Written Answers Nos. 126-151
126. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if forecasting and modelling of labour market participation rates have been carried out; and if employment forecasting and modelling to cater for Project Ireland 2040 population projections for the next 20 years has been carried out. [50033/18]
View answerThe National Planning Framework was developed through a detailed consultation process which received inputs from many Government Departments and stakeholders. The process was coordinated by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. I understand that the population projections and modelling which informs much of the analysis presented in the Project Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework was derived from the ESRI's research presented in 'Prospects for Irish Regions and Counties: Scenarios and Implications' (December 2017). For further details on the methodologies used in the development of the Ireland 2040 plan I would refer the Deputy to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Project Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework website: http://npf.ie/draft-of-ireland-2040
While the issue of participation rates relates more to Labour Market Policy which is outside of my Department's remit, my Department appreciates the importance of monitoring participation rates in the labour market and contributes analysis in this regard. As we draw closer to full employment, it is essential that enterprise in Ireland has access to high-quality, adaptable and flexible talent pools. My Department closely monitors the trends concerning labour market participation rates. As it stands the participation rate in Ireland (62.3%) is above the European average (58.1%) and this is the case for both men and women, as evidenced in the most recent Eurostat Labour Force Survey.
My Department actively contributes to ensuring that suitable policy responses are put in place to support continued and increased participation. For example, Action 28 of the Action Plan for Jobs 2018 commits to identifying 'relevant policy issues for cohorts with low participation rates based on patterns of labour market participation ’. My Department has lead responsibility on this action. Policy responsibility for participation rates falls across multiple government departments and my Department is currently working with these departments to ensure the completion of this action by the end of the year.
On 18 July last, the Government agreed to the development of Future Jobs, a new programme of focused actions for 2019, and thereafter, which will form a key part of Ireland’s economic agenda over the medium term. This is a whole of government approach aiming to: enhance productivity; ensure quality and sustainable jobs; and build a resilient and innovative economy. It will ensure we are well positioned to adapt to the technological and other transformational changes our economy and society will face in the years ahead.
The development and implementation of Future Jobs is being led jointly by the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department and is organised around five pillars one of which is increasing participation in the workforce. Improving participation rates means a more equitable, balanced and sustainable development of our workforce and is premised on the view that policies must differentiate between the different needs of people as well as the different barriers to participation.
These objectives were strongly supported by participants at the successful national summit on Future Jobs which took place on 22nd November last which brought together over 200 attendees representing employers, workers, academia, civic society, state agencies and public administration to discuss future challenges and opportunities with myself and other ministerial colleagues.
127. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the lifelong learning targets to be achieved. [50034/18]
View answerIreland's targets in the area of lifelong learning are set out in Ireland's National Skills Strategy 2025, which was developed and is being implemented by the Department of Education and Skills. As that strategy highlights, 'Given the changing demand for skills, increasing people's lifelong learning activity, especially those in the workforce, is a vital element of Ireland's future skills development and can have a positive impact on productivity and innovation at firm level and nationally'.
The strategy aims to increase engagement in lifelong learning through increased promotion and communication of its benefits, more and easier opportunities for those in employment to engage in education and training, greater recognition of workplace learning and prior learning, and the significant strengthening of career guidance.
From a baseline lifelong learning participation rate of 6.7% in 2014 (population aged 25-64), the National Skills Strategy set a lifelong learning participation target of 10% by 2020, and 15% by 2025. In 2017, Ireland's lifelong learning participation rate was 8.9%, compared with an EU average of 10.7%.
Lifelong Learning is key consideration in developing actions under Future Jobs – Preparing Now for Tomorrow’s Economy . Future Jobs will form a key part of Ireland’s economic agenda over the medium term to ensure we are well positioned to adapt to the technological and other transformational changes our economy and society will face in the years ahead.
