Darren O'Rourke
Question:563. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans in 2022 to replace any of the helicopters or aircraft in the Garda air support unit. [43893/21]
View answerAn Garda Síochána
Questions (563)
Written answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including insofar as the matters referred to are concerned.
I can, however, advise the Deputy that while there are currently no plans to procure aircraft in 2022, the requirements in this regard are kept under ongoing review in the context of the investment being made in An Garda Síochána and the Commissioner's operational priorities, as well as overall planning for capital expenditure under the National Development Plan.
Government Communications
Questions (564)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:564. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice if she has spoken to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security to date in 2021. [43894/21]
View answerWritten answers
I have not spoken to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security in my role as Minister for Justice to date.
Road Traffic Offences
Questions (565)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:565. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of fixed penalty notices that gardaí issued for parking on double yellow lines in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [43896/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána. I have no direct role in these matters.
The below table, comprising information provided to me by the Garda authorities, provides a yearly breakdown of the number of instances in which a party was issued with a Fixed Charge Notice for the offence of parking on a double yellow line.
|
2020 |
2021* |
|
12,781 |
8,662 |
* Figures for 2021 up to 31 August 2021
I am advised that these figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 January 2020 to 31 August 2021, inclusive. I am further advised that these figures are based upon operational data from the Fixed Charge Processing System, as was available on 10 September 2021, and is liable to change.
Cybersecurity Policy
Questions (566)
Seán Sherlock
Question:566. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide details of any communication with telecommunications companies and network providers to address the increase in scam and fraudulent calls and messages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43914/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, telecommunications policy and regulation is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, to whom I note this question has also been directed. The prevention and investigation of any criminal activity, including that associated with such 'scam calls', are strictly operational matters for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister for Justice I have no direct role in these matters.
However, I want to say that I share the Deputy’s concern as to the number of ‘scam calls’ being received by people in Ireland in recent times. I am informed that the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau proactively engages with telecommunications providers to suspend VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) numbers which are suspected of being used to commit fraud and it is the experience of An Garda Síochána that telecommunication companies based in Ireland will provide assistance in the suspension of such numbers upon notification that they are being used to commit fraud offences. I would therefore urge people to notify the Gardaí if they are contacted by someone they suspect to be trying to defraud them.
Both the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau continue to engage with telecommunications service providers regarding the kinds of scam raised by the Deputy and the identification of the persons involved.
Visa Applications
Questions (567)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:567. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider a visa extension beyond 20 September 2021 for stamp two visas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43934/21]
View answerWritten answers
Yesterday, Minister Humphreys and I announced a final temporary extension of immigration and international protection permissions to 15 January 2022.
This final extension of immigration permissions provides that people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 are legally permitted to remain until 15 January 2022, even if their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are awaiting a new one.
It will also provide people with the necessary time to make arrangements with the Immigration Service of my Department in Dublin or An Garda Síochána outside Dublin to ensure that their immigration registrations are renewed in the normal way by that date. I strongly encourage everyone requiring registration to do so at the earliest opportunity and not to wait until January, when demand may be high.
All renewals in the Dublin area are being processed online only since 20 July 2020, at: https://inisonline.jahs.ie. Renewals outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network. Information on the contact details for all the registration offices outside Dublin is available at: www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory.
Renewal is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions will continue to apply. Special arrangements will, however, apply for international students, including English language students, as set out below.
For international English Language Students, this final extension of permissions will allow those students on a Stamp 2 permission, who may have been unable to attend face-to-face classes during the pandemic, to attend in-person over the coming weeks.
Students who have already completed the maximum number of three language courses may continue to work in line with the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) criteria until 15 January 2022 without enrolling in a further English language course. However, they must register for a new qualifying immigration permission by 15 January 2022 to ensure they can remain in the State after that date.
Third level graduates who hold a 1G permission but were unable to secure work during the pandemic may apply to my Department for a 12-month extension of that permission. Students on a Stamp 2 can apply to transfer to a Stamp 1G once they meet the conditions. Applications can be made online and further information is available at: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Third-level-graduate-programme.pdf.
Land Issues
Questions (568)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:568. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice if she will extend the date for the registration of the right of way past 30 November 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43958/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 provided for a wide-ranging reform and modernisation of land law and conveyancing law. Part 8 of the 2009 Act introduced changes to the law concerning prescriptive easements, including rights of way, based on the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission. The Act provides for a transition from the old law on prescriptive easements to the new law. The transition period is due to come to an end in November.
