Tuesday, 4 Oct 2016

Written Replies Nos. 331 to 354

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (331)

Brian Stanley

Question:

331. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff employed by his Department or seconded to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28993/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

At the end of August 2016, the number of staff employed by my Department was *1652 officers, of which 325 were recruited locally by missions abroad and 41 were seconded from other Government Departments or private sector organisations. The figure also includes 182 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) who are recruited annually on fixed term contracts primarily to assist the Passport Service during the peak passport demand period.

*FTE – full-time equivalent

Departmental Functions

Questions (332)

Jim Daly

Question:

332. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will consider the establishment of a dedicated behavioural insights group, similar to those in the UK, within his Department. [28576/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In January 2016, it was agreed that the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, in its remit as the lead Department for the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), would take the policy lead in bringing a more coherent, planned and informed approach to the application of Behavioural Insights/Economics in the Irish public service. 

My Department is progressing work on Behavioural Economics in a number of areas. The DPER IGEES Unit has also been providing assistance and guidance to Departments undertaking or considering projects using Behavioural Economic insights, and has met with a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the application of Behavioural Economics in Irish policy-making. The IGEES Unit has also been working on developing toolkits and templates to help Departments apply Behavioural Economics in their own policy areas.

The DPER IGEES Unit has been working on carrying out a small number of pilot trials using Behavioural Economics, such as an ongoing randomised control trial with the Department of Social Protection to improve attendance rates at jobseekers' meetings.

My Department previously published a paper on Behavioural Economics in 2014, setting out an introduction to behavioural insights and the potential applications in Irish policy.  This paper is available on the website of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service.

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration

Questions (333)

Willie Penrose

Question:

333. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that the remuneration package afforded to the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, upon his reappointment fully complies with the salary guidelines laid down by the Government for chief executive officers of semi-State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28045/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Guidelines on Contracts, Remuneration and Other Conditions of Chief Executives and Senior Management of Commercial State Bodies issued in 2006 and recently updated in 2016 provide general guidance on remuneration and related terms and conditions of employment for newly appointed Chief Executives of commercial state bodies. 

In this regard the position of the Chief Executive Officer of HRI conforms with Government policy in respect of the remuneration arrangements for Chief Executive Officers of commercial state bodies. 

Public Sector Staff Data

Questions (334)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

334. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of retired public sector employees in receipt of a public sector pension who have been re-employed, either part-time or full time, temporary or otherwise in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28074/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The table outlines the number of retired public sector employees who are in receipt of a public sector pension that have been re-employed either part time or full time, temporary or otherwise by my Department or by bodies under its aegis.

Organisation	Number
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform	1
Public Appointments Service	94
The Office of Public Works	0
Institute of Public Administration	0
Office of the Ombudsman	0
The State Laboratory	0
Special EU Programmes Body	0

Office of Public Works Projects

Questions (335)

Michael Lowry

Question:

335. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of conservation works at a chapel (details supplied); when these works will be completed; when the scaffolding around the chapel will be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28087/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The conservation works to Cormac’s Chapel at the Rock of Cashel have been underway for a number of years and are now completed. The work has involved the consolidation and repair of the roof, repointing of wall elements to eliminate a significant water penetration problem, the gradual drying out of the building and the eradication of micro biological growth from the internal wall paintings.

Dismantling of the scaffolding will be commenced before the end of the year and will be completed within weeks of commencement.

Nursing Staff Remuneration

Questions (336)

Seán Fleming

Question:

336. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will approve and sanction the agreement to restore recognition of the 36-week nursing internship from 2011 onward which has been agreed by the Department of Health, the HSE, INMO, PNA and SIPTU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28293/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Incremental credit for the 36 week clinical placement undertaken by 4th Year Student Nurses was abolished by the then Government in December 2010 as part of a range of measures aimed at reducing the public service pay bill. In the context of the Lansdowne Road Agreement it was agreed between management and unions that the issue of the 36 week incremental credit would be examined in relation to nurse/midwifery recruitment and retention. On conclusion of this process and deliberations with the Department of Health my Department agreed to sanction the restoration of incremental credit for the trainees currently on placement or who would in the future be assigned a placement. However the sanction also stated that the question of extending sanction to post 2011 nurses not in receipt of such credit may be reviewed on foot of consideration of whether the sanction granted would result in an increase in recruitment and retention rates of trainee nurses in 2016 and 2017.  

