the context of parallel initiatives including the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services published in July 2012 and the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18) Programme. The Children, Adolescents and Young People with Complex Disabilities Unit, led by a Principal Officer, was established in the Department of Health in April 2012. This important development aims to foster greater collaboration between the Departments of Health, Education and Skills and Children and Youth Affairs on children’s disability issues including autism and to build on the cross-sectoral working arrangements that are already in place.
879. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the funding for disabled school leavers in June 2013; the impact on the funding for St. Michael’s House and the Prosper Fingal Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26829/13]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
880. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the number of children who were born in Mullingar General Hospital in 2012 and the number born in Westmeath in 2012. [27366/13]
View answerAccording to the Central Statistics Office, there were 2,651 registered births in the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar in 2012. In addition, there were 2 domiciliary births registered where the mother's home address was stated as Co. Westmeath. Looking at births by mother's area of residence, CSO figures show that there were 1,398 babies born in 2012 to mothers whose area of residence was Westmeath. Data for 2012 is by year of registration and is provisional.
882. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the pressures being placed on the Irish Guide Dogs Association by cuts to their budget; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the guide-dog assistance programme has had to be curtailed as a result of these cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27721/13]
View answer1033. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide real consideration to the needs of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind which is in need of an additional €500,000 to protect essential services; the amount of funding the organisation is currently receiving from the Health Service Executive; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that other peer organisations receive a much higher proportion of their funding on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27887/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 882 and 1033 together.
The Department recognises the valuable contribution the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind makes to the provision of supports to people who are vision impaired. The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind are funded by the Health Service Executive and the Department has asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with details of the funding provided in the past number of years to the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Officials of the Department of Health met recently with the Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. A number of issues including funding was discussed. The Department indicated that additional funding is not available.
883. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will deal with the following matter (details supplied) regarding the Haddington Road Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27795/13]
View answerThe Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2016 provides that public service pay and any related issues will not be revisited within the lifetime of the Agreement. However, when economic circumstances allow and the public finances are restored to a sustainable position, the pay measures that have applied to public servants will be reviewed, and in that regard, priority will be given to public servants with pay rates at €35,000 or less. I recognise that the savings sought from the health service pay and pensions bill are extremely difficult and challenging for health staff, as indeed they are for all public servants. They are however a necessary further contribution to the fiscal consolidation process required to restore the country's economic sovereignty and bring current expenditure deficit under control. If the proposals are accepted, it will be possible to achieve the required savings and major increases in public service productivity to secure the necessary reduction in the public service pay and pension bill. In addition, the essential elements and protections of the Public Service Agreement will remain in place, which will secure industrial peace in the public service at a critical time on our path to economic sovereignty.
885. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will guarantee that the issue of the woman excluded from the Lourdes redress scheme will be sorted out prior to the summer recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27261/13]
View answerA commitment was made in the Programme for Government to seek a mechanism to compensate those women who were excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme. The Scheme of Redress approved by Government in 2007 was a non-statutory, ex-gratia scheme. Awards were determined by an independent Redress Board in 2007 and 2008. My Department has been engaged in a review to identify the most appropriate mechanism to compensate these women. This review has included taking instructions and legal advice, including advice from the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to bringing proposals to Government for a decision. I intend to bring these proposals to Government in due course.
886. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will consider utilising the services of fire fighters employed full time or on a part time retainer, across the State in their capacity as trained emergency first responders as a back up to the ambulance service when there is a possibility that the ambulance on call cannot respond to an emergency within an acceptable time frame. [27136/13]
View answer1055. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding fire fighters in County Meath; if he has concerns with this issue; if he has investigated the human resources elements to this question; if a closer working relationship between both emergency services to the benefit of the patient will be developed; if the new centralised Ambulance Call Centre at Townsend Street and then Tallaght will be given specific guidelines regarding which emergency service to call out and if he will publish these guidelines? [28085/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 886 and 1055 together.
Statutory pre-hospital emergency care services for the State are provided by the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) and, on behalf of the NAS in the greater Dublin area, Dublin Fire Brigade. Emergency first responders include voluntary service providers such as St John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland, Irish Red Cross and the Order of Malta Ireland, and community first responders who are certified at emergency first responder level. A new policy in relation to first responders was approved on 27 March 2012. It will ensure that the integration of cardiac first responder schemes into priority 999 call responses has a robust governance framework in place.
There are two types of priority emergency call-out in Ireland for the NAS. ECHO calls are for situations involving life-threatening cardiac or respiratory arrest and DELTA calls involve life-threatening situations other than cardiac or respiratory arrest. The national standard for addressing ECHO and DELTA calls is the EMS Priority Dispatch Standard, which is issued by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC). Under this standard, ECHO calls may be responded to by cardiac first responders, but DELTA calls require a minimum response of a trained emergency first responder.
The HSE NAS, through its national control centre reconfiguration project, is continuing to rationalise the number of ambulance control rooms across the country, with a target of one national system. This project is focused on improving call taking and dispatch functions and on delivering improved technology. This will assist in improving response times and will allow the NAS to deploy emergency resources in a much more effective and efficient manner, on a regional and national basis rather than within small geographic areas, ensuring the most appropriate response to an incident.
The control centre reconfiguration project is consistent with international best practice and is endorsed by HIQA as the most appropriate approach to improve the quality of services to patients and facilitate investment in technologically enabled service delivery. The project is also a key element of Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Health Reform in Ireland 2012-2015. The NAS will continue to use the same structured process to answer 999/112 calls and to prioritise responses, callers will continue to be asked for direction to incidents, and special mapping tools will be in the Emergency Operations Centre which can plot the location of the incidents on the map. Responding crews can then be guided to the location in the normal way. In the later stages of this project, a new web-based satellite system will be introduced into all emergency vehicles so that paramedics can see the same map as the staff in the Emergency Operations Centre.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputies, as these are service issues, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputies.
887. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) seeking a hip replacement will be given priority at St. Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin; if an earlier appointment date is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27126/13]
View answerImproving 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. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
