Written Answers Nos. 562-79
562. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 590 of 4 February 2014, if he will furnish a copy of the 2013 national survey into Health Service Executive funded agencies providing child and family services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41238/14]
View answerI have requested the information from the Child and Family Agency and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
563. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a decision will be made on an application in respect of a group (details supplied) in County Dublin for a national lottery grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41298/14]
View answerMy Department has a funding provision this year of some €900,000 in respect of National Lottery Funding. In excess of 800 applications for grant support have been received from individuals, groups and organisations. The current value of these applications amounts to approximately €8 million which far exceeds the available resources. The organisation to which the Deputy refers is one of these applications.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that, in the circumstances, it will not be possible to assist all applications. However, the assessment process is ongoing and all applicants will be informed of the outcome as soon as final decisions have been made.
564. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will clarify for the purposes of developing child safeguarding policies his Department's exact definition of a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41492/14]
View answerI assume that the child safeguarding policies referred to by the Deputy are child safeguarding statements, which are provided for in section 10 of the Children First Bill, 2014. The definition of "child" for the purposes of that Bill, is set out in section 2 of the Bill, and provides it has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Child Care Act, 1991, which is as follows:
"child" means a person under the age of 18 years other than an person who is or has been married.
This definition of a child mirrors that set out in paragraph 2.1.2 of the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011).
565. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he will take regarding the allocation of his Department's budget that cognisance would be taken of the significant reduction of 33% already borne by the allocation to young persons and youth activities in the past number of years; if he will ensure that the appropriate allocation is provided to compensate for such sharp reductions, in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41598/14]
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. 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 €49.78m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
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.
I am pleased to advise that Budget 2015 has confirmed that funding of €49.78m will again be provided to my Department in 2015 to support the provision of youth services. There will be no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations. The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department will commence work on the detailed 2015 allocations for projects and services over the coming weeks and every effort will be made to notify youth organisations and youth projects of their 2015 allocations as soon as possible.
566. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he will take to ensure that appropriate funding is allocated in order to ensure that a youth café (details supplied) in County Longford is provided for the young persons of this significant geographical area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41599/14]
View answerIn 2013, €1.5m in capital funding was made available to my Department for a Youth Café scheme. Pobal assisted my Department to administer this scheme. In all 95 applications with proposals were received and some 30 proposals for new youth cafés facilities around the country were approved for funding. These projects are now working with Pobal to develop their projects to the next stage of development. An application for funding was received in respect of the Attic Youth Café, however, the application was deemed ineligible for the scheme.
Representations on behalf of the project have been received in my Department. There have been meetings with the then Ministers for Children and Youth Affairs and officials in January and in May this year. Officials of my Department and Pobal met with the project representatives on 11 September, 2014. Officials are now undertaking a full examination of all aspects of this case, including information and documentation provided at the meeting. The outcome of this examination will be communicated to the project in the coming weeks. Pending the outcome of this examination my Department is not in a position to determine what steps, if any, may be available to the proposers to advance the project.
My Department does not have available to it, a new capital fund for the development of youth cafés in 2014. Youth cafés offer young people a safe, alcohol and drug free space, for recreation, non-formal learning and youth activities and they make an important contribution to facilities for young people at local level. My Department has supported the development of some 100 youth cafés over the period 2011 to 2013. The development of youth café facilities will continue to be advanced should further capital funding become available in future years.
Longford Youth Service receives funding on an annual basis from my Department under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme. In 2014, funding of €74,651 has been allocated to Longford Youth Services to support the provision of services to young people in the locality.
567. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update regarding the implementation of new legislation as outlined in the children's referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41723/14]
View answerLegal challenges to the Provisional Referendum Certificate issued in respect of the Referendum on the 31st Amendment of the Constitution (the Children's Referendum), held on 10 November 2012, are currently before the Supreme Court for determination.
The matter of referring the 31st Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012 to the President for signing into law, and to give effect to the Constitutional changes concerned, must await determination by the Supreme Court of the legal challenges made.
The General Scheme and Heads of Bill of the proposed Adoption (Amendment) Bill was published in September 2012 in conjunction with the publication of the referendum proposal to inform the public of proposed changes to adoption law envisaged if the Constitutional amendment was approved.
