Wednesday, 3 Feb 2016

Written Answers Nos 61-78

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Questions (61)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

61. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the cost of recruiting an additional 1,000 nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4492/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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.

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards

Questions (62)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

62. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure balance between the public interest and the interests of practitioners and service providers when appointments are made to the Registration Boards established for designated professions under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4512/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, registration boards established for the designated professions consist of 13 members, comprising 6 professional members and 7 other members. It has been the policy and practice to appoint lay people to these 7 positions thereby ensuring a lay majority on the boards.

These members include:

- 1 representative of the management of the public health sector, the social care sector or both sectors;

- 1 representative of the management of a voluntary or private sector organisation concerned with health or social care;

- 1 representative of third level educational establishments involved in the education and training of members of the profession nominated by the Minister for Education and Science; and

- 4 representatives of the public interest.

The nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014, relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on state boards, and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines, my Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service website portal, Stateboards.ie, currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation.

In a number of cases the Minister for Health may decide to re-appoint a board member for a second term, which is in keeping with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Guidelines. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies in accordance with the relevant legislation. I have no function in these nominations other than the actual appointments.

Legislative Measures

Questions (63)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

63. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health how long it will take to complete by-laws under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4513/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The making of by-laws is an on-going function of the registration boards that are being established on a phased basis under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Currently 9 of the 14 designated professions have registration boards

Registration boards establish and maintain registers. They protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training and competence amongst registrants of the Act’s designated health and social care professions.

The registration board of a designated profession may make by-laws relating to a range of matters. These include bye-laws relating to applications for registration in the register or for restoration to the register; approved qualifications; education, training and continuing professional development; the adoption and revision of the profession’s code of professional conduct and ethics; and the conduct of elections for the appointment of professional members.

Respite Care Services

Questions (64)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

64. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the status of parents and guardians in regard to respite care facilities and the apparently new policy of transferring long-term residents into smaller unfamiliar venues and homes which causes upset and in some cases health problems to the person with disabilities; why parents and guardians have not been consulted on this, given the vulnerability of persons with a disability; why there is a need to transfer residents who have for many years been cared for safely in the same familiar setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4515/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (65)

Michael Ring

Question:

65. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if a person who is ordinarily resident here but is currently a student in the United Kingdom can qualify for a Medical Card; how frequently must this person return home to Ireland to be considered as ordinarily resident by the Health Service Executive; if it is sufficient to return at end-of-term time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4524/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Act 1970 (as amended) includes being “ordinarily resident in the State” among the criteria for eligibility for health services. Decisions on whether a person is ordinarily resident and whether an individual is eligible for a medical card are matters for the HSE and will be determined based on an individual's particular circumstances. It is important to emphasise that the Irish medical card does not provide access to health services outside of Ireland.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (66)

Michael Creed

Question:

66. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health his views on an automatic entitlement to a Medical Card for persons diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome further to a meeting he had in late 2015 with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4529/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 Deputy 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.

On foot of the Keane Report, 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. I can advise the Deputy that the Group is continuing its work on the development of guidance on assessing medical card applications involving significant medical conditions. Having regard to the approach of the Keane Report and in advance of the Clinical Advisory Group completing its work, I do not propose to issue automatic medical cards to one particular group.

As a result of a range of improvements of foot of the Keane Report the HSE is exercising greater discretion which is evidenced in the 90% increase in the number of discretionary medical cards, from about 52,000 in mid-2014 to over 99,000 at 1 January this year.

Until we have universal health care and everyone has eligibility for health services, one will always have anomalies. There will always be somebody who is just above the means threshold, or who does not have the prescribed disease, or whose condition is not sufficiently severe and, as a result, these individuals will not meet the assessment criteria. Universal health care, to which I am committed, is the only solution to address this issue.

Patient Transfers

Questions (67)

Niall Collins

Question:

67. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on media reports that the HSE plans to close St. Brigid's nursing home in Crooksling, Brittas, County Dublin, and to transfer the 56 beds to the proposed new community care centre in Tymon North, Tallaght in Dublin 24 and on the concerns of the local community at this suggestion. [4540/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The capital investment programme which I and Minister Leo Varadkar recently announced includes a new 100-bed Community Nursing Unit at Tymon North, Tallaght, replacing the existing 56 long stay beds at St Brigid's, Crooksling and providing an additional 44 beds which are much needed in the area. The HSE is continuing its work on scheduling and developing all projects. No further information in relation to the future of other services currently is available at St Brigid's available at this stage.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (68, 69)

John Browne

Question:

68. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health to establish an independent investigation into the adverse affects of the Gardasil vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4555/16]

John Browne

Question:

69. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health to put financial and educational supports in place to assist persons affected by the adverse affects of the Gardasil vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4556/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together.

