Written Answers Nos. 299-323
299. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda patrol cars, patrol vans, motorcycles, bicycles and other vehicles in the Cork Garda divisions from 2017 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38562/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner and his management team, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in 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.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the tables in the attachment to this answer set out the number of vehicles assigned to Cork Garda Divisions at 31 December 2017 up to 31 December 2020 and 30 June 2021, the latest date for which figures are available. Please note that the category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles.
300. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice the number of mandatory intoxicant testing checkpoints nationally during 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of motorists who have tested positive for drugs at these checkpoints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38564/21]
View answerI have requested information from An Garda Síochána to answer the Deputy's question, but this was not available in time. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
301. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice if a list will be provided by county of the permits granted under the Street and House to House Collections Act 1962 for each weekend in 2019; the corresponding name of each organisation to which a permit was granted; the dates for which the permit was granted; and the district and or area within the county for which the permit was issued. [38614/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under section 6(1) of the Street and House To House Collections Act 1962, the Garda Chief Superintendent for a locality must grant a permit for holding a collection in that locality.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information requested about the exercise of this power is not readily available, and to collate the information required to answer this question would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources.
302. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice the timeline on resuming short stay visitor visa applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38640/21]
View answerIt remains the position that my Department is not currently accepting any short stay visa applications, except for cases that fall under the emergency/priority criteria set out below. The suspension of short stay applications will continue to be reviewed in consultation with the relevant authorities in the coming weeks as public health restrictions on international travel and the measures introduced as part of the Government’s efforts to interrupt the transmission of COVID-19 are eased.
The priority/emergency cases that will continue to be accepted and processed include the following:
- All long stay employment applications, supported by a work permit or atypical permission;
- patients travelling for imperative medical reasons;
- transport workers or transport service providers, including drivers of freight vehicles carrying goods for use in the territory as well as those merely transiting;
- pupils, students and trainees who travel abroad on a daily basis and third-country nationals travelling for the purpose of 3rd level study;
- Join Family applications;
- Preclearance applications from de facto partner of an Irish national, de facto partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder, or of a non-EEA researcher on a hosting agreement and family members looking to join a UK national in Ireland;
- persons travelling for imperative family* or business reasons;
- Persons entitled to avail of the provision of the EU Free Movement Directive;
- diplomats, staff of international organisations and people invited by international organisations whose physical presence is required for the well-functioning of these organisations, military personnel and police officers, and humanitarian aid workers and civil protection personnel in the exercise of their functions;
- passengers in transit;
- seafarers;
- journalists, when performing their duties.
303. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of community policing Garda members by rank attached to each Garda station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38675/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. However, it is important to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. Indeed, this has never been more evident than in the work carried out by all members of the Gardaí as we have tackled the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the tables in the attachment to this answer set out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to the Divisions in the DMR at 31 May 2021, the latest date for which figures are available.
Detailed information in relation to Community Garda numbers 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/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
304. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the current position regarding steps she is taking to deal with the dangerous misuse of scramblers, quad bikes and electric scooters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38676/21]
View answerThe Government is strongly committed to tackling the issue of misuse of scramblers and similar vehicles.
As the Deputy may be aware, Minister Ryan, who has responsibility for road traffic legislation, is bringing forward legislative proposals to increase Garda powers in this area, including in relation to the seizure of vehicles.
In parallel with this work, I secured Cabinet approval in April for a community based approach to diversion from anti-social misuse of scramblers. This followed on from the work of a sub-group of the Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour, which I chair, to consider community-based approaches to address the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes as part of the overall package of Government measures to tackle the issue.
This initiative is centred around Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) who are being invited to lead on the development of proposals for community-based interventions to work with young people involved in anti-social use of these vehicles and related crime and anti-social behaviour. GYDPs will be required to consult with other local interests, including An Garda Síochána, and to create a local consortium which will include the local authority. It is envisaged that the local authority partner will in general be responsible for provision of tracks and related facilities.
In May, my Department invited the GYDPs to present proposals for the scheme to offer positive alternatives to young people engaged in anti-social use of scramblers, including specific contact with GYDPs in areas that are most affected by this issue.
The community-based initiative is open to receive proposals from local areas, coordinated through GYDPs, and it is open to any GYDP to submit a proposal. The intention is that proposals submitted before the end of July may be eligible for support in the current year, subject to assessment of the details of the proposal. I can assure the Deputy that I will keep the operation of the scheme under review, with a view to providing appropriate support for local areas where there are significant problems with the misuse of scramblers, quad bikes and similar vehicles.