The provisions of the proposed Adoption (Amendment) Bill will change the criteria, applicable under section 54 of the 2010 Act, under which the High Court may authorise the making of an adoption order without parental consent, in the case of a child who is in the care of prospective adopters and where that child’s parents have failed in their parental duty to the child. The Bill will also provide for the voluntary placement for adoption of any child irrespective of the marital status of his or her parents.
The General Scheme and Heads of Bill of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill were published in the context of the Children's Referendum. Given the signing of the certificate of the 31st Amendment to the Constitution it would be my intention to publish this Bill and to present it to the Oireachtas.
568. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who have been adopted into Ireland from countries not signed up to the Hague Adoption Convention since the Adoption Act was enacted in 2010; the countries from which such adoptions took place; and the number of such adoptions per each of these countries that took place. [41805/14]
View answerThe Adoption Authority of Ireland advises that a total of 320 intercountry adoptions from non-Hague countries have been registered by the Authority since the enactment of the Adoption Act, 2010 in November 2010. The breakdown of adoptions by country is as follows: Ethiopia - 110, Russia - 201, Taiwan - 8 and Ukraine - 1.
569. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps that have been taken to ensure that crèche facilities are paid only for children who avail of the crèche's services and are not solely based on the numbers of children registered with the facility; the number and location of all crèche facilities obliged to repay funding received following an audit of payments under the subvention scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41824/14]
View answerThe Department of Children and Youth Affairs implements a number of childcare support programmes including the Free Pre-School year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) programmes.
In relation to the ECCE programme, only children who satisfy the age criteria are entitled to avail of the free pre-school year under the programme. The age of each child is verified by reference to the child's PPS number. Capitation payments are provided only for the children that are deemed eligible to avail of the provision.
Eligibility for childcare supports under the TEC programmes, which were introduced to support employment activation measures, is determined by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) or by Solas or the Education Training Board (ETB). The childcare places are provided by this Department to the children of parents who provide to the City and County and Childcare Committee the appropriate letter of approval.
The CCS programme provides subvention support to parents on low incomes and parents in receipt of certain social welfare payments, whose children are enrolled in community childcare facilities. Parents in receipt of Family Income Support or who hold a medical or GP visit card can also qualify for support. Participating community childcare services submit parental returns in respect of each qualifying parent and these details are verified by reference to the PPS numbers by the DSP and also by the Health Service Executive where parents are relying on their eligibility for a medical of GP visit card to determine the level of support to which they are entitled. There is provision under the programme for an appeal process where parents consider that they are entitled to avail of childcare support.
Pobal, on behalf of this Department undertake a compliance process to verify, through on-site visits, that the conditions of the various programmes are being complied with.
I understand that there are two instances under the CCS programme where recovery has been pursued. These relate to services in counties Galway and Kilkenny, where repayment plans have been agreed with Pobal and a substantial part of the over-payments has already been recovered.
My Department and Pobal are in the process of implementing a new management platform for the early years programmes – called the Early Years Programmes Implementation Platform (PIP). This new development which will provide a more comprehensive, integrated set of management processes, more efficient work practices, greater visibility and control of funds and commitments, will substantially improve the capacity of the Department and services on the ground to dynamically manage service by service and case by case approvals and changes in each of the programmes.
570. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will list the crèche facilities funded by public moneys that remain empty; the sums allocated in each case; if he will list the under utilised crèche facilities that received public moneys highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General; the sums allocated in each case; the actual take-in in each of these latter cases; the prospects of their better utilisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41832/14]
View answerThe State promoted the development of childcare infrastructure by means of considerable capital investment in the period between 1998 and 2008 during which approximately €425 million was invested in the provision of quality childcare services. The majority of this investment was provided to the community childcare sector. This investment was provided to address the increasing demand for childcare services resulting from the rapid expansion of the Irish economy and the increased participation of women in the workforce. Following the downturn in the economy and a review of all capital expenditure a decision was taken in 2009 not to provide any further funding to the childcare sector for new infrastructure development.
The changed economic circumstances and the contraction in the labour force that followed did result in a considerable decrease in the demand for childcare places. There are in the region of 4,500 childcare services nationally providing some 150,000 childcare places, and Pobal's more recent reports indicate that there is a vacancy rate of 20% across these services. It must be acknowledged that localised supply and demand issues shift on a year-by-year basis and also pre-school services have a life cycle that reflects the particular position of an area in its development and aging process.
