Written Answers Nos. 667-690
667. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the child care supports available to lone parents participating in Springboard courses; if she will extend eligibility under child care education and training supports to those parenting alone who are on springboard courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8139/14]
View answerFunding is made available by my Department to support a number of childcare programmes which provide a range of supports to parents of pre-school and after-school children. These programmes include the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Childhood Education and Training Support (CETS) programme and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
The CCS programme provides funding to community childcare not-for-profit services to enable them to charge reduced childcare rates to parents in receipt of social welfare payments or on low to middle incomes. Parents qualify for support on the basis of their social welfare entitlement or their income status. Parents participating in the Springboard programme can apply for childcare support under the CCS programme if they have a qualifying social welfare entitlement. The City and County Childcare Committees will advise parents of the qualifying criteria and of the community services participating in the CCS programme in their area.
The eligibility criteria for parent participation in the Childhood Education and Training Support (CETS) programme is determined by Solas and the Education Training Boards, which come under the remit of the Department of Education and Skills. The function of my Department is to monitor the take-up of childcare places available to those parents approved for support and to administer the relevant funding. Determining which courses will enable parents to qualify for support under the programme is therefore a matter for the Departments of Social Protection and Education and Skills.
The ECCE programme is a universal programme implemented by my Department which provides one free pre-school year to all eligible children before they commence primary school. Children aged between 3 years and 2 months and 4 years and 7 months in September in the relevant year are eligible to avail of the free pre-school provision.
668. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the rationale for ceasing funding to the Meitheal project in County Wexford; the alternative funding or alternative programmes she is putting in place as a result of her decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8334/14]
View answerMy Department has provided funding of €49,282 to the Meitheal Programme in Co. Wexford for the 2013/2014 school year. This funding was provided under the School Completion Programme following the consideration and approval of a service proposal received from Wexford Local Development in relation to the Meitheal programme.
The School Completion Programme (SCP) is a targeted intervention aimed at those school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. The School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. SCP supports 124 local projects operating in 472 primary and 225 post-primary schools across the country and a small number of stand-alone initiatives with compatible objectives. This includes five SCP projects currently in operation in Co. Wexford supporting 22 primary and 9 post primary schools, which were allocated just under €970,000 this academic year.
These school based projects provide a range of supports and interventions designed to support individual children identified by the Local Management Committee as being at risk of early school leaving within those school communities. This project model approach gives local communities the autonomy to devise creative and innovative approaches to address the needs of local young people most at risk of early school leaving.
Having regard to the targeted nature of the School Completion Programme, my Department advised Wexford Local Development to engage with the existing local projects in relation to the Meitheal Programme with a view to ensuring a coherent and coordinated approach to delivery of support services in Co. Wexford.
The newly established Child and Family Agency is responsible for the strategic and operational direction of the School Completion Programme within the Education Welfare Services pillar of the Agency. Within this remit the Agency will manage the SCP budget and the allocation of funds to projects within the programme. It is understood that discussions between the SCP projects and Wexford Local Development are being facilitated by the Child and Family Agency with a view to developing collaborative area based approaches to the provision of targeted supports within the SCP.
As with all major spending programmes, the School Completion Programme budget is subject to an adjustment under the terms of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. I am advised that no proposals have yet been formulated by the Child and Family Agency in relation to funding for the 2014/2015 academic year. All allocations for the next academic cycle will be considered within the annual service planning process.
669. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will clarify if all branches of the Civil Service within her Department are applying Department policy that staff progress or incremental salary scales on the basis of a single point per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8678/14]
View answerAn increment is an increase in pay for which provision is made in a pay scale. Prior to the Haddington Road Agreement, increments were granted annually provided an officer's services are satisfactory and in accordance with Finance Circular 9/1987.
Revised arrangements under Haddington Road (Circular 8/2013) provide generally for an extension of the interval period from twelve to fifteen months. In addition other increment changes were introduced depending on the salary level involved for individual member of staff. The detailed application of these changes are set out in Circular 8/2013, which is available from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website.
670. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs as far as she is aware if any official bodies under the aegis of her Department subscribes to the daily inflation data for Ireland collected by a company (details supplied); if so, the cost of this service; if the data will be made available to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8692/14]
View answerI am advised that none of the State bodies under the remit of my Department subscribe to the daily inflation data for Ireland collected by the company concerned.
671. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the costs to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office of the legal action being taken by his Department in respect of High Court proceedings with the Information Commissioner and also the Circuit Court proceedings initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman referred to in his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 190 to 200, inclusive, on 29 January 2014. [7467/14]
View answer672. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the invoiced payments made by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office in respect of the legal action being taken by his Department in respect of High Court proceedings with the Information Commissioner and also the Circuit Court proceedings initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman referred to in his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 4436/14 to 4446/14. [7468/14]
View answer673. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the full projected costs to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office of the legal action being taken by his Department in respect of High Court proceedings with the Information Commissioner and also the Circuit Court proceedings initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman referred to in his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 4436/14 to 4446/14. [7469/14]
View answer674. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his views on the decision to oppose the handing over to the Ombudsman of the transcripts of the complaining attendees evidence to the Drogheda review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7470/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 671 to 674, inclusive, together.