The development and implementation of Future Jobs is being led jointly by the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department and is organised around five pillars, namely: Improving Productivity, particularly in Irish Small and Medium Sized Enterprises; Supporting Innovation and Technological Change; Enhancing Skills and Developing and Attracting Talent; Increasing Participation in the Labour Force; and Successfully Transitioning to a Low Carbon Economy.
A key factor to Ireland’s successful transition to a digital and low carbon based economy will be having a well-skilled workforce capable of adapting to new challenges. Soft skills, transversal skills and the mastery of core competencies in numeracy, literacy and digital technologies remain critical for employees in all sectors, and opportunities to develop and enhance these skills are vital. Advanced cognitive skills, problem solving, logic, social and emotional skills are particularly important in the development of competences needed to adapt to and respond to the changes that may occur due to technological advancement. Students and learners at all levels of the education and training system need to be given the opportunity to acquire these skills both during their initial formal education and throughout their lives.
Therefore, we need to enhance Ireland’s lifelong learning provision to help workers re-skill throughout their working lives. Enterprises, and SMEs in particular, also need to invest in upskilling and re-skilling their workforce, including their managerial capacity, to enhance and maintain productivity; to adapt to technological disruption; and to identify and exploit opportunities from the digital and low carbon economies as they emerge. Future Jobs, which will be launched early in 2019, will map out the supporting actions for 2019 as well as framing the longer term agenda.
These objectives were strongly supported by participants at the successful national summit on Future Jobs which took place on 22nd November last which brought together over 200 attendees representing employers, workers, academia, civic society, state agencies and public administration to discuss future challenges and opportunities with myself and other ministerial colleagues.
128. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons as a percentage classified as underemployed out of the number employed in each of the years 2005 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [50040/18]
View answerCSO data on underemployment is only available from 2008 onwards. The number underemployed as a percentage of employed was 4.7% in Q3 2008. It peaked during the recession at 8.0% in Q3 2012 and has since fallen to 4.9% in Q3 2018.
Table
Persons aged 15 years and over in Employment (Thousand), both sexes, Quarter 3
|
2008Q3 |
2009Q3 |
2010Q3 |
2011Q3 |
2012Q3 |
2013Q3 |
2014Q3 |
2015Q3 |
2016Q3 |
2017Q3 |
2018Q3 |
|
|
In employment |
2209.8 |
2006.8 |
1930.6 |
1885.2 |
1887 |
1961.8 |
2008.9 |
2079.9 |
2158 |
2206.5 |
2273.2 |
|
In employment part-time - underemployed |
104.7 |
118.5 |
113.9 |
143.4 |
150.4 |
144.3 |
130.9 |
113.7 |
107.5 |
115.8 |
111.5 |
|
Underemployed as percentage of employed |
4.7% |
5.9% |
5.9% |
7.6% |
8.0% |
7.4% |
6.5% |
5.5% |
5.0% |
5.2% |
4.9% |
Link to data on CSO website:www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=QLF01&PLanguage=0.
129. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of enterprises here by firm size (details supplied); the percentage in each category as a proportion of total enterprises; and the number of employees in each such firm size category based on the latest CSO data in tabular form. [50041/18]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy is collected by the Central Statistics Office, which is under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.
In this regard, the Department of the Taoiseach have informed me that the latest Business Demography data was published on the CSO website on July 4th 2018, with reference year 2016, and is available at
www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/bd/businessdemography2016.
The information in this release covers the private business economy, which is NACE Rev 2 Sectors B-N (excluding K64.20 Activities of holding companies).
