Written Answers Nos. 554-573
554. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of serving gardaí in County Kildare; the number per Garda station; the number of new gardaí allocated to each station over the past three years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48446/22]
View answerAs 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.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of €2.14 billion.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that at 31 August 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 441 Garda members assigned to Kildare Division which represents an increase of 11% since end December 2019.
The table below which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members assigned to Kildare Division at 31 August 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.
|
31 August 2022 |
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
KILDARE DIVISION |
KILDARE |
ATHY |
29 |
5 |
34 |
||||
|
CASTLEDERMOT |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
KILDARE |
47 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
55 |
||||
|
MONASTEREVIN |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
NEWBRIDGE |
44 |
10 |
1 |
55 |
|||||
|
RATHANGAN |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
127 |
23 |
2 |
1 |
153 |
||||
|
LEIXLIP |
CARBURY |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
CELBRIDGE |
10 |
2 |
12 |
||||||
|
KILCOCK |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
LEIXLIP |
71 |
11 |
4 |
1 |
87 |
||||
|
MAYNOOTH |
8 |
1 |
9 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
97 |
16 |
4 |
1 |
118 |
||||
|
NAAS |
CLANE |
10 |
3 |
13 |
|||||
|
KILCULLEN |
8 |
1 |
9 |
||||||
|
NAAS |
111 |
23 |
6 |
1 |
141 |
||||
|
ROBERTSTOWN |
7 |
7 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
136 |
27 |
6 |
1 |
170 |
||||
|
KILDARE Total |
360 |
66 |
12 |
3 |
441 |
I am advised by the Garda authorities that since the reopening of the Garda College a total of 177 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to Kildare Division. The table below sets out the allocation of these Probationer Gardaí by station.
|
Kildare Divison - Probationers by Training Station |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Station Totals |
|
KILDARE |
0 |
10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
35 |
|
LEIXLIP |
5 |
5 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
41 |
|
NAAS |
5 |
5 |
24 |
12 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
63 |
|
NEWBRIDGE |
5 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
26 |
|
CELBRIDGE |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
ATHY |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
CLANE |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
KILCOCK |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
MAYNOOTH |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
15 |
20 |
47 |
30 |
17 |
23 |
7 |
18 |
177 |
*The above information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
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.
In the interests of transparency, further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers can be found on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following link:
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
555. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the exploration of the potential of an online portal for road users to upload footage of road traffic offences as published in the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 on 14 December 2021 (details supplied). [48456/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy, including the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, and the promotion and advancement of road safety, falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport. An Garda Síochána plays a vital role in enforcing road traffic law and in making our roads safer for all road users, including vulnerable road users, such as cyclists.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.
I am advised by Minister Ryan that the protection of vulnerable road users is prioritised in the new Road Safety Strategy. Protecting vulnerable road users involves a range of actions aside from legislative and law enforcement measures. Improvements in infrastructure, such as dedicated cycle lanes, will reduce the danger by keeping vulnerable road users separate from motorized traffic. The Government has committed to investing up to €1.8 billion in cycling and walking infrastructure during its lifetime. I understand that the Road Safety Authority also engages in public information and education initiatives to raise driver awareness of the specific risks to vulnerable road users.
As regards the establishment of a dedicated online portal for the submission of video evidence of potential violations of road traffic legislation, the Deputy may be aware that the current Traffic Watch facility allows for members of the public to report driver behaviour to An Garda Síochána. Matters reported via this facility are forwarded to the relevant District Office for investigation. Similarly, citizens may make complaints to any member of An Garda Síochána or through the Garda website.
Under Action 29 of the Road Safety Strategy, An Garda Síochána will explore the potential of an online portal for road users to upload footage of road traffic offences which could assist in prosecution. This action is due to be completed by Q4 of this year.
As the Deputy will appreciate, there are strict standards in legislation relating to photographic evidence obtained by Gardaí. While An Garda Síochána has confirmed that private dash cam footage may be used during a prosecution, its use must be in accordance with best evidential practices and entails ensuring structures exist around continuity of evidence.
The Department of Transport has further advised that any decision to allow film by members of the public to be used in evidence in road traffic cases would raise questions of reliability of, and possible tampering with, the apparatus used, as well as potential privacy issues. It might also raise questions about why Garda apparatus was held to a standard not required of private individuals, if both were ultimately to be treated as reliable evidence.
Road traffic enforcement remains a core policing function of An Garda Síochána. The Garda National Roads Policing Bureau ensures a consistent approach to road safety and enforcement of road traffic legislation across the country. This is achieved through coordination of enforcement measures and development of policy based on research and analysis of statistics and by engaging in campaigns in partnership with other State Agencies, notably the Road Safety Authority.
It is also important to emphasise that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, in addition to the employment of specific enforcement operations.
I would of course encourage any member of the public to report any incidents of dangerous driving directly to An Garda Síochána.
556. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the steps that are being taken to facilitate the travel of minors following the suspension of the re-entry visa for non-national children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48528/22]
View answerThe requirement for a re-entry visa for children under 16 remains suspended until further notice. The suspension of the re-entry visa requirement for children under 16 was introduced to minimise or avoid potential disruption to customers and their travel plans should any delays in processing occur.
