Written Answers Nos. 191-201
191. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to set out the number of new primary care centres that have opened, by county, for each of the years 2011 to 2015 to date; whether they were direct Health Service Executive projects, public-private partnerships or lease agreements; and the projected outcome for 2015, each in tabular form. [38914/15]
View answerSince 2011, 46 primary care centres have been opened across the country. At end September 2015, the HSE was projecting that a further three were expected to open in Q4 2015. The following table provides detail by county and delivery mechanism.
Primary Care Infrastructure opened since March 2011
|
- |
Primary Care Infrastructure opened since March 2011 |
Position - 30 September 2015 |
||||
|
Count |
HSE Region |
County |
PCT Name/Location |
Delivery Method |
Open |
Projected to Open |
|
1 |
DML |
Dublin |
Inchicore |
Direct Build |
2011 Q4 |
|
|
2 |
DML |
Dublin |
Ballyfermot |
Direct Build |
2012 Q3 |
|
|
3 |
DML |
Dublin |
Rathfarnham |
Lease |
2012 Q4 |
|
|
4 |
DML |
Dublin |
Churchtown |
Operational Lease |
2012 Q4 |
|
|
5 |
DML |
Dublin |
Dublin City at James's St/Pimlico/Liberties |
Operational Lease |
2012 Q4 |
|
|
6 |
DML |
Dublin |
Wicklow Town (includes mental health services) |
Operational Lease |
2015 Q2 |
|
|
7 |
DML |
Kildare |
Newbridge |
Operational Lease |
2013 Q2 |
|
|
8 |
DML |
Kildare |
Clane/Kilmeague |
Operational Lease |
2014 Q3 |
|
|
9 |
DML |
Kildare |
Rathangan/Monasterevin |
Operational Lease |
2015 Q2 |
|
|
10 |
DML |
Laois |
Portarlington |
Operational Lease |
2011 Q3 |
|
|
11 |
DML |
Longford |
Longford Town |
Operational Lease |
2013 Q2 |
|
|
12 |
DML |
Westmeath |
Athlone at Clonbrusk |
Operational Lease |
2014 Q1 |
|
|
13 |
DML |
Dublin |
Bride St/Liberties (Old Meath Hospital Campus) |
Operational Lease |
2014 Q2 |
|
|
14 |
DNE |
Dublin |
Blanchardstown/Grove Court/ Blakestown/Mountain View |
Operational Lease |
2013 Q4 |
|
|
15 |
DNE |
Dublin |
Ashtown/Navan Road and Cabra West |
Operational Lease |
2015 Q2 |
|
|
16 |
DNE |
Meath |
Dunshaughlin |
Existing health centre - refurbished |
2012 |
|
|
17 |
DNE |
Meath |
Ashbourne |
Operational Lease |
2013 Q2 |
|
|
18 |
DNE |
Meath |
Enfield |
Existing health centre - refurbished |
2013 Q4 |
|
|
19 |
DNE |
Meath |
Summerhill |
Operational Lease |
2014 Q2 |
|
|
20 |
DNE |
Meath |
Kells |
Operational Lease |
2015 Q4 |
|
|
21 |
DNE |
Louth |
Carlingford |
Existing health centre - refurbished |
2012 |
|
|
22 |
DNE |
Louth |
Ardee |
Direct Build |
2012 |
|
|
23 |
DNE |
Cavan |
Cootehill |
Direct Build |
2012 |
|
|
24 |
DNE |
Cavan |
Bailieborough |
Direct Build |
2012 Q4 |
|
|
25 |
DNE |
Cavan |
Cavan Town |
Operational Lease |
2012 Q1 |
|
|
26 |
DNE |
Cavan |
Kingscourt |
Operational Lease |
2012 Q3 |
|
|
27 |
DNE |
Cavan |
Cavan Town at Connolly Court |
Operational Lease |
2013 Q2 |
|
|
28 |
South |
Wexford |
Gorey |
Operational Lease |
2012 Q3 |
|
|
29 |
South |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny at Grange's Road/Ayrfield |
Operational Lease |
2011 Q3 |
|
|
30 |
South |
Kilkenny |
Callan |
Operational Lease |
2011 Q3 |
|
|
31 |
South |
Waterford |
Tramore |
Operational Lease |
2011 Q4 |
|
|
32 |
South |
Cork |
Cork City at Mahon/Blackrock (South Lee) |
Operational Lease |
2011 Q4 |
|
|
33 |
South |
Cork |
Macroom (North Lee) |
Operational Lease |
2012 Q1 |
|
|
34 |
South |
Cork |
Schull/ Mizen |
Operational Lease |
2013 Q4 |
|
|
35 |
South |
Cork |
Kinsale |
Operational Lease |
2014 Q2 |
|
|
36 |
South |
Cork |
Charleville/north Cork (incl mental health services) |
Operational Lease |
2015 Q4 |
|
|
37 |
South |
Kerry |
Kenmare/Sneem |
Operational Lease |
2012 Q3 |
|
|
38 |
South |
Kerry |
Dingle/West Kerry |
Existing health centre - refurbished |
2013 |
|
|
39 |
West |
Limerick |
Limerick City - Abbey/St Mary's/King's Island |
Operational Lease |
2012 Q1 |
|
|
40 |
West |
Galway |
Galway City East/Ballybane |
Operational Lease |
2011 Q2 |
|
|
41 |
West |
Galway |
Athenry |
Operational Lease |
2013 Q3 |
|
|
42 |
West |
Galway |
Loughrea |
Direct Build |
2014 Q2 |
|
|
43 |
West |
Mayo |
Ballina |
Operational Lease |
2011 Q2 |
|
|
44 |
West |
Roscommon |
Castlerea |
Operational Lease |
2012 Q3 |
|
|
45 |
West |
Roscommon |
Monksland/South Roscommon |
Operational Lease |
2012 Q4 |
|
|
46 |
West |
Leitrim |
North Leitrim/West Cavan at Manorhamilton |
Direct Build |
2014 Q1 |
|
|
47 |
West |
Leitrim |
Ballinamore (south Leitrim) |
Direct/own build |
2015 Q1 |
|
|
48 |
West |
Donegal |
Glenties |
Direct Build |
2012 Q3 |
|
|
49 |
West |
Donegal |
Ballyshannon |
Direct Build |
2015 Q4 |
192. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health to set out the position regarding the provision of a chiropody service to a person (details supplied) in Cork City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38924/15]
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.
193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to set out his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38928/15]
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.
194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to outline his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a community chiropodist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38929/15]
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.
195. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health to set out the detail on how home care packages are put together by the Health Service Executive; the services provided by health care professionals in 2015; the agencies involved in the provision of these professionals; the average cost of the package; if these professionals are co-ordinated in community settings or centrally within the Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38934/15]
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.
196. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that in July 2015 the European Medicines Agency started a review of human papilloma virus vaccines to further clarify aspects of their safety profile; his views on whether the administration of these vaccines should be deferred while this review is under way; if he is aware of the international concern that exists around this vaccine - for example, the health ministry in Japan has decided to withdraw its recommendation for this vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38935/15]
View answerIn Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the regulatory authority for medicines in Ireland. There are 2 licensed HPV vaccines available in Ireland (Gardasil® and Cervarix®). Gardasil® is the vaccine used by the HSE in the School Immunisation Programme. The vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV (16 & 18) that cause 73% of all cervical cancers. Vaccinated women and girls will still be at risk from other high risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and will therefore need to continue to have regular cervical smear tests.
As of 9 October the HPRA has received 921 reports of suspected adverse reactions or events notified in association with the use of HPV vaccines. The vast majority have been consistent with the expected pattern of adverse effects for the vaccines, as described in the product information, such as gastrointestinal symptoms, malaise, headache, dizziness and injection site reactions.
While no medicine, including vaccines, is entirely without risk, the safety profile of Gardasil® has been continuously monitored since it was first authorised nationally and at EU level. This is done by monitoring both individual adverse reaction reports received by competent authorities across Europe and Periodic Safety Update Reports submitted by the Marketing Authorisation Holder for the vaccine on a regular basis.
As part of its monitoring of the safety of medicines, the HPRA operates an adverse reaction reporting system, where healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse reactions they consider may be associated with their treatment, through the range of options in place for reporting. All reports received are evaluated and considered in the context of the safety profile of the product concerned, with reports followed up as necessary for further information, that may assist in the assessment of the case.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has commenced a review of the HPV vaccine "to further clarify aspects of their safety profile," although the agency points out that this review "does not question that the benefits of HPV vaccines outweigh their risks." The Health Products Regulatory Authority is participating in the review which aims to clarify aspects of their safety profile and is specifically focusing on rare reports of two conditions, complex regional pain syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Reports of these conditions in young women who have received a HPV vaccine have been previously considered during routine safety monitoring by the Pharmacovigilance and Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) but a causal link between them and the vaccines was not established. Both conditions can occur in non vaccinated individuals and it is considered important to further review if the number of cases reported with HPV vaccine is greater than would be expected. The outcome of the PRAC review is anticipated before the end of this year.
