Alan Kelly
Question:463. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí by rank attached to the Tipperary divisional scenes of crime unit as of 1 January 2021 and 13 September 2022, in tabular form. [45871/22]
View answerAn Garda Síochána
Questions (463)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the Garda members assigned to the Tipperary Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit as of 1 January 2021 and 13 September 2022.
1 January 2021 - 5 Garda
13 September 2022 - 5 Garda
Citizenship Applications
Questions (464)
Ivana Bacik
Question:464. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice her views on the restoration of birthright citizenship for all persons born in Ireland. [45878/22]
View answerWritten answers
While as Minister I fully respect the change made by the Irish people in the 2004 referendum, the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 will provide a shorter pathway to citizenship for children born in the State by reducing the residency requirement from 5 years to 3 years.
The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 proposes improvements to the naturalisation process for children born in Ireland to parents who are not Irish citizens and to the ‘continuous residence’ requirement for all persons applying for naturalisation. The Bill will also set out clear procedures that will apply where a citizenship application is made on behalf of a child.
With regards to the residency criteria for nationalisation applications, I intend to bring them forward by way of Committee stage amendments.
On 13 September 2022, my Department published the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 and the progress of this Bill is now subject to the schedule of the Oireachtas.
The published Bill and updates on its progress through the Oireachtas are available here: www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2022/84/
Visa Applications
Questions (465)
Michael Lowry
Question:465. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if an application for a work employment visa submitted by a doctor (details supplied) will be reviewed given that they are waiting to start employment in a HSE-managed mental health services facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45921/22]
View answerWritten answers
The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa office on 1 August 2022. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 18 August 2022.
Appeals for applications of this type are processed in the order in which they are received, to be fair to all applicants. While every effort is made to process these applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of appeals received, their complexity, the possible need for the visa office to seek further information in relation to certain appeals and the resources available to process them.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the Immigration Service website. When making an appeal, the applicant should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letter. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh.
Full consideration will be given to any appeals received on behalf of the applicants, however the onus is on applicants to satisfy the Visa Officer that visas should be granted. Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the webpage for the relevant office.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Departmental Reports
Questions (466)
Catherine Murphy
Question:466. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by her Department in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45959/22]
View answerWritten answers
The table below lists the live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by my Department, and includes the scheduled completion date of each.
Site Acquisitions
Questions (467)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:467. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will obtain a status update from the Office of Public Works on the acquisition of a site for a proposed Garda station in an area (details supplied). [46049/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Works in relation to Garda accommodation are progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the OPW.
I understand that there is ongoing engagement between Dublin City Council, OPW and An Garda Síochána in respect to a new Garda development on Dublin City Council lands at the corner of the R139 and Malahide Road at Northern Cross.
The Northern Cross project, will be one of the most significant Garda Building investments in the National Development Plan 2021 - 2030, and is considered a strategic and priority project by my Department and An Garda Síochána.
Health Services Staff
Questions (468)
Thomas Pringle
Question:468. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the progress of negotiations on a special scheme of paid leave for public health service employees with long-Covid to date; the expected timeline for the commencement of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45906/22]
View answerWritten answers
A scheme, specific to the public health service has been introduced to provide for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection.
The HSE have issued the full details of the Scheme to all public health service employers by circular, and eligible employees will have been notified by their employer that they are transferred to the new Scheme retrospectively from 1st July 2022.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (469)
Kieran O'Donnell
Question:469. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health his views on the availability of the Freestyle Libre 2 device in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45405/22]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Questions (470)
Gino Kenny
Question:470. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will increase core funding to community drug projects by 10% in Budget 2023 in view of the fact that there has been no increase in core funding since 2013 despite the escalating demands on these projects; if he will consider the substantial increases in energy and fuel costs experienced by drug and alcohol taskforces and commit to this much-needed increase in core funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45408/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Health provides €28 million for 280 community-based drug and alcohol services annually. In 2019, additional funding of €240,000 for Drug and Alcohol Taskforces was announced. Each of the 24 Drug and Alcohol Task Forces received €10,000 on a recurring basis.
The Department completed a mid-term review of the actions in the National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, a health-led response to drugs and alcohol use. Based on the learning from the mid-term review, six strategic priorities for 2021-2025 were identified.
One such priority is to enhance access to and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community. This priority seeks to enhance community care for people who use drugs by providing health and social care services at the community level to meet identified health needs.
This will be supported though the development of a drug services care plan formulated on the basis of the new six health regions agreed by Government in 2019. Particular focus will be put on ensuring access to services for women, people in rural areas, ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community. This priority will consider models of care for people who use drugs and have co-morbidities. It will also address the stigma linked to drug use and drug addiction and its impact on access and delivery of health services.
In December 2021, I announced a new €2 million fund to enhance community-based drug and alcohol services - the Community Services Enhancement Fund (CSEF). The fund supports the aforementioned strategic priority under the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025.
I acknowledge the additional challenges faced by services because of inflation. The additional operating costs for community-based drug and alcohol services, along with other HSE funded section 39 services, will be considered as part of the 2023 Estimates process.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (471)
Mattie McGrath
Question:471. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current status of the payment of the Covid healthcare bonus; when the payment will be paid to all non- HSE staff; the number of health care workers that have received the payment to date; the number of health care workers that are awaiting the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45411/22]
View answerWritten answers
The rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment for eligible HSE and Section 38 employees is currently receiving priority. As of Friday, 16 September, 85,262 eligible HSE staff have received payment around the country. This number excludes Section 38 agencies which are estimated to have paid 38,287 staff to date thereby bringing the total number of employees paid to 123,549.
