Written Answers Nos. 358-374
358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which various voluntary groups, bodies and organisations dealing with the rights and well-being of children remain in contact with his Department and vice versa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2746/15]
View answerMy Department has contact with various voluntary groups, bodies and organisations dealing with the rights and well being of children. These contacts relate to a range of responsibilities that come within my remit and some bodies have multiple contacts with my Department in line with their respective areas of interest.
On an ongoing basis, we have contacts with the State Bodies coming within remit of my Department, namely, the Child and Family Agency and the Adoption Authority of Ireland. We have contact with the Ombudsman for Children in the context of our relationship with that Office under the governing legislation.
The Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures Advisory Council was established in November 2014 and includes representatives from key groups working in the areas of Early Years, Children and Youth, as well as independent experts and individuals nominated by me. The Advisory Council provides the platform through which the NGO sector connects with and mobilises communities, families and individuals, and are an essential partner to implementation of the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People.
My Department works closely with the youth sector interests in developing key initiatives such as the National Youth Strategy 2014-20. The National Youth Work Advisory Committee, whose members include representatives of the national youth organisations, Government departments and the Education and Training Boards, that support youth services at local level, has an important advisory role to me in matters to do with provision for young people. In September 2014 I met with the representatives of some 30 national and major regional youth organisations to see how we can work together within resources available to ensure that programmes and services being provided are relevant and responsive to young people’s needs.
In the development of the Children First legislation, a number of round-table meetings were held with key stakeholders to brief them on the provisions of the Bill. Further consultations with stakeholders will be undertaken in the context of the passage of the Children First legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
My Department works with a wide range of non-government organisations in the development of policy and practice on children and young people’s participation in decision-making. A National Strategy on the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision Making is currently being developed.
Some specific topics involve contacts with particular groups. For example:
- the Children's Rights Alliance in relation to policy matters arising under the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child - specifically the Third Optional Protocol to the UNCRC on a Communications Procedure;
- the ISPCC in relation to the Missing Children's Hotline which is now funded by DCYA;
- Barnardos in relation to the provision of Guardian Ad Litem services under the Child Care Act 1991;
- The Children’s Research Network for Ireland and Northern Ireland, established in 2010 to support the research community to better understand and improve the lives of children and young people, by creating and maintaining an inclusive, independent, non-profit network through which information, knowledge, experience, learning and skills can be shared.
The Children Detention Schools (CDS) have a service level agreement with certain organisations. Empowering People in Care (EPIC) provide advice, support and individual advocacy services to children and young people in care, those preparing to leave care and those in aftercare. The Youth Advocate Programmes (YAP) organisation build partnerships between vulnerable young people, their families and communities to support their full potential through a community based, strengths focused, intensive support to selected young persons for up to six months on their discharge to aid their re-integration into their community where the child doesn't have other adequate supports in place.
The Early Years Policy Unit in my Department has ongoing interaction on a range of childcare related issues with the 31 City and County Childcare Committees and the 7 National Voluntary Childcare organisations that represent childcare providers and also advocate in relation to childcare issues. The voluntary organisations include Barnardos, Early Childhood Ireland, Child-minding Ireland, Border Counties Childcare Network, St. Nicholas Montessori, Irish Steiner Waldorf Organisation and Forbair Naionra Teoranta.
Contacts with any other organisations not mentioned above can take place during the year, either at my request or in response to requests from the organisations concerned.
359. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the recruitment of new early years education inspectors; the envisaged relationship between these inspectors recruited under the better start programme and the current inspectorate operating under the child care regulations from 2006; and if a single inspectorate would be more appropriate and effective to monitor compliance with all obligations including educational ones. [2750/15]
View answerThe new education-focused inspections will examine the quality of educational provision in early childhood settings participating in the Free Pre-school Year programme. These inspections will have a developmental focus looking in particular at the quality of children’s learning experiences and achievements and how this is supported in settings by management and leadership, curricular provision, the learning environment, adult-child interactions and the use of play based approaches. Practitioners in the Early Childhood settings will also have opportunity to engage in professional dialogue with inspectors who have expertise in the area of early childhood education. This professional dialogue together with the publication of reports will provide valuable advice to practitioners on how to improve the quality of learning experiences for the children.
