Written Answers Nos. 226-236
226. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the funding allocation provided to an organisation (details supplied) for the provision of community and residential neuro-rehabilitation services for persons with acquired brain injuries in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44644/17]
View answer227. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the details of all requests for funding received from a service provider (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the amount sought on each such occasion; the purposes for which moneys were being sought; the dates on which such requests were received; if applications for funding were approved, partially approved or rejected in respect of each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44645/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.
My Department administered a National Lottery Discretionary Fund up to and including 2016, from which once-off grants were paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a wide range of health related services. My Department no longer operates a National Lottery Fund. I have included below a table which outlines the applications made by various branches of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland to the fund during the years 2011 - 2016. A list, in tabular form, of all the organisations that received funding in each of these years is available on the Department's website at:
http://health.gov.ie/about-us/financial-information/lottery-funding-2008-2016/ "
As the Deputy's questions also relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
National Lottery Applications to Department of Health from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland 2011 - 2016
|
Year |
Name |
Date Applied |
Amount Sought |
Purpose |
Approved Amount |
|
2011 |
A.B.I.I Galway |
Before closing date. |
€35,632 |
Towards cost of rental and staffing. |
0 |
|
A.B.I.I Kerry |
Before closing date. |
€42,500 |
Towards the purchase of a vehicle. |
0 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Ennis |
Before closing date. |
€42,500 |
Towards the purchase of a vehicle. |
0 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Limerick |
Before closing date. |
€42,500 |
Towards the purchase of a vehicle. |
0 |
|
|
2012 |
A.B.I.I Tipperary |
Before closing date. |
€9,800 |
Towards the cost of fitting out a kitchen. |
€9,800 |
|
2013 |
A.B.I.I Dun Laoghaire |
Before closing date. |
€48,800 |
Towards the cost of printing and distributing the Essential Brain Injury Guide to all GPs. |
0 |
|
2014 |
A.B.I.I Dun Laoghaire |
Before closing date. |
€57,800 |
To provide a copy of the Essential Brain Injury Guide 2013 to every GP in the country. |
0 |
|
A.B.I.I Peter Bradley Foundation Kerry 1 |
Before closing date. |
€30,000 |
Towards the purchase of a vehicle. |
0 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Peter Bradley Foundation Kerry 2 |
Before closing date. |
€28,000 |
Towards the purchase of a vehicle. |
€18,000 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Peter Bradley Foundation Kerry 3 |
Before closing date. |
€28,000 |
Towards the purchase of a vehicle. |
0 |
|
|
2015 |
A.B.I.I Sligo 1 |
Before closing date. |
€35,000 |
To replace a vehicle. |
0 |
|
A.B.I.I Sligo 2 |
Before closing date. |
€14,633 |
To fund programmes at the centre. |
0 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Wexford |
Before closing date. |
€51,256 |
To purchase a vehicle. |
0 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Clare |
Before closing date. |
€47,827 |
To purchase an anti-gravity treadmill. |
0 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Kerry 1 |
Before closing date. |
€70,000 |
To build a rehab resource centre. |
0 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Kerry 2 |
Before closing date. |
€5,000 |
To fund workshops. |
0 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Limerick |
Before closing date. |
€32,500 |
To replace a vehicle. |
0 |
|
|
2016 |
A.B.I.I Waterford |
Before closing date. |
€26,000 |
To purchase a vehicle. |
€20,000 |
|
A.B.I.I Limerick |
Before closing date. |
€34,250 |
To purchase a vehicle. |
€20,000 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Sligo |
Before closing date. |
€29,865 |
To purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle. |
€20,000 |
|
|
A.B.I.I Wexford |
Before closing date. |
€10,000 |
To purchase a vehicle. |
€10,000 |
228. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason funding was recently cut from an organisation (details supplied); the measures he is taking to tackle low breastfeeding rates here compared to the US, UK and Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44646/17]
View answerThe Department of Health and the Health Service Executive are totally committed to increasing breast feeding rates in Ireland.
National health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026, the National Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025 and the recently published National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 all emphasise the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
The recent National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 re-affirmed the commitment to advance public support of breastfeeding, and includes an action to extend provision for breastfeeding breaks under employment legislation (currently available to mothers of children under 6 months).
Regarding the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative ( BFHI) issue, in 2016 the HSE commissioned a research team at TCD to undertake a review of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. One of the key findings of the Review was that there was no difference in breastfeeding rates in hospitals that had achieved the Baby Friendly designation, and those that hadn’t achieved designation. In fact, while the Initiative has been in place for 20 years, only 9 of the 19 maternity hospitals have achieved the Baby Friendly designation. This Review highlighted the need for a revised model of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.