Officials from the Department of Health met with my officials recently to discuss whether there is scope to accelerate the review process for the restoration of incremental credit to 2011-2015 graduates prior to 2018. The Minister for Health has also written to me in relation to this matter. The issue is accordingly being reviewed by my Department with a view to bringing the matter to a conclusion at the earliest time. 

Nursing Staff Remuneration

Questions (337)

David Cullinane

Question:

337. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason his Department amended part of the agreement concluded between the INMO, PNA, SIPTU nursing unions, the HSE and the Department of Health so that the restored recognition of the 36-week nursing internship applied to 2016 graduates onwards, leading to a situation whereby 2011-2015 nursing and midwifery graduates are earning less than their pre-2011 colleagues and less than some of the new 2016 graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28351/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Incremental credit for the 36 week clinical placement undertaken by 4th Year Student Nurses was abolished by the then Government in December 2010 as part of a range of measures aimed at reducing the public service pay bill. In the context of the Lansdowne Road Agreement it was agreed between management and unions that the issue of the 36 week incremental credit would be examined in relation to nurse/midwifery recruitment and retention. On conclusion of this process and deliberations with the Department of Health my Department agreed to sanction the restoration of incremental credit for the trainees currently on placement or who would in the future be assigned a placement. However the sanction also stated that the question of extending sanction to post 2011 nurses not in receipt of such credit may be reviewed on foot of consideration of whether the sanction granted would result in an increase in recruitment and retention rates of trainee nurses in 2016 and 2017. 

Officials from the Department of Health met with my officials recently to discuss whether there is scope to accelerate the review process for the restoration of incremental credit to 2011-2015 graduates prior to 2018. The Minister for Health has also written to me in relation to this matter. The issue is accordingly being reviewed by my Department with a view to bringing the matter to a conclusion at the earliest time. 

Departmental Contracts

Questions (338)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Question:

338. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any State contracts have been awarded to taxi companies since the formation of the Government; if so, if those awarded contracts fulfil the commitment in the programme for Government that a minimum of 10% of the fleet is wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28397/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has not awarded any contracts to taxi companies since the formation of this Government.  The Office of Government Procurement, which is a division of the Department, puts frameworks agreements in place for use by other public service bodies but does not award contracts on behalf of any other body and can therefore only comment on its own arrangements. 

Departmental Strategy Statements

Questions (339)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

339. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28407/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The development of a three-year Statement of Strategy is a requirement of every Government Department under the Public Service Management Act, 1997. Under this legislation, a new Statement of Strategy must be submitted to a Minister within six months of his or her appointment. Therefore, the process to develop a new Statement of Strategy is well underway in my Department.  This work will, of course, be informed by the priorities set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government (PfPG) and the overall economic, budgetary and fiscal context. In addition, my Department is aware of the statutory Duty referred to in the Deputy's question and is currently examining how this legal requirement might be reflected in its new Statement of Strategy.

As set out in the Deputy's question, the PfPG contains a commitment to developing a process of budget and policy proofing as a means of advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights.  

There are currently a number of established procedures in place already supporting the delivery of this PfPG commitment, including the requirement that all Memorandums for Decision submitted to Government set out the estimated impacts of the proposal across a range of areas including gender, social inclusion and people with disabilities.  

Furthermore, at Budget time the current practice, carried out by the Departments of Finance and Social Protection, involves the ex-post impact assessment of the main tax and social welfare measures introduced in the Budget.  These exercises use the ESRI micro-simulation (SWITCH) model to assess the impact of these policy measures across different household types based on a large-scale nationally representative survey.  