I should stress that this initiative is focussed on young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour and specifically anti-social use of these vehicles. It is not intended to duplicate the responsibilities of mainstream youth services or to fund motocross or similar sports as such.
It is hoped that this combined approach of increased Garda powers to tackle the misuse of scramblers, while at the same time creating alternative options for those who wish to use such vehicles safely and legally, will have a significant impact in tackling the problem.
In the meantime, members of the public who are concerned about any individual misuse of scramblers should contact An Garda Síochána.
305. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to Cavan-Monaghan community engagement unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38694/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in such matters.
I am assured that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review, in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. However, it is important to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. Indeed, this has never been more evident than in the exemplary service of our Gardaí as we have tackled the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Cavan/Monaghan Division at 30 June 2021.
|
Cavan/Monaghan Division |
Garda |
|
Bailieboro Garda Station |
3 |
|
Carrickmacross Garda Station |
2 |
|
Castleblaney Garda Station |
3 |
|
Cavan Garda Station |
4 |
|
Monaghan Garda Station |
4 |
|
TOTAL |
16 |
Detailed information in relation to Community Garda numbers 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/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
306. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the temporary assistance scheme will be further extended to support private and voluntary nursing homes with additional costs due to Covid-19 (details supplied); if not, if he is considering replacement funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30786/21]
View answer307. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if an extension to the nursing home temporary assistance payment scheme which is due to come to an end on 30 June 2021 will be confirmed. [30787/21]
View answer308. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a review has taken place to assess the impact of the withdrawal of the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes ahead of its cessation at the end of June 2021; if he will provide reassurances to the sector that appropriate supports will be put in place in the event of any further outbreaks and possible further waves of Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30788/21]
View answer311. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend temporary support to the nursing home sector to ensure the continuance of the highest levels of protection to residents. [30791/21]
View answer378. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans for the temporary assistance payment scheme which has been a vital support for nursing homes throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will provide an appropriate replacement for the scheme after the end of June 2021 in order to avoid a cliff edge scenario for the sector. [31215/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 306 to 308, inclusive, 311 and 378 together.
The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 as a temporary administrative measure in response to the challenges faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic. As the pandemic continued, additional support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been delivered through the Health Service Executive (HSE).
As of 9th July 2021, 7,631 claims had been submitted as part of the Scheme. In total, €134.5 million has been made available under TAPS between 2020 and 2021.
Due to the ongoing high level of risk associated with COVID-19 during this period, the Department of Health extended the scheme twice, far beyond the originally planned timescale of three months. The further extension of the scheme was outlined in the Government’s Plan 'Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19', published in September 2020. This provided assurance of the Scheme’s availability and a planned timeframe of operation to the end of June 2021.
The cessation of TAPS at the end of June, as planned and previously announced, was communicated with all relevant stakeholders, including Nursing Homes Ireland – the national representative body for the private and voluntary nursing home sector.
There has been a marked improvement in the status of the virus in the community and in nursing homes due to the rollout of the National Vaccination Programme – COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in nursing homes are now at a very low level compared with the first quarter of the year and, overall, the epidemiological situation is very positive. It is the Department’s understanding that currently there is one open outbreak in a nursing home.
(Please note that the cyberattack on the HSE on 14 May 2021 has prevented the routine notification of cases, associated deaths and outbreaks of COVID-19 to the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) system. As an interim measure, provisional epidemiological reports are being prepared but have not undergone the data validation procedures undertaken through CIDR. For this reason, data continues to be provisional at this time.)
The Scheme has fulfilled its temporary purpose of providing financial support to nursing homes to address COVID-19. Although the risk is greatly reduced, it has not been completely eliminated, therefore the outbreak assistance element of the Scheme will continue to be available to nursing homes until the end of 2021. Availability of outbreak assistance is subject to the overall sanctioned amount of €42m for 2021.
The substantial package of non-financial supports outlined below will continue to be provided for the time being:
- Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The continued supply of PPE is a key support mechanism and will be provided in line with clinical and public health recommendations
- The COVID-19 Response Teams established to support Public Health Outbreak teams covering all residential services as well as home support settings. All stakeholders, including the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel, have highlighted the significant contribution these new teams have made to supporting nursing homes throughout the pandemic;
- The HSE Temporary Accommodation Scheme;
- HSE training and development resources, including the opening up of HSeLanD to private and voluntary providers.
- IPC support and advice;
- The substantial suite of publicly available guidance developed to support the sector.
