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Wednesday, 27 Mar 2019

Written Answers Nos. 170-184

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Administration

Questions (170)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

170. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a review of the appointment requests system at the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service can be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14438/19]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a new online appointments system is currently being developed which should be operational later this year.

The new on-line appointment system will be more secure than the current system, which will make it less vulnerable to abuse by third parties who seek to book appointments and sell them to customers. It will also be more user friendly, making it easier for customers to book appointments.

Irish Sign Language

Questions (171)

Clare Daly

Question:

171. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Irish Sign Language interpreting hours provided to the Irish Prison Service in 2011. [14474/19]

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Written answers

I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and would require manual examination of paper files for the year 2011, which would involve a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources to retrieve, collate and verify.

Central Statistics Office Reports

Questions (172)

Joan Burton

Question:

172. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Central Statistics Office will commence the sexual abuse and violence in Ireland survey; when the survey will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14507/19]

View answer

Written answers

On 20th November 2018, the Government approved a new national survey on the prevalence of sexual violence in Ireland. Following this, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Central Statistics Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 10th January 2019 regarding the undertaking of the survey.

The CSO has now begun the preparatory work on the large scale survey, called the Sexual Violence Survey (SVS), which will look in detail at the experience of sexual violence and abuse for both women and men in Ireland, with repeat surveys every decade.

This is a large and complex survey. The Government’s expert Scoping Group report made clear that delivering a survey that met the highest standards would be a significant undertaking and a multi-annual project.

I am aware that some concern has been expressed about how long it will take to complete the survey, but I believe it is vitally important that the survey is done in the right way. I want to ensure that the State undertakes an ongoing programme of research of the highest quality, in a sensitive and ethical way, to ensure a robust set of data to inform Government policy. The complexities and timeframes involved have been acknowledged by several of the NGOs involved in the sector.

The CSO, the expertise and professionalism of which is widely acknowledged, has provided an estimated timeline of up to five years for completion, including a full first year of technical research, design, specialist training and preparation. The preparatory phase will also involve a stakeholder consultation process, consideration of best international practice and the conducting of a full pilot survey in the field in 2020.

The CSO has indicated it will be in a position to give further certainty on completion date, timelines and costs after it finalises its preliminary work in 2019. The provision of reliable, robust, objective and internationally comparable information requires that the planning and execution of this survey is undertaken in a professional and comprehensive manner. To do otherwise may compromise the quality of the resulting data. Therefore, the anticipated extensive duration of the new Sexual Violence Survey (SVS) is necessary to ensure that all aspects of the survey are undertaken and completed to the highest possible standard.

Funding of €150,000 has been provided for the work in 2019 and the Government has agreed in principle to fund the rest of the project which has the strong support of both myself and my colleagues in Cabinet.

Work Permits Applications

Questions (173)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 7 March 2019, the specific requirements applicable to qualify for a work permit in the case of a person (details supplied); if the case is deemed sufficient to request an appeal in respect of the previous decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14344/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that an application for a General Employment Permit in respect of the named individual was received on 15 January 2019.

On 26 February 2019, this application was refused because the named individual was in the State without current immigration permission from the Minister or Justice and Equality.

In addition to being informed of the decision to refuse this application, the applicant was also informed that he had 28 days to request a review of this decision. As no such review was requested within this timeframe, this matter is now closed.

A refusal to grant an employment permit does not preclude an applicant from submitting another application for a new employment permit. Such an application should comply with all of the legislative requirements for the particular employment permit type.

In order to assist with the application process, the Department has produced a suite of information to assist in the application process including various checklist documents, a ‘User Guide' to our online application system and a comprehensive FAQ Document which answers the most common queries received regarding employment permits. All this information can be found in the Employment Permit section of my Department’s website at www.dbei.gov.ie.

Finally, it should be noted that my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, has responsibility for issuing immigration permissions and visas.

Work Permits Appeals

Questions (174)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason a work permit application has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied); if their appeal has been lodged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14358/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that the named individual applied for a General Employment Permit on 2 January 2019. On 21 March 2019, this application was refused for the following reasons:

- The applicant did not provide essential required documentation including a copy of signed Contract of Employment and documents from Revenue.

- The remuneration level stated in the application form was below that required for the employment permit. The applicant must be earning €30,000 for a 39 hour week.

- Failure to fulfil the Labour Market Needs Test. Details in relation to remuneration and hours of work placed in the advertisements must be the same as those details provided in the application.

- The applicant did not provide evidence of the required experience for the employment concerned. A chef de partie requires at least two years experience to be eligible for an employment permit.

In addition to being notified of this decision and the reasons for the decision, the applicant was also informed that he had twenty-eight days to request a review of this decision. My officials inform me that, to-date, no such review has been requested.

