Written Answers Nos. 140 - 146
141. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of all incidents, including the date, model number and remedial action taken, regarding wheels on ambulances being found to be faulty for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33599/15]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that the National Ambulance Service (NAS) operates its fleet in line with the requirements of CEN 1789, the European Union standard for ambulances. The NAS has a fleet of over 520 vehicles which travel over twenty million km each year. Fleet management policies in place, minimise, as far as possible, the potential for vehicle failure. Daily vehicle inspections are carried out by ambulance crews, and a defect logging system is in place. Replacement of stock within the fleet runs at up to 15% a year and, in 2015, 62 new ambulances will be added to the fleet, at a cost of €7.5m. The NAS adheres to vehicle manufacturer’s specifications for service schedules and intervals. In line with current manufacturer and warranty requirements, each manufacturer’s main dealer network carries out the majority of heavy maintenance work.
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.
142. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the parts of the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015 that he plans to amend by way of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill; when he expects to bring the heads of this Bill to Cabinet; if this Bill will be subject to a public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33604/15]
View answerThe Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act, 2015 was enacted on the 10 March 2015. The Act currently provides for a number of elements to be prescribed by the Minister by way of regulations. While developing these regulations a number of other necessary and practical matters were identified as being required, some of which are in the interests of consumer information. These other matters include inter alia, text in a prescribed form to indicate the type and weight or number of tobacco products contained in the packet, the inclusion of a tab to allow consumers to reseal the pack and the inclusion of a calibration mark which may be necessary for the automated production of the packaging. Amendments will be made to the 2015 Act to provide for regulation making powers for these matters. As the Deputy has indicated, it is anticipated that these technical amendments will be included in a Health Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, the General Scheme of which will be circulated to Government shortly.
143. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical appointment for a child (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33640/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been 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.
144. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who have applied for the Momentum ignite programme; the number who were successful; who completed the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33518/15]
View answerFunded by the Momentum programme, the Ignite Academy offers a 6 month full-time start your own business training programme for people who have been unemployed for 12 months or more. Two separate training programmes have been provided.
There were 134 applications for the programme entitled 'Sounding Board - Training Network for Start Ups for Self Employment' 90 of whom enrolled on the programme and 81 completed. There were 264 applications for the programme entitled 'Ignite – Sparking Self Employment', of which 259 enrolled and 125 completed. A further 123 are still on the latter programme.
145. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has assessed the impact that cuts have made to the training allowance for persons under 18 years of age who are attending Youthreach; if she will consider restoring this allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33461/15]
View answerThe 2012 Budget provided for the reduction in allowances paid to participants in Youthreach under 18 years of age.
Figures for the period since 2011, indicate that participation levels by learners aged under 18 years, on Youthreach training have remained at similar levels. In 2011, 912 learners in that age category attended Youthreach training and in 2014, 832 learners in the same category attended Youthreach training.
146. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the consultations she has had with trade unions on the implementation of operators guidelines for teachers in Youthreach; her views on the current industrial relations in Youthreach; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33462/15]
View answerThe Youthreach Operators Guidelines were drawn up in late 2010. The draft guidelines were circulated to a number of stakeholders including the TUI at that time for their views.
The Guidelines are designed to assist in the management and administration of the Youthreach programme. They are intended to establish common practices and procedures across the Youthreach programme and to bring clarity and direction to further enhance the day to day operation of the programme.
The Guidelines were issued in April 2015. My Department is not aware of any industrial relations issues in Youthreach.
