Written Answers Nos. 594-616
594. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in determining an application for support under the nursing home support scheme for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34662/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive 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.
595. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if a centre (details supplied) in County Leitrim that provides a vital addiction service to counties Sligo, Leitrim, Longford and Roscommon will be allowed to accept medical cards at its facility, as many persons who have sought treatment have had to be refused access due to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34666/15]
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.
596. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide appropriate funding in budget 2016 to Muscular Dystrophy Ireland given its important work in the community (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34667/15]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
597. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a cataract operation at Cork University Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34705/15]
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.
598. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a cataract operation at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in County Cork for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34706/15]
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.
599. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in determining an application for assistance under the nursing home support scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if an interim payment will be organised given the intermittent transport to and from the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34707/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive 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.
600. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a cataract operation at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in County Cork for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34708/15]
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.
601. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in County Cork for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34709/15]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
602. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in County Cork for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34710/15]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
603. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a cataract operation at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in County Cork for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34711/15]
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.
604. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form by local health area, the number of persons who are on the occupational therapy first-time assessment waiting list; within that number, those waiting for up to four, four plus to 12 and 12 plus months; the number, by category, waiting who are aged up to four, from five to 17, 18 to 64 and 65 years upwards. [34723/15]
View answer605. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, by local health area, the number of persons who are on the occupational therapy treatment waiting list; the number who are waiting up to four, four plus to 12 and 12 plus months; and if he will indicate for each category the number waiting who are aged up to four, five to 17, 18 to 64 and 65 years upwards. [34724/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 605 together.
As these are service matters, they have 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.
606. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form by local health area, the number of persons who are on the physiotherapy waiting list; within that the numbers waiting up to one, one to four, four to eight, eight to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and 52 plus weeks. [34725/15]
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.
607. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the position regarding awarding long-term illness cards to patients who are diagnosed with the non-exempt types of diabetes. [34732/15]
View answerThe Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973, and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Intellectual Disability; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.
Patients who have types of diabetes not covered under the LTI Scheme may apply for assistance under other community drugs schemes; namely, the General Medical Services (medical card) and Drugs Payment Schemes.
608. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the location of all the teledoc machines purchased under the TRASNA stroke programme; the machines that are operational or recently installed; when it is expected that the new machines will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34736/15]
View answerAs 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.
609. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his Department have received a letter from Relatives for Justice relating to a person (details supplied) who was murdered in July 1972, and new information that has become available from photographs; if any action will be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34629/15]
View answerI can confirm that I received the letter in question from Relatives for Justice (RfJ) on 28 September 2015. The letter and the requests therein are currently being carefully considered and a response will issue in due course.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is already taking a keen interest in the case referred to in the letter from RfJ and it is a source of concern. My Department has been in correspondence with a relative of the person murdered in July 1972 and my officials have recently met with the relative. I have conveyed my concern concerning the continued delays in the inquest into the death of the person in question and with problems experienced regarding access to requested information. Given my Department’s work on dealing with the legacy of past related to the Troubles, I am only too aware of the deep frustration and distress experienced by those seeking truth and justice for their loved ones.
The Irish Government continues, in our ongoing bilateral relations and through the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg, to raise with the British Government their Article 2 obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in relation to specific Troubles-related deaths.
Over 3,500 people died during the Troubles. The suffering of their relatives and friends endures to this day. I understand and acknowledge the frustration of families who for too long have had to contend with inadequate mechanisms for addressing their cases. For that reason, the establishment of a new comprehensive framework for dealing with the past, as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement, remains a priority of the Government.
These institutions will include a Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) to take forward investigations into Troubles-related deaths, as well as an Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR) to enable families to seek and privately receive information about Troubles-related deaths.
In the Stormont House Agreement, it was acknowledged also that recent domestic and European judgments have demonstrated that the legacy inquest process in Northern Ireland is not providing access to a sufficiently effective investigation within an acceptable timeframe. In light of this, the NI Executive has undertaken to take appropriate steps to improve the way the legacy inquest function is conducted to comply with ECHR Article 2 requirements. The Irish Government supports the full and expeditious implementation of the Stormont House Agreement including in relation to legacy inquests.
610. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of supernumerary positions in his Department and those agencies, organisations or bodies funded by his Department; the maximum period in each case that supernumerary positions have existed; the total cost in maintaining supernumerary positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34143/15]
View answerMy Department now operates under the delegated sanction arrangements which were granted in February 2015 to manage its staffing resources. We closely monitor staff numbers and the business needs of the Department in conjunction with our budget. Therefore, we currently have no supernumerary positions in the Department. There are no State agencies under the aegis of my Department.
611. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding his Department's role in Ireland being a co-facilitator of the intergovernmental talks on the sustainable development goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34167/15]
View answerIreland’s appointment, with Kenya, to co-facilitate the negotiations at the UN for the new framework for global development reflected our standing in the United Nations and the reputation of our aid programme in fighting poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries. Ireland had taken a leading role in the process of developing a framework for development to follow on from the Millennium Development Goals since our EU Presidency in 2013
The co-facilitators were tasked with brokering a consensus among all 193 member States of the UN on a new set of global goals to replace the MDGs. The 17 new Sustainable development Goals (SDGs) are at the heart of the final outcome, ‘Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’, which was adopted by the UN Summit in New York from 25 to 28 September. The Taoiseach led the Irish delegation on the opening day of the Summit and President Higgins and my colleague, Minister of State Sherlock, also participated.
My Department and our Embassy network worldwide are supporting the co-facilitation role in New York. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Environment and Local Government co-chaired a whole-of-government coordination process to ensure a comprehensive Irish position throughout the process.
The 2030 Agenda is the second of three major agreements that will be concluded this year and which, taken together, have the potential to deliver a truly transformative agenda that can end poverty and promote sustainable development. The first of these is the Addis Ababa Accord on the means of implementing the new SDGs which was agreed in July, and the third, the climate agreement, should be concluded in Paris in December.
The SDGs will guide the actions of all countries in their efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger and achieve sustainable development over the next fifteen years. While they are challenging and ambitious, we have been heartened by the level of commitment to their implementation expressed by world leaders at the Summit in New York.
I am determined that Ireland’s aid programme, which is central to our foreign policy, will continue to focus on ending poverty and hunger in the poorest countries in the world. The SDGs are universally applicable and all countries will have to take action. Like our EU partners, we will now focus on developing the most appropriate institutional framework to deliver the 2030 Agenda at home and abroad.
612. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding Ireland's overseas development programme in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34168/15]
View answerThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, which is at the heart of our foreign policy. “One World, One Future” our policy for international development, sets out our vision for a sustainable and just world, and reaffirms our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) on Official Development Assistance (ODA). We have stated clearly that we intend to make further progress on this commitment as our economic recovery consolidates.
The Taoiseach repeated the commitment when he addressed the United Nations in New York on 25 September, at the Summit to adopt the new framework for global development, the 2030 Agenda. Ireland played an important role in the negotiation of the framework, and also in helping broker the agreement within the EU to recommit to achieving the 0.7% target within the timeframe of the 2030 Agenda.
I am not in a position at this stage to confirm the allocation for 2016 for ODA, which will be announced in the Budget Statement next week. I am making the strongest possible case for an increase in the allocation to Official Development Assistance, in line with our commitment to the fight against poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries in the world, and our response to the unprecedented level of humanitarian need worldwide, and especially in Africa and the Middle East.
613. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the talks process in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34169/15]
View answerFollowing the request by the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron, I and my colleague Minister of State Sherlock, together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, facilitated a return of all the five main parties in Northern Ireland to round table talks. These talks resumed on 21 September and are continuing in a constructive atmosphere.
The first two weeks of roundtable talks have been relatively positive and constructive with a clear willingness on all sides to address the issues around the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and dealing with the legacy and impact of paramilitarism. I remain hopeful that, with committed collective engagement, we can make real progress on both of these critical issues. An agreed outcome would be an important step forward - not just for politics but for the further normalisation of society in Northern Ireland.
In an effort to facilitate inclusive talks, the Secretary of State has announced a British Government assessment of the current profile of paramilitarism in Northern Ireland. This is a one-off assessment which will be completed in the coming weeks and does not pre-empt the discussion of the paramilitary issue in the talks. It may indeed be of assistance to the parties as they consider how best to tackle the issue.
The issue of criminality stemming from the legacy of paramilitarism is also an important point for the talks. I welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement that there will be enhanced support and resources for tackling criminality in Northern Ireland. This is very much in keeping with our Government’s strong determination to tackle crime, including organised crime. There is already very strong North-South cooperation involving the police and other relevant agencies when it comes to cross-border crime. My colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality had the opportunity to engage with the parties on these issues when she participated in the Stormont talks last week.
Of equal importance in the talks is the need to fully implement the Stormont House Agreement. This agreement, concluded in December 2014, offers a blueprint for overcoming current difficulties in the Executive, especially around financing, welfare reform and dealing with the legacy of the past. While financing and welfare reform is primarily an issue for the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, I have continually encouraged the parties to resolve their difference for the sake of Northern Ireland's economic stability and the sustainability of public services.
It is also crucial that the work started by the Stormont House Agreement on establishing institutions to deal with the legacy of the past is completed so that justice and truth can bring what healing is possible to victims and survivors of the troubles and their families. My officials and I are working intensively with the Secretary of State and the Northern Ireland Office to ensure the rapid establishment of the institutions, including the Independent Commission for Information Retrieval, the Historical Investigations Unit and the Implementation and Reconciliation Group.
