Written Answers Nos. 1049-1073
1049. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the review commissioned in 2018 into the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences will be completed; when the report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20463/20]
View answerThe Deputy refers to the working group chaired by Tom O’ Malley, Senior Lecturer in Law at the National University of Ireland, Galway and member of the Law Reform Commission which was established to examine the adequacy of measures available to protect vulnerable witnesses during the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences.
The working group chaired by Mr O'Malley has now completed its work and I am grateful to the Chair and all of the members of the group including representatives of the Garda Síochána, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Probation Service, the Courts Service and my own Department. I hope to be in position to bring the report to Government shortly.
1050. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplied) will qualify for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20603/20]
View answerAccording to the Department's records an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was approved on 20 March 2007 and a certificate of Naturalisation was issued on 18 June 2007.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1051. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants currently working in her Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for the role in tabular form. [20623/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PMSA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned two people to work with me as Special Advisers and those people will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers; These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
No civil servants have been seconded to Special Adviser posts in my Department since the formation of the Government.
1052. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons that have refused to fill in their details on the passenger locator form since it was introduced; the number of persons refused entry to the State for non-compliance in respect of the locator form; and if she will provide a breakdown of same to include sea ports and airports. [20632/20]
View answerThe Border Management Unit of the Department of Justice and Equality, has responsibility for securing Ireland’s border at Dublin Airport in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Acts and Orders as they relate to entry and refusal of entry to the State. The Unit has also been collecting and checking Public Health Passenger Locator Forms at Dublin Airport since 28th April 2020.
The mandatory regime, as set out in the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form) Regulations 2020, for completion of Public Health Passenger Locator Forms by all arriving passengers into the State (excluding the exempt categories) came into effect on 28 May 2020. Any passenger refusing to complete the mandatory form at Dublin Airport is referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau. To date, three passengers at Dublin Airport have been referred for refusing to complete a form. None of these passengers were refused entry to the State but were dealt with by GNIB in accordance with the regulations.
The Border Management Unit is responsible for immigration duties at Dublin Airport only, therefore, it does not hold data on the numbers of passengers who refused to complete Passenger Locator Forms at other ports of entry nationwide.
In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have requested the data with respect to other ports of entry from An Garda Síochána and it will be sent to the Deputy as soon as it is received.
1053. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the payments for services or goods by her Department to a company (details supplied) since 2015. [20780/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not engaged the services of Sodexo Ireland.
1054. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bench warrants outstanding in each Garda division; the number of bench warrants outstanding for a period of over six months in each Garda division; the number of bench warrants outstanding for a period of over 12 months in each Garda division; and the longest outstanding warrant in each Garda division. [20785/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, difficulties in relation to the execution of warrants, including bench warrants, are a long-standing issue for many police forces around the world; notably relating to persons actively seeking to evade detection and where limited identification information might be available to support enforcement. These difficulties are compounded where the warrant has been outstanding for some years. However, I am assured that An Garda Síochána execute warrants as expeditiously as possible, giving priority to the execution of warrants relating to serious crimes.
The Deputy will also appreciate that the figure for outstanding bench warrants recorded by PULSE at any given time reflects an accumulation of old bench warrants which has arisen over the years and that therefore the total figure for outstanding bench warrants as shown on PULSE may not be a reliable indicator of the number of 'live' warrants which are actually enforceable.
While it is important to note that an individual can be the subject of multiple bench warrants, I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 25 July 2020, there are 33,867 bench warrants outstanding nationally. The attached table provides a breakdown of bench warrants outstanding by Garda Division.