The information requested by the deputy for reference year 2016 is in the table below. Persons engaged include employees, proprietors and family members. Persons engaged are the sum of Employees plus Working Proprietors. If an individual is paid a wage for any segment of a reference year they are included in the overall figures. Further breakdowns are available at
www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Database/eirestat/Business%20Demography/Business%20Demography_statbank.asp?sp=Business%20Demography&Planguage=0.
|
Size Class |
Enterprises |
% of Total |
Employees |
%of Total |
Persons Engaged |
% of Total |
|
Under 10 |
229,534 |
91.8% |
252,709 |
18.9% |
392,829 |
26.6% |
|
10-49 |
16,914 |
6.8% |
324,539 |
24.3% |
327,572 |
22.2% |
|
50-249 |
3,003 |
1.2% |
290,275 |
21.7% |
290,604 |
19.7% |
|
250+ |
582 |
0.2% |
466,774 |
35.0% |
467,231 |
31.6% |
|
Total |
250,033 |
100.0% |
1,334,927 |
100.0% |
1,478,326 |
100.0% |
130. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has corresponded with the Minister for Education and Skills regarding whether he has prepared or has completed a formal application to the EU Commission seeking an adaptation to the European globalisation adjustment fund to enable it to ensure exposed enterprises can avail of grant aid due to the economic fallout of Brexit. [50042/18]
View answerThe European Globalisation Adjustment Fund does not come under the remit of my Department but that of the Department of Education and Skills. Therefore, any adjustments to the strict qualifying criteria fall to that Department to address.
My Department and its agencies are providing extensive supports to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These supports aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming months.
A number of schemes have been developed to mitigate against the effects of Brexit. In late November 2017 a Rescue and Restructuring (R&R) Scheme was approved by the EU Commission. This scheme has been put in place as it is considered prudent to have contingency measures in place so that we can respond swiftly to changing circumstances as necessary.
The Brexit Loan Scheme was launched in April 2018 and provides affordable working capital financing to eligible businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or will be in the future, to help them innovate, change or adapt to mitigate their Brexit challenge.
In May 2018, the Rescue and Restructuring scheme was extended to include temporary restructuring aid for enterprises experiencing acute liquidity needs. The aid is granted in the form of loans repayable over a period of 18 months. Together with the Brexit Loan Scheme, this temporary restructuring aid will provide valuable stabilisation to businesses as they respond to the immediate and long-term impacts of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme was announced in Budget 2019. The scheme will be available to eligible Irish businesses, including those in the primary agriculture and seafood sectors, to support strategic, long-term investment in a post-Brexit environment. It will provide low cost loans for terms of between 8-10 years, which is not readily available on the market. It is expected that this scheme will be operational in Q1 2019.
Local Enterprise Office funding has been increased and this increase is being used to assist micro-enterprises in becoming more competitive and better able to cope with the changing environment in which they are operating. The suite of LEO Brexit supports includes tailored mentoring to address Brexit-related business challenges and targeted training on specific Brexit challenges.
Enterprise Ireland has established a Prepare for Brexit online portal and communications campaign, as well as an online "Brexit SME Scorecard" to help Irish businesses self-assess their exposure to Brexit and a "Be Prepared Grant" to support SME clients in planning to mitigate risks arising from Brexit. It has also launched a new Eurozone Strategy to help SMEs broaden their export footprint beyond the UK.
InterTrade Ireland's Brexit advisory service was established in May 2017 to provide a focal point for SMEs working to navigate the changes in cross-Border trading relationships brought about by Brexit negotiations.
As part of awareness-raising activities, EI has rolled out regional Brexit Advisory clinics throughout the year. My Department and its agencies have also participated in the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready roadshow to inform businesses of supports available to them to prepare for Brexit.
Officials from my Department are point of a Technical Working Group on State aid which also comprises representatives from DG Competition, Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The objective of the Group is to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with State aid rules. Should issues arise that require an approach that does not fit within the existing State aid rules, this will be raised as part of the Working Group discussions.
131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) will be included in the pay restoration process in view of the urgent need to improve the remuneration for these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50029/18]
View answerAs you know, in February 2018, an agreement was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) between the Department, the HSE and health sector Trade Unions in relation to a process aimed at resolving the pay restoration issue for staff employed by section 39 bodies in 50 pilot organisations. The 50 organisations which were included were agreed at the WRC.
