Parliamentary questions

Departmental Contracts

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

425. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he has taken following his statement in February 2015 that he intended preventing any firm which has a contract with a tobacco group from tendering to work for bodies under the aegis of his Department; the further steps he is planning to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18384/15]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

469. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current budget of the National Treatment Purchase Fund; the outcomes of this spend; if he is satisfied that this spend represents value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18374/15]

Drugs Payment Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

470. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons and families applying for the drugs repayment scheme; the number who receive assistance in spends over €144 per month; the overall spend by the State on this; the average spend per person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18375/15]

Hospitals Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

471. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of publicly funded hospitals that are not currently controlled by the Health Service Executive; the areas in which these hospitals are; the national status given to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18377/15]

Health Services Staff Training

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

476. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of back-to-nursing courses that are available for those wishing to return to nursing after a prolonged absence; if there are any free courses in view of the fact that there are particular challenges recruiting adequate numbers of nurses at present; if he will confirm that the only courses currently available would require a payment or a contractual obligation to work in a specific hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 24; his plans to add any other courses at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18454/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

492. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for scoliosis surgery, per year, for the past five years, and waiting at present; the actions he will take to ensure these lists are reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18550/15]

General Practitioner Training

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

497. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners being trained at each level; his plans to increase this number; the number of applicants there are for training posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18588/15]

Accident and Emergency Departments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

498. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the changes planned for numbers of emergency departments across the State; if his Department uses specific criteria to plan emergency departments, such as distance from population, overall number across the State, number of senior clinicians; the way Ireland compares to other jurisdictions in these respects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18589/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

502. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current level of child and adolescent mental health services staffing in comparison to the recommended number, as outlined in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18607/15]

Health Care Professionals

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

503. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the progress, to date, in determining the course to be taken regarding regulation of the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist; his plans for further consultation; if said consultation process will be time-limited and, if so, when he expects to be able to proceed with registration through the Health and Social Care Professional Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18614/15]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

567. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to address the needs of householders with properties with a pyrite damage rating of category 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18220/15]

Pyrite Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

568. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the options available to residents living in housing estates affected by pyrite in securing home insurance, if their property is unaffected by pyrite or is rated category 1; if he is aware of the difficulty householders in these situations are having in securing home insurance; the measures being undertaken to address this situation; his plans to issue green certification for category 1 with no visual evidence of pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18221/15]

Disability Allowance Payments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

38. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a disability allowance payment has ceased in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford without any prior notice or warning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17920/15]

Hospital Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

123. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to ensure that staffing levels and staffing arrangements are adequate in the acute psychiatric unit at Roscommon County Hospital in order that patients can be assured of safe care; if he is satisfied that the care, staffing and staffing arrangements at present are adequate, in view of the tragic passing of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17909/15]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

168. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the status of legislation relating to infertility; if the heads of the Bill have been agreed; if the Bill will examine governance of the sector; if medical card patients may be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18030/15]

Public Sector Staff Retirements

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

202. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a decision will be made on whether a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will be made to retire or if other arrangements will be made; if his Department recognises that it has responsibility for this issue; if representations have been received on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17946/15]

Social Insurance Rates

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

65. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the revenue that would be generated by an increase of 1%, 2% and 3%, respectively, in employers pay-related social insurance. [17746/15]

Social Insurance Rates

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

66. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the revenue that would be generated by an increase of 1%, 2% and 3% in employees pay-related social insurance. [17747/15]

Tax Yield

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

167. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be generated by the introduction of a 1% income levy on all gross income. [17750/15]

Deportation Orders Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

264. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportations of Liberian nationals carried out each year since 2005. [17604/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

292. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if an early date for a hip replacement operation at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin 11, will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [17187/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

313. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of persons waiting for colonoscopies in each hospital, for the months of November and December 2014, separately, for less than three months, more than three months and less than six months, more than six months and less than nine months, more than nine months and less than 12 months, and greater than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17409/15]

Mental Health Services Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

317. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of funding for children's mental health services in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17423/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

331. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if an early date for a hip replacement operation at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dublin 11, will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 [17496/15]

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

345. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the numbers of patients requiring provision of primary percutaneous coronary intervention centre in St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4 and in the two other centres; the evidence upon which this decision and the placement of centres was based; the numbers that are recommended to keep units open; the issue with numbers of adequate staff; if the decision was based on cost or best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17548/15]