|
Region |
Division |
Outstanding Bench Warrants |
Over 6 Months |
Over 12 Months |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
892 |
835 |
717 |
|
|
D.M.R. North Central |
5783 |
5562 |
5132 |
|
|
D.M.R. Northern |
4441 |
4181 |
3542 |
|
|
D.M.R. South Central |
1920 |
1793 |
1553 |
|
|
D.M.R. Southern |
3098 |
2795 |
2337 |
|
|
D.M.R. Western |
5364 |
4922 |
4098 |
|
|
Dublin Region |
Dublin Region Total: |
21498 |
20088 |
17379 |
|
Kildare Div |
1023 |
873 |
663 |
|
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
835 |
722 |
598 |
|
|
Laois/Offaly |
318 |
240 |
173 |
|
|
Meath Div |
509 |
430 |
337 |
|
|
Waterford Div |
408 |
347 |
301 |
|
|
Westmeath Div |
241 |
173 |
147 |
|
|
Wexford Div |
471 |
403 |
316 |
|
|
Wicklow Div |
451 |
358 |
280 |
|
|
Eastern Region (NEW) |
Eastern Region (NEW) Total: |
4256 |
3546 |
2815 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
810 |
708 |
578 |
|
|
Donegal |
769 |
686 |
565 |
|
|
Galway Div |
930 |
812 |
679 |
|
|
Louth Div |
686 |
625 |
463 |
|
|
Mayo |
227 |
197 |
155 |
|
|
Roscommon/Longford Div |
203 |
135 |
102 |
|
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
297 |
232 |
192 |
|
|
North Western Region |
North Western Region Total: |
3922 |
3395 |
2734 |
|
Clare |
188 |
157 |
125 |
|
|
Cork City |
1248 |
1000 |
596 |
|
|
Cork North |
323 |
244 |
180 |
|
|
Cork West |
184 |
151 |
110 |
|
|
Kerry |
498 |
451 |
412 |
|
|
Limerick |
1045 |
900 |
754 |
|
|
Tipperary |
705 |
568 |
391 |
|
|
Southern Region (NEW) |
Southern Region (NEW) Total: |
4191 |
3471 |
2568 |
The table below shows the earliest issue date of the identified warrants as recorded on PULSE.
|
Region |
Division |
Earliest Issue Date |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
16/03/1990 |
|
|
D.M.R. North Central |
14/02/1968 |
|
|
D.M.R. Northern |
14/12/1995 |
|
|
D.M.R. South Central |
02/11/1995 |
|
|
D.M.R. Southern |
20/04/1998 |
|
|
D.M.R. Western |
29/01/1987 |
|
|
Dublin Region |
Dublin Region: |
14/02/1968 |
|
Kildare Div |
25/06/1997 |
|
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
14/06/1994 |
|
|
Laois/Offaly |
02/09/2002 |
|
|
Meath Div |
09/01/2001 |
|
|
Waterford Div |
04/04/2000 |
|
|
Westmeath Div |
05/11/2002 |
|
|
Wexford Div |
20/07/2000 |
|
|
Wicklow Div |
24/10/2000 |
|
|
Eastern Region (NEW) |
Eastern Region (NEW): |
14/06/1994 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
03/12/1999 |
|
|
Donegal |
31/05/2001 |
|
|
Galway Div |
18/01/1999 |
|
|
Louth Div |
24/02/1997 |
|
|
Mayo |
30/07/1999 |
|
|
Roscommon/Longford Div |
15/09/1998 |
|
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
22/07/1998 |
|
|
North Western Region |
North Western Region: |
24/02/1997 |
|
Clare |
02/10/1991 |
|
|
Cork City |
26/10/1999 |
|
|
Cork North |
17/02/2004 |
|
|
Cork West |
20/10/2003 |
|
|
Kerry |
23/01/1997 |
|
|
Limerick |
22/04/2002 |
|
|
Tipperary |
07/06/2001 |
|
|
Southern Region (NEW) |
Southern Region (NEW): |
02/10/1991 |
*Valid bench warrants issued at any time were examined. If the current status of a warrant was "issued" or "not tracked" it was considered to be outstanding.
*The results are based upon PULSE data as was available on the 25/07/2020 and is liable to change.
*The various figures showing the overdue timeframe was calculated with reference to the issue date of the warrant.
1055. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the serious complaints raised by residents in a direct provision centre (details supplied); if her further attention has been drawn to the transfer requests which have been denied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20908/20]
View answerDue to a lack of spare capacity within my Department’s accommodation portfolio, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has had no other recourse but to contract bed spaces in hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses to meet demand. The premises referred to by the Deputy is one of those premises contracted on an emergency basis.
