Written Answers Nos. 285 to 299
285. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of allocating all 7,199 child abuse referrals cases which were not allocated a social worker in August 2015 and of which 1,275 were deemed high priority to a social worker in 2016; and the number of child abuse referrals that will be waiting less than three months to be allocated a social worker as a result of the bbudget 2016 increase to Túsla-Child and Family Agency. [4216/16]
View answerAt the end of November 2015, the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, reported there were 19,847 children (open cases) who had an allocated social worker dealing with issues of assessment, child protection, and children in care. There were a further 6,382 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. This Department continues to monitor the number of cases that are reported as awaiting the allocation of a social worker.
Tusla has implemented a national caseload management system which allows social work team leaders and principals to monitor caseloads in terms of both number and complexity. It is recognised that, from time to time, individual cases can occupy a disproportionate amount of resources. The caseload management system gives managers a clearer insight into the pressures on staff.
A reduction in the number of cases awaiting allocation remains a top priority in 2016 for both the Department and Tusla. In Tusla’s 2016 Budget submission, a requirement for an increase in overall resources over a three year period (2016-2018) to address unallocated cases was identified. 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. This included specific funding of €6.1 million which will enable a significant reduction in the number of cases awaiting allocation.
It is also important to recognise that the recruitment of additional social workers will be a key dependency in relation to reducing the number of such cases. However, a whole system approach will be required to address this issue. This includes the recruitment of other members of the multi-disciplinary teams that contribute to the delivery of an effective child protection and welfare service, for example family support workers, social care workers, link workers, access staff and management and administrative support. In 2016, Tusla is aiming to achieve a significant reduction in cases awaiting allocation by year end with a particular focus on cases classified as being high priority. At present, it is not possible to gauge the exact number of referrals that will be waiting less than three months to be allocated to a social worker but my Department will closely monitor progress made by Tusla throughout the year.
286. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of providing a 24 hour-seven day emergency access to social workers in all service areas, including in areas where this access is not available, by sub-county basis. [4217/16]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency provides a range of services aimed at addressing emergency situations in the area of child welfare and protection. In the main, these emergency situations arise out of hours.
The out-of-hours service provides access to a Child and Family Agency Social Worker and the placement of children removed by An Garda Síochána under the Child Care Act, 1991. The total cost of providing out-of-hours services is approximately €3.147m per annum. This figure will vary from year to year as out-of-hours services are demand led. Out-of-hours services are currently provided in all counties under the following arrangements:
- The Crisis Intervention Service (CIS) provides an out-of-hours emergency social work service to young people aged 0-17 years who are in crisis and reside in Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. The total cost of this service in 2015 was €1.546m.
- The Cork Out-of-Hours Service provides an emergency social work service to young people aged 0-17 years in crisis who reside in the Cork North Lee and Cork South Lee areas. The total cost of this service in 2015 was approximately €280,000.
- The new Emergency Out-of-Hours Social Work Service which commenced last November covers areas outside of Counties Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Cork city. This service allows An Garda Síochána to contact a national emergency social work out-of-hours phone service for general advice or consultation. This on call service is staffed by social workers operating from the out-of-hours service in Dublin, supported by on-call social workers in different parts of the country. The social workers providing this service are employed by Tusla. The estimated full year cost of this service is €1.321m.
The aim of Emergency Out-of-Hours Social Work Services is to ensure that the disruption and upset to which children may be exposed in emergency situations is minimised and the rights of parents and guardians are respected.
287. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding allocated to city and county child care committees, by county, in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4252/16]
View answerCity and County Childcare Committees offer a wide variety of services locally including; advice on setting up a childcare business; childcare information sessions; training courses for those considering a career in childcare; and advice and support on applying for childcare programmes. City and County Childcare Committees also offer services to parents, such as providing information on local childcare facilities and information on parent networks.
