Michael Noonan
Ceist:134 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the funding provided by the Health Service Executive for radiotherapy services in the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3070/06]
Written Answers.
The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies received from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 22, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 23 to 126, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 127 to 133, inclusive, answered orally.
Hospital Services.
Cancer patients in the south east who require radiotherapy are referred to St. Luke's Hospital Dublin and Cork University Hospital. Two radiation oncologists, one from each hospital, have sessional commitments at the hospitals in the south east. The more recent appointment in September 2005 is a joint appointment with Cork University Hospital. She has a five sessional commitment to the south east, which is a significant additional resource to cancer patients in the region. Both appointments will ensure that there is appropriate radiation oncology input into the multi-disciplinary treatment of cancer patients and that patients have equitable access to the services in both Dublin and Cork. The protocols for the referral of patients are developed by the relevant consultants. In 2005, two new linear accelerators were commissioned at Cork University Hospital and patients from the south east are benefiting from improved access to this increased radiotherapy capacity supported by the consultant radiation oncologist to whom I have referred. The funding for these services is encompassed in the allocation by the Health Service Executive to the relevant hospitals.
Last July I announced the Government's plan for a national network of radiation oncology services to be put in place by 2011 and commencing in 2008. The network will consist of four large centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway and two integrated satellite centres at Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital. The satellite radiation oncology service at Waterford Regional Hospital is to be managed by Cork University Hospital. The Health Service Executive, in association with the National Development Finance Agency and my Department, is currently developing the output specifications for the delivery of substantial additional capacity through a public private partnership. The associated human resource plan, which is essential to deliver on the Government's objective, is also being developed as a matter of priority and will take into account the developments at Waterford Regional Hospital.
I am determined to continue to build on the substantial developments and increased capacity in cancer care so that we have a world class service available and accessible to patients in each region.
Question No. 135 answered with QuestionNo. 133.
Hospitals Building Programme.
Tony Gregory
Ceist:136 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is committed to the transfer of the children’s hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1 to a modern hospital on the Mater site in line with the agreed timescale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2753/06]
Richard Bruton
Ceist:137 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department has given sanction for the redevelopment of the Children’s University Hospital in a joint development on the campus of the Mater hospital; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a proposed review of tertiary paediatric services has put a halt to this development on which €46 million has already been incurred; if she has requested or received a report on the need for this report; the reason, if needed, same was not part of the original assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2796/06]
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:174 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on concerns from the boards of Temple Street and Mater hospitals over the decision by the Health Service Executive to delay the proposed redevelopment of the two hospitals; her further views on the matter; the timescales for proposed developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3019/06]
Seán Crowe
Ceist:203 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be taken on the proposal to build a replacement for Temple Street children’s hospital on a site at the Mater hospital. [2988/06]
John Curran
Ceist:316 Mr. Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the situation and progress report on the Mater and children’s hospital development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3198/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 137, 174, 203 and 316 together.
The Mater and children's hospital development is the largest single capital development project in the HSE capital programme. It involves the redevelopment of the Mater campus to include considerably expanded and improved facilities for the Mater itself, and the construction of new, purpose-built accommodation which will replace the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street.
In the context of the decision to be taken on the possible relocation of the facilities at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, I asked the Health Service Executive to undertake a review of tertiary — highly specialised — paediatric services to ensure that paediatric services are provided in the most efficient and effective manner. The HSE engaged a team of management consultants to provide a report on the strategic organisation of tertiary paediatric services in Ireland. Its report is expected to be furnished to the HSE tomorrow evening for consideration at the scheduled HSE board meeting on Thursday.
The HSE has advised the hospital that it will await its consideration of the report before giving approval for the project to proceed to tender.
Following receipt of the report, my Department will have discussions with the HSE to determine how the development project is to be advanced. My primary concern is to ensure that we arrive at a solution which is in the best interests of children.
Medical Cards.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:138 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards promised and delivered, in view of recent announced figures; her views on the fact that despite promises in November 2004 for 30,000 extra full medical cards, recent figures from the Health Service Executive show an increase of people on full medical cards of just 4,728. [3035/06]
I am informed by the Health Service Executive that in January 2006, 1,155,727 people had medical cards, which is 10,644 more than the corresponding figure, 1,145,083, for January 2005.
I made a number of significant changes in 2005 to make it easier for people to qualify for a medical card or a GP visit card. The income guidelines and the income allowances for children, which are taken into account for the purposes of assessment of eligibility for the medical card, were increased from 1 January 2005. A higher rate of increase was applied to the allowances for children and was specifically aimed at assisting low income families with children to access primary care services. Other significant changes I have introduced include: assessment is now based on people's income after tax and PRSI; allowances for children and dependants were increased; and account is taken of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent and mortgage payments, child care and travel to work.
In October 2005 the income guidelines for medical cards and GP visit cards were increased by a further 20%. Thus the income guidelines have increased by 29% since 2004. The HSE has publicised these changes and has provided a national information helpline. The executive will continue to encourage people to apply and has made the application process as simple as possible.
In December 2005 my Department asked the HSE to take account of the welfare, taxation or other changes announced in the budget on the operation of the income guidelines and to identify any changes which may be required to ensure that medical cards and GP visit cards continue to be available to those who need them. I expect to receive a report from the HSE shortly about this matter.
Infectious Diseases.
Ciarán Cuffe
Ceist:139 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to date in 2006 to deal with the possibility of an outbreak of bird flu, or worse, a flu pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3089/06]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:144 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department is co-operating with the Department of Agriculture and Food on the question of bird flu; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3094/06]
Dan Boyle
Ceist:157 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the recent reports regarding the effectiveness of Tamiflu; the reserves of Tamiflu here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3087/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 144 and 157 together.
Avian influenza, bird flu, is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. The Department of Agriculture and Food is responsible for controlling avian influenza in birds and mammals other than humans. That Department has put in place a range of measures aimed at maintaining Ireland's avian flu free status.
The health sector's role in avian flu relates to the human health implications that would arise were there to be an outbreak of avian flu here. My Department is working very closely with the Department of Agriculture and Food in this context and there are ongoing meetings between officials to discuss issues of mutual concern.
The Department of Agriculture and Food is also an active participant in my Department's influenza pandemic expert group. A sub-group of the expert group has developed these guidance documents for use in the event of an avian influenza outbreak in animals in Ireland.
Guidance on the investigation and management of suspected human cases of avian influenza has also been developed and circulated within the health system. These guidance documents are available on the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre website, www.hpsc.ie.
The Department of Agriculture and Food is issuing a comprehensive "biosecurity information pack" to almost 7,500 poultry flockowners who have registered with them. This mailshot includes public health advice on bird flu prepared by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
The overall aims of influenza pandemic planning are to reduce mortality and morbidity, and to minimise the resulting disruption to society. However, the consequences of a global pandemic are still likely to be serious. Pandemic planning can only mitigate the effects and my Department and the Health Service Executive are working closely together on pandemic planning. This work is ongoing on a number of fronts, as follows: the influenza pandemic expert group is updating expert guidance; the pandemic influenza operational response plan is being updated in line with the most up to date expert advice. This work is being progressed through working-implementation groups established by the HSE to address actions within the following functional areas — surveillance, health services, public health measures, vaccines-antivirals etc., communications, laboratories and materials management. My Department is a member of the HSE steering group and is also actively involved in the vaccines-antivirals and communications groups; my Department is establishing a standing interdepartmental committee to consider issues which go beyond the health aspects of an influenza pandemic. This committee will assist with planning for such an emergency and will also be available in the event of an emergency arising; and arrangements to procure a stockpile of H5N1 vaccine for key health care workers and other essential workers are in train. My Department is also actively pursuing an advanced purchase order for a pandemic strain vaccine.
An emergency supply of more than 45,000 treatment packs of antivirals, Tamiflu, was purchased in 2004. A further 1 million treatment packs of antivirals, Tamiflu, are being stockpiled. A total of 600,000 packs have already been delivered. The remaining 400,000 packs will be delivered this year. Arrangements are also being made to purchase a supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, oseltamivir phosphate powder, to treat children aged between one to five years of age.
Recommendations for the stockpiling of antivirals are kept under constant review by the influenza pandemic expert group. In October 2005, the expert group reviewed recommendations with regard to stockpiling of zanamivir, Relenza, in addition to oseltamivir, Tamiflu. This was in light of a case report of resistance to Tamiflu. The expert group advised that a quantity of Relenza should be stockpiled. The situation was reviewed again at an expert group meeting last week and this decision was confirmed. My Department is now finalising arrangements for the purchase of this additional stock, including quantities and timeframe for delivery.
Treatment with antiviral drugs will play an important part in the response to an influenza pandemic, but it is not the only response. Non-pharmaceutical public health interventions aimed at reducing the spread of infection also have an important role. The expert group is currently updating guidance in this area with reference to the latest recommendations from the World Health Organisation.
Question No. 140 answered with QuestionNo. 133.
Accident and Emergency Services.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:141 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, in view of the accident and emergency crisis and the record number of patients on trolleys, the steps she will take to tackle same; her views on whether the ten-point plan for the accident and emergency crisis is working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3026/06]
Seán Crowe
Ceist:244 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the results of her ten-point plan to address the crisis in accident and emergency units in hospitals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2987/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 244 together.
A wide-ranging approach has been adopted by the Health Service Executive to improve access to accident and emergency services, improve patient flows through accident and emergency departments, reduce waiting times, free up acute beds and provide appropriate longer term care for patients outside of the acute hospital setting.
A particular focus of the action plan has been placed on those patients in acute hospitals who have completed the acute phase of their treatment and are ready for discharge to a more appropriate setting. The HSE has made considerable progress, and is continuing to make sustained efforts, in arranging for the discharge of these patients in order to free up more acute beds for emergency patients. In addition, high dependency beds and intermediate care beds in private nursing homes, along with home care packages, are being used to ensure that patients are appropriately placed.
Under the action plan, the HSE has contracted 48 high dependency beds in private nursing homes for patients with more demanding care needs while additional step-down facilities for intermediate care have so far helped 582 people to move out of hospital. Additional home care packages and enhanced subventions have facilitated the discharge of 530 people. A total of €6.6 million is being targeted at increasing the level of home support available in the community to avoid people having to be admitted to acute hospitals.
Within the context of the action plan, the HSE undertook an audit of efficiencies and process. The study was conducted in ten hospitals, and its conclusions point to a number of areas for further improvement. These include: strengthened discharge planning processes; improved clinical decision making at every stage; and better co-ordination of and access to diagnostic services.
A key action for 2006 for all hospitals with accident and emergency departments will be the full implementation of the efficiency audit recommendations. In tandem with this, a programme of financial incentivisation will be introduced, aimed at rewarding those hospitals that are meeting agreed performance targets and facilitating overall improved performance.
The Health Service Executive will continue to maintain a focus on the implementation of system-wide measures to further improve the delivery of accident and emergency services.
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:142 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the discrepancy between the figures of people waiting on trolleys in accident and emergency departments from the Irish Nurses Organisation and those from the Health Service Executive; the set of figures which are true; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3090/06]
My Department is advised by the Health Service Executive that the reason for the discrepancy between the INO figures and the HSE figures for the numbers of people waiting on trolleys in accident and emergency departments is that the figures are compiled at different times of the day. The INO figures are collected at 8 a.m. each day, while the HSE figures are collected at 2 p.m.
Health Services.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:143 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of speech therapists per Health Service Executive area and per community care area in Dublin; and the waiting list in each area. [2992/06]
As the Deputy's question in regard to waiting lists relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, the parliamentary affairs division of the executive has been asked to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
The total number of speech and language therapists by Health Service Executive area, including voluntary hospitals and intellectual disability agencies, at end September 2005 is shown in the following table.
Employment information with regard to community care areas in Dublin is also shown. It should be noted that these latter figures are exclusive of speech and language therapists employed in any hospitals and intellectual disability agencies located within the community care areas. All figures are expressed in whole time equivalent, WTE, terms. The Deputy will also wish to be aware that the total number of speech and language therapists employed at end September 2005 represents an increase of 162, WTE, or 42% over end-December 2000 figures.
|
Health Service Executive Area |
30/09/2005 |
|
Eastern |
210.88 |
|
Midland |
46.13 |
|
Mid-Western |
33.86 |
|
North-Eastern |
38.83 |
|
North-Western |
28.10 |
|
South-Eastern |
56.30 |
|
Southern |
83.63 |
|
Western |
50.33 |
|
Total |
548.06 |
|
Community Care Area — Dublin |
30/09/2005 |
|
Community Care (Dublin, Area 1) |
5.83 |
|
Community Care (Dublin, Area 2) |
12.79 |
|
Community Care (Dublin, Area 3) |
7.21 |
|
Community Care (Dublin, Area 4) |
6.00 |
|
Community Care (Dublin, Area 5) |
5.33 |
|
Community Care (Dublin, Area 6) |
11.33 |
|
Community Care (Dublin, Area 7) |
6.67 |
|
Community Care (Dublin, Area 8) |
8.89 |
|
Total |
64.05 |
Source: Health Service Personnel Census.
Question No. 144 answered with QuestionNo. 139.
Joe Costello
Ceist:145 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that stroke is the third leading cause of death here; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that same accounts for almost 10% of accident and emergency admissions yet stroke health services are under developed here; her views on whether a national stroke strategy is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3024/06
In 2005, the Tánaiste met the Irish Heart Foundation to discuss, inter alia, services for patients with stroke. Following that meeting, the foundation, with the support of a grant of €70,000 from my Department, convened a national stroke review group, NSRG. The NSRG has representatives from the HSE — population health — and from a wide range of relevant professional and voluntary organisations — community health nurses, speech therapists, volunteer scheme etc. The group developed a research protocol based on methods used for an audit of hospital and community services in the UK.
The research is a national audit of stroke services, to include an audit of hospital-based stroke services: organisational aspects of care in acute hospitals, especially reorganised stroke care, and a clinical audit of stroke care, involving review of clinical case notes for a selected sample of patients; and an audit of community-based stroke services, to include surveys of GPs, allied health professionals, patients and carers, and nursing homes.
These audits will provide excellent baseline information on which to benchmark progress in developing stroke services. The NSRG will monitor progress of the research and use the findings to make recommendations on the development of stroke services. My Department and the Health Service Executive will consider policy implications in the light of this national service audit.
Hospital Procedures.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:146 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the casemix system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3007/06]
Phil Hogan
Ceist:241 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to review the casemix system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3006/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 241 together.
