Billy Kelleher
Question:436. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will receive an appointment for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4635/16]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (436)
Written answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
Health Services
Questions (437)
Michael Colreavy
Question:437. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the long delay in the HSE arranging a trust fund for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo, including an assessment of the costs of the proceedings, the financial impact on the modest estate and the psychological impact of the process on the person and concerned family members. [4636/16]
View answerWritten answers
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE 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.
Human Rights Issues
Questions (438)
Brendan Smith
Question:438. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to secure the release of an Irish citizen (details supplied) detained in Egypt without trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4136/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Irish Government is pursuing every avenue to secure the release of this Irish citizen and will continue to bring all of our influence to bear on his behalf through all appropriate channels. Significant resources continue to be deployed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both in Cairo and in Dublin, in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to both this citizen and his family.
Ultimately, any decision regarding bail or release will be made solely by the relevant Egyptian authorities. In this case, the Irish Government has lent its formal support to requests for release on bail and release under the Presidential decree/Law 140, and will continue to work in support of these efforts.
All actions taken in this case are considered in light of the Government's clear objectives. First, to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland and, second, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. The considered approach and sustained action that has been taken by the Taoiseach, Ministers and by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to date in this case has been to further these objectives, and most importantly to avoid any action that could be counterproductive or detrimental to his best interests.
In addition to engagement with the Egyptian authorities, the Government also frequently engages with other states who have had citizens in similar situations, with our European and international partners represented in Egypt, and with the European Union. I have engaged extensively with High Representative Ms. Federica Mogherini, who raised this citizen's case with Foreign Minister Shoukry on her most recent visit to Cairo. The Taoiseach has also discussed the case at the very highest level with President al-Sisi. The Egyptian Government is in no doubt about the Irish Government's position and our desire to see this citizen released as soon as possible.
The Government will remain resolute in pursuing its clear objectives in this case and what we firmly believe to be in this citizen’s best interests and to be most likely to contribute to a positive outcome for him.
EU Enlargement
Questions (439)
Finian McGrath
Question:439. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Serbia becoming a member of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4280/16]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has long been a supporter of the Enlargement process, and is in favour of Serbia’s membership of the European Union.
Serbia is making steady progress on its European path and we were pleased to see that the first chapters in the acquis communautaire were opened on 14 December last, meaning that negotiations on Chapter 32, Financial Control and Chapter 35, which deals with the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, are underway.
On 28 January, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament welcomed the progress made by Serbia, particularly in terms of its relationship with Kosovo. At a meeting of the High-Level Dialogue for normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina the previous day, when the Prime Ministers of Serbia and Kosovo met with High Representative Mogherini, it was confirmed there was progress on Freedom of Movement provisions, as well as discussions on direct air and rail connections between the two countries. The High representative praised the commitment and constructive approach of the two leaders.
All of this shows clear progress, which we welcome. Much work remains to be done, however, and, along with our European partners, we remain ready to assist and support Serbia in its preparations for membership of the EU.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (440)
Finian McGrath
Question:440. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he last met the Irish Ambassador to Japan, Ms Anne Barrington; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4281/16]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that I last met the Irish Ambassador to Japan, Ms Anne Barrington, on 27 January 2016.
We had a useful, wide-ranging discussion on the Ireland-Japan bilateral relationship including on preparations for the 60th Anniversary of diplomatic relations which will occur in 2017.
The priority Ireland attaches to the relationship with Japan is reflected in the Joint Declaration issued by the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Abe following their Summit meeting in Tokyo in December 2013 and satisfactory progress is being made in the areas identified for enhanced cooperation between the two countries on that occasion.
Ambassador Barrington and I focused in particular on how we could develop our economic relationship with Japan in the coming years. Japan is the third largest economy in the world, and is a significant source of Foreign Direct Investment into Ireland and the largest in Asia; there are more than 50 Japanese companies with a presence in Ireland, 28 of which are IDA assisted, making Japan the 6th largest contributor to FDI by employment (over 3,200) in assisted companies.