It is the case that less than one third of childcare services report being full but it is expected that the increased employment opportunities currently being delivered and the positive outlook for the Irish economy will lead to a considerable reduction in the number of vacancies in the future.
There have been some closures of funded services and a list is provided below for the Deputy. In these cases recovery of the value of outstanding funding liability is pursued and efforts are made to secure alternative operators. Pobal is not aware of services that are operating empty or with very low enrolment rates. It is accepted that there are services which are finding it difficult to operate on a sustainable basis and development support is provided by Pobal and the City and County Childcare Committee to these services.
The issues highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to the utilisation of childcare facilities were fully dealt with by the Public Accounts Committee in 2012 and the changed economic context and timely curtailment of the capital investment programme was acknowledged.
SERVICES CLOSED OUTSIDE OF CONTRACTED PERIOD
|
SERVICE |
COUNTY |
CLOSED |
NCIP CAPITAL FUNDING APPROVED |
|
Comhlacht Oige Lispoil Teo |
Kerry |
2012 |
505,000 |
|
Busy Lizzies |
Fingal |
2012 |
3,748 |
|
Burgess Montessori & Afterschool |
Tipperary North |
Jun-12 |
100,000 |
|
Barnardos - Republic of Ireland Ltd (The Cottage Childcare Project) / NCIP Barnardos The Cottage Childcare Project |
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
Sep-08 |
156,094 |
|
Daisychains Preschool Ltd / NCIP Daisychains Preschool |
Kerry |
Feb-10 |
150,000 |
|
Respond! / NCIP Respond Housing Association (Easton Drive) |
Kildare |
Jun-11 |
80,000 |
|
Ruaile Buaile Ltd/NCIP The Toddle Inn at Hurley Burly |
Dublin County Borough |
Dec-10 |
34,394 |
|
Sugradh Community Out-of-School Playcare Service / NCIP Sugradh Afterschool Care |
Kildare |
Sep-08 |
1,000,000 |
|
Audame Ltd t/a Gymboree Play and Music / NCIP Gymboree Play and Music |
Limerick County |
Jan-11 |
29,824 |
|
Grainne Harris / NCIP Tinkerbells |
Dublin South |
Aug-11 |
19,134 |
|
Maree Childcare, Education and Recreation Group (Spraoí) / NCIP Maree Community Childcare Group |
Galway County |
2009 |
40,000 |
|
Naionra T¡r na nàg |
Galway County |
2011 |
6,750 |
|
NCIP Rainbow Childminding Service |
Clare |
2012 |
25,000 |
|
Total - 13 services |
2,149,944 |
SERVICES CLOSED WITHIN CONTRACTED PERIOD
|
SERVICE |
COUNTY |
CLOSED |
NCIP CAPITAL FUNDING APPROVED |
|
Yvonne Kiernan - Bright Beginnings 2 |
Longford |
2011 |
53,200 |
|
Geraldine Maloney - Playhouse Preschool and Full Day Childcare Centre |
Mayo |
2011 |
35,780 |
|
Adrienne Kelly - Robyns Nest |
Westmeath |
2011 |
73,727 |
|
NCIP Born Free Ltd. |
Dublin County Borough |
Apr-11 |
40,000 |
|
First Steps |
Dublin City |
2011 |
78,965 |
|
Pear Tree Cottage |
Meath |
Jun-11 |
26,250 |
|
Barnardos - MACULLIAM |
Dublin South |
Aug-10 |
168,200 |
|
Barnardos - Deerpark Child and Family Centre |
Dublin South |
Jun-11 |
168,800 |
|
County Dublin VEC Joys of Life Creche |
Dublin South |
Aug-12 |
306,084 |
|
Teresa Singleton / NCIP Kinderkare Boyle |
Roscommon |
Jul-08 |
48,750 |
|
Lots of Tots/ NCIP Lots of Tots |
Kildare |
Sep-11 |
43,526 |
|
Little Learners Day Care & Montessori / NCIP Little Learners Day Care & Montessori |
Tipperary North |
Nov-08 |
100,000 |
|
Sunflowers Creche / NCIP Sunflowers Creche |
Mayo |
Aug-09 |
95,512 |
|
Louise Hallissey / NCIP Up Starts Daycare |
Cork County |
Jun-09 |
37,500 |
|
Happy Faces |
Kildare |
Sep-08 |
100,000 |
|
Stamullen Academy of Childcare Ltd |
Meath |
Jun-10 |
100,000 |
|
Pixie Park Day Care Centre / NCIP Pixie Park Day Care Centre |
Kilkenny |
Apr-11 |
100,000 |
|
Tumble Tots Créche / NCIP Tumble Tots Créche |
Louth |
Apr-09 |
5,250 |
|
Zippidi Do Care / NCIP Zippidi Do Care |
Longford |
Aug-09 |
100,000 |
|
Sinead Ni Cheannaigh / NCIP Mol an Óige |
Galway City |
Jan-11 |
27,750 |
|
Leanne Fogarty/NCIP First Steps Creche and Playschool |
Laois |
Jul-11 |
94,876 |
|
Lucia Sullivan/NCIP The Little Cottage |
Louth |
Dec-10 |
100,000 |
|
ABC Daycare |
Dublin County Borough |
Jan-09 |
45,000 |
|
Mark Abu / NCIP Heritage Childcare Centre |
Cavan |
Mar-10 |
100,000 |
|
Hey Diddle Diddle Creche and Montessori / NCIP Hey Diddle Diddle Creche and Montessori |