Stakeholders, including the Law Society of Ireland and the Bar Council, have expressed concerns about problems that will arise from the ending of the transition period.
My officials are engaging on an urgent basis with stakeholders and are seeking the advice of the Attorney General on solutions to avert those problems.
It is likely that an interim solution will require urgent legislation to be enacted before the end of November.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (569)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:569. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice her plans to waive charges for special exemption orders for late bars and nightclubs for a period of time in order to aid their revival following Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43968/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Justice Plan 2021 and the Programme for Government commits to reviewing and modernising alcohol licensing.
My Department has been actively engaged with the Night-Time Economy Taskforce looking at innovative approaches to support and develop a vibrant, diverse night-time culture and economy in Ireland. Reforming and modernising our licensing law is an important part of how we do that.
Today, I have received Government approval to draft the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2021 to reform and modernise licensing laws in Ireland. We are delivering on the first stage of that commitment and setting a course for how we will do it.
The outdated Licensing Acts, Registration of Clubs Acts, and the Public Dance Hall Act 1935, will all be repealed and replaced with updated and streamlined 21st century provisions relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises and registered clubs. This will radically reform, streamline and simplify our licensing laws.
Separately, Minister Catherine Martin has today published the Report and recommendations of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce. I welcome the publication of the Report. The work of the Taskforce has included wide stakeholder engagement. Liquor licensing reform in general as well as Special Exemptions Orders was the subject of many submissions and presentations received by the Night-Time Economy Taskforce and has formed part of their deliberations.
The recommendation made by the Night-Time Economy Taskforce to review licence fees, including the Special Exemption Order fee, will be taken forward by my officials as part of the budgetary discussion. It will require further consideration in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Courts Service.
Separate to this review and the fees applicable to Special Exemption Orders, and in acknowledgement of the Covid restrictions, on 21 July 2021, it was announced that the Government had approved a waiver of specified court fees and excise duties for vintners for the second consecutive year. On 29 August, Minister Humphreys signed the District Court (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2021 to give effect to what was approved by Government:
- to waive court fees relating to the renewal of specified pubs and other liquor licences in 2021; and
- to waive excise and stamp duties associated with those court fees for 2021.
In addition, Revenue have waived the excise duty on on-trade liquor licences renewals.
These fees and excise duties have been waived again in 2021 to support vintners and other licensed premises. I know that the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on these businesses and Government is keen to support them in any way we can. The waiving of these fees and duties is an important signal of that support.
Pubs, bars, nightclubs and restaurants are all benefitting from this measure, helping to stimulate economic activity and employment as the sector returns to activity in line with Government and public health recommendations.
Coroners Service
Questions (570)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:570. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice if action will be taken to address the long delays in completing inquests at the Coroner’s Office in Cork city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43982/21]
View answerWritten answers
Coroners are independent statutory officers. The timing and conduct of inquests in any district is a matter entirely for the coroner concerned. Neither I or my Department has any function in this regard.
Most coroners hold inquests in local court houses, and as a result of Covid-19 public health considerations, inquests have unfortunately been severely curtailed. My Department is aware that the delay in holding inquests is causing distress for families and officials from my Department are liaising with the Courts Service on this matter.
The Courts Service works closely with coroners across the country to facilitate inquests and continue to do so while ensuring adherence to Public Health guidelines.
With regard to the Courts Service more generally, the Government is committed to ensuring adequate resources for the courts in order to maintain access to justice for all citizens. The Courts Service received a €10 million increase in its capital budget last year, which has given flexibility for strategic infrastructural investment including in relation to ICT and accommodation. This commitment was reinforced with the highest ever budgetary allocation for the justice sector including €158.8 million for the Courts Service for 2021 including €8 million for the new Courts Modernisation Programme, and an additional provision of €5.7m for COVID measures to enable court sittings take place in a safe environment.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (571)
Bernard Durkan
Question:571. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the steps being taken to progress the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); when it is expected that the application will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43986/21]
View answerWritten answers
An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 15 February 2021. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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 at: 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (572)
Catherine Murphy
Question:572. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the amount paid in late interest payments and penalty payments by her Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in respect of late payments being made to suppliers, service providers and contractors in tabular form; and the measures she has put in place and or is implementing to reduce late payment interest and penalty payments. [44008/21]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that the amounts paid in late interest payments and penalty payments for each of the years 2017 to 2020, and to date in 2021 from the Justice Vote (Vote 24) are set out in tabular form below.
|
Year
|
Amount |
|
2017 |
€2,087 |
|
2018 |
€3,675 |
|
2019 |
€5,896 |
|
2020 |
€9,446 |
|
2021 to date |
€4,724 |
All staff are made aware of prompt payment interest and the need to process payments in a timely manner. In addition, the amount of interest and penalties paid are monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department's Financial Management Unit and where necessary, reminders are issued on the requirement to process payments in a timely manner.
