Written Answers Nos. 271-293
271. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details of recruitment under the aegis of her Department to the public sector since the partial lifting of the embargo on recruitment. [18255/15]
View answerRecruitment across the justice sector remains subject to specific sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In that context the following recruitment has taken place since January 2015.
|
Department (Including Irish Prison Service) |
No. |
|
Clerical Officers |
50 |
|
Locum Probation Officers |
6 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretaries |
2 |
|
Deputy Director, Forensic Science Ireland |
2 |
|
Prison Administration and Support Officer Grade III |
12 |
|
Psychologist Grade III |
1 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
|
Courts Service |
|
|
Clerical Officers |
8 |
|
Judicial Assistants |
6 |
|
Crier |
1 |
|
Executive Legal Officer |
1 |
|
County Registrar |
1 |
|
Legal Aid Board |
|
|
Temporary Solicitor Grade III |
8 |
|
Director of Legal Aid |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Temporary Law Clerk |
1 |
|
Managing Solicitor Grade II |
1 |
|
An Garda Síochána |
|
|
Trainee Gardaí |
100 |
|
Superintendent |
1 |
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission |
|
|
Intelligence Analyst (Higher Executive Officer grade) |
1 |
It should be noted that a number of these posts were existing vacancies which have now been filled.
In respect of the clerical officers recruited it should be noted that 45 of these appointments relate to Immigration Control Officers. These officers have been recruited as part of the civilianisation of immigration controls at Dublin Airport.
In addition to the above a number of staff joined the Department on transfer or through redeployment from other areas of the Civil and Public Service. Furthermore the Department employs a number of temporary clerical officers on short term contracts. These are, by definition, short term contracts designed to meet seasonal peaks and facilitate staff who avail of the Shorter Working Year Scheme.
272. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if persons leaving community employment schemes to take up employment, qualify for the after-school child care scheme; if not, the reason why not; and if consideration will be given to revising the scheme, to allow this category of person to avail of the scheme. [17366/15]
View answerThe After-school Childcare (ASCC) programme was introduced by the Department of Social Protection and my Department to support low-income and unemployed people who wish to avail of employment opportunities. The Department of Social Protection, who determine eligibility for the programme, has confirmed that parents participating in a Community Employment scheme are not entitled to avail of the ASCC support as there is a separate programme, the Community Employment Childcare programme, which caters for participants in Community Employment schemes. However, the Department also confirmed that parents are entitled to support under the ASCC programme when their participation in the Community Employment scheme ends and they proceed to take up employment, once they satisfy the eligibility criteria for the ASCC programme.
Parents should contact their local Department of Social Protection office if they have queries in relation to their eligibility for the ASCC programme.
273. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there are any constitutional or other barriers to allowing parents who fostered children, but could not adopt them at the time due to lack of consent on behalf of a birth parent, to adopt said foster children now that they are consenting adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17600/15]
View answerThe Adoption Act 2010 provides the legal basis for the adoption of children. This Act defines a child as 'any person who is under the age of 18 years'. I have no plans at present to amend the legislation to provide for the adoption of adults.
274. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of adoptions for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17761/15]
View answerI have asked the Adoption Authority to reply directly to the Deputy.
275. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to address the rising cost of child care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17390/15]
View answerIn the region of €260 million is provided annually by my Department to support a number of childcare programmes which assist parents in accessing quality and affordable childcare. More than 100,000 children benefit from this investment each year. These programmes are in addition to the support provided to all parents in the form of Child Benefit.
The childcare programmes include the universal free pre-school year provided under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. In the region of 67,000 children benefit each year from the free pre-school provision. The standard weekly capitation payment for each eligible child enrolled is €62.50 with a higher capitation of €73 paid for eligible children enrolled in services where staff hold higher childcare qualifications.
The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme provides funding to community childcare services to support disadvantaged or low income families. In the case of full day care, parents can have up to €95 per week deducted from the overall charge. In the region of 25,000 children benefit each year from the CCS programme.