Children under 16 who are currently residing in the State and who following a trip abroad wish to re-enter the State, must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian who holds an in date IRP Card with permission to reside in the State. The adult accompanying the child must also provide appropriate documentation to prove they are the legal parent or guardian of the child in question. Suitable documents to prove the relationship between the parent or guardian and the child are:
- A birth or adoption certificate, or guardianship papers showing your relationship with the child
- A marriage/divorce certificate if you are the child’s parent but have a different surname
- A death certificate in the case of a deceased parent
People travelling with children under 16 may rely on the published notice on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/suspension-of-re-entry-visa-requirements-for-children-under-the-age-of-16-years/.
The Immigration Service of my Department has advised all airlines and foreign missions of the suspended re-entry visa initiative in place.
Further information about travelling with children is available on the Immigration Services Website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/at-the-border/travelling-with-children.
557. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the estimated amount of once-off support to Section 39 bodies that will arise from the cost-of-living budget package in which he outlined that €110 million would be allocated to a range of health-funded bodies; the formula that will be used to award same; if similar payments will be made for Tusla-funded Section 56 bodies and section 10 homeless services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48532/22]
View answerOf the €110m in the cost-of-living budget package that has been allocated to the Department of Health, €100m is designated to provide once-off support to Section 39 bodies; including nursing homes and hospices. The remaining €10m is designated to be used on capital projects to support the provision of mental health services. The Department is working with the HSE to plan and develop the formula for the awarding and administration of funding to individual organisations. We intend to progress and implement this as soon as possible in order to expedite payments to these organisations quickly. With regards to payments to organisations funded by Tusla, this would be a matter for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and not the Minister of Health.
558. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment with CAMHS; the reason for the delay; the reason that their family has not been offered parental training or support to implement at home while they await an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47868/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
559. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment with a medical professional at St. James's Hospital, Dublin. [47872/22]
View answerUnder 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.
560. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the supports and or choices that are available to parents that deem themselves in a position that they cannot provide appropriate care for their children; if the HSE has care services available for the adult and child (details supplied). [47873/22]
View answerThe part of the question that the Deputy refers to with regard to care arrangements for children where parents are unable to provide appropriate care falls under the remit of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. As the remainder part of your question is a service matter I am referring it to the HSE for direct reply as soon as possible.
561. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when agency workers in the health services and those employed as frontline workers in private nursing homes will receive the €1,000 pandemic bonus payment. [47880/22]
View answerThe HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout 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.
It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. 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.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention.
562. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the HSE trial in Peamount Hospital delivering a multidisciplinary program for persons living with a neurological condition; when the trial is expected to be completed; the long-term plan for when the trial is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47881/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
563. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his plans, if any, to increase the number of staff who carry out post-mortem examinations given that these currently can take up to a week and are delaying the release of bodies for funerals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47882/22]
View answerI understand this is in relation to the Dublin City Mortuary which is a matter for the Department of Justice.
564. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when test results will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47889/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
565. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if the funding for payment of the €1,000 pandemic bonus payment has been transferred to the accounts of private nursing homes and the accounts of agencies in the health sector; and if so, the date that the transfer took place. [47890/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout 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.
It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. 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.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention, and it is expected that timeframes will become clearer in due course.
566. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if all eligible HSE staff have been paid the pandemic recognition payment; the number of payments that are outstanding to eligible healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47900/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment for eligible HSE and Section 38 employees is currently receiving priority. As of Friday, 23 September, 85,352 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 123,639.
All payments across the HSE and Section 38 organisations are being progressed by local management and each site will assess the eligibility of their staff before processing payment. As eligibility is still being assessed across sites locally, I cannot provide you with an estimated number of public service workers who are eligible to receive the payment.
567. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the tender for a third-party contractor to assist with the pandemic recognition payment process is complete; if a contract has been signed; the further timeframe that is expected for payments to eligible healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47901/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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.
The Department is aware that the deadline for the HSE's tender process on this matter was extended to 23 September. It is expected that once a contract is in place and details of payment processes are finalised, information will be published for those certain eligible non-HSE/non-Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. Once this is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
568. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of domestic flights for work purposes taken by him, Ministers of State in his Department and Department staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [47916/22]
View answerPlease see table below.
|
Domestic Flights |
Minister |
Ministers of State |
Department Staff |
|
2019 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2021 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2022 |
0 |
0 |
569. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the reopening of CAMHS inpatient beds in a medical setting (details supplied) concerning the plans to get CAMHS beds up to full capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47926/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
570. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if the consumer directed home support grant is being administered within each CHO area; the number of consumer directed home support grants which were administered in each CHO from 2017 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47930/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
571. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of the consumer directed home support grant as it places the entire responsibility for employing home support on those caring for vulnerable family members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47931/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
572. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of hours for which homecare support assistants were required in each CHO from 2017 to date; the number of these hours that were filled by HSE employed homecare support assistants the number of these hours that were filled by external providers through the HSE and the number of hours in each CHO area within the same period that were unfilled resulting in unmet need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47932/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
573. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated to each CHO from 2017 to date to recruit staff to the home support service; the CHO areas that had an underspend of their allocation from 2017 to date; the actions that are been taken within each CHO area to recruit home care support staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47933/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
