Written Answers Nos. 203-221
203. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the increase or decrease in qualified Garda numbers since 1 January 2016; when the next recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27447/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and decisions on the deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
The resources provided to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2020 of €1.88 billion. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff and as a result, An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation. There are now almost 14,700 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff. Taken together, this increase in the number of Garda members and staff is delivering a significant growth in operational policing hours nationwide.
The Deputy may wish to know that detailed information in relation to Garda numbers, including from January 1st 2016 to present, is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, at the following link:
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_August_2020.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_August_2020.xlsx.
Additional information on Garda staff, the Garda Workforce and other facts and figures are available at the following link:
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that deliberations are ongoing regarding the scheduling of the next recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána.
204. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice if she will review a request for extended parental leave for a family (details supplied) in view of the fact that the child was born a few hours before the cut-off of 1 November 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27468/20]
View answerWhen setting a date for the introduction of entitlements to family leaves, there are a number of factors for consideration in order to allow for an orderly transition. At the time of the launching of the Parent’s Leave and Benefit scheme, 1 November 2019 was considered the optimal choice to prevent a backlog of applications upon introduction, thereby creating unforeseen cost implications. Unfortunately, it is not possible to backdate entitlements for individual families as this would be inequitable to those families who do not qualify.
The Deputy may be aware, however, that the entitlement to (unpaid) parental leave was increased by a further four weeks from 1 September 2020. Each parent is now entitled to 26 weeks of parental leave.
205. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice the steps that can be taken regarding health and safety concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27524/20]
View answerThe Legal Aid Board provides legal advice and aid under the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996-2017. The Board delivers these services through directly employed solicitors in its network of law centres around the country and through private solicitors from its private practitioner panels.
Section 3(3) of the Act provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions.
However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board, and I am informed that the Board is dealing with the matter to which the Deputy refers. I understand that it has sought to obtain a new office premises as the existing location is no longer suitable for its needs. I am further informed that Legal Aid Board management is currently engaging with staff of the law centre on the matter.
206. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the numbers of persons born here to non-Irish parents who have been subject to deportation proceedings in each of the years 2004 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27554/20]
View answerThe Immigration Service of my Department does not collect the statistical information sought by the Deputy.
When a record of a deportation order is being created, the Immigration Service does not, as a matter of course, record the relevant applicant’s place of birth, as opposed to their country of nationality, which is recorded. The applicant's date of birth is recorded, but not their age or the fact that they are a minor.
As a result, there is no available record of the number of children, whether born in Ireland or otherwise, who are the subject of deportation orders at the present time, or indeed have previously been the subject of such orders.
The issue of whether or not a child was born in the State will be identifiable and can be duly considered when the individual immigration case is being substantively considered at decision-making stage. At that point, any issues around a child’s birth in the State, the degree to which they have integrated in the State etc. is given appropriate consideration before a final decision is arrived at.
207. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent on media monitoring services by her Department; if the role is provided by private contract operators or in-house services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27568/20]
View answer209. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she has engaged a third-party company in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020 to conduct media monitoring and-or provide reports on media coverage of her Department; and if so, the costs of same and the companies engaged. [27664/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 209 together.
The amount spent by my Department on media monitoring and media clipping services for the years 2017, 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 is set out in the table below.
The Department receives daily National and Regional Press Cuttings from Kantar Media, based on a wide set of key-words and phrases relevant to the work of the Department and the Ministers. Kantar Media was appointed following a national government procurement process managed by the Office of Government Procurement.
Currently, the Department receives an average of between 90 and 110 press cuttings per day, which is reflective of the scope and breadth of the Department’s workload.
Due to the complexity and national focus of the Department’s brief, it was decided in 2019 to seek press cuttings from both regional and national publications, as this is more reflective of the communities we serve. Prior to this only national clippings were received. This accounts for the increase, in 2019 and 2020, of the costs outlined below.
The Department also asked Kantar Media to provide a Campaign Report of the national coverage of the ‘Still Here’ campaign, which was developed and launched in April of this year and provided information and advice to victims of Domestic Violence, particularly during the pandemic. This bespoke report cost €2,460 and is included in the costs below, and it will be used to inform further information / public awareness campaigns that the Department will run in the future.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2017 |
€14,754.81 |
|
2018 |
€9,887.74 |
|
2019 |
€38,047.63 |
|
2020 |
€32,501.34 |
208. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the amount expended on access to online and hard-copy media publications since May 2020 to date; and the breakdown of online and hard-copy subscriptions, including the publications to which her Department subscribes. [27646/20]
View answerRegular media engagement and monitoring of current media issues is essential for my Department to fulfil its public role and democratic mandate. My Department has hard copy and digital subscriptions to daily and weekend national publications as set out below:
|
Hard Copy Subscriptions |
Online Subscriptions |
|
The Irish Independent |
The Times |
|
The Irish Times |
The Sunday Times |
|
Evening Herald |
The Financial Times |
|
Irish Daily Mail |
The Sunday Business Post |
|
Irish Examiner |
Harvard Business Review |
|
The Times |
PressReader |
|
Metro Eireann |
Industrial Relations News (IRN) |
|
The Daily Star |
JPASS |
|
The Mirror |
Irish Independent |
|
The Phoenix |
|
|
The Sun |
|
|
The Sunday Independent |
|
|
The Sunday Times |
|
|
The Economist |
|
|
The Financial Times |
|
|
Business and Finance Magazine |
|
|
€ |
||
|
Digital Subscription |
Since May 2020 |
€3,371.62 |
|
Hard Copy Subscription |
Since May 2020 |
€3,632.76 |
|
Overall Total (since May 2020) |
|
€7,004.38 |
210. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the bed capacity available for HSE patients in private mental healthcare facilities; the process to avail of same; the breakdown of bed capacity in each private mental healthcare facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27439/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
211. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies across the health service by CHO, hospital group and hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27360/20]
View answerAs this is a service related matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
212. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of representations he has had with representatives of dentists [27371/20]
View answerI have received correspondence from the Irish Dental Association (IDA) on matters concerning PPE and the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS).