A refusal to grant an employment permit does not preclude an applicant from submitting another application for an employment permit. Such an application should comply with all of the legislative requirements for the particular employment permit type.

In order to assist with the application process, the Department has produced a suite of information including details on how to carry out the Labour Market Needs Test and a "Checklist document for Chefs" which, if followed, should result in the granting of an employment permit. This information can be found in the Employment Permit section of my Department’s website at www.dbei.gov.ie.

Action Plan for Jobs

Questions (175)

Seán Fleming

Question:

175. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the midlands regional enterprise plan steering committee commenced its work; the chairperson of this organisation; the membership; the way in which they were selected; the frequency of meetings; if there will be a report published for the end of each calendar year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14377/19]

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Written answers

The Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan to 2020 is an enterprise focused document that is the result of a refresh and refocus of the Midlands Regional Action Plans for Jobs 2015-2017 (RAPJ) to ensure its relevance and impact out to 2020, so that it continues to deliver jobs across the Midlands region and can be robust to address the challenges we face, including Brexit.

I launched the new Regional Enterprise Plan to 2020 for the Midlands on the 6th February in Mountmellick, Co. Laois. This was the first of nine Regional Enterprise Plans that I launched during February and March. The first Steering Committee meeting for the Midlands under the new Plan will take on the 28th March 2019.

Dr Anne Cusack, Managing Director of Critical Healthcare is the Chair of the Midlands Regional Steering Committee. I appointed Dr Cusack to the role of Chair in July 2018, as successor to Mr Pat Gallagher, Chief Executive of Westmeath Co. Council.

It will be a matter for the Chair and Committee members to decide on the frequency of meetings however I can advise the Deputy that there will be formal biannual meetings of the Steering Committee for the period of the Plan.

In addition, I will meet with the Chairs of all nine Regional Steering Committees collectively later this year to discuss progress on the Plans. The Committee through its Chair will provide a formal Progress Report to my Department at the end of 2019 and 2020, which will be published.

The Regional Steering Committee for the Midlands is the same (renamed) Implementation Committee established by my Department under the previous Regional Action Plan for Jobs 2015-2017. Membership of the Committee under the old RAPJs was drawn from industry, local authorities, Enterprise Agencies, the education sector, and other key stakeholders and agencies. Locally based ‘enterprise champions’ are also appointed to each Regional Implementation Committee to work with the public bodies on the implementation of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs.

My Department is currently in the process of re-confirming the membership of the Regional Steering Committee and the ‘enterprise champions’ that will operate under the new Regional Enterprise Plan. To date, the following is the composition of the Regional Steering Committee which will be subject to some update over the coming weeks that will reflect the focus in the new Plan and address any personnel changes in the respective organisations:

- Enterprise Champions (to be confirmed)

- Laois County Council

- Longford County Council

- Offaly County Council

- Westmeath County Council

- Enterprise Ireland

- IDA Ireland

- Local Enterprise Office Laois

- Local Enterprise Office Longford

- Local Enterprise Office Offaly

- Local Enterprise Office Westmeath

- Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly

- Regional Skills Forum – Midland Region

- Laois & Offaly Education & Training Board

- Longford & Westmeath Education & Training Board

- Athlone Institute of Technology

- Fáilte Ireland

- InterTradeIreland

- Bord Bia

- Bord Na Móna

- Coillte

- Teagasc

- Waterways Ireland

- Ibec

- Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation

- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

- Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

- Department of Rural and Community Development

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Questions (176)

James Browne

Question:

176. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference for the review of the long-term illness scheme; if the review will include particular patient groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14288/19]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that the LTI scheme will be included in the review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. It is expected that all relevant stakeholders will be consulted in the course of that review.

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Questions (177)

James Browne

Question:

177. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a 20-bed cystic fibrosis inpatient unit at Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14289/19]

View answer

Written answers

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the issues you raised concerning the proposed purpose built cystic fibrosis in-patient facility at Beaumont University Hospital.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (178)

Mary Butler

Question:

178. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with a consultant at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14294/19]

View answer

Written answers

Under 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.

HSE Planning

Questions (179)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

179. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the hospital campus development plan 2018 to 2023 referenced in correspondence (details supplied) will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14303/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (180)

Mick Wallace

Question:

180. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the details of staff on duty in Wexford General Hospital's emergency department and St. Joseph's ward on 29 and 30 January 2019 by staff category (details supplied). [14319/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff

Questions (181)

Mick Wallace

Question:

181. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if there is an advanced nurse practitioner for cardiac nursing in Wexford General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14320/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (182)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

182. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14323/19]

View answer

Written answers

Under 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.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (183)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

183. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14324/19]

View answer

Written answers

Under 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.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (184)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

184. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14327/19]

View answer

Written answers

Under 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.

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