Written Answers Nos. 134-153
134. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if construction works have commenced for the new immigration facilities for the Garda National Immigration Bureau at Dublin airport; the estimated duration of the works; the estimated cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44531/17]
View answerThe development phase of this project, which is under the responsibility of An Garda Síochána and delivered in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, is due to commence at Dublin Airport during Q4, 2017. The project will involve the refurbishment and fit-out of an existing facility to provide a Garda Station, office accommodation and detention facilities. I am informed that the estimated duration of the work is 10 months. The cost of the works is a matter for the Office of Public Works.
135. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to supply additional funding to the Garda air support unit; the Garda helicopters that An Garda Síochána currently has; the make, model and year of purchase of the fleet by aircraft; his plans to dispose of these assets and purchase a modern fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44533/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of Garda resources in the State and I, as Minister, have no role in relation to the matter.
I would draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that this is a time of unprecedented investment in An Garda Síochána.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In this context, among the range of justice measures announced in the Budget, the Government committed to recruiting 800 additional Gardaí in 2018 as well as an additional 500 civilians.
In addition, under the Government’s Capital Plan 2015-2021, significant investment is being made to upgrade the Garda building estate, the Garda fleet and the Garda ICT infrastructure. Indeed, the Plan provides for total investment in Garda capital of over €400 million over the next four years, including an additional €157 million following the mid-term review of the Plan, as well as a major Public Private Partnership project to deliver three new Garda Headquarters in Sligo, Macroom and Clonmel. Further, the Plan is facilitating a major Garda Station and Refurbishment Programme that will benefit over thirty locations around the country. This is in addition to over €100 million being invested in 3 major Garda Headquarters in Dublin, Galway and Wexford.
I am informed that the Garda Air Support Unit was established in September 1997 with the delivery of a Pilatus Britten-Norman BN 2T-4S Defender 4000 fixed wing aircraft and a Eurocopter AS355N Eceuriel helicopter. In 2001 the Unit acquired a second helicopter - a Eurocopter EC 135 T2. In 2007 the Eceuriel helicopter was replaced by a second EC135 T2+.
The question of prioritising the upgrading or replacement of these craft must be considered by the Commissioner in the context of the above investment and his operational priorities.
136. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the same criteria including census data and crime statistics will influence the redistribution of resources to ensure strategic planning of force allocation in view of the fact that the census of population is to be included as a criterion for the allocation of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44538/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, and I as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.
In regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division. I am further advised by the Commissioner that recent census data is currently being incorporated into the personnel allocation model. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division as appropriate.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. The substantial increase in Garda numbers is tangible progress on achieving this Government's vision of an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.
I am further informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. In addition, another 200 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest later this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
I am pleased to say that Budget 2018 will support the continuation of this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College, an additional 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, in the coming years.
137. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén fáth, faoi na tairiscintí nua don tseirbhís farantóireachta chuig na hoileáin, ar féidir leis an gcomhlacht farantóireachta aon táillí calafoirt a ghearrfaidh an tÚdarás Áitiúil a ghearradh ar lucht úsáidte na seirbhíse; cén fáth nach bhfuil an Roinn sásta glacadh leis na táillí sin mar chostais inghlactha ón té atá ag déanamh tairiscintí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44460/17]
View answerTáim ag glacadh leis gur ag tagairt do na táillí atá leagtha síos ag Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe dóibh siúd a thagann i dtír ar bháid farantóireachta ag Cé Chill Rónáin, Árainn, atá an Teachta.
Mar gur táillí iad seo a thiteann ar úsáideoirí na cé seachas ar an gcomhlacht farantóireachta a bhailíonn iad ar son na Comhairle Chontae, ní féidir iad a áireamh d’fhonn fóirdheontas a fháil.
138. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil i gceist aici líon na scoláireachtaí atá ar fáil do na meánscoileanna ar Oileáin Árann a mhéadú go dtí 20 scoláireacht an scoil don scoilbhliain 2018/2019; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44461/17]
View answerNíl aon iarratas i leith na scéime seo don scoilbhliain 2018/19 faighte ag mo Roinn.
139. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil i gceist aici airgead a chur ar fáil d’oibreacha creimthe cósta ar Inis Meáin an bhliain seo chugainn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44462/17]
View answerIs cúram do Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe déileáil leis an tsaincheist maidir le creimeadh cósta ar an oileán luaite. Níl aon iarratas faighte ag mo Roinn ón gComhairle Chontae ar chúnamh chun dul i ngleic lena leithéid d’fhadhb.
140. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address the fact that the Arts Council will significantly cut the amount of funding provided to regularly funded organisations in 2017 compared to 2016. [44517/17]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including arts participation, throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. Under the Arts Act the Arts Council is independent in relation to its funding decisions.
I understand from the Arts Council however, that there has been an overall increase in funding to regularly funded organisations in 2017 over 2016.
In Budget 2018 I secured an additional €3 million for the Arts Council, a 5% increase in its annual budget bringing it to €68 million. This is in addition to the €5 million increase which I secured for the Council in Budget 2017. In total, the Arts Council allocation is up 20% since 2014. These increased resources have flowed to the arts sector and are assisting the Council greatly in implementing its 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025).
141. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Department of Justice and Equality on introducing legislation to provide safeguarding officers with access to private settings in view of the reported levels of abuse of vulnerable adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44411/17]
View answerThe safety and protection of vulnerable people in the care of the State is paramount. As the Deputy will be aware, a number of important steps have been taken in recent years to strengthen the protection afforded to vulnerable and adults in the States’s day care and residential care settings.
Within the health sector specifically, the HSE published its national safeguarding policy and procedures, Safeguarding Vulnerable People at Risk of Abuse, in December 2014. This safeguarding policy was the first such HSE policy to encompass both elder abuse and concerns of abuse relating to people availing of disability services. A number of important steps have been taken to progress implementation of this policy, including the establishment by the HSE of a National Safeguarding Office, and the establishment of Safeguarding and Protection Teams in each of the Executive’s CHO areas. In addition, a National Safeguarding Committee was formally established in December 2015. The Committee has multi-agency and inter-sectoral representation. One of its strategic objectives is the initiation of conversations with Government and Oireachtas Committees on the development of legislation on adult safeguarding. The work to date of the National Safeguarding Committee has confirmed that the scope of the issues around the safeguarding of vulnerable adults goes far beyond the area of health.
A detailed review of the operation of the HSE’s safeguarding policy to date is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed by early 2018. The review includes research and analysis of legislative and procedural approaches to safeguarding vulnerable adults in other jurisdictions. The findings of the HSE’s safeguarding review, when completed, will be of particular value in informing the development of appropriate policy approaches and the preparation of such legislation as may be required in the context of developing a national safeguarding policy framework for the health sector.
I fully support the principle of providing a legislative basis for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. My Department is also exploring the development of an appropriate request to the Law Reform Commission to assist with legal research regarding the current safeguarding landscape and the legal gaps that may exist.
As you are aware, at the recent meetings of the Joint Committee on Health, the issue of adult safeguarding was extensively discussed. The Department outlined its intention, subject to Government approval, to develop a comprehensive health policy on safeguarding adults at risk and associated legislation. The HSE review of it's safeguarding policy and other research, including consultation with other Departments, key stakeholders and the public, will help to inform the scope and content of a health sector policy and legislation, including the role, functions and powers of any authority and its officers that may have a part to play in safeguarding.
The development of a health policy and legislation is a complex undertaking and will take time, however, I am hopeful that preliminary proposals on a high level approach can be brought to Government this year.
142. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health when he plans to introduce the new transport support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44300/17]
View answerI was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the proposed Health (Transport Support) Bill with the Joint Committee on Public Petitions on Wednesday 11th October. The Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013. Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the 4,700 people in receipt of the Mobility Allowance, on an interim basis, pending the establishment of a new Transport Support Scheme.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. The Government's legislative programme for 2017 includes the Health (Transport Support) Bill. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
The draft General Scheme and Heads of Bill were circulated to other government Departments and have been the subject of consultation between the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. When the consultation with other relevant Departments has been completed, the next step will be to seek Government approval to the drafting of a Bill for the new Scheme.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance.
Specifically adapted vehicles driven by disabled persons are also exempt from payment of tolls on national toll roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular Scheme.
143. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive an appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44303/17]
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.
144. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who requires a bone scan cannot receive the scan due to the fact the DXA machine which carries this out in St. Vincent's Hospital is broken which means that anyone under 21 years of age cannot get the scan carried out; when this machine will be fixed; and if this person can have the required scan carried out elsewhere. [44305/17]
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.
145. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if his designation of two distinct professions, that of counsellor and psychotherapist, in his proposals to regulate counsellors and psychotherapists under the Health and Social Care Act 2005 will introduce minimum standards of education and training; if the regulations will designate psychotherapy as a higher standard than counselling; and if the regulations will require psychotherapists to be qualified to a minimum of master's degree level. [44306/17]
View answerIt is my intention to have the draft regulations designating the two distinct professions of counsellor and psychotherapist submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas for their approval in late October or early November, 2017. These regulations will also establish the registration board and provide for an increase in the number of positions on Council.
These regulations will not introduce minimum standards of education and training for the professions. These regulations are the first in a suite of regulations that will have to be made over a period of time. Subject to the approval by the Houses of these regulations, the next step will be the appointment of the 13 members of the registration board following the submission of suitable candidates for my consideration by the Public Appointments Service. I hope that the registration board will be in a position early next year to begin the task of drafting the various bye-laws to allow it to establish its registers.
Once appointed, the registration board will be requested to advise the Council and me as Minister, where appropriate under the provisions of the Health and Care Professionals Act, 2005, on a range of issues pertaining to the regulation of the professions including minimum standards of education and training, titles to be protected and minimum grandfathering qualifications for existing practitioners.
146. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 28 September 2017, if the building will not be replaced pending that review; if so, if the insurance money will remain ring-fenced and safeguarded; when the review started; when it is expected the review will be completed; the stakeholders that are participating in the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44310/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
147. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason the children's dental service based in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, has been closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44312/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
148. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children's dental health services that have closed in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44313/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
149. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to open or reopen children's dental health services in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44314/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
150. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the allocation of funding to children's dental services he has at his disposal; the amount of funding which was allocated to these services in the past five years, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44315/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
151. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of school aged children who avail of dental health services, by county, in tabular form. [44316/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
152. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the dental services covered by the HSE in the Limerick area for primary school children; if this includes deciduous teeth in addition to permanent teeth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44317/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
153. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if an appointment to see a consultant in the Mater hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44319/17]
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.
