Written Answers Nos. 151-175
151. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 150 of 16 January 2019, if she will provide the breakdown as per the format presented in Parliamentary Questions Nos. 146, 147, 148 and 149 of 18 January 2018 with data (details supplied) for 2017 and 2018, in tabular form. [4553/19]
View answerMy Department and its agencies are working towards ambitious targets to ensure that employment and investment are distributed as evenly as possible across the country. I am pleased to say that significant progress is being made with 58% of all IDA employment now outside of Dublin. This represents the highest number of people employed by IDA clients outside of Dublin in the history of the organisation. 2018 saw more IDA jobs added in the regions than at any time over the past 17 years.
I am determined, together with the IDA, to see this trend continue and we will be doing everything possible in 2019 to encourage more firms to invest further in the regions.
The following table provides, in the format requested, a detailed breakdown of employment by IDA Ireland client companies for 2017 and 2018.
|
County Name |
2017 |
2018 |
|
|
Cavan |
1.Number of Companies |
7 |
7 |
|
Cavan |
2.Total Jobs |
1155 |
1096 |
|
Cavan |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
31 |
15 |
|
Cavan |
4.Job Losses |
-79 |
-74 |
|
Cavan |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
-48 |
-59 |
|
Donegal |
1.Number of Companies |
12 |
12 |
|
Donegal |
2.Total Jobs |
3392 |
3564 |
|
Donegal |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
378 |
212 |
|
Donegal |
4.Job Losses |
-25 |
-40 |
|
Donegal |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
353 |
172 |
|
Leitrim |
1.Number of Companies |
5 |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
2.Total Jobs |
884 |
909 |
|
Leitrim |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
84 |
26 |
|
Leitrim |
4.Job Losses |
-3 |
-1 |
|
Leitrim |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
81 |
25 |
|
Louth |
1.Number of Companies |
24 |
28 |
|
Louth |
2.Total Jobs |
3764 |
3903 |
|
Louth |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
346 |
349 |
|
Louth |
4.Job Losses |
-185 |
-210 |
|
Louth |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
161 |
139 |
|
Monaghan |
1.Number of Companies |
5 |
5 |
|
Monaghan |
2.Total Jobs |
150 |
162 |
|
Monaghan |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
14 |
13 |
|
Monaghan |
4.Job Losses |
-1 |
-1 |
|
Monaghan |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
13 |
12 |
|
Sligo |
1.Number of Companies |
21 |
23 |
|
Sligo |
2.Total Jobs |
2238 |
2251 |
|
Sligo |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
66 |
184 |
|
Sligo |
4.Job Losses |
-169 |
-171 |
|
Sligo |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
-103 |
13 |
|
Dublin |
1.Number of Companies |
734 |
763 |
|
Dublin |
2.Total Jobs |
90529 |
96760 |
|
Dublin |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
12340 |
11039 |
|
Dublin |
4.Job Losses |
-5192 |
-4808 |
|
Dublin |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
7148 |
6231 |
|
Kildare |
1.Number of Companies |
28 |
29 |
|
Kildare |
2.Total Jobs |
8452 |
8838 |
|
Kildare |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
499 |
639 |
|
Kildare |
4.Job Losses |
-1787 |
-253 |
|
Kildare |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
-1288 |
386 |
|
Meath |
1.Number of Companies |
18 |
19 |
|
Meath |
2.Total Jobs |
1565 |
1632 |
|
Meath |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
70 |
122 |
|
Meath |
4.Job Losses |
-166 |
-55 |
|
Meath |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
-96 |
67 |
|
Wicklow |
1.Number of Companies |
18 |
18 |
|
Wicklow |
2.Total Jobs |
2230 |
2618 |
|
Wicklow |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
78 |
411 |
|
Wicklow |
4.Job Losses |
-82 |
-23 |
|
Wicklow |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
-4 |
388 |
|
Laois |
1.Number of Companies |
4 |
4 |
|
Laois |
2.Total Jobs |
134 |
122 |
|
Laois |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
5 |
4 |
|
Laois |
4.Job Losses |
-2 |
-16 |
|
Laois |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
3 |
-12 |
|
Longford |
1.Number of Companies |
5 |
6 |
|
Longford |
2.Total Jobs |
745 |
900 |
|
Longford |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
207 |
171 |
|
Longford |
4.Job Losses |
-245 |
-16 |
|
Longford |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
-38 |
155 |
|
Offaly |
1.Number of Companies |
11 |
11 |
|
Offaly |
2.Total Jobs |
1167 |
1232 |
|
Offaly |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
108 |
78 |
|
Offaly |
4.Job Losses |
-48 |
-13 |
|
Offaly |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
