Written Answers Nos. 215-227
215. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the delay by her Department in paying subvention schemes; when the delay will be rectified with outstanding moneys paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12578/14]
View answerMy Department implements the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, with assistance from Pobal in relation to issuing payments. Community childcare services qualify for funding under the CCS programme on the basis of the level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. The information provided in the parental declaration forms submitted to my Department is verified by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and the HSE. This information determines the level of subvention which applies to each individual parent. This information is gathered during a ‘snap shot’ week in the month of October.
Service providers consider their budget and fees policies prior to the ‘snap shot’ week based on the number of children they have in the service and their own requests for information from parents to estimate what subvention level they can apply for. The DCYA also advises that service providers should request this information again from parents during the ‘snap shot’ week.
All service providers receive preliminary payments before the verification process is complete, from which over or under payment may be adjusted at the next payment run, following the verification process. Following verification, participating services are provided with a list of qualifying parents and confirmation of the subvention level applied to each parent. Parents can appeal if they consider that they are entitled to a higher rate of subvention. Applications for appeal must be submitted within one month of receipt of confirmation of subvention level. The verification process in this school year issued to childcare providers in January and the closing date for parents to appeal these decisions and to establish their eligibility for the programme was the 28th February.
The appeals process for this year is underway and the outcomes will be communicated to the childcare providers as quickly as possible. While there was a delay in the verification of subvention levels, the appeals process is currently being processed at a quick pace and so, it is anticipated that the complete process will be finalised earlier than other years. In cases where a decision is required as a matter of urgency, it is always open to the participating childcare service to contact the Childcare Directorate in advance of a formal determination being issued.
I would like also to advise the Deputy that in addition to the above programme new strands of childcare support programmes have been introduced to support parents and children in need of childcare supports for social, training or employment reasons. Officials in my Department are currently working intensively to develop an ICT infrastructure to support the efficient administration of these support programmes so that the payment process is streamlined and that providers are in a position to meet their financial deadlines.
217. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action that has been taken regarding the issue of step-parent adoption, as raised by this Deputy under Topical Issues on 10 October 2013; the reason the glaring anomalies have still not been addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12623/14]
View answerUnder adoption legislation, when a child is registered on the Register of Adoption the child is deemed to be the fully legal child of the adoptive parent/couple, having exactly the same legal status as any biological child of the couple born to them within their marriage. In effect, once an adoption takes place, all previous links to the birth family are severed and the adopted person is considered part of the adopted family. In the case of step-parent adoptions, it is therefore necessary for the birth mother to adopt her child as part of the adoption process.
I am aware of the anomalies with respect to adoption by step-parents. These provisions first originated in the 1952 Adoption Act and were further consolidated in the Adoption Act, 2010. My Department is undertaking a review of adoption policy and the operation of the Adoption Act, 2010. As part of this review I am examining how to address the anomalies in relation to step-parent adoption, including the requirement for a natural parent to ‘adopt’ their own child and the creation of a new birth certificate recognising the newly-adoptive parents and possibly removing the recognition of a birth parent. I have sought clarification on the constitutional and legal position with respect to step-parent adoption and I am confident, based on the legal advices received, that there are no constitutional barriers to legislative change in this area. There are a number of complex legal and policy issues which would need to be examined within the broader framework of family law relating to parentage and guardianship.
218. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on any planned improvements in the provision for services for teenagers who need supports (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12629/14]
View answerMy Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through National Organisations such as Crosscare under Youth Service Grant scheme the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes such as the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, and Youth Information Centres. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 young people and involve approximately, 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country. In 2014, funding of €50.530m including €750,000 for a new capital funding programmes has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
My Department, along with all government departments, is required to deliver substantial savings on all funding programmes in line with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE). In determining the annual allocations for youth programmes, while having regard to the CRE, my Department has sought to ensure that, as far as is possible, the focus is maintained on the front line youth services particularly those for the most vulnerable young people. This year, I secured an additional €1m in the 2014 Budget to offset the impact of the CRE on the youth services. As a result the overall reduction in 2014 budgets for the youth services at 3.75 % was significantly less had been indicated in the CRE.
In 2014 €86,029 is being provided for Lucan Youth Service ( LYS ) under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme. This service which operates under Crosscare, formerly Catholic Youth Care, aims to promote the holistic development of young people. LYS delivers a planned programme of educational activities/programmes to promote social, personal and lifelong learning. LYS also facilitates a variety of initiatives which reflect the assessed needs of young adults within the community eg. drop-ins, youth café, summer projects, art and training opportunities.