As it is not contracted as a Direct Provision Centre, the inspection regime operated by my Department does not apply to this premises. This is because the inspection regime is designed to monitor compliance against contractual obligations that Direct Provision service providers must meet. Our stated aim is to reduce the reliance on such emergency accommodation but given existing demand, that can only be achieved through increasing the number of dedicated Direct Provision bed spaces. It has not been possible to open additional new centres during the pandemic.
IPAS officials have visited the premises and have spoken with residents via online clinics. They were satisfied that the premises is clean, safe and meeting the needs of residents. In addition, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) visited the premises in February 2020 as part of a wider tour of such accommodation premises and did not raise any concerns with my Department.
The concerns now raised by residents will be fully investigated by my officials as a matter of priority to assess how best they can be addressed. Any resolutions required will be implemented as quickly as possible.
Normal transfers between centres have been suspended during the pandemic, unless there are urgent medical needs or for the safety and security of residents. As the main restrictions cease, requests will be considered in the coming days, depending on the availability of suitable alternative accommodation.
1056. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by same; if so, if she will provide the details of the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs in each of the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21032/20]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy within the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy to provide this information as soon as it is available.
1057. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplied) will be eligible for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21060/20]
View answerI am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that no application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person concerned.
A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received. Every application is considered on its individual merits.
It is open to any person to make an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements. Detailed information on Irish Citizenship and Naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the Immigration Service Delivery website at https://www.irishimmigration.ie/citizenship/.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1058. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the correspondence he and his officials had with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive regarding an all-Ireland approach to Covid-19 at Belfast International Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19578/20]
View answer1059. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the correspondence he and his officials had with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive regarding an all-Ireland approach to Covid-19 at George Best Belfast City Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19579/20]
View answer1289. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional measures will be introduced on an all-Ireland basis to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20445/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1058, 1059 and 1289 together.
There has been ongoing and regular contact at Ministerial level with Northern Ireland throughout this pandemic in relation to how each health system is implementing various public health responses.
A Memorandum of Understanding was formally agreed between the respective health services in April. The MOU focuses on facilitating greater co-operation and consistency of approach wherever possible on areas such as public health messaging, programmes of behavioural change, evidence base/ modelling and contact tracing.
There has been significant engagement between the CMOs, and officials in both jurisdictions. Calls are held regularly including at a technical level to facilitate information sharing on topics such as modelling, testing and contact tracing approaches, tracing apps and travel measures.
In recent weeks, there has been regular engagement at official level to discuss our policy approaches to international travel and to foster a mutual understanding of our positions on passenger locator forms and on public health advice and requirements for incoming passengers.
The administrations are seeking to adopt similar approaches, where it is appropriate to do so on the advice of respective Chief Medical Officers. Discussions have and will continue to take place on respective plans for the gradual and controlled easing of restrictions, given the importance of implementing consistent approaches wherever possible. All parties recognise that in terms of public health measures in both jurisdictions, that it will be important to maintain strong North/South collaborative arrangements.
The North-South Ministerial Council of 31 July will provide a further opportunity and platform for the discussion of these issues.
1060. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health his plans to review and update the National Carer's Strategy; if he will engage with representative organisations in relation to the matter; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20230/20]
View answerMy Department is responsible for coordinating the cross-departmental 2012 National Carers’ Strategy, which sets the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for family carers. The Strategy contains actions to recognise, support and empower carers to manage their physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing across four national goals:
- Recognise the value and contribution of carers and promote their inclusion in decisions relating to the person they are caring for;
- Support carers to manage their physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing;
- Support carers to care with confidence through the provision of adequate information, training, services and supports;
- Empower carers to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.
My Department is engaging with key stakeholders including other Government Departments and voluntary organisations on ways to improve supports for family carers. This work will continue in the coming months with a view to supporting carers in the best way possible to continue to sustain their caring journey. I am more than happy to meet with family carer representative organisations as this work progresses.