In an era of evidence based medicine, we must also have evidence based management. It is widely agreed that the most developed system for assessing comparative efficiency and for creating incentives within the acute hospital sector, and for encouraging good performance, is casemix. It assists hospital managers to define their workload, measure their productivity and assess quality. It is accepted that it is the only system capable of dealing with the complexities of acute hospital management.
Casemix is now an international system, used in most countries with a developed health care system. It is constantly evolving to keep pace with changing clinical and management practice. A casemix programme was initiated here in 1991 and it is open and inclusive, with all stakeholders actively encouraged to participate in and contribute to the process. My Department works with hospitals to implement suggested improvements in a manner that enhances the consistency and accuracy of the system. At local level, hospitals are encouraged to establish structures encompassing both management and clinicians and advise on the operation and implementation of the programme.
Here, casemix is used as part of the budgetary process in order that hospitals are fully funded for the patients they actually treat. Full account is taken of patient complexity and all unique local issues, such as long-stay patients that cannot be discharged, high cost cases, specialist hospitals versus general hospitals, teaching hospitals versus non-teaching, urban versus rural, etc. All benchmarks within the system, including cost-per-case, are generated by direct reference to each hospital's peer group. The programme in Ireland is unique in that it is budget-neutral, with all funding deducted going back into the acute hospital system.
Many hospitals that lose funding under the programme review their management of patient services and go on to provide better services to more patients and consequently gain funding in the following years. The benefit of casemix is that hospitals can receive recognition and funding for all their patients, taking into account their cost and clinical complexity. The only loser in this process is inefficiency.
A major review of the entire national casemix programme has taken place in consultation with all stakeholders and is actively being implemented. This review led to a complete modernisation of the system.
I am committed to rewarding good performance and as casemix is the most internationally accepted performance related acute hospital activity programme, it is agreed between my Department and the Health Service Executive that casemix will be used as a central pillar in acute hospital funding policy.
Medicinal Products.
Joe Sherlock
Ceist:147 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the delays patients are experiencing in receiving essential medicines; her further views on the fact that people are having to use unlicensed products in the absence of the licensed version of a drug; the affected drugs; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some medical card or GMS patients are paying for drugs rather than waiting for reimbursement approval of the unlicensed medication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3042/06]
Supply shortages of particular drugs usually arise from regulatory or manufacturing difficulties. These shortages are usually unforeseeable and of short duration. In many cases, there are already reimbursable alternative products available through the community drug schemes or, in some instances, only some dosages in the product range are unavailable.
As soon as my Department becomes aware of shortages in vital medicines, contact is made with the company concerned and every effort is made to source an alternative product from a reliable source. As happened in the recent case of injectable vitamin B12, where there were no licensed reimbursable alternatives, another product was sourced and is being reimbursed. Where the alternative product is unlicensed in Ireland, reimbursement for medical cardholders is a matter for the local area of the HSE. There is a separate reimbursement protocol for drug payment scheme patients.
Health Services.
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:148 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that appropriate funding and services are being provided by the Health Service Executive for palliative care services in the health care system here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3073/06]
The National Council on Specialist Palliative Care was established arising from the report of the national advisory committee on palliative care which is the blueprint for the development of palliative care services. The terms of reference of this council include examining, monitoring and making recommendations on the development and implementation of national policy on palliative care services for adults and children in Ireland to provide a high-quality palliative care service with equity of access based on need and availability across all regions and in all care settings.
Since October 2001, this Department provided additional revenue funding in excess of €16 million to the former health boards to develop palliative care services in line with the recommendations in the report. In 2006, a further €9 million is allocated to the Health Service Executive, HSE, for specialist palliative care, this figure includes the provision of 24 extended care beds this year in Our Lady's, Harold's Cross. Some €2 million of this is for the development of palliative home care and community based initiatives throughout the country. This level of funding will also facilitate the HSE to develop action plans in accordance with the recently published Needs Assessment on Palliative Care for Children, and to introduce targeted projects which will provide experience-based knowledge and baseline information to assist in the further development of services. In 2007 an additional €4 million is to be allocated to develop the service, giving a full-year cost of €13 million.
Under the Health Act 2004, the HSE has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of palliative care services. At present the HSE is going through a process of evaluating the proposals received from local areas in relation to community based initiatives.
Medical Inquiries.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:149 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received the report of the investigation into practices at the obstetrics and gynaecology unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2986/06]
Following the Medical Council's investigation into the conduct of Dr. Michael Neary which found him guilty of professional misconduct in relation to ten patients, the Government decided in April 2004 to establish a non-statutory inquiry, the Lourdes Hospital inquiry, chaired by Judge Maureen Harding Clark.
I met the chairperson of the inquiry on 27 January last and received her report. However, I was advised by Judge Clark in the course of the meeting that the inquiry has received some additional information in recent days that will require to be considered and which will be dealt with by way of an addendum to the report. Judge Clark expects to complete the addendum later this week.
Health Services.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:150 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that sleep apnoea is a huge concern of morbidity in our health services; the steps her Department is taking to improve diagnosis and treatment of this condition in the patient population affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3060/06]
Sleep apnoea is a condition that interrupts breathing while asleep. This is usually caused by an obstruction blocking the back of the throat so that the air cannot reach the patient's lungs. The cessation of breathing automatically forces the sufferer to wake up in order to start breathing again. This can happen many times during the night, making it hard for the body to get enough oxygen, and preventing the sufferer from obtaining enough good quality sleep.
Sleep apnoea is not a notifiable or reportable disease in any of the formal reporting mechanisms or registers in Ireland but it is suggested that there may be something of the order of 4,500 to 5,000 people diagnosed with the condition. It ranges from mild to quite severe. This condition can lead to a reduction in quality of life.
Diagnosis is made by way of clinical and other examinations and comprehensive diagnosis includes examination of electrical activity in the brain, eye movements, heart rate, respiratory effort and blood oxygen levels. Treatment varies depending on the degree and severity of the illness.
The management and delivery of health and personal social services is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Promotion.
Mary Upton
Ceist:151 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will support the establishment of young gardeners' clubs and healthy eating garden projects as part of a programme to promote healthy eating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38386/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Organ Retention.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:152 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take on implementing the human tissues legislation which has been long promised in view of the recent publication of the Madden report on organ retention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3028/06]
John Gormley
Ceist:221 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason there will be no report on the information collected by the Dunne inquiry in relation to stillbirths and maternity hospitals. [3085/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 221 together.
The Madden report on post mortem practice and procedure, which I published recently, contains some 50 recommendations. Some of the recommendations are exclusively the remit of my Department, for example, the formulation of human tissue legislation, others are a matter for the HSE, for example, an audit of organs retained in hospitals, and others fall under the aegis of other agencies, for example, the coroners' legislation is a matter for the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform. My Department is examining each of the recommendations in consultation with relevant bodies. I have asked for an action plan to be prepared for the implementation of the recommendations and progress made will be closely monitored.
EU Directive 2004/23/EC which sets quality and safety standards for procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of tissues and cells is in the process of being transposed into Irish law. This legislation will only deal with tissues and cells for human application.
As regards stillbirths and maternity hospitals, Dr. Madden had access to all of the information collected by the Dunne inquiry, with particular reference to the issue of pituitary glands which is dealt with in chapter six of her report.
As recommended in the report, I am establishing a working group to examine issues pertaining to non-paediatric post mortems, that is, babies who died before or at birth, minors and adults. I have asked Dr. Madden to chair the group and will announce the full membership shortly.
Hospital Staff.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:153 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her proposal to build private hospitals on the grounds of public hospitals will be continued if public only contracts for consultants are introduced. [3068/06]
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:177 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her plan to employ new hospital consultants on public only contracts will affect her proposal to build private hospitals on the grounds of public hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3067/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 177 together.
The new consultant's contract will set out in detail formal employment arrangements for consultants practising exclusively in the public sector. The impact of the new contract on proposals to locate private facilities on public hospital sites will fall to be considered as part of the transition to the new contract.
Hospital Services.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:154 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if special unique difficulties of service withdrawal and surgical off-call status were taken into account in her Department’s penalising of Monaghan General Hospital to the extent of €257,217 under the new casemix incentivisation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2755/06]
All the hospitals who participate in the national casemix programme are actively encouraged to make submission on issues of concern to them to the casemix technical group in my Department, who are responsible for reviewing cost and activity data for inclusion in the budget model.
Local management was invited to make a submission on the matter of its own unique local issues, which it did. Although this amounted to a very considerable amount, its submission was accepted in full by the casemix group. All costs relating to issues beyond local management control, including costs for services that cannot be fully utilised as a result of local difficulties, were fully compensated for.
The patient throughput at the hospital for the year under review, namely, 2004, which formed part of the recently released casemix adjustments, was actually higher than in the previous year, despite local difficulties. The resulting budget adjustment is a reflection of its real position vis-à-vis its peers, excluding costs for items beyond their control.
Hospital Hygiene.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:155 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the criticisms from the vice president of the Irish medical organisations in relation to the second forthcoming hygiene audit of hospitals, which included concerns that same was a waste of money; her views on such criticisms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3025/06]
Robust infection control measures and improved hospital hygiene have been identified as key actions required to control the spread of health care associated infections, HCAIs. To assess the extent of good hygiene practices in hospitals the first ever national hygiene audit of acute hospitals was carried out last year. The results of the first hygiene audit will form the basis for the changes that are required in both work environments and work practices so as to meet the highest possible standards of cleanliness in hospital settings. The HSE has decided to repeat the national audit commencing next month in order to assess the extent of the improvements made at hospital level since the inspections last year.
I do not accept the criticism about the second audit. There can be no possible excuse on medical or administrative grounds for now suspending the hygiene audit. Staff in hospitals around the country are working hard to improve hygiene standards. It would be unfair to both patients and staff to suspend the hygiene audit. Now that a certain momentum has been created to tackle hospital hygiene it is reasonable to measure the improvements made and to identify areas where further actions may be necessary.
Cancer Screening Programme.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:156 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied herself that BreastCheck is to be rolled out within the target set out; if she is further satisfied that BreastCheck will meet the full population of women eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3047/06]
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:162 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the short listing, fee negotiations, interviews and completion date are available for the BreastCheck extension; the discussions which have taken place regarding staffing requirements; the date on which the women of the west can expect this service to commence in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3003/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 162 together.
My Department has made additional revenue funding of €2.3 million available to BreastCheck this year to, inter alia, provide for the recruitment and training of staff to commence the national rollout of the screening programme in 2007.
BreastCheck has advertised for lead consultant radiologists and radiographers for the two new clinical units at the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital, Cork and University College Hospital, Galway. BreastCheck expects the recruitment process for other key clinical posts to commence shortly.
The design process for the two clinical units is progressing. The applications for planning permission for both clinical units have been lodged with the relevant local authorities and decisions are expected in March. It is anticipated that the design process, including the preparation of the tender documentation, will be completed by mid 2006. Following the selection of the contractors, construction of the two units will commence. BreastCheck is confident that the target date of 2007 for commencement of the rollout of the programme to the remaining regions, including the west, will be met. BreastCheck has advised my Department that the plan for the rollout will be formulated in accordance with the operational practice developed in the regions covered by the current programme. This means that it is anticipated that each area will be visited over the first two year screening round and then re-screened approximately 21-27 months later.
Question No. 157 answered with QuestionNo. 139.
Infectious Diseases.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:158 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps which have been taken to address the ongoing issue of MRSA infections; when she expects to have the matter under control; the instructions given in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2980/06]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:343 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of confirmed cases of MRSA to date in 2006; the hospitals in which same have occurred; the action which was taken to prevent a recurrence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3268/06]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:345 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps which have been taken on her instructions to combat the incidents of MRSA; if the results have been monitored in any or all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3270/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 343 and 345 together.
For the purposes of the surveillance, prevention and control of this infection the Health Protection Surveillance Centre collects data on MRSA bacteraemia, also known as bloodstream infection or blood poisoning, as part of the European antimicrobial resistance surveillance system, EARSS. The EARSS collects data on the first episode of blood stream infection per patient per quarter. It was designed to allow comparison of antimicrobial resistance data between countries and possibly regions but not between hospitals. Data in respect of the first quarter of 2006 is not yet available.
The publication of the revised SARI guidelines on the control and prevention of MRSA in hospitals and in the community, the Clean Hands Campaign, the national hygiene audits and the development of national standards in relation to infection control and hospital hygiene are some of the measures aimed at bringing about change in the hospital system. The HSE has announced that the second national hygiene audit of acute hospitals will commence in February and will assess the extent of the improvements made at hospital level since the inspections last year.
I recently wrote to the Health Service Executive in relation to the communication of information to patients infected with MRSA, the discharge from hospital of patients with MRSA and the national policy on hospital visiting times. The HSE is presently considering how best to ensure that good practice and the proper procedures are followed in such circumstances. It is now a matter for the HSE to continue to develop and implement the necessary strategies needed to ensure the effective control of health care associated infections including MRSA.
Medical Inquiries.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:159 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the delays in publishing the report into the death of a person (details supplied) in Monaghan Hospital in October 2005; the reason for the delay; the further reason the deadline was not met; the date for completion of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3040/06]
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:327 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the report of the independent external inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) at Monaghan General Hospital will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3241/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 327 together.
Following the death of Mr. Patrick Walsh in Monaghan Hospital on 14 October 2005 the Health Service Executive commissioned Mr. Patrick Declan Carey, a consultant surgeon at Belfast City Hospital and an honorary senior lecturer at Queen's University, and Professor John Monson, Professor of Surgery, University of Hull, to carry out an independent and external review. The executive has advised my Department that the review has commenced with an anticipated completion date of late March-April 2006.
My Department has requested the executive to reply directly to Deputy Quinn in relation to the timescale involved in undertaking the review.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:160 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive terms of reference of the inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) in county Wexford will include the role of the community care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3062/06]
Liam Twomey
Ceist:211 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she expects the Health Service Executive report on the death of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3061/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 211 together.
The Health Service Executive has established an investigation team to comprehensively review services provided by the executive to Ms Evelyn Joel over the period January 2004 to January 2006. The terms of reference for the review are: 1. To review the scope, range and level of services provided by the HSE to Ms. Evelyn Joel, during the period January 2004 to January 2006 having regard to her medical condition and circumstances; 2. To review the delivery and co-ordination of these services to Ms Joel; 3. To review existing protocols and procedures in the delivery of these services; 4. Having regard to the review findings to make recommendations as appropriate and to submit its report to the Health Service Executive; and 5. To complete the report as soon as possible.
I expect that the review team will comprehensively examine all services provided by the HSE to Ms Evelyn Joel. I am not in a position to predict how long it will take to complete its review.
