Róisín Shortall
Question:612. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if a copy of the current An Garda Síochána policy on community policing will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40434/20]
View answerCommunity Policing
Questions (612)
Written answers
The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter and will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
SUBSTANTIVE ANSWER:
I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 612 for answer on 1 December 2020, in which you requested if a copy of the current An Garda Síochána policy in relation to community policing will be provided.
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the information was available.
The requested information has now been provided by An Garda Síochána and accordingly, please note the following.
Community Policing is defined as the provision of a policing service to the whole community both urban and rural through a partnership based, proactive, problem solving style of policing. It is focused on community engagement, crime prevention and law enforcement that addresses crime and policing quality of life issues which affect the community. Nationally there is a mix of blended and dedicated Community Policing Gardaí.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána’s New Framework for Community Policing will establish Community Policing Areas (CPAs) in every Garda Division in the country. Community Policing Gardaí will be assigned to Community Policing Teams (CPTs) and will be supported by specialist units within the Garda Division. This will ensure an organisational wide, problem solving approach to community needs. The Framework will be supported locally by the supervision of Community Policing Sergeants and Inspectors. The Community Engagement Superintendent will be responsible for the management of resources and delivery of a community policing service. The Chief Superintendent will ensure effective governance through regular review and performance accountability.
Pilot programmes under the new Framework for Community Policing are currently implemented in four Divisions:
- DMR South Central
- Mayo
- Galway
- Cork City
The pilots commenced in November 2019 and management briefings were delivered to each of these four divisions by the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau (GNCEB). Training was also delivered to Community Gardaí in each of these pilot areas.
Further rollout of this New Community Policing Framework is planned for 2021.
In addition to this New Community Policing Framework, on 13 November I announced that my Department will pilot three Local Community Safety Partnerships in Dublin’s North Inner City, in Longford and in Waterford. These Partnerships are the structures proposed in my Department’s new Community Safety Policy to take a holistic approach to safety issues in partnership with the community.
They will operate at local authority administrative level and will be made up of local representatives, a range of local services including An Garda Síochána, community representatives and residents. Local Community Safety Partnerships will take a strategic approach to their work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner and addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community.
For information, I have enclosed a copy of the current Community Policing Framework Guidelines.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Legislative Programme
Questions (613)
Denis Naughten
Question:613. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 21 October 2020, when she expects to take Committee Stage of the Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018, as agreed following the Private Members' motion on 29 July 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40442/20]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government is fully committed to enacting the Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018 as soon as possible. The importance the Government attaches to this legislation is reflected in our commitment to enact it in the current Programme for Government
Committee Stage had been scheduled for 22 January 2020, but as the Deputy will be aware, the Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil and has only recently been restored to the Dáil Order Paper.
Since then and upon the advice of the Office of the Attorney General, additional observations were sought from other Government Departments. The outcome of these consultations have been factored into a second round of Committee Stage amendments.
Additionally, following the enactment of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act in August, my officials have been drafting amendments to allow for the Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018 to take account of one of the measures provided for in that Act relating to ‘statements of truth’. Statements of truth may be submitted in civil proceedings as an alternative to statutory declarations. The introduction of statements of truth has necessitated the consideration of drafting of a number of further amendments to the Bill. My Department has also recently received some further observations from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions which are currently being examined with a view to finalising the Government amendments to be brought at Committee Stage. These developments, unforeseen at the time of the July Private Member’s Motion, have slightly delayed the taking of Committee Stage.
I hope to be in a position to be able to take Committee Stage in January 2021. With the support of both houses, I hope the Bill can be enacted in early 2021.
Health Services
Questions (614)
Brendan Griffin
Question:614. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a replacement cheque; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39839/20]
View answerWritten answers
Responsibility for the Domiciliary Care Allowance transferred from the Department of Health to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in 2009.
However as the service matter raised by the Deputy relates to 2005, I have arranged for the Deputy’s question to be referred to the Health Service Executive, which administered the allowance at that time, for investigation and a direct reply to the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (615)
Brendan Griffin
Question:615. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the advice he can provide in relation to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40287/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy should note that the content of the attached email attachment has been noted.
Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September This Framework sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.
