Tuesday, 25 Oct 2016

Written Answers Nos. 377-398

Estimates Process

Questions (377)

Jack Chambers

Question:

377. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will consider increasing the funding for the Irish language organisations, Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta, whose budgets have been reduced by over 50% since 2008, and which received no additional funding in budget 2017; if she will consider reversing the 2016 cut of 40% to the Seachtain na Gaeilge budget; if she will consider reversing the 35% funding cut to Irish language summer camps which resulted in the number of camps falling from 92 in 2015 to 59 in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31936/16]

Written answers

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

I refer the Deputy to my replies to recent Parliamentary Questions in regard to the 2017 Estimate provisions.

As set out in these replies, an additional allocation of €2.25 million in total was provided in Budget 2017 for the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Islands Programme. With regard to Údarás na Gaeltachta, an additional €1 million in once-off capital funding had been secured as part of the 2016 Revised Estimates. This has been retained for next year, which means that €6.687 million is the new capital baseline in Budget 2017 for Údarás na Gaeltachta – an increase of €1 million on the baseline in Budget 2016. In addition, I have secured an additional allocation of €2.4 million for Údarás for capital projects in 2016. I will continue to seek additional capital resources for Údarás over the coming period.

The Deputy may also be aware that in order to further underpin the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy and the language planning process, as set out in Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, a specific allocation of €1 million has also been provided in the current year. As announced in Budget 2017, this allocation is being increased to €1.25 million for next year and will further enable my Department, acting in co-operation with Údarás na Gaeltachta and relevant stakeholders at community level, to implement a range of specific and practical measures aimed at both supporting the implementation of the Strategy, as well as the language planning process in Gaeltacht areas.

A further increase of €1 million in current funding provided in Budget 2017 for the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Islands programme area will enable my Department to allocate extra resources to Gaeltacht support schemes such as the Irish Language Colleges and Gaeltacht community groups funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta.

The budget for Foras na Gaeilge is subject to approval in due course by the North South Ministerial Council, given its status as an agency of An Foras Teanga, which is a North South Implementation Body co-funded by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland. An indicative provision of €13.239 million has been provided within my Department's Vote for An Foras Teanga in 2017. In regard to funding for specific programmes of work, the dispersal of the budget will be an operational matter for Foras na Gaeilge within the framework of the NSMC approved business plan and budget.

Post Office Network

Questions (378)

Clare Daly

Question:

378. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will outline in detail the aspects of the business and organisation of An Post that fall under her Department's remit. [31496/16]

Written answers

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

Under the commitments outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government, my Department has a role related to supporting the sustainability of the Post Office Network, and in particular, the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group.

The Department has no statutory function or responsibility in relation to An Post's commercial business operations.

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has overall responsibility for the postal sector including governance of An Post.

Heritage Centres Funding

Questions (379)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

379. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she is satisfied with the proposed purchase of the site of the Mary Robinson Centre from a director of the Victoria House Foundation which will run the centre; if she is further satisfied with the cost of the project to the State; if she is satisfied with the manner of its funding and the financial aspects of the running of the project into the future; if she has discussed the project with the Taoiseach or his Department; and if so, the elements that were discussed and the stage of the project at which were they discussed. [31505/16]

Written answers

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

Mayo County Council is the project promoter of the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina. My Department received a formal request for funding towards the Centre from Mayo County Council in July 2015. In February 2016, my Department offered a capital grant in principle to Mayo County Council of up to €2.0 million in respect of the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina. The grant is to be used as a contribution towards the cost of construction and is not for the purpose of purchasing property. The offer is subject to conditions that apply to all capital grants and these must be met in advance of payment of the grant. Mayo County Council has accepted the offer and the conditions.

As the project was approved in the context of the Revised Estimates, it would have been subject to consideration of Government in the normal way.