Health Services.
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:161 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the warning from St. Columcille’s Hospital, Ireland’s only obesity clinic, that there are currently 500 people on waiting lists and that it is estimated that 30 people will die while on the waiting lists, the steps she will take to aid St. Columcille’s Hospital; the measures which will be taken to combat obesity here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3036/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Question No. 162 answered with QuestionNo. 156.
Homeless Persons.
David Stanton
Ceist:163 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the programmes and supports in place by the child care policy unit of her Department to tackle youth homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3004/06]
David Stanton
Ceist:349 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the child care policy unit of her Department has undertaken research into the causes of child homelessness here in view of the fact that a total of 492 children were deemed homeless in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3275/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 349 together.
The youth homelessness strategy was published on 31 October 2001. The strategy provides a strategic framework for youth homelessness to be tackled on a national basis. The goal of the strategy is "to reduce and if possible eliminate youth homelessness through preventative strategies and where a child becomes homeless to ensure that he or she benefits from a comprehensive range of services aimed at reintegrating him or her into his or her community as quickly as possible."
Under the strategy, the former health boards, now the Health Service Executive, HSE, have lead responsibility for implementation of the strategy and they prepared detailed action plans to address youth homelessness in line with the objectives set out in the strategy. During 2005, my Department requested the HSE to undertake a review of the action plans to ascertain the extent of their implementation. A report on this matter is awaited.
In addition, the National Children's Office, now part of the recently established Office of the Minister for Children, had been assigned responsibility by the Cabinet committee in relation to co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of the youth homelessness strategy, YHS. In this regard, the youth homelessness strategy monitoring committee, YHSMC, under the chairmanship of the aforementioned National Children's Office and representative of the child care policy unit of my Department and other relevant stakeholders, was established.
The committee identified key areas, which required attention to drive the implementation of the strategy in an effective, co-ordinated way, on a nationwide basis. A number of sub-groups were established as follows: Inter-agency co-ordination and linkages the programme of action for children office, a unit within the health board structure with a co-ordinating function across all health board regions which agreed to take on the co-ordination and linkages functions within the HSE arena. The office of the Minister for Children will continue to deal with cross-sectoral co-ordination issues. Leaving and aftercare national guidelines on leaving and aftercare were approved by the YHS monitoring committee and were circulated by my Department to the former health boards in July 2004. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist the HSE in developing its leaving and aftercare policies with the aim of, inter alia, protecting those leaving care who may be vulnerable to homelessness. The statistics sub-group recommended the introduction of a new youth homelessness contact form as a way of gathering more reliable and consistent statistics. My Department circulated the form to the former health boards in December 2003 for introduction on 1 January 2004. The contact form provides more information than was previously collected, and revised tables on youth homelessness are being included in the interim minimum dataset for 2004. The revised tables include new categories for reasons for homelessness such as young person abandoned by parent-caregiver, young person running away from care placement and family dispute-breakdown. The revised tables also examine the reason given for homelessness with the outcome, and the reason given for homelessness with the age of the young person. The full statistics for 2004 have not been compiled yet. The interim minimum dataset for 2003 provides the following reasons for children becoming homeless:
|
TOTALS |
|||||||||
|
Primary Reason for Homelessness of Children |
ERHA |
MHB |
MWHB |
NEHB |
NWHB |
SEHB |
SHB |
WHB |
National |
|
Abuse |
|||||||||
|
Emotional Abuse Of Child |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
11 |
|
Neglect Of Child |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
|
Physical Abuse Of Child |
10 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
20 |
|
Sexual Abuse Of Child |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Child Problems |
|||||||||
|
Child Abusing Drugs/Alcohol |
18 |
0 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
12 |
8 |
53 |
|
Child Involved in Crime |
17 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
25 |
|
Child Pregnancy |
7 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
13 |
|
Child With Emotional/Behavioural Problems |
65 |
11 |
15 |
2 |
0 |
13 |
30 |
10 |
146 |
|
Mental Health Problem/Intellectual Disability in Child |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Other — Please Specify |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
5 |
|
Physical Illness/Disability in Child |
8 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
|
Family Problems |
|||||||||
|
Domestic Violence |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
Family Member Abusing Drugs/ Alcohol |
36 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
47 |
|
Mental Health Problem/Intellectual Disability in Other Family Member |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Other — Please Specify |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
9 |
1 |
18 |
|
Parent Unable To Cope/Family Difficulty Re Housing/Finance |
17 |
2 |
3 |
12 |
1 |
30 |
33 |
2 |
100 |
|
Physical Illness/Disability in Other Family Member |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Education and Training
A sub-group was established to look at the education and training objectives of the youth homelessness strategy. Membership of the group included representatives of the statutory and voluntary education and health sectors. It was agreed that there was a need to look at a broad understanding of the homelessness process to understand the potential impact of education and training elements as part of the solution for young people who are homeless. Consideration was given to: (i) the preventive aspect of educational and training interventions; (ii) processes to ensure that education-training elements form part of the ongoing support of children and young people who are homeless; and (iii) the role of education-training in the prevention-reintegration of children in the care or detention systems.
The group finalised its report and it was sent to the relevant Departments, the National Educational Welfare Board and the Health Service Executive on 21 June 2005.
Information and Advocacy
A sub-group was established to examine information and advocacy in the context of the youth homelessness strategy, with a particular focus on making relevant information more accessible to young homeless people or young people at risk of becoming homeless. The group finalised its report and it was sent to my Department, the Health Service Executive and Comhairle on 21 November 2005.
Since the publication of the youth homelessness strategy, significant progress has been made, including: approximately €12 million has been allocated by the Department of Health and Children to the former health boards for the development of youth homelessness services since 2001; 195 new whole-time equivalent posts have been filled across the Health Service Executive, up to 31 December 2004. Although these posts impact on youth homelessness services, they are not all exclusively dedicated to youth homelessness services; 11 new units have opened nationwide; and over 42 new-extended services, including aftercare, have been developed around the country.
The Health Service Executive is responsible for the management and delivery of health and personal social services. In recent years many services have been developed to counter the problem of youth homelessness in the Dublin region. The crisis intervention service for young people out of home is based in the city centre and includes an outreach service, emergency out of hours social work service, reception centre, residential units and a day centre. A director for homelessness was appointed in the former Eastern Regional Health Authority, Health Service Executive Eastern area, in 2000. I am advised that this is now the role of the national care group manager social inclusion since the establishment of the Health Service Executive.
In Cork, Liberty Street House became fully operational in 2003, and acts as a focal point for youth homelessness services in Cork. The centre provides a variety of services — social work, medical, financial — for young people out of home or in danger of becoming homeless.
Services for homeless children are also provided by the other Health Service Executive areas and generally these are provided as part of the child protection and welfare services. The services provided include units for young people out of home supported lodgings, and the provision of out-reach, leaving and after care services.
Hospital Staff.
Dinny McGinley
Ceist:164 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her proposals for the new consultants’ contract will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3051/06]
It is my intention that all members of the public should be aware of management's proposals regarding the new contract. This will help to ensure that the public understands the rationale behind these proposals and the positive outcomes that will result from their implementation. To this end the HSE has provided this information to media outlets.
Drugs Payment Scheme.
Michael Noonan
Ceist:165 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that enteric coated steroids used for a variety of medical conditions are not available on the medical card scheme; her views on whether it is costly and that, as a result, many general practitioners prescribe an alternative steroid which needs to be prescribed with another drug to protect the patient from potential side affects of the alternative steroid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3069/06]
There is a common list of reimbursable medicines for the general medical services and drug payment schemes, which is reviewed and amended monthly as new products become available and deletions are notified. The product referred to by the Deputy has not been deleted from the list.
An agreement is in place between the Department of Health and Children, the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, IPHA, and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland, APMI, which sets out the supply terms and prices of medicines supplied to the health services. The agreement covers all reimbursable prescription medicines in the general medical services and community drug schemes, and all medicines supplied to hospitals and the Health Service Executive. A price freeze is in place in regard to prices charged for products supplied under the terms of the agreement.
The original manufacturers of the product referred to by the Deputy divested ownership of the product to another company which subsequently increased the price of the product without prior consultation with my Department and in breach of the above agreement.
Negotiations are currently taking place with the company concerned with a view to reaching a satisfactory conclusion. In the meantime, people with a medical card who are experiencing financial difficulty in obtaining this medicine should contact the local area of the Health Service Executive.
Health Services.
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:166 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason there is still no out of hours emergency general practitioner co-op for the north side of Dublin six months after the tendering for this service was announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3074/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Paul McGrath
Ceist:167 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of patients who have been discharged from acute hospitals to intermediate care beds under the ten point plan to deal with the accident and emergency crisis; the average length of stay for these patients; the location where the intermediate care was provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3066/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities.
Pádraic McCormack
Ceist:168 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the protocols for care of vulnerable persons (details supplied) that are in place for professionals working in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3063/06]
All health service providers are required to adhere to the necessary legislative requirements which are currently in place with regard to safe environments. As a further protection, it is my Department's intention to put in place a statutory inspection provision in relation to services for people with disabilities.
This measure, together with the draft national standards for disability services which have been developed by my Department, in partnership with the National Disability Authority, will provide a quality framework for the protection and promotion of the rights of service users and staff to safety and dignity.
A critical element in this process is the expansion of the remit of the social services inspectorate as part of the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority both of which are being dealt with in the Health Bill 2006.
Hospital Staff.
Martin Ferris
Ceist:169 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she expects Kerry General Hospital to receive the full-time consultant cardiologist it has long been promised. [2993/06]
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:228 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a request will be made to the Health Service Executive to appoint a full time cardiologist at Kerry General Hospital in view of the fact that County Kerry has the highest incidence of cardiac related illnesses here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3055/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 228 together.
In April 2004 funding of €500,000 was allocated to the Southern Health Board under the cardiovascular health strategy. The funding enabled the board to establish a consultant-led cardiology service for patients in Kerry for the first time. A consultant cardiologist was appointed in March 2005 by way of a sessional partnership between Bon Secours Hospital Tralee and Kerry General Hospital. This consultant has resigned from his post, as of 1 June 2006. This appointment has been recently re-advertised by the Bons Secour Group. An application for a full time consultant cardiologist for Kerry General Hospital has been with the NHO since May 2005. The HSE southern area are awaiting approval and confirmation of funding to proceed with the appointment. The provision of additional consultant posts will proceed within the context of the restructuring of the acute hospital services and the negotiation of a new contract for hospital consultants.
Nursing Home Subventions.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:170 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the large variation in subvention payments in different Health Service Executive regions; if she expects this to continue; her plans to regularise these payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3059/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
There are currently three rates of subvention payable, that is, €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 for the three levels of dependency which are medium, high and maximum. Included in these payments is an increase of 25% which came into effect in April 2001.
The HSE has discretion to pay more than the maximum rate of subvention relative to an individual's level of dependency in a case, for example, where personal funds are exhausted. The average rate of subvention paid by the HSE generally exceeds the current approved basic rates. The application of the subvention scheme is a matter for the HSE in the context of meeting increasing demands for subvention, subject to the provisions of the Health Act 2004. An additional €20 million has been provided for subvention payments this year including addressing the variations in payments in different areas.
The broad policy questions relating to long-term care have been examined by an inter-departmental group on long-term care which has now reported to Government. Among the issues it has examined is the question of the appropriate level of State support for long-term residential care, which includes the issue raised by the Deputy of regional variations in costs of care. The Government is now considering this report.
Hospital Staff.
Jack Wall
Ceist:171 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the 1,100 nursing vacancies in hospitals and health care facilities here; the figures on the costs involved in filling these vacancies day to day by agency staff and staff nurses working overtime; the steps she intends to take to combat the fact that 1,500 Irish trained nurses leave here every year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3037/06]
According to the most recent Health Service Executive-employers agency survey of nursing resources, recruitment remains ahead of resignations and retirements. Employers reported that 1,131 vacancies existed at 30 September 2005 — an increase of 13 compared to the previous quarter. This gives a vacancy rate of 3.24%. The vacancy figures should be seen in the context of overall employment which now stands at 34,878 whole time equivalent nurses and midwives, 41,655 individuals, a 36% increase since 1997.
There will always be some level of movement due to resignations, retirements and nurses availing of opportunities to change employment and locations. There is an additional pressure this year due to the lack of domestic nursing graduates in autumn 2005 because of the move from a three year diploma to a four year degree programme to train nurses. The HSE's nursing and midwifery recruitment and retention national project is monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis. During 2005 the HSE has conducted a successful recruitment drive in India and the Philippines. The HSE is also targeting inactive nurses for recruitment through an extensive advertising campaign. The financial arrangements for those undertaking back to nursing courses were improved last year.
A combination of agency nurses and overtime working provides an additional input of nursing resources to cope with difficulties arising in the provision of services while employers continue the recruitment process to fill vacancies. It should be noted that in addition to covering vacancies, agency nurses are also used to "special" — one to one nursing — patients and clients and to cover for permanent nursing staff availing of various leave entitlements. The HSE is currently finalising the compilation of data on the full cost of agency nursing and overtime in 2005. The latest available data from the HSE is that up November 2005 the estimated cost of agency nursing was €45.65 million and nursing overtime €44.57 million.
I am not sure of the Deputy's source of data relating to numbers of Irish trained nurses leaving the country each year. It is my understanding that to suggest 1,500 nurses leave to work abroad is a gross over estimation of the true figure. Irish nurses and midwives who wish to work abroad are required by the authorities in the host country to obtain a verification of their nursing registration from An Bord Altranais. Figures supplied by An Bord Altranais show that 689 Irish nurses received verifications to work abroad in 2005. That an Irish nursing qualification is welcomed abroad is an attraction for some young people considering their career options. The data from An Bord Altranais shows that Australia is the most popular destination for Irish nurses. However, it should be noted that Australia is a very popular destination for Irish people generally in their 20s and 30s. It is my understanding that many of the Irish nurses who work abroad return to Ireland each year having gained valuable experience in overseas health systems.
Medical Inquiries.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:172 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, in view of the report by a person into the death of a person (details supplied) in Leas Cross Nursing Home, the recommendations which will be followed; the lessons which have been learned; the steps she is taking to ensure that the recommendations will be followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3048/06]
As the Deputy may be aware, following the publication of the Hynes report, the Health Service Executive commenced a review into the deaths of residents of Leas Cross. This review is being carried out by Professor Des O'Neill, Professor of Geriatric Medicine, Tallaght Hospital.
