Wednesday, 9 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 101-120

Garda Data

Questions (101)

Micheál Martin

Question:

101. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each station in each of the Dublin metropolitan divisions on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015 in tabular form. [44376/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

In 2014, this Government ended the moratorium on Garda recruitment introduced by the last Government in 2009. To date, there have been six intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College, giving a total intake of 550. So far, 295 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána. On attestation, new probationer Gardaí are assigned to stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner, where they are assigned to mainstream uniform policing duties. The Deputy will be aware that I announced the opening of a recruitment campaign for new members of An Garda Síochána on 27 November last. This new campaign is necessary to fulfil the Government’s commitment to recruit 600 Gardaí in 2016.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of stations and the number of Gardaí assigned to those stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) on the 31 October 2010, and on 31 October 2015 the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set out in the following tables.

DMR Total strength 31 October 2010
Division	District	Station	Total
D.M.R. EAST	BLACKROCK	BLACKROCK	98
		DUNDRUM	79
		STEPASIDE	31
	Total		208
	DÚN LAOGHAIRE	CABINTEELY	39
		DALKEY	31
		DÚN LAOGHAIRE	112
		KILL-O-GRANGE	28
		SHANKILL	60
	Total		270
Total			478
D.M.R. NORTH	BALBRIGGAN	BALBRIGGAN	67
		GARRISTOWN	3
		LUSK	7
		RUSH	6
		SKERRIES	11
	Total		94
	BALLYMUN	BALLYMUN	129
		DUBLIN AIRPORT	22
		SANTRY	83
		WHITEHALL	49
	Total		283
	COOLOCK	COOLOCK	120
		MALAHIDE	38
		SWORDS	84
	Total		242
	RAHENY	CLONTARF	80
		HOWTH	41
		RAHENY	74
	Total		195
Total			814
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL	BRIDEWELL	BRIDEWELL	180
	Total		180
	FITZGIBBON STREET	FITZGIBBON STREET	117
		MOUNTJOY	102
	Total		219
	STORE STREET	STORE STREET	303
	Total		303
Total			702
D.M.R. SOUTH	CRUMLIN	CRUMLIN	107
		SUNDRIVE ROAD	77
	Total		184
	RATHMINES	RATHMINES	68
		TERENURE	105
	Total		173
	TALLAGHT	RATHFARNHAM	76
		TALLAGHT	200
	Total		276
Total			633
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL	DONNYBROOK	DONNYBROOK	133
		IRISHTOWN	57
	Total		190
	KEVIN STREET	KEVIN STREET	157
		KILMAINHAM	83
	Total		240
	PEARSE STREET	HARCOURT TERRACE	81
		PEARSE STREET	269
	Total		350
Total			780
D.M.R. WEST	BLANCHARDSTOWN	BLANCHARDSTOWN	197
		CABRA	70
		FINGLAS	124
	Total		391
	CLONDALKIN	BALLYFERMOT	100
		CLONDALKIN	97
		RATHCOOLE	29
	Total		226
	LUCAN	LUCAN	82
		RONANSTOWN	95
	Total		177
Total		47 Stations	794

DMR total strength 31 October 2015
Division	District	Station	Total
D.M.R. EAST	BLACKROCK	BLACKROCK	88
		DUNDRUM	85
	Total		173
	DÚN LAOGHAIRE	CABINTEELY	38
		DÚN LAOGHAIRE	105
		SHANKILL	64
	Total		207
Total			380
D.M.R. NORTH	BALBRIGGAN	BALBRIGGAN	64
		GARRISTOWN	2
		LUSK	10
		SKERRIES	9
	Total		85
	BALLYMUN	BALLYMUN	121
		DUBLIN AIRPORT	21
		SANTRY	87
	Total		229
	COOLOCK	COOLOCK	104
		MALAHIDE	29
		SWORDS	64
	Total		197
	RAHENY	CLONTARF	66
		HOWTH	28
		RAHENY	65
	Total		159
Total			670
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL	BRIDEWELL	BRIDEWELL	161
	FITZGIBBON STREET	MOUNTJOY	189
	STORE STREET	STORE STREET	246
Total	Total		596
D.M.R. SOUTH	CRUMLIN	CRUMLIN	93
		SUNDRIVE ROAD	64
	Total		157
	TALLAGHT	RATHFARNHAM	69
		TALLAGHT	176
	Total		245
	TERENURE	RATHMINES	55
		TERENURE	85
	Total		140
Total			542
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL	DONNYBROOK	DONNYBROOK	108
		IRISHTOWN	48
	Total		156
	KEVIN STREET	KEVIN STREET	118
		KILMAINHAM	75
	Total		193
	PEARSE STREET	PEARSE STREET	279
Total			628
D.M.R. WEST	BLANCHARDSTOWN	BLANCHARDSTOWN	154
		CABRA	68
		FINGLAS	106
	Total		328
	CLONDALKIN	BALLYFERMOT	86
		CLONDALKIN	89
		RATHCOOLE	21
	Total		196
	LUCAN	LUCAN	74
		RONANSTOWN	94
	Total		168
Total		40 Stations	692

