Emer Higgins
Question:658. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the number of incidents of cryptocurrency fraud reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022. [23256/22]
View answerCrime Prevention
Questions (658)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda operations aimed at preventing and countering criminal activity. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I sought information from the Garda authorities in relation to incidents of cryptocurrency fraud. I am informed that while cryptocurrency may be a component of an economic crime incident, there is no structured PULSE crime incident type to capture all such incidents. Investment Fraud can often involve cryptocurrency. However, so too can many other economic crime incident types.
I am therefore advised by An Garda Síochána that to provide a breakdown of all offences as requested by the Deputy would require an inordinate expenditure of Garda time and resources, as the scope of the request is so large.
Child Protection
Questions (659, 660)
Catherine Connolly
Question:659. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of women in prison who have children who are in the care of Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23258/22]
View answerCatherine Connolly
Question:660. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of women in prison who have children who are in the care of relatives or family friends through kinship care arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23259/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 660 together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that details of the number of women in prison who have children who are in the care of Tusla, or the number of women in prison who have children who are in the care of relatives or family friends, are not currently collated. Furthermore, there is no obligation on any woman in prison to provide the Irish Prison Service with such information.
The Deputy will wish to note that a statistical snapshot of Thursday 31 March 2022 indicates that there were 158 women in custody - 28 women in Limerick prison and 130 women in the Dochás Centre.
Of that figure, 122 (100 in the Dóchas Centre and 22 in Limerick Prison) or 77% of these women have self-reported that they have children. Details are set out in the table below.
|
Women who have reported having children |
No children |
Not Declared |
Total |
|
|
Limerick Female Prison |
22 |
6 |
0 |
28 |
|
Mountjoy Female Prison |
100 |
26 |
4 |
130 |
|
Total |
122 |
32 |
4 |
158 |
It is important to note that these figures can include adult children and statistics regarding details of children are self-reported by the person in custody, who may decide not to disclose or declare such details.
The Prison Service is facilitating the circulation of a confidential survey among women in prison, on behalf of Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), the purpose of which is to understand their experiences in regards to the placement of their children in care, if applicable. Again, these results will rely on self-reporting.
Question No. 660 answered with Question No. 659.
Personal Injury Claims
Questions (661)
Colm Burke
Question:661. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a detailed update on possible legislation to rebalance the duty of care for personal injury claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23281/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has completed a review of the Occupiers' Liability Act in accordance with the Government's Action Plan on Insurance Reform, including the duty of care and notices and waivers.
I am considering the introduction of provisions to ensure that a more balanced approach is brought to bear on personal injuries cases, that will allow for appropriate awards that reflect what might be described as a common sense approach to liability. It will clarify the law by codifying the understanding of liability in line with recent superior court rulings.
I am also looking at introducing a provision to allow for the voluntary assumption of risk, where if a person willingly places themselves in a position they know might result in harm, they cannot succeed claim against the occupier of the property.
My Department is currently engaging with the Office of the Attorney General on the proposed amendments and I expect to bring final proposals on this matter to Government for its approval in the coming weeks.
Departmental Reports
Questions (662)
Patrick Costello
Question:662. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the status of the progress report of the Working Group to examine the disregard of historical homosexual convictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23299/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, I published a progress report from the Working Group to Examine the Disregard of Convictions for Certain Qualifying Offences Related to Consensual Sexual Activity between Men on Thursday, 05 May.
The Victorian-era laws which were repealed by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 caused immeasurable harm to generations of gay and bisexual men, criminalising and stigmatizing them simply because of their sexual orientation.
I am very conscious that nearly 30 years later, the damage that was caused by these laws continues to impact negatively on too many people’s lives. While this harm can never be fully undone, I am strongly committed to bringing to Government and publishing a scheme to disregard convictions for qualifying offences prior to decriminalisation in 1993.
I would like to thank the members of the Working Group for the important work which they are doing in considering a range of complex issues relating to the development of such a scheme. I decided to publish the progress report in order to highlight the good progress made to date and to draw attention to the key issues identified which both the group and I believe would benefit from a final round of targeted public consultation prior to finalisation of our proposals.
The Working Group consists of representatives from my Department, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), the Office of the Attorney General and three members of the LGBTI+ community with expertise in this area.
The report identifies progress made by the group to date on a number of key issues, as well as proposed next steps. Some of these key issues include identifying appropriate records, what happens to records, criteria for a conviction to be eligible for a disregard, and offences to be included under the disregard scheme.
