Written Answers Nos. 414 - 437
414. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht how she will make sure arts funding is used to ensure minority and new Irish voices are heard as part of the cultural output. [19820/16]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council.
The Arts Council is the main channel of the State's current expenditure on the arts and will receive over €60 million in 2016. The Arts Council’s ten-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025) set outs how it will lead the development of all aspects of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. Making Great Art Work places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people. The five high-level values of the Strategy include a comment to excellence as well as respect for diversity of artistic practice, of public engagement, and of social and cultural traditions. The strategy also commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the publication of Culture 2025as a priority. My Department is continuing to consider inputs on the draft document from the Steering and Expert Groups which I established and I expect to forward a draft for consideration to the relevant Oireachtas Committee shortly.
This first such policy will be a living document and will form the basis of an on-going dialogue with all who are interested in cultural policy. Both the new Arts Council Strategy and the evolving Culture 2025 policy provide platforms to deepen engagement across all sectors of our society.
415. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to support the development of the creative industries sector; if she has reviewed the report from the previous Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the hearings relating to examining the potential for job creation, innovation and balanced economic development in the creative economy; and if she will implement the recommendations of the report in tandem with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. [19821/16]
View answerThe Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland. My Department provides significant support for the arts and film through its funding of the Arts Council and the Film Board, as well as through its capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure.
Other financial and policy supports are also provided, for example, through the taxation system. I was particularly pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in the income ceiling for the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which artists, including songwriters and composers, make to society and to the music industry. I am keenly aware of the potential of the creative sector to contribute to sustainable jobs growth and my Department continues to work with other Departments, in particular with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, across a range of areas as set out in the Action Plan for Jobs. My Department - through Culture Ireland - also plays a major part in promoting Irish arts and music on the world stage.
Issues in relation to the creative industries are also of relevance in the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy, Culture 2025. My Department is continuing to consider inputs on the draft document from the Steering and Expert Groups which I established and I expect to forward a draft for consideration to the relevant Oireachtas Committee shortly. The issue of reviewing the structures which support the cultural sector will be considered in the context of any next steps arising from the publication of Culture 2025. My Department will also consider the relevant recommendations in the report referred to by the Deputy in the context of this on-going policy work.
416. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has had any engagement with stakeholders in the music industry in terms of the establishment of a music industry task force, with wide representation and which would examine a range of issues including the impact of intellectual property and copyright legislation and enforcement in both the music and technology industries, supports for the business of music education and a dedicated office similar to the Irish Film Board for the music sector. [19822/16]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the main channel of State current expenditure on the arts and will receive over €60 million in 2016.
The Arts Council's strategy statement, Making Great Art Work, sets out the Council’s plans to lead the development of the arts in the decade to 2025 and prioritises two policy areas, the artist and public engagement.
The IMRO report, entitled The Socio-Economic Contribution of Music to the Irish Economy, highlights the impressive contribution the music industry makes to the Irish economy. The report contains a broad range of recommendations for which several Ministers have responsibility. In this context, the issues of supporting musicians and artists was raised in the discussion during the public consultation phases held as part of developing the proposed new national cultural policy Culture 2025. The commitment to deliver Ireland's first such policy offers an opportunity to consider how arts and culture can be embedded right across Government. Copyright law is a matter for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
417. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to develop a national culture strategy up to 2025. [19825/16]
View answerSignificant progress has been made in drafting the first National Cultural Policy - Culture 2025. This followed a major public consultation process in 2015, including a national cultural workshop held in October at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the publication of Culture 2025 as a priority. My Department is continuing to consider inputs on the draft document from the Steering and Expert Groups which I established and I expect to forward a draft for consideration to the relevant Oireachtas Committee shortly.
418. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has examined any proposals to facilitate, on a national basis, the use of vacant retail premises by exhibiting artists, based on successful schemes such as Space Invaders in County Galway, which uses empty retail units to support local artists. [19826/16]
View answerI am aware and supportive of the use of vacant premises by artists and arts organisation and I understand that a number of such buildings are currently being utilised by arts organisation across the country. No particular proposals for a nationwide approach have been put to my Department and, in general, I would consider that local approaches driven by artists, local arts officers and the owners of vacant buildings are best suited to respond to the specific local circumstances involved.
419. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will examine a nationwide plan for the development of village design statements that would ensure all future planning and development takes full cognisance of the historical character and protects the character and heritage of villages. [19827/16]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 31 May 2016.
The Heritage Council, in collaboration with my Department, has led the development of a best practice approach to the development of Community-Led Village Design Statements (VDS). It, in tandem with a number of local authorities and village communities, prepared a toolkit which was launched in October 2012 at the inaugural community-led VDS workshop. The toolkit sets out a step-by-step guide to undertaking a community-led VDS in Ireland, using a collaborative and participative process, and has been developed in accordance with the UNECE Aarhus Convention and the European Landscape Convention (ELC). The Heritage Council, in collaboration with a number of local authorities, has since been proactive in helping interested communities to develop VDS. In many ways, the approach followed is similar to the Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) framework, also developed by my Department in collaboration with the Heritage Council, Fáilte Ireland and relevant local authorities, although it is focussed on smaller communities.
Given the limited scope for funding, my preference is for the continued fostering of a community-led approach rather than the development of a nationwide plan, while considering the possibility of a prioritised targeted approach to towns and villages with a view to not only protecting their character and heritage, but also contributing to regional development through encouraging economic growth and employment.
However, all approaches are still under consideration as I seek to further strengthen the protection of our built heritage, which I recognise cannot be achieved without the full engagement of the respective local authorities, local communities and interested organisations.
420. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to work with the Minister for Health to develop and roll out an arts and health strategy across acute and children’s hospitals and across the community health sector; and the other innovative approaches that are being considered to use the arts as a means to promote well-being across society. [19829/16]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the main channel of the State's current expenditure on the arts and will receive over €60 million in 2016. Issues in relation to the health services are a matter for the Minister for Health.
The Arts Council's ten-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025) set outs how it will lead the development of all aspects of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. The five high-level values of the Strategy include a comment to excellence as well as respect for diversity of artistic practice, of public engagement, and of social and cultural traditions.
The Programme for a Partnership Government also commits to the publication of Culture 2025 as a priority. My Department is continuing to consider inputs on the draft document from the Steering and Expert Groups which I established and I expect to forward a draft for consideration to the relevant Oireachtas Committee shortly.
This first such policy will be a living document and will form the basis of an on-going dialogue with all who are interested in cultural policy. Both the new Arts Council Strategy and the evolving Culture 2025 policy provide platforms to deepen engagement across all sectors in society, including the health sector.
421. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she is taking with her Government colleagues to systematically address social, geographic and economic barriers to full participation in the artistic and cultural life of the country, particularly for children and young persons. [19830/16]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the main channel of the State's current expenditure on the arts and will receive over €60 million in 2016.
The Arts Council’s ten-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025) set outs how it will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. Making Great Art Work places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people. The strategy also commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the publication of Culture 2025. My Department is continuing to consider inputs on the draft document from the Steering and Expert Groups which I established and I expect to forward a draft for consideration to the relevant Oireachtas Committee shortly. This first such policy will be a living document and will form the basis of an on-going dialogue with all who are interested in cultural policy.
422. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of additional public sector staff hired in her Department over and above those who had retired or left the service, that is, new positions only as and from 31 December, 2010, broken down for each of the years 2011 to 2016, to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20139/16]
View answer423. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of new public sector workers in her Department hired to replace retiring staff and those who left the Department in each of the years 2013 to 2015; the overall percentage of staff turnover this represents; the cost or savings in payroll and pensions accrued, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20148/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together.
The following table sets out the number of staff who were hired and those who retired or left the service since June 2011, when my Department was first established.