The education-focused inspections will be a separate programme of inspections but they will complement fully the regulatory, care-focused inspections by the TUSLA Early Years’ Inspectorate. Having separate care-focused inspections and education-focused inspections conducted by cooperating inspectorates is reflective of practice in other jurisdictions and there is strong evidence that this approach works very well.
Both the DES and TUSLA Inspectorates are committed to working closely to ensure that the inspection processes complement each other, to minimise disruption to the work of early years’ settings and to avoid unnecessary administrative burdens on leaders and practitioners in early years’ centres. In this regard, appropriate systems will be put in place to facilitate the sharing of inspection information between both Inspectorates. This will build on the collaboration between both Inspectorates during the joint pilot inspections conducted in 2011/2012 which established a shared understanding of respective roles and inspection processes, and an awareness of the demands on pre-school settings. The Inspectorate of the DES will consult with stakeholders in the sector in advance of commencing the programme of education-focused inspections.
The learning from carrying out education focused inspections in the Pre-School Year will contribute to long term planning for the regulation of the early years sector, including the assessment of learning and development outcomes for children aged between 0 and 3.
A National Early Years Quality Support Service, known as Better Start, has been introduced under the Early Years Quality Agenda. As part of that service, funding has been provided to allow for the recruitment of 30 graduates in early childhood care and education who will work directly with services to improve quality, including assisting services in the implementation of the Síolta Framework and the Aistear Curriculum. The new service will work closely with the City and County Childcare Committees and the Voluntary Childcare Organisations to support service providers in improving the quality of their services. The work of the service will be based on a new Practice Guide based on Síolta and Aistear, which is currently being developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). This will be a support for staff in ECCE centres.
360. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps taken to support the professionalisation of child care which would be of benefit to both child care service users and persons working in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2766/15]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides for one free pre-school year for all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. The programme is normally provided for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week, over 38 weeks. The Government has made a very significant commitment in maintaining the pre-school year on a universal and free basis despite the current budgetary situation.
The ECCE programme is funded by my Department through the provision of capitation grants paid directly to participating services. This capitation payment is for the provision of services, including preparatory and supportive work such as engagement with parents, training and organisation. The standard capitation fee paid to participating services is €62.50 per week per eligible child. A higher capitation fee of €73 per week per eligible child is available to pre-school services with more highly qualified staff.
There are in the region of 4,200 pre-school services participating in the programme with new services applying to enter the programme each year. The funding provided under the programme is a guaranteed source of income, paid in advance, and is an important support to services at this time. Services applying to enter the programme should be satisfied that they can meet the full cost of providing the pre-school year from the capitation provided.
Ireland, like other European countries, does not provide for mandatory Continuing Professional Development for early years practitioners. Data from the 2014 Eurydice and EUROSTAT Report ‘Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care – Education and Training in Europe’ shows that in Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Poland, Sweden and Norway, CPD is not obligatory for educational and care staff.
The same report identifies that ‘Continuing professional development (CPD) plays an essential part in increasing ECEC professionals' competencies. In certain cases, participating in training allows staff not only to improve their knowledge and develop additional professional skills in ECEC, but also to upgrade their qualifications.
I would like to be in a position to provide for mandatory CPD but first I would like to see early years practitioners meet the new minimum requirements. The Deputy may be aware that as part of the early years quality agenda aimed at improving the quality of childcare services, new qualification requirements for childcare staff working directly with children were announced last year. A minimum qualification of Level 5 (or equivalent) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) will be required for all staff working with children in pre-school services and the minimum qualification for all pre-school leaders delivering the free pre-school year under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme will be increased from Level 5 to Level 6 (or equivalent) on the NFQ. It is expected that new qualification requirements will apply to all existing services from September 2015.
To support staff who are seeking to meet the new qualifications requirement, funding of €3 million is being made available over the two years 2014/2015 under the Learner Fund. The Fund is being administered by Pobal, with the assistance of local City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs).