Ireland also has a strong trading relationship with Japan which has been growing in importance in recent years to the extent that Japan was our 11th largest trading partner in 2014. In 2014, exports in merchandise trade were €1.761 billion and imports were €1.760 billion. The equivalent merchandise trade figures for 2013 were exports of €1.7 billion and imports of €1.04 billion. In 2014, exports in services to Japan were €2.663 billion, while imports were €0.945 billion. In 2013 services exports were €2.45 billion and imports were €0.84 billion. Overall, Ireland has a trade surplus with Japan.
Foreign Conflicts
Questions (441)
Seán Crowe
Question:441. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the growing number of protests and demonstrations in Haiti, that the unrest was generated after the Presidential election was postponed indefinitely; and if he is concerned for the democratic process in Haiti. [4466/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the developments referred to by the Deputy, notably the recent decision of Haiti's electoral authority to suspend the second round of elections for security reasons.
Officials from my Department continue to monitor the situation in Haiti. We are concerned by any disruption of the democratic process. It is our view that political leaders in Haiti should reject violence and work together to bring the electoral process to a prompt conclusion through the holding of the second round of presidential elections, respecting the right of the Haitian people to express their democratic will.
I echo the message of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Haiti, who stated that the UN and the international community "reiterate their continued support for the conclusion of an inclusive and equitable electoral process while supporting efforts aimed at finding a way forward that ensures the democratic renewal of State institutions", as well as the call by the OAS Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) for all political stakeholders to engage in a consensual, constructive dialogue to overcome the current political crisis and complete the electoral process.
Consular Services Expenditure
Questions (442)
Seán Crowe
Question:442. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade why the cost of running Irish embassies and consulates abroad rose by 10.5% in 2015 as compared to 2014. [4467/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department keeps the running cost of our Embassies and Consulates to a minimum and ensures the delivery of a value for money service for the taxpayer.
During 2015 the following factors contributed to an increase in our Embassies and Consulates running costs.
Firstly, in January 2014 the Government agreed on the expansion of the Irish Embassies and Consulates network. Embassies were established for the first time in the fast-growing economies of Thailand (Bangkok) and Indonesia (Jakarta). Consulates General established in the financial and business hubs of Hong Kong (China) and Sao Paulo (Brazil), and in the booming tech hub of Austin, Texas (USA). Following the accession of Croatia as the 28th member state of the European Union, an Embassy was established in Zagreb. The Government has also re-opened an embassy in Nairobi, Kenya for economic development opportunities and a one-diplomat embassy with a focus on international development was re-established at the Holy See to enable Ireland to engage directly with the leadership of Pope Francis on the issues of poverty eradication, hunger and human rights.
This expansion of the Embassies and Consulates network commenced in late 2014 and as a result only partial costs were incurred in 2014. However in 2015 the full year running costs, and the initial establishment costs, of these missions were incurred.
As part of the same process, the Embassy network underwent some rationalisation and redeployment of staff. Ireland's Embassy to Lesotho was closed, with Ireland's Embassy in South Africa assuming responsibility for the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Irish Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, was also downsized. Ireland's existing Irish Aid office in Freetown, Sierra Leone, was upgraded to Embassy status, at no additional cost to the State.
Secondly, the Euro has been weak against other international currencies, in particular the US Dollar and Sterling, resulting in significant adverse exchange rate fluctuations. While this has been a significant advantage to our exporters it has added significant operating costs in the vast majority of the international locations in which this Departments operates outside the Euro zone area.
Thirdly, as world economies recover inflation rates in these markets are rising more rapidly than in Ireland resulting in increased operating costs in the local market. This increases our costs of operating in these markets.
The work of our Embassies and Consulates around the world continues to be important in Ireland's economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our Embassies and Consulates work in support of Ireland's interests include:
- Promoting Ireland as a source of high-quality exports, a destination for investment, research, study and tourism to targeted audiences and contacts;
- Supporting trade missions and other trade-focussed high-level visits, record numbers of which have taken place in the last four years;
- Directly assisting Irish companies with advice, introductions and working to resolve regulatory or market access issues, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland;
- Providing frontline consular and passport services to Irish citizens overseas;
- Influencing and negotiating for Ireland on issues that could impact our interests and priorities.
