Micheál Martin
Question:292. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no weekend availability of MRI scanners at Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31948/14]
View answerHospital Equipment
Questions (292)
Written answers
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Departmental Funding
Questions (293)
Billy Timmins
Question:293. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding core funding in respect of an association (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31959/14]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Primary Care Services Provision
Questions (294)
Noel Harrington
Question:294. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 646 of 17 June 2014, if he will ensure that a reply is issued by the Health Service Executive regarding the availability of souvenaid for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31966/14]
View answerWritten answers
As previously advised, the Health Service Executive is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the HSE has been asked to examine the specific issue raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as a matter of urgency.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (295, 296)
Terence Flanagan
Question:295. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over the age of 18 years with autism that are in need of support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31971/14]
View answerTerence Flanagan
Question:296. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if supports are available for those aged 18 years with autism (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31972/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that not only affects approximately 1 in every 100 citizens in Europe, but also impacts on their families and society at large. This Government is committed to providing specialist disability supports to enable each individual with a disability including those with ASD, to achieve his or her full potential and maximise independence, including living as independently as possible. Services are provided in a variety of community and residential settings in partnership with service users, their families and carers and a range of statutory, non-statutory, voluntary and community groups.
Services provided by ASD ‘Service Providers’ include assessment, diagnosis and ongoing treatment and intervention supports. Ongoing interventions and supports may include home support services, respite services and multi-disciplinary team supports to assess the individual needs of each person with ASD and provide for the appropriate interventions.
The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has been examining issues around autism across Government Departments in association with the National Disability Authority (NDA). This work by the NDA, which has included consultation with families, will be of significant assistance in informing how best to address the needs of people with ASD.
The HSE, through its Occupational Guidance Service, is working with schools, service providers, young people and their families to identify training needs and explore suitable options for school-leavers graduating in 2014. Many young people with disabilities will progress to further education or vocational training funded by the Department of Education and Skills. For those young people who will require ongoing HSE-funded supports, the HSE has established a National Oversight Group to coordinate a timely response to processing applications for day services and rehabilitative training (RT) places.
The provision of a timely response to the requirement for training places and day services to young people with disabilities has proved challenging in recent years. This year, to meet the challenge, the HSE put in place a revised process to ensure a more streamlined approach to the assignment of places to around 1,400 school-leavers and RT graduates. The HSE has confirmed that young people and their families were notified by the end of June of the placements that will be available to them from September. The HSE has allocated funding in excess of the €7 million additional allocation provided in the HSE Social Care Operational Plan 2014 in order to achieve this. As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointment Status
Questions (297)
Finian McGrath
Question:297. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31985/14]
View answerWritten answers
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, 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 the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
General Medical Services Scheme Administration
Questions (298)
Dara Calleary
Question:298. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the age limit for extension of GMS contracts; if general practitioners may operate under the GMS contract after age 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31986/14]
View answerWritten answers
Under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, general practitioners (GPs) hold one of two contract types, i.e. the Fee-Per-Item contract (first introduced in 1972 and ceased for new applicants in 1989) or the Capitation contract (effective from 1989). Over 99% of GPs hold the 1989 capitation contract. Both contract types contain provisions relating to retirement age. Up until 1 October 2009, the Capitation contract provided that GPs who entered into contracts on the date of its commencement could hold the contract up to age 70 and that all subsequent GP contractors could hold the contract up to age 65. The Fee-Per-Item contract has always made provision for termination upon the GP reaching 70 years of age.
In 2009, the retirement provisions were amended. GP contract holders under the GMS Scheme and/or the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme and/or the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme and who were at that time compulsorily required to retire at 65 years of age, were permitted from 1 October 2009 to continue to hold their contract(s) until their 70th birthday. Similar arrangements also apply to GPs who obtain contracts after 1 October 2009. Self-employed GP contractors may, subject to continued registration with the Medical Council, continue to practise and to treat private patients following retirement from the above Schemes.
