Written Answers Nos. 469-488
469. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to set out the cost of introducing a minimum wage of €15 an hour for all employees under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34608/17]
View answer470. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to set out the cost to introduce a minimum weekly gross wage of €600 for all full-time employees under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34609/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together.
I am advised that the estimated cost of introducing an hourly wage of €15 for all employees both directly in my Department and in agencies under its aegis would be in the order of €2.15 m. I am advised further that the cost of introducing a minimum weekly gross wage of €600 for all full-time employees in my Department and in agencies under its aegis would be in the order of €1.4 m.
471. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department will be supporting the Arts Council to move to a longer-term funding model for smaller arts organisations, as recently discussed in the media. [34639/17]
View answerI understand that the Deputy may be referring to the new funding framework (Making Great Art Work Funding Framework) as recently announced by the Arts Council.
The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support of arts participation and all other artforms and areas of arts practice is set out in Making Great Art Work: Arts Council Strategy (2016 –2025). A key commitment in the Council's Three-Year Plan 2017–2019 was to review its funding programmes, schemes and initiatives under its Making Great Art Work priorities. Such a review would assist the Council in how it invests in art and arts practice in a more effective way. It would also help streamline the supports available to artists and to arts organisations, and simplify and clarify the application, assessment and decision-making processes operated by the Council. The Making Great Art Work Funding Framework was the outcome of this review. Further details of the funding framework can be accessed on the Arts Council's website at the following link: http://www.artscouncil.ie/Funding/Funding-Framework/.
I will continue to support the Arts Council, as set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government, which contained a commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. To this effect in Budget 2017, I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council. The increase in the Arts Council's allocation in 2017 is €5 million, or 8%. This will assist the Council greatly in implementing its 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025) including under its new funding framework.
472. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health to outline the progress over the past 14 months by his Department in accelerating early assessment and intervention for children with special needs. [34048/17]
View answer721. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health to outline the progress over the past 14 months by his Department in accelerating early assessment and intervention for children with special needs. [34046/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 472 and 721 together.
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
473. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health to set out the amount of funding that his Department assigned in 2016 and to date in 2017 to the nurture programme. [34176/17]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
474. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health to set out the status of the commitments in the programme for Government relating to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. [29820/17]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a number of commitments in relation to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. These commitments include supporting people with disabilities to maximise their potential, removing barriers which impact on access to services, education, work or health-care and providing supports at key transition points in their lives. The Programme for Government also recognises that persons with disabilities should have more control in accessing services and giving them greater independence and choice to better fit their needs.
The Programme for Government is just one component of the wider Government policy in supporting persons with disabilities and cannot be looked at in isolation and the House will be aware of the forthcoming National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, which will form a key part of driving Government policy in this area. The aim of the Strategy is to significantly improve the lives of people with disabilities in a practical sense, and also in creating the best possible opportunities to allow them to fulfil their potential.
The Strategy is an all-of-Government approach and is broadly based around eight key themes including ensuring equality and choice, the provision of services, accommodation, health, employment, transport and education. As Chair of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, I have driven the preparation of the Strategy, including an extensive consultation process, and its recent finalisation, and I am pleased to inform the House that it is to be launched tomorrow.
I can assure the House that the Government's commitments to improving the lives of persons with disability will not end with the publication of the Strategy, and I am committed to ensuring that the Strategy results in real and concrete change for the better for children and adults with disabilities.
As it is not possible to compile the updates on each health-related disability action in the Programme for Government in the time available, I will revert to the Deputy with the information as soon as possible.
475. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will be reviewing its roll-your-own tobacco survey, which failed to mention that since May 2017 retailers can only sell a minimum 30g pack of RYO and this product is more expensive than a pack of cigarettes (details supplied); his views on whether this will likely lead to an increase in smuggled RYO product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33594/17]
View answerThe survey published by the Health Service Executive relates to the relative increase in consumption of roll-your-own tobacco up to 2014 which has also been identified by the Tax Strategy Group. Tobacco Free Ireland, the Report of the Tobacco Policy Review was endorsed by Government and published in 2013. It set a target for Ireland to be tobacco free (smoking prevalence <5%) by 2025. One of the recommendations in the report was to increase duty on roll-your-own tobacco products to reduce the differential in price between manufactured cigarettes and other tobacco products. In Budgets 2013 and 2015 the rate of duty applying to roll-your-own tobacco was increased proportionally more than for manufactured cigarettes, however, substantial differential still remains.
In Budget 2017 (11 October 2016) the rate of duty applying to manufactured cigarettes was set at €288.22 per 1000 cigarettes plus 9.52% of the retail price or a minimum tax of €325.11 per 1000 cigarettes. The rate of duty for roll-your–own tobacco was set at €310.189 per kilogram. A kilogram of roll-your-own tobacco would be expected to yield a minimum of 1,320 cigarettes, hence the approximate rate of duty applying to 1000 roll-your-own cigarettes is €234.992, still substantially less that the rate of duty applying to manufactured cigarettes.
I am informed by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners ('Revenue') that while the minimum size of a roll-your-own packet that can be purchased has increased, the price per kilo to the consumer is not affected and it is not clear if the change will lead to increased demand for illicit supplies. Ireland, like all countries with high tobacco prices, is an attractive target for smuggling. The priority for dealing with the smuggling of illicit tobacco products continues to be the effectiveness of enforcement action by Revenue. Such action includes risk analysis and screening of cargo and postal products, cooperation at national and international level and effective use of detection technologies. Revenue also targets the illicit trade at post-importation level by carrying out intelligence-based operations and random checks at retail outlets, markets and private and commercial premises. The Government has also ensured through the Finance Acts over recent years that Revenue has the statutory powers necessary for undertaking its important work against the illegal tobacco trade, including enhanced powers of search and inspection for illicit products. I am assured by Revenue that action against illegal activity involving tobacco products will continue to be a high priority.
476. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when surgery will be scheduled for a person (details supplied). [33595/17]
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. The HSE has advised that clarification with regard to details supplied will be required in order to pursue this further.
477. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans to deal with high-dependency patients or persons with complex medical needs for respite care (details supplied). [33596/17]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
478. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment can be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33600/17]
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 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.
479. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33604/17]
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.
480. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to set out the number of inpatient beds and procedure beds in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. [33605/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
481. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to set out in tabular form the number of outpatient hospital cancellations and the procedures cancelled from 2009 to date for Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. [33606/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
482. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to set out the number of patients outsourced; the procedures for which the patients were outsourced; and the location to which patients were outsourced to from 2009 to present from Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. [33607/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
483. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to set out the number of persons on trollies from 2009 to date in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. [33608/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
484. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to set out the waiting times for each hospital department from 2009 to present for Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. [33609/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
485. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to set out the number of emergency department attendances from 2009 to date for Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. [33610/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
486. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to set out the capital spend for Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown from 2009 to date. [33611/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
487. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to set out the operational spend at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown from 2009 to date. [33612/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
488. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to set out the total agency staff spend at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown from 2009 to date. [33613/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
