Written Answers Nos. 601 - 611
601. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the provision of a primary health centre in north Clondalkin, Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23385/15]
View answerAs the delivery of health care infrastructure, including the Rowlagh/North Clondalkin primary care centre, is a service issue your question has been forwarded 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 who will follow up.
602. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the funding made available to each local and regional drugs task force for each of the years 2010 to 2014 and for 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23386/15]
View answerIn line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Department of Health administers a Drugs Initiative which primarily funds community based drugs initiatives supported by Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. The budget allocation for the twenty four Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for each of the years referred to by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
LDATFs |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 DOH |
2014 HSE |
2015 DOH |
2015 HSE |
|
Ballyfermot |
1,533,826 |
1,492,413 |
1,569,489 |
1,522,404 |
461,150 |
1,025,582 |
255,466 |
1,231,286 |
|
Ballymun |
1,243,552 |
1,209,976 |
1,180,695 |
1,145,274 |
632,817 |
488,098 |
422,958 |
697,957 |
|
Blanchardstown |
1,184,200 |
1,152,227 |
1,124,343 |
1,090,613 |
179,305 |
913,589 |
179,305 |
913,589 |
|
Bray |
1,656,849 |
1,612,114 |
1,573,101 |
1,525,908 |
573,860 |
916,271 |
573,860 |
916,271 |
|
Canal Communities |
1,645,413 |
1,600,987 |
1,562,243 |
1,515,376 |
338,605 |
1,141,309 |
338,605 |
1,141,309 |
|
Clondalkin |
1,495,408 |
1,455,032 |
1,421,577 |
1,428,930 |
388,114 |
1,007,948 |
388,114 |
1,007,948 |
|
Cork |
1,662,621 |
1,617,730 |
1,578,581 |
1,531,224 |
411,988 |
1,108,299 |
411,988 |
1,108,299 |
|
Dublin 12 |
1,180,005 |
1,148,145 |
1,120,360 |
1,086,749 |
74,013 |
990,134 |
70,997 |
993,150 |
|
Dublin North East |
1,294,199 |
1,259,256 |
1,228,782 |
988,234 |
422,251 |
594,836 |
422,251 |
594,836 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
975,475 |
949,137 |
926,167 |
898,382 |
94,676 |
786,755 |
94,676 |
786,755 |
|
Finglas Cabra |
986,452 |
959,818 |
936,590 |
908,492 |
263,277 |
627,960 |
263,277 |
627,960 |
|
North Inner City |
2,495,777 |
2,428,391 |
2,369,624 |
2,298,535 |
576,956 |
1,652,623 |
494,856 |
1,734,723 |
|
South Inner City |
2,276,911 |
2,215,434 |
2,161,821 |
2,096,966 |
255,720 |
1,788,337 |
176,043 |
1,868,014 |
|
Tallaght |
1,316,913 |
1,281,356 |
1,250,347 |
1,262,837 |
452,712 |
782,240 |
341,438 |
893,514 |
|
Total |
20,947,601 |
20,382,016 |
20,003,720 |
19,299,924 |
5,125,444 |
13,823,981 |
4,433,814 |
14,515,611 |
|
RDATFs |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 DOH |
2014 HSE |
2015 DOH |
2015 HSE |
|
East Coast |
896,933 |
872,716 |
851,596 |
584,227 |
58,200 |
508,500 |
58,200 |
508,500 |
|
Midlands |
1,576,095 |
870,581 |
849,513 |
824,028 |
307,810 |
491,497 |
136,816 |
662,491 |
|
Mid-West |
894,739 |
1,533,540 |
1,496,428 |
1,451,535 |
147,982 |
1,260,007 |
147,982 |
1,260,007 |
|
North East |
1,038,588 |
1,010,546 |
986,091 |
956,508 |
0 |
927,813 |
0 |
927,813 |
|
North West |
806,369 |
784,597 |
765,610 |
742,642 |
272,485 |
447,878 |
258,633 |
461,730 |
|
North Dublin |
870,066 |
846,574 |
826,087 |
801,304 |
456,080 |
321,184 |
309,778 |
467,486 |
|
South East |
1,193,005 |
1,160,794 |
1,132,703 |
1,098,722 |
0 |
1,065,760 |
0 |
1,065,760 |
|
South West |
894,750 |
870,592 |
849,524 |
824,038 |
102,820 |
696,497 |
102,820 |
696,497 |
|
Southern |
1,089,369 |
1,059,956 |
1,034,305 |
1,003,276 |
0 |
973,178 |
0 |
973,178 |
|
Western |
740,085 |
720,104 |
702,677 |
681,597 |
136,994 |
524,155 |
136,994 |
524,155 |
|
Total |
9,999,999 |
9,730,000 |
9,494,534 |
8,967,877 |
1,482,371 |
7,216,469 |
1,151,223 |
7,547,617 |
The reduction in the Department of Health allocation in 2014 and 2015 respectively reflects the fact that the Department transferred €21.04m in funding relating to Drug and Alcohol Task Force projects to the HSE on 1st January 2014, with a further €1.02m transferring on 1 January 2015.
603. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the current national drugs strategy concludes in 2016, his plans to develop a new strategy; if he has established a public consultation programme regarding the new strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23387/15]
View answerAs Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, I will be leading the development of the Drugs Strategy for the period after 2016. My intention over the coming months is to lay the groundwork for a concise and focused policy, placing a clear emphasis on the practical implementation of actions.
This work will include an assessment of the extent to which the current Strategy has provided an effective policy response to the drug problem. An examination of the approach to drugs policy and practice in other jurisdictions will also help to identify any additional evidence-based approaches which might be considered in an Irish context.