The role of the CCCs was expanded under the National Childcare Investment Programme to enable greater flexibility and responsiveness to local needs, and they had a key role in the development of local childcare infrastructure, quality standards and training and information. More recently, CCCs have been increasingly dedicated to locally managing administrative processes associated with the national childcare support programmes (the Community Childcare Subvention programme, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme and the Training and Employment Childcare programmes). They also provide advice and support regarding the performance and sustainability of childcare services in their respective areas.
The CCCs work collaboratively and collectively with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Pobal and the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations to achieve this. There is ongoing review of programmes to ensure effectiveness and that there is no duplication.
Each CCC receives annual funding from my Department and details of the allocations for 2015 are shown in the table below.
|
County |
Operational Funding |
Supplementary Fund |
Parent & Toddler Initiative |
Childminding Development |
Early Years Capital CCC's 2015 |
|
Carlow |
223,946.00 |
0.00 |
3,779.00 |
1,959.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Cavan |
199,787.00 |
0.00 |
5,298.00 |
1,981.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Clare |
272,362.00 |
0.00 |
2,497.00 |
9,291.00 |
12,500.00 |
|
Cork City |
298,975.00 |
0.00 |
4,036.00 |
3,000.00 |
12,500.00 |
|
Cork County |
481,941.00 |
0.00 |
27,245.00 |
12,320.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
Donegal |
362,969.00 |
0.00 |
11,857.00 |
0.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
Dublin City |
853,491.00 |
13,800.00 |
13,118.00 |
13,391.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
Dublin Fingal |
466,126.00 |
0.00 |
5,550.00 |
8,344.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
Dublin South County |
454,638.00 |
0.00 |
8,323.00 |
1,958.85 |
15,000.00 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
361,474.38 |
0.00 |
8,131.00 |
826.77 |
12,500.00 |
|
Galway City |
451,203.00 |
0.00 |
18,416.00 |
7,168.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
Kerry |
345,079.00 |
0.00 |
10,848.00 |
5,060.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
Kildare |
402,090.00 |
0.00 |
10,337.00 |
9,597.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
254,878.19 |
0.00 |
4,289.00 |
2,710.00 |
12,500.00 |
|
Laois |
183,981.00 |
0.00 |
3,027.00 |
1,457.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Leitrim |
208,980.00 |
4,000.00 |
3,027.00 |
4,741.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Limerick County |
541,328.00 |
1,568.25 |
9,586.00 |
12,666.87 |
10,000.00 |
|
Longford |
208,983.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
3,000.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Louth |
303,748.59 |
0.00 |
3,736.00 |
0.00 |
12,500.00 |
|
Mayo |
312,974.00 |
0.00 |
15,388.00 |
6,093.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
Meath |
380,965.00 |
0.00 |
8,829.00 |
17,738.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
Monaghan |
233,980.00 |
0.00 |
4,036.00 |
2,829.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Offaly |
239,947.00 |
0.00 |
6,559.00 |
0.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Roscommon |
335,098.00 |
0.00 |
14,711.54 |
10,967.00 |
20,000.00 |
|
Sligo |
234,491.00 |
6,000.00 |
3,280.00 |
2,796.50 |
10,000.00 |
|
Tipperary North |
147,804.00 |
65,654.06 |
6,559.00 |
13,617.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Tipperary South |
330,163.00 |
2,334.35 |
4,541.00 |
0.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Waterford County |
388,866.40 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Westmeath |
240,980.00 |
0.00 |
6,307.00 |
4,152.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
Wexford |
346,449.00 |
0.00 |
9,082.00 |
7,039.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
Wicklow |
302,749.00 |
0.00 |
9,714.00 |
4,625.00 |
12,500.00 |
|
Totals |
10,370,446.56 |
93,356.66 |
242,106.54 |
169,327.99 |
380,000.00 |
288. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding he provided for community child care services, parent and toddler groups and childminders, by county, in each year since 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4253/16]
View answerThe information requested is currently being compiled and will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
289. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will use discretion where a child is under the criteria by a number of weeks, in order to be deemed eligible for the early childcare and education programme for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4336/16]
View answerAt present, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme covers children who have reached the age of 3 years and 2 months by 1 September of the relevant year. Children born between 2 February 2011 and 30 June 2012 are eligible to avail of the programme in the current school year.