The plan sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. It aims to allow society and businesses to be able to operate as normally as possible, while continuing to suppress the virus.
Each level outlines what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services. Any measure included at any level in this plan is underlined by expert advice and recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland will move to Level 3 of the framework from Tuesday 1st December. Further details on the public health measures under Level 3 can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad569-level-3/
The Deputy may wish to note that the Department of Health and HSE have launched a COVID-19 communications campaign to encourage safe behaviours as we learn to live with COVID-19. The campaign encourages people to continue the safe behaviours of hand washing, physical distancing, wearing face coverings, covering coughs and sneezes and downloading the COVID Tracker app.
The campaign also includes radio adverts on all Irish commercial stations and on Spotify, Youtube, and social media messages on all HSE and Department of Health social media accounts. The campaign has been extended to include TV advertising, and spots on online players.
Abortion Services Provision
Questions (616, 618)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:616. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions on which babies have survived abortions here and have been born alive (details supplied); the number of occasions on which doctors have requested palliative care in relation to same; and if it will be ensured that palliative care will be provided to babies who have survived abortions and been born alive in each case in the future. [39531/20]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:618. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of abortions performed after 12 weeks here in which pain relief is being given and not given to the child, respectively. [39533/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 618 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 sets out the law governing access to termination of pregnancy in Ireland. The notification forms which are required to be submitted to the Minister, under section 20 of that Act, do not include the detailed information requested by the Deputy.
I should explain that the purpose of the legislation is not to dictate the practice of obstetrics. Indeed, it should also be noted that it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister for Health, to dictate medical procedures or treatment plans; such decisions are a matter for the treating clinicians in any given case.
The Deputy can however be assured that medical practitioners are bound through professional regulatory mechanisms to operate in accordance with best medical practice.
Maternity Services
Questions (617)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:617. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken by to address the gap in clinical genetic services at the National Maternity Hospital in the period between receipt of a protected disclosure (details supplied) and the mistaken abortion at the hospital; and when the necessary clinical genetic services will be put in place. [39532/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to confirm whether a protected disclosure, on the lines outlined in the question, has been notified to me. The question has however been referred to the HSE, so that the Deputy might be apprised of any developments in clinical genetic services in the National Maternity Hospital, in recent years.
Question No. 618 answered with Question No. 616.
Abortion Services Provision
Questions (619)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:619. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the research being carried out by his Department on the trauma, stress and psychological distress on doctors and nurses of delivering early-term and late-term abortions in Ireland (details supplied). [39534/20]
View answerWritten answers
I understand the Deputy is referring to the article published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology on ‘Fetal medicine specialist experience of providing a new service of termination of pregnancy for fatal fetal anomaly: a qualitative study'.
The research in question was not commissioned by my Department.
Abortion Services Provision
Questions (620)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:620. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce changes to abortion procedures here to provide for pain relief in late-term abortions, medical treatment for abortion survivors and palliative care for abortion survivors; and if he will seek to make the procedure somewhat humane. [39535/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 sets out the law governing access to termination of pregnancy in Ireland. It permits termination to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The purpose of the legislation is not to dictate the practice of obstetrics. Medical practitioners are bound through professional regulatory mechanisms to operate in accordance with best medical practice.
It would not be appropriate for me, as Minister for Health, to dictate medical procedures or treatment plans.
Mobility Allowance
Questions (621)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:621. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in replacing the mobility allowance and mobility transport grant, which were abolished in 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39536/20]
View answerWritten answers
By way of background, two schemes, the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant, were put in place in 1979 and 1968 respectively, for operation by the Health Service Executive (HSE) at a time when there was limited availability of accessible public transport. The Government decided to close these administrative schemes in 2013, on foot of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts.
In 2013, the Government also decided to continue payment of the monthly Mobility Allowance on an interim basis, to those who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time that the Scheme closed. Of the 4,700 individuals in receipt of the Mobility Allowance (€9 million per annum) when the Scheme closed in 2013, there were 3,648 people in receipt of the interim payments at September, 2020.
At the whole of Government level, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 sets the overall framework for the equal participation of people with disabilities in society. Monitoring of the implementation of the Strategy is being overseen by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group which comprises key Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and the Disability Stakeholders Group.
