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Thursday, 24 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 370-384

An Garda Síochána

Questions (370)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

370. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice 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. [34099/21]

View answer

Written answers

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, unfortunately I have not received this information in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question number 370 of 24 June 2021 where you asked for 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.
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and to contact you again when the requested information was available.
As you will appreciate, difficulties in relation to the execution of warrants, including bench warrants, are a long-standing issue for many police services around the world; notably relating to persons actively seeking to evade detection and where limited identification information might be available to support enforcement. I am assured, however, that An Garda Síochána execute warrants as expeditiously as possible, giving priority to the execution of warrants relating to serious crimes.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the appended table shows the number of outstanding bench warrants per Garda Division at 4 July 2021.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Appendix
Outstanding bench warrants per Garda Division at 4 July 2021

Garda Division

Outstanding Bench Warrants

Older than 6 Months

Older than 12 months

Longest Outstanding Issue Date

Cavan/Monaghan

836

697

617

03/12/1999

Clare

194

144

128

02/10/1991

Cork City

957

703

636

26/10/1999

Cork North

293

202

172

31/01/2000

Cork West

158

126

105

20/10/2003

D.M.R. East

705

648

626

16/03/1990

D.M.R. North Central

5161

4725

4644

14/02/1968

DMR North

4183

3832

3749

14/12/1995

D.M.R. South Central

1990

1690

1630

02/11/1995

D.M.R. Southern

3099

2812

2718

20/04/1998

D.M.R. Western

5533

4953

4799

29/01/1987

Donegal

734

665

620

28/07/1999

Galway

815

662

621

18/01/1999

Kerry

432

379

366

23/01/1997

Kildare

703

613

574

25/06/1997

Kilkenny/Carlow

595

503

476

14/06/1994

Laois/Offaly

245

162

145

23/02/2004

Limerick

813

606

560

22/04/1997

Louth

618

538

495

24/02/1997

Mayo

211

177

163

30/07/1999

Meath

436

328

299

09/01/2001

Roscommon/Longford

200

138

125

15/09/1998

Sligo/Leitrim

282

230

215

22/07/1998

Tipperary

426

277

252

10/01/2000

Waterford

321

267

233

04/04/2000

Westmeath

212

165

138

04/10/2001

Wexford

402

307

272

20/07/2000

Wicklow

454

351

317

24/10/2000

Figures were collated based on PULSE data as of 1:30am on the 5 July 2021. They are operational and may be liable to change.

Visa Applications

Questions (371)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

371. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if an extension will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); when the extension will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34222/21]

View answer

Written answers

The person referred to by the Deputy was issued a visa sticker on 30 October 2020, in the Kuala Lumpur Visa Office. If the person was unable to travel to the State during the validity period of their entry visa, due to travel restrictions, they should contact the Embassy or Consulate that issued their visa outlining their circumstances. They will need to apply for a new visa and each case is examined on an individual basis.

The general policy against non-essential travel remains and all travellers arriving into Ireland must comply fully with the public health measures required by law. These include completing a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, pre-arrival PCR test and quarantine in a designated facility or at home.

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 (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), 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.

Visa Applications

Questions (372)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

372. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if an extension will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); when an extension will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34223/21]

View answer

Written answers

The person referred to by the Deputy was issued a visa sticker on 30 October 2020, in the Kuala Lumpur Visa Office. If the person was unable to travel to the State during the validity period of their entry visa, due to travel restrictions, they should contact the Embassy or Consulate that issued their visa outlining their circumstances. They will need to apply for a new visa and each case is examined on an individual basis.

The general policy against non-essential travel remains and all travellers arriving into Ireland must comply fully with the public health measures required by law. These include completing a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, pre-arrival PCR test and quarantine in a designated facility or at home.

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 (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), 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.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (373)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

373. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the decision to make the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system available to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26119/21]

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Written answers

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Abortion Services

Questions (374)

David Cullinane

Question:

374. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the international evidence supporting the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of telemedicine abortion including a recent statement by an organisation (details supplied) endorsing the permanent adoption of telemedicine abortion services; his plans to retain remote consultation for early abortion care beyond the public health emergency in view of this evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26121/21]

View answer

Written answers

As part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Health and the HSE worked together to put new arrangements in place to temporarily allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely. 

For the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it will be possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e. before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.  

The arrangement enabling remote consultation will be reviewed once the public health emergency is declared over. There is regular ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that may arise.

Health Services

Questions (375)

Bríd Smith

Question:

375. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health when the public health restrictions on partners of pregnant persons will be lifted to allow them attend prenatal care, labour and delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26129/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (376)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

376. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the dip in vaccine doses administered each weekend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26132/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Eating Disorders

Questions (377)

Bríd Smith

Question:

377. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding given to private companies providing treatment for persons with eating disorders either on an outpatient or inpatient basis including counselling, psychotherapy or any psychological support for each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26157/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Health Services

Questions (378)

Bríd Smith

Question:

378. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants for public funding to access inpatient treatment at private hospitals and facilities since 2010; the number of these applicants who successfully accessed funding either under the treatment purchase fund or other schemes; the number of applicants refused funding for inpatient treatment for eating disorders and related illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26162/21]

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Written answers

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.

The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Health Services Staff

Questions (379)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

379. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the person or body responsible for the creation of the advertisement for unpaid assistant psychologist roles within HSE services in Dublin north city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26163/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Health Services Staff

Questions (380)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

380. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of assistant psychologists that are currently working on a voluntary capacity within HSE services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26164/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Health Services Staff

Questions (381)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

381. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the position of the HSE on the recruitment of assistant psychologist in an unpaid capacity by HSE services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26165/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Health Services Staff

Questions (382)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

382. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the results of the review into the advertisement for unpaid assistant psychologist roles within HSE services in Dublin north city and county will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26166/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Health Services Staff

Questions (383)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

383. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the previously advertised unpaid assistant psychologist roles within HSE services in Dublin north city and county will be readvertised as paid positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26167/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Health Services Staff

Questions (384)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

384. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will make an announcement on whether the current national pilot assistant psychologist programme is to be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26168/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

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