The HSE and the Department have been examining progressing the rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
In relation to eligible staff in cohorts 1-4 above, in order to progress the payment of the Pandemic Recognition Payment, the HSE has published an invitation to tender for a third-party contractor to assist with the payment process. It is expected that once a contract is in place, information will be published shortly thereafter to facilitate applications and payment. Once this process is in place, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
With regard to eligible staff in cohorts 5 and 6, the Department of Health is engaging with the Department of Defence, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to progress payments to these cohorts as soon as possible.
Health Strategies
Questions (472)
Mattie McGrath
Question:472. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans, if any, to introduce further regulations into the sale and supply of vapes to reduce their attractiveness to young people; if there is any estimation on the number of people that currently vape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45412/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill which is currently being drafted will prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to persons under 18 years of age. It will also prohibit their sale by persons under 18. The Bill will also require that any retailer of e-cigarettes must have a licence to be renewed annually. These measures together are likely to reduce the availability of e-cigarettes to young people.
The main legislation regulating e-cigarettes in Ireland is the EU Tobacco Products Directive which was transposed into Irish law through the EU (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016. The Directive regulates e-cigarette devices, the ingredients of e-cigarettes, the packaging in which e-cigarettes are sold and the marketing of the product. The Directive is currently being reviewed at EU level and the European Commission has made it clear that the outcome of the review is likely to be a strengthening of the Directive in relation to e-cigarettes and other novel tobacco products.
In relation to the numbers of people who vape, the 2021 Healthy Ireland Survey found that 4% of the population over 15 use e-cigarettes.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (473)
Robert Troy
Question:473. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a cataract procedure will be scheduled for a person (details supplied). [45420/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Home Care Packages
Questions (474)
Michael Ring
Question:474. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if a homecare package will be provided to a child (details supplied) in County Dublin. [45422/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (475)
Verona Murphy
Question:475. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of adult medical card holders presently eligible for dental services under the dental treatment scheme in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45428/22]
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (476)
Willie O'Dea
Question:476. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a job evaluation application by a person (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45434/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (477)
John Lahart
Question:477. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he will outline changes in the patient waiting lists across all disciplines for Tallaght University Hospital. [45441/22]
View answerWritten answers
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals are still impacted by operational challenges arising from the pandemic.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the attached document, provided to my Department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), outlines the number of persons waiting on the Inpatient-Daycase (IPDC) and Outpatient (OPD) waiting lists at Tallaght University Hospital at end of December 2021 and end of August 2022.
The NTPF provides a breakdown of the IPDC and OPD waiting list figures by adult and child, nationally, by hospital, and by specialty. Current and past waiting list data from 2014 is available on the NTPF website, with open data source information also available for public analysis. The NTPF collates and publishes Inpatient/Daycase and Outpatient waiting list data monthly on the NTPF website – www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation//2022-09-20_pq-447-20092022_en.xlsx">Patient waiting lists</a>
General Practitioner Services
Questions (478)
John Lahart
Question:478. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if general practitioners have been allocated to the new primary care centre in Ballyboden, Rathfarnhnam; if not, the reasons for the delay in appointing general practitioners to this centre; and if his attention has been drawn to there being an increasingly serious shortage of GP practices in Dublin South West. [45442/22]
View answerWritten answers
GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,522 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. Where a GP GMS vacancy is set to arise in a practice, the HSE is notified in advance and becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement, the Government is increasing annual investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023. The Agreement provides for an increase in capitation fees for GPs, additional services, improved family arrangements as well as a targeted €2 million fund to support to practices in deprived urban areas.
A steady increase has been seen in the number of doctors entering GP training over recent years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 258 in 2022. The transfer of GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) which was concluded in 2021 will allow for the introduction of a new service model for GP training in Ireland and the further expansion GP training capacity in the years ahead. The ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
With regard to the allocation of a general practitioners to the Ballyboden Primary Care Centre, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this issue, as soon as possible. I have also asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with an update on GMS GP vacancies in Dublin South West.
Nursing Homes
Questions (479)
John Lahart
Question:479. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the latest HSE plans for a nursing home (details supplied). [45443/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (480)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:480. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive a medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45444/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (481)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:481. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the families of the children affected by the CAMHS scandal in County Kerry will receive compensation or if it is to be restricted to the affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45445/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Government approved, in April last, a scheme to compensate persons who suffered harm or injury whilst in the care of Kerry CAMHS, as identified through the Maskey Report and who have been notified by CAMHS, in the period 1 July 2016 to 19 April 2021. The scheme is managed by the State Claims Agency (SCA) which has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities, including the HSE. The terms of the scheme were agreed by Government and they’re available online at the following website: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/south-kerry-camhs-review/terms-of-reference-for-compensation-scheme.pdf
For ease of reference I have also included a link to the frequently asked questions in relation to the scheme
www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/south-kerry-camhs-review/faq-compensation-scheme.pdf
Ambulance Service
Questions (482)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:482. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the reason that ambulances cannot transfer medically complex children to hospitals for appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45452/22]
View answerWritten answers
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) provides a Critical Care Retrieval Service (CCRS) between hospitals for children aged between 4 weeks and 16 years through the Irish Paediatric Acute Transport Service, as well as for infants aged under 6 weeks through its National Neonatal Transport Programme.
As the Deputy may be asking about the transportation of individuals to pre-arranged out-patient hospital appointments to and from the patient's residence, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to her directly with any pertinent information it may have.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (483)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:483. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the efforts that he is taking to ensure that children with medically complex needs are not waiting in hospital for long periods of time to receive an MRI scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45453/22]
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.