Written Answers Nos. 390-406
390. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form a list of all external public relations firms hired by his Department and associated costs incurred from 2007 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4538/15]
View answerMy Department was established in June 2011, therefore the information requested by the Deputy cannot be provided.
391. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding child care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4616/15]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programmes is implemented by my Department and provides one free pre-school year for children in the age category 3 years 2 months to 4 years 7 months.
The objective of the ECCE programme is to improve children's readiness for entry to primary school. It is considered that the 38 week model of delivery in one school year is the optimal model in terms of ensuring a high-quality early years experience for pre-school children. The Síolta and Aistear frameworks which are central to quality pre-school provision, were developed to support this objective. The current model of delivery also helps to ensure that children and parents become accustomed to the weekly discipline of school attendance with the number of days and hours on which the programme is delivered being approximate to the primary school requirement of 5 days over 38.6 weeks.
Parents of special needs children, who consider that their child may not be able to meet the demands of 5 days attendance each week, can apply to have the pre-school year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, attending for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year. Parents of special needs children can also apply for an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification under the programme where a child would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. These exemptions apply to special needs children only and there are no plans to make these exemptions available to children generally.
392. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the funding that was awarded by his Department to youth services in Dublin North East and Dublin North Central since his Department was established in June 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4733/15]
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. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. In 2015,an allocation of €49.9m has been provided to my Department to support the provision of youth services.
Details of the funding provided to youth services and projects by my Department are not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. The funding for the provision of youth services is administered on behalf of my Department by a number of funding administrative bodies. In the main, these are the Education and Training Boards. Details of the funding in respect of youth services administered by City of Dublin Youth Service Board and Dublin City Council on behalf of my Department are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
393. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to provide assistance towards child care costs for working parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4734/15]
View answerI am aware of the relatively high cost of childcare in this country and to help address the issue my Department supports a number of childcare programmes that assist parents in accessing quality and affordable childcare. These programmes are, of course, in addition to the support provided to all parents in the form of the Children's Allowance, which is a key Government support to help families with ongoing costs.
These programmes include the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme which provides funding to community childcare services to enable them to provide quality childcare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income working parents. In the case of full day care, parents qualifying for the higher rate of subvention under the CCS programme can have up to €95 per week deducted from the overall charge for childcare in the participating childcare facility. Pro-rata reductions are made in respect of the other services provided.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal programme that provides for one free pre-school year for all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. The programme represents an annual investment of approximately €175 million and parents availing of the provision have their annual childcare costs reduced by €2,375 for each eligible child.
A number of initiatives have been introduced under the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) programmes to support parents who are endeavouring to enter or return to the workforce and who are participating in training or educational courses for this purpose. These include the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme which provides childcare places to qualifying Solas or Education and Training Boards trainees or students for the duration of their courses. This programme provides €145 per week towards the cost of a full day childcare with pro rata rates for parents who receive a reduced level of service.
The After-School Child Care (ASCC) programme was introduced under the TEC initiative and provides after-school care for primary school children for certain categories of working parents for a once-off period of 52 weeks. This programme provides €40 per week for after-school care, (or €80 per week where a pick up service is provided) and €105 per week for full day childcare during the holiday period. Pro-rata rate applies for parents who require support over a shorter weekly period. The Community Employment Childcare (CEC) programme was also introduced and provides up to €80 a week to support qualifying parents who are participating in Community Employment schemes.
The above programmes represents an annual investment of approximately €260 million and despite the difficult budgetary situation in recent years this funding has been maintained. This Department will continue to fund these programme, with an emphasis on improving the quality of the service, and as funding becomes available I would hope that the capitation rates for all programmes could be increased to provide further support.
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 outcomes for children, reducing poverty and increasing parents' participation in the labour market. To ensure that all the benefits of childcare investments are fully realised, future public investment in childcare must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. I am establishing a cross-Departmental group to look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group as well as to consider the after-school needs of older school-going children. It is crucial that we develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in childcare services.
This new group 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.
394. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of couples that have been granted declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt under the relevant sections of the Adoption Act, but that have yet to adopt a child; the number of single persons who have been granted such declarations, but have yet to adopt; if he will provide a gender breakdown of these single persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4793/15]
View answerThe Adoption Authority of Ireland has provided the following table of Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability granted over the past ten years. The Authority advises that it is not possible to say how many of these led to an adoption as some prospective adopters will have withdrawn from the process for a variety of reasons. I would point out that a Declaration remains valid for 3 years, therefore the numbers below may include applicants who reapplied, following expiration of an earlier Declaration that was granted.
