Finian McGrath
Question:210. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding supervision at an establishment (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [33962/13]
View answerChild Care Services Regulation
Questions (210)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
HSE Reports
Questions (211)
Ciara Conway
Question:211. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the findings of the investigation following the absconsions from Gleann Álainn special care unit in October 2011 will be available; if she will provide an update and a timeline for publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34082/13]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has sought the information requested by the Deputy from the HSE and I will provide the Deputy with the information as soon as it becomes available.
Child Care Services Funding
Questions (212)
Andrew Doyle
Question:212. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a county breakdown of the total funding she and her Department have allocated for the second round of child care capital grants in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33947/13]
View answerWritten answers
In Budget 2013, €2.75 million in capital funding was secured to support the ongoing improvement of the childcare sector via the 2013 Childcare Capital Programme. This programme is being implemented by Pobal on behalf of my Department. The following details the county breakdown of the funding allocated to qualifying childcare services.
Childcare Capital Programme 2013 - Approved Applications by County
|
County |
No. Approved Applications |
Amount Approved |
|
Carlow |
8 |
€ 31,376 |
|
Cavan |
15 |
€ 58,186 |
|
Clare |
15 |
€ 64,621 |
|
Cork City |
19 |
€ 60,953 |
|
Cork County |
61 |
€222,132 |
|
Donegal |
33 |
€175,521 |
|
Dublin City |
54 |
€165,042 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown |
13 |
€ 41,609 |
|
Fingal |
35 |
€123,324 |
|
Galway |
50 |
€148,807 |
|
Kerry |
28 |
€107,582 |
|
Kildare |
17 |
€ 61,027 |
|
Kilkenny |
19 |
€ 86,466 |
|
Laois |
11 |
€ 42,696 |
|
Leitrim |
12 |
€ 42,993 |
|
Limerick City |
10 |
€ 38,224 |
|
Limerick County |
19 |
€ 61,158 |
|
Longford |
6 |
€ 29,226 |
|
Louth |
23 |
€ 101,833 |
|
Mayo |
24 |
€ 100,418 |
|
Meath |
22 |
€ 66,296 |
|
Monaghan |
9 |
€ 40,042 |
|
Offaly |
8 |
€ 20,150 |
|
Roscommon |
13 |
€ 65,536 |
|
Sligo |
11 |
€ 50,882 |
|
South Dublin |
30 |
€ 94,576 |
|
Tipperary North |
13 |
€ 62,757 |
|
Tipperary South |
10 |
€ 31,566 |
|
Waterford City |
6 |
€ 30,747 |
|
Waterford County |
5 |
€ 12,909 |
|
Westmeath |
22 |
€ 78,991 |
|
Wexford |
29 |
€ 126,700 |
|
Wicklow |
21 |
€ 73,311 |
|
Total Approved |
671 |
€ 2,517,656 |
Departmental Funding
Questions (213)
Paudie Coffey
Question:213. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total amount of capital funding provided by her Department in the constituency of Waterford for the years 2010 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013; if she will provide this information in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33951/13]
View answerWritten answers
A sum of €25.760 million has been made available to my Department in 2013 to support capital developments. This funding package is for a range of projects and initiatives including the development of the National Children's Detention Facilities as well funding for the Childcare Capital Programme and Youth Organisations and Services.
The items funded in Waterford were principally under the Childcare Capital which includes grants for the purchase of equipment, to improve accessibility for children with disabilities along with grants to improve the provision of outdoor spaces and for critical works to buildings to ensure they are fit for purpose under the Child Care Regulations. Funding to support developments under the Parent and Toddler initiative and funding to provide for small grants for developments in the childminding sector was also allocated. In relation to funding for projects in County Waterford, the table below details the funding for each of the years in question. I would note that my Department was only established in June 2011 and therefore information in relation to 2010 is not provided in the table of figures.
Waterford Capital Funding
|
Year |
Funding Amount Approved |
|
2011 |
€5,600 |
|
2012 |
€204,175 |
|
2013 |
€43,656 |
|
Total |
€253,431 |
Child Care Services Funding
Questions (214, 215)
Finian McGrath
Question:214. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a playgroup (details supplied) in Dublin 9 was not granted funding in the recent €2.75 million grants. [33960/13]
View answer
Brendan Griffin
Question:215. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason capital grant aid was not provided for a centre (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34035/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.
The 2013 capital programme, for which €2.75 million was available, was highly oversubscribed, with 1372 applicants seeking in total over €6 million. Applications within each strand were scored on the quality and need for the application and on the deprivation score of the area according to the Pobal Haas index. It was not possible to grant aid everyone but I am pleased that nearly half of all applicants did receive funding. Pobal has provided the facility for all services to get feed back on their application by emailing a dedicated email address. The applicant will have been given full information on this process in the letter sent from Pobal.