Hospital Beds Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

351. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when the remaining 25 child and adolescent psychiatric beds, of a total of 80 committed to in A Vision for Change, will be made available to prevent further inappropriate admissions of children and young persons, in view of the fact that 89 young persons were admitted to adult psychiatric inpatient units in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17620/15]

Hospital Trusts

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

379. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health whether the establishment of hospital trusts and the introduction of the relevant legislation will be completed within the lifetime of the current Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17748/15]

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

413. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when the rheumatology outreach clinic in Letterkenny, County Donegal will be restored, in view of the comments in December 2012 by then Minister for Health (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17830/15]

Health Services Staff Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

417. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of clinical to non-clinical staff in the Health Service Executive for the past three years; if he is satisfied with the way this compares with other similar jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17867/15]

EU Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

450. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application will be made to the globalisation fund in respect of a facility closure (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17273/15]

HSE Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

155. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of a company employed to make deliveries on behalf of a State body (details supplied); if the contract that this body has with the company is currently being breached by pay levels in this company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17075/15]

Pensions Reform

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

43. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on whether a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will be made to retire or if other arrangements will be made; if her Department recognises that it has responsibility for this issue; if representations have been received on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16906/15]

General Practitioner Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

103. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the yearly cost of extending free general practitioner care to the population over six years of age and under 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16939/15]

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

247. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the comprehensive review that took place that led to the decision to cease provision of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in St. Vincent's University Hospital; the evidence upon which this decision and the placement of intervention centres was based; his plans for changes to intervention centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16328/15]

Nursing Staff Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

267. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if 5,200 nursing posts, that is 13.5% of the total, have been cut from the health service since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16401/15]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

268. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if 3,000 children are waiting more than 12 months to access the speech and language therapy that they have been assessed as requiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16402/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

269. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of children who continue to be admitted to adult wards up to the end of March 2015; the number who were placed in adult wards; the number of children and adolescents waiting to be seen by the child and adolescent mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16403/15]

Eating Disorders

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

304. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the status of the posts required to set up an eating disorder inpatient service for the child and adolescent mental health services, as indicated in the Health Service Executive mental health division operational plan 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16609/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

305. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of persons waiting for colonoscopies in each hospital for the month of March, separately in the following categories: less than three months, between three and six months, between six and nine months, between nine and 12 months and greater than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16612/15]

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

306. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the changes to the long-term illness scheme in chapter 47 of Management of the Health Service Executive Vote: Health Service Executive Update June 2012, which outlines that long-term illness patients will be provided with a general practitioner visit card in place of long-term illness cards; the way their medication costs and medical appliances costs will be covered; if those patients with these cards will still be eligible for medication at general medical services level charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16614/15]

Hospital Groups

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

308. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of the trust system to be introduced; the way this transition will take place; the new roles that these trusts will have; the structure and function that are envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16616/15]

Patient Transport Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

317. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the cuts made by the Health Service Executive to funding for the transport provided for families of children with special needs to bring those children to and from their homes to centres; the number of families affected; the total budget saving; and if consideration will be given to reversing this cut. [16645/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

334. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of psychiatric services available in County Waterford, including the availability of community psychiatric services; if he will provide a breakdown of the provision of counselling in primary care and suicide crisis assessment nurses in emergency departments, in the community and in out-of-hours crisis services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16792/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

335. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of waiting lists for psychiatric services available in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16793/15]

Passport Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

348. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outlets that exist in the six north-eastern counties of Ireland for Irish passport application forms, as ease of access is important; if he will consider and/or approve the availability of Irish passport application forms through community facilities on an expressed interest basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16613/15]

School Curriculum

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

384. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the cessation of the European studies programme for second level schools; her plans to restore funding to this worthwhile programme; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16618/15]

Respite Care Grant Payments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

37. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the respite grant or a relevant portion of it will issue in June 2015 to carers who had been caring for persons until the end of March 2015 in cases where the persons they had been caring for are now in residential facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15929/15]

Vaccination Programme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

439. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of a case in County Longford, where a person is considered by a parent to have contracted encephalomyelitis due to the pandemic vaccination; if it is accepted that this was caused by the vaccination; the measures of aid that have been put in place for the person and the person's family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15173/15]

Dental Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

460. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding dental treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [15377/15]

Dental Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

461. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the dental scheme for medical card holders entitles them to two fillings per year, regardless of whether the tooth or teeth requiring fillings were previously filled, in view of the fact that patients have been informed by some dentists that fillings for teeth previously filled are not covered under the scheme. [15378/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

465. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when an appointment with a urologist will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [15386/15]