The HPV vaccine, Gardasil which was introduced in 2010, protects girls from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. It is available free of charge from the HSE for all girls in the first year of secondary school.

Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV (16 & 18) that cause 73% of all cervical cancers. Vaccinated women and girls will still be at risk from other high risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and will therefore need to continue to have regular cervical smear tests.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the regulatory authority for medicines in Ireland. There are 2 licensed HPV vaccines available in Ireland (Gardasil and Cervarix). Gardasil is the vaccine used by the HSE in the School Immunisation Programme and over 100,000 girls have received this vaccine since its introduction.

No medicine, including vaccines, is entirely without risk, there is therefore on-going pharmacovigilance and monitoring of medicinal products once they are authorised for use. The safety profile of Gardasil has been continuously monitored since it was first authorised.

As part of its monitoring of the safety of medicines, the HPRA operates an adverse reaction reporting system, where healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse reactions they consider may be associated with their treatment, through the range of options in place for reporting. All reports received are evaluated and considered in the context of the safety profile of the product concerned, with reports followed up as necessary for further information, that may assist in the assessment of the case.

I am aware of claims of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women. It appears that some girls first suffered symptoms around the time they received the HPV vaccine, and understandably some parents have connected the vaccine to their daughter’s condition.

I want to make it quite clear that anyone who is suffering ill health is eligible to seek medical attention, and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms. The individual nature of the needs of some children may require access to specialist services.

In November 2015 the European Medicines Agency completed a detailed scientific review of the HPV vaccine. The review, in which the HPRA participated, found no evidence of a causal link between the vaccine and the two conditions examined.

On 12 January 2016 the European Commission endorsed the conclusion of the European Medicines Agency stating that there is no need to change the way HPV vaccines are used or to amend the product information. This final outcome by the Commission is now binding in all member states.

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Questions (70)

Noel Harrington

Question:

70. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) was denied scheduled surgery under the treatment abroad scheme while on the public waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4557/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I am advised by the HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme office that this patient was approved via a specific mechanism authorised to address the waiting list for spinal surgery in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital. Furthermore it has been confirmed that the approval of funding in respect of the patient’s treatment in the UK has already been notified to the patient’s parents and the treating hospital in the UK.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (71)

Finian McGrath

Question:

71. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the huge distress for psychiatric patients at an institution (details supplied) which prohibits smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4565/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Northern Ireland Issues

Questions (72)

Gerry Adams

Question:

72. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he asked the British Government whether the recent proposals to block legal action against British soldiers in Iraq will be extended to the actions of the British Army in the north of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3901/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am aware of the issue regarding the treatment of allegations against British soldiers who have served in Iraq. I have no information to suggest that there are any proposals to extend the same approach to British soldiers who are alleged to have been involved in criminal acts while on duty in Northern Ireland.

The Stormont House Agreement provides a comprehensive institutional framework for dealing with the legacy of the past. Irrespective of which group is alleged to have been responsible, these institutions will, when established, facilitate the pursuit of justice and information recovery for the victims and survivors of the Troubles and their families.

I remain convinced that the establishment of these new legacy institutions offers the best way to bring whatever healing is possible to victims and survivors and their families. Efforts are continuing to reach an agreement on the outstanding issues currently blocking their establishment and I am determined that they are resolved as quickly as possible so that the new legacy institutions can begin their important work.

International Election Monitoring

Questions (73)

Finian McGrath

Question:

73. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if and on what basis additional persons have been added to the Election Observation Roster since it was established in May 2013; how the assessors involved in the Roster selection were selected and appointed; the number of days they worked for his Department and the daily fee they were paid; if he sought the views of the European Commission on whether this selection process met the high standards expected by the Commission; if the current model of selection will stand up to review such as in a case where an original Roster member who was not selected but who has significantly better qualifications and experience than those who were; if he will arrange for an independent review of the Roster system, including the selection processes; if he will conduct a fresh selection process in 2016 that will include professional interviews to ensure that the Roster is based on merit alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4510/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade administers a roster of election observers so that Ireland can be represented at an appropriate level in international election observation missions organised in the main by the OSCE and the EU. The current roster was established in May 2013 for a period of five years.

In 2013, two assessors external to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with knowledge of election processes and experience of public service, undertook the independent appraisal and scoring of applications for inclusion in the new roster against the four criteria. These were: experience of election observation; knowledge of human rights and /or governance issues; language skills; and experience of challenging environments. In the cases where the assessors declared a potential conflict of interest and recused themselves from the assessment of the application in question, two officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade jointly scored the applications in place of the assessor. The assessors were paid fees of €200 per day, over ten days in total, in accordance with the relevant Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular, E12/1/70.