Kilkenny |
Dec-09 |
63,000 |
|
NCIP Finglas Childcare Service Mother of Divine Grace |
Dublin County Borough |
Jun-09 |
45,137 |
|
NCIP Cork Steiner Kindergarten |
Cork City |
Jun-11 |
250,000 |
|
Carlow VEC Childcare Centre |
Carlow |
May-12 |
345,700 |
|
Little Gems |
Waterford County |
May-10 |
100,000 |
|
Donohill Preschool |
Tipperary South |
Sep-12 |
80,000 |
|
NCIP Adelaide Studio |
Limerick City |
May-11 |
84,796 |
|
NCIP Sport agus Spraoi |
Kildare |
Sep-12 |
100,000 |
|
NCIP Mary Kinsella Rhythms & Rhymes |
Louth |
Sep-11 |
100,000 |
|
NCIP Riverside Montessori School |
Dublin County Borough |
Dec-08 |
30,468 |
|
Steeplechase Montessori |
Meath |
Sept -13 |
45,000 |
|
Total - 35 services |
3,293,271 |
571. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to extend the early childhood care and education scheme and introduce a full second year of free pre-school care and education as part of the programme, with the option of spreading the entitlement out over the course of a number of subsequent years in the case of children who have special needs; if this is the case, his plans to introduce such a measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41923/14]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children before commencing primary school. Approximately 68,000 children are availing of the provision in the current academic year. The free pre-school provision represents an annual investment of approximately €175 million and this funding has been maintained despite the challenging budgetary situation.
There is no provision under the ECCE programme to provide for a second free pre-school year for any child. However, the programme includes a number of additional provisions to take account of children with special needs. These include an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification under the programme where a child is developmentally delayed and would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. In addition, children with special needs can apply to have the pre-school year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example availing of the programme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year. Application for these exemptions must be made prior to the child commencing the programme.
The introduction of a second pre-school year would require considerable additional funding, broadly in line with the cost of the current one-year provision. This additional funding is not currently available due to the financial constraints under which the Government is operating. In addition, all of the available evidence indicates that the quality of the pre-school provision is key to good outcomes for children. The Early Years Quality Agenda that is being progressed by my Department, and which involves a range of actions in key areas aimed at improving quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime, is a key building block for any further extension of universal childcare provision.
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the national policy framework for children and young people 2014-2020, recognises the value of early childhood care and education in supporting children's early cognitive, social and emotional development, and the Government is committed to the introduction of a second free pre-school year within the lifetime of the framework once the required quality standards are achieved and subject to the availability of resources. My Department and I will be keeping this commitment under review in the context of the progress of the Early Years Quality Agenda.
572. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to disseminate a school readiness research report commissioned by his Department and the Department of Education and Skills in 2013 which was awarded to DIT and MIC, at a cost of €92,000, and submitted to his Department and the Department of Education and Skills in May-June 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41927/14]
View answerThe research to which the Deputy refers is entitled "Examination of concepts of school-readiness among parents and educators" which was funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs under the Irish Research Council’s Research Development Initiative Scheme 2012/13.
