Written Answers Nos. 660-678
660. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a home care package in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
661. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health further to the Parliamentary Question No. 626 of 17 December 2013, and in the context of the planned changes to the Irish Health Service, if consideration will be given to empowering Health Information and Quality Authority to monitor and inspect standards in private hospitals as well as public hospitals, in view of the proposed introduction of a health insurance system in which the services provided by private hospitals will undoubtedly expand [2934/14]
View answerMy Department is currently working on the Licensing of Health Facilities Bill which will provide for a mandatory system of licensing for public and private health service providers. The legislative proposals are being prepared broadly in line with recommendations made in the Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance and are designed to improve patient safety by ensuring that health care providers do not operate below core standards which are applied in a consistent and systematic way. Standards and other requirements will be enforceable through inspection and imposition of sanctions as necessary. Licensing will be targeted at areas which are not currently subject to regulation. The legislative proposals are being progressed in the Department and, once finalised, will be submitted to me in advance of seeking Government approval to publish the Heads of a Bill.
662. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to amending section 39 of the Health Act under which financial supports are provided to voluntary and non-Governmental organisations to increase transparency and accountability of such items as director and management salaries in view of the fact that such a legislative measure would increase public confidence regarding the use of public money [2935/14]
View answerAll State agencies under the aegis of, or funded by, the Department of Health are subject to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies issued by the Department of Finance and the Framework for Corporate and Financial Governance issued by the Department of Health. Line Units within the Department with governance responsibility for individual agencies meet regularly throughout the year with the agencies to monitor compliance.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) funds a range of service providers under section 38 or section 39 of the Health Act 2004. The staff in bodies funded under Section 38 of the Health Act, 2004 are classified as public servants and are subject to the standard salary scales for the health sector as well as having public service pension schemes and being counted in public service employment numbers. Employees of organisations that receive grants from the HSE under Section 39 - the organisations referred to by the Deputy - are not public servants and are not specifically subject to the salary scales approved for public servants.
However, at my request, the HSE wrote to the CEOs of the 353 Section 39 funded agencies in receipt of HSE funding of more than €250,000 on the 10th December, 2013 asking them to have due regard for overall Government pay policy in respect of the remuneration of their senior managers. The HSE as part of the Service Agreement process for 2014 will require all funded agencies to disclose senior management remuneration and will have systems and processes in place to oversee compliance with this aspect of each funded agency’s service agreement.
The HSE is committed to the development of effective working relationships in line with the provisions of the Health Act 2004 and significant progress has been made in improving the governance and management framework between the HSE and voluntary service providers. A Register of Non-Statutory Agencies covering Service Arrangements and Grant Aid Agreements is in operation. This provides information on Agencies and facilitates the maintenance of key information on funding arrangements including compliance with requirements under the HSE's formalised national governance framework to manage the funding provided to voluntary organisations. This governance documentation was developed in 2009, with the agreement of all major service providers, and came into operation across all sectors in 2010. These Governance Documents ensure a national standard consistent application of good governance and is subject to regular review.
In 2013 an additional information return was also added to all Service Arrangements, both Section 38 and 39, requiring agencies to separately report on all individual staff paid at Grade 8 level equivalent or above, detailing their salary including allowances and any other benefits paid. The HSE’s internal audit service also provides audit reviews of Agencies either on an individual Agency basis, a sample basis, or across a range of agencies on a specific topic such as the recent Section 38 Agencies Remuneration Audit. The results of these audits have influenced the documentation reviews and recommendations relating to the management structures, and corporate processes.
664. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if his Department classifies dyscalculia as a disability and compiles statistics on the number of persons in the State who have been diagnosed with dyscalculia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2940/14]
View answerDyscalculia is a specific developmental disorder characterised by difficulty in learning or comprehending arithmetic and frequently involves difficulties with time, measurement, and spatial reasoning. I understand that the Department of Education and Skills classifies dyscalculia as a Specific Learning Disability (SLD). I am also advised that all primary and post-primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources, under the General Allocation Model (GAM), to cater for children with high incidence special educational needs, including Specific Learning Disabilities. I understand that the Department of Education and Skills provides funding for the purchase of specialised equipment such as computers and/or software to assist children with special educational needs, including children with SLDs, once relevant professionals recommend the equipment as being essential for the provision of education.
My Department does not compile statistics on the numbers of people in the State who have been diagnosed with dyscalculia.
665. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed the Irish Medicines Board implementation of Directive 2010/63 here; if he will indicate the way in which he will ensure that Irish enterprises are not put at a competitive disadvantage due to the IMB interpretation of Directive 2010/63; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2969/14]
View answerDirective 2010/63/EU introduced a significant change in the systems for authorisation and conducting of scientific procedures on animals and in the monitoring of standards for animal welfare as compared to the previous legislation. I designated the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) as the Competent Authority for those functions related to the protection of animals used in scientific procedures, including the application of the 3Rs (i.e. principles of replacement, reduction and refinement). The IMB has the relevant expertise in relation to both human and veterinary medicine to undertake this regulatory work. Given that many of the additional requirements under the above Directive are of a highly specialised nature, the IMB has put in place a small but expert cadre of officials well versed and experienced in this area.
In transferring the functions involved to the IMB in 2013, my Department agreed to provide the IMB with the necessary funding for the setting up and provision of the service involved in 2012 & 2013; the provision of further exchequer funding for 2014, 2015 and 2016 being scaled back in a step wise fashion such that the IMB would be required to advance a sustainable funding stream for the regulation of the sector within this timeframe. Accordingly, the IMB consulted with the sector on the application of an appropriate funding model during 2013; based on the feedback from the consultation the IMB proposed a fee regimen and my Department sanctioned certain fees for the provision of IMB services earlier this year. The fees are included in the Irish Medicines Board (Fees) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No 501 of 2013).
The Department meets the IMB on a regular basis to review implementation of the legislation in this area and consider matters arising. It is not the case that the IMB is in any way seeking to disadvantage the research industry in Ireland. In this regard, the IMB is obliged to verify compliance with the requirements of the Directive in as practical a manner as possible and by so doing assist the industry in its development.
666. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding road issues (details supplied) in County Dublin. [2469/14]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority (in this case, Dublin City Council) to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
It is, therefore, a matter for the local authority to decide on the appropriate materials which should be used to maintain and rehabilitate road surfaces within its functional area while having regard to the options available under the relevant standards and guidance documents.
667. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will provide funding to complete an infrastructural project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2551/14]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act ,1993. Works on these roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for local authorities.
Up to now local authorities could apply for grant funding for projects such as this under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme. However, due to the need to focus the limited funding available on the repair and strengthening of the road network, it is necessary to curtail the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme for the moment.
It is important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement the resources of Councils like Kerry County Council. It is, therefore, open to the Council to fund this project from its own resources.
668. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a licence from a local authority rather than a lease is acceptable for an application to comply with the terms of the Capital Sports Grant Scheme 2014; in the event that it is, the terms that would be required from such a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2941/14]
View answerThe terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) aim to strike a balance between the need to protect the State's investment in sports facilities and the need to allow grants to be drawn down in an efficient and timely manner.
In 2012 I was pleased to amend the previous terms and conditions to allow SCP applicants that did not own their land or have a long lease to apply for grants of up to €25,000 towards capital works. This change allowed many clubs to access SCP funding for capital works for the first time.
If the land, where a proposed facility is to be located, is owned by a Local Authority and the club does not have a lease, they may apply jointly with the Local Authority for a grant. This is the option chosen by some Local Authorities and clubs.
However, if the club wishes to apply in their own right for a capital grant greater than €25,000, they must have title to the site. Licences are not accepted as evidence of title. This approach is consistent with advice received from the Department's legal advisor, the Office of the Chief State Solicitor.
669. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding provided for the purpose of planning works in respect of the Galway city outer bypass since he reversed the ban on such expenditure last year; and the amount allocated for that purpose in 2014. [2289/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (such as the Galway City Outer Bypass) is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
670. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a renewed focus will be placed by his Department on road safety to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries in 2014; the measures he will take to address the problem of drug driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2297/14]
View answerThe current Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020, which I launched in March 2013, aims to make Ireland one of the safest countries in terms of road deaths in the EU. The new Strategy sets a specific target for 2020 to reduce the number of road deaths to 124 a year (from 162 in 2012) and serious injuries to 330 per year (from 485 in 2012). While the Road Safety Authority has overall responsibility for delivery of the Strategy, my Department is fully committed to delivering the specific targets assigned to it.
The Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013 which is now in the Seanad, contains a provision to allow for the introduction of roadside impairment testing by An Garda Síochána. This testing consists of simple, physical, cognitive tests to assist the Gardaí in determining the presence of intoxicants in drivers and whether a driver is capable of having proper control of a vehicle.
In addition, my officials are currently drafting legislation to deal specifically with drug driving and the introduction of suitable equipment to detect a range of certain commonly used drugs at road side checkpoints. This work is being carried out in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice & Equality, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) and the Road Safety Authority . I understand that the MBRS intends to issue an invitation to tender shortly for the procurement of the roadside devices and it will then enter a period of testing of the devices. It is my intention to introduce the enabling legislation this year as part of the next Road Traffic Bill.
671. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the recommendations of the speed limits review will be implemented in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2299/14]
View answerThe Speed Limits Review which I published on the 21st November 2013 contains eighteen actions which are designed to address a number of matters relating to the operation of speed limits on Irish roads. I have accepted all the recommendations contained in the Report, which will be implemented over a two year period.