In Budget 2016 I announced that from September 2016 children will be eligible to start free pre-school when they turn three and can continue in pre-school until they start primary school (provided they are not older than 5 years 6 months at the end of the pre-school year, i.e. the end of June). Children born between 1 January 2012 and 31 August 2013 will be eligible to avail of the programme at the commencement of the school year 2016/2017. Following the introduction of the expanded programme there will be three opportunities each year - in September, January and April - for eligible children to enrol for the free pre-school provision.
Qualifying children must be within the specified age category and there is no provision to enrol children who are below the qualifying age.
290. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Cork qualifies for a second free pre-school year. [4429/16]
View answerIn Budget 2016 it was announced that, from September 2016, children will be eligible to start free pre-school when they turn age 3, and can continue in free pre-school until they start primary school (once the child is not older than 5½ years at the end of the relevant pre-school year i.e. end June).
This extension of free pre-school will increase the number of children benefiting from free pre-school from about 67,000 per annum, to 127,000 in a given programme year. Accommodating this increase requires a significant increase in capacity in the pre-school sector; pre-school services need time to consider and implement any needed infrastructural or service changes, and to put in place extra staff resources. The September 2016 implementation date was set to allow pre-school providers to put such measures in place.
It is appreciated that this does mean that a small cohort of children, including the child referred to by the Deputy, while continuing to avail of the 38 week entitlement to free pre-school currently provided under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, will not benefit from additional free pre-school provided under this new budgetary measure. However, should an earlier start date have been chosen, the likelihood is that there would not have been sufficient capacity in the sector to accommodate all children.
However, you will appreciate that this extended provision, when introduced, will ensure that, from the age of three, all children in Ireland will be able to access free education, either in pre-school or in primary school. This is a significant step forward for children and families.
291. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide resource hours assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4431/16]
View answerI have been conscious for some time of the difficulty experienced by some children with a disability in accessing and benefiting fully from the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. With this in mind, I requested that an Inter-Departmental Group, led by this Department, be established with a brief to bring forward recommendations to address this issue.
The Group has concluded its work and its recommendations were fully accepted and funded by Government. I announced, as part of Budget 2016, the necessary funding to implement the new model with costs estimated to be €17.7m in 2016 and with full year cost estimated to be €33m from 2017 onwards. This Group has identified a practical, workable model for meeting the needs of children with a disability and the allocation of funding is clear evidence of the Government's commitment to supporting vulnerable children.
When established, the new model will focus on the developmental level of children with disabilities, their functional ability and their needs. It will not focus on diagnosis, recognising that many children may not have a formal diagnosis at the time of presenting to pre-school.
The model, when fully operational, will deliver seven levels of support to enable the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities in the ECCE Programme. These supports, which move from universal to highly targeted supports based on the needs of the child, include: enhanced continuing professional development for early years practitioners; grants for equipment, appliances and minor alterations, increased capitation for children with very complex needs, as well as access to therapeutic intervention.
Two groups have been established to oversee and implement the new model; a Cross Sectoral Implementation Group will oversee and monitor implementation, and a Project Group, which will implement the model for roll-out by September 2016. Further details in relation to this measure are expected to be available in June this year.
Until this new model is introduced, the ECCE programme continues to make special provision for children with a disability to access it. Measures include an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification where a child would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. The County Childcare Committees continue to provide information and support for parents, and on some occasions assist in accessing supports locally and providing training for early years providers.
There is no additional funding available to this Department to support the employment of special needs assistants in pre-school services. The HSE, on an ad hoc basis, does make some supports available and it is expected that these arrangements will continue until the new model has been established.
292. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of appointments to State boards, by name of appointee, date of appointment and appointment through a public application process or otherwise, from 7 March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4612/16]
View answerI am responsible for the appointment of members to the boards of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), Gaisce and the Board of Management for the Children Detention Schools. From the establishment of my Department in June 2011 until 31 December 2013 the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was responsible for appointments to the Boards of the Family Support Agency (FSA) and the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB). With the establishment of Tusla on 1 January 2014, the FSA and the NEWB ceased to exist and their roles were subsumed into the Agency.
In line with Government Decisions in 2011 relating to appointments to State Boards and bodies, the vacancies on the boards of State Bodies and Agencies operating under my Department's aegis were published on my Department's website and expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to these boards were invited. My officials acknowledged all expressions of interest received and maintained a database of those expressions.
In May 2013 the Public Appointments Service (PAS), on behalf of my Department, sought expressions of interest from those interested in being appointed to the Board of the FSA, having regard to both its existing statutory functions and its planned role in facilitating the establishment of Tusla. The members of the FSA Board, in place at end 2013, were subsequently appointed to the Board of Tusla on its establishment on 1 January 2014.
New arrangements concerning appointments to State Boards were approved by Government in November 2014. Guidelines covering the process to be used were published on 25 November 2014 by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Under these new arrangements, PAS manages the process of advertising vacancies and the selection of suitable potential appointees to State Boards.
There is currently one vacancy on the Tusla Board and this position was advertised by PAS. There are also two vacancies on the Board of Management of the Children Detention Schools. The Children (Amendment) Act 2015 creates a legal framework to amalgamate the 3 existing Schools in Oberstown into a single detention school with a new board of management to be appointed by me. I am also arranging for four vacant positions on Gaisce, the President's Award scheme, to be advertised through the State Boards process. Seven members were appointed to the Board of the Adoption Authority of Ireland with effect from 1 November 2015, following the advertisement and selection process by PAS.
My decisions on appointments to boards are subject to the relevant governing legislation, and take into account the particular responsibilities of the body or agency in question. At all times I seek to ensure that the body or agency is best served by an appropriate mix of skills and experience.
The tables below set out the appointments to the respective boards since 2011.
Adoption Authority of Ireland
The credentials of the persons appointed were in accordance with Section 98 of the Adoption Act 2010.
|
Board Member |
Term |
Credentials |
|
Dr. Imelda Ryan |
02/02/12 - 02/02/17 (Board term ended 31/10/15) Appointed to new Board 01/11/15- 31/10/20 |
Doctor |
|
Anne O’Flaherty |
11/03/13 - 11/09/18 (Board term ended 31/10/15) Appointed to new Board 01/11/15- 31/10/20 |
Appropriate training in Psychology |
|
Dr. Geoffrey Shannon |
01/11/15 - 31/10/20 Chairperson |
Solicitor |
|
Orlaith Traynor |
01/11/15 - 31/10/20 Deputy Chairperson |
Solicitor |
|
Paul Harrison |
01/11/15 - 31/10/20 |
Social Worker with Adoption Experience |
|
Dr. Helen Buckley |
01/11/15 - 31/10/20 |
Social Worker with Research Experience |
|
Patrick McMahon |
01/11/15 - 31/10/20 |
Retired District Court Judge |
Family Support Agency and Tusla (the Child and Family Agency)
|
Board Member |
Term |
Credentials |
|
Sharon Foley (Chair) |
30/01/12 - 26/03/13 (Ordinary Board member) & 26/03/12 - 31/05/13 (FSA Chair) |
CEO Irish Hospice Foundation |
|
Caroline Murphy |
20/10/11 - 31/03/12 16/04/12 - 31/05/13 |
Organisational Psychologist and Broadcaster |
|
Dick Hickey |
02/06/11 - 01/12/11 02/12/11 - 31/03/12 16/04/12 - 31/05/13 |