Following a data gathering exercise and the compilation of an interim report in June, the parties attended for conciliation talks at the WRC in July 2018. Following a reconvening of talks, an agreement was reached on 2 October 2018 between the parties. For those employed by the 50 organisations involved in the pilot, the following will apply:
- Pay restoration will commence with an annual pay increase of up to €1,000 in April 2019
- 50% of the outstanding restoration due will be paid on 1 October 2020
- The remaining 50% will be paid on 1 October 2021
Based on the information available, it appears that almost 90% of these staff who received a pay cut will have on average, 75% of it restored in 2019.
The above payments will be made based on the following criteria:
- This is pay restoration and not pay progression
- The intention is to restore pay reductions made, no more
- Only the 50 organisations in the pilot are eligible at this time
- Payment will be subject to a verification and validation process
It will be important that the employers involved in the WRC process continue to give their full co-operation in relation to the on-going verification and validation process referred to above.
It is recognised that some of the remaining organisations will have pay restoration issues also. A process of engagement to address this will commence in 2019.
132. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49853/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
133. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with dementia that receive treatment in psychiatric units attached to general hospitals or in other psychiatric units instead of receiving appropriate treatment in general hospitals; if physical restraint is applied to dementia patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49854/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
134. 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. [49855/18]
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, since 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 the Deputy directly.
135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 506 of 6 November 2018, if he will address matters regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49857/18]
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.
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
136. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce legislation to regulate shops selling vaping products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49868/18]
View answerThe Government has approved the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill to provide for the introduction of a licensing system and other measures in relation to the sale of non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes, as well as tobacco products. The legislation will include a prohibition on the sale of non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes, by and to persons under 18 years of age. The drafting of a Regulatory Impact Assessment and the General Scheme is on-going.
Electronic cigarettes are already regulated under the EU (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016. These Regulations transposed the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) and came into effect on 20 May 2016.
The Regulations provide for certain safety and quality requirements for e-cigarettes containing nicotine including maximum nicotine concentrations and maximum volumes for cartridges, tanks and nicotine liquid containers. E-cigarettes must be child-resistant and tamper proof and have a mechanism that ensures refilling without spillage to protect consumers. E-cigarette ingredients must be of high purity and e-cigarettes must deliver the same amount of nicotine for puffs of the same strength and duration.
In addition the Regulations provide that health warnings for e-cigarettes are mandatory advising consumers that e-cigarettes contain nicotine and should not be used by non-smokers. Packaging must include a list of all ingredients contained in the product, information on its nicotine content and a leaflet setting out instructions for use and information on adverse effects, risk groups, addictiveness and toxicity. Promotional elements are not allowed on e-cigarette packaging and the cross-border advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes is prohibited.
Finally the Regulations provide that e-cigarette manufacturers must notify the HSE of all products that are placed on the market.
137. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on Translarna; if engagement with or inclusion of patient representation will occur as part of the assessment process for Translarna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49869/18]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
138. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a matter (detail supplied) in relation to BreastCheck in County Cavan will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49873/18]
View answerI am advised that BreastCheck makes every effort to ensure that their mobile units are located at sites that can serve the maximum number of eligible women taking account of population densities, transport routes and general accessibility. However, these considerations are balanced against the technical and operational requirements necessary to allow the screening programme to deliver a safe and quality assured service.
In the case of Cavan, the mobile unit was located on the grounds of Cavan General Hospital and, broadly speaking, I am advised that this has operated well. However, I acknowledge that a dedicated parking area was not available and I regret any inconvenience that this may have caused for some woman attending for screening.
139. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the outpatient waiting times in Tallaght Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49887/18]
View answerImproving access to hospital treatment is a key priority for government. Each year, 3.3 million patients attend Hospital Outpatient clinics for appointments. While the total numbers on the outpatient waiting list continues to grow, a targeted approach by the HSE in late 2017 and into 2018 has impacted on the level of growth. From January to September 2018, the rate of growth of the outpatient waiting list was a quarter of what it was in the same period in 2017.