Dental Services Provision
Questions (299)
Brendan Smith
Question:299. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals to improve dental services throughout counties Cavan and Monaghan in view of the totally unacceptable delay for persons obtaining treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31988/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Commencement of Legislation
Questions (300)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:300. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form those Acts currently in force for which he has lead responsibility that have parts or sections yet to be formally commenced; the details or purpose of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32005/14]
View answerWritten answers
The information sought by the Deputy is set out below.
|
Name of Act |
Provisions of Act not yet commenced |
Status |
|
Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 |
Sections 4(2), 9(2)(g)(ii), 17(3), 37(2)(a), 39-45, 59(1) (b) (so far as it relates to a professional competence scheme), 59(2)(d), 64(5) and (6), 65(1)(b) , 84, Part 11, Sections 102(2), (3) and (5), 103 |
This is a comprehensive piece of legislation which is being commenced on a gradual basis. |
|
Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013 |
Section 4 |
The Department is in on-going consultations with the Attorney General’s Office re commencement. |
|
Health (Amendment ) Act 2013 |
Section 4 Sections 7(e)(ii), 8, 9, 10, 11(b), 12 and 19 |
To be commenced but no plan at present. Preparations for implementation, including the finalisation of Regulations and Guidelines, are ongoing. |
|
Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 |
Sections 1-5, 12, 16, 17 other than 17(1), 19, 22-25 Sections 6-11, 13-15, 17(1)(l), 18, 20-21 |
These sections will be commenced with effect from 21 July 2014 in accordance with the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 (Commencement) Order 2014 (S.I No. 299 of 2014). To be commenced at a later date. Preparations for implementation including the finalisation of Regulations and Guidelines are ongoing. |
|
Health Identifiers Act 2014 |
The Full Act |
This Act was enacted on 8 July 2014 and will be commenced in a timely manner. |
Health Services Provision
Questions (301)
Tom Fleming
Question:301. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene to enhance diabetic services for children in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32013/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Proposed Legislation
Questions (302)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:302. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 784 of 8 July 2014, when and the way in which his Department will advertise the scheme for access to health care services for surviving victims living abroad under the forthcoming Redress for Women who Were in Certain Institutions Bill 2014; if his Department or the Department of Justice and Equality will write to every woman who has applied to the scheme and lives abroad; the process these survivors must follow to access the scheme; if he will confirm that it is his Department that will administer the scheme; the name and contact details of the departmental official with responsibility; the information and-or documentation that his Department and-or the Department of Justice and Equality will seek from these women and that they will need to provide to access their entitlements under the scheme; the range of services that will be offered under the scheme through his Department; the criteria that will apply; the timeframe involved, and the way he plans to expedite provision of these services in view of the fact that many of these survivors are now in their 70s. [32014/14]
View answerWritten answers
Arrangements for access to health services for participants living abroad, to be dealt with on an administrative basis by the HSE, will be outlined when the legislation is in place. The Redress for Women who were in Certain Institutions Bill 2014 is being prepared by the Department of Justice and Equality.
Sports Capital Programme Data
Questions (303)
Timmy Dooley
Question:303. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number of capital sports grant applications which were deemed invalid for 2011 to 2014, inclusive; the percentage of invalid forms per year; the reasons these forms were invalid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31682/14]
View answerWritten answers
There have only been two rounds of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) in the years referred to by the Deputy. The information sought by the Deputy for the 2012 and 2014 rounds of the SCP is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Number of applications received |
Number of invalid application |
% of applications invalid |
|
2012 |
2,170 |
1024 |
47% |
|
2014 |
2,036 |
736 |
36% |
Applications were deemed invalid for one or more of the following reasons:
- Title/Access requirements of the Sports Capital Programme not satisfied
- Insufficient evidence of planning permission, planning application, or exemption from planning
- Evidence of own funding not provided in prescribed format
- Insufficient own funding
- Insufficient quotations/estimates submitted
- Insufficient sporting content
- School/College/ETB application not made jointly with local club/community group
- Private/commercial organisation
- Other (eg not an organisation that can apply under the SCP)
- Routine maintenance
- Work on project already started
All applicants under the 2014 SCP have been informed of the outcome of the assessment of their application, including details of why applications were deemed to be invalid.
Sports Capital Programme Data
Questions (304)
Timmy Dooley
Question:304. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number of capital sports grant applications which were refused for the counties of Roscommon, Leitrim and Kilkenny in the most recent sports capital grants submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31683/14]
View answerWritten answers
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table.
|
County |
Grant Allocated |
Valid No Funding |
Application Invalid |
Grand Total |
|
Kilkenny |
24 |
18 |
19 |
61 |
|
Leitrim |
10 |
3 |
10 |
23 |
|
Roscommon |
21 |
11 |
13 |
45 |
Road Safety
Questions (305)
Terence Flanagan
Question:305. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider making illegal the use of modified cars (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31711/14]
View answerWritten answers
Road traffic legislation places the onus on users of vehicles on public roads to ensure that their vehicles comply with the law, are safe and maintained in a roadworthy condition at all times. All vehicles when in use on a public road must meet the requirements of road traffic regulations including those applying to noise and exhaust systems. Vehicles that present for the National Car Test with excessively noisy exhausts which exceed predefined limits will fail the roadworthiness test. Enforcement of road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Siochana.