Executive Director, St. Brigid’s Family resource Centre |
|
Dr. John Griffin |
30/04/12 - 31/05/13 |
Consultant Psychiatrist |
|
Marie Fenlon |
01/09/11 - 31/03/12 16/04/12 - 31/05/13 |
Nominee of the Family Resource Centre National Forum |
|
Liz Chaloner |
30/01/12 - 31/05/13 |
Independent Researcher, Facilitator, Consultant |
|
Nuala Ryan |
30/01/12 - 31/05/13 |
President UCD Women Graduates Association |
|
Catherine Downey Murphy |
11/07/12 - 31/05/13 |
Management positions in Health Service, Southern Health Board |
|
Catherine Hazlett (Resigned on 16/05/12 due to restructuring of Department) |
26/07/11 - 31/03/12 16/04/12 - 16/05/12 |
Civil Servant – Department of Children and Youth Affairs Rep |
|
Yvette O’Malley (Resigned on 10/11/11) |
01/09/11 - 10/11/11 |
Family Support Agency Staff Rep, Mediator |
|
Marie Dullea |
11/07/12 - 31/05/13 |
Civil Servant - Department of Children and Youth Affairs Rep |
|
Imelda Martin |
28/11/11 - 31/03/12 16/04/12 - 31/05/13 |
Family Support Agency Staff Rep |
|
Lorraine Mulligan |
12/12/12 - 31/03/13 |
Experienced Researcher, financial analysis, advocacy |
|
Dr. Nollaig Byrne |
08/02/12 - 31/05/13 |
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist |
|
Norah Gibbons (Chair) |
01/06/13 - 31/12/13 (FSA) Appointed to Tusla Board 01/01/14 |
Former member of Task Force on the establishment of Child and Family Agency |
|
Sylda Langford |
17/09/13 - 31/12/13 (FSA) Appointed to Tusla Board 01/01/14 |
Retired – former Director General of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs |
|
PJ Fitzpatrick |
17/09/13 - 31/12/13 (FSA) Appointed to Tusla Board 01/01/14 |
Former Independent Chair of the Implementation Body for the Public Service Pay and Modernisation (Croke Park) Agreement 2010-2013. Now partner with Praesta Ltd. |
|
Noelle Spring |
17/09/13 - 31/12/13 (FSA) Appointed to Tusla Board 01/01/14 |
Development Director with Katharine Howard Foundation |
|
Rory O’Ferrall |
17/09/13 - 31/12/13 (FSA) Appointed to Tusla Board 01/01/14 |
Former President of National Youth Council. Currently member of Governing Authority of Dublin City University |
|
Gary Joyce Deputy Chairperson |
17/09/13 - 31/12/13 (FSA) Appointed to Tusla Board 01/01/14 |
Managing partner of Genesis Irish management consultancy |
|
Ita Mangan |
17/09/13 - 31/12/13 (FSA) Appointed to Tusla Board 01/01/14. Resigned 29/05/2015 |
Chair of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare |
|
Noel Kelly |
17/09/13 - 31/12/13 (FSA) Appointed to Tusla Board 01/01/14 |
Former teacher and Home School Liaison Officer. Currently CEO of Preparing for Life in Darndale Belcamp |
|
Gary Ó Donnchadha |
02/12/13 - 31/12/13 (FSA) Appointed to Tusla Board 01/01/14 |
Civil Servant - Deputy Chief Inspector in Department of Education and Skills |
National Educational Welfare Board
The table below includes details of the nominating person or body for each appointee in accordance with the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.
|
Board Member |
Appointed |
Nominated by / under |
Professional title / Credentials |
|
Nuala Doherty (Chair) |
30/07/12 |
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs |
Chief Executive Centre for Effective Services |
|
Brendan Broderick (Resigned 31/12/12) |
15/09/11 |
Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland |
President Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland |
|
Catherine Connery |
28/05/12 |
Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government |
Member and former chair Kilkenny County Council |
|
Marian Jennings |
28/05/12 |
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs |
Solicitor / Law lecturer |
|
Eamonn Flynn |
15/09/11 |
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs |
Educational Welfare Officer |
|
Bob Dowling |
02/03/12 |
Minister for Health |
Teacher |
|
Ruairí Gogan |
02/03/12 |
Minister for Justice and Equality |
Principal Officer |
|
Deirdre Matthews |
14/01/13 |
Minister for Education and Skills |
Assistant Chief Inspector, Department of Education and Skills |
|
Mary Donnelly |
23/04/12 - 22/04/15 |
Minister for Social Protection |
Principal Officer |
|
Sally Maguire |
03/11/13 - 03/03/14 |
Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland |
President Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland |
Children Detention Schools (Board of Management)
The table below includes the nominating person/body in accordance with Section 167 of the Children Act 2001.