Legislative Programme

Questions (102)

Finian McGrath

Question:

102. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support reform (details supplied) to the Coroners Bill 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44381/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will know, the Coroners Bill 2007 provides for a comprehensive reform of the Coroners Act 1962 and of the existing coroner system, including the establishment of a new Coroner Service. It incorporates many of the recommendations made by the Coroners Review Group in 2000, and by the Coroners Rules Committee in 2003, as well as a detailed review of reforms to coronial systems in other common-law jurisdictions (particularly New Zealand and Northern Ireland).

The 2007 Bill is out of date and needs review in the light of:

- the changed public finances;

- the increased emphasis on delivering leaner, better integrated and more customer-focused public services; and

- developing coroner practice and case law, particularly on the application to coroners’ inquests of Art. 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

I can confirm to the Deputy that I support reform of the Coroners Bill 2007, and a review of the Bill has commenced, at my request, with a view to developing a plan for its progression.

As finalising the review is dependent on competing legislative priorities, I am not in a position, at present, to give a definitive indication on a timeframe for this project.

Criminal Law

Questions (103)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

103. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she is taking to address the serious issues relating to prostitution and trafficking, as highlighted in the RTE "Prime Time" programme on 30 November 2015. [44429/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

In September, I published the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015. The Bill provides for two new offences of purchasing sexual services in the context of prostitution. The purpose of these offences is to target the demand for prostitution. These proposals have been developed following extensive consultation, and implement the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence which called for the introduction of an offence criminalising the purchase of sexual services. This Bill builds on already strong legislative, administrative and operational measures that have been put in place in Ireland to combat and prevent trafficking in human beings, in particular, the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008, with penalties of up to life imprisonment for human trafficking.

A key focus of Garda actions in this area is the link that exists between the organisation of prostitution and organised crime, including the trafficking of persons for the purpose of prostitution. An Garda Síochána has a dedicated unit established to target individuals engaged in organised prostitution. This unit works directly with the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit in coordinating a response to tackle trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation. Gardai have had considerable success with these operations, disrupting criminal networks, including where prostitution was being organised. Gardai have also worked in partnership with police forces in other jurisdictions to target those involved in the sexual exploitation of women and girls, including the international trafficking of persons for the purpose of prostitution. There are a number of operations ongoing in the area of organised prostitution.

An Garda Síochána works with both Government and Non-Government agencies in tackling crimes of this nature, through a strategy of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership. A coordinated and holistic approach is taken to training and joint training takes place twice yearly, between An Garda Síochána and Ruhama, for frontline members of An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. This training provides members with an insight into the complex needs of individuals engaged in prostitution. The Human Trafficking and Co-Ordination Unit also run a course ‘Tackling Trafficking in Human Beings, Prevention, Protection and Prosecution" twice a year, for members of An Garda Síochána.

A draft Second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking of Persons was issued for public consultation during the summer of this year; this consultation process was recently completed and it is anticipated that the new National Action Plan will be published in the coming months. The new National Action Plan will outline both the Government’s strategic approach to this issue as well as setting out a clear work programme for the relevant state authorities to collaborate with civil society and agencies in other jurisdictions in advancing the fight against trafficking and enhancing the protection of victims.

Road Traffic Legislation

Questions (104)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

104. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the options open to An Garda Síochána in policing the use of quad bikes on public roads and in public parks, given the ongoing public safety issues associated with their widespread use, especially by minors, and if she will issue a warning to parents who are considering buying these bikes for Christmas 2015 on the dangers and illegality associated with them. [44430/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Garda authorities that members of An Garda Síochána have the power to require a vehicle in a public place to stop under Section 109 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, and that failure by the driver to do so is an offence. I am further advised that mechanically propelled vehicles used in a public place must comply with the Road Traffic Acts, including in relation to motor tax, insurance and possession of a valid driver licence or learner permit, and that non-compliance is also offence. In addition, a vehicle may be seized where the driver has no driving licence or learners permit, where the driver has no insurance, or where there is no motor tax paid for a period of over three months after the expiry of the road tax payable on the vehicle.

