Written Answers Nos. 213 - 219
213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when 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. [17228/14]
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.
214. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a leaving certificate is a requirement to enter a FETAC Level 5 course in health studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17250/14]
View answer215. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a FETAC Level 5 course in health studies would be considered the equivalent or higher qualification than a leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17251/14]
View answer216. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of positions advertised in the past year by the Health Service Executive where a FETAC Level 5 qualification was an essential criteria; the number of these where a leaving certificate was an essential criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17252/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 to 216, inclusive, together.
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training, and validates programmes and makes awards for certain providers in these sectors. FETAC awards are awarded by QQI. Entry requirements to a FETAC Level 5 course are determined by training providers, who may require that applicants have successfully completed the Leaving Certificate. The Leaving Certificate spans both Level 4 and Level 5 of the National Framework of Qualifications. With regard to the Deputy's question in relation to the number of positions advertised in the past year by the HSE where a FETAC Level 5 qualification or the Leaving Certificate was an essential criteria, as this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
217. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if, in the course of disciplinary or HR procedures an employee of the Health Service Executive has been shown video surveillance taken of that employee without their knowledge or consent; the number of instances of such behaviour; the person that authorises such surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17253/14]
View answerAs this is an operational matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
218. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a response will issue to Parliamentary Question No. 919 of 11 June 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17259/14]
View answerI understand that the Health Service Executive wrote to the Deputy on 6 June 2013 in this matter.
219. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the powers that will be available to taxi inspectors to question taxi drivers regarding their tax affairs; if there will be a code of practice which prohibits questioning somebody when they have a fare, or are on the side of the road; and the other safeguards that are in place to protect a taxi driver's privacy. [17064/14]
View answer226. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to the new rules for taxi drivers the range of powers that will be open to the new inspectors in terms of their ability to question drivers with regard to being tax compliant; and if this in his opinion, constitutes an invasion of privacy and an unacceptable level of harassment. [17063/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 226 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. Section 9(13) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides that a licence shall not be granted to an applicant by the licensing authority unless the applicant produces to the licensing authority a current tax clearance certificate. Section 9(14) of the Act provides that the holder of a licence shall, not less than one month or such further period as the NTA may allow, after each anniversary of the grant of the licence give the NTA a current tax clearance certificate. I have forwarded your questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