I understand from the HSE that Professor O'Neill is to finalise his report within the coming weeks and that once the report is finalised, appropriate steps will be taken by the HSE to ensure that all of the recommendations arising will be considered and will inform best practice.
Hospital Staff.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:173 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on progress in the negotiations on the new contract for hospital consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2985/06]
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:184 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when negotiations will be completed for a new consultants’ contract; when she last met representatives of the consultants to discuss this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3092/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 184 together.
Management met the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association on 24 November 2005, 7 December 2005 and 26 January 2006. At the latter meeting, management presented its proposals on a new consultants' contract. I hope negotiations will proceed as expeditiously as possible within the coming months.
Question No. 174 answered with QuestionNo. 136.
Water Fluoridation.
John Perry
Ceist:175 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department has referred an article published in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons (details supplied) to the Irish expert body on fluorides; if the Irish expert body of fluorides has received this article; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3096/06]
The Department of Health and Children referred the article referred to by the Deputy to the Irish expert body on fluorides and health in November last. The Irish expert body on fluorides and health was established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the forum on fluoridation and to advise the Minister for Health and Children on new and emerging issues including any new research.
The expert body has advised the Department that the article in question was tabled at the expert body's plenary meeting on 30 November 2005.
From its inception, the expert body applies the fundamental scientific tenet that any single piece of scientific evidence by itself remains hypothetical unless it can be repeated or confirmed by other scientists. Therefore, any such evidence must be submitted to examination by other scientists, usually by publication in recognised scientific journals after the submission has been approved by independent referees. This procedure reflects a global scientific standard, adopted across all scientific disciplines. The peer review process provides both a rigorous evaluation on the procedures used in research and the conclusions drawn, as well as ensuring reproducibility of results. All decisions taken by the expert body are thus informed by the best available and most reliable scientific evidence. This approach is consistent with the methods used by the forum on fluoridation, 2002.
The United States National Library of Medicine provides the international gold standard for all scientific publications. For inclusion in this database, which currently contains more than 10 million articles, a journal must adhere to the standard scientific principle of independent peer-review. The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons is not included in this database.
The expert body has advised the Department that the article referred to by the Deputy does not fulfil the criteria for review as set out in the foregoing paragraphs.
Abuse Inquiry.
Joan Burton
Ceist:176 Ms Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the proposed review into the inquiry process into alleged abuse at Brothers of Charity in Kilcornan, County Galway will be completed; the steps being taken to review this inquiry process; and when the report will be published. [3020/06]
I understand from the Health Service Executive that, following a review of the inquiry process, a number of actions are being taken to expedite the report.
I further understand that additional supports have been provided to the chairperson with a view to assisting her in completing a report at the earliest possible time. The HSE has further advised me that the chairperson of the inquiry has indicated that the report is due to be completed by September 2006. The publication of the report would be a matter for the Health Service Executive.
Question No. 177 answered with QuestionNo. 153.
Medical Cards.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:178 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of people covered by medical cards in 1997; the costs of providing medical cards to that number of people today; the costs of providing medical cards to all children under five; the costs of providing medical cards to all under fives added to the numbers at 1997 level of population combined; the cost analysis including and excluding the number of over 70s; the cost of providing medical cards to the population on the basis of median income, including and excluding people entitled to over 70s card. [3039/06]
Based on information supplied by the Health Service Executive, HSE, the number of persons covered for services under the general medical services, GMS, scheme in 1997 was 1,292,852. The cost of providing general practitioner services and drugs and medicines to a population of this scale under the GMS scheme in 2006 is estimated to be in the region of €1.7 billion. This figure is based on the HSE's estimate of the cost of providing these services to medical card holders in 2006 and assumes the same GMS population profile as exists at present. It should also be noted that the estimate does not take into account the costs of other health services provided free of charge to holders of medical cards.
The following estimates are based on the capitation rates payable in 2004 to general practitioners, the cost of drugs and medicines and fees paid to pharmacists and include an estimate in respect of payments which would be made to GMS GPs for practice support and other allowances. No allowance has been made in these figures for rate changes which might result from the June 2005 recommendations of the Labour Relations Commission or any additional costs which might result from future contractual negotiations.
The estimated additional cost of providing medical cards to all those aged under five years not currently covered by this benefit would be in the region of €66 million.
In relation to the population cohort of persons aged 70 years and over, I understand that the Deputy is inquiring about the cost of providing services under the GMS scheme. GMS GPs are in receipt of enhanced capitation rates for 116,210 persons in this age category at an estimated cost of €239 million. Standard capitation rates are paid in respect of 211,228 persons who held medical cards prior to reaching 70 years of age at an estimated cost of €323 million.
Hospital Services.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:179 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that money for cancer care at Beaumont Hospital was used to make up for funding shortfalls in other services; her further views on whether this money was urgently needed for cancer services and expansion; if her attention has been drawn to similar issues in other hospitals here; the steps she plans to take to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3046/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. Given the €9 million additional investment I have made available to the executive for cancer care in 2006, I expect that cancer services will be further developed at Beaumont Hospital during 2006.
Children in Care.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:180 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she intends to introduce new support services to address the reasons behind the latest figures on the number of children in care here. [37126/05]
The number of children in care in 2003, which is the most recent year for which data is available, was 4,984. This compares with a total of 2,885 children in 1990.
At the outset it is important to recognise that there has been a significant change in the type of care provision provided for these children, with a significant increase in the numbers of children in foster care and a decrease in the numbers in residential care. There has also been a marked increase in the numbers of children in relative foster care. The number of children in relative foster care has increased from 39 children in 1990 to 1,237 in 2003. General foster care accounted for 2,084 children in 1990 but has risen to 2,718 in 2003. The number of children in residential care has declined to 441 children in 2003 compared to 756 in 1990. This shift of care provision from residential to fostering and particularly fostering with relatives is an intentional and positive direction.
There are many factors which lead to a child entering the care system ranging from respite breaks on a voluntary basis due to the ill health of parent or carer to severe cases of sexual abuse or neglect. Family support services may not always, therefore, be a sufficient response to protect the welfare of some children, for example, where there are chronic addiction problems, serious criminality, violence in the family, a previous history of physical or sexual abuse.
The past 15 years has witnessed an increasing awareness of child abuse as a phenomenon in Irish society as evidenced by a number of high profile inquiries. The findings and recommendations emanating from these inquiries have informed and shaped current child protection policy and procedures and the legislative and statutory basis for dealing with children at risk has been strengthened. With increased societal awareness of child abuse accompanied by a better recognition of abuse and higher professional standards there has been a related increase in child protection referrals and reports.
The upward trend in the number of children in care is not solely an Irish phenomenon. A report commissioned by the HSE in 2004, Child Care and Family Support Services: International Comparisons, found that rates for children in care in Ireland are lower than in many comparator jurisdictions such as Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
The majority of children are in care as a result of a care order. Children entering the care system via the child protection and legal system are subjected to a multi-disciplinary process that has a clear assessment and threshold. Judicial decision to grant an order is impartial, based on an informed analysis of fact and all salient issues as to what is in the best interests of the child. While the HSE endeavours to sustain a child within its family of origin wherever possible, the welfare of the child is of paramount importance.
The dominant focus in child care services since the early 1990's has been on the protection and care of children who are at risk. More recently, the policy focus has shifted to a more preventive approach to child welfare, involving support to families and individual children, aimed at avoiding the need for further more serious interventions later on.
The HSE directly provides or funds a range of diversified targeted parenting interventions throughout the country. Access to these services is often by referral from a statutory or voluntary service and participants are likely to be known to child and family services. Family support programmes are provided by services such as the community mothers, family support workers, teen parents support projects and Springboard projects, and encompass specific interventions such as the Parents Plus programme, the Family First parenting initiative as well as a range of general parenting programmes and supports.
In recognition of the importance of family support services my Department established a review of family support services in 2003. This review will inform the planning process and ensure the balanced future development of services provision. A steering group which included Department of Health and Children officials and nominees of the former health board Chief Executive Officers Group was appointed to manage the review. A consultative forum, representative of the major stakeholders in family support, both voluntary and statutory, was appointed to support and advise the steering group.
The family support strategy is the final strand of this extensive review. The strategy is a blueprint for the future development and delivery of family support initiatives. The strategy sets out a commitment to expanding family support services and refocusing child welfare budgets and services in order to provide a more appropriate balance between safeguarding and supportive programmes. It is anticipated that the strategy will be completed and published in early 2006.
An additional €8 million has been included in the HSE vote in 2006 to facilitate the further development of child protection and family support services by the HSE, in particular early intervention and preventative services and to allow for the implementation of further provisions of the Children Act 2001.
Hospital Services.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:181 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a urology department will be established at Mayo General Hospital in view of the fact that there is currently a seven year waiting list in Mayo for a urology appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3002/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Service Staff.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:182 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the salaries, bonuses and expenses paid in 2005 to the directors of the different units set up under the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3077/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Accommodation.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:183 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of public home stay beds which have been opened in the Dublin area since October 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3065/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Question No. 184 answered with QuestionNo. 173.
Health Services.
Joe Costello
Ceist:185 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on reports from the Irish Medical Organisation that up to 27,000 children are losing out on vital checks for potentially serious medical conditions due to a shortage of public health doctors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3023/06]
The 2003 public health doctors agreement was negotiated between my Department, the Health Service Executive, HSE, and the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, the representative body of public health doctors. This agreement allowed for 60 posts of director of public health medicine, DPH, specialist in public health medicine, SPHM, 30 posts of specialist registrars, SpR, 94 senior medical officer, SMO, posts and a maximum of 86 area medical officer, AMO, posts. It was agreed that no further AMOs would be recruited.
A joint implementation group, JIG, comprising representatives of the Department of Health and Children, the HSE and the IMO, was established in 2003 to oversee the implementation of this agreement. Since then this group has overseen competitions to fill specialist registrars, principal medical officers and senior medical officer posts. More than €13 million was provided in 2003 for the implementation of the agreement and while most of this funding was issued on a once-off basis in respect of retrospection, the ongoing costs of this agreement will be more than €7 million per year.
The competitions that were organised to fill all senior medical officer vacancies failed to yield a sufficient number of suitably qualified candidates. While my Department has no direct role to play in filling these posts it has suggested, through the joint implementation group, that the remaining vacancies in this grade should be advertised both nationally and internationally. The IMO, however, is opposed to this suggestion and wants the HSE to fill these vacancies through confined competition.
Currently, there is a total of 18 vacancies for public health doctors throughout the country. Of these, there are 15 vacancies for specialists in public health medicine in various HSE areas. I have been informed by the Public Appointments Service that it is currently in the process of organising competitions to fill these high level posts to be held within the next six to eight weeks. Interviews for the two principal medical officer vacancies are to be held in February and post-interview selection is in progress for one senior medical officer post.
On 16 January, management attended an LRC hearing, initiated by the IMO, to discuss the vacancies issue. The chairman recommended that both sides meet, outside of the LRC, to ascertain the exact number of vacancies. Both sides will then return to the LRC for a further hearing.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:186 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the contingency plans she has in place to respond to a major emergency in the general Monaghan area in view of the continuing surgical off-call status of Monaghan General Hospital and the consequent restrictions imposed on the hospital services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2754/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Food Safety.
Mary Upton
Ceist:187 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the conditions and requirements set down for country markets with regard to food safety; the way in which these compare with conditions in other European countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38379/05]
Food safety legislation in Ireland derives in the main from our membership of the European Union and in this regard on 1 January 2006, new European food and feed hygiene legislation came into effect. The hygiene package is a legislative package which merges, harmonises and simplifies detailed and complex hygiene requirements previously contained in a number of Council directives and creates a single transparent hygiene policy which is applicable to all food operators. The principal objective of the new general and specific hygiene rules is to ensure a high level of consumer protection with regard to food safety. To this end an integrated approach is necessary to ensure food safety from the place of primary production up to and including placing on the market or export.
The hygiene package is applicable to and binding in its entirety on all members states and thus food business operators in all member states must comply with its requirements. While the same rules must be complied with across the EU, it is a matter for each member state to determine the particular enforcement provisions and penalties within its jurisdiction. My Department is finalising a statutory instrument which will include the necessary enforcement provisions to enable authorised officers to react to and deal with situations posing a food safety risk.
The hygiene package sets out specific requirements for food stalls, mobile food vans and other temporary and mobile food businesses such as those operating at markets. Requirements relate to the site, construction and condition of the premises, along with the need to make provision for facilities for hand-washing, cleaning, appropriate food contact surfaces, hygienic storage of food, temperature control and waste disposal. While the primary responsibility for food safety rests with food business operators, it is a matter for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, as competent authority for the enforcement of food safety legislation, to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation. The authority carries out its enforcement functions through service contracts with official agencies. Country markets are therefore subject to inspection by the FSAI's official agencies, for example, environmental health officers from the Health Service Executive.
To ensure that the stalls operating at such markets meet the highest food safety and hygiene standards, the FSAI have prepared a guidance note on food stalls in association with environmental health officers and Irish food market traders. I am satisfied that these legislative requirements are sufficient to ensure that food safety is not compromised and that public health is protected.
Hospital Services.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:188 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has satisfied herself that Health Service Executive funding to Peamount Hospital is sufficient and that beds at Peamount Hospital are fully utilised; if she has further satisfied herself that Peamount Hospital’s association with Tallaght Hospital is being used appropriately to reduce accident and emergency overcrowding at Tallaght; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3072/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Service Staff.
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:189 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether a statement she made in on the work ethic of nurses in Limerick Hospital may have been incorrect; if the nurses in question will receive an apology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3091/06]
I presume the Deputy is referring to comments I recently made in respect of reported work practices, as distinct from the work ethic, of some nursing staff in Limerick Regional Hospital. My comments at the time reflected my concerns about cases in the health service where staff are paid for hours they have not worked. We now have a single employer in the HSE and it does not make sense that there can be different practices and arrangements among employees doing similar work. I understand that the HSE is dealing with the issue and that the matter has been referred to the Labour Relations Commission.
Hospital Services.
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:190 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when Louth County Hospital will receive the promised CT scanner; and when breast surgery services will be restored. [2990/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for the provision of services at Louth County Hospital. Accordingly, my Department has requested the executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Care of the Elderly.
Damien English
Ceist:191 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Question No. 99 of 18 October 2005, if she has received the report of the working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach; if this report will be published in view of the fact that this important issue is central to the care of the elderly going into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3082/06]
The report of the working group on the future financing of long-term care has been presented to Government. The Government will now decide on its publication.
Hospital Staff.
