Written Answers Nos 121-140
121. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when 2012 payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43874/13]
View answerPayment in respect of the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 1 October 2013, payments under the Scheme having commenced, on target, on 25 September 2013.
122. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when 2013 payment under the disadvantaged areas based payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43875/13]
View answerPayment has not yet issued to the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme as the holding has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. As soon as the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.
123. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged areas aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43885/13]
View answerPayment under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 10 October 2013, payments under the Scheme having commenced, on target, on 25 September 2013.
124. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total numbers of children who made disclosures of sexual abuse in 2010, 2011 and 2012; in each year, if she will indicate the number of these children who attended an initial assessment of needs interview and subsequently went on to access therapeutic services from the Health Service Executive; the number of children making disclosures who did not access therapeutic services and if reasons for this have been recorded and categorised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43851/13]
View answerThe HSE Children and Family Services publishes a wide range of data and information in regard to services provided. Approximately 600 individual child care data metrics are collected. These metrics do not include the total numbers of children who made disclosures of sexual abuse. However, the number of reports to social work departments which may have a sexual abuse component is collected.
These reports are subject to a 2 step referral process to screen referrals and to initiate preliminary enquiries aimed at substantiating the details provided by the reporter. The aim of the preliminary enquiry process is to support and help the social worker to make a decision on the action to take in response to the information reported, that will result in the best outcome for the child who is the subject of the referral.
The number of reports in each of the years requested by the Deputy is set out in Table 1.
Table 1. No. of sexual abuse reports.
|
Category |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Reported |
2,692 |
3,326 |
Data not yet available |
The Children First Initial Assessment Guidance states that: “An Initial Assessment should be completed on each child where, following screening, a decision is made that an Initial Assessment is warranted following receipt by the social work department of a report of protection or welfare concerns in respect of a child.” An important objective of Initial Assessment is to determine if further, or more comprehensive assessment(s), are required and to enable if necessary a plan to be put into place to govern continuing intervention.
The number of reports of sexual abuse that were, following screening, subject to an initial assessment was collected as a national child care metric up to 2010. Since that time this information has not been gathered. The available data from 2010 for initial assessments indicates that 1,393 of the 2,692 reported cases received an initial assessment.
The HSE does not collect information on the number of children who are the subject of a sexual abuse report who subsequently went on to access therapeutic services from the Health Service Executive or of the number of children making disclosures that did not access therapeutic services.
Implementation of services to victims of child sexual abuse involves a number of separate agencies as follows: Children and Family Services; Acute Services; An Garda Siochana; CARI; St Louise's/ St Claire's; Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin; The Courts Service; The Judiciary; Director of Public Prosecutions; Office of the Chief Prosecution Solicitor and the Department of Justice and Equality.
A national coordinated approach is required to ensure the effective implementation of these services and I have has asked the HSE to proceed with filling four posts of Regional Coordinators for Services for child victims of sexual abuse. As part of this process, my department is currently engaging with the HSE regarding data management and ensuring sufficient management information is collected and collated.
125. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount it costs to run education and welfare boards. [43858/13]
View answerThe National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), which operates under the auspices of my Department, has a statutory remit to ensure that ‘each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education’. In particular, the NEWB has a key role to respond to instances where children are not attending school regularly, or where there is concern about a child’s educational welfare.
Funding of €8.753 million has been made available to the National Educational Welfare Board in 2013. This level of funding will enable the Board to deliver on its expanded remit which includes responsibility for the operational management and strategic direction of the Home School Community Liaison Scheme and the School Completion Programme, in addition to the Education Welfare Service. The Board is currently focused on delivering integrated educational welfare services based on the principle of One Team, One Child, One Plan which can respond to the complexity of issues that impact on attendance, participation and retention in schools.
126. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of Bills her Department has published since March 2011; the number of regulatory impact assessments that her Department has published since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43810/13]
View answerMy Department was established on the 2nd June 2011 and since then I have published the Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012, the Child and Family Agency Bill 2013 and the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013. A Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Child and Family Agency Bill 2013 is published on www.dcya.gov.ie.
127. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the discrepancy of the CAS number of natural fluoride being 16984-48-8 while the product specification of fluoride used in our water is different 16961-83-4 (details supplied); the reason natural fluoride is not being used in our water supply; the organisation that has approved the fluoride as detailed in the product specification as being fit for human consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43734/13]
View answerFluorine is one of the most chemically reactive elements in nature. As a consequence, it is always found in combination with other elements. CAS number 16984-48-8 relates to the fluoride ion. Fluoride compounds have different CAS numbers, e.g.16961-83-4 for Hydrofluosilicic Acid (HFSA), which is used for water fluoridation. The fluoride currently used for water fluoridation is sourced as a primary product. It is mined directly from a raw material source, the mineral fluorospar as calcium fluoride (CaF2). It then goes through a purification process to conform to tightly controlled specifications under the requirements of CEN Standard I.S.EN 12175:2001 to produce HFSA. It should also be noted that there are fluoridated public water supplies where there are existing background levels of naturally occurring fluoride and these levels are augmented using HFSA to the prescribed optimal level.
The principles for approval of use of HFSA in treatment of water intended for human consumption are no different to those relating to other chemicals used in drinking water treatment, such as disinfectants and coagulants. No water treatment chemical is intended for direct human consumption. The level of fluoride in drinking water in Ireland has been set at between 0.6-0.8 parts per million. This level of fluoride is deemed optimal for protecting the oral health of all age groups.
128. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical cards in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43699/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
129. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the date on which he established a medical forum to assess applications for discretionary medical cards; the person he has appointed to serve on this forum; if he will state their general qualifications; the regularity with which they meet; if he will detail the systematic approach adopted to the processing of such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43714/13]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the specific details requested by the Deputy. I will revert to him on the matter as soon as possible.
130. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to the mobility allowance and motorised transport grants; when there schemes will be reopened; the form they will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43716/13]
View answerThe Government decided in June last that new statutory provisions should be established to provide individual payments to people with severe disabilities who require additional income to address the costs of their mobility needs. An inter-departmental group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, is working to develop detailed proposals for the operation of a new statutory scheme and is due to report back to Government in October.
The Government also decided in June that payments should temporarily continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to those persons currently in receipt of the Mobility Allowance for a further number of months, pending the commencement of new statutory provisions, on the basis that this would prevent hardship, and, on an interim basis, alleviate stress, anxiety and uncertainty among a vulnerable group in society.
The Government is very conscious of the needs of people with a disability who have relied on the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant to support their independence and will take all of this into consideration when making a decision on future arrangements.
131. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of discretionary medical cards currently in each local health area. [43718/13]
View answer152. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the exact figures of the number of discretionary medical cards that have been issued in the past year in the Dublin mid-Leinster region; and the number that were issued in the same region in 2012. [43778/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 152 together.
The number of medical cards awarded on a discretionary basis in the HSE Local Health Areas to date in 2013 and for year 2012 is set out in the table:
|
- |
1 Jan 2013 - 2 Oct 2013 |
Year 2012 |
|
Local Health Area |
Medical Cards (Discretionary) |
Medical Cards (Discretionary) |
|
Total Dublin Mid Leinster |
12,444 |
14,661 |
|
Total Dublin North East |
7,341 |
8,348 |
|
Total South |
19,802 |
24,863 |
|
Total West |
13,146 |
15,254 |
|
Total |
52,733 |
63,126 |
132. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment by county; the waiting time by county, including the current longest waiting time for a patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43724/13]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines called the Modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need, i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment. At the time of assessment those with urgent clinical need are prioritised. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown below only. The most recent information relates to the second quarter of 2013.
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment (Grade 4) |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
2 - 3 years |
Over 4 years |
TOTAL |
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
371 |
403 |
594 |
534 |
15 |
1917 |
|
HSE West |
215 |
705 |
613 |
740 |
29 |
2302 |
|
HSE South |
138 |
91 |
157 |
934 |
103 |
1423 |
|
HSE Dublin North East |
160 |
268 |
429 |
869 |
191 |
1917 |
|
TOTAL |
884 |
1467 |
1793 |
3077 |
338 |
7559 |
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment (Grade 5) |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
2 - 3 years |
Over 4 years |
TOTAL |
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
491 |
343 |
365 |
190 |
1 |
1390 |
|
HSE West |
351 |
430 |
552 |
460 |
32 |
1825 |
|
HSE South |
188 |
872 |
338 |
256 |
88 |
1742 |
|
HSE Dublin North East |
181 |
363 |
435 |
366 |
3 |
1348 |
|
TOTAL |
1211 |
2008 |
1690 |
1272 |
124 |
6305 |
The HSE has commissioned an independent review of orthodontic services. The outcome of this review, which is near completion, will give guidance as to what changes will be desirable to provide the best possible model of care delivery, given the current resources available and future demand for services.
133. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical staff that has been lost to the orthodontic system in recent years; and where these staff were posted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43725/13]
View answerThis information is currently being collated by the HSE and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
134. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will accept a report if a child (details supplied) in Dublin 10 is seen privately for a psychological assessment. [43728/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
135. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of psychologists to whom the Health Service Executive refers children. [43729/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
136. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he is arranging for the Walsh report to be released to the survivors of symphysiotomy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43731/13]
View answer154. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health when he intends to fulfil the commitment he made on 1 August last to appoint a judge to engage with the survivors of symphysiotomy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43780/13]
View answer155. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the Walsh report on symphysiotomy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43781/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 154 and 155 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, I received the independent report by Professor Oonagh Walsh on Symphysiotomy in Ireland at the end of May 2013 and the Report is under consideration.
I met with the three support groups representing the women concerned in August 2013. At that meeting, I proposed to appoint a judge to meet with the women in order to facilitate decisions on how best to bring closure for the women concerned.
My officials are actively considering this issue and I intend bringing proposals to Government as soon as possible.
I wish to confirm that I intend to publish the Walsh report when I have received Government approval regarding how best to proceed in relation to this issue.
My priority continues to be to ensure that the women who have had this procedure have their health needs comprehensively and professionally met. In this regard, the HSE provides a range of services to women who may be experiencing any adverse effects as a result of undergoing this procedure. These services include the provision of medical cards, the availability of independent clinical advice and the organisation of individual pathways of care and the arrangement of appropriate follow-up.
137. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of first time medical cards that were applied for in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of those cards that were awarded; and from those applications the number that were awarded general practitioner only cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43735/13]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
138. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health of the 1,863,062 medical card holders and the 124,361 GP only cards, if these figures include those who are currently seeking a review or who are in the appeals process; if so, if he will he provide the relevant figures for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43738/13]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.
139. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if there is a contingency fund available, in addition to the reimbursement of flight costs, to assist patients from Ireland who must travel abroad to seek specific treatments that are unavailable here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43739/13]
View answerThe Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) as provided for in EU Regulations and Department of Health and Children Guidelines, does not provide for Travel and Subsistence expenses for patients or their relatives travelling abroad to avail of approved treatments. However the HSE, and specifically the TAS, may provide assistance towards reasonable economic air or sea travel fares for patients, and a travelling companion where appropriate. Expenses other than air/sea fares are not admissible.
However, patients who experience difficulty funding any additional costs may apply to the Department of Social Protection for assistance as an exceptional needs payment.
140. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when orthodontic treatment will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43742/13]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