60 |
65 |
|
Westmeath |
1.Number of Companies |
19 |
21 |
|
Westmeath |
2.Total Jobs |
2973 |
3466 |
|
Westmeath |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
240 |
502 |
|
Westmeath |
4.Job Losses |
-16 |
-9 |
|
Westmeath |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
224 |
493 |
|
Clare |
1.Number of Companies |
64 |
66 |
|
Clare |
2.Total Jobs |
7006 |
6948 |
|
Clare |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
653 |
494 |
|
Clare |
4.Job Losses |
-393 |
-552 |
|
Clare |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
260 |
-58 |
|
Limerick |
1.Number of Companies |
57 |
56 |
|
Limerick |
2.Total Jobs |
10607 |
11796 |
|
Limerick |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
1069 |
1458 |
|
Limerick |
4.Job Losses |
-289 |
-269 |
|
Limerick |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
780 |
1189 |
|
Tipperary North Riding |
1.Number of Companies |
3 |
3 |
|
Tipperary North |
2.Total Jobs |
335 |
204 |
|
Tipperary North |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
7 |
99 |
|
Tipperary North |
4.Job Losses |
0 |
-230 |
|
Tipperary North |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
7 |
-131 |
|
Carlow |
1.Number of Companies |
7 |
7 |
|
Carlow |
2.Total Jobs |
875 |
1150 |
|
Carlow |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
75 |
275 |
|
Carlow |
4.Job Losses |
-2 |
0 |
|
Carlow |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
73 |
275 |
|
Kilkenny |
1.Number of Companies |
5 |
5 |
|
Kilkenny |
2.Total Jobs |
716 |
711 |
|
Kilkenny |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
72 |
36 |
|
Kilkenny |
4.Job Losses |
-118 |
-41 |
|
Kilkenny |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
-46 |
-5 |
|
Tipperary South |
1.Number of Companies |
7 |
7 |
|
Tipperary South |
2.Total Jobs |
3330 |
3516 |
|
Tipperary South |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
334 |
197 |
|
Tipperary South |
4.Job Losses |
-44 |
-11 |
|
Tipperary South |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
290 |
186 |
|
Waterford |
1.Number of Companies |
38 |
38 |
|
Waterford |
2.Total Jobs |
6690 |
7064 |
|
Waterford |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
522 |
471 |
|
Waterford |
4.Job Losses |
-85 |
-97 |
|
Waterford |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
437 |
374 |
|
Wexford |
1.Number of Companies |
19 |
19 |
|
Wexford |
2.Total Jobs |
2987 |
3139 |
|
Wexford |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
284 |
171 |
|
Wexford |
4.Job Losses |
-37 |
-19 |
|
Wexford |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
247 |
152 |
|
Cork |
1.Number of Companies |
166 |
169 |
|
Cork |
2.Total Jobs |
36780 |
38867 |
|
Cork |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
2697 |
3177 |
|
Cork |
4.Job Losses |
-1252 |
-1090 |
|
Cork |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
1445 |
2087 |
|
Kerry |
1.Number of Companies |
14 |
17 |
|
Kerry |
2.Total Jobs |
2187 |
2241 |
|
Kerry |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
106 |
122 |
|
Kerry |
4.Job Losses |
-16 |
-68 |
|
Kerry |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
90 |
54 |
|
Galway |
1.Number of Companies |
78 |
81 |
|
Galway |
2.Total Jobs |
18503 |
19969 |
|
Galway |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
2253 |
1971 |
|
Galway |
4.Job Losses |
-791 |
-505 |
|
Galway |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created)) |
1462 |
1466 |
|
Mayo |
1.Number of Companies |
16 |
16 |
|
Mayo |
2.Total Jobs |
4484 |
4828 |
|
Mayo |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
294 |
426 |
|
Mayo |
4.Job Losses |
-24 |
-82 |
|
Mayo |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
270 |
344 |
|
Roscommon |
1.Number of Companies |
9 |
9 |
|
Roscommon |
2.Total Jobs |
1139 |
1171 |
|
Roscommon |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross) |
164 |
123 |
|
Roscommon |
4.Job Losses |
-10 |
-91 |
|
Roscommon |
5.Net Change (Additional Jobs created) |
154 |
32 |
|
Grand Total |
1.Number of Companies |
1394 |
1444 |
|
Grand Total |
2.Total Jobs |
215017 |
229057 |
|
Grand Total |
3.New Jobs Created (Gross Total Jobs) |
22996 |
22785 |
|
Grand Total |
4.Job Losses |
-11061 |
-8745 |
|
Grand Total |
5.Net Change (Additional jobs created) |
11935 |
14040 |
152. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff working in the procurement area for major State infrastructure projects in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4571/19]
View answerThe productive investments undertaken by my Department to support Irish based enterprise and innovation development are done primarily through the form of grant offerings to agency client companies and to higher education institutions.