State Bodies
Questions (443)
Catherine Murphy
Question:443. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [4618/16]
View answerWritten answers
There are no State Boards under the aegis of my Department.
School Transport Administration
Questions (444)
Robert Troy
Question:444. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is appropriate for the Freight Transport Association to carry out inspections on private buses contracted to Bus Éireann given that more than 50% of the bus owners it is inspecting are members of the association. [3987/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Bus Éireann that the Freight Transport Association (FTA) provides independent vehicle and maintenance system audits on contractors' vehicles as well as on Bus Éireann's own fleet.
This is independent and separate from any other engagement of the FTA by bus and coach operators, or indeed any other similar industry experts.
Any initiative taken by bus operators to seek guidance on industry standards, and improvements to raise their own existing standards of maintenance and the roadworthiness of their fleet above the minimum legal requirements should be welcomed and supported. Such initiatives can only raise the quality, standard and safety of school buses on our roads.
Special Educational Needs Staff
Questions (445)
Robert Troy
Question:445. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the decision to cut a special needs assistant from Saint Christopher's Service in County Longford given that the HSE has acknowledged that the service is not receiving adequate hours and resources. [4159/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs.
The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.
It is important to note that each school's allocation of SNA support can change from year to year and may be increased or decreased as students who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. New students with care needs may, or may not, enrol to replace students who have left, for example, or SNA allocations may be decreased where a child's care needs have diminished over time.
The NCSE has published details of SNA allocations for schools for September 2015 on its website www.ncse.ie.
The NCSE has advised that the school concerned recently lodged an appeal of its staffing allocation under the NCSE appeal process, details of which are provided at www.ncse.ie. The school has now been advised of the outcome of this appeal.
The NCSE will also consider staffing requirements for the school for the coming 2016/17 school year, taking into account any revisions to the overall pupil enrolment.As the matter referred to in this question relates to NCSE allocation decision for an individual school, I have referred this question to the NCSE for their consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
School Enrolments
Questions (446)
Clare Daly
Question:446. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will advocate at Cabinet level for the amendment of the Equal Status Acts to give effect to the principle that no child should be given preferential access to a publicly-funded school on the basis of religion as recommended by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission report submitted to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. [3057/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Equal Status Act, schools are not permitted to discriminate in admission on any of the grounds set out in the Act. However the Act contains an exemption which permits schools in which the objective is to provide education that promotes certain religious values, to admit a student of a particular religion in preference to others.
The Deputy will be aware of the many positive elements contained in the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2015, which was published in April of this year, and introduced a number of important changes to make enrolment policies fairer and more transparent.
The issue of the need to amend the Equal Status Act was not a feature of the consultation paper published in advance of the Admission to Schools Bill. When the Oireachtas committee considered this matter, it simply noted that "there is a potential tension between Articles 42 (Education) and 44 (Religion) of Bunreacht na hÉireann, and this poses a particular difficulty when legislating in this policy area." No amendment to the Equal Status Act has been included in the published Admission to Schools Bill. I have subsequently made clear my view that this is a matter that does need to be reviewed and addressed, and considering the time constraints involved it will need to be a priority for the next Government.
Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
Questions (447)
Michael McCarthy
Question:447. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grant financial assistance or bursary available to Irish persons who wish to obtain a postgraduate degree in nursing in a university (details supplied) in Scotland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3947/16]
View answerWritten answers
The student grant scheme does not extend to postgraduate courses pursued outside of Ireland.
Given the level of demand on the student grant budget from first time students and students that are progressing with their studies to a higher level, there are no plans at present to extend post graduate funding to students studying abroad.
However, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners.
School Accommodation Provision
Questions (448)
Timmy Dooley
Question:448. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will facilitate the repair of the prefabricated unit which is owned by her Department, further to the recent report from the environmental health service of the HSE, regarding the condition of a portacabin in a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3954/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department's Planning and Building Unit has no record of receiving an application for funding from the school to which the Deputy refers.
