Written Answers Nos. 712-736
712. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the date on which a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon will be appointed in the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda; the reason for the delay up to this point; if this position has previously been offered to anyone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9615/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
713. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for paediatric orthopaedic surgery in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; the average wait time on this list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9616/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
714. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have been sent overseas during each of the past three years for paediatric orthopaedic surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9617/14]
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.
715. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a policy has been introduced in Galway University Hospital whereby pain relief treatment for multiple sclerosis and cancer patients will be provided to new patients every six weeks while existing patients will receive treatment every three to four months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9626/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
716. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a community hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal is currently party to a contract with a company in Letterkenny with respect to the provision of laundry services; if so, the value of the contract; the duration of the contract; the total sum paid to the company in respect of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9627/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
717. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will lift the recruitment embargo in the health service to allow the recruitment, on a permanent full-time basis, of young persons who have been trained up as health professionals, and who are now forced to seek work abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9651/14]
View answerNotwithstanding the need to reduce the numbers employed across the public service in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets, arrangements are in place in the HSE to allow the recruitment of front-line staff where there is an established service need. I want to make it attractive for frontline staff to continue their careers in Ireland and initiatives are in train to support retention.
NCHD recruitment and retention is required in order to support service delivery, to address reliance on agency and to facilitate the achievement of the European Working Time Directive compliance. I set up the MacCraith Group to undertake a Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career structure last Summer. The Group is to make recommendations aimed at improving the retention of medical graduates in the public health system, planning for future service needs and achieving the maximum benefit from investment in medical education and training. The Group provided an Interim Report in December 2013 focusing on training and is now examining career structures and pathways following training with a view to preparing a report by the end of March 2014. It will provide the final report by the end of June 2014.
In relation to nursing staff, up to 1,000 two-year contracts are being made available to graduate nurses and midwives in our health services under the Graduate Nurse/Midwifery Programme. The scheme will support the retention of graduate nurses and midwives within the Irish health system and enable them to gain valuable work experience and development opportunities post-graduation. Participants will have access to a variety of care settings while gaining clinical experience.
A Support Staff Intern Scheme also allows for the recruitment of a similar number of staff. The scheme also facilitates the intern achieving the appropriate FETAC level 5 qualification, which will be an invaluable asset in their professional development.
The HSE has advised me that both schemes have received a large number of applicants and I am satisfied that they will achieve their objectives of reducing agency costs and affording graduates and interns valuable work experience and career development opportunities.
718. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the reason that many essential therapies such as occupational therapy, speech and language, medical nutrition are being denied to public nursing home patients who are in urgent need of such therapies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9652/14]
View answerUnder the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, services and supports which are common to the vast majority of nursing home residents are included in the cost of care. These are :
- nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person,
- bed and board,
- basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living, and
- laundry service.
Goods and services that are already available to individuals under another existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. However, older people in residential settings are entitled to be referred and assessed for HSE Primary Care Teams and Network services in the same way as any other eligible person in the community.
The Care and Welfare Regulations for Nursing Homes provide that nursing homes shall ensure that all appropriate health care is facilitated, including access to services provided by HSE Primary Care Teams.
In 2012, the HSE completed an analysis of the distribution of health professionals who provide various therapies and other supports. This analysis revealed considerable variation across the HSE's 17 Integrated Service Areas. Accordingly, in 2013, Primary Care funding of €20 million was invested to support the recruitment of prioritised front-line primary care team posts and to enhance the capacity of the primary care sector.
719. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the full complement of ambulance vehicles operated by the National Ambulance Service across the State and across each of the three divisions of the service; the breakdown of those vehicles by categorisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9654/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
720. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of personnel employed by the National Ambulance Service; if he will provide a breakdown of their number by designated roles; if he will provide a breakdown of their base operational location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9655/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
721. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if home help will be restored in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9732/14]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
722. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive an appointment for treatment. [9733/14]
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 this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
723. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if landowners have ownership and responsibility for trees verging road ways; if they are responsible for the removal of these trees if they fall on the roadway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8985/14]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out the responsibility of landowners to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees, hedges and other vegetation growing on their land are not, or could not become, a danger to people using a public road and or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road.
This section also allows the relevant road authority to step in where a landowner fails or is unable to take action to remedy a hazard.
724. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if in view of the recent comments pertaining to the appalling decisions that had been made in the past by planners and politicians, if he will reconsider the sanctioning of €140,000 for further preliminary work on the Limerick northern distributor road phase 2, which traverses one of the River Shannon's most important flood plains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9325/14]
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. It is important to note that works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
Phase 2 of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road project was proposed by the local authority concerned, Clare County Council and supported by the Limerick Councils. The planning of the project, including route selection, is therefore a matter for Clare County Council in association with the Limerick Council. Grant funding was provided by my Department to facilitate the route selection phase of the project and the €140,000 allocated this year will bring this phase to a conclusion. My understanding is that this work is being undertaken to enable the Councils to take decisions on the preservation of a route corridor for the northern distribution as part of the long term future planning for the city.
Realistically, given the overall cost of the proposed project which is in the order of €120 million and the scarce resources available for investment in roads for the foreseeable future, this project is unlikely to progress any further than route selection for some time. If and when the local authority decides to proceed to construct this road, it will have to submit its plans to An Bord Pleanála for consideration. As part of this process, an Environmental Impact Statement would be required which would consider a wide range of issues, including matters such as flooding.
725. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has any plans to permit limousines, as licensed small public service vehicles, to avail of bus lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9530/14]
View answerThe use of bus lanes is provided for in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997, as amended. The primary purpose of providing bus lanes is to facilitate and promote bus-based public transport. Bicycles and taxis are also permitted to use bus lanes.
Having regard to the role of taxis in providing on-street immediate public hire services, an exemption to allow for their operation in bus lanes, when they are being used in the course of business, was provided. It remains my opinion that to extend the use of bus lanes to other categories of vehicles will serve to undermine their original purpose and I have no plans to amend the current policy.
726. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made regarding ensuring that HGVs registered in the Republic are exempt from the UK's road user charge while operating into or travelling through Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8961/14]
View answer734. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9106/14]
View answer742. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions that have taken place to date; the actions that will be taken regarding the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 that will be enacted on 1 April 2014 by the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9394/14]
View answer743. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013, which will be brought into law in April, in the UK and Northern Ireland, that will impose a levy of £10 sterling on all HGVs entering the UK and Northern Ireland, the implications of such a charge being levied on the fleet of HGVs which regularly service Northern Ireland from the Republic will have a very serious impact on a sector that is already suffering, and it will have a very detrimental effect on employment within the industry; if he will negotiate a deal with the Northern Ireland Assembly that will see HGVs from the Republic exempt from this levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9477/14]
View answer750. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will discuss with his Northern Ireland counterpart the possibility of a derogation for Irish hauliers on the daily charge to enter Northern Ireland under the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013. [9560/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 726, 734, 742, 743 and 750 together.
Since 1999, various EU directives have set common rules on distance-related tolls and time-based user charges (known as vignettes) for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) for the use of certain roads infrastructure. It is open to any Member State to introduce road user charges if it wishes. The new road user levy, which is being introduced by the UK Parliament, applies to all HGVs weighing 12 tonnes or more for use of UK roads including those in Northern Ireland. This levy is due to come into effect on 1 April 2014.
I am very aware of the concerns of the Irish haulage industry regarding the introduction of a HGV road user levy by the UK authorities. On a number of occasions, I have expressed my concerns to both the UK and Northern Ireland authorities regarding the impact this levy will have on Republic of Ireland hauliers. I have sought exemptions for roads in Northern Ireland to reduce the impact of the levy on Irish hauliers on the basis of the Irish government's contribution towards the cost of roads infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The issue has also been discussed at transport sectoral meetings of the North South Ministerial Council.
I met Stephen Hammond M.P., Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport on 20 February 2013 and again pressed the issue at that meeting. Clause 3 of the UK HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 allows the UK Secretary of State to vary the extent of the scheme by order. The UK has proposed to exempt approximately 7 miles of cross-border road between the Republic and Northern Ireland. This would allow all operators to use these stretches of road without paying the levy, as it would be a breach of EU legislation to grant an exemption to just one country. The UK Government has been quite clear that that they are not open to exempting all Northern Irish roads from the levy. In this context, at the meeting with Minister Hammond, I proposed that an exemption be given for the A5, as it is often used by operators starting a journey in the Republic and transiting Northern Ireland to deliver goods to another location in the Republic, and it was agreed that further consideration would be given to this proposal. My officials are continuing to engage with the UK Department for Transport on this matter. Any support that the Northern Irish Executive or individual Ministers of the Executive can bring to bear on the UK Government to ensure that there is an exemption for the A5 would of course be welcomed.
727. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the assessment criteria that will operate for the current round of the sports capital programme; the manner in which it will be scored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8962/14]
View answerThe exact assessment criteria to be used for the 2014 round of the Sports Capital Programme are currently being finalised.
728. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any person-body has oversight over sporting organisations' implementation of Children First guidelines and other Government policy which affects voluntary organisations. [8967/14]
View answerMy Department published its Outline Children First Sectoral Implementation Plan in July 2013 and has established an Oversight Group to develop a Child Protection and Welfare Policy for the Department and its wider sectors. In the case of services provided through the Department's agencies, the principal services that are provided directly to children (i.e. that are not accessible by the general public) are in the area of school transport services provided directly by Bus Éireann or through its contractors, and sporting organisations funded by the Exchequer through the Irish Sports Council. Both organisations have detailed procedures in place to comply with Children First National Guidelines. The Irish Sports Council is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including facilitating standards of good conduct and fair play in competitive or recreational sport through the promulgation of guidelines and codes of practice. The Council's guidance document 'The Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in Ireland' has been adopted by all National Governing Bodies of Sport. Each National Governing Body is also required to appoint a National Children's Officer to oversee implementation of the code within their sport.
729. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans that are in place for Cobh, County Cork, to improve the infrastructure in the area because at present during bad weather the island can get cut off from the mainland prohibiting emergency services from accessing the area; his views on whether this is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8976/14]
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 to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded from these monies is a matter for each local authority.
An application was received from Cork County Council in 2010 for 100% funding of the R624 Cobh Road Project which involves the construction of a new road and bridge at an estimated cost of close to €60 million under the Strategic Regional and Local Roads Programme.
The reduced funding available for regional and local roads has meant that it has been necessary to suspend grant allocations for major new road schemes and for major realignment schemes and concentrate resources on the maintenance and rehabilitation of road pavements.
Given the reduction in the available funding the Department is not, at this time, in a position to make a commitment to major improvement projects such as the Cobh scheme.
730. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to open a new access road (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8999/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, such as the N22 and N69, are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this 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.
731. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop a cycle path between Athlone, County Westmeath and Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9024/14]
View answerPlanning for the proposed Dublin-Galway cycle route of which the Athlone to Ballinasloe cycle path will form part is currently being carried out by the National Roads Authority (NRA) and National Transport Authority (NTA).
A proposal for the development of the Mullingar to Athlone section is currently under consideration by my Department under the National Cycle Network (NCN) 2014 - 2016 programme. The preferred route corridor has been selected from Athlone to Galway but there are no applications under consideration by my Department at present for its development.
Any decision to develop a cycleway from Athlone to Ballinasloe under future funding calls would be a matter for the relevant local authorities.
The proposals currently on hand are being assessed against the criteria outlined in the NCN funding call in August, 2013. A decision and announcement of the successful projects is expected in the coming weeks.
732. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on extending the DART service to a town (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9082/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the development of DART projects, comes within the remit of the NTA.
The extension of the DART to Balbriggan (via Donabate) forms part of the overall DART Underground project which was postponed in 2011. Due to financial constraints the Government's current capital plan to 2016 did not provide for the DART Underground which was planned as a PPP but with a very significant level of Exchequer support.
DART Underground remains a key element of the overall public transport integration strategy as it would deliver benefits for each of the four rail corridors radiating from the city centre. It will be reviewed again in preparation for the next capital plan from 2017.
733. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to improve a section of road (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9083/14]
View answerThe planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects (such as the N70) is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
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.
735. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a portion of the roads contingency budget will be provided over the next four years to complete a road (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9181/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 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.
736. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide consideration to the provision of a more regular off-peak rail service to a town (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9281/14]
View answer758. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that bus and rail services serving an area (details supplied) in County Dublin are not properly integrated; if he will have the matter addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9649/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 736 and 758 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has entered into Public Service Obligation Contracts with Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus for the provision of rail and bus services. As the NTA has responsibility for review of or amendments to those contracts, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
