Written Answers Nos 101-120
101. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who reside here but do not have Irish citizenship, who have been convicted of murder in their state of citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38508/14]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that procedures are provided in the Immigration Act 1999 and under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 for the removal from the State of persons who are not citizens of Ireland or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who are known or suspected of engaging in criminal activity. Furthermore, under section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004 an immigration officer may refuse to give permission to enter the State under certain circumstances, including in relation to a previous conviction, if an immigration officer has reason to believe that the persons entry into, or presence, in the State could pose a threat to national security or be contrary to public policy.
In this context criminal record checks take place in appropriate circumstances and An Garda Síochána maintain liaison with other police forces and with Interpol, and relevant intelligence information may be obtained in relation to persons who may have been convicted of serious crimes in other jurisdictions. Statistics in relation to the outcome of such inquiries and the number of instances of the type referred to by the Deputy are not readily available.
102. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to concerns that have been expressed about governance issues at an organisation (details provided) which receives funding from her Department for the operation of the community alert scheme; if she will take necessary steps to ensure the continued viability and operation of this essential community-based service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38524/14]
View answerIn 2014 as in previous years, my Department has provided funding to Muintir na Tire to support the operation of the Community Alert scheme. In relation to the other issues raised by the Deputy, the arrangements for the continuing management of the scheme will be discussed with Muintir na Tire in the context of considering the question of funding for 2015, and having regard to the views of An Garda Síochána as the partners in the programme.
103. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding outstanding issues raised by the Stardust victims (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38541/14]
View answerI met with the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee in July of this year and this meeting provided an opportunity for me to hear their concerns at first hand. At that meeting the Committee and their representatives set out, in some detail, their concerns in relation to the Inquiries into this matter that have been undertaken previously and some related financial issues that have arisen. Since that meeting I have exchanged correspondence with the Committee and their representatives and am now examining whether there is anything that the State can reasonably do to seek to assuage these concerns. I have indicated to the Committee that, while I am prepared to examine matters they wish to bring to my attention, I am anxious that no unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved are raised.
I wish also to inform the Deputy that allegations raised by the Stardust Committee in relation to certain matters are the subject of an ongoing investigation by An Garda Síochána. I am informed, by the Interim Garda Commissioner, that this is a complex investigation and, you will understand, I cannot do anything that might cut across this investigation.
104. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a list of the commissions of investigation, inquiries and similar investigations established under his Department during the past 12 months or being considered for establishment during the next 12 months, and in each case the person or persons conducting the inquiry and the timeframe, including start and end date envisaged. [38329/14]
View answerMy Department is currently making arrangements for the establishment of one investigation under the Commission of Investigations Act 2004. The information being sought by the Deputy in respect of this investigation is as follows:
|
Title of investigation being considered for establishment |
Establishment and timeframe |
Persons conducting |
|
Commission of Investigation into matters relating to Mother and Baby Homes (title remains to be formalised within a Statutory Order to establish the Commission). |
To be decided by Government |
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has announced that Judge Yvonne Murphy is to Chair the Commission. Final decisions on membership to be made by Government in the context of decisions necessary to establish the Commission. |
105. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated for adding fluoride to water for public consumption each year; the persons who receive this funding to insert the fluoride; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38372/14]
View answerWater fluoridation is the adjustment of the natural concentration of fluoride in drinking water to the optimal recommended level for the prevention of dental decay. The Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960 and the Fluoridation of Water Supplies Regulations 2007 provide for the making of arrangements by the HSE for the fluoridation of public water supplies. The local authorities, acting on behalf of Irish Water, act as agents for the HSE in providing, installing and maintaining equipment for fluoridation and in adding the fluoride to water and testing the fluoride content of water to which fluoride has been added. Total expenditure on fluoridation in 2013 was €4.8 million. The costs include €1.7 million paid to Chemifloc Ltd for the supply and delivery of hydrofluorosilicic acid - the chemical used for fluoridating water, as well as operational costs of €2.1 million and capital costs of €1 million.
106. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of a home care package in respect a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38516/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if adequate dental services will be restored for primary school children in the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney areas of County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38311/14]
View answerI have asked the HSE to investigate this matter and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
108. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a decision on a medical card appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38314/14]
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.
109. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of the commissions of investigation, inquiries and similar investigations established under his Department during the past 12 months or being considered for establishment during the next 12 months, and in each case the person or persons conducting the inquiry and the timeframe, including start and end date envisaged. [38336/14]
View answerFrom time to time, a Minister for Health may seek a report into certain issues but in the main, bodies such as the Health Service Executive or the Health Information and Quality Authority carry out investigations or inquiries into health related issues. The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 provides for the establishment of commissions to investigate into and report on matters considered to be of significant public concern. No such commissions of investigation have been established in the Department in the last twelve months, and I do not have any plans to establish any in the next twelve months.
110. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health in view of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland voting to increase the retention fee for 2015 from €100 to €150 (details supplied), if he is prepared for a crisis in staffing levels in the Health Service Executive in 2015 [38342/14]
View answerA new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The Department has no role in setting or approving registration fees.
The Board is an independent body, answerable to the Oireachtas, with the responsibility to ensure that it has the financial capacity to undertake all its legal obligations. The cost of enacting the additional requirements under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 was set out in the Regulatory Impact Analysis that was carried out prior to the enactment of the legislation. These costs include an enhanced regulatory process with supporting systems for continued professional development and certain education and training requirements for the professions.
It was also made clear at the time of the legislation that the Board would continue to be self-funding and needed to plan and cost how it would fulfil its legal obligations. Following detailed negotiations with the Executive and Board members in 2013 it was agreed in October 2013 that an initial once-off sum of €1.6m would be granted by the Department to the Board to cover 2013/2014 costs, but that the Board would have to increase its income in 2015 to undertake its commitments in the legislation. The Board of the NMBI made the decision to increase the annual registration fee at its meeting on 17th September, 2014. A helpline, email address and website information page have been made available by the NMBI to provide clarification for registrants who may have queries on this matter. Any potential implications for nurse staffing levels arising from the increase in registration fees will be kept under review by the HSE.
111. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an increase of hours for home care in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38343/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason for refusal of a medical card in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38355/14]
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.
114. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when persons who were former long-term illness card holders will receive the money owed from being incorrectly charged prescription fees now that they are on the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38358/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive is making final preparation for the refunds to persons holding Long Term Illness (LTI) eligibility who paid prescription charges for medicines dispensed in respect of their LTI condition(s) in the period October 2010 to December 2013. It is expected that refunds will be issued by the end October 2014.
115. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for orthodontic treatment will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38373/14]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
116. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the plans the Health Service Executive has to deploy additional rapid response advanced paramedic vehicles; the proposed locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38377/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
117. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of funding which his Department and the Health Service Executive have granted to the Royal College of Physicians for programme managers and other external consultancy posts; his views that this represents the optimal use of resources in view of the current crisis in health care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38383/14]
View answerThe Royal College of Physicians in Ireland has not received any such funding from the Department in the past three years. In 2012 and 2013, registration and conference fees of €784 and €100 were paid respectively. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy regarding any relevant funding it may have provided.
118. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when prescribed home support hours will be allocated in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38387/14]
View answerAs 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.
119. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been recommended home help and home support hours in County Meath but are currently on a waiting list for same; the total number of hours shortfall-recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38388/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
120. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently waiting for nursing home beds in the Dublin North East Health Service Executive region; and a breakdown of same by county of residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38389/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