Tom Hayes
Ceist:192 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the private fees earned by consultants in different specialties and in different regions here; her views on whether this will impact on her plans to renegotiate the consultants’ contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3099/06]
I am aware of the potential that exists for some consultants to earn substantial amounts of money through private work. This has been taken into account by the management team when producing its proposals for a new consultants' contract. It is accepted that a new contract would need to include strong incentives to attract consultants to public-only work. For this reason, management has proposed that the new contract should include a performance related awards scheme, a heightened management role for consultants and greater opportunities for consultants in education and research.
Hospital Services.
Shane McEntee
Ceist:193 Mr. McEntee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recent resignation of an accident and emergency consultant at Tralee General Hospital due to the apparent lack of appropriate number and experienced accident and emergency junior hospital staff, her attention has been drawn to other accident and emergency departments experiencing similar difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3080/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. My attention has not been drawn to a widespread problem in staffing accident and emergency departments.
Hospital Staff.
John Deasy
Ceist:194 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason public-only contracts were refused to serving consultants in 1997 by the then Minister for Health and Children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3101/06]
I take it the Deputy is referring to the geographical whole-time without fees contract, which was introduced in 1991. I have been informed that the parties to the 1997 consultants' contract negotiations were in agreement that the problems associated with the operation of this particular contract outweighed its advantages. The option of a consultant taking such a contract on or after the 1 January 1998 was accordingly removed.
Cancer Screening Programme.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:195 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the campaign by the Irish Cancer Society for the provision of free cervical screening for women aged 25 and over; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3008/06]
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:212 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that despite Ireland having one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in Europe that there is no national screening programme; her plans for a free nationwide cervical cancer screening programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3021/06]
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:245 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the Irish cervical screening programme will be rolled out nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3009/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195, 212 and 245 together.
Incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer in Ireland are in the mid-range of rates observed across Europe. Data supplied by the national cancer registry for the period 1994 to 2002 shows that the average annual incidence of cervical cancer in this country was 170 and the average annual number of deaths from the disease was 80.
I am committed to the national roll-out of the cervical screening programme in line with international best practice. An international expert examined the feasibility and implications of a national roll out of a cervical screening programme. The examination included an evaluation of the current pilot programme, quality assurance, laboratory capacity and the establishment of national governance arrangements. Following the publication of this report my Department undertook a consultative process with relevant professional and advocacy stakeholders. The consultative process is completed and there is considerable support for the programme roll-out and the need for improved organisation, quality assurance and governance arrangements to support a national roll-out.
I made available an additional €9 million to the Health Service Executive for cancer services development in 2006, including the continuation of preparations for a national programme. The service plan of the executive provides for such preparation which, I understand, will involve improvements in quality assurance, new technology, training, and the creation of a national population register. I will meet the Irish Cancer Society tomorrow to discuss, inter alia, a national cervical screening programme.
National Cancer Strategy.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:196 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the new cancer strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3071/06]
Denis Naughten
Ceist:290 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the expected date for the publication of the national cancer strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2898/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 290 together.
The chairman of the national cancer forum recently submitted to me a publication, entitled A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland 2006. My Department has now commenced an assessment of the policy and resource implications. On conclusion of this assessment, I will then bring the new cancer strategy to Government. I expect to have the strategy published in March.
Asthma Incidence.
Jack Wall
Ceist:197 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that 12% of the population suffers from asthma and that there have been calls for a nationwide asthma strategy that does not exist at present; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that asthma related admissions to hospitals range between 6,000 and 7,000 annually; her views on the absence of asthma on the primary care reimbursement service’s long-term illness scheme; the actions she intends to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3049/06]
While Ireland has experienced an increase in the incidence of asthma, I would point out to the Deputy that the incidence in Ireland is similar to that in other developed countries. A number of initiatives have been taken in recent years with regard to this condition. These initiatives include research and the co-ordination of an EU policy on asthma. While my Department has no plans to develop a specific asthma strategy, I understand that the HSE is developing measures on asthma as part of its actions on chronic illnesses.
Prior to 1971, there were inadequate provisions for people with excessive medical and medicines expenses. In 1971 the long-term illness scheme, LTI, was introduced whereby the Health Service Executive may arrange for the supply without charge of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition for the treatment of that condition. The LTI does not cover general practitioner fees or hospital co-payments. The conditions are mental handicap, mental illness for people under 16 only, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism, conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia.
From 1971 onwards people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In November 2004, the Government provided funding for an additional 30,000 medical cards, and for 200,000 new GP visit cards, which allow holders to receive general practitioner services free of charge. In June last year, I simplified the means test for both medical and GP visit cards. It is now based on an applicant's and spouse's income after income tax and PRSI and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, child care and travel to work. On 13 October 2005, I announced that the income guidelines for both medical and GP visit cards would be increased by an additional 20%. This means the income guidelines are now 29% higher than prior to these measures.
Non-medical card holders and people with conditions not covered under the LTI can use the drug payment scheme, DPS. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €85 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is user-friendly and significantly improves cash flow for families and individuals for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, medical expenses above a set threshold may be offset against tax.
The introduction of the medical card and DPS ensures that no individual or family is faced with undue financial hardship as a result of expenditure on drugs and medicines. Consequently, there are no plans to extend the LTI.
General Medical Services Scheme.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:198 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the cost of drugs in the general medical scheme; if she intends to encourage the use of prescribing generic drugs; when the negotiations with the pharmaceutical industry will begin; when she expects to have an agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3041/06]
I have previously expressed concern regarding the increasing cost of the State drug schemes and the need to ensure better value for money for this expenditure. All aspects of the drug delivery system, from the manufacturer to the patient, are under review. A number of issues, including access to generic drugs and supply chain costs such as pharmacy mark-ups, are being considered with a view to addressing the rapidly rising costs in medicines expenditure both by the State and by private individuals. No single measure will achieve this by itself. International experience has shown that this is a very difficult task as the sophistication and range of treatments continue to increase along, quite justifiably, with increased expectations on the part of patients.
With regard to increased use of generic medicines, it is my intention to give patients and, ultimately, the taxpayer, as the biggest buyer of drugs, better access to generic drugs where this is possible and appropriate. My Department has begun preparatory work for the introduction of structures appropriate to the Irish drug schemes. In addition, negotiations will shortly commence for a new national pricing and supply agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, IPHA; and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland, APMI, for supply of medicines to the health services and it is intended to address this issue within that agreement.
Question No. 199 answered with QuestionNo. 133.
Infectious Diseases.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:200 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children being told that the increase in type 2 diabetes has reached crisis levels; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that people are getting the disease at a younger age and the average delay in diagnosis has increased from seven to 12 years; her views on the call for national screening for eye problems in particular and for implementation of care services including foot services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3034/06]
The national task force on obesity reported an increase in type 2 diabetes and that it is affecting people at a younger age. Additional funding of €3 million has been made available to the Health Service Executive to support the implementation of the report's recommendations.
The issues raised by the Deputy relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Prescription Drugs.
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:201 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason an expert report launched by her Department on benzodiazepine prescribing in 2002 recommended that private and medical card patients for these drugs should be monitored by her Department via the GMS board; the further reason this recommendation has not been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3057/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Services.
John Deasy
Ceist:202 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will be asked for the present geographical distribution of health services; the massive regional deficits in some consultants’ specialties that they have identified to implement their plan to restrict patients from outside the Dublin region using hospitals in the greater Dublin region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3100/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Question No. 203 answered with QuestionNo. 136.
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:204 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will address the continuing waiting time for access to speech and language therapy and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39677/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentaryaffairs division of the executive to arrange to have a reply on this issue sent directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Services.
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:205 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the terms of reference, the cost and the deadline for conclusion of the consultancy report on hospital services in the north-east region commissioned by the Health Service Executive. [2989/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff.
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:206 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals which are being put to consultants in negotiations to revise the common contract; the proposals for public-only contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3030/06]
Dinny McGinley
Ceist:217 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her proposals for the new consultants’ contract will include clinical accountability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3052/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 217 together.
The new contract will set out in detail formal employment arrangements for consultants practicing exclusively in the public sector. Its key features are as follows.
Consultant-provided service is to be delivered by teams of consultants, where the consultants have a substantial and direct involvement in the diagnosis, delivery of care and overall management of patients. As part of a consultant-provided service, consultants will treat all patients and will be remunerated exclusively on a salaried basis. They will not receive additional remuneration for treatment delivered to insured patients. A commitment to public sector service alone will mean that consultants will treat patients only within the public hospital or public community facility.
Each consultant's commitments will be set out in an annual work plan, supported by a series of performance indicators and review mechanisms. Work plans will be in line with clinical need, the nature and volume of clinical workload and the 24-7 nature of health services.
Consultants will work a 39-hour commitment over the 24-7 period agreed and detailed in the work plan, varying by specialty and location. Work plans will follow a framework developed at national level and will be agreed and reviewed annually by consultants, clinical managers and management.
Each work plan will detail specific duties, such as emergency commitments, operating time, ward rounds, outpatient clinics and diagnostic work, regular on-call commitments and involvement in supporting professional activities, audit and competence assurance.
Each consultant will work as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team which is led and managed by a clinical director. As a member of the team, consultants will make decisions regarding the care, treatment and discharge of patients during the absence of a consultant colleague who has lead responsibility for such patients. As a member of a team, each consultant will be incentivised to increase productivity through a performance-related awards scheme.
The primary role of a clinical director will be to manage and plan how services are delivered. Clinical directors will be appointed by the employing authority, will develop and implement protocols for service delivery, will have significant responsibility for how services are delivered and will be accountable for the use of resources. Contracts can be constructed for certain consultants that will allow for a defined and measurable commitment to medical education and training and research.
Question No. 207 answered with QuestionNo. 133.
Health Services.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:208 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the timescale for the opening of the Ballymun primary care project; the initial proposed budget for the project; the budget spent so far and the remaining costs that the project faces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3043/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:209 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the problem of access to hospitals has not been solved with particular reference to bed availability and the use of trolleys in lieu of beds, in view of the fact that the problem has been evident for some time; her proposals to reduce the daily use of trolleys to the minimum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2979/06]
There are increasing demands on the acute hospital system to provide more treatments and to provide more advanced and specialised procedures. The capacity of the acute hospital system continues to increase in response to these demands. In 2001, the average number of inpatient beds and day places available for treatment of patients in public acute hospitals was 12,145. The hospital returns for 2005 show that this number has risen to 13,255, an increase of 1,110 inpatient beds and day places. Some 90% of treatment places in acute hospitals are overnight inpatient beds. To these must be added approximately 1,700 acute beds in private hospitals to give the full extent of acute hospital capacity in the country, which is nearly 15,000 beds.
An Agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment to expand public hospital beds in line with the health strategy commitment to increase total acute hospital bed capacity by 3,000 by 2011. Substantial investment in additional bed capacity in acute hospitals has already taken place. Funding has been provided to open an additional 900 inpatient beds or day places in public acute hospitals. In addition, a further 450 acute beds or day places are in various stages of planning and development under the capital investment framework 2005-09. In July 2005 I announced an initiative which will provide up to an additional 1,000 beds for public patients in public hospitals over the next five years. The Health Service Executive has been asked to develop an implementation plan and to prioritise proposals with reference to the public hospitals' requirement for additional bed capacity.
The Estimates for 2006 include €60 million to open new acute hospital facilities, some of which will provide additional beds. These additional beds or day places will go some way to achieving our commitment in the programme for Government to increase total acute hospital capacity.
My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, will review public capacity requirements in the acute hospital sector in light of developments since the health strategy was published. The HSE continues to implement the various measures in the ten-point accident and emergency plan. These measures take a wide-ranging approach and are aimed at improving access to accident and emergency services, improving patient flows through accident and emergency departments, freeing up acute beds and providing appropriate longer-term care for patients outside of the acute hospital setting. My Department will continue to work with the HSE to ensure that patients who require acute care receive that care in the most appropriate setting.
Hospital Staff.
Michael Ring
Ceist:210 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which funding for an additional 20 new general practitioner training posts will be spent in 2006 when a recent advertisement for such training posts included only two extra places than 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3079/06]
The Health Service Executive's Vote for 2006 includes an additional €4 million to allow a further increase of 22 in the number of general practitioner training places. This represents a significant commitment to responding to future general practitioner manpower needs, and is the second of three phased increases intended to bring the number of training places nationally to 150.
The HSE has advised me that it is committed to achieving the required expansion of general practitioner training places and is working in collaboration with the Irish College of General Practitioners to achieve the targeted increase in 2006.
Question No. 211 answered with QuestionNo. 160.
Question No. 212 answered with QuestionNo. 195.
Child Abuse.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:213 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to any response from the bishops following a letter from Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, sent in October 2005 inquiring into whether the recommendations from the Ferns Report were being implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3045/06]
On foot of a Government meeting on 24 October 2005, the Minister of State with special responsibility for children wrote to the Irish Bishop's Conference both individually and collectively to seek confirmation that the church's framework guidelines of 1996 were being, and that the recommendations of the Ferns Report would be, implemented. The Minister of State asked that the church review and strengthen its child protection management structures and training practices with a view to improving them to a level which is commensurate with the role that the church plays in the community.
The Minister of State noted the public statements that the church had made since the delivery of the report. It welcomed the introduction of inter-agency groups in every diocese in the State. The Minister of State also advised the bishops that he had written to the Health Service Executive requesting them to liaise with the individual bishops to ensure that the recommendations of the report relevant to the church were being implemented. The Minister of State requested that arrangements be made to notify the HSE of the current child protection practices in each diocese and the additional steps that the church authorities would be taking on foot of the report.
Archbishop Brady replied to the Minister of State confirming that the Minister of State's letter had been discussed at a meeting of the Irish Episcopal Conference. The archbishop welcomed the inter-agency review process and confirmed that when contacted each bishop would liaise with the HSE. He added that the church was anxious to outline how recent church initiatives met the recommendations outlined in the Ferns Report. Each bishop has written individually to either the Minister or the HSE to confirm his willingness to work with the HSE in the interagency review process in ensuring best practice in child protection.
The inter-agency review groups will be convened, chaired and reported on by the HSE and will include representatives from the church and the Garda. The HSE has already set up the internal structures necessary for the implementation of the Ferns Report, is working on the formation of the inter-agency groups, is drafting terms of reference and has made contact with the church representative in that regard.
Under the commission of investigation terms of reference, as approved by Government, the Minister for Health and Children has the right to refer any Catholic Church diocese if, in her opinion, the diocese may not be implementing satisfactorily the recommendations of the Ferns Report. If there is a clear indication that the church authorities are not implementing the full recommendations of the Ferns Report, they will be referred and any follow-up action required will be taken to ensure proper child protection procedures within each diocese.