I share the Deputy's concerns in relation to the public safety issues associated with the misuse of such vehicles, and will raise her suggestion concerning warnings in relation to such vehicles with the Road Safety Authority and with the Garda authorities.

Legal Aid Applications Data

Questions (105)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

105. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons waiting on civil legal aid by geographical area. [44431/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy will be aware that the Legal Aid Board is independent in the exercise of its functions, in accordance with Section 3 (3) of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1994. As a result, I am not responsible or accountable to the Dáil for the manner in which the Board carries out its functions.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I can inform her that the information sought is published monthly by the Legal Aid Board on its website. The data for October 2015 can be accessed via the following link.

http://www.legalaidboard.ie/lab/publishing.nsf/650f3eec0dfb990fca25692100069854/6b3224ddb74a480e80257f09005569d8/$FILE/October%202015.pdf

Capitation Grants

Questions (106)

Pat Deering

Question:

106. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs why a person (details supplied) in County Carlow is not in receipt of the higher level of capitation, E73. [44334/15]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Pre-school services qualify for the higher rate of capitation under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme when they satisfy the qualification requirements under the Programme. In services seeking the higher rate of capitation, the pre-school leader must hold a Level 7 Qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications (or equivalent) and all pre-school assistants must hold, as minimum, a Level 5 Qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications (or equivalent).

I understand that an application has been made to my Department for sanction for the higher rate of capitation and that a query was raised with the pre-school provider on 25 November 2015 in relation to the pre-school assistant qualification. The matter will be considered further when a response to the query has been received.

Child Care Services Data

Questions (107)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

107. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children waiting to be allocated a social worker by length of time waiting, geographical area, and whether the children are deemed to be high priority. [44416/15]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

In September 2015 Tusla reported there were 19,466 children (open cases) who had an allocated social worker dealing with issues of assessment, child protection, and children in care. There were a further 7,013 children (open cases) who had been assessed as needing a dedicated social worker, and were waiting for one to be allocated. Some of these cases may have had an allocated social worker, but due to a social worker leaving, they are reclassified as awaiting a social worker. I wish to assure the Deputy that all urgent and emergency cases are dealt with immediately. This could involve cases of abandonment, allegations of physical and sexual abuse, parental ill health and the need to find an immediate placement, or threat to the safety or life of a child by a third party.

The priority (or category) of high, medium or low given to the case after a preliminary enquiry, is based on the information known at that time. It is important to note that "high priority" should not simply be equated with risk. Social work duty teams keep high priority cases under review with regular checks to ascertain risk to the child, and where necessary, will reprioritise the case. Duty teams manage the cases awaiting allocation on a risk management basis by checking on the circumstances, and observing any changes that would increase or decrease risk. An example could be the presence or absence of a stable grandparent where a parent has a mental health problem which could impact on the priority associated with the case.

This Department continues to monitor the number of cases that are reported as awaiting the allocation of a social worker. The additional funding of €38 million which has been secured for Tusla in 2016 will provide increased resources to meet identified risks and service demands. The additional resources are intended to alleviate service pressures in child welfare and protection services, in particular pressures being faced in the areas of unallocated cases, private residential and foster care and domestic, sexual and gender based violence services. The information requested by the Deputy relating to geographical area and priority level is detailed in Table 1.

Table 1: Number of Cases Awaiting Allocation by Priority Level and Area

Area	Low	Medium	High	Total
Dublin North	709	494	10	1,213
Cork	429	324	160	913
Dublin South Central	143	365	266	774
Dublin South West/ Kildare/ West Wicklow	260	236	136	632
Midlands	171	305	36	512
Dublin North Central	277	184	2	463
Waterford/Wexford	70	282	56	408
Louth/Meath	40	108	176	324
Carlow/ Kilkenny/ South Tipperary	20	99	191	310
Galway/Roscommon	40	188	61	289
Sligo/Leitrim/Roscommon	11	194	68	273
Donegal	58	144	55	257
Midwest	138	40	66	244
Cavan/Monaghan	10	183	7	200
Dublin South East/Wicklow	89	81	15	185
Kerry	6	3	-	9
Mayo	6	1	-	7
Cases awaiting allocation by priority level, Q3 2015	2,477	3,231	1,305	7,013

The information requested by the Deputy relating to waiting time and priority level is outlined in Table 2.

