Written Answers Nos. 229-251
229. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to reverse its decision to discontinue full reimbursements for the cost of eye tests and glasses for children with Down's syndrome; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that over 50% of children with Down's syndrome will require glasses during their lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42412/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
230. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) of eight years of age with Down's syndrome has been on a waiting list to see an ophthalmologist since before their first birthday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42413/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
231. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the spatial criteria for the separation of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 in paediatric emergency departments; and the recommendations regarding meeting the criteria. [42449/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
232. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of public hospitals that do not have spatial capacity in their emergency departments to meet the criteria regarding the separation of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients. [42450/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
233. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the protocol for identifying alternative locations in circumstances in which a public hospital does not have the spatial capacity in its emergency department regarding the separation of Covid and non-Covid. [42451/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
234. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the support and resources that will be provided regarding patient transport to and from each setting in circumstances in which a public hospital is considering moving an outpatient department to a facility that is not on site. [42452/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
235. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the contract length for temporary circumstances in which a public hospital is considering moving an outpatient department to a private hospital facility on a temporary basis. [42453/20]
View answerIn 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.
236. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the outstanding issues regarding St. Mary's health campus, Mullingar, County Westmeath obtaining a fire certification; and the expected timeline for the certification. [42454/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
237. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current timeline for the St. Mary's health campus, Mullingar, County Westmeath becoming fully operational as a reablement and rehabilitation integrated and intermediate care facility. [42455/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
238. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of public hospitals currently considering moving a department to a private hospital facility. [42456/20]
View answerIn 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.
239. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the grounds on which the HSE can continually reassign a medical card holder to different general practitioners after a period of six months. [42457/20]
View answerUnder the General Medical Service contract, the HSE may assign an eligible person, a person who holds a medical card or GP visit card, to a GP’s panel where that person has unsuccessfully applied to at least three GMS GPs in their local area, or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area. Assignments are reviewed on request from the GP concerned after a period of six months from the date of assignment.
After a period of six months from the date an eligible person has been assigned to a GP, a GP may request the HSE to arrange for the discontinuance of that person’s inclusion on their panel, giving the reason in confidence where requested. The HSE will notify the person accordingly and supply them with information to enable them to apply for inclusion in the list of another GP. After one month, if the person is not listed with another GP, the HSE shall assign them to another GP unless there are substantial grounds for not doing so. This process is conducted in regular consultation with the IMO.
Separately, the HSE may assign an eligible person to another GP where their GP is resigning or otherwise terminating their GMS contract. In addition, where an eligible person wishes to change their GP themselves, they may make a request for transfer to the HSE.
An eligible person who wishes to change GP or is having an issue regarding their assignment to a GP, should contact the HSE National Medical Card Unit or their Local Health Office.
240. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the Mullingar resource centre will be reopening in its original location. [42461/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
242. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the bodies under the aegis of his Department; and the composition of their respective board memberships, disaggregated by appointments through the Public Appointments Service or ministerial appointments in tabular form. [42481/20]
View answerThe nomination and appointment process for boards of the 19 bodies (listed below) under the aegis of my Department is set out in the legislation of each body.
In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation. I have not appointed any members to a board of an aegis body outside this process.
I do not appoint members to the board of the Food Safety Promotion Board (SafeFood) as members are appointed by the North South Ministerial Council.
The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) assesses all nominations for membership of the board of the VHI under its own independent fitness and probity regime before appointments to the VHI board can be made. I have appointed members to the board of the VHI having followed the CBI process.
