Written Answers Nos. 659 - 674
660. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the contact she has had with the relevant authorities who provide training for the child care sector; if she is satisfied that the courses are fit for purpose and that relevant qualified personnel are tutors on these courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36661/13]
View answerThe quality assurance of the Further Education system in Ireland is the responsibility of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), a recently established body drawn from the merging of the Further Education Training Awards Council, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the Irish Universities Quality Board.
In 2011, Common Award Standards in Early Childhood Care and Education were developed and published at Levels 4, 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Since December 2012, only the new Common Award Standards in ECCE will be accredited by QQI . Programmes of learning developed to meet these award standards incorporate national practice frameworks and reflect national policy objectives, thereby ensuring that graduates of these programmes are fully prepared to enter the workforce. The Common Award Standards promote consistency in quality, content and delivery of programmes of learning.
The Deputy may also be aware that teachers/tutors in receipt of State funding have to be registered with the Teaching Council and comply with the Council’s requirements for registration.
If there are issues around courses leading to accredited qualifications on the NFQ, I am satisfied that they are dealt with by the appropriate authority.
661. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the present gender balance of the total members of State boards under the aegis of her Department; if the ratio has changed significantly over the course of the present Government's term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36785/13]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO). With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001.
Apart from the Ombudsman for Children's Office which does not have a board, I am responsible for all Board of Management appointments.
In making my decisions on appointments to Boards, subject to the governing legislation, I consider the most suitable persons for the positions available with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities and I seek to ensure that the appropriate mix of skills and experience is in place to achieve the best result.
As at 18 July, 2013, the gender balance for the Boards under the aegis of my Department is 37% male and 63% female. The corresponding figures at 31 December 2011 were 48% male and 52% female.
I am satisfied that the gender balance ratio on the Boards under my remit has not changed significantly over the course of the current Government term.
662. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has instructed local authorities to establish older people councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36316/13]
View answerThe National Positive Ageing Strategy, which is the blueprint for age related policy and service delivery across Government in the years ahead, was published in April.
Among other things, this Strategy acknowledges that many of the factors that contribute to a good quality of life for older people and to the creation of communities in which ageing can be a positive experience are influenced at local level.
The Programme for Government commits to the establishment of Older People's Councils by local authorities, where members of the community can raise local concerns or issues of importance.
A number of local authorities have already established older people's fora within the context of the Age Friendly City and County Programme. Currently, there are 16 of our 34 Local Authorities fully operating the programme, a further 4 are ready to go, 9 are in advanced discussions while the remaining 5 will be progressed over the next 6 months.
An assessment of these fora vis a vis the Programme for Government commitment in relation to the structures and functions of Older People’s Councils is currently being conducted.
663. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when he will receive recommendations from the group set up by the Department of Education and Skills to look at SNE; if he will confirm that he will facilitate a debate thereafter on the future direction for children age zero to five with special needs requirements. [36656/13]
View answerThe Government is committed to the provision and development of services for children with disability including those with autism. Significant resources have been invested in recent years in the health sector in these services and the HSE provides a range of community and residential services including therapeutic services and respite. The HSE is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children and young people with disabilities under its Progressing Disabilities Programme for Children and Young People (0-18 years). This aims to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities are delivered. A detailed action plan is being implemented with the following objectives:
- One clear pathway to services for all children with disabilities according to need
- Resources used to the greatest benefit for all children and families
- Health and education working together to support children to achieve their potential.
The health and education sectors co-operate on a regular basis with a view to integrating their services for these children as much as possible and targeting them to areas of greatest need. At the same time, there is a need to strengthen this co-operation and I am personally committed to this issue. I have established the Children, Adolescents and Young People with Complex Disabilities Unit in my Department, led by a Principal Officer. This important development aims to foster greater collaboration between my Department, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of 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. A dedicated Cross-Sectoral Team, comprising representatives of my Department, the HSE, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs plays a key role in this regard.
A sub group of this Cross-Sectoral Team has been set up to examine the issues around integration of children with disabilities into mainstream Pre-School Settings, building on previous analysis in this area. Representatives of the Departments of Health, Children and Youth Affairs, Education and Skills, the Health Service Executive and of the City and County Childcare Committees are members of this group and it is chaired by the Department of Health. It is envisaged the work of this Sub-Group will be completed later in the year, at which point it will report to the Cross Sectoral Team.
I welcome discussion and debate around this or any other matter which will assist in meeting the future requirements for all children special needs.
664. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the process for the renewal of a medical card; and if he will state the circumstances whereby an automatic renewal occurs. [35949/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has the operational responsibility for the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, which includes the medical card and GP visit card benefits. When a medical card comes up for review, the current circumstances of the medical card holder are evaluated by the HSE to ensure that he/she continues to hold eligibility and that this involves a standard review process. In the interest of probity, the HSE is obliged to ensure that a person’s eligibility is correctly recorded in line with the eligibility legislation and the national guidelines. Medical card reviews/renewal forms are issued to medical card clients three months in advance of their eligibility review date in order to give clients sufficient time to complete the review form and to provide the required evidence of income, etc.
Clients are requested to return completed review forms at least one month in advance of the review date in order to give the HSE sufficient time to carry out the review and/or to contact the client if the application is incomplete or further information is required. The HSE will issue a reminder letter to the client if the review form is not received by the Executive within one month of the review date. Where a review is not completed by the review date, it is HSE policy to extend the eligibility of the client until the review is carried out and a final decision is made on the client’s eligibility status at that time.
The renewal process is an important quality assurance aspect of the management of the various schemes operated by the HSE.
665. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35960/13]
View answerThe 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 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.
666. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 649 of 21 May 2013, if he will provide an update on when the legislation will be commenced. [36002/13]
View answerDraft Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations are currently being prepared to introduce stricter prescribing and dispensing controls on benzodiazepines, anabolic steroids and z-drugs. It is planned to finalise the draft Statutory Instruments shortly and publish these on the Department’s website as part of a written consultation process. This will be followed by a 3 month EU notification period required under the Technical Standards Directive because of the implications of the proposed regulatory changes on trade in pharmaceutical products. Government approval will then be sought to amend the legislation.
667. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if an early retirement scheme is available for employees of the Health Service Executive during 2013; if so, if he will outline the details of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36067/13]
View answerThere is no early retirement scheme currently available or planned for employees of the Health Service Executive during 2013.
The Deputy may wish to note that the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 provides for a further "grace period" from 1 July 2013 to the end of August 2014. During this period those retiring and who were subject to the pay reductions under the Act will have their superannuation benefits calculated by reference to the salary scales which applied on 30 June 2013 and will have the revised increment position disregarded. This cohort of retirees will, however, be subject to the new Public Service Pension Reduction where pensions exceed €32,500.
668. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a determination will be made on an appeal under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36080/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
669. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health with regard to the Rights of Grandparents Bill 2013 that due consideration be given to particular circumstances when children are in care; that a provision be included in the Bill permitting grandparents to be made a party to the proceedings from the outset; if he will allow for a near parental role being ascribed to, and acknowledged, for grandparents in circumstances where, sadly, either parent is not deemed able, for whatever reason, to function in a parental role. [36086/13]
View answerAs Minister for Health I have no responsibility to the Dáil in this matter.
670. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress update on the Health Innovation Hub; if there is a pilot or demonstration model planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36097/13]
View answerThe establishment of the National Health Innovation Hub is one of seven 'Disruptive Reforms' included in the Government's Action Plan for Jobs 2013. The aim is to establish a Hub to drive collaboration between the health system and the enterprise sector leading to the development and commercialisation of new healthcare technologies, products and services, emerging from within the health system and /or the enterprise system. The Hub model has the potential to address the jobs agenda; it also has great potential to help improve how we do things in the health system and most importantly improve health outcomes for patients.
A National Project Team, which consists of a multidisciplinary team spanning the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Health, as well as representatives from the Health Services Executive, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, was formed and charged with the establishment of a demonstrator (pilot) project. A demonstrator project has been in operation since 2012. The purpose of the demonstrator project is to test the Hub model and inform the development of a National Health Innovation Hub.
A local Steering Group was established to oversee the demonstrator's operation and reports to the National Project Team. Currently the Demonstrator project has brought together six innovative Irish healthcare companies with the health service by providing dedicated contact points, facilitated project management, office space, advice and access to the hospital and primary care system in Cork. Detailed project plans are in place for each of the projects and milestones are being measured and assessed. Reports on the demonstrator project indicate that there has been good progress made.
The steps deemed necessary to progress the establishment of the Hub are outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, with the accompanying Table of Actions providing more detail. This includes actions to monitor and assess the performance of the Cork Demonstrator Project throughout 2013. Details of the Jobs Action Plan and the accompanying Table of Actions are available on the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation website - www.enterprise.gov.ie. It is envisaged that the quarter two progress report on the Action Plan will also be published soon. The first progress report is available on the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation's website.
671. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is preparing his Department to adapt to and make maximum use of next generation technologies in information and communications to better enhance the interaction of his Department with the citizen and the internal functioning of his Department; if he intends to conduct a risk analysis in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36106/13]
View answerIn addition to providing for its own ICT needs, my Department provides ICT services to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and its associated agencies, the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and the Family Support Agency on a shared-service basis.
The approach of my Department has been to utilise appropriate technologies to provide modern and efficient support for the Department’s business needs and demands. That will continue to be the case as new technologies come into play.
My Department has already provided for remote desktop and email access for mobile staff using modern communications technology and software. It will continue to develop this in a secure way. It has also, more recently, engaged in public consultations using web technology, essentially making it easier for interested parties to contribute to the development of policy.
A key consideration in the application of any technology, existing or new, to a business process is security – data security, access security and device security - and this will continue to be the case. Analysing risk is a fundamental component of a comprehensive security implementation.
All new ICT projects require the sanction of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Applications for such sanction incorporate an assessment of risk.
Additionally my Department will liaise with the recently appointed Government Chief Information Officer in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, who is currently assessing what is required to build on progress in ensuring that ICT-enabled change is delivered across the Public Service.
672. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in respect of the €20 million promised this year to tackle the shortage of occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and similar posts for areas such as Kildare and west Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36133/13]
View answerIn 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.
In relation to the specific issue of posts in Kildare and West Wicklow, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
673. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the Government's obesity strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36134/13]
View answerArising out of the Irish Presidency Informal meeting of EU Health Ministers in March, at which Childhood Obesity was a major theme, the EU Commissioner supported the Irish request to mandate the EU High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity to draw up an Action Plan to address Childhood Obesity. All Ministers attending the Informal meeting agreed that childhood obesity is a priority issue on the health agenda in Member States and that it needs to be addressed in an EU wide context. It is proposed that the EU Childhood Obesity Action Plan will be launched in 2014 and will be evaluated at the end of 2020.
As Minister for Health, I have made overweight and obesity a public health priority and have established a Special Action Group on Obesity (SAGO) with whom I meet regularly to progress the obesity agenda. The Special Action Group on Obesity comprises key stakeholders and is chaired by my Department. The range of measures being implemented by my Department seek to promote a healthy lifestyle, to encourage people to make healthier food choices, to become more active and take the first steps towards reducing obesity.
SAGO is working on a combination of priority actions which, taken together, should make a difference in the long term. These measures include: Calorie posting in restaurants; Healthy Eating Guidelines; Marketing of Food and Drink to Children; Treatment Algorithms; Opportunistic Screening and Monitoring for overweight and obesity and Vending Machines in Schools. SAGO is also currently looking at ways to promote healthy eating, in accordance with this Department's Healthy Eating Guidelines.
Healthy Ireland, a Framework for Improved Health and Well-being, forms the basis of how a whole-of-government and whole of society approach to health and well-being will be delivered. It sets out 64 actions under a number of thematic areas which provide for the development of inter-sectoral and cross government plans to address risk factors and social determinants of health. It provides a structured mechanism to engage all different sectors of society to channel measures and actions around individual health and lifestyle issues, and to measure, monitor and evaluate implementation. Healthy Ireland describes supportive mechanisms to ensure effective co-operation between the health sector and other areas of Government and public services concerned with social protection, children, industry, food safety, education, transport, housing, agriculture and the environment. The implementation of Healthy Ireland is now focused on the development of an outcomes framework and a physical activity plan. In this regard the Health and Well-being Programme in the Department of Health will work closely with relevant policy divisions in the Department of Health and with existing cross-government and cross-sectoral groups, such as SAGO.
674. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to ban the practice of fluoridation of the drinking water supply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36145/13]
View answerWater fluoridation and the use of appropriate fluorides is a major plank of public health policy in Ireland in the prevention and management of tooth decay. In 2002 the Forum on Fluoridation, which was established to review this policy, concluded that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure.
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects. It advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and is the safest and most cost effective method of protecting the oral health of the population. The opinion of the Expert Body is supported by the World Health Organisation; the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Service and the Surgeon General of the United States; the World Dental Federation; the International Association for Dental Research; the Royal College of Physicians of England and by major international scientifically validated reviews in many countries. The effects of fluoridation on health and related matters are kept under constant review.