As part of my Department’s quality control of externally commissioned research, each study is peer reviewed by one national and one international academic expert in the respective field. This process has been completed.
My Department is currently considering the most appropriate means for dissemination. At a minimum the authors will produce briefing notes for inclusion in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs research briefing notes series under the DCYA strategic dissemination programme. The authors may also be required to present key learnings derived from the project at seminars or other fora as requested by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
573. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the vital work undertaken by Teenline with particular reference to children and teenagers suffering from depression or a tendency to self-harm; if he will favourably consider an application for funding in the order required as already set out by the organisation which relies heavily on voluntary effort for its important work; if grant aid from the national lottery or direct funding may be considered as an early option to provide support for the continuation of this essential support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41930/14]
View answerMy Department has a funding provision this year of some €900,000 in respect of National Lottery Funding. In excess of 800 applications for grant support have been received from individuals, groups and organisations. The current value of these applications amounts to approximately €8 million which far exceeds the available resources. The organisation to which the Deputy refers is one of these applications.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that, in the circumstances, it will not be possible to assist all applications. However, the assessment process is ongoing and all applicants will be informed of the outcome as soon as final decisions have been made.
574. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of quangos set up since 2011 in his Department; the number of members of same; the cost and expense incurred to date including details of the briefs that they cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42510/14]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy that three agencies are currently funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Child and Family Agency and the Ombudsman for Children's Office. The only one set up since 2011 in this Department is the Child and Family Agency which was established on 1 January 2014.
The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the provision of the children and family services previously delivered by the Health Service Executive and services previously delivered by the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. The role and responsibility of the Agency is set out in the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. The Agency is governed by a Board consisting of a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and seven ordinary members. It has almost 4,000 staff. In 2015 the Agency will have a budget of €635million including over €12million in capital funding. This is an increase of €26m, or 4.3% over the 2014 provision of €609million.
575. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details regarding the studies that confirm that fluoride in water is good; if he will indicate if any other countries that mandate by law for water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41493/14]
View answerWater fluoridation is the adjustment of a naturally occurring element found in water in order to prevent tooth decay. Many countries have water fluoridation schemes, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. The balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, is a safe and effective method of protecting the oral health of the population.
Fluoridation is one of the most widely studied public health policy initiatives in the world. There have been a number of relevant WHO documents, notably "Fluorides and Human Health", Monograph Series 59 (1970), WHO Geneva; "Fluorides and Oral Health", Technical Report Series No. 846 (1994), WHO Geneva; and "Environmental Health Criteria 227 FLUORIDES", (2002), WHO Geneva. The Department of Health contributed to the review by the EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER, 2011) of any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride and the fluoridating agents of drinking water.
More recent studies which confirm the benefits of fluoridation include the report by Public Health England "Water fluoridation: health monitoring report for England (2014)" and the review commissioned by the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor and the Royal Society of New Zealand, "Health Effects of Water Fluoridation: a Review of the Scientific Evidence (2014)". The Department of Health keeps this policy under constant review. As part of this ongoing work, a review of evidence on the impact of water fluoridation at its current level on the health of the population is being conducted by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department. The review is due to be completed by the end of this year.
576. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the funding available from his Department for a centre (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41497/14]
View answerTiglin Teen Challenge is a community based residential drug treatment programme, which is supported by the East Coast Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force.
As the HSE provides funding for the initiative, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
577. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of primary medical certificates issued in each of the past eight years to date; the number refused in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41854/14]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
578. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the Pavee Point report Challenging Barriers and Misconceptions: Roma Maternal Health in Ireland, particularly where it states that not having the proof needed to qualify for social welfare supports under the habitual residence condition acts as a major barrier to women accessing basic general practitioner services during maternity and consequently puts their pregnancies at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41996/14]
View answerIn relation to an individual's entitlement to publicly funded health care, eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. Determining whether a person is "ordinarily resident" is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and differs from the condition of "habitual residence" under the social welfare rules. Typically a person should be regarded as “ordinarily resident” in Ireland if he/she satisfies the HSE that it is his/her intention to remain in Ireland for a minimum period of one year.
The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme provides an agreed programme of care to all expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in Ireland. This service is provided by a family doctor (GP) of the expectant mother's choice and a hospital obstetrician.
579. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when his Department began assessing means for a medical card on the basis of the value of the family farm in addition to income derived from the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40913/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
