Written Answers Nos. 207-215
207. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by his Department during 2013; if she will further provide details of all the relevant fees paid to these firms during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3205/14]
View answerIt is the policy of my Department to minimise consultancy fees to the greatest extent possible, and to hire consultants only as the need arises and where the required professional expertise is not available in-house. All contracts entered into by my Department must conform with the relevant laws and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on Public Procurement.
The data provided in the table below relates to consultancy firms engaged by my Department in the year 2013. The costs of services provided represent the overall costs to the Department. Final payments to the service providers are reduced to take account of Professional Services Withholding Tax.
|
Professional Service |
Company engaged during 2013 |
Cost of Service in 2013 |
|
Development of a Toolkit for the Participation for Seldom- Heard Young People |
Cnag ar an Doras |
€22,140.00 |
|
Evaluation of Dáil na nÓg 2013 |
Liz Harper |
€3,325.00 |
|
Young People's Report –‘Young Voices, Have Your Say’ |
Cnag ar an Doras |
€4,918.00 |
|
Role Review for Child & Family Agency |
Mazars |
€16,512.75 |
|
Care Issues Review |
Conal Devine & Associates |
€13,636.21 |
|
Care Issues Review |
HV McElfatrick |
€3,556.56 |
|
Staff Roster Review |
McGuinness Killen Partnership |
€6,715.80 |
208. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms being put in place to cater for persons who formerly received the mobility allowance; the plans that exist to introduce a new regime or when is it envisaged that such a regime might be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3294/14]
View answerThe Government decided in December 2013 that the detailed preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions will be progressed as a priority by the Minister for Health, in consultation with other relevant Ministers. In the meantime, payments will continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to current recipients of the Mobility Allowance for a further period, pending decisions on a new statutory scheme.
209. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if all organisations named in an audit in May 2013 of major hospitals and agencies funded by the Health Service Executive have replied to the circular requesting information in relation to top-up payments; the number that have stated that they are now in compliance with relevant HSE payscales; the number that are not currently in compliance but have indicated their intention to do so; and the number to date that have not provided a satisfactory reply. [3320/14]
View answerThe detailed information sought by the Deputy in relation to unauthorised allowances paid in agencies funded under Section 38 of the 2004 Health Act is a matter for the HSE and, accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
210. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health his plans to add transplant patients to the list of those entitled to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3184/14]
View answerThere are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
211. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the current annual cost of vision screening in the primary school sector; if he will provide a breakdown of the costs, including details of geography, administration, front-line workers and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3189/14]
View answer212. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of unnecessary referrals that arise annually from vision screening in the primary school sector; if any refinement schemes have been implemented in relation to this programme or are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3190/14]
View answer213. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the cost to the State for every visit by a child to an ophthalmologist in the public system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3191/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 213, inclusive, together.
Screening in Primary Schools is carried out by the School Health Team, made up of Public Health Doctors and Public Health Nurses. School vision screening is one of a range of services carried out by the School Health Team, specifically by Public Health Nurses. As their salaries are not split and coded to specific activities, it is not possible to identify the cost of vision screening separately from other activities. For similar reasons it is not possible to track the cost of every visit by a child to an ophthalmologist. Referrals arising out of the vision screening service in primary schools would not be regarded as unnecessary. The HSE is currently considering various proposals for vision screening to make it as efficient and cost effective as possible.
214. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the procedure for the appointment of a new board to the CRC, Clontarf; if the positions will be publicly advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3193/14]
View answerThe detailed information sought by the Deputy in relation to the appointment of a new board to the Central Remedial Clinic is a matter for the HSE and, accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
215. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by his Department during 2013; if he will further provide details of all the relevant fees paid to these firms during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3212/14]
View answerInformation for the period from January to December 2013 is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
