Written Answers Nos. 290-309
290. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of agencies, boards or other bodies under the aegis of his Department that have been disbanded or amalgamated or whose functions were subsumed back into his Department since 2011; the number of such bodies set up by his Department since that date; the names of the bodies in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3408/18]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy the number of agencies, boards or other bodies under the aegis of this department that have been disbanded or amalgamated or whose functions were subsumed back into this Department since 2011 are outlined in the following table.
|
Name of Agency/Board/Other Bodies |
Was it (a) disbanded or (b) amalgamated or (c) functions subsumed back into the Department or (d) set up by the Department. |
Year |
Any other relevant information , e.g. action taken as a result of Government Decision |
|
Prisons Authority Interim Board |
(a) |
2011 |
|
|
The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) |
(a) |
2011 |
The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) was responsible for overseeing the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons. It was established by an agreement between the Irish and British Governments, signed on 26 August 1997, and by legislation enacted in the two jurisdictions. It was dissolved on 31 March 2011. |
|
Independent Monitoring Commission |
(a) |
2011 |
The Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) was responsible for monitoring and reporting on paramilitary activity across Ireland and also for monitoring the security normalisation measures undertaken by the British Government in the North. It was dissolved on 31 March 2011. |
|
Internet Safety Advisory Council |
Expired 30/11/11 |
2011 |
The Internet Safety Advisory Committee succeeded the previous Internet Safety Advisory Council and it held its first meeting on 12 April 2012 |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
(d) |
2012 |
Established under Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 |
|
Property Services Appeals Board |
(d) |
2012 |
Established under Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
(d) |
2013 |
Under Personal Insolvency Act 2012 |
|
Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime |
(c) |
2014 |
|
|
Charities Regulatory Authority |
(d) |
2014 |
Departmental & Ministerial responsibility transferred to aegis of Department of Rural and Community Development in accordance with Charities (Transfer of Departmental and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. 348 of 2017) |
|
Human Rights Commission |
(b) Into Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission |
2014 |
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 |
|
Equality Authority |
(b) Into Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission |
2014 |
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 |
|
Garda Síochána Complaints Board |
(a) |
2015 |
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission established 2005 to take over receipt of complaints concerning members of An Garda Síochána. Complaints Board retained until 2015 in order to deal with historic cases which were still under investigation at that time. |
|
Garda Síochána Complaints Appeal Board |
(a) |
2015 |
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission established 2005 to take over receipt of complaints concerning members of An Garda Síochána. Complaints Appeal Board retained until 2015 in order to deal with historic cases which were still under appeal at that time. |
|
Charity Appeals Tribunal |
(d) |
2016 |
Departmental & Ministerial responsibility transferred to aegis of Department of Rural and Community Development in accordance with Charities (Transfer of Departmental and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. 348 of 2017) |
|
Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner |
(a) |
2016 |
The functions of ORAC were replaced by the International Protection Office with functions under the Department. Under Section 74(4) of the International Protection Act 2015, "an international protection officer shall be independent in the performance of his or her functions". |
|
Refugee Appeals Tribunal |
(a) |
2016 |
The functions of the RAT were transferred to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal is a statutorily independent body. |
|
Legal Services Regulatory Authority |
(d) |
2016 |
Under Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 |
|
Property Registration Authority Valuation Office Valuation Tribunal Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Transferred to the Dept. of Housing, Planning & Local Government |
2018 |
Departmental & Ministerial responsibility transferred to aegis of Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in accordance with: Property Registration Authority (Transfer Of Departmental Administration And Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 574 of 2017) Valuation Office And Valuation Tribunal (Transfer Of Departmental Administration And Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 575 of 2017) Ordnance Survey Ireland (Transfer Of Departmental Administration And Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 |
291. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount paid out and the number of claims the pay-outs related to by each agency under the aegis of his Department in respect of personal injury claims in each of the years 2010 to 2017; the number of claims that were settled outside of court in each of these years; the number of payments that were as a result of a court judgment in each of these years; the nature of the claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3425/18]
View answerThe Deputy will wish to be aware that I have referred the attached question to all of the relevant agencies and bodies under the remit of my Department and have asked them to contact you directly with the relevant information sought.
Separately I am now including a table which sets out claims made under the Criminal Procedure Act 1993 and claims which fall under the Garda Compensation Scheme and the Ex-Gratia Scheme for members of An Garda Síochána.