Further childcare support is provided under a number of labour activation measures which support parents returning to the work force or availing of education or training opportunities. These include the Childcare Education and Training Supports (CETS) programme providing €145 per week for full day care where parents are availing of training and education courses provided by Solas or the Education Training Board (ETB). An After-School Child Care (ASCC) programme was introduced and provides €40 per week for after-school care, or €80 per week where a pick up service is available, with €105 per week for full day childcare during the holiday period. A Community Employment Childcare (CEC) programme has also been introduced and provides up to €80 a week to support qualifying parents who are participating in Community Employment (CE) schemes.
The funding to support these childcare programmes has been maintained despite the difficult budgetary position that has prevailed in recent years. To ensure that all the benefits of current (and future) investment are fully realised, it must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. Accordingly, I have established an Inter-Departmental Group to develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in childcare. This Group is considering the needs of children in their early years as well as the needs of school-going children. The Group will submit its final report to Government in June 2015.
276. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will confirm the status of the bilateral agreement between Ireland and Russia on inter-country adoptions; if he envisages it being completed in the lifetime of this Dáil; the approximate timeframe for the completion of this agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17425/15]
View answerEfforts are ongoing in my Department in relation to a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. It was intended to visit Russia in January of this year. However it has been decided to liaise with officials in the Ministry of Education and Science in Russia to ensure that Irish proposals in regard the provision of post placement reports are acceptable to the Russian Federation.
The Irish Constitution protects the integrity of family life and that once adopted in Ireland the child is treated in the same way as other Irish children. This means that the ability of the State to intervene in a family, when a child’s welfare and protection is not compromised, is limited. The Department has advised the Russian Federation of this Constitutional imperative in instances where families, who had given commitments to the Russian authorities in regard to the provision of post placement reports, fail to adhere to those commitments. In these instances the State has no legislative power to enforce compliance with the commitments given by Irish families, legal or otherwise, to provide post placement reports. It is imperative that this matter is fully addressed so as to ensure that further discussions on other aspects of the bilateral agreement are beneficial.
277. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will consider raising the age of leaving care to 21 years in line with the Scottish model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17451/15]
View answerThe primary legislation in Ireland governing child care policy is the Child Care Act 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. Under these Acts, the Child and Family Agency has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. The definition of a child contained in both Acts is that of a person under 18 years of age who is not or has not been married. A child may be brought into care in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991 on a voluntary basis or, if necessary, a child may be received into care by Court order.
Young people leaving the care of the State at 18 years of age are entitled to an aftercare service. Aftercare is the term used to describe the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of such young people to assist them in making the transition to independent living. It is essential that all young people leaving care are provided with the type of transitional support that their individual situation requires.
The Child Care Act 1991 provides that the core eligible age range for aftercare is from 18 years up to 21 years. This can be extended until the completion of a course of education and training in which a young person who has left care, or is leaving care, is engaged, up to the age of 23 years.
Current aftercare provision incorporates advice, guidance and practical (including accommodation and financial) support. Advocating on behalf of young people to support their development as fulfilled adults in their community and, when necessary, to link them to targeted adult services, are also crucial elements of an aftercare service.
The provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 are being introduced on a phased basis. The Act provides for a number of supports to those in care and care leavers. These include the introduction of ‘continuing care’, a new legal term to describe care leavers who remain in their ‘looked after’ (care) placement up to the age of 21. Local authorities have a new duty to provide care leavers with a continuation of the kinds of support they received prior to leaving care. In essence, the young person has ceased to be looked after but the local authority continues to provide them with a looked after placement and any necessary support until their 22nd birthday; akin to aftercare services for children leaving care in this State.
Once a young person moves on from continuing care, they do not have the right to return to a continuing care placement. A care leaver who opts for aftercare upon leaving their looked after placement cannot subsequently claim continuing care support.
93% of children in care in Ireland are in foster care. At the end of September 2014, 56% of the 1,698 young people aged 18 to 23 years in receipt of an aftercare service were in full-time education. A significant number of these care leavers are supported financially to remain living with their foster carers, in addition to having access to an aftercare worker.