My Department also provides annual funding to seven voluntary childcare organisations in the childcare sector, who provide support to childcare services throughout the country. This funding, which will amount to over €2.6 million in 2014, enables the voluntary organisations to provide a range of support services to their members, including on-going training supports.
361. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to serious concerns on the part of primary schools (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and 11 regarding the impact of cuts of 33% to the school completion programme since 2009; if he will ensure, now that this programme has been transferred to Tusla, that the fund will be ring-fenced and protected in view of the essential nature of the supports being provided to the most vulnerable children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2772/15]
View answerThe School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of young people who are risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 36,000 children.
Since 1 January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion Programme. The Agency has approved local projects' school retention plans for the 2014/2015 academic year. The first instalment of 2014/15 funding issued to local projects last September. Further payments totalling approximately €9.5m have issued over the past month, with a third instalment in May 2015.
There is one post primary school and seven primary schools in the area mentioned by the Deputy. These schools are served by the Ballymun Educational Support Team (BEST) School Completion Programme project, which is integrated with the Aisling Project in Poppintree. I am advised that an amount of €576.261 was allocated by the Agency to these projects for the school year 2014-2015, of which €468,212 has been paid in two instalments by 31 December 2014, with a final payment of €108,049 due in May 2015.
The amounts provided for 2014-2015 take account of the savings requirements in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-2014. The allocation of the funding across the range of interventions planned for young people and between the local schools in the School Completion Programme project for the area is a matter for the Local Management Committee.
The estimate for the Child and Family Agency for 2015 is €631 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department has recently issued a Performance Statement to the Agency under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. This includes my priorities for consideration in the development of the Agency's 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the Agency's proposed activities, programmes and priorities for 2015, including provision for the School Completion Programme, in the light of the monies available.
A review of the School Completion Programme has commenced. It is being carried out by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. The Review is an important initiative to plan for the future development of this Programme. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.
362. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 322 of 30 September 2014 and 99 of 19 November 2014 if any decision has been made on the provision of funding for a centre (details supplied) in County Dublin for 2015. [2780/15]
View answerThe Centre referred to by the Deputy has sought to be included within the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme operated by the Child and Family Agency.
I understand that the Agency was due to meet with the Centre on 19th January to discuss its application to join the FRC Programme, having regard to the level of funding available in 2015 in this area. I am currently awaiting the outcome of these discussions.
363. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the terms of reference regarding the definition of exit pathways for the forthcoming inquiry into the appalling treatment in the mother and baby homes; his views on the correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2802/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I announced the proposed Terms of Reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters on Friday, 9th January. Relevant details are available on my Department’s website, www.dcya.gov.ie. In developing the Terms of Reference due regard was given to the emphasis on “Mother and Baby Homes” in the motion approved by Dáil Eireann on the 11th June 2014 and the investigation will examine a wide agenda of matters in relation to these homes. The investigation will thoroughly examine the experience of the many mothers and children who were resident in a Mother and Baby Home over the period 1922-1998. The approach taken provides a deliberate emphasis on the experiences of women and children who spent time in Mother and Baby Homes over the period 1922-1998. Accordingly, the Terms of Reference focus on institutions which can be identified as having both:
- the primary function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children, and
- an ethos which those running the institutions considered to promote a regime of work, training or education as part of an overall approach to either rehabilitating single mothers before they left the institution, or to give them training for living independently.
The Commission will also investigate a representative sample of those County Homes which had a considerable focus on these services. On the basis of the available information, I am satisfied that the institutions included in schedule 1 of the draft Order meet these criteria whereas the institutions raised in the details supplied by the Deputy do not, as they did not provide this specific range of services.