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Questions (380)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

380. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Fergus O'Dowd den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí freagra ar na ceisteanna a chuir Conradh na Gaeilge uirthi faoin mBuiséad (ríomhphost ina bhfuil na ceisteanna tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [31782/16]

Written answers

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

Mar a chuir mé in iúl i mo fhreagra ar cheist Dála 331 ar 11 Deireadh Fómhair 2016, bhí cruinniú agam féin agus ag an Aire Humphreys le Conradh na Gaeilge ag tús na míosa agus tá mé ag súil le cruinniú eile a shocrú leo go luath.

Caithfidh mé a threisiú go bhfuil beagnach €60m curtha ar fáil sna Meastacháin 2017 do mo Roinn don chlár Gaeilge, Gaeltachta agus Oileán, maoiniú don bhForas Teanga san áireamh. Ní miste a mheabhrú arís gurb í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas a cheadaíonn an buiséad d'Fhoras na Gaeilge mar áisíneacht den bhforas trasteorann, An Foras Teanga.

Ní miste dom a mheabhrú don Teachta chomh maith go bhfuil suim bhreise de €2.25m san iomlán curtha ar fáil i mBuiséad 2017 do Chlár Gaeilge, Gaeilge agus Oileánda mo Roinne.

Maidir le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta, bhí €1m breise i maoiniú caipitil aonuaire faighte mar chuid de Mheastacháin Athbhreithnithe 2016. Tá sé seo coinnithe don bhliain seo chugainn, rud a chiallaíonn gurb é €6.687m an bunlíne nua caipitil i mBuiséad 2017 d'Údarás na Gaeltachta, €1m níos airde ná an bunlíne i mBuiséad 2016. Anuas ar sin, tá allúntas breise de €2.4m i gcaipiteal á chur ar fáil agam don Údarás in 2016. Leanfaidh mé orm ag lorg mhaoiniú caipitil breise don Údarás sa tréimhse amach romhainn.

Maidir le caiteachas reatha de, cuirfidh an tsuim bhreise de €1.25m a bheidh ar fáil don Ghaeilge agus Ghaeltacht faoi Bhuiséad 2017 ar chumas mo Roinne tuilleadh acmhainní a chur i dtreo na Straitéise 20-Bliain don Ghaeilge, an próiseas pleanála teanga, na scéimeanna tacaíochta Gaeltachta ar nós Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge agus na grúpaí pobail atá á maoiniú ag Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Tuigfidh an Teachta gur plean uaillmhianach atá curtha le chéile ag na grúpaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta i ndáil le hollmhaoiniú breise de thart ar €5m in 2017 agus €30m thar an tréimhse 2018-2019. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tig leis an Teachta glacadh leis go leanfaidh mé, feadh mo chumais, ag lorg acmhainní breise don earnáil Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta, laistigh den oll-sholáthar airgeadais atá ar fáil don Rialtas.

Regeneration Projects Funding

Questions (381)

Peter Burke

Question:

381. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding for the village renewal scheme is to be increased in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31889/16]

Written answers

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

The Programme for a Partnership Government recognises the importance of developing rural towns and villages as part of its drive to revitalise rural Ireland.

On 9 August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with an allocation of €10 million for this year. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8 proposals to my Department by the end of September for approval.

A total of 172 applications were received under the scheme and my officials are currently assessing these applications. The assessments will be completed by the end of October and expenditure on the successful projects will commence shortly thereafter.

I have secured increased funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme as part of Budget 2017. This represents a trebling of the original 2016 baseline allocation of €4 million for the scheme. Under the 2017 scheme, I intend to run a pilot to encourage increased residential occupancy in town and village centres. Details of this scheme are being prepared by my officials.

Ministerial Responsibilities

Questions (382)

Dara Calleary

Question:

382. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the delegated responsibilities she has given to Ministers of State in her Department; when the order of delegated responsibility was signed; if she included her Ministers of State in direct discussions or meetings with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as part of pre-budget discussions; if so, the dates of such meetings and the attendance at each meeting; if the Minister of State was not included, the reason this was the position, in view of the designated responsibilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31909/16]

Written answers

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

Details of the responsibilities delegated by me to Minister of State Seán Kyne, T.D., are set out in Statutory Instrument No 332 of 2016, signed by the Taoiseach on 28th June 2016, while details of the responsibilities delegated to Minister of State Michael Ring, T.D., are set out in Statutory Instrument No 376 of 2016, signed by the Taoiseach on 13th July 2016. Both of these Statutory Instruments are available on www.irishstatutebook.ie.