In respect of the specific schemes, which are administered by my Department, the Deputy will wish to note that Garda compensation claims are currently dealt with under the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts 1941 to 1945 which provides for all compensation claims to be determined by the High Court and for all costs to be borne by the State. The General Scheme of Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2017, which was approved by Government on 9 May 2017, aims to:
- repeal and replace the current legislative framework for Garda compensation with a more effective and efficient scheme giving rise to reduced legal and administrative costs,
- make provision for an independent assessment of quantum by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board having due regard to the Book of Quantum, and
- provide for the management of claims by the State Claims Agency which will also facilitate a risk assessment facility to afford An Garda Síochána the opportunity to avoid risks identified.
As the Deputy may be aware, the NTMA is a State body which operates with a commercial remit to provide asset and liability management services to Government and is designated as the State Claims Agency when performing the claims and risk management functions delegated to it under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000.
NTMA reports directly to the Minister for Finance in the performance of its State Claims Agency functions. The SCA’s principal objectives are:
- To ensure that the State’s liabilities in relation to personal injury and property damage claims, and the expenses of the SCA in relation to their management, are contained at the lowest achievable level.
- To implement targeted personal injury and property damage risk work programmes to mitigate litigation risk, in State authorities and healthcare enterprises, in order to reduce the costs of future litigation against the State.
The State Claims agency holds much of the relevant information sought by the Deputy, in respect of all Government Departments and Agencies.
|
Compensation Scheme |
Year |
Nature of Claim |
Amount € |
Number of claims the payouts related to by each agency |
Number of claims that were settled out of court |
Number of payments that were the result of a court judgement |
|
Garda Compensation Scheme * |
2010 |
€5.4 m |
174 |
0 |
174 |
|
|
Garda Compensation Scheme * |
2011 |
€6m |
175 |
0 |
175 |
|
|
Garda Compensation Scheme * |
2012 |
€6.8m |
111 |
0 |
112 |
|
|
Garda Compensation Scheme * |
2013 |
€5.9m |
124 |
0 |
124 |
|
|
Garda Compensation Scheme * |
2014 |
€4m |
111 |
0 |
111 |
|
|
Garda Compensation Scheme * |
2015 |
€3.6m |
63 |
0 |
63 |
|
|
Garda Compensation Scheme * |
2016 |
€4.7m |
74 |
0 |
74 |
|
|
Garda Compensation Scheme * |
2017 |
Compensation for members of An Garda Síochána maliciously injured in the course of their duty |
€5.7m |
98 |
0 |
98 |
|
Ex-Gratia Scheme for members of An Garda Síochána** |
2017 |
Ex-Gratia Scheme for members injured or killed while driving an official vehicle in the line of duty where no malice was involved |
€60,000 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Legal Actions |
2015 |
Miscarriage of Justice case under the Criminal procedure Act 1993 |
€525,000 |
1 |
||
|
Legal Actions |
2016 |
Legal costs associated with Miscarriage of Justice case |
€294,848.50 |
1 |
||
|
Legal Actions |
2016 |
Miscarriage of Justice case |
€515,000 |
1 |
||
|
Legal Actions |
2017 |
Miscarriage of Justice case under the Criminal procedure Act 1993 |
€179,277.90 |
1 |
Notes *The Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts, 1941 and 1945 provide for a scheme of compensation for members of An Garda Síochána who are maliciously injured in the course of their duty or in relation to the performance of their duties as members of An Garda Síochána and for the dependants of members who have died from injuries maliciously inflicted on them. Under the Acts, the Minister has the responsibility to approve or refuse applications for compensation, having regard to the circumstances of the case and the legislation. This assessment is discharged by designated officials of the Department. Compensation awards are paid from the Garda Vote. **Ex-Gratia Scheme is in place for members injured or killed while driving an official vehicle in the line of duty where no malice was involved. The scheme is set out in the Garda Conciliation Council Agreed Report No. 639. Ex-Gratia payments are paid from the Garda Vote.
292. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the report Roma in Ireland: a needs assessment (details supplied); and the action he will take following the publication of this research. [3460/18]
View answerI welcome the report, Roma in Ireland - A National Needs Assessment, which provides very useful information and enhances our understanding of the experiences of some members of the Roma community. The Department of Justice and Equality funded this research following a recommendation made by Ms Emily Logan, the then Ombudsman for Children in her Report of the Special Inquiry (the “Logan Report” published on 1 July 2014).
