Niamh Smyth
Question:208. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her priorities for capital funding for the arts and cultural institutions over the next five years. [17542/16]
View answerCapital Expenditure Programme
Questions (208)
Written answers
In terms of capital investment in the arts, I announced a new €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focused on upgrading the existing stock of such centres around the country. The funding, which is being made available as part of the Government's Public Capital Investment Programme "Building on Recovery: 2016-2021", will be dependent on matching funding being secured by project promoters and will therefore provide an opportunity for philanthropists to involve themselves in the arts. In addition, there are a number of significant capital projects underway for the National Cultural Institutions, including:
- The National Gallery of Ireland: A major renovation project is ongoing on the historic Dargan and Milltown wings of the gallery. This work is nearing completion and it is hoped that they will reopen to the public in Q1 2017. This is expected to cost in the order of €31 million.
- The National Archives: Phase one of a building development plan for the Archives' Bishop Street headquarters is due to go to tender shortly. This first phase will cost approximately €8 million and will significantly increase the Archives' storage capacity in the Bishop Street premises.
- The National Library of Ireland: I announced last year a €10 million investment in the National Library's historic Kildare Street building. The OPW are currently working with the NLI and my Department to develop a design for the building, which will enhance the storage facilities and public spaces in the building.
It should also be noted that my Department is supporting a number of capital projects as part of the 1916 Rising Centenary commemorations. An allocation of €22 million in capital funding was provided through my Department’s Vote in 2015 for the ‘Permanent Reminder’ projects, with a further €31 million being allocated this year.
These projects include The GPO Witness History Visitor Centre, the newly refurbished Kevin Barry Recital Rooms at the National Concert Hall, Richmond Barracks, the Tenement Museum in Henrietta Street and the Atheneum in Enniscorthy.
The capital needs of other national cultural institutions continue to be reviewed, and will be prioritised as resources permit.
Special Protection Areas
Questions (209)
Pearse Doherty
Question:209. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has not yet received an information pack pertaining to the designation in respect of the special protection area in which Inis Meáin Island is located; if he will make arrangements to have this person furnished with these documents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17578/16]
View answerWritten answers
Inis Meáin Island forms part of the West Donegal Islands special protection area (Site Code: 004230). A site pack was sent to the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question when this site was proposed for designation in July 2011. I understand that this individual has had his appeal, in relation to the inclusion of his land within the special protection area, referred to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board for consideration.
Site packs may be requested at any time by landowners from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department.
Health Insurance Community Rating
Questions (210)
Robert Troy
Question:210. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health why a person who consistently has had private health insurance, long before the grace period of 30 April 2015 in Northern Ireland, is not assumed to have a continuous period of cover, and is penalised with the extra 2% rating loading that applies to new cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17405/16]
View answerWritten answers
Community rating, reflecting the principle of intergenerational solidarity, is a fundamental cornerstone of the Irish health insurance system. This means that people who are old or sick do not have to pay more for health insurance than the young and healthy. Lifetime Community Rating came into effect on 1 May 2015 and is designed to encourage people to join the private health insurance market at an earlier age and thus support affordable community-rated premiums for everyone who wishes to purchase insurance.
Late entry loadings of 2% per annum now apply for people who buy health insurance for the first time at the age of 35 and older. Previous periods of health insurance cover are taken into account in calculating the loading that may apply to individuals, whereby the level of loading will be reduced by the relevant credited period(s). These credited periods apply for periods of health insurance cover with registered health insurers in this country, taking account of our system of community-rated health insurance.
Periods of cover on health insurance plans held outside the State (including Northern Ireland) will not be taken into account when calculating loadings, as such plans do not comply with private health insurance legislation in Ireland or conform with the key principles of community rating, open enrolment, lifetime cover and minimum benefit on which the Irish private health insurance regulatory system is based. Insurance systems are not directly comparable or related. For example in other health insurance systems the level of risk that an individual presents can directly affect the premium paid, so periods of cover or time served are not directly interchangeable between the different insurance markets that exist.
Ambulance Service Provision
Questions (211)
Thomas Byrne
Question:211. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the current arrangement for the dispatch of ambulances to the coastal area of east Meath, including the part of County Meath that is in Drogheda, in situations of emergency. [17345/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Health Services Provision
Questions (212)
Róisín Shortall
Question:212. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 365 of 22 March 2016, if he will provide an update on the status of the development of specific services for persons suffering from Huntington's disease; his plans to develop a specified care pathway for persons suffering from this illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17353/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
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, he can contact my Private Office and it will follow the matter up with the HSE.
Primary Care Services Provision
Questions (213)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:213. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the report of the primary care eye services review group, including when the group will conclude its work and when its report will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17354/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Primary Care Eye Services Review Group was established by the HSE, who have been asked to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
Nursing Home Services
Questions (214)
Eugene Murphy
Question:214. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate a full five day nursing led care in St Patrick's Hospital in Carrick-on-Shannon; his plans to release the HSE assessments to general practitioners and families of patients which led to the reduction of services at the facility; and the number and type of clinics currently available at St Patrick's Hospital in Carrick-on-Shannon [17355/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has 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 it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
Hospital Appointments Delays
Questions (215)
Robert Troy
Question:215. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) has had his June appointment cancelled and rescheduled for July. [17375/16]
View answerWritten 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 Funding
Questions (216)
Seán Fleming
Question:216. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17377/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive 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 it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
Speech and Language Therapy Provision
Questions (217)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:217. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for speech and language therapy services for children by Health Service Executive area, in tabular form; the process that is employed to determine who will be assessed and when; if during that process consideration is given to the severity of each individual case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17393/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the Health Service Executive 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 it will follow up the matter with the HSE.