Both Ministers were fully involved in pre-budget considerations in respect of their areas of responsibility and accompanied me at my pre-budget meeting with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 27th September last.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (383)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

383. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the role she has regarding the maintenance of ecosystem functions, including carbon sequestration and surface water management as well as the protection of biodiversity in peatlands and cutover peatlands which are not subject to a nature conservation designation. [32132/16]

Written answers

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

The maintenance of ecosystem functions and services, both within and outside designated areas, is dependent on a number of Government Departments and agencies, as well as national and local planning authorities. No single Department or agency has all of the skills or the resources necessary to achieve such maintenance across the national territory, including the marine.

All public authorities in Ireland have a responsibility to carry out their functions in compliance with the EU Nature Directives as they apply to the wider countryside, as well as in designated areas. My own Department has a substantial role in regard to the protection of lands and waters designated under those Directives and under domestic law. It also has a further substantial role in the protection of biodiversity generally, through the implementation and enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the management of National Parks and Nature Reserves around the country.

With regard to peatlands, my Department's focus is on the designated areas, both Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Natural Heritage Areas. The draft national Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, approved by Government and published by my Department in 2014, aims to restore bogs to enable them to accumulate peat again, to sequester carbon and to contribute to surface water management through the storage and slow release of rainwater.

My Department also has in place a project for the restoration of 12 raised bog SACs with support from the EU LIFE fund and, in the coming years, such work is expected to be expanded onto more of the 53 raised bog SACs. Bord na Móna, Coillte and community groups such as that at Abbeyleix are also carrying out restoration projects on boglands. While my Department has advisory and scientific monitoring roles in regard to peatlands outside the Natura network, it is not in a position to carry out direct management in such cases.

National Drugs Strategy

Questions (384)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

384. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding illegal drug use by young persons for each county; the programmes that are in place in each county to combat this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31691/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Government policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The overall objective of the Strategy is to continue to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The Strategy is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery which requires a coordinated response by Government Departments and Agencies, in conjunction with the Community and Voluntary Sectors, to tackle the drugs problem.

The overall expenditure on drugs programmes by Government Departments and Agencies in 2015 came to €238.5 million, of which about €120 million related to services operated by the HSE and by the Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. Each Task Force has an allocation for community-based drugs initiatives set up to tackle the drugs problem under each pillar of the Strategy, including education and prevention programmes which aim to promote healthier lifestyle choices among young people and other vulnerable groups at risk of problem drug use.

Substance use education in schools is provided in the context of Social Personal and Health Education. The Department of Education and Skills Inspectorate continues to monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of substance use policies in schools through the whole-school evaluation process and the inspectorate system. In addition, significant investment has been made in the Garda Youth Diversion Programme to divert at risk young people from becoming involved in criminal behaviour, including drug related crime, and preventing their succumbing to drug misuse.

I wish to inform the Deputy that the most recently published data regarding illegal drug use is contained in the 2010/11 Drug Prevalence Survey. The results of this survey provide details of prevalence of drug use by age, gender and regional drug and alcohol Task Force areas. It is anticipated that the results of the 2014/15 drug prevalence survey will be published by the end of the year.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (385)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

385. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if a confirmed date for an operation will be provided to a person (details supplied). [31465/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (386)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

386. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31471/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (387)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

387. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an operation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31475/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (388)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

388. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange that a family (details supplied) will be taken on urgently as medical card patients. [31476/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Disability Support Services Provision

Questions (389)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

389. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the length of time and the number of persons with intellectual disabilities currently waiting in County Louth for permanent residential placements; if a provision has been made within budget 2017 in regard to these placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31482/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

The Government currently provides funding of €1.56 billion to the Disability Services Programme. Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. Including the additional funding of €31m secured earlier this year, the allocation for disability services will rise to over €1.654bn in 2017, an increase of €92 million on the Budget 2016 allocation.