Naturalisation Applications
Questions (573)
Bernard Durkan
Question:573. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44047/21]
View answerWritten answers
An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 12 February 2020. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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 at: 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Crime Prevention
Questions (574)
Holly Cairns
Question:574. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the steps being taken to address pet thefts. [44202/21]
View answerWritten answers
As we all know, many people have a strong emotional attachment to our pets and I therefore appreciate that their theft can be a traumatic experience.
This is an issue that is of personal importance to me and indeed I previously introduced a Bill to enhance the place of companion animals in legislation. Work on this Bill is currently ongoing in my Department.
Minister McEntee and I met with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, in December last to discuss the issues of pet theft and animal welfare legislation. We all agreed to a collaborative approach to dealing with the issue. As you will be aware, Minister McConalogue's Department is the lead Department for all animal welfare issues.
My Department is kept appraised by An Garda Síochána on the issue of pet theft.
Under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, the theft of an animal carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment on conviction. If the animal was taken from a person's property, the crime becomes burglary and attracts a potential maximum of up to 14 years imprisonment. These are significant sentences by any measure.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the Garda Síochána Act for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing decisions. This includes crime prevention initiatives and strategies. Neither I, nor the Minister, have a role in these independent functions and that is entirely correct.
With regard to measures aimed at preventing such thefts, I am informed by the Garda authorities that information has been disseminated to the Crime Prevention Officers' Network countrywide specifically dealing with the topic of dog thefts. The Garda National Crime Prevention Unit's advice on pet safety concurs with the advice from animal welfare groups and animal insurance companies about keeping animals safe.
Ongoing patrols throughout the country also act as a deterrent to mobile criminals and thereby help prevent criminal activity. Improved awareness of dog thefts among the community will ensure more vigilance within neighbourhood watch and community alert areas.
Departmental Licences
Questions (575)
Holly Cairns
Question:575. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if she will review the criteria for the issue of firearms licensing. [44208/21]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that there are stringent controls under Irish legislation for the issuing of firearm certificates by An Garda Síochána and the conditions under which firearms can be held. There are severe penalties in place for firearm offences under the Firearms Acts.
A substantial review of firearms licensing, including consultation with the public, stakeholders and the relevant Oireachtas Committee, was undertaken in recent years. A number of measures identified as a result of this review are being progressed by my Department, including a ban on new licences for semi-automatic centre fire rifles. A recommendation to establish a Firearms Assessment and Appeals Authority, which would determine, on the basis of an objective assessment of all the issues, with safety of the public being paramount, whether particular forms of firearms may be licensed in the State, whether there should be any limit on the number of such firearms and what safety conditions might properly be applied to their licensing, is currently under examination by my Department.
The legislation regarding the regulation of firearm licensing continues to be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Departmental Licences
Questions (576, 577)
Holly Cairns
Question:576. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide details of the current number of valid firearms licences including details on the types of firearms. [44209/21]
View answerHolly Cairns
Question:577. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide details of the number of firearms licences issued and renewed in each of the years 2014 to 2020. [44210/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 576 and 577 together.
Unfortunately it was not possible to compile the figures in the format requested by the Deputy within the time-frame permitted. Once the figures are received from An Garda Síochána I will provide them directly to the Deputy.
The Deputy will wish to be aware that the Annual Reports into the operation of the Firearms Acts for years 2011 to 2019, which are available on the Department's website, contain some figures which will be of interest. The 2020 annual report has not yet been finalised but will be published in due course.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 576 requesting information in relation to “the current number of valid firearms licenses and types of firearms and issued and renewed in each of the years 2014 to 2020”, and Parliamentary Question No. 577 requesting “details of the number of firearms licenses issued and renewed in each of the years 2014 to 2020”.
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 to hand.
A report has now been received from the Garda authorities on the matter, and I now am reverting to you with the information as requested.
Table 1 below details the total number of Firearms Certificates and the specific categories.
Table 1:
|
Certificate Type |
Total |
|
Firearm Certificate |
218,970 |
|
Restricted Firearm Certificate |
1,231 |
|
Limited Firearm Certificate |
5,831 |
|
Substitute Certificate |
7,774 |
|
Training Certificate |
211 |
|
Overall Total |
234,017 |
Table 2 below details the total number of the types of firearms currently licensed within this jurisdiction.