The Department is not directly involved in large-scale State infrastructural projects. Therefore no staff of the Department are involved in procurement for such projects.
Notwithstanding this, staff in my Department engaged in public procurement for goods and services apply the guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). Furthermore, staff are guided by the expertise that resides in the OGP, and where appropriate use existing framework agreements put in place by the experts in the OGP, ensuring my staff can be confident that they are meeting their compliance obligations.
The OGP organise procurement in the public service under a unified structure to ensure that the procurement expertise and experience that exists is harnessed and applied consistently to public procurement activities.
153. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the grant aid available towards the provision of enterprise centres by community groups or local statutory agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4682/19]
View answer154. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if grant aid will be made available towards the provision of small industrial units and work spaces for start-up businesses; if such a scheme will be initiated for the Border region to assist with economic development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4683/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.
My Department is committed to supporting enterprise development throughout the country. Enterprise Ireland (EI), has approved funding to enable community groups throughout the country to develop the entrepreneurial talent in their area and support innovative business ideas to create jobs.
In 2016 Enterprise Ireland awarded €3 million to 32 projects under the Community Enterprise Fund. The goal of this initiative was to stimulate and support enterprise and job creation throughout the country at local, community and regional level.
Under the current Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), the Government, through EI, awarded €60 million to 42 projects across all regions to build enterprise capability. This competitive fund had four funding streams, one of which was targeted specifically at local and community enterprise. Under this initiative 7 projects were funded.
EI funding has also supported the development of a national network of business innovation centres and specialist bio-incubation facilities under the Campus Innovation Programme. Incubators now exist on every university and Institute of technology Campus in the country. Such facilities are an important element of public assistance for technology-intensive start-ups, and also an important driver of regional development. The majority of companies who participate in the programme remain in their region after they have completed their incubation period.
The centres provide critical space for research-driven start-up companies and make available a wide range of support services and business mentoring.
In 2016 EI approved further funding for extensions to three existing Incubation Centres (Athlone Institute of Technology, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and Waterford Institute of Technology).
At present there are 1,748 people employed in companies in Enterprise Ireland funded incubation centres. There are 3 incubation centres in the Border region:
- IT Sligo (Innovation Centre): currently has 22 companies employing 75 people.
- Letterkenny IT (CoLab): currently has 32 companies employing 124 people.
- Dundalk IT (Regional Development Centre): currently has 15 companies employing 87 people.
EI has co-funded, with local enterprise development groups, 157 Community Enterprise Centres across the country totalling €64 million. There is now a Community Enterprise Centre located in every county. The agency has also provided €2m, via competitive funding, to support the role of 46 Business Development Function/Managers in Community Enterprise Centres. These centers collectively employ approximately 6,000 people across 1,200 companies and are key hubs of enterprise activity in many areas.
155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if there have been developments regarding the possible location of an inward investment project at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4691/19]
View answerAs is well-documented, IDA Ireland is helping ensure, through its Regional Property Programme, that property solutions are in place for overseas companies considering investing or expanding in regional areas.
As part of Budget 2019, I allocated an additional €10m for the next phase of the IDA Regional Property Programme. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that programme includes plans for an Advanced Technology Unit (ATU) at Knockaconny, County Monaghan. The IDA are currently in the process of procuring a design and delivery team for this facility.
More broadly, I want to emphasise that creating jobs in the regions is a priority for both the IDA and my Department. I am focused on doing everything I can to deliver the most even possible spread of investment across the country. The resources we have invested into regional growth is, as the evidence illustrates, producing results. In 2018, for example, the IDA delivered 113 regional investments with 56% of net new jobs created outside Dublin. The last four years have seen over 44,000 new foreign direct investment-supported jobs created outside the capital. We will continue to do our utmost to encourage further such job growth across all parts of Ireland, including Monaghan, in the time ahead.
156. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA premises in counties Roscommon and Galway. [4699/19]
View answerIDA Ireland has a total of five buildings in County Galway. Three of these premises are occupied and two of them are being actively marketed to clients through its network of offices in Ireland and overseas. The IDA does not own any buildings in Roscommon but operates a Business and Technology Park there with available land that is being actively marketed to existing and prospective clients.
More broadly, the trend in foreign direct investment remains positive for both Counties, with Roscommon and Galway respectively seeing a 3% and 8% increase in 2018. The IDA will be working hard in 2019 to grow those numbers further.
157. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the roll-out of new national trauma centres, including the planned trauma centre at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; the deadlines for submissions, decisions and implementation in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4444/19]
View answerThe Report of the Trauma Steering Group was approved by Government in February 2018. An interim implementation group has been established by the HSE, as recommended in the report, and is progressing the four immediate actions (orthopaedic bypass protocols, selection of Major Trauma Centre for Dublin, recruitment of National Clinical Lead and detailed implementation planning).
No decisions have been made in relation to the preferred location of the Major Trauma Centre for the Central Network.
The implementation group is currently undertaking a public consultation exercise on the proposed draft service specifications for Major Trauma Centres and Trauma Units in Ireland and on the approach and process for the designation of the Major Trauma Centre and two Trauma Units for the Central Network. This is to ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity to provide feedback in advance of formal submissions being requested. This public consultation exercise will close on 14 February 2019.
Following the public consultation exercise, it is expected that the formal designation process will commence, with each of the Dublin Hospital Groups (Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and RCSI Hospital Group) invited to make submissions for hospitals within their Group to be designated as the Major Trauma Centre or as a Trauma Unit for the Central Trauma Network.
An Independent Assessment Panel comprised of local and international experts will review and score the written proposals in line with the service specifications and assessment criteria, will conduct site visits to the hospital sites and will meet with Hospital Group management and other key representatives as part of the assessment process.
The panel will make a recommendation to the HSE's trauma implementation group, which in turn will make a recommendation to my Department in relation to the preferred location for the Major Trauma Centre and two Trauma Units for the Central Trauma Network.
158. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) was entitled to pay increments from 1983 and pension entitlements arising from the increments in view of the fact the person was a full-time employee; and if the record of payments and entitlements will be made available. [4452/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
159. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 7 November 2018, the progress made in providing the level of care urgently required by a person (details supplied); if the HSE has had discussions with an organisation in County Kilkenny; if so, the outcome of the discussions and the decisions taken; his plans to provide respite services in counties Carlow and Kilkenny for such persons; if a personal healthcare plan will be put in place for the person covering all aspects of the care required; if the case will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4455/19]
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.
160. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason prescriptions issued by hospitals are not valid on medical cards unless reissued by the green form system by the general practitioner of the person; if his attention has been drawn to the undue stress this causes elderly and ill persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4461/19]
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.
161. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the reason no tender process was carried out for the appointment of the community intervention team following discharges from Sligo University Hospital; the reason a company was appointed without an appropriate tender process in line with established public procurement protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4474/19]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
162. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the length of time a person (details supplied) will have to wait for an appointment for a pain management consultation in University Hospital Limerick; the average wait time for these appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4475/19]
View answerImproving access to hospital treatment is a key priority for government. Budget 2019 announced a funding increase from €55 million to €75 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients.
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. In this regard, the NTPF and the HSE will continue to work closely with Hospital Groups, inviting proposals to improve access for patients waiting for either Inpatient/Daycase or Outpatient procedures.
The NTPF advise that the average wait time for an Outpatient appointment for Pain Relief in University Hospital Limerick is 354 days.
In relation to the patient query element of the question, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
163. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for surgery in a hospital will take place nearer to home in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4476/19]
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.
164. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the reason an appointment for a person (details supplied) in Louth County Hospital was cancelled. [4479/19]
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.
165. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4486/19]
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.
166. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if children who have been referred for orthodontic procedures here and are on a waiting list can have the procedures done under the treatment purchase fund or another scheme abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4503/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
167. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of dieticians employed by the HSE across the service; the number of dieticians employed by location and-or primary care centre in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4514/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
168. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a hospital admission date will be arranged for a person (details supplied). [4517/19]
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.
169. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the turnover of nursing and midwifery staff across the health service over 2017. [4535/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
170. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of agency nursing and midwifery staff employed in the health system; and the annual cost for agency nursing and midwifery staff in 2017 and 2018, respectively. [4536/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
171. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 18 October 2016, the steps taken since 2017 to address the deficit in midwifery staff in the four largest maternity hospitals; and the current deficit in midwifery staff in the same hospitals. [4537/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.
172. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of knee replacement surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4549/19]
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.
173. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the reporting mechanisms being used to monitor the successes and shortcomings with regard to the telecounselling service being piloted in south County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4551/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
174. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the reports which will be published on the telecounselling service being piloted in south County Wicklow; when these reports will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4552/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
175. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of staff working in the procurement area for major State infrastructure projects in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4580/19]
View answerCurrently the Department of Health operates a devolved procurement function whereby individual Units are responsible for carrying out their own procurement exercises. Due to this arrangement it would not be feasible to accurately calculate the number of staff working throughout my Department in the procurement area. However staff involved in procurement in the Department of Health must comply with all applicable EU and national procurement law and guidelines.
As the HSE is responsible for the delivery of major health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the number of staff working in the procurement area for these projects.
