Written Answers Nos. 222-30
222. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his response to the recently published report by the European Child Safety Alliance entitled the National Action to Address Child Intentional Injury 2014; what European countries are doing to prevent intentional injury to children; and when his Department intends to develop a national strategy on suicide and-or self-directed injury prevention. [14608/14]
View answerThe recently published Report referred to by the Deputy is currently being considered in the Department of Health. This Report examines the policy measures in place to address intentional injury to children by describing the adoption, implementation and enforcement on national level policies addressing intentional injury prevention in over 25 Member States.
In Ireland, Government policy on deliberate self-harm and suicide prevention is guided by our national strategy Reach Out which makes a number of recommendations in relation to fast track referrals to community-based mental health services, effective response to deliberate self-harm, training, reducing stigma and promoting positive mental health, initiatives aimed at helping young men and research. The HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) has primary responsibility for the implementation of Reach Out.
In 2014, my Department and the HSE have committed to developing a new strategic framework for suicide prevention, building on the comprehensive work delivered under the current strategy. The framework will present the key priorities to be addressed in the years 2015 - 2018 and will guide and be supported by robust implementation plans which will specify agreed deliverables, outcomes, and resource implications, lines of accountability and governance structures.
The aim of the new strategy will be to support population health approaches and interventions that will assist in reducing the loss of life through suicide. This renewed focus will provide for improved coordination and integration of services to ensure that pathways of care for persons at risk of suicide or in suicidal crisis can be accessible, acceptable and available. The new framework, which is expected to be published in late 2014, will build upon and learn from the experience of implementing Reach Out, which continue to be relevant, and give a more short to medium-term focus to implementation. The recommendations from the National Action to Address Child Intentional Injury 2014 Report will also be considered in the context of the development of the new framework.
I would like to assure the Deputy that dealing with the current high levels of suicide and deliberate self harm is a priority for this Government, and this is reflected in the significant investment in suicide prevention and mental health services generally in recent years.
223. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health his views on the Neurological Alliance of Ireland's recently published nationwide survey, Living with a Neurological Condition in Ireland which shows the difficulties persons with neurological conditions have in accessing services and the difficulties faced following changes to benefits and entitlements. [14614/14]
View answerThe Neurological Alliance of Ireland's recently published survey relates to a number of issues across the wide range of public sectors services. The online survey examined the responses of 600 people with a neurological condition and their family members to a range of questions examining the impact of their neurological condition on employment, financial circumstances, emotional well-being and public services. Health and personal services are provided to people with a neurological condition by the Health Service Executive. Accordingly the Department has asked the HSE to provide you directly with details of the services it provides for people with neurological conditions.
Waiting times, access, treatment and quality of care are a priority for reform for this Government despite budgetary constraints. The Government is determined to create a new health service that can better respond to the needs of the Irish people.
224. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that Mayo Carer's Association is to lose its only full-time carer's outreach training and development officer; the way carers within the county are to cope in the absence of a full-time outreach training and development officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14648/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a fully updated medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14670/14]
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.
226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card renewal will issue in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14671/14]
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.
227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when an updated full medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14672/14]
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.
228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when an updated full medical card will issue in the case of person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14673/14]
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.
229. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the proposed changes to the contracts of full-time carers; his views on whether it is both unfair and unworkable to enforce changes that require full-time carers to be available for five out of seven days from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; his views on whether such an arrangement will result in working hours being banked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14685/14]
View answerUnder the Haddington Road Agreement key features include an extended working day, substantially reducing spending on overtime and making the most cost-effective use of the additional working-hours provided for in the Agreement. There must be a major focus of achieving savings and efficiencies in front-line services, including those provided for by carers, in ways which do not impact adversely on the level of services provided to clients and patients.
In relation to the specific developments in carers working arrangements, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
230. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider revising the green decals that are obligatory for taxi drivers to display on their vehicles to reduce the number of attacks and burglaries on both their vehicles and their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14505/14]
View answerThe regulation of the taxi industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