My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, is examining the issue of the provision of PPE across all parts of the health service, including health service contractors.
In relation to the DTSS, there is an acceptance that it will need to be revised in order to align it with modern evidence on oral health needs and provision of dental services as articulated in the National Oral Health Policy.
My Department is committed to reviewing the provision of dental care for those eligible for public services and will engage with representatives of the dental profession in this regard.
213. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when proposed changes to the fair deal scheme to cap the charge to family farms and assets at three years will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27399/20]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme, (NHSS) commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The proposed policy change to the NHSS, to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. The Department developed 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.
The stated policy objective of the general scheme of the Bill is to introduce further safeguards in the NHSS to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses that will be passed down to the next generation of the family to continue to work them as productive assets to provide for them their livelihood.
The amendment of the scheme will bring certainty to the duration for which a contribution to the cost of care under NHSS will be levied against family farms and businesses. This in turn will support the viability of farms and businesses by increasing the likelihood of access to financing & promoting investment, which will encourage orderly succession planning with family members, encourage young farmers to remain farming and potentially encourage family members that had changed occupation or emigrated to return to the family farm.
The General Scheme of Bill for the Amendment to the NHSS was approved by Government on 11 June 2019 and subsequently published. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect as soon as the legislative process is successfully complete. The General Scheme was sent to the relevant Joint Committee and the Department participated in pre-legislative scrutiny on 13 November 2019. Engagement with the Office of the Attorney General began in early 2020 to progress the legislative development process.
This piece of legislation is a priority for the Minister and will be progressed as soon as possible, to support Farm Families and Businesses.
Further progress on the development of the Bill has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with focus entirely on responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be a national and public health priority.
214. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a model of care has been drafted in respect of the national clinical programme for dual diagnosis; if it has been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27402/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
215. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the occupational and regional breakdowns and associated costs of the 2,760 staff for 2020 and the 7,500 recruitment target for quarter 1 of 2021 outlined in the winter plan 2020-21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27407/20]
View answerAs this is a service related matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
216. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 812 of 22 September 2020, if other countries such as Denmark are using an app to record the number of close contacts a user has daily; if consideration will be given to changing the app used here in order that the keys that are shared between phones are randomised once a day in the middle of the night to preserve the protection of privacy while allowing the app to record the number of close contacts a user has daily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27419/20]
View answerFurther to Parliamentary Question number 812 of 22 September 2020, while Denmark did consider using their app to record the number of close contacts a user has on a daily basis during the development of their app, they did not proceed with this functionality in the final design. Similar to Ireland, Denmark were of the view that recording the number of close contacts a user has on a daily basis can not be implemented without compromising the privacy preserving nature of the app. From engagement with the European Commission on contact tracing apps in the EU, officials from my Department are not aware of any other country that has implemented the functionality proposed by the Deputy for the reasons outlined above.
217. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the medical card threshold for persons over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27434/20]
View answerThe Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020, enacted on 2nd August 2020, provided for an increase to the gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 and over to €550 per week for a single person and to €1,050 per week for a couple.
Although it had been originally intended that this measure would be implemented from July this year, it was not possible to legislate for the necessary amendments to the 1970 Health Act to provide for this measure until there was a fully constituted Dáil and Seanad.
While the relevant section providing for the increased limits has not yet been commenced, decisions on the associated funding requirements and potential implementation date are being actively considered.
218. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the reason Covid-19 advertisements do not feature hard-hitting messages on the impact of the virus similar to road safety and anti-smoking advertisements; his plans to target hard-hitting ads towards young persons highlighting the potential long-term health consequences to them if they contract Covid-19 and the impact if they infect older members of their family; his plans to copy the successful strategy of road safety advertisements by featuring survivors of Covid-19 and relatives of those that have passed away from the virus in advertisements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27440/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
219. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the evidence that demonstrates the impact of anti-smoker advertisements; if the evidence shows that hard-hitting messages are more effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27441/20]
View answerMass media campaigns, particularly in conjunction with robust tobacco control measures, are effective as part of wider communications and education in preventing smoking initiation and promoting smoking cessation.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for researching and commissioning such campaigns, I have asked the Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
220. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons presenting at emergency departments with suicide attempts, self-harm injuries and overdose by location in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27446/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
221. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) relating to employing swabbers and tracer teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27452/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