APPLICATIONS FOR A DECLARATION OF ELIGIBILITY & SUITABILITY
|
Year |
Couples |
F/Applicants only |
M/Applicants only |
Total |
|
2004 |
478 |
23 |
0 |
501 |
|
2005 |
378 |
22 |
0 |
400 |
|
2006 |
442 |
25 |
0 |
467 |
|
2007 |
473 |
21 |
0 |
494 |
|
2008 |
462 |
47 |
0 |
509 |
|
2009 |
368 |
38 |
1 |
407 |
|
2010 |
335 |
46 |
0 |
381 |
|
2011 |
223 |
9 |
0 |
232 |
|
2012 |
203 |
0 |
1 |
204 |
|
2013 |
236 |
1 |
0 |
237 |
395. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of non-family adoption orders granted for each of the past ten years; if he will provide a breakdown of the non-family adoption orders granted to couples and to single persons for each year; if he will provide a gender breakdown of these single persons for each year over the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4794/15]
View answerThe Adoption Authority of Ireland has provided a table which shows the number of domestic adoption orders made from 2005 through 2014 in respect of non-family adoptions. The Authority advises that it does not maintain statistics on the numbers of sole applicants adopting a non-related child. However, it can be taken that the number of sole applicants adopting non-related children is extremely low and would occur only in exceptional circumstances, e.g. where a foster family intended to adopt a foster child and one of the couple died and the other proceeded with the adoption. The reasons for the exceptional nature of these adoptions are that birth mothers giving their children for adoption typically choose a couple and also that sole applicants are not automatically eligible to adopt but must satisfy the Authority that in the particular circumstances the adoption is desirable and in the best interests of the child.
|
Year |
Number of non-family adoption orders made |
|
2005 |
62 |
|
2006 |
69 |
|
2007 |
43 |
|
2008 |
67 |
|
2009 |
42 |
|
2010 |
35 |
|
2011 |
39 |
|
2012 |
13 |
|
2013 |
29 |
|
2014 |
30 |
396. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will meet a person (details supplied) to discuss the person's concerns regarding Prader-Willi syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4285/15]
View answerIn September 2014, I received a request to meet the individual in the details supplied but as it is a service issue, it is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE).
It is suggested that she contact Ms Carol Doolan, HSE Disability Manager, Dublin North Central @ telephone 8467127 or e-mail carol.doolan@hse.ie to arrange an appointment to discuss her concerns.
397. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who died by suicide in 2014; the numbers under 30 years of age; if he will provide a breakdown of males and females; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4455/15]
View answerNational mortality data, including that relating to suicide, is published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on a quarterly and annual basis. Information on the number of persons who died by suicide in 2014 has not yet been published. The most recent CSO data available is for 2013 and this indicates that 475 people died by suicide, 396 (83%) male and 79 (17%) female. This data is provisional and is subject to change, when the data by year of occurrence is published. Final data is available for 2012 and this shows a total of 541 deaths by suicide, 445 (82%) male and 96 (18%) female.
The breakdown of deaths by gender and age group of those persons under 30 years who died by suicide in 2012 and 2013 is shown in a table.
|
2012 |
0 - 4 yrs |
5 – 9 yrs |
10 – 14 yrs |
15 – 19 yrs |
20 – 24 yrs |
25 – 29 yrs |
Total |
|
Male |
0 |
0 |
3 |
20 |
39 |
38 |
100 |
|
Female |
0 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
9 |
14 |
31 |
|
Total (2012) |
0 |
0 |
4 |
27 |
48 |
52 |
131 |
|
2013* |
0 - 4 yrs |
5 – 9 yrs |
10 – 14 yrs |
15 – 19 yrs |
20 – 24 yrs |
25 – 29 yrs |
Total |
|
Male |
0 |
0 |
2 |
16 |
31 |
36 |
85 |
|
Female |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
17 |
|
Total (2013) |
0 |
0 |
2 |
20 |
37 |
43 |
102 |
*This data is provisional and is subject to change, when the data by year of occurrence is published.
398. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals put forward regarding the urgent need to reform the World Health Organization in view of the concerns expressed by many member countries of the WHO about the inadequate and slow a response to the recent Ebola outbreak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4593/15]
View answerThe World Health Organisation is undergoing a process of reform to better equip itself to address the increasingly complex challenges of health in the 21st century. From persisting problems to new and emerging public health threats, WHO has stated that it needs the capability and flexibility to respond to an evolving environment.
The reform process has three objectives: programmatic reform to improve people’s health; governance reform to increase coherence in global health and managerial reform in pursuit of organisational excellence.
The first cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa were diagnosed in March 2014. However, the virus had been spreading in the region since December 2013. On 8 August 2014, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The current epidemic has killed more than all other known Ebola outbreaks combined. As of 28 January 2015, the cumulative number of cases attributed to Ebola was 22,092, including 8,810 deaths. There is recognition that the international community must take stock of the lessons learned from the Ebola response to direct WHO reform.
A Special Session on the Ebola emergency took place on Sunday 25 January 2015, ahead of the regular WHO Executive Board which runs from 26 January to 3 February. The objectives of the session were to review the current state of the Ebola response; make recommendations on further steps to stop the epidemic; and discuss how to strengthen WHO's capacity to prepare for and respond to future large-scale and sustained outbreaks and emergencies. Discussions focused on the need for stronger systems at national and international level, and within the WHO, to respond to future health crises.
I am advised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that Ireland delivered a national statement at the Special Session supporting the statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States. Ireland noted that experience on the ground shows that health systems need to focus on surveillance, logistics and political leadership as vital components in the fight against future epidemics. In particular, human resources and community health systems need far greater attention and investment. Ireland called on WHO to continue providing strong and close technical support to the current processes being led by the governments of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea for the formulation of national health systems strengthening plans.
Ireland also called on the WHO to ensure that the strongest possible country level leadership is put in place to support the three national governments in meeting the enormous post-Ebola recovery and systems strengthening challenges in the medium term and noted that the key skills required by the WHO Representatives in the coming period will not be Ebola response skills, but systems strengthening and health service delivery skills and experience.
Ireland underlined the pressing need for action now for a global network of skilled health care workers with adequate support systems in place that can be drawn upon with more speed and efficiency.
Finally, Ireland stressed the need for vigilance in moving from the current crisis to longer term recovery and the need to remain alert and ensure that adequate precautions are taken to avoid a reversal of trends or the overstretching of health systems that have become heavily reliant on external support.
The session saw the adoption of a resolution which, inter alia, requests the commissioning of an external assessment on all aspects of the WHO’s response to the outbreak, calls for reforms to WHO human resource structures and appointments systems, and requests the setting up of adequate surge capacity to tackle future health crises. A copy of the Resolution will be published on the WHO website http://www.who.int/en/.
A Report by Dr Margaret Chan the Director-General of the World Health Organisation, to the Special Session of the Executive Board on Ebola is available at http://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2015/executive-board-ebola/en/.
399. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents admitted to adult beds in 2014. [4313/15]
View answer405. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children and adolescents for consultation with the child and adolescent mental health services. [4376/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 405 together.
As 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.
400. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a continuing delay in processing the application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if same will be expedited due to the time taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4314/15]
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.
401. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a continuing delay in processing the application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if same will be expedited due to the time taken. [4315/15]
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.
402. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a continuing delay in reviewing the application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the application will be expedited in view of the time taken and the condition of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4316/15]
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.
403. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current number of agency staff employed by the Health Service Executive; the cost of agency staff in 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4323/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the 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.
404. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the public health (alcohol) Bill will come through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4329/15]
View answerThe Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012. The General Scheme of a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is due to be published shortly.
406. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding children with muscular dystrophy who are being refused funding for wheelchairs; the reason this vulnerable group of children is being discriminated against; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4379/15]
View answerThe role of the Health Service Executive (HSE) is to provide health and personal supports to people with disability, including those with Muscular Dystrophy. Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers. The services include the provision of medical/surgical aids and appliances on the basis of assessments carried out by a range of multi-disciplinary staff and based on an assessed need for the service, rather than a specific diagnosis such as muscular dystrophy. Prioritisation is based on the results of the assessment and a prioritisation process approves items which are essential to ensure safety, dignity and independence. If the Deputy's question relates to particular individuals, the HSE will investigate the position in each case.
