Written Answers Nos. 156 - 161
156. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for early intervention and occupational therapy by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3430/16]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with him.
157. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the changes to the funding of Western Care by the Health Service Executive for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3434/16]
View answerThe Government will provide funding of €1.56 billion to the Disability Services Programme in 2016. The quantum of service to be provided with that funding, and the key service deliverables and priorities for the Disability Services Programme, are outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2016. The HSE is committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities to the greatest possible extent, and to maintaining a consistent level of service to that provided in 2015.
As 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, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
158. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the concerns of the Health Service Executive regarding banning zero-hour contracts because of cost implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3452/16]
View answerI understand that Minister of State Ged Nash is currently considering proposals and recommendations as outlined in a University of Limerick study on the prevalence of zero hours contracts among Irish employers and their impact on employees. The study found that zero hours contracts within the meaning of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 are not extensive in Ireland and are not evident in the health sector.
Employing staff working on zero hours contracts is not a policy of my Department. In 2014, a home help annualised contract was introduced for HSE employees in conjunction with staff unions which, as well as matching the actual workforce to the changing needs of the service, gives certainty to employees by way of guaranteed weekly minimum paid hours.
The HSE provide services on a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year basis, particularly in acute hospitals and community care residential settings for the elderly and persons with an intellectual disability. The HSE have advised that they have staff working on ‘if and when’ contracts which provide flexibility where hours of work may fluctuate in accordance with service needs. Staff in medical, nursing and support grades are contracted to provide their contracted hours at any time over a 24 hour period in accordance with accepted norms with regard to rostering arrangements.
159. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation at Waterford University Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, including the person's place on the waiting list; if the case is considered to be high priority, as was recommended by a physiotherapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3456/16]
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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
160. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a submission (details supplied); if he will reply to the requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3288/16]
View answerNo such cases were taken against my Department.
161. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the checks in place to ensure that development aid funds are not used for the supply of military equipment; and if he will give a categorical guarantee that no such funds have been used for this purpose. [3315/16]
View answerIreland does not finance the supply of any military equipment to partner country Governments using development assistance funds. Under OECD rules, it is not permitted to finance the supply of military equipment using development assistance funds. The OECD Statistical Reporting Directive states that the financing of military equipment or services is generally excluded from the reporting of what counts as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and that this exclusion covers grants, official loans or credits. Ireland supports and fully complies with the OECD Directive.