The recommendations of the Ferns Report are paramount in this whole area and it is against these that the child protection policy and procedures will be examined. I am firmly of the view that these recommendations, implemented in a spirit of co-operation, will provide both the Government and the church with the necessary measures to address problems of clerical sex abuse.
Constitutional Review.
Martin Ferris
Ceist:214 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the decision by the all-party Oireachtas committee that the Constitution should be amended to give regard to the best interests of the child, rather than toprovide that the best interests of the child should be paramount as recommended by the constitutional review group. [2994/06]
I am studying the recommendation of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution based on the findings of that group. I am conscious that the committee's findings were based on a wide consultation with submissions from the public, including individuals and interest groups. I will be considering the recommendation in the context of Ireland's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, other international instruments to which Ireland is party and the existing provisions of Irish law.
Medical Cards.
Liz McManus
Ceist:215 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive is demanding that patients provide a list of medication that they are using when applying for a renewal of their medical card; her views on the potential for a breach of patient confidentiality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3018/06]
The issue raised in the Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
General Medical Services Scheme.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:216 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that general practitioners have been stopped from using patients’ PPS numbers as a means to identify same; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that general practitioners have called for a change in legislation to allow PPS numbers be used as unique patient identifiers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3044/06]
The personal public service number is used by the Health Service Executive as a unique identifier for people who are entitled to publicly provided general practitioner services under the General Medical Services, GMS, scheme. The unique identifier appears on patients' medical cards, which they are required to produce when availing of services from their GMS general practitioner.
The development of a unique patient identifier will be considered in the context of a public service wide approach to the development and use of unique identifiers. Proposals for the development of policy in this area will include discussion with the health sector. The objective will be to develop a legislative basis that will underpin the use of unique identifiers.
Question No. 217 answered with QuestionNo. 206.
Health Services.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:218 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a working group has been set up with regard to the social services inspectorate taking over responsibility for the inspection of nursing homes; the terms of reference and the members of the working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3054/06]
Legislation is being prepared in the Department to provide for the establishment of the health information and quality authority, HIQA, and the establishment of the social services inspectorate, SSI, function as part of HIQA on a statutory basis. The SSI function will be vested in a new statutory office to be known as the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services. The legislation will also provide for the establishment of a registration system in respect of residential services for children and for older people and people with disabilities to replace existing registration procedures in the Health (Nursing Homes) Act and the Child Care Acts.
It is intended that the functions of the office of the chief inspector will include, inter alia, monitoring of standards in respect of residential services for people with disabilities, older people and children in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991 and Part 2 of the Children Act 2001, family welfare conferences, and registering and carrying out inspections in respect of those services.
The preparation of the draft heads of this legislation is at an advanced stage and it is hoped to submit these to the Government shortly. It is intended to publish the draft heads so as to allow for a period of consultation on their contents prior to commencing the drafting of the Bill. The existing SSI will also be included in this consultation.
A working group has been established by my Department to develop the standards for residential care settings for older people. Membership is as follows: Ms Dolores Moran, principal officer, Department of Health and Children, chair; Ms Alison Keogh, assistant principal officer, Department of Health and Children; Ms Michele Clark, chief inspector, SSI; Ms Mo Flynn, Health Service Executive; Ms Jennifer Doran, Irish Health Service Accreditation Board; Ms Julie Ling, Department of Health and Children; Ms Ann Kelly, Health Service Executive; Dr. Catherine Murphy, Health Service Executive; and Mr. Derek Finnegan, Department of Health and Children.
Health Service Staff.
Pádraic McCormack
Ceist:219 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has satisfied herself that there are enough public health nurses in the Health Service Executive primary and community care sector to maintain levels of care in the community now and to deal with the anticipated workload for public health nurses in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3064/06]
At the end of September 2005 there were a total of 1,578 whole-time equivalent public health nurses or 1,905 individual public health nurses, employed by the Health Service Executive. The HSE sponsors 130 nurses per annum to undertake the higher diploma in public health nursing. The annual cost of this programme is in excess of €4.5 million. The projected supply from these training courses is expected to meet current demand.
In addition to public health nurses, care in the community is delivered by a mix of different skills and disciplines, including registered general nurses, home helps and health care assistants. In certain geographical areas, public health nurse vacancies are waiting to be filled. In these areas, registered general nurses and health care assistants are employed to enhance the skill mix and maximise the services of the existing public health nurses in that area.
I have no doubt that the HSE fully recognises workforce planning as a dynamic process and that it must continue to be conscious of future developments and additional future demands, in the context of the most effective use of all human resources and mixes of skills.
Task Force on Obesity.
Gerard Murphy
Ceist:220 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress to date on the implementation of the recommendations of the task force on obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3012/06]
Gerard Murphy
Ceist:239 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of recommendations of the national task force on obesity that have been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3013/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 239 together.
A multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approach is required to implement the recommendations arising from a range of health promotion policies including the report of the national task force on obesity, which was launched in May 2005. The Department is considering how this approach could be advanced. Additional funding of €3 million has been made available to the Health Service Executive to support the implementation of the report's recommendations. The population health unit, National Hospitals Office and the primary, community and continuing care directorates are planning in an integrated manner to ensure best allocation of this funding in targeting obesity according to the recommendations of the task force report.
A proposal from the directorates is being forwarded to the strategic planning and reform innovation unit for approval. The proposal will build on developments to date and will include initiatives in the following areas: expansion of nutrition health education programmes in disadvantaged areas; the appointment of physical activity co-ordinators to promote physical activity and exercise programmes; the appointment of specialist community dieticians to support weight management and health promotion programmes; the development of a national training programme for key health professionals in methods to address obesity and excess weight; programmes with the food sector to ensure the availability of healthy food choices; work on the surveillance and monitoring of obesity; and further development of clinical obesity services.
Question No. 221 answered with QuestionNo. 152.
Hospital Staff.
Kathleen Lynch
Ceist:222 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the unfortunate departure of the director of the National Hospitals Office, the timescale and details of when and how the position will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3032/06]
Responsibility for staff recruitment within the Health Service Executive rests with the HSE. I am advised by the HSE that it has initiated the process to fill the vacancy arising of National Hospitals Office director. The recruitment process will be undertaken by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the HSE, in accordance with the provisions of code of practice 01/05, external and internal recruitment for appointment to positions in the HSE, issued by the Commission for Public Service Appointments.
To ensure this critical area of the health service remains fully functioning and continues to develop, I am advised that Mr. John O'Brien, who is on secondment to the HSE from the post of chief executive officer of St. James's Hospital, Dublin, took up the post of national director of the National Hospitals Office on 23 January 2006 on a temporary basis.
Hospital Services.
Tom Hayes
Ceist:223 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of delayed discharges in the major Dublin hospitals; if she will provide a breakdown for each hospital; if these patients are under the direct care of a geriatrician; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3098/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Care of the Elderly.
Damien English
Ceist:224 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason no reply has been received from the parliamentary affairs division of the Health Service Executive for Question No. 163 of 18 October 2005 in view of the important financial and delivery of care to vulnerable patients issues that it alluded to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3083/06]
The HSE has informed me that it sent a reply to the Deputy yesterday on this matter. The information contained in the reply, which was provided to Deputy Kehoe in response to a parliamentary question on 22 November 2005, is that the 2004 figure of 8.9 million home help hours refers to projected figures for 2004. In some cases, owing to different recording mechanisms in different HSE areas, some home help figures also incorporated home help hours inclusive of all disciplines, including mental health, disabilities, children and families.
The 6.9 million home help hours figure in the 2005 national service plan section for older people, which referred to activity for last year and this year refer only to older persons and, therefore, that figure and the 8.9 million are not comparable. The HSE, on examining the figures in the national service plan 2005, realised that the 6.9 million was understated by 665,821 hours and the national figure should be more than 7.5 million for this year for older persons.
Given that there have been difficulties in collating information nationally, the necessary revisions are being made to systems and procedures by the HSE to ensure that routine information can be produced which verifies for the purposes of public accountability and management decision making the level of home help service delivered on an ongoing basis.
National Drugs Strategy.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:225 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to comments made at the 36th annual conference of the Psychological Society of Ireland that more resources are required to develop drug treatment programmes tailored to meet the individual needs of less serious drug users to avoid placing them on programmes alongside addicts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36932/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Services.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:226 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received the residential and non-acute care accreditation scheme from the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board; the action she will take regarding the proposed scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3053/06]
My Department has had discussions with the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board about the development and operation of accreditation schemes for residential care and primary care services. The board intends to develop these schemes further in 2006.
Liam Twomey
Ceist:227 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason adequate resources are not given to the Health Service Executive to provide an appropriate out-of-hours CAT scanning service to the Health Service Executive south-east region where three of the four hospitals in the region do not have the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3075/06]
The management and delivery of health and personal services are now the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. This includes responsibility for the provision of CAT scanning services at hospitals in the south east. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Question No. 228 was answered with QuestionNo. 169.
Health Service Reform.
Joan Burton
Ceist:229 Ms Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the penalty and rewards system to encourage efficiency in hospitals here and that hospitals offering excellent care are being penalised; her further views on whether the criteria for judging needs to be refined and developed; if best practice in hospitals should be encouraged; if her Department recognises that sometimes best practice costs money; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3029/06]
All the international data suggests that good hospital management usually results in both effective financial control and high quality patient care. There is no evidence that poor patient care has resulted in financial gains. In fact, the reverse usually occurs.
I agree that quality of care is an issue of concern to all of those who use the health services and quality is as important as value for money. I see no reason we cannot have both.
The national case mix programme reviews all patient encounters, apart from outpatients, that occur in the 37 hospitals in the programme. The case mix programme operates four separate budget models and hospitals may win or lose in any one of them as they may have excellent management of one area, but less so in another. The models are inpatient, day cases, accident and emergency, and what is termed the "split-year" workload adjustment which incorporates the most up-to-date data available, for which finalised financial accounts are not yet available. Obviously, the press focuses on the overall adjustment. I am aware that some hospitals which we would all consider excellent institutions suffered some financial loss within case mix. However, if one examines the individual programmes, one sees that they were rewarded for good performance in some areas while losing in others.
Case mix collects data on the procedures and diagnoses pertaining to individual patients and the cost of treating them. While its primary focus is the budgetary process, it also provides data which allows others within the health service to focus on quality related issues. Many indicators already exist outside of case mix and the data collected as part of both the national HIPE programme and case mix programme can assist towards developing quality indicators. Some of these are used as performance indicators within the service planning process.
It is possible to broaden the programme, as some other countries have done, to encompass issues such as re-admission rates, death rates and other quality related indicators, and this will be considered. At present, the focus is on broadening the programme and encouraging its use as a management tool and data set. This year the programme will be broadened by commencing an Irish cost weights programme which will result in Irish patient level cost data driving the reimbursement rates, including new areas such as dialysis and radiotherapy treatments performed on a day case basis, reviewing and refining the accident and emergency model, continuing to refine the day case model to reflect changing clinical practice, strengthening the national structures in order that work can commence on including more hospitals within the programme and commencing a review of outpatient departments so that they too may be included, at which point every patient encounter with the hospitals will be subject to case mix. When these matters have been concluded, a review of whether various quality of care indicators can be included as part of the programme will be initiated.
Child Abuse.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:230 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the outcome of her meeting with representatives of the One in Four Group on 17 November 2005. [36141/05]
The Taoiseach, accompanied by the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, met Mr. Colm O'Gorman and representatives of the One in Four organisation in Government Buildings on 17 November 2005.
During the course of the meeting the Taoiseach highlighted the strong priority he has attached to the issue of adult victims of past abuse during his term of office. He highlighted the actions he had taken to acknowledge, in the first instance, the suffering of the victims of child abuse, including sex abuse, within residential institutions. He had publicly apologised on behalf of the State for its failings in that regard and had ensured that the victims had access to effective redress. The Taoiseach pointed to his public statements, in the Dáil and outside, which had expressed outrage at the facts which had been established about the breach of trust by clerics who had abused children in their care. He fully shared and had expressed the dismay and sense of betrayal at the failure to confront this issue when it came to notice, which put more children in danger.
The Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, pointed out that the Government had brought forward major child protection legislation. It has also taken a number of other important initiatives, including the establishment of the Garda central vetting unit and the appointment of an Ombudsman for Children. The Government has accepted in principle the recommendations of the Ferns Report and will take further steps to improve the level of legal protection for children.
Mr. O'Gorman took the opportunity to outline to the Taoiseach the work being conducted by One in Four and there was a brief presentation. Mr. O'Gorman highlighted the increased demand for the services provided by the group and stressed that the issue of abuse was not only a matter of concern to the victims but to society as a whole. Mr. O'Gorman was appreciative of the Government's commitment to the investigation of child sexual abuse and for taking action when required.
Clinical Indemnity Scheme.
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:231 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her decision not to extend the clinical indemnity scheme to the consultants working in the private hospitals on the grounds of public hospitals will make the possibility of the consultants agreeing with her proposed hospital plan difficult to implement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3058/06]
The clinical indemnity scheme, CIS, has been established on the principle of enterprise liability. As such, the scheme covers institutions such as the Health Service Executive, voluntary hospitals, agencies providing services to persons with disabilities and so forth, rather than individual practitioners. The activities of doctors, nurses and others employed by enterprises included in the CIS are covered by virtue of their employment in the enterprises covered by the scheme. The CIS does not cover private hospitals, whether located on the grounds of public hospitals or elsewhere. These institutions are responsible for arranging their own insurance cover. Consultants in private hospitals benefit from the caps which have been placed on the extent of professional indemnity cover that they are required to purchase. The objective of the caps is to make the cost of this cover affordable for consultants in private practice. I do not believe that the consultants who may wish to work in private hospitals on the grounds of public hospitals will expect to receive more favourable treatment than those who work in other parts of the private hospital sector.
Pension Provisions.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:232 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her response to the recent report of the Pensions Ombudsman, which included particular criticism of employers in the health sector; the action she intends to take arising from the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37197/05]
My Department administers two superannuation schemes for public health sector employees, the nominated health agencies superannuation scheme and the voluntary hospitals superannuation scheme. The Health Service Executive administers the local government superannuation scheme for its employees.
Public health sector scheme members and pensioners have a right to appeal the trustees' determination of superannuation benefits and/or liabilities. The Department of Health and Children circular 21/2004 of 12 May 2004-Pensions Ombudsman- procedures for internal resolution of disputes refers.