|
Board Member |
Term |
Nominated by |
Credentials |
|
Joe Horan |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 Resigned 24/04/15 |
Minister nominee 2012 |
Former County Manager of the South Dublin County Council - Retired |
|
Professor Ursula Kilkelly |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 |
Minister nominee 2012 Acting Chairperson |
Head of the College of Business and Law in University College Cork, and Director of the Child Law Clinic |
|
Diego Gallagher |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 |
Minister nominee 2012 |
Partner in Health and Regulatory Law Department at Byrne Wallace Solicitors |
|
Sylda Langford |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 |
Minister nominee 2012 |
Former Director General of Office of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs – Retired |
|
Colin Fetherston |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 |
Staff representative 2012 |
Elected as staff representative via local elections |
|
Pat Rooney |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 |
Community representative - Was also on previous board |
Nominated by local Community Council |
|
Elizabeth Howard |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 |
Community representative - Was also on previous board |
Nominated by local Community Council |
|
Barry Rooney |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 |
Staff representative 2012 |
Elected as staff representative via local elections |
|
Dan Kelleher |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 |
Minister nominee - Officer of the Minister 2011 |
Principal Officer of Irish Youth Justice Service / Children Detention Schools |
|
Deirdre Keyes |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 |
Minister for Education nominee 2012 |
Education Officer in Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board |
|
Gerard McKiernan |
26/03/12 - 25/03/16 |
Minister for Health nominee 2012 - Was also on previous board |
Director of Change and Special Projects in Tusla, the Child and Family Agency |
|
Rachel Grimes |
14/11/12 - 25/03/16 [Resigned 06/10/14] |
Minister nominee 2012 |
Home-maker |
|
Niall Kelly |
06/09/13 - 25/03/16 |
Minister nominee 2013 |
Former school teacher - Retired |
Gaisce
All appointments made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in line with Gaisce's Memorandum and Articles of Association.
|
Name |
Appointed |
|
Majella Killeen |
01/03/12 - 3 years |
|
Ruairí McKiernan |
01/03/12 - 3 years |
|
Allyson Lambert |
01/03/12 - 3 years |
|
Siobhan Corry |
01/03/12 - 3 years |
|
Brian Collinge |
01/03/12 - 3 years |
|
Michael Broderick |
01/03/12 - 3 years |
|
Cian Timmons (RIP) |
01/03/12 - 3 years |
|
John Concannon |
01/03/12 - 3 years Reappointed (Chair) 02/03/15 - 01/03/18 |
|
Donal Óg Cusack |
01/03/12 - 3 years Reappointed 02/03/15 - 01/03/18 |
|
Martin O’Rourke |
01/03/12 - 3 years Reappointed 02/03/15 - 01/03/18 |
|
Caroline McCamley |
01/03/12 - 3 years Reappointed 02/03/15 - 01/03/18 |
|
Norma Smurfit |
01/03/12 - 3 years Reappointed 02/03/15 - 01/03/18 |
|
Andrew Madden |
01/03/12 - 3 years Reappointed 02/03/15 - 01/03/18 |
|
Aongus Sammin |
01/03/12 - 3 years Reappointed 02/03/15 - 01/03/18 |
|
Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop |
01/03/12 - 3 years Reappointed 02/03/15 - 01/03/18 |
|
Sharon Finnegan |
01/07/15 - 30/06/18 - Taoiseach nominee |
|
Carmel Nic Airt |
09/11/15 - 08/11/18 President nominee |
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Justin McAleese |
09/11/15 - 08/11/18 President nominee |
293. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his efforts to combat the sale and distribution of Z-drugs and the need for further resources to combat this major problem in conjunction with the long-awaited Misuse of Drugs Act; and the status of this legislation. [3004/16]
View answer“Z-drugs” refers to a group of prescription medicines (zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon) which are used to treat insomnia, and which have the potential for misuse. The supply of prescription medicines is controlled in a number of ways.
Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, it is prohibited for a person to supply a prescription medicine except in accordance with a prescription, and the supply must be made from a registered pharmacy by or under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist. A person who contravenes these Regulations is guilty of an offence.
Medicines which have a high potential to be misused are subject to additional and stricter controls under the Misuse of Drugs Acts. These medicines include z-drug zolpidem. The Misuse of Drugs Acts and Regulations impose restrictions on the production, supply, importation and exportation of controlled drugs. A person who has in his possession a prescription medicine containing a controlled drug for the purpose of selling or supplying it in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs legislation, is guilty of an offence under that legislation.
A Bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act so as to allow the Government to declare substances to be controlled and to clarify the provisions under which Ministerial orders and regulations are made is currently being drafted and is listed in the Government Legislative Programme for publication in 2016. This will once again allow regulations to be made and, if necessary and appropriate, bring under the scope of the Act new substances, including certain z-drugs, and allow the introduction of stricter or less strict controls on substances which are already covered under the legislation.
It is important to note that the problem of abuse of z-drugs will not be solved by regulations alone, and that prescribers need to ensure that these substances are only prescribed as appropriate.
The Health Product Regulatory Authority which is the competent authority in Ireland for human medicines, Revenue’s Customs service and an Garda Siochána work closely to prevent the unauthorised flow of illegal medicinal products into and out of the State. The enforcement of the law relating to the sale of drugs, including prescription drugs, continues to be a priority in the Government’s commitment to tackling the issue of drug misuse in this jurisdiction. Garda enforcement is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
294. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3948/16]
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 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.
295. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) has not been discharged from St. Vincent's Hospital in County Dublin; the length of time this person has been medically ready to be discharged; what the hospital is doing to ensure that the person's discharge to a family member pending placement in appropriate nursing home care and that this is arranged as soon as is medically appropriate. [3949/16]
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.
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.
296. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the staus of the prescription charge and the maximum payment allowable when two spouses have different doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3957/16]
View answerMedical card holders are required to pay a prescription charge of €2.50 per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 per month for each person or family. For the purposes of the administration of the charges, a family is defined as a person, their spouse/partner, and (if it applies) any children under 16 years of age and (if it applies) any children between 16 and 21 years of age who are in full time education.
The HSE issues refunds automatically on a quarterly basis, if an individual or family pays more than €25 in a month, based on the information received from the pharmacy. Applying for refunds can be avoided if a family visits a single pharmacy and the Pharmacist can identify all of the family members. A family can be set up as a family group on medicalcard.ie where a family certificate can be printed and given to the Pharmacist. This will show all of the members of the family so that the pharmacy will not collect charges above the monthly limit.
297. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the day care centres for elderly persons in Cork city and county run or supported by the Health Service Executive; how many persons can be catered for each week, how many are on the waiting list, and the approximate waiting time, by centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3959/16]
View answerAs these are service matters they have 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.
298. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the details of inpatient and outpatient care services provided at Killybegs Community Hospital, County Donegal for each of the years 2005 to 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3977/16]
View answer299. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of in-patient beds at Killybegs Community Hospital in County Donegal for each of the years 2005 to 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3978/16]
View answer301. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the details of in-patient and out-patient care services provided at Donegal Community Hospital in County Donegal for each of the years 2005 to 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3980/16]
View answer302. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of in-patient beds at Donegal Community Hospital in County Donegal for each of the years 2005 to 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3981/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 298, 299, 301 and 302 together.
As these are service matters they have 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.