Table 2: Length of Waiting Times for Cases Awaiting Allocation by Priority Level

High Priority/Time Waiting	Q2 2015	Q3 2015
1 week	131	94
1 -2 weeks	119	145
2 - 3 weeks	65	144
3 - 4 weeks	103	82
1 - 2 months	241	148
2 - 3 months	240	165
>3 months	606	527
Total	1,505	1,305
Medium Priority/Time Waiting	Q2 2015	Q3 2015
1 week	170	94
1 -2 weeks	193	165
2 - 3 weeks	193	152
3 - 4 weeks	195	185
1 - 2 months	505	378
2 - 3 months	528	451
>3 months	1,591	1,806
Total	3,375	3,231
Low Priority/Time Waiting	Q2 2015	Q3 2015
1 week	32	51
1 -2 weeks	98	74
2 - 3 weeks	108	86
3 - 4 weeks	139	87
1 - 2 months	238	290
2 - 3 months	329	320
>3 months	1,307	1,569
Total	2,251	2,477

Child and Family Agency Staff

Questions (108, 109, 110)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

108. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff and the number of social workers in Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in whole-time equivalent terms at 31 December in each year of its existence. [44417/15]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

109. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff vacancies and of social worker vacancies in whole-time equivalent terms in Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, by geographical area. [44418/15]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

110. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost to the Exchequer of recruiting each additional ten social workers. [44419/15]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 110, inclusive, together.

The Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) was established in January 2014. Tusla has advised that there were 3453 whole time equivalent staff employed as at 31 December 2014. Of these, 1396 were social workers.

Tusla has further advised that at 31 October 2015 there are 343 posts under recruitment and of these 239 relate to social worker posts. The following table shows a breakdown by geographical area of the current posts being recruited .

REGION/AREA	SOCIAL WORKER	OTHER	TOTAL
Dublin Mid Leinster	80	18	98
Dublin North East	72	8	80
South	34	9	43
West	53	7	60
Residential		39	39
Educational Welfare		7	7
Early Years		3	3
Domestic		8	8
Corporate		5	5
OVERALL TOTAL	239	104	343

The cost for every additional ten social workers is estimated at €0.4000m per annum. This includes both pay and non pay costs.

Child Safety

Questions (111)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if school medical examinations continue to identify children with issues requiring urgent attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44415/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

School Health services remain an important component of child health services. All children, for example, have their vision and hearing checked as part of the service with referrals onwards to specialist services occurring as required. Like any service, there is a continual need to examine the evidence for effectiveness of what we do. There are variations across the country in how services are currently configured, variations which have often not arisen not out a consideration of the evidence of effectiveness.

With that in mind, the HSE is currently involved in reviewing the evidence for improving outcomes in child health, and will be making recommendations about the best way to deliver services when the review is completed next year. Parents and teachers continue to engage with child health services including those delivered in schools.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (112, 113, 128, 137)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

112. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance who also have medical cards in each of the years 2013 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44260/15]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

113. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide automatic access to a medical card to all children who are in receipt of a domiciliary care allowance, the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44261/15]

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

128. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his views on extending the eligibility for medical cards to all children in receipt of a domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44346/15]

Finian McGrath

Question:

137. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that 9,000 of the 26,000 children who qualify for the domiciliary care allowance are without medical cards, if he will end this injustice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44379/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 113, 128 and 137 together.

Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Where deemed appropriate in particular circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card even though an applicant's means exceed the prescribed threshold. Where a person does not qualify for a medical card, they may be provided with a GP Visit Card, appropriate therapy or other community supports or drugs.

The Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) payment is made by the Minister for Social Protection to carers in respect of a child at home under 16 years of age with a severe disability, where it has been determined that the child requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. Eligibility for the DCA is not based primarily on the medical or psychological condition, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind necessitating the degree of extra care and attention required. As such it is not possible to say if a particular child or any particular medical condition or disability will qualify for a payment under the DCA scheme.

The Deputies will be aware that the report of the Expert Panel on Medical Need for Medical Card Eligibility, known as the Keane Report, recommended that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card and that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions for medical card eligibility. Nonetheless, it is clear that there are people – including children - with medical needs and it is important that they should be able to access necessary assistance in a straight forward manner.