1061. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of patients committed to the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum in 2019 and to date in 2020 by the courts; the capacity of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20312/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1062. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatrist and psychologist posts vacant in the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum; the recruitment processes taking place; when the posts will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20313/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1063. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will ratify the Optional Protocol in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the timetable for ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20363/20]
View answerResponsibility for the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities rests with the Department of Justice and Equality .
I am informed by that Department that Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international treaty that establishes two procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. The first is an individual communications procedure allowing individuals to bring petitions to the Committee claiming breaches of their rights; the second is an inquiry procedure giving the Committee authority to undertake inquiries of grave or systematic violations of the Convention.
The Programme for Government reiterates the commitment to ratify the Optional Protocol after the first reporting cycle. The Government priorities remain focused on addressing the remaining legislative measures to be taken to give full effect to the Convention.
Other priorities are the submission of the CRPD Initial State Report and developing an implementation plan to coordinate implementation of the UNCRPD.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy is the key framework for policy and action to address the needs of people with disabilities. Through its actions, the strategy supports effective progress in delivering on the obligations set out in the Convention.
1064. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of personal assistant hours availed of by county and month in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 respectively, in tabular form; if he will increase the number of personal assistant hours; the timetable for this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20366/20]
View answerThe Department of Health and HSE are committed to protecting the level of Personal Assistant (PA) and Home Support Services available to persons with disabilities, in line with the National Service Plan. As part of its response to the unprecedented COVID_19 crisis, the HSE has worked with service providers and developed a Contingency Plan to assist in the delivery of services where possible, and recognises that many new and innovative processes were developed to maintain different forms of service delivery during this crisis.
The Department of Health recognises that the programme for Government pledges to deliver increased home support and Personal Assistance hours, and notes that additional funding was allocated in the National Service Plan for 2020.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1065. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when the legislation necessary to fulfil obligations under the recently ratified UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be completed. [20467/20]
View answerResponsibility for the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities rests with the Department of Justice and Equality .
I am informed by that Department that the Government’s approach to meeting the terms of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (“the Convention”) is one of progressive realisation. Work is continuing on the reforms needed for an optimum level of compliance with the Convention's requirements.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017 – 2021 contains a wide range of practical commitments to improve the position of people with disabilities in Ireland. It provides a mechanism for joined-up working to deliver on Ireland’s commitments to implementing the UNCRPD. The NDIS Steering Group, which oversees and monitors the implementation of the Strategy, has an important role in guiding progress in this area. The Group recently carried out a mid-term review of the Strategy which examined how the Strategy is aligned with the articles of the Convention and how the Strategy could be revised and built upon in order to continue progressive realisation of the aims of the Convention. Arising from the mid-term review, a commitment was made that the Department of Justice and Equality will develop a CRPD implementation plan, that will include monitoring structures and metrics as appropriate.
Of particular relevance to Article 12 of the Convention is the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The Act was signed into law on 30 December 2015 but has not yet been fully commenced.
The 2015 Act will abolish the current Wards of Court system by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Part 6 of the 2015 Act provides that adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements provided for in the Act on a phased basis over 3 years from the commencement of Part 6 of the Act.
New administrative processes and support measures, including the setting up of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission (a body under the Department of Health), must be put in place before the substantive provisions of the 2015 Act can be commenced. The Decision Support Service is working towards being operational and ready for the commencement of the main provisions of the Act in 2020. This lead-in timeframe ensures that the necessary staff resources, processes, IT system, expert panels, codes of practice and regulations will be in place so that the Decision Support Service will have the capacity to be up and running effectively.
The Government continues to take practical measures to improve the lives of people with disabilities. The Report of the Make Work Pay Group was published in April 2017 and many of its recommendations have been implemented. In addition, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024 includes positive action measures to support the recruitment of people with disabilities in the public service and in the wider economy.
In addition to the practical measures outlined, the Deputy will be aware of a number of legislative developments to support the implementation of the Convention.
In the first instance, the Minister for Health is progressing Heads of a Bill to provide legislative clarity on the issue of deprivation of liberty. A report of a recent public consultation on these draft legislative provisions is nearing completion, and every effort is being made to progress this legislation as quickly as possible.