Young people who do not have family support from a foster carer or family base are assisted in finding accommodation in supported lodgings, sheltered housing or independent accommodation and encouraged and supported financially in furthering their training and education.
As the Deputy is aware, it has been decided to strengthen the legislative provisions regarding aftercare in Ireland. The approach proposed is to impose a statutory duty on the Child and Family Agency to prepare an aftercare plan for an eligible child or eligible young person. The aim is to create an explicit, as opposed to implicit, statement of the Agency’s duty to satisfy itself as to the child’s or young person’s need for assistance by preparing a plan that identifies those needs for aftercare supports.
It is anticipated that the Aftercare Bill will be published shortly.
278. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans for the school completion programme; if additional funding will be provided for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17498/15]
View answerThe School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to improve the school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. It is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified under the Department of Education and Skills DEIS Action Plan. It involves 124 locally managed projects and provides targeted supports to approximately 36,000 children and young people.
Since 1st 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 was provided for the School Completion Programme. The Agency has indicated a similar allocation for the programme in 2015.
The Agency has approved local projects' school retention plans for the 2014/2015 academic year. The first two instalments of 2014/15 funding have issued to local projects, with a third instalment planned for this month.
The ESRI is currently reviewing the School Completion Programme, which will help in future decisions on its structure, governance and operation. Its final report is expected very shortly. The Minister for Education and Skills recently published an evaluation of the DEIS programme which was also prepared by the ESRI, and which refers to the School Completion Programme as an integral support within DEIS in improving attendance and engagement in education.
I have advised the Agency of my commitment to ensuring that there is no diminution in the school completion programme services.The School Completion Programme is an important service within the Agency’s educational welfare services. It is highly regarded as a key response in securing improved educational outcomes for children and young people at risk of early school leaving.
279. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will address a matter regarding the case of persons (details supplied) in need of assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17669/15]
View answerI want to thank the Deputy for bringing this to my attention. The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment, nor would it be appropriate for me to do so, on the specific matters raised. My Department has, however, referred this to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for attention and asked that they liaise directly with the person concerned.
280. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will audit the current spending on universal services, early intervention, and late intervention for children, and allocate a defined level of funding from all department budgets to facilitate early intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17707/15]
View answerThe importance of promoting prevention and early intervention for the Government is demonstrated by Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014-2020) which was launched in 2014. The Framework is the first overarching national policy framework for the development and implementation of policies for children and young people. Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures puts the everyday lives of children and young people at its centre and requires Government Departments and State agencies to work together in an integrated way along with non-government organisations to achieve better outcomes for children and young people.
One of the commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures relates to ‘exploring the development of cross-Government estimates for expenditure on children and young people’. My Department is in the process of progressing this work so as to identify expenditure on children across Government departments.
The theme of prevention and early intervention is a core element of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. As part of the process of structuring a work plan for 2015, 'sponsor' Departments were each requested to identify a cross-sectoral priority. My Department has identified 'prevention and early intervention' as our key cross-sectoral priority and, in collaboration with the Advisory Council for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, is now in the process of operationalising this key cross-sectoral priority to ensure that activities in this domain are focused on ensuring the optimum outcomes for children and young people.
281. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will co-ordinate local planning for prevention and early intervention programmes with appropriately resourced children’s and young people’s services committees, and other statutory, voluntary and community-based organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17806/15]
View answerThe importance of prevention and early intervention for the Government is demonstrated by Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014-2020) which was launched in 2014. The Framework is the first overarching national policy framework for the development and implementation of policies for children and young people. Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures puts the everyday lives of children and young people at its centre and requires Government Departments and State agencies to work together in an integrated way along with non-government organisations to achieve better outcomes for children and young people.
The theme of prevention and early intervention is a core element of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. It is identified as one of the key transformational goals which, with concerted effort, will lead to better outcomes for children and young people. As part of the process of structuring a work plan for 2015, 'sponsor' Departments were each requested to identify a cross-sectoral priority. My Department has identified 'prevention and early intervention' as our key cross-sectoral priority and, in collaboration with the Advisory Council for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, is now in the process of operationalising this key cross-sectoral priority to ensure that activities in this domain are focused on ensuring the optimum outcomes for children and young people.
Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) which were put in place to develop and implement a local planning model for interagency working to improve outcomes for children and young people, are a key element of the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures implementation structures. The CYPSC cover 0-24 years and are aimed at aligning local services with Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures to ensure a more connected and coordinated response to the needs and aspirations of children and young people. In recognition of the key role of the community and voluntary sector in such provision, this sector will now be involved as a matter of course in all committees.
At present there are 22 CYPSC established in Ireland across 22 counties and 25 local authority areas. Three CYPSC are yet to be established in Clare, Laois Offaly and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. It is anticipated that by the end of 2015, all Children and Young People’s Services Committees will be in place and there will be full coverage across the State.
In supporting this process, staff within my Department are engaging with stakeholders to establish a sustainable funding arrangement for CYPSC in accordance with DCYA’s commitment (G48) in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: ‘put in place an agreed resourcing framework for CYPSC drawing on existing financial support from Tusla, Local Government and DCYA’.
282. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will commit to prevention and early intervention for childhood issues (details supplied); if he will provide details regarding the tested programmes that will strengthen childhood matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17808/15]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency’s extensive programme of early intervention and preventative work, i.e. the Prevention, Participation and Family Support (PPFS) programme, which builds on the change of emphasis in the development of child welfare and protection services over recent years, was formally launched on 13th April, 2015. The programme constitutes a potentially significant step in achieving the policy objective of moving closer to a position where an enhanced focus of services is on prevention and early intervention rather than crisis management. This was a key rationale for the Government's establishment of the Child and Family Agency at the beginning of 2014 and is clearly reflected in the statutory responsibilities the Agency has been assigned.
On that same date I published the national High Level Policy Statement on Supporting Parents and Families (Parenting and Family Support). This is the first of a number of strategies to flow from Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The national policy framework for children and young people 2014 – 2020; others to follow will relate to Early Years; Youth; and Children’s & Young Persons’ Participation in Decision-making.
The Statement, which is available on my Departments website (www.dcya.ie) promotes 29 high-level policy messages intended to shape and guide ongoing change and future developments in the area. The policy orientation is very much geared towards developing the prevention and early intervention capability at the services level.
In relation to the request for information about particular programmes, I would direct the Deputy to the Agency’s website (www.Tusla.ie ) where there is a range and variety of resource materials available in that regard. The documentation provided under the publications section of the website includes “What Works in Family Support” which provides an extensive overview of evidence based family support practices and programmes for children and families.
283. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 12 June 2014 and the reply dated 30 September 2014, if he will provide, in detail, the expenses claimed by members of staff attending Health Service Executive child care conferences; his views on the number of staff attending these conferences; and the section of the Executive to which they are affiliated. [17855/15]
View answerChild Protection Conferences are inter-agency and inter-professional meetings, convened by a designated person within Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. These conferences are convened to facilitate the sharing of information between professionals and parents/carers (where appropriate) when the child is considered at high risk. Such professionals that attend may include the Social Worker, the Principal Social Worker, School Principal, Public Health Nurse, family Doctor, Gardaí and any other professional who knows the child and/or has been involved with the child. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the parents will be invited to attend. If deemed necessary during the meeting, a Child Protection Plan is drawn up and put in place. Child Protection Review Conferences are also held at regular intervals to determine whether the child remains at continuing risk and whether the Child Protection Plan is still required to provide safeguarding.
Tusla has informed me that expenses information is not collected in the format requested by the Deputy and is unable to provide this information to me. The lowest level of analysis of this kind that is available is on the basis of travel expenses per Tusla employee. Tusla has not been able to disaggregate expenses information, in this case, on the basis of attending child protection and child protection review conferences. I have been informed by Tusla that the expenses claimed by staff members who attend conferences are in accordance with the National Financial Regulations, this position is unchanged from the reply I gave to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 12 June 2014. I have requested information from Tusla as to who is eligible to apply for expenses, and I will revert to the Deputy when it is to hand.
284. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on correspondence (details supplied) in relation to an unfair dismissal case, in which standard procedure was not adhered to by the family support agency involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17889/15]
View answerThe Centre in question is funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Family Resource Centres are independent companies limited by guarantee and are managed by a Voluntary Board of Management representative of the local community. In order to receive funding, the Family Resource Centres are required to have formal policies and procedures in place in relation to a number of areas, including Corporate Governance and Employment.
The decision to dismiss the person in question was made by the Voluntary Board of Management of this particular Resource Centre. Prior to this, Tusla had supported a number of efforts to address issues arising at the Centre over recent years. This included the appointment of an independent investigator in 2013 and, following the completion of the investigation in 2014, the appointment of an independent facilitator to progress matters. However, the Voluntary Board of Management has advised Tusla that over this period there were continuing difficulties.
The Voluntary Board of Management has now advised Tusla, that regrettably, the Centre has closed temporarily due to ongoing difficulties relating to this matter. Tusla is meeting with the Board to discuss the future of the Centre, having regard to Tusla's priorities in relation to the needs of children and families in the local community.
As I have advised previously, Tusla is committed to the continuation of funding for the Centre, and I hope that these difficulties can be resolved as soon as possible.
285. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide details of recruitment under the aegis of his Department to the public sector since the partial lifting of the embargo on recruitment. [18264/15]
View answerRecruitment to my Department and agencies under its aegis has been ongoing as needs arise, and subject to the existing Moratorium.
The Moratorium on recruitment to the Public Service was introduced in 2009. While the Moratorium was not a blanket ban on recruitment, an Employment Control Framework was put in place which included a ceiling on the numbers of employees in each Department and their agencies. My Department has been implementing the moratorium in respect of itself since the Department's establishment in June 2011 to date, and likewise in respect of the bodies under its aegis.
Under the terms of the Moratorium, where a Department believes that a post should be filled, in either the case of a civil service post or in relation to a public service post in a body under the aegis of the Department, it requires the sanction of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an exception to the moratorium. Requests for exceptions are not made in respect of every vacancy.
In Budget 2015, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin, T.D., announced that arrangements would be put in place to replace the Moratorium with a framework whereby management of public service staffing will be delegated to Departments. The Minister has stated that the new framework will be subject to binding overall pay ceilings and commitment to ongoing reform and efficiency objectives.
Officials in my Department are currently finalising the details of the new framework with officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. No recruitment has therefore taken place yet under revised arrangements.
286. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove fluoride from drinking water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17393/15]
View answerThe fluoridation of public water supplies is provided for in the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies Act) 1960. The level of fluoride in drinking water in Ireland has been set at between 0.6-0.8 parts per million. This level of fluoride is deemed optimal for protecting the oral health of all age groups.
The Department of Health keeps the policy of water fluoridation 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. This review is currently being finalised.
287. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the services currently available for women relating to addiction, recovery, community support and drop-in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17448/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
288. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a young person between 18 and 25 years of age is disadvantaged in accessing a medical card due to having an income below the income threshold; his strategy to ensure that young vulnerable persons can access medical care in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17662/15]
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.
289. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a young person between 18 and 25 years of age on a social welfare payment and independently living can be considered more disadvantaged than other citizens of the State due to the fact of having an income threshold that is too low to make that person eligible for a medical card; his views that these persons are considered to be less entitled or in need of medical care; his strategy to ensure that young vulnerable persons can access medical care in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17663/15]
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.
290. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of staff who have been sanctioned for recruitment to child and adolescent mental health service teams; the number of posts sanctioned which have been filled; and his plans for full recruitment. [17858/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a response within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
291. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the Royal College of Surgeon's proposed competency assessment model for non-European Economic Area trained nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17184/15]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question raised.
As this is an operational matter, I have referred this question to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
292. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if an early date for a hip replacement operation at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin 11, will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [17187/15]
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. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, 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.
293. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare is not facilitated under the general medical services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17198/15]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you. 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.