A new initiative currently underway in response to the commitment in the PfPG commitment in relation to equality budgeting is the undertaking of Social Impact Assessments of public expenditure policies to help examine the targeting of public spending. In this regard, in order to facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of the impact of budget expenditure measures on household living standards, my Department is developing a new Social Impact Assessment Framework designed to focus on policy areas that cannot easily be incorporated into the existing SWITCH model, specifically the impacts of public expenditure on recipient households.  Depending on the available data, the impacts of expenditure in certain policy areas may also be examined with regard to certain group characteristics e.g. age, gender, regional spread. In the future, the aim will be to expand the assessment, in so far as is possible within the available data constraints, to encapsulate the impact of a particular policy measure on other identified groups.

The framework aims to complement the existing process that takes place each year with additional information on where Government resources are spent and who the key beneficiaries are.  The Social Impact Assessment Framework will play an important part in delivering the PfPG commitment to develop a process of budget and policy proofing as a means of advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights.

Lansdowne Road Agreement

Questions (340)

Jim Daly

Question:

340. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the arrangements in place for staff in the public sector who are not members of a union but who are willing to sign up to any public sector agreements to avail of the improved working conditions approved by Government; his views on the appropriateness of Departments insisting that public sector staff must be a member of a union to avail of improved pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28549/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 891 of 16 September 2016. The position remains unchanged.  Those unions/associations that hold representation rights for public service grades who subscribe to collective agreements such as the Lansdowne Road Agreement attract the benefits of such agreements as do members of such grades who are not members of those unions/associations. Collective Agreements are concluded between employers and unions representative of the public servants in the grades to whom the agreement relates, not individuals.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (341)

Clare Daly

Question:

341. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on maximum lump sum payments to retiring public servants in 2016, in view of media commentary to the effect that sums of €1 million have been paid out. [28554/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Notwithstanding that my direct responsibility is for pensions in the civil service rather than the wider public service, I am not aware of any public service pension payment at the level referred to by the Deputy.  In 2016 to date, there have been 2 lump sums paid to retiring senior civil servants with a value in the range of €250,000 to €270,000. These are the highest lump sum payments made to retiring civil servants in the period. The bulk of lump sums will be at a considerably lower level.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (342)

Brian Stanley

Question:

342. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff employed by his Department or seconded to his Department. [28661/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

As requested, please find information on the number of staff employed in my Department and the number of those who are on secondment into my Department in the following table.

My Department is also responsible for the National Shared Services Office "NSSO" and the Office of Government Procurement "OGP", and I have provided the information requested in the table following.  The use of secondment provides mobility and career development opportunities for staff and we have found this particularly useful when looking to fill posts requiring specific knowledge and skills.     

-	Department of Public Expenditure & Reform	National Shared Services Office	Office of Government Procurement
Overall Staff Numbers	369	632	184
Staff Seconded In (included in overall numbers)	12	13	6

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (343)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

343. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when payments will be made to a charity (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28465/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

I understand that the project team aims to make payments within 15 working days of project plans being signed by the individual participants. About one third of all participants taking part in the project have already done so and have received payment. Every effort is being made currently by the project team to finalise the planning process for those participants who have still to sign their plans.

Wildlife Regulations

Questions (344)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

344. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding burning of hills and farmlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28097/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot two year basis. The legislation required to allow for these pilot measures was included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which was published in January 2016 and subsequently completed Second Stage in Seanad Éireann.

Steps are in hand to reintroduce the Heritage Bill into Seanad Éireann at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, the existing provisions relating to Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts are still in operation.

Scéimeanna Teanga

Questions (345)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

345. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an gcuirfear níos mó cuidiú airgid ar fáil mar chuid de scéim na gcúntóirí teanga i bhfianaise na scoileanna breise atá ag glacadh páirte ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [28203/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Bunaíodh Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga in 1999 ar bhonn píolótach chun an Ghaeilge a láidriú mar theanga labhartha i measc aos óg na Gaeltachta agus iompar teanga scoláirí scoile a chur i dtreo na Gaeilge. Tá infheistíocht shuntasach déanta ag mo Roinn sa scéim seo ó shin i leith.