However, where such institutions had a relationships with a Mother and Baby Home, the role played by these institutions can be examined within the Commission's work. Article 1(VII) of the Terms of Reference requires the Commission to investigate the exit pathways of children when they left these Homes, and in particular the nature of the relationship between Mother and Baby Homes and other key institutions – these include children’s homes; orphanages; and adoption societies. This will include identifying patterns of referral, and the practices and arrangements for placing children, including where an intermediary organisation was involved in arranging a subsequent placement. The Terms of Reference also require consideration of the extent to which mother’s consented to such placements – i.e. was their consent full, free and informed – and the degree to which children’s welfare and protection was considered in making such placements. Issues to be examined by the social history module under Article 11 also include the role and interrelationships of a range of institutions, including homes for infants or children.
I do appreciate that since the decision to establish this investigation was announced there have been calls for the inclusion of a broad range of matters. At least some of these issues are unrelated to the intended remit of this investigation. In addition, and in the interests of maintaining the required focus and specificity on Mother and Baby Homes, it must be recognised that previous inquiries have already examined some related issues. This includes the comprehensive investigation into historical child abuse already conducted by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. Its remit was to inquire into the abuse of children in a broad range of care settings, including children's homes, during the period 1940 to 1999.
The Government is satisfied that the proposed Terms of Reference Government provide an ambitious and appropriately focused set of tasks which can be accomplished by this Commission within a realistic timeframe.
364. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to deal with high child care costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2833/15]
View answerThere is clear evidence that investing in childcare services which provide quality care and education for children in their early years has significant dividends for both the children themselves and for society as a whole. Ensuring the best possible outcomes for children in their early years is therefore an important element in future economic planning.
The case for investing in children and young people on both social and economic grounds is supported by a body of international evidence. As the Minister with responsibility for this key area, I propose to establish a cross-Departmental group at senior level to develop a whole-of-Government approach to future investment in early childhood care and education and after-school care. The group will undertake an economic and cost benefit analysis of policies and future options for increasing the supply, accessibility and affordability of quality childhood care and education services.
It is clear that accessibility, affordability and high quality childcare can play a critical role in achieving a number of Government priorities, including improving educational outcome for children, reducing poverty and increasing parents' participation in the labour market. The importance of this area is reinforced by continuing economic improvement and job growth and an increased focus on activation for those currently outside the labour market.
To ensure that all the potential benefits can be realised, future public investment in childcare must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. It must look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group as well as consider the after-school needs of older school-going children. It is crucial, therefore, that we develop a coherent cross-Government approach to investment in childcare services.
The group which I propose to establish will include representatives of the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance and the Department of the Taoiseach and will be led and supported by my Department. I will be asking that the work of this group be carried out within a relatively short time frame and I expect that the group will be in a position to report to me in the Summer.
365. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide his priorities for the development of youth support services in all areas throughout the country targeting children and teenagers with the objective of providing a suite of support services in accordance with requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2865/15]
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. In 2015, funding of €49.9m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
My Department has prioritised the development of a National Youth Strategy for completion this year. The National Youth Strategy will focus on the youth-related policy commitments outlined in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People. It will be a universal strategy for all young people aged 10 to 24. It will have a particular focus on those who are most disadvantaged or at risk and who have the poorest outcomes and therefore in most need of support.
A National Youth Strategy Task Group, convened by my Department, is overseeing the development of the new Strategy. This Task Group comprises statutory youth interests and voluntary agencies and organisations working with young people.
I am keen that all stakeholders have a role to play in the development of the new National Youth Strategy and a comprehensive consultation process is underway at present. This consultation process includes online surveys of young people and those working with young people and a number of stakeholder events for all youth interests planned for later this month. The events will include consultation on the priorities for the new Strategy and the findings of the recently completed Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes. The Review makes recommendations for the future operation of youth funding schemes and their development in the years ahead to ensure effective, value for money services that will be evidence based and improve outcomes for young people.
The consultation will run into February 2015 and I anticipate that the Strategy will be completed promptly thereafter.
366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which rehabilitative support services continue to be made available for juvenile offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2866/15]
View answerAppropriate education, training and other programmes and facilities for children are provided by the children detention schools on the Oberstown campus in line with the principles of the Children Act 2001, in conjunction with the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board. The delivery of children detention services is focused on education and rehabilitation of those young people detained in order to address offending behaviour and support their early re-integration into the community.