Consequently, the Clinical Advisory Group on medical card eligibility was established by the HSE to develop a framework for assessment and measurement of the burden of disease and appropriate operational guidelines for the medical card scheme. However, the Clinical Advisory Group has not recommended that children in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance should automatically qualify for a medical card. In advance of the Group completing its work, there are no proposals to issue automatic medical cards to one particular group.

The Government is committed to making the medical card system as responsive as possible to the circumstances of people with significant medical needs. As a result of a range of improvements, the HSE is exercising greater discretion. Consequently, the number of discretionary medical cards has increased by about 84% - from about 52,000 in mid-2014 to nearly 96,000 at the beginning of November this year.

As the DCA payment is not an element of the assessment for a medical card, data on the payment is not routinely collated by the HSE. However, analysis undertaken in 2015 shows that out of an approximate population of 1 million people under the age of 16 years, almost 450,000 held a medical card or a GP visit card. Approximately 29,000 children qualified for the DCA payment in 2014. It is estimated that about two-thirds of children qualifying for a DCA payment also hold a medical card. In addition, from 1 July 2015, all children under the age of 6 years are entitled to access a GP service free of charge, as part of the first phase of introducing a universal GP service in Ireland. It has been estimated that the average expenditure per medical card was €973 in 2013. However, it is not possible to provide the actual cost of extending a medical card to all children in receipt of DCA as it would depend on the variable nature of the individuals’ requirements as well as the number of individuals and the quantum and cost of health services that would be used.

Ultimately, the proper way to address this issue is to develop a system of universal health care, which is at the centre of Government health policy. Otherwise, whenever there are qualifying rules, there will always be a person who is above the means test, does not have the selected disease, or is not in receipt of the specific social welfare payment.

Health Services Provision

Questions (114)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

114. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason for service disruptions to an outpatient clinic (details supplied) at Dungloe Community Hospital in County Donegal; when this clinic will be fully re-instated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44276/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply within the next 15 days, he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (115)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

115. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for outpatient appointments at Letterkenny University Hospital in County Donegal per outpatient clinic, who have been waiting up to six months, from six months to 12 months and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44277/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.

Health Services Provision

Questions (116)

Arthur Spring

Question:

116. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive in Cork will provide accommodation for a person (details supplied) while the person is undergoing treatment. [44296/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.

If he 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.

Primary Care Reimbursement Service Payments

Questions (117)

Arthur Spring

Question:

117. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health what information is sufficient for self-employed persons to provide to the primary care reimbursement service concerning their tax affairs; and if a self-assessment notice of assessment without the calculations is sufficient if a person's net income is below a certain amount. [44303/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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, he should contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

Primary Care Centres Data

Questions (118)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

118. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the names, status and expected opening dates of the primary care centre projects announced in 2012, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44306/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

While the Government's objective is to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care service the mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care infrastructure is dependent on a number of factors. Regardless of the delivery mechanism, all potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered/provided/available, to successful planning processes and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff. In addition the operational lease mechanism is subject to market pressures such as the developers' access to adequate financing. Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation. Some of these factors are outside the control of the Health Service Executive. It is not possible to accurately predict completion dates in advance of the award of planning permission and start of construction. However expected operational dates are given for the PPP locations and Kells. Supporting infrastructure, procured through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary health care.