Tá deontas gur fiú €718,578 in iomlán ceadaithe agam do Mhuintearas Teo agus d’Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne don scoilbhliain 2016/17 le cumasú dóibh beartais na scéime a chur i bhfeidhm thar ceann mo Roinne.

I bhfianaise na n-éileamh breise ar an scéim agus an imní atá léirithe faoi chostais riaracháin, tá iarrtha agam ar oifigigh mo Roinne an cás a phlé le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta. Déanfaidh mé an cheist a mheas tuilleadh nuair a bheidh torthaí an phróisis sin ar fáil.

National Parks

Questions (346)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

346. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when works will be carried out in Killarney National Park (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28221/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Officials from my Department’s regional staff have examined the area referred to in the Deputy’s Question. If the officials could be provided with a contact name and address for a representative of the residents, they will be happy to meet with them to discuss the matter.

Post Office Network

Questions (347)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

347. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the implementation of measures in the programme for Government concerning post offices (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28222/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The post office network includes approximately 1,130 post offices, of which only 51 are owned by An Post, with the remainder being independently contracted to An Post and largely co-located with other retail units. An Post is a commercial State body that generates its income from its business operations, including through the provision of various services for Government Departments and agencies. The company does not currently receive financial support from the Exchequer outside of the funding it receives for the provision of those services.

The postal sector has been undergoing systemic change both nationally and internationally in recent years, with the increased use of electronic communications leading to the decline in core mail volumes year on year. In recognition of this changing business environment, the Post Office Network Business Development Group, chaired by Mr Bobby Kerr, was established in late 2014 to examine the potential for new and existing Government services to be transacted through the post office network and to identify new business opportunities for the network.

The final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group, which was published in January of this year, made a number of recommendations to support the future sustainability of post offices. These include recommendations in relation to the renewal of the post office network, the development of a basic payment account, the provision of motor tax services, and the creation of hubs around which local economic and social activity could revolve. The report also recommended that An Post should, following appropriate consultation with postmasters and others, review and amend the five-year strategy for the post office network.

The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to acting on the recommendations in the report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group. A number of Working Groups have been established to progress the recommendations, including through the establishment of a Network Renewal Implementation Group, which is being independently chaired by Mr Kerr. This Group is examining the number and spatial distribution of post offices, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and contracts, and training and qualifications for post office employees.

I have separately established the Post Office Hub Working Group to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. My officials are also examining the potential for the post offices to deliver services such as motor tax payments and a basic payment account.

The Government is, therefore, taking a range of measures to support the post office network to adapt to the changed business environment in which it operates. The network will, however, continue to operate within the context of An Post’s commercial mandate.

Departmental Strategy Statements

Questions (348)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

348. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in her Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which her Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary processes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28316/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

My Department remains fully committed to meeting its obligations regarding the public duty referred to in the ‘details supplied’ and will include a specific reference to this commitment in the forthcoming Statement of Strategy.

My Department is fully cognisant of the Programme for a Partnership Government commitments in relation to equality and gender proofing and will have appropriate regard to these in the preparation and implementation of policy and budgetary proposals.

Easter Rising Commemorations

Questions (349)

Seán Haughey

Question:

349. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the State will endeavour to purchase one of Padraic Pearse's signed 1916 surrender letters which will be sold at auction in Dublin by a private collector in November 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28577/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

It is a long standing policy of the State not to comment one way or another on its interest or otherwise in items that may be coming up for auction.

