Written Answers Nos. 268 - 276
269. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 223 of 19 February 2014, if the number of medical cards granted on the basis of the exercise of discretion increased by 27,415 between the 1 January 2014 and 1 February 2014; the reason the trend in place for the past two years has been reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9969/14]
View answerThe figure of 77,709 in my response to question No. 223 of 19th February referred to the number of persons holding eligibility for both medical cards and GP visit cards on the basis of the exercise of discretion. The medical card related figure is 50,505 and the respective GP visit card 27,204. The Deputy will note there is very little change between the 1st January and 1st February medical cards held following the exercise of discretion, i.e. 280.
270. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons availing of private health insurance at the end of 2013 in each of the following age groups: 17 years and under; 18 to 29 years; 30 to 39 years; 40 to 49 years; 50 to 59 years; 60 to 69 years; 60 to 79 years; and 80 years and over. [9972/14]
View answerThe number of people holding private health insurance at the end of 2013 was 2.052 million. This figure includes people enrolled with the four commercial health insurers and Restricted Membership Undertakings (RMU's provide insurance to people who are members of a particular group, normally a vocational group or employees of a particular organisation).
The Health Insurance Authority have provided my Department with the latest data available, outlined in tabular format. Data broken down by age is compiled in respect of the commercial health insurers and excludes members of RMU's and people serving waiting periods.
Membership end 2013
|
Age Group |
Market |
|
Aged 17 and under |
461,604 |
|
Aged 18 to age 29 |
211,386 |
|
Aged 30 to age 39 |
295,422 |
|
Aged 40 to age 49 |
295,963 |
|
Aged 50 to age 59 |
263,036 |
|
Aged 60 to age 69 |
215,174 |
|
Aged 70 to age 79 |
119,387 |
|
Aged 80 and over |
48,849 |
|
Total |
1,910,821 |
271. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate, in tabular form, the total expenditure by his Department on external consultancy advice services, including legal services, in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if this spend is in line with the overall value for money objective of his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10014/14]
View answerMy Department's total expenditure on consultancy over the past three years including legal services from 2011-2013 is as per the following table. My Department is aware of the need to minimise legal costs and, in general, avails of legal services and advice from the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. The main purpose of the public procurement process is to ensure that goods, services and works are purchased by the State in a manner that is legal, transparent and of high probity, and our key requirement is the achievement of value for money. Expenditure on consultancy is within the budget allocation for each year.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
Amount |
|
2011 |
Consultancy |
527,725 |
|
2011 |
Legal Services |
351,569 |
|
Total 2011 |
879,294 |
|
|
2012 |
Consultancy |
1,562622 |
|
2012 |
Legal Services |
165,915 |
|
Total 2012 |
1,728,537 |
|
|
2013 |
Consultancy |
1220,826 |
|
2013 |
Legal Services |
20,301 |
|
Total 2013 |
1,241,127 |
272. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the number of women currently serving on State boards under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10025/14]
View answerThe Government Decision S21590E of March, 1995 regarding the appointment of women to State Bodies states that there is a requirement for a minimum of 40% of both men and women appointed as Ministerial representatives to all State Bodies. Although the overall current membership of State boards under the aegis of my Department is well balanced, with 58% of the membership being male and 42% female, some individual boards do not yet have a balance of 40% of each gender. These figures have remained largely unchanged over the last three years. In so far as possible when making appointments to such boards, I will endeavour to ensure an appropriate balance between men and women.
273. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of employee share ownership plans in operation in the commercial semi State sector under the remit of his Department; his views on whether they offer good value to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10047/14]
View answerThere is no employee share ownership scheme in place in the Voluntary Health Insurance Board, which is the only commercial semi-State agency under my remit.
274. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will change the current pre-qualified builders' tendering criteria for capital projects (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the exclusive nature of the existing criteria; and if it is his intention to review same as it potentially discriminates against builders who have both the competence and capacity to construct and who have a strong track record of providing valuable local employment. [9760/14]
View answerUnder the Local Authority Swimming Pools Programme (LASPP), grants of up to €3.8 million are made available towards the provision of a new pool, a replacement pool or the refurbishment of an existing local authority pool, subject to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project (90% for projects located in disadvantaged areas).
Under the LASPP there are four principal stages in a swimming pool project, which are: Feasibility Study/Preliminary Report; Contract Documents; Tender and Construction. Grant-aid is allocated only when tenders have been approved for the project and is capped at the time of allocation. The Department and its technical advisors, the OPW, evaluate each stage and Local Authorities cannot proceed to the next stage unless prior approval issues from the Department.
There are many complex technical aspects involved in building a swimming pool. The Department's technical adviser (OPW) has confirmed that the Council's pre-qualification tendering criteria for this project were reasonable and appropriate.
275. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a pension scheme. [9771/14]
View answerThe question relates to the pension arrangements for former TEAM Aer Lingus employees, who became employees of another company when the maintenance part of the business was sold by Aer Lingus in 1998. Many of these employees were subsequently made redundant when the business closed in 2009. Such employees who have not yet reached pensionable age and who are members of the Irish Airlines Superannuation pension scheme are referred to as deferred members of the scheme.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have no role in the administration or management of pension schemes relating to past or present employees of Aer Lingus Group Plc. Resolution of the funding difficulties in the scheme is primarily a matter for the trustees, the members of the scheme, and the companies participating in the scheme.
The Trustees have recently announced that they have decided in principle on a number of changes to address the funding difficulties. In their letter to the Employers and the Unions the Trustees formally requested the Employers and the Unions to give appropriate consideration to the position of the deferred members in further discussions.
276. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding funding for young athletes representing their country in major international events; if there are grants to support children to attend these events and appeals for sponsor; and his views on whether when a young person is selected to represent their country in major international events the State should pay all or a percentage of the costs, particularly young people in households who have low incomes coming into their household. [9800/14]
View answerThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding to athletes.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Sports Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