|
Body under the aegis of the Department of Health |
Current membership (7 Dec 2020) |
Number of current members appointed by Minister on nomination by other body/Minister |
Number of current members appointed by Minister following a Public Appointment Service campaign |
Nominated and appointed by Minister (outside of PAS/other body) |
|
Dental Council |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
|
Food Safety Authority of Ireland |
8 |
1 |
7 |
|
|
Food Safety Promotion Board - Safefood * North-South Ministerial Council appoints Members |
10* |
|
|
|
|
Health Information and Quality Authority |
8 |
0 |
7 |
Chairperson appointed by Minister Harris from 3 Oct 18 |
|
Health Insurance Authority |
7 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
Health Products Regulatory Authority |
9 |
0 |
8 |
1 member appointed prior to PAS from 1 Jan 2011 |
|
Health Research Board |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
|
Health Service Executive |
10 |
0 |
10 |
|
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
30 |
12 |
15 |
3 appointed by Minister Reilly |
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service |
12 |
1 |
10 |
1 member appointed by Minster Harris from 20 Aug 2018 |
|
Medical Council |
23 |
20 |
3 |
|
|
Mental Health Commission |
11 |
9 |
2 |
|
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
7 |
0 |
2 |
5 members appointed in 2013/2014 by Minister Reilly |
|
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board |
8 |
4 |
2 |
1 member appointed outside of PAS prior to 2014. Chair appointed by Minister Harris 06/02/2019 |
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund Board |
8 |
0 |
8 |
|
|
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland |
13 |
12 |
1 |
|
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
21 |
12 |
9 |
|
|
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council |
10 |
7 |
3 |
|
|
VHI Healthcare ** All appointments are subject to approval by the Central Bank. |
10** |
0 |
4 |
Commercial State Body. 3 non-PAS executive Directors. 3 non-exec members first appointed prior to April 2015 |
243. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to engaging retired healthcare professionals in the vaccine rollout programme. [42491/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to the roll-out of a Covid-19 vaccination programme as soon as suitable products have been authorised and supplies are available.
A High-Level Taskforce has recently been established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme. The Taskforce is working on a national COVID-19 vaccination strategy and implementation plan and plans to submit this shortly. It will consider the workforce the HSE will require for this programme.
245. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be scheduled for an appointment. [42503/20]
View answerIt 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.
246. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding forestry licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42203/20]
View answerI fully recognise the impact the current forestry licencing delays are having on the sector at the moment. It is my immediate priority to resolve the issues which have led to this backlog and to issue licences in the volume needed for this important sector to continue to contribute to our rural economy.
I am fully aware of the importance of the sector and the number of jobs it supports in nurseries, harvesting, transportation and processing. I know that it has significant potential for income generation on farms, for the creation of rural jobs, and for the provision of woodlands for public enjoyment. It also has a key role to play in meeting our national climate change and biodiversity objectives.
My Department receives forestry applications and issues new licences every week. There are currently around 4,700 licences on hand for processing. Some 2,000 licence applications require ecology input and, on which, a backlog has developed. The remaining 2,700 licence applications do not generally experience the same delays as the first group. By way of context on our output, we have issued 2,393 licences this year to date. Some 633 of these licences have issued since the introduction of the new Forestry legislation at the beginning of October and I am confident that this positive trend will continue.
Our overall approach to tackling this is subject to continuous improvement and review with the aim of increasing the output of these licences on a weekly basis. Adequate and appropriate resources are key. At the beginning of the year, there were just two ecologists working on ecology files but this figure is now sixteen. Additional forestry inspectors have also been hired to support this work. This delivered increased output in October and November compared to other months this year. In relation to felling, the licences issued so far this year represents over 4 million cubic meters of timber.
We also implemented significant changes to the functioning of the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and acted quickly to propose and implement the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. I have significantly resourced the FAC and four appeals committees are now set up and hearing appeals. This is an increase from one Committee that was previously in existence. Since putting these additional resources in place, the FAC has held 61 hearings and has 42 hearings scheduled for December. This is significantly reforming how the FAC does its business and will result in a more fit-for-purpose, environmentally sensitive and sustainable forestry licensing process which serves all stakeholders.
While there is still has some considerable way to go, I am encouraged by this progress and intend to sustain and build on this output of licences issued each week. To this end, my Department will recruit additional ecologists and support staff in the New Year.
It is a key priority of mine and my Department to ease the pressure on the sector as soon as possible.
247. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the planning grant to cover new environmental reports in forestry will come into effect as set out in the Mackinnon report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42204/20]
View answerThe introduction of an environment report supported by a planning grant is one of the 22 ' Ways Forward' included in the Mackinnon Review of the afforestation approval process.
Minister of State Hackett has recently appointed Ms. Jo O’Hara, who led the implementation of a similar review of Scottish forestry, to advise on an Implementation Plan for the Mackinnon report. We expect her recommendations to be delivered by end-February 2021.
248. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for the TAMS grant for a bulk tank by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42322/20]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the Dairy Equipment Scheme and approval issued dated 4th July 2019. This approval was valid for a 12 month period. The 12 month timeframe for the completion of investments and submission of a claim for payment was therefore required by 4th July 2020.
A claim for payment was submitted 2nd November 2020, more than 12 weeks after the expiry of the approval. In accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, late submissions of claims are subject to a 1% penalty per week up to 12 weeks and 100% penalty thereafter. The claim was therefore subject to a 100% penalty.
A penalty notification issued to the applicant on 9th November 2020 and the details of the option to request a review of this decision were set out in this letter.
249. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the bodies under the aegis of his Department; and the composition of their respective board memberships disaggregated by appointments through the Public Appointments Service or ministerial appointments in tabular form. [42472/20]
View answerThe composition of the Boards of the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is provided below.
The Deputy should be aware that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine appoints all the Board Members. However, six Boards have positions reserved for representatives of specific stakeholders and, thus, are not filled through the Public Appointments Service (PAS)/State Boards process.
The Board of Horse Racing Ireland includes 11 nominees from relevant groups including regulatory bodies; the National Milk Agency includes eight nominees from consumer, producer and retailer groups (with the chair appointed by the Minister); the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board includes six nominees from relevant areas such as engineering, business, producers and environment concerns (with the chair appointed by Government); and, the Boards of Coillte and Teagasc each have a position reserved for a Workers’ Representative.
Finally, three senior officials from my Department sit on the Boards of Bord Bia, Teagasc and the Veterinary Council of Ireland. I am satisfied that the current mix of appointments using PAS and nominees of relevant stakeholders provides a good mix of expertise necessary to achieving the aims of each of these State Bodies.
|
State Body |
Appointments through Public Appointments Service (PAS) |
Appointments by the Minister without PAS process |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
0 |
7 |
|
Bord Bia |
8 |
6 |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
5 |
1 |
|
Rásaíocht Con Éireann |
7 |
0 |
|
Coillte |
5 |
3 |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
3 |
11 |
|
Irish National Stud |
0 |
7 |
|
Marine Institute |
4 |
1 |
|
National Milk Agency |
0 |
9 |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
2 |
0 |
|
Teagasc |
3 |
8 |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
13 |
6 |
250. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 1580 of 3 November 2020, the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42415/20]
View answerFurther to Parliamentary Question No. 1580 of 3 November 2020, the Deputy will be aware that my Department understands the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach.
The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund was intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19. The criteria of the scheme stated that any grants awarded would be dependent on the need identified and organisations approved for funding were prioritised on that basis.
My Department received 1,060 applications during the application periods. To date, funding of €31m has been allocated to close to 600 organisations. This funding is now supporting the delivery of many critical front line services in every part of the country. A full list of successful applicants is available here https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants/
Unsuccessful applicants were offered an opportunity to appeal and I can confirm that the organisation in question has engaged in that process. I can also confirm that a decision, in relation to that appeal, has been communicated to the organisation.
251. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the bodies under the aegis of her Department; and the composition of their respective board memberships, disaggregated by appointments through the Public Appointments Service or ministerial appointments in tabular form. [42485/20]
View answerThere are four bodies under the aegis of my Department: The Charities Regulator, Water Safety Ireland, the Western Development Commission and Pobal. The table below provides the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Agency |
PAS Appointment |
Ministerial Appointment |
Other |
|
Charities Regulator |
12 |
0 |
0 |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
6 |
1 |
6 |
|
Western Development Commission |
12 |
0 |
0 |
|
Pobal |
12 |
3 |
0 |