Drug Treatment Programmes Funding

Questions (350, 351, 353, 406, 411, 412, 417, 428, 469, 475, 476, 477)

Micheál Martin

Question:

350. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the excellent work that an organisation (details supplied) carries out; his views on whether the funding allocation is sufficient to meet demand; if he can give any assurances regarding future services in this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28511/16]

John Lahart

Question:

351. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide additional funding to allow an addiction clinic (details supplied) to continue to provide residential and detox services to 15 to 21 year olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28534/16]

Michael Moynihan

Question:

353. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if necessary funding will be provided to a centre (details supplied) to ensure the future viability of essential detoxification and rehabilitation services for adolescents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28822/16]

Willie Penrose

Question:

406. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to provide funding as a matter of urgency for a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28306/16]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

411. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if he has considered a substantial increase in funding to a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28324/16]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

412. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health his plans to open a new youth detoxification centre in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28325/16]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

417. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a severe funding issue impeding the work of a facility that is the only residential detox service for adolescents (details supplied); his views on the appropriateness of the current funding model that allows this service to function; if he will commit to devising an appropriate long term funding model for this essential service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28336/16]

John Curran

Question:

428. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will provide increased and direct funding to a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28404/16]

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

469. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a registered charity (details supplied) will be adequately funded in view of the fact that it is the only residential detoxification and treatment service for adolescents here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28599/16]

Jack Chambers

Question:

475. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the only adolescent detoxification and treatment facility for young people between the ages of 15 and 21 (details supplied) is at risk of closure due to funding issues and is in need of assistance from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28629/16]

Jack Chambers

Question:

476. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current State funding a service (details supplied) receives is insufficient to cover the costs required to adequately deal with the increasing demand and complexity with respect to young persons which requires such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28630/16]

Jack Chambers

Question:

477. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will increase funding to a vital service (details supplied) to ensure that it is able to continue to help young people suffering with addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28631/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 350, 351, 353, 406, 411, 412, 417, 428, 469 and 475 to 477, inclusive, together.

As the Deputies will be aware, a Steering Committee, with an independent chair, has been established to advise me on a new National Drugs Strategy, which will take effect in 2017, when the current policy expires.

The provision of resources to support the implementation of the new Strategy, including detoxification services for young people and adolescents, will be determined in the context of the estimates process.

I understand from the Health Service Executive that the addiction services in Community Health Organisation 5 is currently working with Aiséirí to review the model of services provided in Aislinn.

Community First Responders Network

Questions (352)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

352. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a scheme to help community groups with the purchase and maintenance costs of life saving equipment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28044/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Community groups may apply for lottery funding to help with the purchase of defibrillators and the HSE has also supported local community initiatives with this. In addition, one of the means to help improve health outcomes in this area is through the expansion of the National First Response Network. Community first responder groups comprise this national network. These are people from local communities who are trained in basic life support and the use of defibrillators that attend a potentially life threatening emergency in their area. They are then able to provide an early intervention in situations such as heart attack or cardiac arrest by providing, among other things, resuscitation and defibrillation.

Cardiac First Responders (CFR) Ireland, launched in 2015, is the national umbrella organisation for Community First Responders Groups. CFR Ireland works with the National Ambulance Service, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and the Centre for Emergency Medical Science UCD. There are currently 137 Community First Responder groups linked to the National Ambulance Service National Emergency Operations Centre. If an emergency 999/112 call for cardiac arrest, choking, chest pain or breathing difficulties is made to the National Ambulance Service in an area where a CFR group is established, the on-duty CFR member gets a text from the National Ambulance Service at the same time that an ambulance is despatched with location and call details. The First Responder then goes straight to the scene and administers initial care (defibrillation if required) until the National Ambulance Service Emergency resources arrive.

Question No. 353 answered with Question No. 350.

Hospital Investigations

Questions (354)

Jack Chambers

Question:

354. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the serious incident management report following an investigation undertaken at Wexford General Hospital into misdiagnosed bowel cancer cases relating to patients who underwent colonoscopy procedures there; the reason the report has not been published despite the look-back review having been completed several months ago; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28057/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE advises that Serious Incident Management Report will be finalised shortly. The HSE intends to publish the report, subject to any necessary legal requirements being addressed. It is anticipated that the report will be published before the end of the year.