The purpose of the proposed public consultation is to allow representative organisations and affected people to provide input, based on their lived experience, on a number of key issues identified by the Working Group as requiring further input from affected communities, which will inform the Group’s final deliberations, and ensure more effective policy making and implementation.
The public consultation will be launched in the coming weeks. As set out in Justice Plan 2022, the final report of the Working Group is scheduled for submission to me by the end of Q3 2022, subject to the conclusion and outcome of the consultation process.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (663)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:663. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Dlí agus Cirt cad iad na bearta atá déanta chun a chinntiú go bhfuil comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána a bhfuil Gaeilge acu lonnaithe sna ceantair Ghaeltachta de réir mar atá leagtha síos sa dlí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23377/22]
View answerWritten answers
Táim tar éis dul i dteagmháil le húdaráis an Gharda Síochána le haghaidh na faisnéise a lorg an tAire ach, ar an drochuair, ní raibh an fhaisnéis sin ar fáil in am. Scríobhfaidh mé chuig an Teachta arís a luaithe a bheidh an fhaisnéis ar fáil.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
Tagraím do Cheist Pharlaiminteach Uimh. 663 an 10 Bealtaine, 2022, inar fhiafraigh tú:
‘cad iad na bearta atá déanta chun a chinntiú go bhfuil comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána a bhfuil Gaeilge acu lonnaithe sna ceantair Ghaeltachta de réir mar atá leagtha síos sa dlí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh.’
Mar is cuimhin leat, lorgaíos an fhaisnéis a d’iarr tú, agus gheallas go rachainn i dteagmháil leat arís a luaithe a bheadh an fhaisnéis ar fáil.
Mar is eol duit, tá Coimisinéir an Gharda Síochána freagrach, faoi Acht an Gharda Síochána, 2005 (arna leasú), as gnó an Gharda Síochána a bhainistiú agus a riaradh, lena n-áirítear earcú agus oiliúint comhaltaí agus ball foirne den Gharda Síochána. Mar Aire, níl aon ról díreach agam i riaradh inmheánach chúrsaí Acmhainní Daonna an Gharda Síochána.
Tá curtha in iúl dom go bhfuil, le roinnt blianta anuas, bearta tábhachtacha tugtha isteach ag an nGarda Síochána chun a ndualgais teanga a chomhlíonadh. Áirítear sna bearta sin:
- Sruth Gaeilge a thabhairt isteach sa phróiseas earcaíochta, trína gcuirtear 10% de na spásanna i ngach comórtas in áirithe do chainteoirí líofa Gaeilge.
- Próiseas leithdháiltí a thabhairt isteach le haghaidh stáisiún Gaeltachta, lenar áiríodh córas measúnúcháin athbhreithnithe, mar a mhol an Coimisinéir Teanga, agus, chomh maith leis sin sin, Painéal Líofachta Gaeilge ina n-áirítear comhaltaí a labhraíonn Gaeilge agus ar mian leo fónamh i limistéir Ghaeltachta.
- Deiseanna a chur ar fáil don phearsanra go léir chun feabhas a chur ar a n-inniúlacht sa teanga.
- Seirbhís ateangaireachta Ghaeilge a thabhairt isteach, atá ar fáil don phearsanra go léir agus trínar féidir seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge a éascú más rud é nach bhfuil pearsanra le Gaeilge ar fáil chun cuidiú.
D’eisigh bainistíocht an Gharda Síochána Treoir i Meán Fómhair 2018 lena chinntiú go ndéanfaí a ndualgais reachtúla a chomhlíonadh agus lena dtreoraítear nach bhfuil ach comhaltaí atá líofa sa Ghaeilge le haistriú chuig aon cheann de na stáisiúin Ghaeltachta ar fud na tíre.
Forbraíodh an córas measúnúcháin athbhreithnithe chun leibhéal Gaeilge labhartha comhaltaí a fháil amach i mí na Bealtaine, 2018. Rinneadh creat inniúlachta a dhearadh, chomh maith, lena ndéantar cúig leibhéal inniúlachta teanga a thairiscint. Téann na leibhéil ó Leibhéal 1 (gan aon inniúlacht) go Leibhéal 5 (uas-inniúlacht). Tá an scála rátála bunaithe ar na caighdeáin atá leagtha síos sa Chreat Comhchoiteann Tagartha Eorpach le haghaidh Teangacha.