As the particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Disability Support Services Provision

Questions (390)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

390. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with intellectual disabilities waiting for speech and language therapy in counties Louth and Meath for the years 2015 and 2016; if the numbers are already included in the previous reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1173 of 16 September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31483/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (391)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

391. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an appointment for a procedure; if it will be arranged as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31486/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

General Practitioner Data

Questions (392)

James Lawless

Question:

392. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners employed by the HSE approaching 60 years of age in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31489/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Emergency Departments Closures

Questions (393)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

393. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has a plan to close the accident and emergency department in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan or reduce its hours in view of the news that the accident and emergency department is to be closed in January of 2017; if Our Lady's Hospital, Navan has a fully functional accident and emergency department, ICU and anaesthesia service for the whole of 2017; and if he will meet a group (details supplied) as soon as possible to discuss these threats. [31493/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Our Lady's Hospital Navan is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group. Hospital Groups must increasingly focus on networks of service provision with smaller hospitals managing routine, urgent or planned care locally, more complex care managed in the larger hospitals and better linkages with primary, continuing and social care.

A number of developments at the hospital have been funded in recent years including the refurbishment of the Emergency Department and upgrade of general theatres and Central Sterile Services. There has also been an increase in day surgical activity, with surgeons from the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital carrying out day surgery in Navan. Further developments in relation to surgery and other clinical services are being considered by the Group. There is significant potential for enhancing the hospital's roles as a constituent hospital within the Hospital Group. As a smaller hospital, the challenge is to make sure that Navan provides more of the right type of services, which can safely be delivered, so that we maximise the benefit to patients.

In relation to your specific queries raised regarding the Emergency Department, I understand that the Hospital Group CEO has written to you directly confirming that it is not the intention of the Hospital Group to close the Emergency Department in January 2017. Any proposed change to services provided at Navan Hospital will need to take account of existing patient flows, demands in other hospitals and the need to develop particular services in the context of overall service reorganisation in the Hospital Group.

I would be happy to consider a request to meet with the group referred to by the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (394)

Clare Daly

Question:

394. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting over three weeks for a follow-up appointment with their consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31494/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (395)

Peter Burke

Question:

395. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for an MRI scan in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31500/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (396)

Peter Burke

Question:

396. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a procedure in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31518/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (397)

John McGuinness

Question:

397. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his Department's position relative to the suggested ban on electronic nicotine delivery systems which will be discussed at the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, FCTC, COP7 in Delhi, India, in November 2016; the names of the persons attending this meeting on behalf of the state; the brief that has been given to the Irish delegation; if the position of his Department has been communicated to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31539/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

At the request of the Secretariat to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the World Health Organisation prepared a paper for the Conference of the Parties (COP7) that looks at health impacts, policy options, and how to measure the contents and emissions of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS).

The paper outlines the regulatory options for the importation, sale, and distribution of ENDS/ENNDS. It outlines a suite of recommendations. It does not call for a complete ban on electronic nicotine delivery systems. However, it does suggest that they could be banned for minors.

This paper will be considered at the COP7 next month where Ireland will be represented by the National Tobacco Control Advisor in the Department. The European Commission is in the process of consulting with all Member States in order to formalise an agreed EU position on all agenda items for COP7.

ENDS are regulated by the Tobacco Products Directive which was transposed into Irish legislation by the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 271 of 2016).

The Department will continue to monitor evidence on the potential harms and benefits of these products, so as to inform decisions around any future additional regulation in this area.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (398)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

398. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of consultants currently working at a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the numbers on the outpatient waiting list for each consultant; the average waiting time for surgery for each consultant from a general and priority list respectively; the steps that he is taking to improve access to orthopaedic surgeons and to reduce orthopaedic waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31540/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.