Health Services Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

489. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the ratio of doctors to population; the ratio of acute hospital beds per person; the number of specialists and the amount of money invested in primary care; the way this compares with other European Union states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15499/15]

Vaccination Programme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

517. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of a case (details supplied) in County Longford, where a person is felt by a parent to have contracted encephalomyelitis due to the pandemic vaccination; if it is accepted that this was caused by the vaccination; the measures of aid that have been put in place for the person and the person's family; if any are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15616/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

523. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the details of patients on waiting lists for outpatient appointments; inpatient procedures; and any other lists, in hospitals in County Galway and County Mayo, who have been waiting for six months, one year, two years and over two years, broken down by specialty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15641/15]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

647. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process and criteria employed to decide the county, council by county, and council allocation from the social housing fund announced on 1 April 2015; the reason for the significant inter-county / council variation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15746/15]

Drug Treatment Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

2. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that the Health Service Executive recruitment embargo has resulted in a crisis in the executive's counselling services and dangerously high caseloads; that certain individual addiction counsellors in the executive working in the Dublin region are tasked with over 200 client cases; that no new counsellors have been appointed in the past year; that this is the first Government in 21 years not to have a Minister with responsibility for dealing with the issue of drug abuse; that the Government has presided over a 37% cut in drug rehabilitation services in the past five years; that there has been a failure to fill the 1,000 ring-fenced places for drug rehabilitation participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14806/15]

Hospitals Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

5. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm from where the minimum 2% to 2.5% reduction in hospital budgets this year is envisaged to come; if he will address the deficit in acute services, as outlined in the Health Service Executive's most recent performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14938/15]

Medicinal Products Prices

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

16. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the latest status of the existing agreement between the State and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association on pharmaceutical prices, signed in 2012; his plans to further reduce the cost of medicines to patients and the taxpayer; if the Government’s legislative powers to impose a price cut on pharmaceutical firms will be employed; the savings it is envisaged this will provide; the effect of employing the lowest price of medications in reference countries rather than the average price in these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14712/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

20. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that there are no mental health therapy services available to those in County Clare who do not have a new diagnosis; the action he is taking to ensure that adequate services exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14711/15]

Chronic Disease Management Programme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

35. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans for increased chronic care management in general practice; the form this will take; the increased funding that will be provided for this; when new contracts with general practitioners will be negotiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14713/15]

Hospitals Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

37. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the status of present funding for Port Laoise Hospital in County Laois; the status the hospital is now given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14714/15]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

39. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if elderly persons will be asked to contribute more to the fair deal scheme, despite the Minister of State's commitment to the effect that they would not be asked do this; the stage the evaluation by his Department and the Health Service Executive of the report on the scheme is at; when it will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14715/15]

HSE Investigations

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

465. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the second investigation into the tragic loss of a baby (details supplied), and other cases of concern that have taken place in the maternity unit at Cavan General Hospital; when he expects to receive the report; if he will recommit to publish this report on receipt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13968/15]

Patient Safety Agency Establishment

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

474. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a patient safety authority as outlined in the programme for Government 2011; the form this authority will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14018/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

515. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the planned 45-bed adult psychiatric acute admissions unit, to be located at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Healthcare Campus in Drogheda in County Louth as a replacement for Saint Brigid's Hospital in Ardee in County Louth; if the unit is on-track to open in quarter 3 of 2015, as stated in the Health Service Executive Mental Health Division Operational Plan for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14232/15]

Disability Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

583. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of existing clinicians, the number of therapy posts and the number and grade identified as being required during the mapping-of-need exercise conducted as part of the progressing disability services reform project, broken down by region and discipline, for example, speech and language therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychologist and social worker; the number of those posts that have been allocated and the number filled; if he will provide this in context of the child population, the number of children currently receiving a service and the number anticipated to require a service also included; and his views on the shortfall and consequent dilution of services for children. [14559/15]

Disability Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

584. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the formula employed to estimate the number of clinicians of various disciplines, that is, the appropriate mix and also the number of therapy posts required, under the mapping-of-need exercise conducted as part of the progressing disability services reform project; and the recommended ratio of therapists to children. [14560/15]

Disability Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

585. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the formula employed to estimate the additional number of children that are anticipated to need a service, as part of the progressing disability services reform project (details supplied). [14561/15]

Medical Inquiries

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

607. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to find the details of how an investigation into home birth practice (details supplied) was undertaken in view of the fact that the removal of professional indemnity to practise effectively closed down the person's practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14684/15]