Health Insurance Regulation
Questions (216)
Michael McGrath
Question:216. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the timetable his Department has had from European Union officials to seek permission for an injection of capital into the VHI; if such an injection of capital would impact on the general Exchequer balance for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34119/13]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is in regular contact with the EU Commission in relation to the authorisation of the VHI and related State Aid issues. The Government is taking all the necessary steps to bring the VHI to the point of authorisation and the Department of Health is working closely with the VHI and the Central Bank of Ireland. The Central Bank will decide on the VHI's capital requirements and readiness for authorisation and the European Commission must approve any capital injection, under State Aid rules. When these steps are taken, the Government will then make a final decision on authorisation and the injection of any required capital.
In the national accounts, capital injections by government into a publicly owned company are treated as transfers and worsen the general government balance if they are made to cover accumulated (or expected) future losses. The payment to VHI is intended to further strengthen the reserves and is not being made to compensate for accumulated or expected losses. While the VHI does not pay dividends to government, the capital injection by government will further increase the value of the company and will allow it to continue to operate on the market. As such, the CSO considers that it should be treated as an injection of equity and it should therefore not worsen the general government balance.
Sunbed Usage
Questions (217, 244)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:217. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the date on which the Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33942/13]
View answer
Joe McHugh
Question:244. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health his views on the decision in July 2009 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer to place sunbeds in the highest cancer risk category and its rating of sunbeds as carcinogenic together with tobacco and plutonium; if plans are being developed to regulate sunbeds here; the increase in incidence of skin cancer here that has been observed between 1994 and 2010; when the relevant legislation will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34080/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 244 together.
The apparent contradiction between the increase in skin cancers over the period from 1994 to 2010 on the one hand and the reduction in sunbed use indicated by the Irish Cancer Society's (ICS) research on the other hand can most probably be explained by the long latency period often associated with skin cancers - which can take many years to develop and present. In this context, it should be noted that ICS research indicates that the percentage of those who use a sunbed has reduced from 9% in 2003 to 4% in 2010.
In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is an expert body under the World Health Organisation, reclassified sunbed use as a group 1 carcinogen. This higher risk classification now places sunbed use on a par with cigarette smoking. The World Health Organisation, the Irish Cancer Society and the Environmental Health Officers' Association amongst others have expressed growing concern about the use of sunbeds. The Department has taken these developments fully into account in its consideration of the measures in the proposed legislation.
In addition to this prohibition on sunbed businesses from permitting persons under 18 years of age from using or hiring a sunbed, the legislation will also set out a comprehensive range of measures to promote a greater public awareness across all age groups of the dangers of developing skin cancer, premature ageing and eye damage from exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Key provisions in the Bill will include:-
(i) a prohibition on anyone under 18 years of age using a sunbed on a sunbed premises;
(ii) a prohibition on the sale to or hire of sunbeds to anyone under 18 years of age;
(iii) a prohibition on the unsupervised use of sunbeds in a sunbed premises;
(iv) an exemption for medical purposes;
(v) control on the remote sale or hire of sunbeds (internet transactions);
(vi) sunbed operators, sellers and hirers will be required to notify the HSE;
(vii) a requirement that sunbed operators provide training for staff;
(viii) an enforcement regime and the imposition of penalties for non-compliance;
(ix) an obligation on all sunbed operators to provide protective eyewear to users;
(x) a requirement that warning signs be displayed in all sunbed premises;
(xi) a prohibition on certain promotional marketing practices;
(xii) a requirement on operators to ensure that sunbed users are made fully aware of the potential dangers of sunbed use; and a related provision whereby sunbed users are required to sign to confirm that they have been made so aware.
I am delighted to be in a position to confirm that my Department expects to complete the drafting of this legislation within the next 6-8 weeks. The legislation has been accorded priority drafting status and officials of my Department are working closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to complete the necessary drafting work. Once the drafting is completed, the legislation must be notified to the EU Commission under the EU Transparency Directive prior to its publication and initiation of the Bill in the Oireachtas. This EU notification requirement will necessitate a minimum of three months to complete.
Speech and Language Therapy
Questions (218)
John Paul Phelan
Question:218. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate concerns regarding provision of speech and language services to pupils of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin since the Health Service Executive ceased the effective model of provision of services on-site in the school. [33944/13]
View answerWritten answers
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointment Status
Questions (219)
Seán Fleming
Question:219. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33949/13]
View answerWritten answers
Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Collaborating with individual hospitals, the SDU, together with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE, has developed the outpatient waiting list minimum dataset. This allows 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. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards addressing long waiting times. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or 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.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight
Questions (220)
Andrew Doyle
Question:220. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health when he will bring forward a transparent framework for negotiations for nursing home care under the fair deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33950/13]
View answerWritten answers
In order to be an ‘approved nursing home’ for the purposes of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, all private and voluntary nursing homes must negotiate and agree a price for the cost of care with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). This is a necessary feature of the Scheme due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above a person's contribution. The NTPF has statutory independence in the performance of this function and, in carrying it out, it must ensure value for money for both the individual and the State. If price negotiations break down, a three stage review process can be invoked. Details of the process are set out on the NTPF website.