The HPRA is participating in the PRAC review of HPV vaccines to clarify aspects of their safety profile. As for all licensed medicines, the safety of these vaccines is monitored by the PRAC (an EU level drug safety committee) where the HPRA is actively represented and contributes. Data from all Member States, including Ireland, is being comprehensively analysed, in line with usual ongoing referrals.
While the review is ongoing the European Medicines Agency has advised healthcare professionals that available data does not warrant any change to the use of HPV vaccines. Healthcare professionals should therefore continue using them in accordance with the current product information. Any changes to this advice will be made following the outcome of the review, by the EMA.
197. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the information leaflet provided by the Health Service Executive to parents and guardians of girls due to receive the Gardasil vaccine does not fully outline the potential side effects of this medication; his views on whether this is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38936/15]
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 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.
198. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set down the number of applicants awaiting transfer in his Department to locations other than their present location; the number of applications, by location; the rules that apply for such transfers; if an applicant has a defined position on the list for transfer; the grounds that apply to applicants being moved up or down on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38757/15]
View answerOfficers in my Department seek internal transfers within the organisation and they are facilitated as part of the regular rotation of staff between missions abroad and HQ. Officers applying for a transfer between this Department and other Departments are advised to seek a “Head to Head” transfer.
Regarding transfers to other Government offices outside Dublin, two Executive Officers and four Clerical Officers from my Department have applied for a transfer within the last two years. The date of the request for the transfer dictates the order of their transfers into other Departments.
199. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 54 of 13 October 2015 if he will provide an update on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38933/15]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing consular assistance to the family of the Irish citizen through the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, the Honorary Consul in Mumbai and the Consular Assistance unit in Dublin, and we are in ongoing direct contact with the family.
Upon receipt of the death certificate of the Irish citizen in February, my Department forwarded the document to the family and more recently assisted in having this death certificate authenticated by the Indian authorities. In India, our Honorary Consul in Mumbai met recently with the Police Inspector who is handling the investigation and presented a letter requesting an update on the investigation. In addition to the toxicological report that was received by the Embassy and forwarded to the family in June, the Embassy has also written to the relevant Hospital’s Pathology Department requesting that any additional toxicological reporting which may be forthcoming be expedited.
Officials of my Department met with members of the family to discuss the case in-depth in the early summer. We continue to keep them updated them on developments.
Let me assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to offer all possible consular assistance to the family and that we will remain engaged with the Indian authorities on this case.
200. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been sentenced to death by beheading by a Saudi Arabian court; if he is aware that he is a prominent human rights activist and scholar who has campaigned for reforms within Saudi Arabia; if he is aware that international legal experts have concluded that his trial did not meet the international standards relating to the right to a fair trial; and if he will raise this clear violation of freedom of speech and assembly as well as Ireland's opposition to the death penalty with the Saudi authorities. [38939/15]
View answerI am indeed fully aware of this high-profile human rights case.
In conjunction with our EU partners in Saudi Arabia, our serious concerns about this case have been conveyed to the Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels. We can have the greatest impact on matters of foreign policy, including human rights, when the 28 EU Member States speak with one voice, as in the case in this particular instance.
On 8 July 2015, HRVP Mogherini stated that the EU will continue to closely follow this case specifically, and the issue of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia in general, and to voice its concern through appropriate diplomatic channels.
Ireland is very active on these issues at the UN as well as within the EU. This is evidenced by the recommendations that Ireland made to Saudi Arabia during its most recent review under the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review process in October 2013.
Ireland opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and has expressed concerns about its increased use of late in a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia. Abolition of the death penalty is amongst our priorities as a member of the Human Rights Council.
I wish to assure the Deputy that we will continue to call for the abolition of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with our EU partners and at the UN.
201. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received further correspondence from a school (details provided) in County Cork relating to its application for emergency works funding; and if, in view of the contents therein, specifically the views expressed by the schools insurers regarding the works required, she will reconsider this application favourably. [38701/15]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers applied for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to repair a retaining wall.
As the scope of works is outside the terms of this scheme, the application cannot be considered for funding. The school authority has been informed of this decision. It is, however, open to the school authority to apply for funding under a future Summer Works Scheme. In this regard, I recently announced that there will be a Summer Works Scheme in 2016 and 2017. I also announced that the minor works will be paid later this year. The school can use its minor works grant for the works in question if it deems them to be a priority.