Following completion of the Review, the HSE initiated engagement with The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and other stakeholders on developing a revised model. While the HSE has made the decision to pause the existing initiative and it is not being funded for 2017.
The HSE are currently progressing the development of a revised model, working with the National Women and Infants Programme, the HSE Health and Wellbeing Division, the HSE Lead Midwife and other key stakeholders. The revised model will continue to support the implementation of the WHO/UNICEF 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which is the basis of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. The revised model is expected by the end of the year and will be rolled out in 2018.
A wide range of other actions are underway in implementing the HSE National Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2020. These include:
- Improved Governance and health service structures;
- Breastfeeding training and skills development;
- Health service policies and practices;
- Support at all stages of the breastfeeding continuum; and
- Research, monitoring and evaluation.
Details of specific actions can be seen in the HSE National Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2020 on the HSE website breastfeeding.ie and here is the link
www.breastfeeding.ie/Uploads/breastfeeding-in-a-healthy-ireland.pdf.
229. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the position regarding activity at a facility (details supplied); the status of admissions and future plans for specialism in dementia care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44647/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
230. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date regarding the provision of a new health centre on Inishbofin, County Galway; his policy in respect of health services on islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44657/17]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
231. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to ensure HIQA compliance at a service (details supplied) for persons with disabilities in County Louth further to a recently published HIQA report. [44671/17]
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 matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
232. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 912 of 11 September 2017, if the two whole-time equivalent ENT consultants called for in the business case for additional resources to further develop ENT services across the three hospitals in the children's hospital group will be based on site in Crumlin for clinical and on-call services. [44672/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
233. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 378 to 381, inclusive, of 17 October 2017, the membership of the obesity policy implementation group for the national policy and action plan; the way in which members were chosen to sit on this group; the external health organisations that will be a part of this group; if the oversight group regularly meet and consult with health organisations; the regularity with which this group will meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44673/17]
View answer234. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 378 to 381, inclusive, of 17 October 2017, the number of working groups it is envisioned will be established within the overall national oversight structure of the obesity policy implementation group for the national policy and action plan; the work that will be undertaken by these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44674/17]
View answer236. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 378 to 381, inclusive, of 17 October 2017, the way in which he will consider and develop an effective methodology to monitor and evaluate the impact of the sugar sweetened drinks tax, including its impact on reformulation (details supplied); the timeframe for this to commence; if the appropriate resources are in place to do this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44676/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 233, 234 and 236 together.
The national Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) - under the Chair of my Department - is comprised of representatives from the following Departments and Agencies: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; Department of Education and Skills; Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; University College Cork; the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; the Health Service Executive (HSE) - including the National Clinical Lead for Obesity; and Safefood.
Government Departments and key Agencies with responsibility for implementing policy and with relevant expertise and experience, were invited by the Chief Medical Officer of my Department to propose representatives to join the OPIOG. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the OPIOG held its inaugural meeting on the 19 of October last with further meetings to be arranged at agreed intervals for the purposes of providing oversight to the implementation of the national Obesity Policy & Action Plan (OPAP).
At its inaugural meeting, the OPOIG agreed to establish two sub-groups for Reformulation and Healthy Eating. Further sub-groups will be established as required. Both sub-groups have agreed to meet and agree their draft Terms of Reference, which in the interim, remain under active consideration in the Department. The work of the Reformulation sub-group - including work on methodology for measuring the efficacy of the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax - is therefore at an early stage. I expect that the elaboration of such methodologies will evolve over the course of this work.
Finally, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the OPIOG will identify processes for engaging with networks of stakeholders, including health organisations. The OPIOG will therefore elaborate on this aspect of its functions over the course of its work to implement the OPAP that runs up to 2025.
235. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 378 to 381, inclusive, of 17 October 2017, the resources that are required for the independent testing of foods for fat and sugar content; if estimates have been submitted for same; the negotiations that have taken place regarding the use of external laboratories for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44675/17]
View answerIn the context of the Deputy's question, my Department liaises with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) on a regular basis.
The FSAI has been validating food industry salt reduction work for many years. It has carried out this work by sampling foods from the market and having them analysed in the HSE Public Analysts Laboratory in Galway. This data is published annually and is available on the FSAI website.
The FSAI is exploring the validation of FDI sugar and fat reduction work. In the first instance, it has been developing baseline data on specific foods based on food labelled data and a report on this work is expected in the coming weeks.
At its inaugural meeting, the Obesity Policy Oversight Implementation Group (OPOIG) agreed to establish a sub-group on Reformulation, which will primarily set targets on reformulation of food and drink. It will also make recommendations on addressing reduction of portion sizes and on monitoring and validation procedures; and in this context, the question of resources required for independent testing of foods - including by external laboratories - will be considered.