The research provides a complex picture of the Roma in Ireland confirming that they are a diverse group of people. According to this research, the Roma community in Ireland comprises between 4,000 and 6,000 people. The majority of Roma adults here are from Romania – about 80%. Most of the balance of Roma adults are from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Over 60% of Roma children living here were born in Ireland.
Roma have access to mainstream public services in Ireland on the same basis as all other EU citizens. Their children can access education services for instance on the same basis as children of other EU citizens.
However, this research points to barriers that may prevent some Roma from accessing the services to which they are entitled.
There is a need for more targeted awareness raising so that Roma are aware of the documentation needed to access specific services.
Funding will be provided by the Department of Justice and Equality this year for a number of Roma-focussed initiatives which are in the process of being evaluated.
I, as Minister of State at the Department of Justice, with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, launched the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021 in June 2017. The strategy provides a whole of Government Framework for addressing the needs of Traveller and Roma communities. It includes 149 actions across a range of themes. The steering group charged with implementing it is being chaired by me.
The recommendations of the research contained in Roma in Ireland - A National Needs Assessment will be examined carefully by the NTRIS Steering Group. The Steering Group includes representatives from Pavee Point and the relevant Government Departments.
The NTRIS for instance includes a number of education-focused actions aimed at improving access, participation and outcomes for members of the Roma community. The aim is to achieve outcomes for Roma that are equal to those of the majority population. Actions include a commitment by the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and TUSLA to develop early intervention education welfare supports to promote and support Roma attendance, participation and engagement with the education system. Similarly, the Government is promoting the Early Childcare Education pre-school scheme to facilitate access for Roma children to free pre-school from the age of three until they start school.
My Department has begun work on an action to fund Traveller and Roma representative groups to implement community based supports to assist the retention of Roma children in the education system.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is developing targeted initiatives to increase Roma engagement with employment and training services.
The Department of Health and the HSE will support the implementation of the findings of this Roma Needs Assessment. Also, acknowledging the results of the National Roma Needs Assessment for Roma in Ireland, the HSE will support Roma women to access maternal health services in a timely manner.
The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021 may be accessed on my Department's website www.justice.ie or by clicking on this link: National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, 2017 - 2021
293. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the citizenship status of a person involved in a scenario (details supplied). [3465/18]
View answerEntitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Section 7 of the Act, which governs Irish citizenship by descent, provides that, with some limited exceptions, a person is an Irish citizen from birth if at the time of his or her birth either parent was an Irish citizen. This, however, does not include the circumstances as outlined by the Deputy.
The Deputy will also appreciate that this is a highly complex area. As the Deputy may be aware, Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 provide for parentage through donor-assisted reproduction. These Parts of the Act are to be commenced in due course by my colleague Simon Harris, T.D., Minister for Health.
294. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the experience of An Garda Síochána in the use of or trial of policing models (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3467/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy cannot be provided in the time available. I have requested the information sought from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.
295. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 23 November 2017, the locations of the three IDA sites and one private finance facility available to the market in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2946/18]
View answerThe availability of an adequate supply of marketable serviced land and buildings in advance of demand is a key element in the IDA's ability to compete for mobile foreign direct investment (FDI). The availability of property solutions allows projects to commence at an earlier date by diminishing much of the difficulties associated with land acquisition, planning and construction. It is, therefore, an important means by which the IDA can encourage and attract new investors to the country and especially to regional Ireland.
The tables below show the location of the sites and buildings available for FDI in Wexford. Details are included of a part occupied building which is also available.
IDA Owned Property – Land:
|
City/Town |
Business Park/Site Name |
Available for marketing |
|
Wexford |
IDA Business & Technology Park, Drinagh Sinnottstown. |
3.14ha/7.76 acres |
|
Wexford |
Wexford Business Park, Whitemill Industrial Estate. |
0.066ha/0.16 acres |
|
Enniscorthy |
IDA Business Park, Enniscorthy. |
0.39ha/0.96 acres |
Property – Buildings:
|
City/Town |
Building Name |
Total Size sq. ft./sq. m. |
|
Enniscorthy(Private Finance unit)IDA Business Park |
Unit 3 IDA Business Park Enniscorthy. |
3,378/314 |
|
Wexford Business Park,Whitemill Industrial Estate |
AF Building 5, (occupied in part by Tepak Auto at 417 sq. m) Whitemill Industrial Estate. |
38,556/3,582 |
296. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the work to market counties Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Roscommon as jobs locations; the number of IDA site visits that have taken place in these counties in the past five years; the other initiatives that have taken place to contribute to highlighting the north west as a destination for new businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2971/18]
View answerThis Government is strongly committed to regional development and my Department and its agencies are working towards ambitious targets to ensure that employment and investment are as evenly distributed as possible across the country. This includes in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Roscommon, where there is currently a total of 50 IDA Ireland client companies collectively employing 7,590 people. While the IDA is determined to grow these numbers further in 2018, the current jobs total represents an increase of 19% in employment by multinationals across these four counties since 2011.