Primary Care Infrastructure	Primary Care Infrastructure	Primary Care Infrastructure	July 2012 - 35 locations	PQ 44306/15	answer - 08/12/2015
Count	HSE Region	County	Location/PCT Name	Delivery Mechanism	Status at 30 September 2015
1	DML	Dublin	Rowlagh/North Clondalkin	Direct/own build	Finalising site purchase.  Purchase will be subject to planning permission.
2	DML	Dublin	Crumlin/Drimnagh		Planning not completed in timeframe for PPP
3	DML	Dublin	Knocklyon/Rathfarnham		Planning not completed in timeframe for PPP
4	DML	Wicklow	Rathdrum	Operational Lease	Construction scheduled 2016 Q1
5	DML	Kildare	Kilcock	PPP	2017 Q1
6	DNE	Dublin	Coolock/Darndale	PPP	2017 Q2
7	DNE	Dublin	Summerhill, north inner city Dublin	PPP	2017 Q2
8	DNE	Dublin	Balbriggan	Operational Lease	In construction
9	DNE	Dublin	Swords	Operational Lease	In discussions with a potential developer
10	DNE	Louth	Drogheda north	Operational Lease	HSE has issued an LoI.  Please see ** at table end.
11	DNE	Meath	Laytown and Bettystown	Operational Lease	Identified property has new owners. Discussion underway with new owners.
12	DNE	Meath	Kells	Operational Lease	Expected to be operational late 2015
13	DNE	Monaghan	Carrickmacross	Nov 2014 advertisement for operational lease mechanism delivery	Progress challenging. No expressions of interest received following the 2014 advertisement.
14	South	Carlow	Tullow/Rathvilly/Hacketstown	Direct/own build	Project brief approved.  Discussions underway on purchase of adjoining strip of land.
15	South	Kilkenny	Kilkenny city	Nov 2014 advertisement for operational lease mechanism delivery - suitable for further consideration	Please see * at table end
16	South	Wexford	Wexford town	PPP	2017 Q2
17	South	Waterford	Dungarvan	PPP	2017 Q1
18	South	Waterford	Waterford city	PPP	2017 Q2
19	South	Cork	Cork city - Togher	Nov 2014 advertisement for operational lease mechanism delivery - suitable for further consideration	Please see * at table end
20	South	Kerry	Tralee	Operational Lease	LoI withdrawn. Review required. Please see ** at table end
21	South	Tipperary	Carrick-on-Suir	PPP	2017 Q1
22	South	Tipperary	Clonmel	Nov 2014 advertisement for operational lease mechanism delivery - suitable for further consideration	Please see * at table end
23	West	Tipperary	Thurles	Nov 2014 advertisement for operational lease mechanism delivery - suitable for further consideration	Please see * at table end
24	West	Limerick	Limerick city (Ballinacurra/Weston)	PPP	2017 Q1
25	West	Clare	Ennis	Nov 2014 advertisement for operational lease mechanism delivery - suitable for further consideration	Please see * at table end
26	West	Galway	Tuam	PPP	2017 Q1
27	West	Galway	Gort	Nov 2014 advertisement for operational lease mechanism delivery - suitable for further consideration	Please see * at table end
28	West	Roscommon	Boyle	PPP	2017 Q1
29	West	Roscommon	Ballaghadereen	Nov 2014 advertisement for operational lease mechanism delivery - suitable for further consideration	Please see * at table end
30	West	Mayo	Westport	PPP	2017 Q1
31	West	Mayo	Claremorris	PPP	2017 Q2
32	West	Sligo	Ballymote	PPP	2017 Q1
33	West	Donegal	Dungloe	Direct/own build	Progress challenging: absence of GP interest.
34	West	Donegal	Donegal town		Progress challenging: absence of GP interest.

Coolock and Darndale were announced as two separate locations in July 2012

* The HSE is engaged in evaluating the submissions received, following the November 2014 advertisement, to determine which are eligible to be progressed to the next stage of the process. The HSE expects to complete this part of the process in late 2015.

** The term letter of intent (LoI) is used in the context of primary care infrastructure being delivered using the operational lease mechanism. The HSE issues a letter of intent when it has selected a preferred bidder based on submissions received. On receipt of this LoI the preferred bidder must, inter alia, obtain planning permission and provide evidence that finance for the development is in place. Legal discussions commence after the LoI is issued.

Medical Card Administration

Questions (119)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

119. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of adjusting medical card thresholds to take account of the minimum wage increase on 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44307/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the HSE does not record whether medical card holders are earning the minimum wage, it would not be possible to provide an estimate.

Tattooing and Body Piercing Regulation

Questions (120)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

120. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce registration, inspection or operational standards for tattoo parlours with particular emphasis on parental consent for those under 18 years of age using these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44308/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

On 7 December, my Department published a draft document "Tattooing and Body Piercing Infection Control Guidance". The consultation document is available on the Department's website and will remain open until 15 January 2016.

Tattooing and body piercing is performed without incident in the vast majority of cases, but it is important that customers understand the nature of procedures, and that practitioners brief clients in advance of the potential risks involved.

Specific issues covered in the draft Guidelines are

- Good practice for infection control and preventing contamination, including personal hygiene and clean premises

- The use of template consent forms, and aftercare advice leaflets to clients;

- The need to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to employees on health and safety.

The draft guidelines were developed by public health practitioners and environmental health experts in conjunction with the Department of Health. I look forward to receiving views on the draft guidelines during the consultation process.

There is no specific regulation or legislation in this area but it is hoped that this guidance document will help drive high standards of infection control and prevention in this sector.