Following the appraisal of all 263 eligible applications, the 200 individuals who achieved the highest scores were selected to serve on the new election observation roster. A reserve panel of the next ten highest scoring individuals was also established, from which replacements would be drawn should any members leave the roster. Since its formation, ten members have left the roster with four replacements appointed to date from the reserve panel. The process of appointing additional replacements is currently underway.

Ireland actively participates in the European Commission and European External Action Service - led European Observation network, which brings together election observation focal points from all EU Member States, together with Norway, Switzerland and Canada. The network facilitates the exchange of information and international best practice on all aspects of election rosters, and helps to ensure that the operation of national rosters conforms to the highest standards. At the most recent meeting of the focal points, last month, the EU confirmed that Ireland continues to be have a high success rate in having its nominees placed on EU Missions.

I am satisfied that all applicants have been treated fairly and impartially and all unsuccessful applicants were invited to request feedback on their applications. Furthermore, the independent review process which was established has facilitated two applicant reviews. In both cases, the reviewer judged that the scoring of both applications was fair and impartial across all four published criteria. In light of these considerations, no legal opinion has been sought on the selection process.

I am confident that the current roster is well equipped to deal with the requirements of the EU. The Department will keep the process under review taking into account developments at EU and OSCE level.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (74)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

74. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 for an appliance; and when can they expect a decision on their case. [4483/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.

In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.

I can confirm that following receipt of an application for assistive technology support for the child referred to in this question, a letter issued to the school on 10th March, 2015, seeking further information to support the application. As the application was incomplete, pending receipt of the requested information, it was not completed. My Department now understands that the pupil has in the interim changed school.

Should the school to which the pupil is now enrolled wish to apply for Assistive Technology support, the school should make such an application to the NCSE. The scheme requires that considerations of applications take account of the school environment and existing equipment in the school.

Schools Building Projects Administration

Questions (75)

Shane Ross

Question:

75. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria she has used to decide on the location of the proposed new secondary school in Firhouse Old Bawn in Dublin 24; the proposed catchment area for this new school; if it will be an Educate Together secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4494/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

For planning purposes my Department divides the country into geographic areas each with several primary schools feeding into a post-primary centre, consisting of one or more post-primary schools. These defined areas facilitate the orderly planning of school provision and accommodation needs. Since 2011 new schools are established where the current and future demographics of an area require it.

My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for additional school places will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Department of Social Protection in addition to information from the Department's own databases. It also uses data from the local authorities. With all of this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

On 17 November last, I announced that 4 primary schools and 9 post-primary schools will open in 2017 and 2018, as a result of the outcome of the latest demographic exercises. This includes a post-primary school to be established in 2018 to serve the Firhouse, Dublin 24 area.

The patronage determination process for new schools is a separate process, which is run after it is decided that, based on the demographic data, a new school is required. Parental preferences are central to this process and prospective patrons are required to provide evidence of demand for their particular type of school. It is open to all patrons and prospective patrons, including Educate Together, to apply for patronage of a new school under this process. It is envisaged that the patronage determination process for the new post-primary school to serve Firhouse will commence before the end of this year.

Home Tuition Scheme Administration

Questions (76)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

76. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the Departments and agencies which have a role in the oversight of home school tuition; if she will consolidate oversight of home school tuition within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4500/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy has clarified to my Department that his question refers to the matter of home schooling.

In accordance with the National Education Welfare Board (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 – No. 215 of 2011, responsibility for the regulation of home schooling of children lies with my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Section 14 of the Education Welfare Act 2000 requires Tusla to maintain a register of all children in receipt of an education in a place other than a recognised school, including the home. This transfer of Ministerial functions was effected as part of an overall realignment of Ministerial functions to facilitate the establishment of the Child and Family Agency in January 2014.

I, as Minister for Education and Skills, retain a function under the Education Welfare Act 2000 to issue guidelines for the purpose of assisting Tusla in determining whether a child is receiving a certain minimum education. Such guidelines were issued in 2003 and are currently the subject of a review by Tusla to update them in the light of the experience of their implementation over more than 10 years.

European Globalisation Fund

Questions (77)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

77. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will submit an application under the European Globalisation Fund following the liquidation of Xtravision and the resulting 580 job losses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4518/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I am aware of recent media reports regarding the appointment of a provisional liquidator to Xtra-vision, which employs over 550 staff This follows an earlier statutory collective redundancy notification submitted by the company to my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in November 2015, which related to approximately 161 proposed redundancies, the majority of which were part-time positions.

In the absence of full details regarding the circumstances and extent of the redundancies, it is not possible to fully determine whether an application could be made to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). However, an initial assessment by my Department suggests that it would be very challenging to sustain a viable application in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) No. 1309/2013 which governs the Fund, in this case. My officials will continue to monitor this situation.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (78)

Joe Carey

Question:

78. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a case regarding a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4522/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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.