This year €55 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients. This has been increased to a total of €75 million for 2019 and as a result of this additional funding, my Department is working closely with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a Scheduled Care Access Plan for inpatients/day case and outpatients for 2019.
I recently met with the CEO's of all hospital groups and requested that they develop innovative proposals to address their outpatient lists in 2019.
In 2019, the NTPF will continue to work closely with Hospital Groups, inviting proposals to facilitate the trialling of funded interventions, including weekend and out of hours clinics, to tackle Outpatient Waiting lists. This year has seen the NTPF approve almost 12,700 additional first-time outpatient appointments and this is projected to increase to 40,000 appointments next year. In addition, validation will play a key in ensuring the accuracy of the outpatient waiting list, and it is envisioned that 30,000 patients will be removed from the outpatient waiting list through the validation consultation process in 2019.
As part of its work to address long-waiters, I understand that Tallaght University Hospital has engaged with the NTPF to propose a number of insourcing and outsourcing initiatives that can help to address the outpatient lists. This has seen the NTPF approve proposals to treat more than 2,200 outpatients across a range of specialties at Tallaght, through the provision of an additional 177 outpatient clinics.
Tallaght University Hospital advises that it has also sought innovative solutions to long waiting lists, including investment in a Waiting List Decision Support System (DSS) which plans and forecasts outpatient demand, allowing the hospital to ensure planned improvements are delivered. Tallaght has also recently recruited new consultants in orthopaedics, neurology, and ENT, in order to arrest the growth in waiting lists for these areas. In addition, the appointment of additional Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP) in areas such as Rheumatology, and the establishment of more physio led clinics in specialties like Gynaecology, is projected to have a positive impact on outpatient waiting lists as we move into 2019.
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below.
Outpatient Waiting List in Tallaght Hospital - Based on latest published NTPF figures
|
0-3 mths |
3-6 mths |
6-9 mths |
9-12mths |
12-15mths |
15-18 mths |
18-21 mths |
21-24mths |
24-36 mths |
36-48 mths |
48+mths |
Total |
|
6893 |
5021 |
3466 |
2522 |
2516 |
1931 |
1419 |
1024 |
2740 |
1128 |
117 |
28777 |
140. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health when the new arrangements in relation to the fair deal scheme will be introduced; if legislation is required to change the rules for same to introduce a three year cap on the inclusion of productive assets in the assessment or as part of the assessment for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49892/18]
View answerThe proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), to cap contributions from farm assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. My Department is working on the development of draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.
It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period.
Work on the Heads of Bill is all but complete by my officials and the bill will shortly go forward for legal stress testing. Subject to legal advice, I expect to bring the bill to Government in the coming months.
The changes to the Scheme will come into effect in 2019 subject to the legislative process.
141. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the need for a psychiatrist appointment for a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49895/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
142. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when a CAMHS psychiatrist will be appointed to County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49901/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
143. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting an appointment for a general adult psychologist in County Wexford; the number waiting longer than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49902/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
144. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the HSE will not recognise an organisation (details supplied) or engage in negotiations with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49903/18]
View answer158. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has communicated with the HSE in relation to a union recognition dispute with ambulance personnel; his plans to intervene in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49937/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 158 together.
The union which is recognised by the HSE as representing ambulance grades is SIPTU. The Psychiatric Nurses' Association (PNA), which is a non ICTU affiliated union, have negotiating rights for nurses working in psychiatry and intellectual disability sectors. The National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA), which is affiliated with the PNA is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights for HSE ambulance staff. The HSE can only engage with recognised unions with negotiation rights. This approach is in keeping with Government policy. Indeed, the principle of engaging only with recognised trade unions has been acknowledged previously by the Labour Court in a dispute involving the PNA but with a different public sector employer.
Whilst individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, HSE ambulance staff who choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer should be aware that such membership is not facilitated by their employer. In light of all of the above, I can confirm that I have not communicated with the HSE in relation to this dispute as I do not believe it would be appropriate to intervene.
145. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49907/18]
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, since 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 the Deputy directly.
146. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49908/18]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
147. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that the national maternity hospital will be taken into public ownership as a condition of public funding; the further steps he will take to ensure that the €350 million earmarked for the new build will be conditional on the change of ownership and will be governed by a new secular charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49917/18]
View answerConsiderable work has been undertaken to develop a legal framework to protect the State's significant investment in the new hospital and to ensure that the new hospital building will remain in State ownership. The proposals will require consideration by Government, the National Maternity Hospital and the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group before they are finalised. This legal framework will underpin the operational and clinical independence of the new hospital, ensuring care in the new maternity hospital will be delivered without religious, ethnic or other distinction and any medical procedure which is in accordance with the laws of the land will be carried out there.
148. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the maximum bed capacity at a hospital (details supplied); the number of these beds that are occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49921/18]
View answer149. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if a hospital (details supplied) is operating at maximum bed capacity; if not, the reason all available beds have not been brought into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49922/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
150. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if further external investigation into CPE deaths in UHL is planned in view of the fact that some persons with CPE that died during the period of the recent external review of CPE deaths in UHL were not included in the review (details supplied). [49923/18]
View answerMy Department and I have been kept informed of an external review commissioned last year by University of Limerick Hospitals Group (ULHG), regarding patients with CPE and concerns regarding whether CPE was a factor in the deaths of a number of these patients. In addition, University Hospital Limerick conducted an internal review. The HSE and ULHG have published a final anonymised report combining the two review findings and have advised that the review process was both robust and comprehensive.
As there has been both an internal and external review into CPE in University Hospital Limerick, the facts have been established using robust methodologies and clinical expertise.
As the Deputy's question refers to the details of a particular individual, I have referred your question to the HSE for direct reply.
151. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his views on overcrowding in CUH Cork emergency department. [49925/18]
View answerI wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded EDs cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country.
This year has been characterised by high demand for unscheduled care, particularly among the 75 and over age group. By the end of October 2018, total attendances were up by 3.7% and admissions up by 2.5%, compared to the same period in 2017. For those aged 75 and over, by the end of October 2018, attendances were up by 5.7% and admissions up by 5.4%, compared to the same period in 2017. This increased demand was further exacerbated by the severe weather associated with Storm Emma and the extended Influenza outbreak earlier this year.
My Department is working with the HSE to ensure the most effective response to the winter challenges to unscheduled care provision. The HSE Winter Plan 2018/19, which is currently under consideration by my Department, provides for a 4-week enhanced focus period from 17 December 2018 to 13 January 2019, targeting 9 key sites of concern. Cork University Hospital has been identified as one of these 9 sites, based on performance in previous winters.
As part of Budget 2019, an additional €10m in funding is being provided in 2018 for social care measures to enable older people to leave hospital and return to a more appropriate care setting, including their own home, as quickly as possible with the supports they need. The HSE has confirmed that measures to support older persons transition from acute care to the most appropriate setting have been identified and that the 2018 initiatives have now commenced.
Increasing bed capacity is a priority of this Government. Over the past 12 months an additional 240 beds have been opened nationally, which included 30 additional acute beds and 2 critical care beds in Cork University hospital. An additional 78 beds are due to come on stream nationally in early 2019, including 4 High Dependency Beds in Cork University Hospital.
This increase in capacity does not take account of the impact of the €10 million in funding in Budget 2019 to increase acute bed capacity in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review. My Department is currently in discussions with the HSE, in the context of the National Service Plan 2019, to identify the sites for investment and the associated number of beds, as part of an agreed capacity programme for 2019.
I have asked the HSE to ensure that the National Service Plan 2019 provides for a significant uplift in activity across acute, primary and community care, to manage critical demand pressures, most particularly on Emergency Departments, at the beginning and the end of the year.