IDA Ireland markets Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim, as part of its North-West region. The Agency's business development strategy for the region includes efforts aimed at increasing investment from high value manufacturing (pharmaceutical, medical devices and engineering) along with the international financial services sector. Roscommon, meanwhile, is marketed as part of the West Region which also includes Galway and Mayo. The IDA emphasises that particular region's strengths in global business services and high tech manufacturing in its efforts to secure further investment from prospective investors. IDA Ireland also, of course, works closely with its existing clients in both the North-West and West to encourage further employment growth and capital investment.
As regards site visits, the IDA always does its best to highlight suitable sites in regional areas - including in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Roscommon - to potential investors. It is sometimes the case, however, that IDA clients will have specific requirements that may preclude certain locations. Site visits are also not necessarily indicative of the potential for foreign direct investment in an area, as at least 70% of all new investment comes from existing IDA clients that are already present in Ireland.
Details on the number of site visits to Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Roscommon over the past five years are outlined in the table below.
|
County |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Q1-Q3 2017 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
2 |
8 |
8 |
3 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
7 |
15 |
20 |
12 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
297. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the contracts her Department or agencies under her remit has with a company (details supplied); the status of these contracts; the contingency plans that may now be required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3139/18]
View answerThere are no contracts in place between my Department or the agencies under its remit and the company in question.
298. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of agencies, boards or other bodies under the aegis of her Department that have been disbanded or amalgamated or whose functions were subsumed back into her Department since 2011; the number of such bodies set up by her Department since that date; the names of the bodies in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3397/18]
View answerThe bodies under the aegis of my Department that have been established, disbanded or amalgamated since 2011 are set out below.
Shannon Development (the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited) was disbanded in 2014. The existing enterprise support functions carried out by Shannon Development in relation to both indigenous and overseas enterprises was assumed by IDA and EI.
Following a Government decision on 11th October 2012, the separate Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government was abolished. The Director General of Science Foundation Ireland has taken on the role of Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government in addition to his existing role.
Under the Workplace Relations Act 2015, with effect from 1st October 2015, the activities of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Labour Court were merged into a new Body of First Instance, known as the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The appellate functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) have been incorporated into an expanded Labour Court. In accordance with the provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 2015, the EAT will be dissolved after it has disposed of all complaints and appeals referred to it before the commencement date of the WRC. However, the EAT cannot be dissolved as an entity until all of the legacy cases have been dealt with.
The Low Pay Commission was established on a statutory basis in July 2015 with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Act 2015, having been established on an interim basis in February of that year. Since September 2017, responsibility for the Low Pay Commission rests with the Department of Employment and Social Protection following the transfer of certain employment rights functions from this Department.
The functions and staff of Forfas were integrated into the Department in 2014. The overarching objective was to re-integrate and strengthen the Departments capacity to formulate and develop enterprise policy.
INAB (Irish National Accreditation Board) was formally part of Forfás prior to July 2014. Under the Industrial Development (Dissolution of Forfas) Act 2014, an Act to make provision for the dissolution of Forfás, the functions of INAB were transferred to the Health and Safety Authority, with INAB becoming a Committee of Authority.
In 2014 the Local Enterprise Offices were launched, marking the dissolution of the 35 separate independent State agencies, the County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) which previously provided supports in this area.
Microfinance Ireland is a not-for-profit lender, established in 2012 to deliver the Government’s Microenterprise Loan Fund. This fund was put in place to support small businesses with less than 10 employees and with an annual turnover of less than €2m who may be having difficulties in accessing funding for their business from banks and other commercial lenders. Helping to create and sustain employment by providing loans to small businesses.
The Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency were dissolved on the 31st October 2014 which was the same day the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission was established.
The Personal Injuries Commission was established in January 2017 on foot of a recommendation from the Cost of Insurance Working Group Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance.
299. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount paid out and the number of claims the pay-outs related to by each agency under the aegis of her Department in respect of personal injury claims in each of the years 2010 to 2017; the number of claims that were settled outside of court in each of these years; the number of payments that were as a result of a court judgment in each of these years; the nature of the claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3414/18]
View answerIn the time available it has not been possible for provide the information requested. I will forward this to the Deputy once it is available.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
300. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the governance structures underpinning the operation of the CAMHS throughout the State is satisfactory and fully transparent. [2775/18]
View answerI am satisfied that, in common with all the other services provided by the HSE, the Mental Health Care Programme, including CAMHS, complies with relevant Governance policies and structures for the health sector overall. CAMHS is provided by the HSE in line with best practice, from both a clinical and an operational governance perspective. It should be noted that CAMHS comes within the monitoring of policies, performance and procedures, carried out by the Mental Health Commission in common with all areas of Mental Health. If the Deputy has any specific concerns in relation to CAMHS, he should bring those to the attention of the HSE.
301. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health his plans to further review health insurance policies in circumstances in which certain policies carry a Government levy of almost 50% of the overall cost of the premium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/18]
View answerThe purpose of the Community Rating Levy is to ensure that everyone in Ireland pays the same amount of money for the same level of health insurance coverage, regardless of their age or status. Older and less healthy people pay the same price as younger and healthier people. In a risk-rated private health insurance market, older and sicker people seeking health insurance would pay much more than others.
Our system of community rating is supported by a risk equalisation scheme. Under our scheme, credits are paid to all insurers for their older and sicker members - these credits are funded directly by a levy on all health insurance contracts written. The scheme redistributes funds between insurers to meet some of the additional cost of insuring older and sicker members. By sharing the cost of insurance this way, we can ensure that older people are treated fairly.
From 1 April 2018, the levy on advanced policies (which represents 90% of the market) will be €444 for an adult, unchanged from last year. The levy on non-advanced policies, those offering less comprehensive coverage for customers, will be €177 for an adult, which is a reduction of €45 from last year. The current average premium paid is €1,188 (as of 30 June 2017).
The price of each premium is a commercial decision by health insurers, who decide how much they wish to charge for the level of coverage in each health insurance contract, taking account of a range of factors in addition to the amount of levy payable. Without the levy, the cost of health insurance for older and sicker members of the insured population would be in excess of current premium prices.
302. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the completion of building improvement works at a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3046/18]
View answerAs the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to the proposed capital works at An Tuath Nua training centre at COPE, Montenotte, Cork.
303. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to the Taoiseach's reply to Leader’s Questions on 16 January 2018, if the two thirds of persons who attend an emergency department and exit within nine hours include walkouts from emergency departments. [3250/18]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
304. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his plans to put ambulance service staff on the same footing as other uniformed services from the point of view of pay, conditions and pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3293/18]
View answerThe Public Service Stability Agreement includes a commitment for an exercise to be conducted by the Public Service Pay Commission on the issue of recruitment and retention in the public service. The Commission identified recruitment difficulties in the case of some specific and specialist groups across the public service. This included certain areas the health sector, including the ambulance service.
The Commission has commenced the second phase of its work. This work is being carried out in modules. The first module will involve health sector areas of nursing, consultants and non-consultant hospital doctors. The second module will involve further health professions and will look at recruitment and retention issues specific to ambulance grades. This module will start later this year. The Commission will report by the end of this year. The outcome of the Commission's assessment will then be the subject of discussion between the relevant parties. It is accepted by all parties to the Public Service Stability Agreement that the output from this exercise will not give rise to any cross-sectoral relativity claims.
305. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when he plans to add the medication Freestyle Libre to the long-term illness reimbursement scheme; the timeframe of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2767/18]
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.
306. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that no representatives from organisations (details supplied) or a parent representative will be present at an upcoming meeting of the primary care steering group which will discuss the introduction of the loco parentis rule; if he will request the HSE to include such representatives in the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2772/18]
View answerI understand that the HSE has undertaken significant work in the area of Paediatric Homecare Packages and is progressing a National Quality Assurance process for these packages. I am advised that there has been engagement with families on respite needs and the findings will be included in the final report. Thereafter, the HSE will review the context for ‘Loco Parentis’ in terms of Paediatric Homecare Packages.
I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply on representation on the group referred to.
307. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when he expects the HSE’s primary care reimbursement service to make a decision on the inclusion of the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitor on the long-term illness scheme for persons with diabetes; his views on whether the time taken to date is excessive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2777/18]
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.
308. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can avail of care services. [2782/18]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
309. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if respite care for a person (details supplied) will proceed. [2789/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