Under the Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport and is committed to the continued development of accessible public transport in recognition of the importance of such services to the lives of people with disabilities.
Work is ongoing on the policy proposals for the provision of transport supports for people with disabilities. I intend to revert to Government with proposals in due course. Recent developments which will impact on the policy options include the following:
- The ongoing progress by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in providing accessible public transport nationally and that Department's public consultation launched on 14 November last, to review active travel and public transport policy, including accessible public transport;
- The Cost of Disability Study currently underway which was commissioned by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection as part of Budget 2019. The research, when complete, will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including transport costs; and
- The Working Group established under Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy by the Department of Justice and Equality which states that:- 'We will lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and will develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources.”
Other transport supports available to persons with disabilities in the State include the Free Travel Scheme operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; and CLÁR funding, approved by the then Minister for Rural and Community Development, to voluntary organisations providing transport for people with significant mobility issues.
Health Insurance
Questions (622)
John Lahart
Question:622. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons availing of private health insurance by age group (details supplied). [39538/20]
View answerWritten answers
The number of insured persons in the health insurance market increased in the period July 2019 – July 2020 by 2.3%, from 2,131,288 at 1 July 2019 to 2,179,402 at 1 July 2020.
The table below provides a breakdown of the private health insurance market membership as of 1 July 2020 by age group:
|
Age Group |
Number of insured persons |
|
Aged 17 and under |
503,584 |
|
Aged 18 to age 29 |
254,026 |
|
Aged 30 to age 39 |
288,633 |
|
Aged 40 to age 49 |
348,305 |
|
Aged 50 to age 54 |
153,137 |
|
Aged 55 to age 59 |
144,381 |
|
Aged 60 to age 64 |
130,385 |
|
Aged 65 to age 69 |
115,849 |
|
Aged 70 to age 74 |
98,737 |
|
Aged 75 to age 79 |
68,938 |
|
Aged 80 to age 84 |
43,255 |
|
Aged 85 and over |
30,172 |
|
Total |
2,179,402 |
Nursing Staff
Questions (623)
Thomas Gould
Question:623. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses who have been redeployed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, by county, in tabular form. [39540/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Nursing Staff
Questions (624)
Thomas Gould
Question:624. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses who were employed by county in February 2020, in tabular form. [39541/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (625)
Thomas Gould
Question:625. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason developmental checks on babies have been postponed due to Covid-19. [39542/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (626)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:626. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the estimated amount spent by his Department on social media monitoring to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39549/20]
View answerWritten answers
In line with best practice international advice and guidance provided by the WHO and the ECDC, communications has been a cornerstone of my Department and wider Government’s response to COVID-19. There is no vaccine or viral therapy treatment available yet, so this means that consistent, comprehensive communication around personal preventive behaviours and public health guidance is crucial to keep people safe at this time - especially at periods in which the virus is circulating at high levels within the community.
To that end, my Department has held press briefings from the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to ensure that experts in public health are to the fore when informing the public about the disease’s pattern and progression within Ireland. This gives journalists from a broad cross section of the media the opportunity to ask key figures such as the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer questions on a regular and consistent basis, in order to counter the potential spread of misinformation in the media.
Representatives of the NPHET are also regularly available for media interview across all major media outlets such as RTE, Newstalk and Virgin Media News, in order to answer questions and provide response to any concerns posed to them by media or the general public in relation to the pandemic and Ireland’s response to it.
In each daily press release issued by my Department, links are provided to the COVID-19 dashboard, where detailed information on the spread of COVID-19 and key indicators in the community are available. This includes information such as the number of hospitalisations, ICU figures, tests carried out, and information on case numbers given at LEA level.
My Department is also responsive to all media queries sent into the Press Office and releases statements providing accurate, timely public health information in response to the media on a daily basis.
Consistently, my Department has directed followers on social media to official sources of information, such as the Department’s own website, the COVID-19 Data Hub and the HSE’s website. The HSE also undertakes considerable social media advertising campaigns in order to promote public health guidelines and advice across platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Total Department of Health spend on social media this year has been €60,682.05, the equivalent of €4,000 per week.