These measures and supports reflect a significant investment by the State to support nursing homes and other services such as the COVID-19 Response Teams, and are a clear signal of the work that is ongoing to integrate the wider health system.
It is also important to reflect that all nursing homes, as registered providers with HIQA, have well-established obligations under the legal framework in terms of the delivery of safe care to residents. Nursing homes are required, by law, to ensure that procedures consistent with the standards for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections published by HIQA are implemented by staff. The current infection prevention and control standards have been in operation since 2018. Good and effective IPC procedures should be in place across the entire health and social care service as a matter of course.
In February 2021, a revised plan 'Resilience and Recovery 2021 Plan: The Path Ahead' was published by the Government. This plan recognises the need for longer-term reform of both older persons and nursing home care, broadly reflecting the lessons learned from the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel and the pandemic. However, these structural reforms, including the policy and regulatory framework, extend beyond the scope of a temporary financial support scheme aimed at a specific, time-limited public health objective.
309. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30789/21]
View answerAs 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 cyberattack, 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.
310. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will review the spacing between the first and second dose of vaccines (details supplied) in view of concerns regarding the rapid spread of the Covid-19 B.1.617.2 variant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30790/21]
View answerOn 4 June I announced a shorter interval between doses for the Vaxzevria® (AstraZeneca) vaccine. This follows updated recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), which have been endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer. The NIAC has concluded that those of any age (without any previous COVID-19 infection), who have received their first dose of Vaxzevria® should receive their second dose 8-12 weeks later.
The HSE recently received updated advice from the NIAC in relation to reducing the dosing interval for the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine from 12 weeks to 8. Extensive planning has been required to put in place a programme that will now see the remaining, approximately 450,000 people, in receipt of the AstraZeneca vaccine fully immunised through the administration of this second dose and this is expected to be substantially completed by 19 July.
312. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans for the use of a vacant building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30792/21]
View answerAs 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 cyberattack, 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.
313. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons invited to take part in BreastCheck in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of persons screened for cancer by BreastCheck in each of the years; the number of abnormalities and breast cancers detected as a result of these screenings in each of the years; the number of follow-up mammograms, ultrasounds, breast examinations and breast biopsies carried out by BreastCheck in each of the years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30793/21]
View answerAs 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 cyberattack, 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.
314. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons invited to take part in CervicalCheck in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of persons screened for cancer by CervicalCheck in each of the years; the number of HPV infections, abnormal cell changes and cervical cancers detected as a result of these screenings in each of the years; the number of follow-up colposcopies carried out by CervicalCheck in each of the years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30794/21]
View answerAs 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 cyberattack, 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.
315. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of persons invited to take part in BowelScreen in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of persons screened for cancer by BowelCheck in each of the years; the number of polyps and bowel cancers detected as a result of these screenings in each of the years; the number of follow-up colonoscopies carried out by BowelScreen in each of the years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30795/21]
View answerAs 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 cyberattack, 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.
316. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of children diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum in County Wexford aged between 0 to 4, 4 to 12 and 12 to 18 years of age, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30797/21]
View answer317. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists for occupational therapy services in County Wexford as part of children and youth services in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30798/21]
View answer318. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists for intellectual disability support services in County Wexford as part of children and youth services in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30799/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 316 to 318, inclusive, together.
As these Parliamentary Questions relate to operational issues, they are 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 cyberattack, 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.
319. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the number of persons in CHO5 who have been awarded homecare hours but are still waiting to receive the allotted hours due to a shortage in homecare staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30800/21]
View answerAs 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 cyberattack, 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.
320. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the cost to date to the HSE of the Covid-19 tracker application; the daily numbers checking in their Covid-19 status; the number of close contacts identified as a result of the app in the past five months; his views on whether its usefulness is undermined at this stage given the very limited numbers routinely checking in their status or leaving their tracker on continuously to aid identification of close contacts; if a case has been made to end the service or to encourage the public through a publicity drive to re-engage with application given the dangers of the Indian strain of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30802/21]
View answerAs 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 cyberattack, 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.
321. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a bed will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30817/21]
View answerAs 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 cyberattack, 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.
322. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the procurement process for HSE services that use local taxi services; and if this is governed by a national process or decided locally per individual hospital. [30833/21]
View answerAs 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 cyberattack, 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.
323. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card application by a person (details supplied). [30835/21]
View answerAs 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 cyberattack, 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. It should also be noted that Oireachtas Members may contact the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service through the dedicated phone line at 018647180 for further information and assistance with medical card applications.