Is é an leibhéal Gaeilge atá ag teastáil chun bheith ag obair i stáisiún Gaeltachta ná Leibhéal 4 den Chreat Inniúlachta Gaeilge seo. Ní fólair do chomhaltaí bheith ábalta líofacht ar Leibhéal 4 den Chreat a léiriú más mian leo go ndéanfaí iad a shannadh do stáisiún Gaeltachta. Is ionann an leibhéal sin agus Leibhéal B2 den Chreat Comhchoiteann Tagartha Eorpach le haghaidh Teangacha.
Tá líon na gcomhaltaí a labhraíonn Gaeilge i stáisiúin Ghaeltachta ar fud na tíre á mhéadú go seasta ag an nGarda Síochána.
Tá curtha in iúl dom thairis sin go bhfuil siad ag leanúint orthu ag cur lena ngealltanais Ghaeilge, agus féadfaidh sé gurb eol duit gur fhoilsigh an Coimisinéir an tríú ceann de Straitéisí Gaeilge an Gharda Síochána i Márta na bliana seo. Beidh feidhm leis an Straitéis ó 2022 go 2025, agus léireofar léi tiomantas an Gharda Síochána do sheirbhísí Gaeilge a chur ar fáil do dhaoine den phobal, agus a dtiomantas a ndualgais reachtúla teanga uile a chomhlíonadh go hiomlán.
Tá mar aidhm leis an straitéis tacú le húsáid na Gaeilge sa Gharda Síochána, cur lena húsáid agus a húsáid a chur chun cinn, maille le fíor-rogha teanga a éascú d’úsáideoirí a labhraíonn Gaeilge, trí sheirbhísí dátheangacha a thairiscint go gníomhach agus trína gcur chun cinn.
Tá trí réimse straitéiseacha sainaitheanta mar chuid den straitéis seo. Is iad seo, mar a leanas:
Réimse Straitéiseach 1: Earcaíocht agus Pleanáil Fórsa Saothair
Réimse Straitéiseach 2: Forbairt na Gaeilge agus Feasacht Ghaeilge
Réimse Straitéiseach 3: Cur chun Cinn na Gaeilge agus Plé le Gaeilge
Agus an straitéis seo á chur i ngníomh, tá curtha in iúl dom go n-oibreoidh an Garda Síochána chun líon na ndaoine a labhraíonn Gaeilge a bheidh ag dul isteach sa tseirbhís a mhéadú, agus go n-oibreoidh siad chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar pleananna cuí fórsa saothair a fhorbairt chun seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil do dhaoine den phobal.
Ina theannta sin, déanfar úsáid na Gaeilge laistigh den Gharda Síochána a fheabhsú trí na nithe seo a leanas:
1. Athruithe ar chomhshocraíochta Rialachais a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge
2. Díriú ar níos mó pearsanra a labhraíonn Gaeilge a earcú
3. Oifig Ghaeilge a fhorbairt
4. Tionscnamh Fáinne Gaeilge a fhorbairt
5. Acmhainn nua Ar-Líne Ghaeilge a thabhairt isteach
De dheasca chineál obair na póilíneachta agus na dúshláin a eascraíonn as sin do roinnt pearsanra do fhreastal ar ranganna rialta, is féidir le Gardaí rochtain a fháil anois ar acmhainn nua chuimsitheach ar líne atá dírithe ar fhoghlaimeoirí ar mian leo a gcuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú nó ar mian leo obair i dtreo na líofachta. Tá sé sin á chur ar fáil i gcomhar le Gaelchultúr.
Tá an clár, dar teideal ‘An Fórsa ag Foghlaim’ (Leibhéal A2), ar an gcéad cheann de cheithre acmhainn atá forbartha ag Gaelchultúr, agus tacaíonn sé leis an nGarda Síochána agus a dhualgas á chomhlíonadh aige cur le fáil a bheith ar sheirbhísí Gaeilge a sholáthraítear don phobal agus le caighdeán na seirbhísí sin.
Ag tabhairt le chéile caint na ndaoine i gcomhair cumarsáide agus stór focal a bhaineann go sonrach le hobair na nGardaí, tá an acmhainn idirghníomhach foghlama seo ar an gcéad cheann dá cineál a forbraíodh, agus cuirfear ar fáil do gach Garda sa tír í.