The development project which is currently nearing completion in Oberstown will enable the extension of the child care model of detention to all children under the age of 18 years. The project also includes the provision of new education and recreation facilities as well as dedicated visiting facilities and a medical facility. These facilities will support and enhance the existing services already being provided to children in detention on the campus.
An individual management plan is put in place for each child on admission to the children detention schools which includes a mental health assessment to determine the need for more specialist services provided by the Assessment, Consultation and Therapy Service. This is a national service provided jointly by Tusla - the Child and Family Agency and the children detention schools which provides clinical services to children in detention and also in special care facilities, as well as short term interventions when the child returns to the community.
The Deputy may also wish to note that earlier community based interventions to divert young people from offending behaviour, such as the Garda Youth Diversion Projects and the Garda Diversion Programme are also in place in the community and come under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. These programmes aim to engage young people in contact with the criminal justice system in a process of learning and development that enables them to make positive lifestyle choices in the community.
367. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will order a public inquiry into the revelations broadcast on a programme (details supplied). [2493/15]
View answerThe HSE’s immediate priority since situation arose has been to ensure a safe and caring home for the individuals that reside in Áras Attracta with ongoing communication and meetings with families of the residents involved.
A Garda investigation into allegations of abuse at the centre is ongoing and the Gardaí had requested that a stay be placed on HSE investigations until such time as the Garda investigation is completed. However, the HSE has informed me that Gardaí have now cleared the way for the investigation to commence.
The investigation team is working independently of the HSE and is chaired by Mr Christy Lynch. This process is necessary as it will form an important input into any disciplinary process which the HSE will undertake.
The second process established by the HSE is an assurance review and chaired by Dr Kevin McCoy. This review has two purposes:
- An Assurance review of the services at Áras Attracta. The final report will include an individual plan for improvement in each bungalow within the complex;
- Secondly the review will identify system wide learning and will involve engagement with academia as well as input from staff. Importantly, Dr. McCoy will particularly focus on involvement of families and their representatives and will begin meetings with families and other stakeholders.
It is important that these processes should be allowed to complete their work. The matter will be monitored closely by the Department of Health on an ongoing basis.
368. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the assistance available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2596/15]
View answer442. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to assistance for a medical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2639/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 442 together.
As 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.
369. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which early alert procedures exist to identify children and youths deemed to have a disposition towards self-harm; the extent to which adequate supports are in place to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2741/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE 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.
370. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason persons between the ages of 18 and 25 with an income lower than €164 are being declined by the Health Service Executive for medical cards when the maximum social welfare rates for this age groups is between €100 and €144; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2815/15]
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.
371. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the reason persons at a centre (details supplied) in County Roscommon continue to pay more each day towards their lunch than a similar service in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2211/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE 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.
372. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form and for each Health Service Executive area and specifically for counties Galway and Roscommon, the additional community nurses that have been provided in 2014; the plans that are in place to provide additional community nurses in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2212/15]
View answerAs the information requested by the Deputy relates to service issues and is not routinely provided to my Department, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy on these matters. 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.
373. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health in order to honour Ireland's human rights obligations not to interfere with the right to obtain the highest possible standard of health, his views that the appropriate changes be made to the law to allow mifepristone and misoprostol to be available here for use in safe, early abortions. [43826/14]
View answerThe Minister for Health has no proposals to amend the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act or to revisit the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland. Medicinal products can be placed on the market in Ireland only after a marketing authorisation is granted by the HPRA following an application from the manufacturer. Medicines may also be authorised for use across Europe by virtue of a centralised marketing authorisation issued by the European Commission on behalf of the EU.
Under the medicines legislation a prescriber may prescribe a medicine which is not authorised in Ireland, or may prescribe a medicine authorised in Ireland for one indication to treat a different indication if this is considered to be medically necessary. However the use of the medicine must be consistent with the relevant legislative provisions and requirements, including the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.
374. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the education and training that is being provided by his Department regarding the upskilling of parents in the delivery of low-cost healthy nutritious meals to their families. [2222/15]
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. 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.