Table 2:
|
Firearm Type |
Active |
|
Air Gun |
3,141 |
|
Crossbow |
33 |
|
Humane Killer |
6 |
|
Pistol |
2,257 |
|
Revolver |
283 |
|
Rifle |
63,186 |
|
Rifle /Shotgun Combined |
35 |
|
Shotgun |
146,639 |
|
Spare Barrell |
26 |
|
Speargun |
3 |
|
Total |
215,609 |
Table 3 details the total numbers for Firearms Certificates issued and renewed from the years 2015 to 2020. Unfortunately, the details for 2014 are not readily available.
Table 3
|
Year |
Issued |
Renewed |
|
2015 |
10,331 |
27,206 |
|
2016 |
14,832 |
146,630 |
|
2017 |
9,509 |
18,378 |
|
2018 |
8,816 |
31,156 |
|
2019 |
11,887 |
140,862 |
|
2020 |
8,314 |
22,944 |
Please note that the figures in each of the above tables represents the accurate position as at 14 September 2021. I trust that this information is of assistance to you.
Question No. 577 answered with Question No. 576.
Immigration Status
Questions (578)
Holly Cairns
Question:578. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide details of the number of nationals (details supplied) that are recorded as departing Ireland between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021, inclusive in tabular form. [44211/21]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that there are no routine exit checks on persons leaving the State. On occasion, immigration officers in response to particular operational requirements relating to the protection of our borders, including the protection of the Common Travel Area, have undertaken exit checks in accordance with the Immigration Act 2004. However, such checks occur infrequently.
It is not feasible to provide a figure for the number of times it is applied as, for example, the many millions of EU/EEA national visitors who enter the State each year are not recorded for immigration purposes nor are EU/EEA nationals resident in the State require to register for immigration purposes.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (579)
Willie O'Dea
Question:579. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will allow for a six-month extension for applicants to run the general practitioner practice in Templemore, County Tipperary which performs a vital service for the town and its hinterlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43198/21]
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 (580, 583, 607, 625)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:580. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an increase in persons waiting for an appointment with the National Gender Service; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that wait times have lengthened; and the steps he is taking to ensure increased resources and timely access to transgender healthcare for those who require it. [43200/21]
View answer
David Cullinane
Question:583. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if steps will be taken to address the unacceptably long waiting list for the National Gender Service; his plans to revise the role of the National Gender Service in gatekeeping transgender healthcare to allow transgender persons access care in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43210/21]
View answer
Emer Higgins
Question:607. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for assessment by the HSE National Gender Service; and the action that is being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43326/21]
View answerCatherine Murphy
Question:625. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time consultant psychiatrists with a special interest in gender identity employed by the HSE; if this number will be further increased; and the locations in which these consultants are based. [43393/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 580, 583, 607 and 625 together.
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last eighteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack. While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021 and the associated curtailment of acute hospital services, coupled with the ransomware attack of May 2021, has impacted waiting times. However, the HSE advise that acute services are now almost all fully restored to pre cyber-attack levels, and are operating in line with relevant Covid-19 protocols.
The Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) are focusing on improving access to elective care in order to reduce waiting times for patients. These plans include increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, providing virtual clinics and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working on a Multiannual Waiting List Plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
I am committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.
As the specific issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Legislative Measures
Questions (581)
Michael Creed
Question:581. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he is contemplating legislation to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 which would allow the industrial cultivation of hemp by legislating for the THC level in line with European Parliament recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43202/21]
View answerWritten answers
The matters raised are currently the subject of a legal challenge and consequently, being sub-judice, I am not in a position to offer further comment.
Health Services
Questions (582)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:582. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding awareness of spinal muscular atrophy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43208/21]
View answerWritten answers
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare, genetic neuromuscular condition causing progressive muscle wasting (atrophy) and weakness leading to loss of movement. This may affect walking and upper body movement, breathing and swallowing.
Consideration of the introduction of new population-based screening programmes or modifications to existing programmes is a matter for the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). The Committee's role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations to the Minister for Health accordingly.
The NSAC is currently finalising plans for its first ‘annual call’ which will be announced later this year. Applications for proposals for new population based screening programmes and modifications to existing programmes will be welcomed from the public as well as the HSE, health professionals and other professional bodies. Further information on the 'annual call' will be published on the NSAC website at www.nsacommittee.gov.ie
As this question also relates to service matters, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.