Tá an-áthas orm a nótáil go bhfuarthas os cionn 11,000 iarratas sa chomórtas earcaíochta is déanaí le haghaidh earcach sa Gharda Síochána, lena n-áirítear 466 iarratas faoin Sruth Gaeilge.
Crime Prevention
Questions (664)
Brendan Griffin
Question:664. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of crimes reported to gardaí against overseas visitors and tourists, by county and offence, in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; if each crime was solved or unsolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23389/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes all operational policing decisions and I have no role in these independent functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that the requested information can be provided in the years specified by incidents recorded on PULSE by Garda region and by offence category where the record indicated that the ‘Injured Party’ of the incident was a tourist. A tourist is defined as a person visiting for pleasure from outside the jurisdiction. All data provided by the Garda authorities was collated on 6 May 2022, and the figures are operational and may be liable to change.
Incidents reported by Garda Region:
|
Garda Region |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Dublin Region |
1917 |
1805 |
1723 |
473 |
406 |
|
Eastern Region (NEW) |
271 |
229 |
361 |
163 |
146 |
|
North Western Region |
297 |
266 |
330 |
148 |
136 |
|
Southern Region (NEW) |
224 |
207 |
159 |
95 |
101 |
|
Total |
2709 |
2507 |
2573 |
879 |
789 |
Incidents reported by offence category:
|
Incident Category |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Theft |
1805 |
1638 |
1606 |
320 |
222 |
|
Assault |
199 |
183 |
245 |
132 |
127 |
|
Burglary |
194 |
153 |
157 |
70 |
67 |
|
Criminal Damage |
149 |
134 |
132 |
90 |
80 |
|
Fraud/Economic Crime |
77 |
109 |
157 |
79 |
99 |
|
Traffic |
118 |
118 |
94 |
59 |
62 |
|
Sexual Offences |
62 |
54 |
61 |
58 |
34 |
|
Robbery |
47 |
54 |
57 |
16 |
25 |
|
Public Order Offences |
21 |
23 |
23 |
19 |
20 |
|
All Other Offences |
37 |
41 |
41 |
36 |
53 |
The table below shows the number of incidents as reported above that have been ‘detected’. The main criteria for classifying an offence as ‘detected’ is when criminal proceedings have been commenced for at least one person for the offence. However, I have been informed that there are a number of scenarios where an offence will be considered detected even though criminal proceedings may not be initiated.
|
Garda Region |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Dublin Region |
277 |
257 |
244 |
99 |
79 |
|
Eastern Region (NEW) |
49 |
30 |
54 |
71 |
32 |
|
North Western Region |
107 |
93 |
81 |
48 |
27 |
|
Southern Region (NEW) |
67 |
56 |
49 |
28 |
26 |
|
Total |
500 |
436 |
428 |
246 |
164 |
I welcome An Garda Síochána’s plans to increase their high visibility policing service in Dublin City Centre with the proposal to provide services to the public at 13A Upper O'Connell Street, including the relocation of the Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) from Pearse Street Garda Station and DMR HQ, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2.
If the Deputy is not already aware, the ITAS provides immediate support and assistance, 7 days a week, to visitors to the country who become victims of crime or experience other traumatic events. The service is free and confidential and I would encourage any tourist who is a victim of crime to avail of their service.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (665)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:665. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the status of citizenship applications by persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23408/22]
View answerWritten answers
The applications for naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy, continue to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicants meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, and will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
I recognise and acknowledge the crucial role frontline workers are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have been playing a key role in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
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.
In addition, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, has unfortunately resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
In 2021, my Department issued 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest number of decisions made since 2015, and reflects positively the significant changes undertaken to date.
It is open to the applicants to contact the Citizenship Division of my Department at: citizenshipinfo@justice.ie at any time for an update on their application.
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.
Disability Services
Questions (666)
Mark Ward
Question:666. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of personal assistance hours provided in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23130/22]
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.
Disability Services
Questions (667)
Mark Ward
Question:667. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the future allocation for personal assistance in 2023 based on the disability capacity review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23131/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised for approval.
In recent years, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services, and the Government has ensured that an additional €105 million is being provided for new disability measures this year under Budget 2022. These measures will include 120,000 additional hours of Personal Assistance supports.
The 2022 National Service Plan outlines the HSE's commitment to deliver 1.7m hours of Personal Assistance hours to 2,587 people.