I intend to consult widely, to meet with all groups and stakeholders concerned with the drugs issue. I want to listen to the concerns of those affected and I am particularly keen to hear from young people, service users and their families.
604. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of internal Grade 8 positions created in the Health Service Executive from 2005 to 2014 and in 2015 to date. [23390/15]
View answer605. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of general manager positions created in the Health Service Executive from 2005 to 2014 and in 2015 to date. [23393/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 605 together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
606. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or a career break, broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23406/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed as follows.
|
Length of time on Career Break |
Number of people |
|
0-6 months |
0 |
|
6-12 months |
1 |
|
1-2 years |
2 |
|
2-3 years |
0 |
|
4-5 years |
1 |
|
5+ years |
0 |
607. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form and by year, the total photography costs for his Department since coming into office, inclusive of costs incurred from the use of the ministerial allowance; if he will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23422/15]
View answerThe details sought by the Deputy are set out in the table. I will advise the Deputy separately if any such payments were made during 2015.
It is the policy of the Department to keep costs in relation to the use of photographers to a minimum. Photographers are usually booked through the Press and Communications Office. From time to time individual units may incur other photography costs.
No photography costs are met from my Ministerial Allowance.
|
Year |
Occasion for which photography was booked |
Name of Photographer |
Cost € |
|
2014 |
All Ireland Chief Nursing Officers' Conference |
Conor McCabe Photography Ltd |
369 |
|
2014 |
HSE Aviva Stakeholder Consultation |
Conor McCabe Photography Ltd |
308 |
|
2014 |
All Ireland Chief Nursing Officers' Conference |
Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd |
308 |
|
2014 |
Portrait of Council Members |
Conor McCabe Photography Ltd |
1046 |
|
2014 |
Launch of the National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland |
Conor McCabe Photography Ltd |
431 |
|
2014 |
A Ministerial Meeting of the British Irish Council – Misuse of Substances Sectoral Group, Dublin Castle |
Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd |
246 |
|
2013 |
Symposium for Senior Pharmaceutical Policy-makers on 29-30 August 2013 |
Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd |
738 |
|
2013 |
Joint Meeting of Chief Medical Officers and Chief Nursing Officers |
Fennells |
105 |
|
2013 |
National Drugs Coordinators Meeting April 2013 |
Fennells |
117 |
|
2013 |
NPHDB /CHGB Joint Induction Day Photo Session 1/10/13 |
1Image Photography |
314 |
|
2013 |
Photography Costs for John Higgins Chair of the Strategic Board on Hospital Groups |
Donagh Glavin Photography |
234 |
|
2013 |
Tobacco Free Ireland Launch |
Conor McCabe Photography Ltd |
554 |
|
2013 |
First National Clinical Effectiveness Symposium |
Derek Speirs |
437 |
|
2013 |
Launch of the Healthy Ireland Report |
Photocall Ireland |
559 |
|
2013 |
Launch of Healthy Ireland Report |
Robbie Reynolds Photography Ltd |
615 |
|
2012 |
2nd National Patient Safety Conference |
Derek Speirs |
318 |
|
2012 |
Consultation Day on Rare Disease Plan for Ireland |
Conor McCabe Photography Ltd |
431 |
|
2012 |
Closing Conference to mark the end of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012 in Ireland (in which the Department of Health was co-ordinating) |
Tommy Clancy Photography |
584 |
|
2011 |
Seminar: Parental Substance Misuse – Addressing its Impact on Children A review of the Literature |
Conor Healy |
800 |
608. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form and by year, the external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office; if he will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firm and internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23438/15]
View answerThe Press and Communications Office of the Department liaises with the media on behalf of the Department and does not use the services of public relations companies. The Department has not spent any money on public relations consultants between July 2014 and December 2014. I will revert to the Deputy should there have been any such expenditure during 2015.
It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt to be appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy on the matter.
609. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23454/15]
View answer612. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if his Department has renegotiated external information and technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23571/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 612 together.
My Department operates a shared ICT service which, in addition to supporting the business of the Department of Health also provides IT support for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children. While my Department does engage external contractors for specific services, such as software development, security and network support, it has not, in the periods specified, engaged external consultants in relation to IT and consequently the issue of renegotiating does not arise. Contracts for operational ICT work are re-tendered in line with public procurement requirements.
610. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the protocols in place since March 2011 to set standards in parliamentary replies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23502/15]
View answer611. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that parliamentary questions are adequately replied to within his Department; the steps he has taken since March 2011 to ensure parliamentary questions are fully responded to within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23518/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 611 together.
The Department receives around 8,000 parliamentary questions annually, it processes more than any other Department.
The Department commits considerable ongoing attention and effort to the efficient discharge of responsibilities in this important area. The Parliamentary Affairs Unit ensures that the information requirements of Oireachtas members are properly addressed, including through monitoring of the progress of drafting of replies, the identification of potential issues and follow up to ensure mitigating actions are taken. The Unit provides ongoing training for staff involved in the preparation of replies, including the maintenance of an updated guide for staff setting out procedures and timeframes for responding to parliamentary questions. The Unit also ensures close co-operation with the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the HSE on Ministerial replies and close monitoring of the 15 working day commitment for responses to directly referred PQs. Finally, each Unit in the Department has appointed parliamentary question coordinators to ensure that all questions are answered in a timely manner.
More recently I have advised Deputies to contact my private office should a response from the HSE not be forthcoming within the 15 working day allotted timeframe.