I understand that the Road Safety Authority initiated a public consultation on post registration vehicle modifications in February 2013. It invited views from vehicle owners, interest groups, road users and members of the public regarding vehicle modifications including those to the noise and exhaust systems. The responses received are currently being reviewed by the RSA and I understand that the RSA will submit proposals to me in due course on this issue.
Marine Safety
Questions (306)
Thomas Pringle
Question:306. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider banning the sale of unseaworthy dinghies by supermarkets in view of the large number of rescues by the coast guard in recent weeks of members of the public at sea in unsuitable dinghies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31745/14]
View answerWritten answers
All consumer products placed on the market in the EU are governed by EU legislation. Dinghies sold in supermarkets, depending on their size and specification, are required to comply with the requirements of one of the following EU Directives – the Recreational Craft Directive, the Toys Directive, the Personal Protective Equipment Directive or the General Product Safety Directive. The purpose of these Directives is to ensure that products placed on the market are safe. Manufacturers of products are obliged to ensure that the products comply with the relevant essential requirements and that they are accompanied by operating instructions explaining to consumers the intended use of the product.
I am not aware that there are any unsafe dinghies on sale in Ireland. However, if a product is found to be faulty or unsafe, market surveillance authorities in Ireland are empowered to restrict or prohibit circulation and require manufacturers to recall or withdraw unsafe products. Correspondingly, there are no legislative provisions to ban the sale of dinghies to consumers who may use these dinghies for purposes other than those intended by the manufacturer.
My Department encourages the safe use of recreational craft and has published a Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft which provides information and advice on best practice for the safe operation of different types of recreational craft, as well as emergency procedures for operators and owners of those craft. Appendix 10 of the Code gives advice to the public on the purchasing of recreational craft. The code is available free of charge from the Maritime Safety Policy Division of my Department and is also available to view or download from the Department’s website www.dttas.ie and www.safetyonthewater.ie.
The Irish Coast Guard holds safety awareness demonstrations around the country as well as broadcasting safety messages through the national media. The Marine Safety Working Group, chaired by the Coast Guard has responsibility for the promotion of marine and inland water safety awareness. As part of its work programme, it produces booklets and posters entitled "Safety on the Water" also available on www.safetyonthewater.ie.
Integrated Ticketing
Questions (307)
Seán Kenny
Question:307. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the benefits to commuters with full Leap card implementation in quarter 3, 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31767/14]
View answerWritten answers
Responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing Leap Card system is a function of the National Transport Authority. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (308)
Paul Connaughton
Question:308. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason an application for a sports capital grant made by a club (details supplied) in County Galway was unsuccessful; if his attention has been drawn to the work being done in the club with hundreds of young persons in the Craughwell area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31777/14]
View answerWritten answers
The club referred to by the Deputy submitted a valid application under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme. A total of 2,036 applications were received under the Programme seeking €160m in funding. €40.5m was allocated to 880 separate projects. Given the level of demand for funding and the amount of funding available under the programme, it is unfortunately not possible to allocate grants to every eligible applicant. All of the funding for the 2014 Sport Capital Programme has now been allocated and there is no more funding available at this time. The applicant has now received details of the outcome of the assessment of their application including their assessment score.
Driver Licence Renewals
Questions (309)
James Bannon
Question:309. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the renewing of a driving licence in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31830/14]
View answerWritten answers
The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no power to intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for Direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Departmental Agencies Staff Recruitment
Questions (310)
Dara Calleary
Question:310. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to recruit staff to the Road Safety Authority; the location at which these staff will be based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31840/14]
View answerWritten answers
The recruitment of staff to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is a matter for the Authority itself and is addressed in the context of the Haddington Road Agreement and in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). The RSA, in common with other State Agencies and Government Departments, is subject to the Employment Control Framework introduced by DPER in relation to any staff levels. A review of the RSA has been completed by my Department and my officials are in discussions with DPER regarding the future structure of the Authority, including its future staffing levels.