When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced in October, 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The reason for allowing this period to elapse is to ensure that trends and statistics will be available in order to inform the work. The Terms of Reference for the review of the Scheme include an examination of the overall cost of long-term residential care in public and private nursing homes and the effectiveness of the current methods of negotiating/setting prices. Work will continue on the review in the coming months with a view to completion by end 2013/early 2014. As the Scheme is statutory based, the implementation of any recommendations arising from the review may require amendments to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (221, 222, 223)
Gerald Nash
Question:221. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health the position regarding future plans for the provision of laundry services at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and the Louth County Hospital, Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33952/13]
View answerGerald Nash
Question:222. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will request the Health Service Executive to provide an update regarding engagement with staff and trade union representatives in regard to the provision of laundry services at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and the Louth County Hospital, Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33953/13]
View answerGerald Nash
Question:223. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has embarked on a national review of the provision of laundry services in hospitals across the State; if he will provide information on the terms of reference for any such review; the extent of engagement and consultation with staff and their representatives; when any such review may be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33954/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 223, inclusive, together.
In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in these matters.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (224)
Finian McGrath
Question:224. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33961/13]
View answerWritten 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 issued to Oireachtas members.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (225)
Nicky McFadden
Question:225. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if a permanent secure psychiatric unit will be established in the west of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33966/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Community Care Issues
Questions (226)
Pat Deering
Question:226. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown in allocation of primary care posts in community care services on a regional basis and within the regions over the past two years. [33969/13]
View answerWritten answers
In 2012, the HSE completed a detailed analysis of the numbers and distribution of public health nurses, registered general nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. The analysis revealed considerable variation across the HSE’s 17 Integrated Service Areas in ratios of health care professionals to population, and to population numbers in areas of high deprivation. Based on this exercise, in 2013, Primary Care funding of €20 million, nationally, will be invested to support the recruitment of prioritised front-line primary care team posts and enhance the capacity of the primary care sector.
I issued approval to the HSE on the 27th March 2013 to commence recruitment to Primary Care Teams with immediate effect of the following additional 251 Primary Care posts:
- 70 Public Health Nurses;
- 37 Registered General Nurses;
- 51 Occupational Therapists;
- 46 Physiotherapists; and
- 47 Speech & Language Therapists.
The allocation and distribution of the above posts is based on bringing each Integrated Service Area, where staffing is below the national average, towards the national average.
According to the latest data available, as at 31st May 2013, there were 418 Primary Care Teams (PCTs) operating at varying stages of development (holding clinical team meetings on individual client cases and involving GPs and HSE staff). 1,567 General Practitioners (GPs) and 2,472 HSE staff are participating on these Teams. A further 1,275 staff have been assigned to Health and Social Care Networks. HSE staff working on Teams include Public Health Nurses, Registered General Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Dieticians.
The table sets out the number of Teams in operation, the number of GPs attending or represented at Clinical Team Meetings (CTMs) and the total number of HSE staff involved.
|
HSE Area |
No of Teams in Place |
No of GPs Participating |
No of HSE Staff on Teams in Place |
|
DML |
120 |
340 |
726 |
|
DNE |
66 |
124 |
460 |
|
SOUTH |
126 |
617 |
556 |
|
WEST |
106 |
486 |
730 |
|
TOTAL |
418 |
1,567 |
2,472 |
The other information requested has been sought from the HSE and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Community Care Issues
Questions (227)
Pat Deering
Question:227. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the number of staff who have left the community care services, on a regional basis, over the past two years; the number that have been replaced; and the number of vacancies that are waiting to be filled in the following categories: public health nurse, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, other. [33970/13]
View answerWritten answers
As the issue raised is a matter for the HSE, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Appointment Status
Questions (228)
Ciaran Lynch
Question:228. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be provided with an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33976/13]
View answerWritten answers
Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Collaborating with individual hospitals, the SDU, together with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE, has developed the outpatient waiting list minimum dataset. This allows 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 and the 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 or 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.
Medical Card Reviews
Questions (229)
Brendan Ryan
Question:229. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was withdrawn on review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin despite there being no change in this person's medical condition and a decrease in their income since the card was issued; if he will have this medical card application re-examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33986/13]
View answerWritten 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 issued to Oireachtas members.