A successful outcome to the talks, which will respect and protect the Good Friday Agreement and its power sharing institutions, is a crucial priority for the Government. It is essential that all of the five main parties in Northern Ireland, with the support of the two Governments, urgently get down to the serious business of fully implementing the Stormont House Agreement and addressing the impact and legacy of continuing paramilitary activity.
614. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his departmental officials are concerned regarding the referendum on a possible withdrawal of Britain from the European Union, Brexit; the plans in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34170/15]
View answerThe question of the UK’s membership of the EU is of clear national importance and is a strategic priority for this Government. We are therefore actively monitoring developments, engaging with our British counterparts and doing all we can to ensure that the UK remains in the European Union.
The Taoiseach spoke on this issue last week in the House. For my part and that of my Department, this includes regular engagement at political level with the British Foreign Secretary and ongoing diplomatic engagement through our Embassy in London, Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels and across the member states of the European Union and beyond. At home and abroad, we also engage with a large cross-section of opinion leaders and members of civil society engaged in this debate.
I have established a strong working relationship with the British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond MP, who works closely with Prime Minister Cameron on this issue. The Foreign Secretary has visited Dublin twice in the past year, most recently on 19 June. Both my meeting with the Foreign Secretary and the Taoiseach’s meeting with Prime Minister Cameron in London on 18 June were very positive and constructive.
In addition to regular political contacts, I have also brought Ireland’s concerns to audiences in the UK. Most recently, on 7 September at Chatham House in London, I set out some implications for Ireland of a possible UK exit from the EU, with a focus on our two-way trading relationship and on Northern Ireland. I also reflected on Ireland’s experience of referendum campaigns, especially those related to the EU.
I intend to meet the Foreign Secretary again on this issue in the period ahead as negotiations continue. We have emphasised to our UK colleagues how much value we attach to the fact that both our countries are members of the EU, while making clear that Ireland will remain an EU member state regardless of the outcome of the UK’s referendum. We have said that without necessarily agreeing on all points, that Ireland will be as helpful in the negotiations as we can be.
We will work with our British counterparts on common EU policy and reform objectives, in areas including the creation of a real digital single market, the finalisation of trade agreements and lessening the regulatory burden for our business, while remaining open-minded on any further proposals which the British Government may present.
Overall, the main focus of our work is on examining how best to secure continued British membership of the Union.
615. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the dates in 2015 that he met formally with the ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34460/15]
View answerAs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I engage as much as possible with all Ambassadors accredited to Ireland as they represent vital lines of communication to their governments and are the key source of information for their countries on developments in Ireland. Members of the Government, Ministers of State, officials from my department and indeed all government departments and agencies engage with Ambassadors and their staff regularly, including with the British Ambassador.
In terms of engaging with the British Ambassador during this year, I and my officials worked in very close co-operation with him to plan the visit of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to the west of Ireland last May, during which I represented the Government for their programme in Co. Sligo. The well-established and positive relationship between my Department and the British Embassy contributed in no small part to the success of this important visit.
Ambassador Chilcott also accompanies and advises senior British government figures when I meet with them, including the Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers. Also, I often meet with Ambassadors accredited to Ireland when participating at business events and at conferences. For example, I spoke at the British Irish Association conference in Cambridge on 5/6 September and met with Ambassador Chilcott on that occasion.
My exchanges, and those of officials from my Department, with the Ambassador and with his Embassy colleagues have focused on enhancing British-Irish relations, on Northern Ireland and on EU and international matters including the UK’s relationship with the European Union.
616. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the dates in 2015 that he met formally with the ambassador of the United States of America to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34461/15]
View answerAs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I engage as much as possible with all Ambassadors accredited to Ireland as they represent vital lines of communication to their governments and are the key source of information for their countries on developments in Ireland. Members of the government, Ministers of State, officials from my department and indeed all government departments and agencies engage with Ambassadors and their staff regularly, including with the US Ambassador.
I have known Ambassador Kevin O’Malley since September 2014, when I participated at his swearing in ceremony with Vice-President Biden in Washington DC and subsequently at his presentation of credentials to President Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin. I have met him on a regular basis since then – both formally and socially - and will continue to do so.
My diary records that so far in 2015, I met formally with Ambassador O’Malley on 6 January, 8 April and 21 April. Furthermore, as the primary representative of the United States, Ambassador O’Malley accompanies and advises senior political figures when on official visits to Ireland. For instance Ambassador O’Malley was present when I met the Speaker of the US House of Representatives and his delegation at Farmleigh House in July 2015.
While topics for discussion vary depending on the meeting, the issues of Northern Ireland and US immigration matters have featured consistently on all occasions, along with an ongoing focus on developing further the excellent trade, business, political and people to people relations between Ireland and the United States.