I am aware of the challenges that the budgetary constraints raise for the youth services throughout the country. I, and officials of my Department, have met and will continue to meet with many youth organisations and groups to try and see how we can work together to ensure the most effective and efficient use of the resources available in order to continue to support the provision of quality and responsive youth services for young people.
With regard to the future development of provision for young people, my Department is undertaking a comprehensive Value for Money Review of youth funding schemes that support services to young people. The findings of this review will shape the future direction of youth funding provided by my Department and will aim to ensure quality effective value-for-money services that secure best outcomes for young people.
My Department is also developing a new Youth Strategy. This will, inter alia, promote co-ordination between government departments and youth sector organisations with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the state funding available to support services for young people in future years.
219. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the criteria and application process involved for inventors and product developers in having new products added to the list of products available on the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12480/14]
View answerThe first step for a medicine to be placed on the Irish market involves the manufacturer seeking an authorisation from the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A determination on the application for authorisation is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the application against legal and regulatory requirements. Once authorised on the Irish market, the supplier must make an application to the HSE for the product to be included on the list of products covered under the GMS and other community drug schemes. The application is considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new medicines.
In accordance with these procedures, the HSE may ask the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) to conduct a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of the new product which provides detailed information on the potential budget impact of the medicine. It also assesses whether the product is cost effective at the price quoted by the company in question. The NCPE report is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the supplier. The HSE assessment process is intended to arrive at a decision on the funding of new medicines that is clinically appropriate, fair, consistent and sustainable.
220. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm due to a recent change in his Department's policy pertaining to long-term illnesses, that a number of persons with medical cards are still paying prescription charges; when this change in his Department's policy came into operation; the arrangements that will be made to refund these persons since this change in policy was announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12486/14]
View answerPersons suffering from prescribed conditions can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Medical card holders are required to pay prescription charges. Prescription charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme.
In the case of persons who have both the medical card and an LTI book, it was HSE policy that they should use their medical card to access medicines. The main reason for this was that when a retail mark-up of 20% was payable to pharmacists for items supplied under the LTI Scheme it cost the HSE considerably more to supply medicines under the LTI Scheme than under the GMS Scheme. Following a review of the rates of fees payable to health professionals (under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009) my colleague, Minister Reilly, announced (on the 2nd of July 2013) the elimination of the retail mark-up. As a result, the HSE revised its policy on this matter and persons who have both a medical card and LTI can now access medication for their qualifying long term illness condition(s) under the LTI Scheme. The HSE has advised that it is currently in the process of identifying any LTI eligible persons who paid prescription charges prior to 1st December 2013 so that the charges can be refunded.
221. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health with regard to methadone treatment, the number of inpatient residential detox places currently in the State; the location of same for assisting persons with drug addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12488/14]
View answer222. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health with regard to methadone treatment, the number of residential drug free programmes currently in the State; the location of same for assisting persons with drug addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12489/14]
View answer223. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health with regard to methadone treatment, the number of day programmes are there currently in the State; the location of same for assisting persons with drug addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12490/14]
View answer224. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently on methadone in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12491/14]
View answer225. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were on methadone in 2011, 2012 and 2013; the numbers of whom are now known to be completely off drugs, including methadone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12492/14]
View answer226. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health the number of babies born to mothers on methadone in 2013; the number of such babies that had withdrawals; the number of such babies who received medication; the medications they received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12493/14]
View answer227. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health the total average cost of treatment for a person on methadone maintenance-detoxification; the total average cost for each such person on costs for GP services associated with the maintenance-detoxification; costs for pharmacy goods and services associated with the maintenance-detoxification; costs for the clinic associated with the maintenance-detoxification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12494/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 227, inclusive, together.
The HSE provides opioid substitution (mainly methadone) in a number of treatment settings to meet the needs of individual drug users. These settings include:
- primary care through GPs and community pharmacies;
- satellite clinics that facilitate opioid substitution provision through community pharmacies;
- treatment centres where opioid substitution treatment is dispensed on site; and
- residential rehabilitation facilities.
There were 9,615 patients receiving opioid substitution treatment as at the end of January 2014 according to the National Drug Treatment Centre Central Treatment List. The Central Treatment List indicates that the number of patients in receipt of opioid substitution treatment between 2011 and 2013 was as follows:
- 2011 - 9,251
- 2012 - 9,419
- 2013 - 9,652
The other information requested by the Deputy is not readily available to my Department. I have therefore asked the Health Service Executive to compile the information requested by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