Cases that are presented through an internal resolution of disputes process under the Pensions Ombudsman legislation can, by reason of complexity, require thorough investigation and communication with other parties. The report refers to cases dealt with in 2004. I can confirm that all timeframes in relation to dealing with queries and appeals under the IRD process are being met in the two schemes administered by my Department. However, I am aware of the reference drawn by the Pensions Ombudsman to the health and education sectors and to assure good public management, my Department has contacted superannuation offices in the public health sector and emphasised the need to meet the requirements of the internal resolution of disputes process.
Mental Health Services.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:233 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to improve mental health services for children and adolescents, following reports that up to 26% of teenagers have mental health issues; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that mental health problems are higher among children from lower socioeconomic groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3033/06]
As the Deputy may be aware, the future direction and delivery of all aspects of our mental health services, including child and adolescent psychiatry, were considered in the context of the work of the expert group on mental health policy. The Government published the group's report, entitled A Vision for Change, on Tuesday, 24 January 2006.
The report sets out how positive mental health in children can be promoted generally in our society and how specialist mental health services can be delivered efficiently to children who need them. Child and adolescent psychiatric services are in place in each Health Service Executive area, with 39 child community health teams offering a wide range of therapeutic approaches.
The group's report acknowledges gaps in the current provision of child and adolescent services and makes several recommendations for the further improvement of these services. Recommendations include early intervention and health promotion programmes, primary and community care services, specialist mental health services for the treatment of complex disorders and the provision of additional child community mental health teams. The Government has accepted the expert group's report as the basis for the future development of the mental health services.
Health Services.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:234 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she plans to take with regard to funding for designated transport for cancer patients trying to access radiotherapy treatment in Dublin, Cork or Galway; when a decision will be made and funding delivered on this transport; her views on the fact that the failure to deliver designated transport is contributing to unacceptable delays for cancer patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3038/06]
The national service plan 2006 of the Health Service Executive provides a commitment to develop proposals to support patients who have to travel long distances to access specialist services, with particular focus on those travelling for radiotherapy treatment. I approved this plan in December and it was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas earlier this month. I made an additional €9 million available to the executive for developments in cancer services in 2006, inter alia, to facilitate better access to radiation oncology services, including dedicated transport arrangements. The executive will be reviewing the transport needs of all patients, including cancer patients and the associated resource requirements.
The executive has in place several options for the transportation of patients receiving radiotherapy and other oncology services including the use of designated oncology transport vehicles and transport by air. These services and their development relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to provide relevant details to the Deputy. If the Deputy is aware of any case where failure to provide transport is contributing to unacceptable delays for cancer patients, I ask him to provide details to the parliamentary affairs division for immediate examination and follow up. It is unacceptable if patient access to radiotherapy is compromised because of the absence of appropriate transport arrangements.
Hospital Staff.
Paul McGrath
Ceist:235 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason final proposals for a new consultants' contract have not been presented to the consultants' organisations before she gave her ultimatum to the consultants to fulfil her threat to start implementing public-only contracts from the 30 April 2006; if contract talks are not completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3102/06]
Since 2003, management has attempted to commence substantive negotiations on a new contract with the medical organisations. For a number of reasons, including the organisations' opposition to the extension of the clinical indemnity scheme to consultants, both the IMO and the IHCA refused to begin talks until November 2005.
There is no doubt that the implementation of management's proposals with respect to the contract will lead to a better, more patient-centred health service. Obviously, the earlier that this can be done, the better it will be for the patient. For this reason, I felt that it was prudent to ensure that the medical organisations were aware of the necessity to implement these proposals as soon as possible.
Medical Cards.
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:236 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the approximate annual cost for the introduction of doctor-only medical cards for those under 16; the cost for a full medical card for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3093/06]
On the basis of the figures contained in the 2004 annual report of the Health Service Executive, shared services, primary care reimbursement service, it is estimated that the additional cost involved of providing GP visit cards to all those non-medical card holders under 16 years of age will be in the region of €129 million. On a similar basis, the cost involved of providing medical cards to all those non-medical card holders under 16 years would be approximately €181 million. These estimates are calculated by reference to the average annual capitation fees paid to general practitioners under the General Medical Services scheme for patients in this age cohort and include an estimate of other costs in respect of allowances and special payments which would be payable to GPs.
The above estimate for the provision of medical cards to people aged 16 years of age includes the average costs of drugs and medicines and fees paid to pharmacists at the end of 2004. However, the costs of other benefits for medical card holders under the dental and ophthalmic schemes are not included. The estimates do not take account of fee increases which would apply under the terms of the Labour Relations Commission's recommendations of 20 June 2005 and any additional costs which might result from future industrial relations negotiations.
Mental Health Services.
David Stanton
Ceist:237 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department has mental health programmes in place targeted specifically at young males in the 15 to 35 age group, in view of the fact that males represented 78% of suicides here in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3005/06]
A new national office for suicide prevention was established by the Health Service Executive following the publication of the national strategy for action on suicide prevention, Reach Out, in September 2005. Reach Out acknowledges the high levels of suicide among young males and has as a stated objective the development of services and initiatives that will help young men to cope with their changing roles in society. The national office for suicide prevention will oversee the implementation of the strategy and will be responsible for co-ordinating suicide prevention activities across the State. My Department has therefore requested the parliamentary affairs division of the Health Service Executive to arrange to have the information requested issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Care Costs.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:238 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the variations in charges for private consultations; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that charges for a ear, nose and throat specialist in Dublin can be as high as €250 while in Cork charges are €100; if rising costs for specialists will be curbed in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3022/06]
As Minister for Health and Children I have no function regarding the setting of charges by consultants in respect of their private practice. This is a matter for individual consultants. In common with Ministers for Health in most countries, I am concerned at rising health care costs, whether funded by the State or by individual contributions, and believe increases should be kept within reason.
Question No. 239 answered with QuestionNo. 220.
Health Service Reform.
Michael Ring
Ceist:240 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason it cost €200 million to establish the Health Service Executive which included paying off debts of the former 11 health boards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3078/06]
It should be noted from the outset that the establishment of the Health Service Executive did not cost €200 million. Owing to the creation of the HSE's Vote and the consequent introduction of vote accounting procedures, it was necessary to make some technical adjustments at Revised Estimates time in 2005 to accommodate this process. Furthermore, none of these technical adjustments required additional investment in the health services by the taxpayer.
The first of these technical items related to the liquidation of health board approved overdrafts. Up to the end of 2004, an overdraft facility was approved as part of the financing of the health service. Health boards had been cashed with approximately 91% of their approved expenditure in the current year, with the balance of approximately 9% paid over in the following year. This recoupment rate was agreed between my Department and the Department of Finance in 1993-94 as being the appropriate level of cash funding in any year which, when taken together with an approved overdraft facility, ensured that the health boards had enough cash in any year to meet the cash commitments arising from spending their approved allocation. Vote accounting precludes the use of overdraft facilities and, therefore, once-off Exchequer cash of €122 million was required to replace the bank financing previously available. This allowed the Exchequer to meet that portion of its liabilities in 2005 previously covered by way of an overdraft facility.
The second technical adjustment required was in respect of statutory and voluntary deductions made in December 2004. With the establishment of the HSE in January 2005 it was necessary to make a total of 12 payments to the Revenue Commissioners and other beneficiaries in respect of each month's statutory deductions from health board employees' salaries and voluntary deductions such as life insurance. Unlike accruals accounting, Vote accounting required that these deductions were accounted for in Vote spending for each month from January to December 2005, that is, in the month they arise, even though the December 2005 deductions were not due to be paid over until January 2006. Therefore, the HSE was obliged to charge each calendar month of 2005, as well as the deductions from December 2004, to the newly established Vote 40, resulting in 13 months' deductions in 2005. This required a provision of once-off funding of €94 million from the Exchequer in 2005. In total, the establishment of the HSE's Vote required a provision of €216 million once-off funding.
Question No. 241 answered with QuestionNo. 146.
Infectious Diseases.
Liz McManus
Ceist:242 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the breakdown of the numbers of MRSA cases per hospital; if same are not available when she expects them to become available; her plans to combat the spread of MRSA with regard to screening, isolation facilities, overcrowding and visitation hours; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that two babies have tested positive for MRSA at Kerry General Hospital; if her attention has further been drawn to other similar cases of MRSA at other maternity units here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3017/06]
For the purposes of the surveillance, prevention and control of MRSA the health protection surveillance centre collects data on MRSA bacteraemia, also known as bloodstream infection or blood poisoning, as part of the European antimicrobial resistance surveillance system, EARSS. EARSS collects data on the first episode of blood stream infection per patient per quarter. EARSS was designed to allow comparison of antimicrobial resistance data between countries and possibly regions but not between hospitals.
This year Ireland will participate in the Hospital Infection Society's prevalence survey of health care associated infections to be carried out in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The survey will provide the Department and the Health Service Executive with accurate and comparable data on the prevalence of health care associated infections, including MRSA, in acute hospitals in the Republic of Ireland. The data gathered from hospitals can also be used to compare with similar data being obtained in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The publication of the revised SARI guidelines on the control and prevention of MRSA in hospitals and in the community, the Clean Hands Campaign, the national hygiene audits and the development of national standards in infection control and hospital hygiene are some of the measures aimed at addressing the challenges presented by health care associated infections.
Hospitals Building Programme.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:243 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had concerning the future of Crumlin children’s hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2991/06]
It has been accepted that the current infrastructure at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children does not generally meet the standards required for a modern paediatric hospital. The available facilities do not satisfactorily accommodate the range and extent of current clinical and associated activity. In recognition of this, a project team was established to plan for the overall future development of Our Lady's Hospital, either on the existing hospital site or at an alternative green field location.
The project team has undertaken a detailed examination of the potential to redevelop the hospital on its present site. The project team concluded that the existing clinical services could be retained and developed on the present site but also set out the implications of such an approach in terms of time, cost and disruption to services. As a consequence it is likely that the new hospital will be located at an alternative site.
In the context of the decision to be taken on the possible relocation of the facilities at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, I asked the Health Service Executive to undertake a review of tertiary highly specialised paediatric services to ensure that they are planned and provided in the most efficient and effective manner. The HSE engaged a team of management consultants to provide a report on the strategic organisation of tertiary paediatric services in Ireland. Their report is expected to be furnished to the HSE tomorrow evening for consideration at the scheduled HSE board meeting on Thursday.
The outcome of the review will help to inform decisions to be taken on the future location and the range of services to be provided at the new hospital. I am aware that there is significant private sector interest in the redevelopment of the hospital, and I have met with a number of the interested parties.
Question No. 244 answered with QuestionNo. 141.
Question No. 245 answered with QuestionNo. 195.
Medical Council.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:246 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the proposal to have a majority layperson representation on the Medical Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3076/06]
Under the Medical Practitioners Act 1978, the Medical Council was established as the body with the responsibility for the registration of medical practitioners and the regulation of their activities.
Officials in my Department are actively working on the drafting of a new Medical Practitioners Bill and, as part of that work, I have requested them to consider the manner in which non-medical membership can best be represented on the council in future. As a general principle I favour a majority lay representation on boards of professional regulatory organisations.
Health Services.
Pat Breen
Ceist:247 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on Coovagh House in Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3011/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Birth-Related Injury Claims.
John Perry
Ceist:248 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 104 of 18 October 2005 if a process will be reviewed with regard to a no fault compensation for babies who are brain damaged at birth; if the reply to this issue will be approached again from the point of view of the parents as guardians of a brain damaged baby at birth; her proposals to remove the need of parents going to court to get funding to look after these children; the services that are available to parents who fail to prove a case in court and who are often left with little assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3097/06]
The position on the introduction of a no fault compensation scheme for infants who suffer brain damage at or close to birth remains unchanged. The Attorney General has raised serious concerns about the constitutional implications of establishing no fault compensation schemes. In the light of this advice it would not be prudent to establish such a scheme. Parents of infants who suffer cerebral damage at birth are entitled to pursue claims for damages on behalf of such infants where they believe that the standard of care delivered to their child fell below that which would generally be expected. The bulk of the damages awarded in successful claims go to meet the lifetime care costs of the child. Where there are no grounds for taking a personal injury claim, or where the claim is not successful, the children concerned are eligible for the same range of services as other children with disabilities not caused by birth-related injuries.
Hospital Accommodation.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:249 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that Ireland has one of the lowest ratios of acute beds to population in Europe where the EU average is 4.4 beds per 1,000 of population; the action she intends to take to correct this situation; the breakdown of the numbers, types and definitions of beds provided since 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3027/06]
The World Health Organisation's European Health for All database of June 2005 shows that the number of acute care beds in Ireland in 2003 was three per 1,000 population and that the EU average for the same year was 4 per 1,000 population.
The organisation advises caution in the interpretation of the cross-country data in the database. Health data recording systems and practices vary between countries, as do the availability and accuracy of data. Data comparability is also limited owing to differences in definitions and/or time periods or other national specifics in data recording and processing. For example, the Irish data do not include day beds. Day activity is now a significant component of hospital-based care. There has been a rapid movement in the last few years towards day case work where a variety of routine and complex treatments, surgery and diagnostic tests can now be performed with the patient being admitted and discharged from hospital on the same day. In addition, the Irish data do not include acute beds located in private hospitals, whereas some other countries include private beds and/or long term care beds.
It should also be noted that the acute bed numbers per capita do not take account of variations in the age structure of the population in different countries. Acute bed usage tends to be concentrated in the older age groups both in terms of admission rates and average lengths of stay. Within the EU, Ireland continues to have a significantly younger population than the average.
In 2001, the average number of in-patient beds and day places available for treatment of patients in public acute hospitals was 12,145. The hospital returns for 2005 show that this number has risen to 13,255, an increase of 1,110 in-patient beds and day places. Almost 90% of treatment places in acute hospitals are overnight in-patient beds. To these must be added approximately 1,700 acute beds in private hospitals to see the full extent of acute hospital capacity in the country, that is, nearly 15,000 beds.
The agreed programme for Government includes a commitment to expand public hospital beds in line with the health strategy commitment to increase total acute hospital bed capacity by 3,000 by 2011. Substantial investment in additional bed capacity in acute hospitals has already taken place. Funding has been provided to open an additional 900 in-patient beds-day places in public acute hospitals throughout the country. The Health Service Executive has informed the Department that at the end of 2005, 806 of these beds-day places were in place and the remaining 94 beds-day places will come on stream over the coming months. The majority — 80% — of additional beds-places provided so far are overnight in-patient beds. In addition, a further 450 acute beds-day places are in various stages of planning and development under the capital investment framework 2005-09.