The High Court proceedings with the Information Commissioner and also the Circuit Court proceedings, initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman, are on-going and accordingly I am not in a position to make any further comment, as these matters are sub judice. The legal costs of the Department associated with these proceedings are borne by the Chief State Solicitor's Office vote. It is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of legal costs or projected full costs for all parties at this stage.
675. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8085/14]
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.
676. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the action he has taken to collect and analyse data on the growing incidence of persons with food allergies here; and if research into human food intolerances and gut health is being carried out by Teagasc. [8104/14]
View answerIreland has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to compile information on the prevalence within the European Union of each of the 14 food allergies specified in the EU food labelling legislation. We have also asked for EFSA's recommendation for threshold concentrations for each allergen in food that would provide an acceptable level of protection for at-risk consumers. In addition, we have enquired about the suitability, or otherwise, of qualitative and quantitative DNA-based tests (PCR) for the detection and quantification of food allergens in comparison with immunological or other methods. EFSA is due to provide a draft response to these questions in 2014, which will then be subjected to an EU-wide consultation. A final EFSA opinion is expected in 2015, after which it is envisaged that any changes in labelling legislation will be considered by risk managers, including EU Member States and the Commission.
While I am not responsible for Teagasc myself, I have asked my colleague, Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine about research they are conducting into human food intolerances and gut health and have organised for Teagasc to forward this information separately to the Deputy.
677. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the reason files and documents held by the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, in County Kildare have not been passed to CAMHS in Wexford where a person (details supplied) is in residential care; if this situation regarding the person can be reviewed by CAMHS in Wexford as a matter of urgency and the support required be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8214/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
678. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when a replacement scheme for the mobility allowance which has been discontinued will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8491/14]
View answer679. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the ongoing review of the mobility allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8598/14]
View answer721. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when he will open a new scheme to replace the now discontinued mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7850/14]
View answer751. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to reintroduce a motorised transport grant scheme and a mobility allowance for persons with severe mobility problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8135/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 678, 679, 721 and 751 together.
In November 2013, the Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health, in consultation with other relevant Ministers. The Department of Health is working to progress this matter in line with the Government's decision.
The Department will draw on the work, last year, of the Review Group on Transport Supports for People with Disabilities and the Inter-Departmental Group tasked by Government to consider details of a statutory replacement for the discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes.
680. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the latest update on the national independent review of orthodontic services; if the review is assessing orthodontic services in the Dublin North East Health Service Executive region; the timeline for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7507/14]
View answerThe HSE commissioned an independent national review of orthodontic services to give guidance as to what changes will be desirable to provide the best possible model of care delivery. The review has now been completed. The key issue highlighted by the review, which has assessed services nationally, is that the Orthodontic Service should be fully integrated within the Primary Care Service. This is under consideration by the HSE to be implemented as part of the HSE's Transformation Programme.
681. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for two hearing aids in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7509/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive Community Audiology service administers and monitors hearing tests for adults who are at risk for hearing loss. Appointments for the audiology service are sent in a strict chronology according to clinical priorities and date of receipt of referral. The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
682. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if occupational therapy will be extended in the case of the son of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare who has benefitted greatly from occupational therapy sessions which are due to end on 28 February 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7515/14]
View answerAs the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
683. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the assistance and local support that is available to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare who have four children under the age of ten years, two of whom have special needs, who were previous recipients of home help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7516/14]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
684. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early date for a hip operation will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will outline the timeframe involved and the numbers on the waiting lists for such operations at Cappagh and WRH. [7542/14]
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 Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to him.
685. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [7543/14]
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.
686. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a wheelchair has been provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will outline the status of this case; and if he make a statement on the matter. [7544/14]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have referred it to the Health Service Executive for investigation and direct reply to the Deputy.
687. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if orthodontic treatment will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite a response. [7545/14]
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.
688. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the total cost to date incurred by the Health Service Executive in its dealings in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny relative to a human resource issue; if the matter has been fully resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7546/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
689. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason various figures outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 6 February 2014 contradict published accounts on the hepatitis C website; if he will explain the way payments figures were treated in the two accounts held by his Department; and if he will request a comprehensive, independent audit of the hepatitis C tribunal with particular reference to a fictitious surplus built up over two years. [7550/14]
View answerIn my reply to PQ No. 238 of 6th February, 2014, I set out the payments, surpluses and deficits pertaining to the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal for the years 2007-2010. As stated in the reply, there was an error in the published accounts for 2009 which led to the Surplus/(Deficit) carried forward to 2010 being listed as a surplus of €106,672,203 rather than a deficit of €8,339,616. This arose from a clerical error whereby the Administrative Costs only were included as the Total Payments figure. As pointed out previously, the error was corrected in the 2010 Accounts and I do not propose to have an audit undertaken on the matter.
All awards and costs of the Tribunal are paid by my Department on behalf of the Tribunal. As each year progresses my Department recoups these costs from the two Special Accounts established under Sections 10 and 11 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Acts 1997 and 2002. The Hepatitis C Compensation Scheme is demand led and it is difficult to accurately forecast payments within calendar years. Furthermore, there is a timing issue between the making of payments by my Department on behalf of the Tribunal and the recoupment of such funds from the Special Accounts established under the Acts.
690. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the number of persons currently employed at Waterford Regional Hospital under the JobBridge scheme; the type of positions they hold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7556/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
