Wednesday, 8 Mar 2023

Written Answers Nos. 191-204

Departmental Data

Questions (191)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

191. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of threats to kill incidents reported to Garda within the division in 2020 to 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [11706/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system.

In relation to the number of threat to kill incidents reported to Gardaí, I am informed that figures in respect of this incident type are categorised as ‘threat to kill or cause serious harm’ and a specific incident type cannot be easily distinguished to provide separate data.

To be of assistance, the below table provides figures for the incident type ‘threat to kill or cause serious harm’ for the period up to Q3 2022. Figures in respect of the final quarter of 2022 are due to be released later this month and I look forward to reviewing these once available. This information can be accessed at the following CSO website link: data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06.

Year	Quarter	Number
2022	Q3	470
2022	Q2	416
2022	Q1	463
2022 (Q1-Q3) total		1,349
2021	Q4	434
2021	Q3	424
2021	Q2	432
2021	Q1	376
2021 total		1,666
2020	Q4	379
2020	Q3	440
2020	Q2	383
2020	Q1	331
2020 total		1,533

Sentencing Policy

Questions (192)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

192. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice when a review will be completed on the temporary release of certain offences, as required by section 29 of the Judicial Council Act 2019. [11873/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I can clarify for the Deputy that the review under Section 29 of the Judicial Council Act 2019 relates to minimum sentences for offences.

As the Deputy will be aware, enactments relating to minimum sentences do have an impact on the eligibility for temporary release and this matter will be considered accordingly. In December 2021, my Department commenced this review and I hope to be in a position to provide it to the Oireachtas shortly.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (193)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

193. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda vehicles assigned to Kildare Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11890/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern and fit-for-purpose policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10 million has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, for security reasons, An Garda Síochána does not provide the vehicle allocations by Garda station. The Deputy will be aware that the Kildare Division is comprised of the three districts of Kildare, Leixlip and Naas. The table below shows that the number of vehicles attached to each of the districts as of 28 February 2023.

Kildare Division	District	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4x4	Others	Total
	Kildare	22	4	1	0	0	27
	Leixlip	11	2	0	0	0	13
	Naas	24	7	1	1	1	34
Total for Kildare Division		57	13	2	1	1	74

*The category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles

The Deputy will be interested to know that the Kildare Division has seen an increase of over 12% since 31 December 2020 when there were 66 vehicles attached to the Kildare Division.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (194)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

194. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí currently out on sick leave due to work-related issues in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11891/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes all internal Garda human resources matters and sick leave management. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.

For the Deputy's information, the Garda Commissioner publishes detailed statistics on Garda absences, both for Garda members and Garda staff, in monthly reports to the Policing Authority. These reports can be viewed at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/commissioner-s-monthly-reports-to-policing-authority/. For example, see pages 39-45 of the February 2023 Report. A breakdown of Garda members absent by geographical area is not available to prevent identification of individual members, in line with data protection.

Legislative Measures

Questions (195)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

195. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice when the Private Security Services (Amendment) Act 2021 will be fully commenced; when the insertion of definitions of "court messenger" and "enforcement guard" will be inserted into the Principal Act (S.I. No. 379 of 2021); if she will report on the delay of the commencement of the Act; and whether the lifting of the eviction moratorium has affected the timetable for its commencement. [11964/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the Private Security Authority (PSA), an independent body under the aegis of my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the private security industry in Ireland.

The Private Security Services (Amendment) Act 2021 brings the regulation and licensing of security personnel, assisting those enforcing court orders for evictions and repossessions, within the remit of the Private Security Authority. The Act was signed into law by the President on 12 July 2021.

The main provision of the Act is the insertion of an additional category and a definition of an "enforcement guard" in the list of security services covered by the Private Security Services Act 2004. This will require enforcement guards to obtain a licence to operate, and ensure that they are subject to the training standards and licensing regime operated by the PSA. The Act also includes a definition of “court messenger” as a person appointed under section 4 of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act 1926. While a "court messenger" is not a licensable activity under the PSA, the definition is contained within the definition of an “enforcement guard” and so will be commenced at the same time as the term “enforcement guard".

The PSA has established a working group to develop the licensing requirements for enforcement guards and launched a public consultation on the requirements for contractors in December 2021.

The timeframe for the licensing of enforcement guard contractors has not changed. It has not been impacted by any other factors and as planned, it will commence on the 31 March 2023.

Work on the development of training requirements for employee licensing is currently underway. A timeframe for the licensing of enforcement guard employees will be announced later this year.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (196)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

196. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if funding or grants are available to help persons who need a permanent oxygen machine with their electricity costs to run oxygen machines required as part of their treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11627/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to providing accessible and affordable healthcare.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances, free of charge to eligible persons following assessment by a relevant health professional.

The Department of Social Protection administers the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme and the Fuel Allowance, which may assist individuals in meeting the costs associated with operating medical devices. Further information on these can be found, respectively, at:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/d5554-supplementary-welfare-allowance/

www.gov.ie/en/service/00aa38-fuel-allowance/

In addition, energy suppliers are required to establish, maintain and regularly update a register of vulnerable customers. Vulnerable customers include:

- Those who are critically dependent on electrically powered equipment. This includes (but is not limited to) life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment, or

- Those who are particularly vulnerable to disconnection during winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health.

