Written Answers Nos. 190-202
190. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is in receipt of the correct illness benefit payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15986/17]
View answerIllness benefit is a payment for persons who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The rate of payment depends on the person’s level of earnings in the governing PRSI contribution year. For illness benefit claims made in 2017 the governing contribution year is 2015. Where the average weekly earnings are €300 or more, the personal rate of payment is €193 weekly (€188 prior to 13 March 2017). A graduated rate applies where the average weekly earnings are less than €300.
The person concerned made a claim to illness benefit and this claim was received in my Department on 23 February 2017. The person concerned qualifies for a graduated rate of illness benefit of €151.20 weekly (€147.30 prior to 13 March) based on their earnings in the governing year 2015. Payment has been made to the date of the latest evidence of work incapacity received.
It is noted that the spouse/partner of the person concerned is working on a Community Employment scheme. Further enquiries are therefore being made to ascertain if the level of payment of illness benefit should include increases in respect of a dependent spouse/partner and children. When these are completed the claim will be reviewed and the person concerned will be notified of the position.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
191. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if further consideration will be given to the request made to him by a delegation (details supplied) relating to the provision of services by his Department or agencies of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15989/17]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection delivers its services in County Monaghan through our network of offices including Branch Offices, Community Welfare Clinics, Activation Services, Social Welfare Inspectorate Services, Community Employment Services, Local Employment Services (LES) and the JobPath Programme. Provision of information and access to income supports is provided by the Departments Community Welfare Service, which holds a weekly clinic in Ballybay. In addition the Department funds the Local Employment Service and the EmployAbility Service, both of which have offices in Ballybay and provide valuable support to the people of Monaghan. The Department also provides funding for Community Employment Schemes in Ballybay and in nearby Bawn Latton.
The Department thus continues to provide a high standard of services to the people of county Monaghan and has successfully implemented many positive changes in recent years to enhance these services. Over the coming years our wide ranging programme of organisational development will continue to support our efforts to deliver and improve our services, support economic growth and promote employability in county Monaghan.
As discussed at the meeting with local Oireachtas Members and Councillors from the Ballybay-Clones Municipal District on Wednesday 5th October 2016, it is not proposed to open an Intreo Centre in Ballybay or to relocate one of the Department’s agencies there. I will however continue to be fully supportive of any initiatives that will boost employment opportunities – be they from the public or private sector - for people in the Ballybay area in the future.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
192. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to extend the remit of the Freedom of Information Acts to cover the Citizens’ Assembly in view of the absolute need for transparency in its operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15883/17]
View answerThe Freedom of Information Act 2014 extended the remit of the legislation to a further 70 public bodies, bringing the overall total to some 600 bodies comprehended by the Act. The Act provides a very broad definition of public bodies at Section 6(1) and further provides that all new public bodies comprehended by this definition will automatically come under freedom of information (FOI) legislation, unless specifically exempted by order. This reversed the system under previous legislation whereby new bodies would have to be brought into the scope of the legislation by order.
The Act also provides the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with the power to make an order bringing a body under the Commissioner's remit if it is financed, wholly or partly, or directly or indirectly by means of monies provided by a Minister of the Government. I am sure that the Deputy would share the view that there has been substantial progress and a planned and structured approach of continuing to extend the Commissioner's remit is one that he would share.
With regard to the Citizens' Assembly, I am advised that FOI does not apply in this case as the body does not meet the criteria set out in Section 6 (1) of the Act. The Assembly is a temporary body which I understand has been operating in an open and transparent way with regard to its operations. For example on its website www.citizensassembly.ie you may find details on the assembly itself, copies of the submissions made and reports of all meetings, which are also live streamed at the time. In the circumstances, I currently have no plans to extend the remit of the legislation to the Assembly.
193. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the high level forum on the community employment sector has established a position in respect of an agreed pension entitlement for community employment scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors as per a 2008 Labour Court recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15947/17]
View answerThe High Level Forum recently reconvened under a new Chair and arrangements have been made for this body to meet again at an early date. The issue of pensions for Community Employment Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors whose employment status is that of private sector employees is being deliberated on between the parties involved in the Forum.
194. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the status of the tender process for the satellite dialysis unit in County Wexford; when the process will be complete and contracts awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15774/17]
View answerThe HSE has advised that a Satellite Haemodialysis Unit will be developed in Wexford town. It will be under the clinical governance of the Haemodialysis Unit at University Hospital Waterford. I have been informed that an earlier tender process for this project could not be completed as the successful tenderer was refused planning permission for the intended site. I understand that the current procurement process is in the final stages and I have asked the HSE to provide you with further details.
195. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the reason funding has been reduced in respect of a service (details supplied); if provision has been made for the reduction in service for users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15775/17]
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 service issues, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
196. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1,000 of 21 March 2017, his plans for a site (details supplied) upon completion of the proposed new maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15779/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
197. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he gave consideration or made attempts to buy outright the site that the proposed new maternity hospital will be built on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15784/17]
View answer198. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if there is provision to collect the outstanding moneys owed by a religious order regarding the State redress scheme as part of a newly formed company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15785/17]
View answer199. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will have a role in the oversight of a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15786/17]
View answer200. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the appropriateness of a religious order (details supplied) having control of a State funded asset; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15787/17]
View answer213. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to purchasing or otherwise acquiring State ownership of the land for the new national maternity hospital from a religious order (details supplied) such that the State would have full ownership of the hospital with no interest being retained by the religious order; and if not, the reason. [15867/17]
View answer214. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the detail of the appropriate security arrangements and established mechanisms referred to by the HSE (details supplied) that are to be put in place to protect State interests in the new national maternity hospital; and the way in which those arrangements will safeguard both the State's investment and an ethos in the hospital based on medical best practice rather than religious concerns, in view of the fact that a religious order will have an ownership stake in the hospital. [15868/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 to 200, inclusive, 213 and 214 together.
The Independent Review of Maternity and Gynaecology Services in the Greater Dublin Area was commissioned by the HSE and published in 2008. That review identified St Vincent's University Hospital as the most appropriate location for the redevelopment of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH). The site was at the time, and still is, in private ownership and was not on the market. The question of the purchase of the site did not therefore arise.
Last November, following mediation discussions, agreement was reached between the NMH and the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group on a new governance structure for the co-located hospitals on the St. Vincent's campus. The agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - The National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC (limited by shares). The new company will have clinical and operational independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services, as well as financial and budgetary independence, but will not have a role in relation to the State redress scheme.
I am satisfied that the agreement secured protects the identity and branding of the NMH and the right to use of the new maternity hospital facility. The autonomy of the NMH Board will be underpinned by reserved powers to ensure clinical and operational independence, and the Minister for Health will hold the power to protect those reserved powers. I am also satisfied that the financial interests of the State will be protected through a requirement for a lien to be placed on the hospital. I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with further details of the mechanisms which will be put in place to protect the State's investment in the new hospital.
201. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status regarding a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15788/17]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15789/17]
View answerUnder 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.
