Written Answers Nos. 171 - 180
171. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason the transfer of a person (details supplied) in County Galway from a hospital in England to the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin has not taken place; the reason the Health Service Executive cannot provide a place for this person, while the application under section (21)2 is being processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32655/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a response within 15 working days, will he please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will be admitted to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, as the child has shown symptoms similar to a late sibling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32667/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, will he please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32670/15]
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, will he please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
174. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will sanction a third consultant rheumatologist for Sligo General Hospital, given that this appointment is necessary in order that the outreach rheumatology clinic can be reinstated at Letterkenny General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32702/15]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, will he please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
175. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of bonus remuneration paid to staff in his Department and in agencies under his aegis to date in 2015; the number of persons to whom these payments were made and their purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32537/15]
View answerNo bonus remuneration has been paid to staff in my Department to date in 2015.
176. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the post of Irish ambassador to Egypt will be filled; and his views as to whether the post needs to be filled urgently, considering the ongoing case and incarceration of an Irish citizen (details supplied). [32581/15]
View answer177. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade given the delay in appointing a new Irish ambassador to Egypt and the urgent need to fill this post due to the ongoing case of an Irish citizen (details supplied) detained in Egypt, his plans to appoint an existing Irish ambassador based in the region to stand in as an interim ambassador until the new replacement takes up the post. [32582/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
The Government has appointed Mr. Damien Cole, former Ambassador to Vietnam, as Ireland’s next Ambassador to Egypt. Mr. Cole has made an initial round of calls in Cairo and he will present his credentials shortly. Until then, our Embassy in Cairo will be headed by the Deputy Head of Mission acting as Chargé d’Affaires, in line with the usual practice.
178. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that non-governmental organisations, NGOs, in Israel are possibly going to face severe new restrictions on how they operate if two restrictive bills are passed by the Israeli Knesset; if he is further aware that these draft laws seek to cut the funding of NGOs which the Israeli Government views as being foreign agents; the effects on some of the most well-known and respected NGOs, such as B'Tselem and Breaking the Silence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32583/15]
View answerThe last Knesset in Israel saw a number of bills proposed to restrict or hamper the activities of NGOs working in the areas of justice and human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory. These proposals for the most part were unsuccessful. The formation this year of a more nationalist government in Israel, in which some of the proponents of those restrictive measures are now holding ministerial office, clearly raises concerns about the likelihood of further bills aimed against NGOs. Ireland, like many other countries, supports NGOs active in defence of human rights and justice, in many countries around the world. The occupied Palestinian territory is no different in this regard.
I share the widespread international concerns in relation to these efforts and I urge the Israeli government to continue to respect the crucial role of civil society in a democratic system. The willingness of very many Israelis in these organizations to defend justice and human rights resounds deeply to the credit of their country. NGOs which act as whistleblowers on abuses of power, or work to uphold the legal rights existing in a country’s own laws, are performing a valued function.
179. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if payments due to a person (details supplied) in Kilkenny will be paid immediately, as the person is currently on a course through the Minister's Department and cannot get work experience, and was previously on jobseeker's payment. [32621/15]
View answerThis is a day to day operational matter for the WWETB who manage the Newpark Close Family Resource Centre Locial Training Initiative (LTI). I have asked the ETB to contact the Deputy directly to clarify the position.
180. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills when children (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive their school bus tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32489/15]
View answerBus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that a ticket will issue after valid payment details are submitted by the family in question.
In this regard the family should contact their local Bus Éireann office at 01-8302222.