The total number of full-time equivalent staff at the end of June 2016 is shown in the Table. This includes some 40 staff transferred in from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government following the formation of the Government in May. The equivalent data for the end of each year from 2011 to 2015 are also shown. These figures also reflect changes in work patterns, secondments and other factors that contribute to the totals.
|
Year |
Number of staff hired by the Department |
Staff who retired or left service |
Total staff (full-time equivalent) at end of Period |
|
2011 (June – December ) |
0 |
14 |
652 |
|
2012 |
2 |
31 |
618 |
|
2013 |
2 |
13 |
604 |
|
2014 |
8 |
15 |
574 |
|
2015 |
16 |
22 |
564 |
|
2016 – to end June |
13 |
5 |
635 |
It is not possible to provide the information requested regarding the cost or savings in payroll and pensions. Civil service pensions are paid by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
424. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Ireland has the lowest number of social workers undertaking postgraduate research among any developed country; his views on the fact that the current systems for social worker training as well as applied social work research represent best practice; his further views that there is scope to improve ongoing upskilling and on-the-job training of social workers; and if he will consider putting into place a fund to support the attainment of postgraduate qualifications and-or the undertaking of postgraduate research by social workers. [19156/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days she should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
425. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if those receiving a pension from the United Kingdom and living here will still be entitled to a non-means tested medical card despite the United Kingdom no longer being part of the European Union. [19162/16]
View answerRegulation (EC) 883/2004 deals with the coordination of social security, including health care, for those moving within the European Union. Under its provisions, persons residing in Ireland who are attached to the social security system of another member state, are entitled to receive health care services in Ireland at the cost of that member state provided they are not subject to Irish social security legislation. Persons in this category are entitled to full eligibility and receive a medical card as evidence of their entitlement.
The HSE aims to ensure that every person who is entitled to a medical card or a GP visit card is given the opportunity to avail of his or her entitlement. In assessing an application under the EU Regulations the HSE will establish if the person is subject to Irish social security legislation. A person is considered subject to Irish social security legislation if s/he is in receipt of a contributory Irish social welfare payment or engaged in work in Ireland and subject to PRSI. If so, the person will not qualify for a medical card under EU legislation, but may qualify for a means-tested medical card under national legislation.
The result of the recent EU Referendum in the UK means that the UK electorate have declared their wish to leave the EU. It is important to be clear that the UK has not yet left the EU. Until it formally withdraws from the Union, it remains a full Member, with all of its existing rights and obligations.
I wish to assure the Deputy that there will be no immediate changes in the area of health as a consequence of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Health cooperation between the UK and Ireland will not be affected in the immediate term. Arrangements are in place, building on an already completed initial risk assessment plan, to consider any longer-term implications of the referendum result.
426. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will grant a primary medical certificate to a person (details supplied). [19636/16]
View answerThe 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 a service matter, 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 they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
427. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the concerns of farming organisations about the viability of the family farm in meeting the costs of nursing home care under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19698/16]
View answerWhen the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies, including the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. In advance of the Review, submissions were sought from groups or bodies who wished to make a contribution, and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) made a submission in this context on which they expanded at a subsequent meeting with officials of the Department of Health.
An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the Review. This group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners and, when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund. In considering this issue, the Working Group will seek any further inputs that it considers to be needed, including from other Government Departments.
The Programme for a Partnership Government has committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small business and family farms.
428. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his discussions regarding the charity Console and the funding it received; if he will examine the spending of public funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19732/16]
View answerConsole is one of the charities part-funded through the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention, to provide counselling, therapy and support services to people who have been bereaved by suicide. The National Office for Suicide Prevention funds over 40 individual organisations (including Console) and co-ordinates suicide prevention initiatives around the country.
Funding of €625,000 (approximately) was provided to Console in 2015 through the National Office for Suicide Prevention. Funding for previous years was as follows:
|
Year |
Funding |
|
2011 |
€239,522 |
|
2012 |
€252,114 |
|
2013 |
€598,557 |
|
2014 |
€855,227 |
|
2015 |
€622,204 |
The HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention funded Console €53,583 each month for the first six months of 2016. This funding was for their Counselling Services, Helpline and their Family Liaison Bereavement Service.