Medical Card Eligibility

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

612. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of anecdotal reports of those with disabilities discontinuing employment to remain in receipt of a medical card and related care; if he is aware of data relating to such cases; the plans that have been put in place to empower and aid those who wish to stay in employment without the fear of losing a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14717/15]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

628. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current status of the National Treatment Purchase Fund; the areas it is being focused on at present, its budgets in each of the past three years; where have these funds been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14821/15]

Electricity Transmission Network

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

831. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if EirGrid will continue with a 400 kV overhead tower and overhead lines at a location (details supplied) in County Cavan, despite concerns being raised on different occasions; if any further consultative process will be entered into; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14858/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

38. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm that there was a decrease of 13% in the number of women client participants between December 2012 and December 2014. [13759/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

39. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she will provide an explanation for the significant decline in women client rehabilitation participants. [13760/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

40. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm that she included 220 employed support workers in her response and in her confirmation of the number of places dedicated to drugs rehabilitation participants as on community employment at December 2014. [13762/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

41. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, the reason she included 220 support workers in her confirmation of places dedicated to drugs rehabilitation on community employment; and the reason she specifically confirmed 1,156 allocated spaces dedicated to drugs rehabilitation on special community employment participants, as at December 2014. [13763/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

42. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm that support workers are not referred through addiction services and therefore may not be counted in the 1,000 ring-fenced community employment rehabilitation places. [13764/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

43. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm it is established and long-standing policy not to include support workers as participant places in the 1,000 ring-fenced community employment rehabilitation places. [13765/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

44. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm the gender breakdown of the 220 support workers she confirmed were employed on community employment drug schemes in December 2014. [13766/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

45. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she included support workers employed by the schemes in her comparison figure of 824 community employment drug scheme participants, provided as at December 2012. [13767/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

46. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, the number of actual support workers employed by the schemes in December 2012, in addition to stated participants, as at December 2012. [13768/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

47. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she will provide a breakdown of the gender of the total support workers employed by the schemes in December 2012. [13769/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

48. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm that specific categories of rehabilitation participants were in fact considerably down in December 2014. [13770/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

49. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, the reason all 1,000 ring-fenced participant rehabilitation places, which should exclude support workers, are not allocated and filled. [13771/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

50. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm the person who organised the workshops; the number, locations and cost of the workshops held; and the number of scheme supervisor attendees. [13772/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

51. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, of 24 February 2015, if she will provide a specific list of referrers to community employment drug rehabilitation schemes, which she refers to in her reply, and a breakdown of the source of all referrals for drug rehabilitation places. [13773/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

52. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if she will provide an explanation and reconcile her reply with her Department's reported figures for December 2012, of 824 places, broken down as 461 males, or 56%, and 363 females, or 44%. [13774/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

53. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm that the number of women rehabilitation participants on special community employment schemes is in fact considerably down. [13775/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

54. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm that the number of rehabilitation participants over 25 years of age is considerably down. [13776/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

55. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if she will provide an explanation as to the reason the over 25 age group of participants is considerably down. [13777/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

56. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm the breakdown of gender of the over 25 age group participants as at December 2014. [13779/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

57. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if she will provide a breakdown of the gender of the over 25 age group participants as at December 2012. [13780/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

58. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm the gender breakdown of 257 participants confirmed as being under 25 years of age as at December 2014. [13781/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

59. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if she will confirm the operational effect the entry requirement changes to special community employment schemes and, in particular, the entry reduction requirement to 18 years have had on special community employment schemes. [13782/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

60. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, the changes that are planned to take place in the special community employment schemes to meet the service needs of the 18 to 25 age group. [13784/15]

Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

61. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, the additional resources and training that are being provided to special community employment schemes to allow them to adapt and service the 18 to 25 age group. [13785/15]

Drug Treatment Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

190. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 176 to 178 of 24 February 2015, if he will provide confirmation of the way women, no longer in treatment in the Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Schemes, are now serviced by addiction services. [13761/15]

Drug Treatment Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

191. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will provide details of the way the over 25 years of age group is now serviced by addiction services. [13778/15]

Drug Treatment Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

192. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will confirm the basis for the Special Community Employment Schemes was set, focused on a model working with persons who were on methadone and attending treatment clinics, can be reconciled to meeting the needs of this reported younger cohort. [13783/15]

Drug Treatment Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

193. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will confirm, out of the 936 participant clients he has confirmed as participants on special Community Employment Schemes as at December 2014, the number of those participants who were also on the Methadone Scheme. [13786/15]