It is open to the school to use its Minor Works Grant, which was paid to the school last November, to carry out the most urgently needed works at the school in full or in part as that grant permits.
Schools Building Projects Expenditure
Questions (449)
Pearse Doherty
Question:449. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding and grant-aid provided to primary schools and post-primary schools and education centres through her various schemes for major works and devolved projects such as capital funding for major capital works, the summer works scheme, the emergency works scheme, the prefabricated replacement initiative, the additional accommodation scheme, the minor works grant, and remediation programmes by school and education centre, by county, in each of the years 2010 to 2015, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3956/16]
View answerWritten answers
The total amount of capital spending on construction projects in the Education sector for the primary and post primary schools for the years 2010 to 2015 is available on the attached table and includes large scale projects, the additional accommodation scheme, the prefab replacement initiative, the summer works scheme and emergency works scheme.
Also attached is the total capital funding expended on a county basis in the primary and post-primary sectors from 2013 to 2015.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS 2010 - 2015
|
- |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|
(€m) |
(€m) |
(€m) |
(€m) |
(€m) |
(€m) |
|
|
Large Scale Projects |
303 |
241 |
213 |
224 |
225 |
131 |
|
Additional Accommodation |
81 |
56 |
65 |
56 |
56 |
67 |
|
Prefab Replacement |
6 |
8 |
23 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
|
Summer Works Scheme |
39 |
59 |
1 |
12 |
54 |
132 |
|
Emergency Works |
16 |
13 |
12 |
10 |
25 |
75 |
|
OTHER (see note hereunder) |
61 |
61 |
47 |
29 |
95 |
121 |
|
TOTAL SCHOOL EXPENDITURE |
506 |
438 |
361 |
347 |
455 |
526 |
Note: OTHER - Under this heading expenditure is incurred on site acquisition, furniture and equipment, the Minor Works Grant, DCG Grant, ETB Headquarters, Remediation Programmes, Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Schemes and Miscellaneous items.
|
County |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Carlow |
8,556,151 |
7,745,688 |
7,850,519 |
|
Cavan |
4,598,345 |
7,340,508 |
8,589,538 |
|
Clare |
8,965,676 |
4,772,962 |
4,022,866 |
|
Cork |
45,386,195 |
53,665,492 |
58,875,550 |
|
Donegal |
7,294,122 |
6,836,124 |
12,260,762 |
|
Dublin |
86,883,185 |
123,021,638 |
119,703,800 |
|
Galway |
26,582,004 |
25,291,907 |
30,355,398 |
|
Kerry |
5,036,738 |
12,692,997 |
19,216,299 |
|
Kildare |
13,652,587 |
31,760,086 |
23,802,089 |
|
Kilkenny |
10,990,557 |
7,097,002 |
8,869,558 |
|
Laois |
12,347,910 |
3,176,236 |
6,682,818 |
|
Leitrim |
1,405,262 |
1,339,936 |
1,662,818 |
|
Limerick |
12,692,255 |
12,729,358 |
12,215,171 |
|
Longford |
3,330,841 |
4,895,857 |
6,063,232 |
|
Louth |
12,276,961 |
15,740,325 |
24,445,106 |
|
Mayo |
6,271,087 |
9,429,339 |
9,045,046 |
|
Meath |
41,258,814 |
24,072,252 |
31,951,876 |
|
Monaghan |
3,288,818 |
5,368,025 |
8,088,547 |
|
Offaly |
3,547,400 |
11,564,167 |
12,975,821 |
|
Roscommon |
1,450,105 |
2,413,621 |
2,322,732 |
|
Sligo |
4,743,524 |
2,777,777 |
3,505,182 |
|
Tipperary |
10,555,075 |
13,113,050 |
13,793,015 |
|
Waterford |
4,657,083 |
13,771,966 |
12,602,010 |
|
Westmeath |
4,507,604 |
7,837,918 |
9,255,188 |
|
Wexford |
8,803,577 |
11,724,895 |
19,298,294 |
|
Wicklow |
12,019,396 |
14,235,093 |
35,869,469 |