I have asked the Chief Executives or equivalents of the bodies involved in implementing the recommendations to participate in a Steering Group which will monitor and ensure the implementation of the key actions.
672. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from Ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2369/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is published on my Department's website and can be found at the following link http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
673. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money that has been collected by the national car test service since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2384/14]
View answerThe subject matter of this particular question is a matter for the Road Safety Authority and consequently I have referred it to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
674. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has concerns that DART users are being over-charged for the current standard of service they are receiving; if he has concerns that further increases in ticket prices will lead to fewer people being able to afford and use the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2385/14]
View answer676. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there are periods during rush hour where there are fewer DART carriages running than in other time slots; the reasons behind the 50 cent fare increase in December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2419/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 674 and 676 together.
I do not set public transport fares. It is the responsibility of the regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), to adjudicate on applications from the CIÉ companies and the Railway Procurement Agency for fare increases or changes to fares.
In our dealings with the CIE companies, both Minister Kelly and I have consistently emphasised that they must reduce costs ahead of future fare increases or service cuts. However, in the current environment, it is the case that fare increases will be inevitable if costs cannot be reduced sufficiently in order to maintain a reasonable level of service provision and protect our network. It is important to remember that public transport remains heavily subsidised by the State and fares would be much higher if people had to bear the full cost of PSO services provided.
Over the past 18 months both Minister Kelly and I have monitored the financial situation in CIÉ and the subsidiary companies, including Irish Rail, to ensure a return to financial stability in order that they can continue to provide an essential service to the public. For the Deputies' information, Iarnród Éireann has incurred accumulated losses of €130m in the past five years, a position which is unsustainable.
My Department and the NTA are working with Iarnród Éireann to increase the efficiency and attractiveness of existing rail services. The Government continues to provide substantial Exchequer investment in the rail network, in addition to subvention payments for Public Service Obligation (PSO) services. There have been reductions in subvention in recent years due to pressure on the public finances but I will be proposing that there be no further cuts to the PSO subvention from 2015.
Through the NTA, my Department is also funding the use of smart technology to make public transport easier to access and more reliable for the user. Significant progress has been made with the Leap card, Real Time Passenger Information, and the National Journey Planner which maps all public transport services across the country. It is important to point out that significant savings can be made by passengers who choose to avail of the integrated ticket, the Leap card. In many cases, passengers will be paying fares that are below 2011 cash fares when using the Leap card.
The use of Wi-Fi on trains and buses has also improved the transport experience. The NTA will continue to progress these consumer-friendly initiatives which make using public transport more attractive. The public transport experience has improved significantly and that is where we must target our efforts in future. I hope that no further reductions in subvention, a stabilisation of passenger numbers as the economy improves and cost-saving measures in Iarnród Éireann will mean that future fare increases can be minimised.
Iarnród Éireann has indicated that it is in the process of implementing new energy saving fleet utilisation initiatives on its DART and Intercity services to generate fuel savings, which will reduce fuel and maintenance costs by €3.2m per annum. Concerns about overcrowding have been raised with the Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann and I understand that the company has already responded and re-introduced larger carriages to accommodate passengers where this has been considered necessary. The Chief Executive has agreed to continuous monitoring of carriage levels on both DART and Intercity services to ensure they match passenger demand.
I am advised that carriages were only reduced at off-peak times. Overcrowding on DART services which has occurred at peak times was caused by other issues including technical faults, industrial relations and leaf falls. Iarnród Éireann has stated that full loading (involving standing by passengers) is the norm internationally on urban rail systems similar to DART and Commuter services and can be safely accommodated. The Railway Safety Commission (RSC) also met with Iarnród Éireann regarding DART services and is satisfied that corrective measures have and are being taken with regard to crowding on DART.
675. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide traffic usage figures from the latest survey of the N59 road in County Mayo between Ballina and Crossmolina; and the N59 road between Newport and Westport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2410/14]
View answerThe planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
677. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of penalty points issued for each month since January 2011; and if he will detail seperately their issue by county. [2444/14]
View answerA breakdown of penalty points incurred by offence type by county is available on the Road Safety Authority website at the following address: http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Road-Safety/Our-Research/Penalty-Point-Statistics/
678. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount his Department spends on an annual basis in payments to consultancy firms (details supplied). [2485/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has made the following payments to Oracle per below:
March to December 2011 €106,235
January to December 2012 €123,861
January to December 2013 €127,791
The Oracle software is a relational database management system which hosts the National Vehicle Drivers File online services (online motor tax and change of vehicle ownership). These online services commenced in 2003 and were subject to the appropriate public procurement exercise at that time. The annual payments are for the renewal of the Oracle licences for the system.
My Department has not made any payments to Accenture.