In addition, lottery funding of €50,000 and €75,000 was provided to Console by the Department of Health in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Console also raises a substantial amount of funding through charitable and private sources.
As the internal audit is now completed, the HSE is presently considering the most appropriate line of action following the recent response of the Agency to the audit findings. All communications with Console continue to be conducted by the HSE according to proper audit processes, and having regard to appropriate legal procedures. In addition, the Charities Regulatory Authority and the UK Charities Regulator are both engaging with Console arising from the findings of the HSE audit. In addition, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Garda Síochána are also engaged with the Agency as a result of these findings. Finally, two independent experts have been appointed by Console arising from the findings of the audit conveyed to the agency.
I am aware of the importance of the services provided by Console, and the importance of ensuring that these are not impacted by the on-going issues. These services continue to be available, including the Freefone 24/7 Helpline. The HSE is in contact with the two independent experts appointed by Console, and the Executive is also considering alternative arrangements for services provided by the agency, if this is deemed necessary. Consideration by the HSE of alternative service options has been underway in parallel with the audit process. Mr. John Farrelly, the CEO of the Charities Regulator has appointed additional trustees to Console to govern the charity through this time.
429. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to indicate if and when a required child psychiatrist will be allocated to the north Kildare area with particular reference to the provision of adequate mental health services for children in the locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19068/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
430. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of moves towards the provision of an integrated treatment service for all substance users as outlined in the national drug strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19073/16]
View answer433. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the national drug rehabilitation implementation committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19076/16]
View answer439. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of a clinical and organisational governance framework for all treatment and rehabilitation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19082/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 430, 433 and 439 together.
Government policy in relation to drugs underlines the importance of providing opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use to a drug-free life, where that is achievable. In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Health Service Executive has reoriented the addiction services in recent years so that they are capable of dealing with all substances. The HSE is continuing to develop the spread and range of addiction services to achieve better coverage across the country, especially in areas most affected by the drug problem. Treatment is provided through a network of statutory and non-statutory agencies, using a four tier model of service delivery. The four tier model is based on the principle that drug treatment is best provided at the lowest level of complexity, matching the patient’s needs and as close to the patient’s home as possible.
The National Drugs Rehabilitation Implementation Committee (NDRIC) is chaired by the HSE and meets on a monthly basis. The primary objective of NDRIC is to oversee and monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation (2007). The Committee has developed a National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework which is crucial to achieving a more integrated treatment and rehabilitation service. The aim of the framework is to provide a 'continuum of care' for the recovering drug user through promoting a more integrated and person-centred approach to rehabilitation based on shared care planning. I am advised that the implementation of the National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework is a priority for the HSE and is currently being rolled out on a national basis.
I understand that the HSE is continuing to progress the development of a clinical and organisational governance framework, which provides for a governance structure setting out clear lines of authority, accountability and responsibility at all levels. The HSE National Addiction Governance Group are in the process of finalising a report on the matter, which will contribute to the achievement of this objective.
431. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of substance abuse treated in the past ten years per county, in tabular form; the number of these which received methadone treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19074/16]
View answer435. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a methadone programme per county over the past ten years; the number on waiting lists for a methadone programme for the same period; to provide the methadone completion numbers, that is, those who successfully came off the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19078/16]
View answer436. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner clinics participating in methadone programmes per county over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19079/16]
View answer437. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of pharmacies participating in methadone programmes per county over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19080/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 435 to 437, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
432. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the needle exchange programme; the number of persons which have taken part in the programme over the past ten years per county; if the programme has been rolled out to 65 new locations, as outlined in the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19075/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
434. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of advanced nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist role; the number of such roles which have been created in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19077/16]
View answerThe register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) has on the 31st May recorded 183 Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners and 7 Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioners.
The HSE staff census reported 1,125 Clinical Nurse Specialists and 41 Clinical Midwife Specialists working at the end of April 2016.
The future arrangements for the development of both these nursing roles is currently under consideration within the Department.
