Written Answers Nos. 131 - 150
131. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department has taken to resolve the case of a person (details supplied) who is currently out of work due to the Health Service Executive's decision to withdraw their indemnity cover. [44483/14]
View answerMy role as Minister for Health primarily relates to policy decisions, legislation, implementing the programme for Government, securing an overall budget for the health service. The particular case referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter and it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the HSE.
However, I have been informed by the HSE that there are two investigations ongoing into the person’s case. I understand that there is an Internal System Analysis investigation that is expected to report within approximately four months. There is also an Independent Supervisory Investigation to be carried out in parallel, in order to expedite the overall process. The HSE is not yet in a position to provide a timeline for this second investigation.
I trust that this clarifies that matter for you.
132. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on an application made for fair deal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44489/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. 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.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if review forms for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be re-sent as they have not been received despite reminder letter being issued on 27 October 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44490/14]
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.
134. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of persons (details supplied) in County Sligo who have severe medical needs; his views on whether these persons warrant a full medical card and not the general practitioner visit card which they have been offered; if he will personally read the letters sent by various medical professionals, from within and without the Health Service Executive asking that these persons be granted full medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44512/14]
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.
135. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.113 of 15 October 2014, if he will liaise with the Department of Education and Skills to devise a fairer and more progressive approach to continuing education and school transport for persons with disabilities as they enter adulthood, as the current system presents numerous transitional difficulties and there seems to be a lack of joined-up thinking on a number of fronts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44514/14]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services, including specialised disability support services for young adults who leave school and have ongoing support needs. The HSE either directly provides or contracts disability agencies to provide a range of disability services through service level arrangements.
Where resources permit, the HSE or other disability service providers arrange transport to and from their services. However, the provision of transport is not a core function of HSE-funded disability services and resources must be prioritised by the HSE towards the provision of core health and personal social services.
136. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has approached, consulted with or invited interest from other State agencies or Departments regarding putting the old Dingle Community Hospital to use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44518/14]
View answer137. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on the old Dingle Community Hospital building falling into a state of repair and dereliction if it is not put to use soon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44519/14]
View answer138. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if there has been any serious expressions of interest in the old Dingle Community Hospital from potential investors, public or private; if so, if details of these expressions of interest will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44520/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 136 to 138, inclusive, together.
As management of the HSE's property portfolio is a service matter, your question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up on the matter.
139. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress update on the recruitment process for a consultant dermatologist in Waterford Regional Hospital; when the promised replacement dermatology clinics will be operational in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in County Cork in order to deal with patients from the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44528/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
140. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the provisions that have been put in place to provide braces in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44529/14]
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. I have asked the HSE to investigate this matter and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
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.
141. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the policy of the north Dublin paediatrics occupational therapy services in relation to children with long-term disabilities and the lack of access to a multi-disciplinary team for these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44530/14]
View answerThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive.
Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. 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.
142. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive plans to provide a person (details supplied) in County Galway with a hospital bed for home use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44532/14]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
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.
143. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44535/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
144. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the availability of records relating to maternity and obstetric services formerly provided at St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork; if these specifically include the birth registers and the theatre registers for each year from 1950 to 2007, inclusive; and the name and address of the off-site storage facility where these records are now stored. [44542/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
145. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the ministerial transport costs for the years 2010 to 2013, inclusive, for each Minister and Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44892/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed below:
Ministerial transport costs paid in each year
|
Minister / Minister of State |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Minister James Reilly T.D. |
0.00 |
76,637.76 |
118,267.69 |
128,069.48 |
|
Minister of State Kathleen Lynch T.D. |
0.00 |
69,745.13 |
107,062.44 |
105,915.36 |
|
Minister of State Alex White T.D. |
0.00 |
0.00 |
15,933.03 |
61,644.59 |
|
Minister of State Róisín Shortall T.D. |
0.00 |
547.30 |
3,664.31 |
0.00 |
|
Minister of State Áine Brady T.D. |
113,146.87 |
51,283.44 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Minister of State John Moloney T.D. |
128,007.49 |
44,918.77 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
TOTAL |
241,154.36 |
243,132.40 |
244,927.47 |
295,629.43 |
146. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the ministerial transport costs for the years 2010 to 2013, inclusive, for each Minister and Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44891/14]
View answerListed below are details of the cost of Ministerial transport in my Department in the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Official cars are not provided to Ministers of State. The figures reflect the motor travel allowances claimed for official travel undertaken in accordance with guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Subsistence paid to the official drivers is also included in the tables.
Minister of State Dick Roche T.D.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2010 |
€49,768 |
|
2011 |
€13,119 |
Minister of State Lucinda Creighton T.D.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2011 |
€5,152 |
|
2012 |
€11,032 |
|
2013 |
€4,781 |
Minister of Paschal Donohoe T.D.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2013 |
€2,653 |
Minister of State Peter Power T.D.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2010 |
€27,872 |
|
2011 |
€4,010 |
Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan T.D.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2011 |
€13,729 |
|
2012 |
€2,072 claims relating to 2011 |
Minister of State Joe Costello T.D.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2012 |
€1,549 + 3,472* |
|
2013 |
€5,395* |
*mileage claims proper to 2012 and 2013 submitted in July 2014.
147. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a special needs assistant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44396/14]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school. Where children have significant care needs whereby they may need additional support to be able to attend school, the NCSE may make an allocation of SNA support to the school to assist that child.
The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
All schools were asked to apply to the NCSE for SNA support for the 2014/15 school year by 26 March 2014. The NCSE published details of their allocations for SNA support for the 2014/15 school year in June 2014. The NCSE has recently completed a second round allocations for SNA provision for the 2014/15 school year, details of which are available on the NCSE website, www.ncse.ie.
The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
Should a school wish to make an application for additional SNA support for a child who was not previously considered for SNA support, or who is due to enrol to a school, they may do so to the NCSE. Schools who wish to appeal the level of SNA allocation which has been made to them may do so via the appeals process which is set out at www.ncse.ie.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
148. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the current status of additional accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; the total amount of funding that has been awarded to the project at present by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44417/14]
View answer149. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider delivering the required accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal in one full phase as opposed to over three phases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44418/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.
I can confirm that the proposed project for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently under review. Given the scale of the project, a further site visit is to be undertaken shortly by officials from my Department's Professional and Technical Section. This will allow an informed decision to be taken by my Department on the school's overall future development.
150. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures she plans to roll out over the next 12 months as part of the new digital strategy for teaching and learning in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44423/14]
View answerWork is currently under way on the new digital strategy for schools. A number of research projects have taken place including an online census of teachers and principals, a public consultation process and focus groups with students, parents and teachers. A consultative paper on the use of ICT for teaching, learning and assessment has been published. The strategy development process includes consultations with a variety of stakeholders including teacher unions, management bodies, school principals, parents and students, publishers and other interested parties.
The main themes from the findings of the research projects are Learning, Teaching and Assessment Using ICTs, Teacher Professional Learning, Research, Policy and Leadership, ICT Infrastructure, Digital Content and Internet Safety.
I expect that the strategy will be completed this year and published shortly thereafter.