There are a range of additional protection measures in place for registered vulnerable customers. Energy suppliers are required to provide customers with a free and easy way to register as a vulnerable customer. Further information regarding this can be found at: www.cru.ie/need-assistance/vulnerable-customers/

As announced in Budget 2023, every household in Ireland will receive three €200 energy credits, totalling €600, towards the costs of their electricity.

There are also a range of HSE administered schemes that assist individuals in meeting their medical costs.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.

In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.

In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.

The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) ensures that no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines who are not eligible for a medical card.

Finally, individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.

Hospital Services

Questions (197)

Joe McHugh

Question:

197. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health when the day hospital will re-open at St. Joseph's Hospital, Stranorlar, County Doegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11636/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Care Services

Questions (198)

Joe McHugh

Question:

198. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health when daycentre services will re-open at Ramelton community nursing home in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11637/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (199)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

199. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the pandemic recognition payment will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11641/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Alcohol Sales

Questions (200)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

200. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if health warning labels on alcohol products will be bilingual, reflecting warnings in both English and Irish; and if not, if including the Irish language on packaging will be considered. [11647/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 requires that certain health warnings and information be displayed on the labels of alcohol products, on notices in licensed premises and on websites which sell alcohol products. The labels of alcohol products must also contain information on the grams of alcohol and the calories in the product.

Section 12 requires that the notices to be displayed in licensed premises and the notices required on websites which sell alcohol products, must be bilingual. In the case of labels on alcohol products, the information is required in the English language only. Section 12 was enacted in this manner in 2018 in the interests of proportionality i.e., to lessen the burden on businesses that would be required to put these six additional pieces of information on the labels of their products for the first time.

As section 12 requires bilingual notices in both on-licensed premises and off-licensed premises, as well as on websites that sell alcohol products, this requirement was enacted in 2018 in a way to ensure that the relevant information will be available in the Irish language to all consumers.

Hospital Services

Questions (201)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

201. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the immediate plans to restore full services to Wexford General Hospital; the length of time this will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11649/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE, Hospital Management and the Ireland East Hospital Group are co-ordinating and progressing a plan for the phased resumption of services in Wexford General Hospital. Hospital Management, the Ireland East Hospital Group and the HSE will continue to work to achieve the safe resumption of services at the hospital.

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 (202)

Michael Lowry

Question:

202. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he has received and reviewed a press statement by an organisation (details supplied) concerning the recently published National Report, Staff Census, and Workforce Review for 2022 of children's disability network teams; what efforts he is making to ensure progress is made to increase staffing levels in the CDNT teams; if he and relevant Ministers of State in his Department will meet representatives of the organisation to discuss this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11650/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Anne Rabbitte)

The Government is enhancing children’s disability services to better support children with special needs and their families across the country. Children with complex special needs access therapy services through the Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs). The Government and the HSE both acknowledge the challenges in meeting the demand for these disability services and are acutely aware of how these challenges impact on children and their families.

Though the 2022 CDNT Staff Census notes an average vacancy rate of 34% across CHOs, this is to be understood in the context of an increase in approved posts. An overall analysis of the data from 2021 and 2022 demonstrates an increase of 11% in the number of approved posts and a 2% increase in the CDNT workforce. This increase has been achieved in a context where there is an average turnover rate 9.6% in health and social care professionals each year. The report of the 2022 CDNT Staff Census and Workforce Review is currently with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for consideration.

There is an acknowledgment that supply challenges exist in the context of recruitment and this lack of qualified staff to work in the service is impacting the capacity to deliver services to families and children with complex needs in a timely manner.

However, the HSE and the various Lead Agencies are experiencing ongoing challenges recruiting staff across a range of disciplines and grades to fully staff each team to maximum capacity. This is reflective of current recruitment issues being faced by the wider health service.

The HSE has an extensive Recruitment and Retention campaign underway, specifically to support the development and enhancement of CDNTs, with particular efforts including:

- Targeted National Recruitment for CDNTs

- Targeted International Recruitment for CDNTs with an agreed relocation allowance

- Sponsorship Programme for therapy grades

In addition, the following options are being explored:

- Apprentice Programme for therapy grades

- Employment of graduates as therapy assistants as they await CORU registration

- Expansion of therapy assistants in the system with HSE supporting individuals to return to education to quality as therapists.

In the interim, the HSE continues to drive a number of initiatives to reduce waiting times for children and families. These include sourcing therapy assessments and interventions externally via private service providers, the use of private providers enhancing CDNT capacity to support increased therapy interventions.

Conscious that recruitment will only be beneficial if current staff are retained, the HSE and partner Lead Agencies are committed to providing ongoing training and development for CDNT staff supporting their professional development and retention, and promoting CDNTs as an attractive place to work.

Any requests for meetings should be referred to my office in Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for consideration. I try to meet as many stakeholders as possible but each request must be considered in the context of availability and existing diary commitments.

Disability Services

Questions (203, 204, 205)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

203. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the recruitment process for community neuro-rehabilitation staffing in community healthcare organisation, CHO6; if the five roles (details supplied) have been advertised; if so, if any or all of them have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11656/23]

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

204. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health when the neuro-rehabilitation unit planned for CHO6 will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11657/23]

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

205. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if a suitable governance model for the neuro-rehabilitation team for CHO6 has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11658/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 205, inclusive, together.

As these questions refer to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 204 answered with Question No. 203.