Disability Services
Questions (668)
Mark Ward
Question:668. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost of increasing personal assistant hours by 10%, 15%, and 20% in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23132/22]
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.
Disability Services
Questions (669)
Mark Ward
Question:669. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of personal assistant hours in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23133/22]
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.
Disability Services
Questions (670)
Mark Ward
Question:670. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost of increasing the number of persons in receipt of personal assistant hours by 10%, 15%, and 20% in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23134/22]
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.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Questions (671)
Brendan Griffin
Question:671. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will continue as a patient on the list of a consultant for future treatments if that person takes an offer of treatment under the national treatment purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22554/22]
View answerWritten 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.
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.
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.
Hospital Overcrowding
Questions (672, 673, 711, 832)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:672. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the members of the expert group being deployed to assist with overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick; the remit of the expert group; the timeframe, commencement and finish date in which the group is expected to complete its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22557/22]
View answerMaurice Quinlivan
Question:673. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the discussions that he has held with the University Hospital Limerick Group on the establishment of the expert group being deployed to assist with overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22558/22]
View answer
Martin Browne
Question:711. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health when the expert team will be deployed to University Hospital Limerick; if the team will visit other hospitals within the UL hospital group such as Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s; and when the team is due to report back. [22720/22]
View answerMartin Browne
Question:832. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health , further to Parliamentary Question No. 557 of 4 May, the remit of the specialist or expert team that has been deployed to University Hospital Limerick as part of an emergency plan to ease crisis levels of overcrowding at the hospital; the date that team was deployed; if the team will visit other hospitals within the group such as Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's; and when the team is due to report back.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23430/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 672, 673, 711 and 832 together.
The emergency department in UHL has experienced increased attendances and admissions in recent months. These increases, along with the additional pressure Covid has placed on capacity, have resulted in increased Patient Experience Times and usage of trolleys. This is the despite the addition of 150 beds in the UL Hospital Group, 98 of which were in UHL itself, over the past two years.
I am committed to improving emergency department services to the people of the mid-west. I wrote to the CEO of the HSE on 26th April to send in an expert team to ascertain urgently what additional resources might be deployed, as well as any changes that could be made quickly to alleviate the current pressures.
I followed up with the HSE on 4th May specifying the requirement for a specialist team to be sent into UHL right away to very quickly ascertain what the main issues are, the main opportunities for improvement and what additional supports and changes are required. I asked for clarity on the staffing (e.g. consultants) available over the weekend. I also sought details of the level of discharges and diagnostics over the preceding fortnight to identify if there was a change in patterns over the weekend.
I asked to receive a preliminary report by the end of this week. I await the HSE’s response.
Question No. 673 answered with Question No. 672.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (674)
Bernard Durkan
Question:674. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when urgent and appropriate treatment will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22561/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (675)
Seán Sherlock
Question:675. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the briefings that he has received on the operation and closure of a facility (details supplied). [22572/22]
View answerWritten answers
Since the HSE first contacted the Department on 25 June 2021, notifying of their intent to close the facility referred to by the Deputy, I have received a significant number of briefings and updates, both verbal and written, from the Department and HSE. I will continue to liaise with the HSE and the Department to ensure the care needs of the residents remains at the centre of the work they are doing in relation to the facility.
Health Services Staff
Questions (676)
David Cullinane
Question:676. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant ophthalmologists who have been recruited per community healthcare organisation, CHO, in each of the years since 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22575/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Questions (677)
David Cullinane
Question:677. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of personal assistance for persons with vision impairment, by age range; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22576/22]
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.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (678)
David Cullinane
Question:678. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of applications that have been made for the blind welfare allowance for the past five years; the number that have been rejected; the number of appeals that have been made; and the number of those appeals that have led to a decision being overturned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22577/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Cards
Questions (679)
Willie O'Dea
Question:679. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to add Trulicity to the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22580/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Reimbursement under the General Medical Services scheme is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). Only such licensed products are added to the formal Reimbursement List in line with the 2013 Act.
I can confirm that trulicity is on the HSE's Reimbursement List, and therefore, is available on the General Medical Services scheme (medical card) for the licensed indications. The list can be searched at the following link: www.sspcrs.ie/druglist/pub
Hospital Staff
Questions (680)
Noel Grealish
Question:680. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when the post of Parkinson's nurse specialist in University Hospital Galway will be advertised; the interim measures that will be put in place prior to the filling of the post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22581/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.