In order to strengthen Ireland’s laws on liberty and security of the person as they relate to persons with a disability and to ensure that Ireland fully complies with Article 14, the Government has been working towards enacting specific legislation. The previously stated Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 and the ADMC each have an important role in this regard. In addition, a stand-alone Bill on Deprivation of Liberty is being progressed. The Bill will provide procedural safeguards to ensure that people are not unlawfully deprived of their liberty in relevant facilities.
An approach has been developed to provide for situations in which an individual lacks the capacity to consent to their care arrangements (which amount to a deprivation of liberty) and will provide a legal basis for these care arrangements to be authorised by a body to be established within the health service. The authorisation will not cover any other decision to be made in relation to that individual e.g. financial decisions or consent to medical treatment. Work to refine the draft legislative proposals is ongoing and complicated policy issues that have arisen are being resolved, in consultation with an Advisory Group and relevant stakeholders.
The Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016, which contains key legislative amendments needed for compliance with the Convention, was published in December 2016. The Bill includes provisions to establish the monitoring framework required by Article 33 of the Convention to promote, protect and monitor implementation of the Convention. It requires the involvement and participation of civil society, in particular, persons with disabilities, in the monitoring process.
Published in December 2016, the Bill’s stated purpose was to address remaining legislative barriers to Ireland’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The opportunity was also taken to progress other miscellaneous amendments to statute law. The Bill amends:
•the Juries Act to accommodate (i) deaf persons who need the services of a sign language interpreter and (ii) persons with mental illness being subject to a functional capacity test
•the Electoral Act to repeal the prohibition on a person of unsound mind from standing for election to the national and European parliament
•the National Disability Act to (i) change the status of NDA staff from public to civil servants, in line with all other bodies in the Justice Vote and (ii) to provide information and advice including statistics to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)
•the Equal Status Act to elaborate the principle of refusal of “reasonable accommodation” on grounds of cost
•the Disability Act to bring civilian staff of the Garda Síochána within the scope of Part V of that Act which contains measures applicable to the public service including employee quotas
•the IHREC Act to create a statutory basis for IHREC to (i) keep under review the law and practice relating to the protection of persons with disabilities, and (ii) to that end appoint an advisory committee, and (iii) apply to the Court of Appeal to appear as amicus curiae (friend of the court).
The Bill was at Committee Stage when it lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil and Seanad in January 2020. A decision is now required as to whether the lapsed Bill should be revisited, or if a new Bill should be drafted. This will be a decision for the new Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration once the transfer of functions from the Minister for Justice and Equality has taken place.
The monitoring framework for implementation of the Convention will include both the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the NDA and will be governed by a formal Memorandum of Understanding. This will ensure the direct participation of persons with disabilities and the organisations representing them in monitoring how the Convention is implemented in Ireland.
1066. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans to address inadequacies in HSE diabetic care in County Clare and the UL Hospitals Group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19554/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1067. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 820 of 7 July 2020, if he will provide further information in relation to each of the properties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19562/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.
1068. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the construction of the national forensic mental health service facility in Portrane, County Dublin; the completion date for same; if the project will be delivered on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19600/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.
1069. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the estimated cost of the national children's hospital has increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19601/20]
View answerAs the NPHDB has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital, I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
1070. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the progress on a primary care centre for Swords, County Dublin as promised in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19602/20]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities,
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1071. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the details of his advisers; the full remuneration package of each; and the commencement date of each. [19606/20]
View answer1078. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of his advisers and those of the Ministers of State; the remuneration packages of same; and the date of commencement in their role. [19673/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1071 and 1078 together.
On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned one person to work with me as Special Adviser and that person will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers; These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
1072. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he had a handover briefing from his predecessor; if so, when the meeting took place; and the persons who were in attendance. [19608/20]
View answerFollowing my appointment as Minister for Health, I met with the then Secretary General of the Department, the Head of Parliamentary Affairs and with senior Department officials and was briefed on a wide range of issues in line with normal practice. While I had no formal handover briefing from the previous minister, we have communicated regularly.
1073. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment can be brought forward for a person (details supplied). [19619/20]
View answerIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.
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 is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 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.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