Health Services Staff
Questions (627)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:627. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when public health doctors can apply to become consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39554/20]
View answerWritten answers
The creation of consultant level roles in Public Health Medicine is a priority for me and my Department.
The Department and HSE have now finalised a detailed framework for a future Public Health model, to include consultant level roles. The business case, outlining the proposed framework, was submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration on the 19th November 2020.
Our public health specialists have been to the forefront of our response to the pandemic in Ireland. They have made an enormous contribution to the protection of everybody living in Ireland. I want to work with our public health specialists to make sure we have the best public health structure possible and hope that the issue can be resolved through engagement with the IMO and that industrial action can be avoided.
Child Abuse
Questions (628)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:628. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 481 of 13 October 2020, the detail of the six broad categories mentioned; the percentage of outcomes that were designated per category in each year since 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39561/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (629)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:629. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if tenants can avail of the free HSE pest control service or if it is limited to landlords; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39564/20]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (630)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:630. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if HSE staff in Kenmare Community Hospital and other locations in County Kerry who are dealing with Covid-19 cases will only be rostered to assist with these patients and will not be rostered to work on other wards or with other patients who have not contracted Covid-19, as per the guidelines of the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39587/20]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (631)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:631. 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. [39596/20]
View answerWritten answers
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (632, 669)
Catherine Connolly
Question:632. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if massage treatment is to be included in the list of essential services that can remain open during level 5 in view of the proven benefits for pain management and positive mental health and the fact that it can contribute to a reduction in the number of persons requiring medical appointments for such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39598/20]
View answer
Duncan Smith
Question:669. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if homeopathic therapy treatment can continue to operate as an essential service during the level 5 public health measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39797/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 669 together.
The Deputies should note that at Level 5 of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 - the Plan for Living with COVID-19, only essential retail outlets and essential services are allowed to open to the public.
The list of essential services that can open during Level 5 includes therapy services provided by a member of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005). There are seventeen professions designated under the 2005 Act, which are encompassed in the list of essential services. These are: Dietitians, Dispensing Opticians, Medical Scientists, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists (which includes Physical Therapists), Radiographers, Radiation Therapists, Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Biochemists, Counsellors, Orthoptists, Podiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists and Social Care Workers.
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland will move to Level 3 of the framework on Tuesday 1st December. At level 3, complimentary and alternative therapies such as massage treatment are permitted.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Questions (633, 705)
Neale Richmond
Question:633. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if the €100 Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI, registration fee could be waived for nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39602/20]
View answer
John McGuinness
Question:705. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange a waiver of the annual registration fee of €100 for nurses and midwives as a gesture of thanks for their efforts during Covid-19. [39959/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 633 and 705 together.
Responsibility for the regulation of nurses and midwives in Ireland rests with The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
NMBI is an independent regulatory body established under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011. While my Department is responsible for the oversight and governance of the NMBI, I have no role in setting or approving fees.
Under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, the NMBI is required to be self-financing, and the Annual Retention Fee is required to carry out their statutory obligations to protect the integrity of the practice of the professions of nursing and midwifery, and to protect the public. The annual retention fee was set by the NMBI in 2014 at €100 and is its main source of income in order to full these obligations.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (634)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:634. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to move the Coombe women’s hospital onto the grounds of St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39603/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (635)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:635. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans for Crumlin children’s hospital when the hospital moves to the new children’s hospital complex in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8; and the person or body overseeing the planning for the old site and buildings [39604/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
HSE Properties
Questions (636)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:636. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans for the HSE owned construction depot on Davitt Road, Dublin 12, when the construction of the new children’s hospital in James’s Hospital is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39605/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (637)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:637. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he has considered naming the new children’s hospital in St. James’s Hospital after the pioneering Dr. Kathleen Lynn in recognition of her role in the delivery of the first children’s hospital in Ireland [39606/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Children’s Health Act 2018 provided for the creation of Children’s Health Ireland, as the single new entity responsible for providing secondary and tertiary paediatric healthcare services, which are currently provided at four sites – Temple Street, Crumlin, Tallaght and Connolly. As was noted by my predecessor during the passage of this legislation through the Oireachtas, consideration will be given to a naming process. However, I can advise the Deputy there has not been detailed consideration given to this matter as yet.