I announced in July this year an initiative which will provide up to an additional 1,000 beds for public patients in public hospitals over the next five years. The Health Service Executive has been asked to begin to develop an implementation plan and to prioritise proposals with reference to the public hospitals' requirement for additional bed capacity. The Estimates for 2006 include €60 million to open new acute hospital facilities, some of which will provide additional beds. These additional beds-day places will go some way to achieving our commitment in the programme for Government to increase total acute hospital capacity.
The Department, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, will be reviewing public capacity requirements in the acute hospital sector in the light of developments since the health strategy was published.
Cancer Services.
Pat Breen
Ceist:250 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is her view that the sparse population of the north-west region presents obstacles to the establishing of a quality service to meet the needs of cancer patients in Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3010/06]
I am fully committed to the development of high quality and quality assured cancer care for all patients regardless of geography. This objective is shared by the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive and is reflected in the executive's national service plan, 2006. There is a significant role for primary care services in the provision and development of cancer care. These services include health promotion, early detection and screening and palliative care. Primary care is a key element in the delivery of integrated cancer services involving secondary and tertiary services. The specialist management of specific types of cancers should be delivered by hospitals where care is more specialised thereby increasing the likelihood of better survival; there are higher caseloads of patients, increasing the experience and ability to sub-specialise; diagnosis and treatment planning is conducted by multidisciplinary teams; and audit and other quality assurance programmes are in place.
While a limited number of centres will generate sufficient workload for breast or colon cancer, for example, they would not support the management of more complex but less common cancers including cancers of the pancreas, oesophagus, lung, bone, brain or paediatric tumours. There is significant evidence in international research that associates case volume and sub-specialisation with improved patient outcome.
There has been significant investment in cancer care in the north west since 1997, more than €47 million. Additional medical consultants have been appointed in the region in key areas of cancer care, including medical oncology, palliative care, histopathology, haematology and surgery. More than 20 cancer care nurse specialists have been appointed and there has been a 25% increase in oncology day case activity in 2005. BreastCheck has confirmed that it will commence breast screening of women in the 50 to 64 age group in the north west in 2007.
Tourism Industry.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:251 Mr. Connolly asked the Taoiseach the income from foreign tourism markets in each year since 2000; the amount spent abroad annually by Irish holidaymakers; [2864/06]
The CSO publishes annual figures on the estimated total earnings from all overseas visits to Ireland by non-residents and on the estimated expenditure by Irish residents on overseas visits. These figures include a breakdown into the following categories by reason for journey: business, holiday-leisure-recreation, visit to friends-relatives and other. The figures for overseas visits to Ireland by non-residents also include a breakdown by area of residence. The relevant figures for the years 2000-04 are detailed in the tables below.
|
Reason for Journey |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Business |
486 |
460 |
445 |
402 |
424 |
|
Holiday/Leisure/Recreation |
1,386 |
1,594 |
1,696 |
1,779 |
1,774 |
|
Visit to Friends/Relatives |
569 |
648 |
675 |
708 |
755 |
|
Other |
175 |
191 |
230 |
309 |
251 |
|
Total Estimated Expenditure |
2,617 |
2,893 |
3,045 |
3,198 |
3,204 |
*The figures in the above table exclude all international fares and fares received by Irish carriers.
|
Area of Residence |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Great Britain |
1,042 |
1,163 |
1,251 |
1,295 |
1,253 |
|
Other Europe |
721 |
810 |
862 |
884 |
927 |
|
USA and Canada |
679 |
713 |
705 |
784 |
769 |
|
Other Areas |
175 |
207 |
227 |
235 |
255 |
|
Total Estimated Expenditure |
2,617 |
2,893 |
3,045 |
3,198 |
3,204 |
*The figures in the above table exclude all international fares and fares received by Irish carriers.
|
Reason for Journey |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Business |
657 |
521 |
581 |
605 |
612 |
|
Holiday/Leisure/Recreation |
1,737 |
2,205 |
2,720 |
2,895 |
2,882 |
|
Visit to Friends/Relatives |
598 |
678 |
754 |
796 |
862 |
|
Other |
195 |
196 |
255 |
290 |
304 |
|
Total Estimated Expenditure |
3,187 |
3,600 |
4,310 |
4,586 |
4,661 |
** The figures in the above table include all international fares and fares received by Irish carriers.
It is expected that tourism and travel expenditure estimates for the year 2005 will be published before the end of March 2006.
Migrant Workers.
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:252 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Taoiseach the number of non-national workers currently employed here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3179/06]
Quarterly labour force estimates are compiled from the Quarterly National Household Survey. The table provides tentative estimates for persons in employment classified by nationality.
The very significant flows of persons into the country in recent times present measurement challenges for a survey such as the QNHS. In this respect the nationality figures provided in the table should be treated as tentative pending the results from the 2006 census.
|
(Thousands) |
|||
|
Q3 2004 |
Q3 2005 |
Annual Change |
|
|
Nationality |
|||
|
Irish |
1,779.1 |
1,830.6 |
51.5 |
|
Non-Irish nationals |
114.5 |
159.2 |
44.7 |
|
of which |
|||
|
United Kingdom |
34.8 |
40.5 |
5.7 |
|
EU-15 excl. and UK |
19.4 |
21.4 |
2.0 |
|
Accession states EU-15 to EU-25 |
19.5 |
53.2 |
33.7 |
|
Other |
40.7 |
44.1 |
3.4 |
|
All persons |
1,893.6 |
1,989.8 |
96.2 |
Northern Ireland Issues.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:253 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, will be called on to hold a full independent public inquiry into the murder of Mr. Pat Finucane in the interest of transparency, in view of the findings of Judge Peter Cory’s investigation into collusion between paramilitaries and security forces in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2784/06]
The Government continues to support a full independent public inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane. We have made clear that we want to see the standard agreed at Weston Park and set by Judge Cory adhered to. We continue to share the concern of the Finucane family that the new Inquiries Act, under which the British Government intends to have the Finucane case investigated, will not meet these standards. We have raised these concerns with the British Government.
The family has our full and continuing support in all their tireless efforts over so many years to achieve the full truth in this deeply disturbing case.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:254 Mr. Connolly asked the Taoiseach his views on the possibility of achieving a restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and political institutions in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2856/06]
The Government remains fully committed to the peace process and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. I met Prime Minister Blair in Farmleigh on 26 January. Our main topic of discussion was the way ahead in Northern Ireland. As was stated after my meeting with Prime Minister Blair, the early restoration of the devolved institutions is in the best interests of everyone in Northern Ireland — 2006 is the decisive year for this process. We would like to see the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, and North-South structures restored as soon as possible. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will convene talks with the Northern Ireland parties, commencing on 6 February, in an aim to restore the Institutions.
Health Service Staff.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:255 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there are social workers with responsibility for the elderly; if so the breakdown of the number involved per county or per region; and the exact functions of same. [2782/06]
Employment information collected by my Department relates to grades and employing authority rather than to specific areas of responsibility for individual staff. The most recent information shows that the number of social workers employed in the public health service increased by 897 to 2061 or 77% in whole-time equivalent terms between 31 December 1997 and 30 September 2005. The table below shows a breakdown of these figures by Health Service Executive area at end September 2005.
As the detailed information requested by the Deputy relates to the management of human resources which is a matter for the Health ServiceExecutive under the Health Act 2004, the executive's parliamentary affairs division has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.
|
Health Service Executive Area |
31/12/1997 |
30/09/2005 |
Increase |
% Increase |
|
Eastern - Share Services |
191.2 |
302.6 |
111.4 |
58 |
|
East Coast Area |
54.3 |
144.5 |
90.2 |
166 |
|
Northern Area |
254,6 |
271.0 |
16.4 |
6 |
|
South-Western Area |
112.0 |
261.0 |
149.0 |
133 |
|
Eastern |
612.0 |
979.0 |
367.0 |
60 |
|
Midland |
57.6 |
96.7 |
39.1 |
68 |
|
Mid-Western |
77.8 |
156.6 |
78.8 |
101 |
|
North-Eastern |
63.2 |
132.6 |
69.4 |
110 |
|
North-Western |
60.7 |
128.8 |
68.1 |
112 |
|
South-Eastern |
86.5 |
135.1 |
48.7 |
56 |
|
Southern |
120.3 |
278.5 |
158.2 |
132 |
|
Western |
86.0 |
154.2 |
68.1 |
79 |
|
Total |
1,164.0 |
2,061.4 |
897.4 |
77 |
Source: Health Service Personnel Census.
Legislative Programme.
Simon Coveney
Ceist:256 Mr. Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she intends to implement the legislation on the liberalisation of marriage venues and have the licence in the person of the registrar perform the ceremony in a venue other than the registrar’s office (details supplied). [3188/06]
An tArd-Chláraitheoir, the Registrar General, is the person with statutory responsibility for the administration of the civil registration system, including civil marriages. I have made inquiries with an tArd-Chláraitheoir and the position is as follows. The Civil Registration Act 2004 provides for the commencement of the various provisions of the Act on a gradual basis. Parts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8, which relate to the administration of the service and the registration of births, stillbirths and deaths, were commenced on 5 December 2005. The new provisions for marriage are set out in Part 6 and include universal procedures for notification, solemnisation and registration of marriages as well as a choice of venue for civil marriage ceremonies.
Before the provisions can be commenced, a substantial body of work needs to be completed, including drafting and publication of regulations, guidelines and detailed procedures; establishment of a register of solemnisers in consultation with religious bodies; establishment of a register of approved venues for civil marriages; and the further development of the computer system to facilitate the administration of the new marriage provisions introduced in the Act. An tArd-Chláraitheoir is unable to give a specific date for the implementation of the new marriage procedures but it is unlikely to be before October 2006. It is intended to give as much public notice as possible and a comprehensive public information campaign will be undertaken at the appropriate time.
I am aware that some existing offices of registrars of civil marriages are less than ideal when it comes to conducting marriage ceremonies. This factor was taken into consideration in enacting the new marriage provisions and I am confident these provisions, once commenced, will lead to a significant enhancement of the services provided in the area of civil registration.
Mental Health Services.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:257 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the services available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin who has suffered from mental illness since early teens in view of the fact that psychiatric care and follow up remedial treatment were found to be limited and inadequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3226/06]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:319 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proposals her Department has to improve the interface between the prison services and the health services with particular regard to mental and psychiatric services where a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 finds that due to inadequate and limited psychiatric remedial treatment, they were transferred to Unit B of the Central Mental Hospital, having spent eight weeks in Cloverhill remand prison; the steps she will take to ensure that a person in need of medical treatment rather than incarceration is provided with the appropriate treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3229/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 319 together.
The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Services.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:258 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if special consideration will be given in the application of the casemix incentivisation scheme to hospitals experiencing unique service difficulties when funding is being allocated based on previous years’ casemix criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3235/06]
All the hospitals which participate in the national casemix programme are actively encouraged to make submissions on issues of concern to them to the casemix technical group in my Department, which is involved in the management of the programme. No restrictions apply to the type of submission they may make. It could be a general issue affecting both their hospital and all hospitals or it could be a unique local issue. Local unique issues could be related to general matters, such as service difficulties, or to a patient whose care was unique or unusual, the cost of which was considerably in excess of the norm. Costs relating to matters which might reasonably be considered beyond local management control are allowed.
The casemix group operates what is termed a "data driven decision making process", that is, any decisions taken are based on real data submitted. The programme is operated in an open and inclusive manner, with all the data being shared among all the participating hospitals. Consequently, the decision to grant a special deduction is only taken where it can reasonably be considered valid, beyond local management's control and can be justified to all other participating hospitals.
Casemix adjustments are only part of the financial allocation process and specific to the year in question, nor are they on a cumulative basis as the process starts afresh each year. All the management data is regenerated, based on both the hospital's activity and costs and that of all other hospitals involved in the programme. The lessons learned from the previous casemix budget are carried forward and changes which have occurred, be they clinical, financial or management, are reviewed. Cost per case, length of stay and changing clinical practice data, such as the introduction of medical assessment units, are all reviewed and incorporated into the new budget model.
The activity and costs for a given year are reviewed vis-à-vis their peer group, resulting in hospitals being funded for the patients they actually treated, including exceptionally high cost or long stay patients. Any issues beyond the remit of case mix can be addressed directly with the National Hospitals Office and the Health Service Executive.
Health Services.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:259 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the type of problems that are being identified in respect of the inspection of private nursing homes; the action that is being taken to address these problems; the number of court actions pending; and the nursing homes in question. [3325/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Michael Ring
Ceist:260 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the hospice beds in a hospital (details supplied) in County Mayo will be reopened and the plans of the Health Service Executive to advertise for medical officers for the hospice unit. [2763/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE, under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, this Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:261 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the funding requirement for the Mayo centre for independent living for 2006 of approximately €950,000; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that of the personal assistant service being provided at the moment 18 are employed on community employment schemes with the remainder being funded from the Health Service Executive; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that 60 leaders require a personal assistant in the Mayo area in 2006; the level of funding to be provided by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2775/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have a reply on this issue sent directly to the Deputy.
Medical Cards.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:262 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards which were available to persons in each county here on 1 January 2006 or the nearest date possible; the number of doctor only medical cards that have been issued on a county by county basis; when the proposed figure of 30,000 additional full cards and 200,000 doctor only cards will be reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2783/06]
The statistics for national coverage of medical cards as supplied to my Department by the HSE's primary care reimbursement services are set out in tabular form:
|
Regions |
No. of Eligible Persons January 2006 |
|
Eastern Region |
|
|
Dublin |
274,245 |
|
Kildare |
37,790 |
|
Wicklow |
27,612 |
|
Total |
339,647 |
|
Midland |
|
|
Laois |
16,991 |
|
Longford |
12,545 |
|
Offaly |
19,597 |
|
Westmeath |
20,990 |
|
Total |
70,123 |
|
Mid-Western |
|
|
Clare |
31,355 |
|
Limerick |
49,932 |
|
Tipperary NR |
19,401 |
|
Total |
100,688 |
|
North Eastern |
|
|
Cavan |
18,958 |
|
Louth |
35,134 |
|
Meath |
29,369 |
|
Monaghan |
16,105 |
|
Total |
99,566 |
|
North Western |
|
|
Donegal |
68,380 |
|
Leitrim |
11,044 |
|
Sligo |
19,491 |
|
Total |
98,915 |
|
South Eastern |
|
|
Carlow |
15,443 |
|
Kilkenny |
19,802 |
|
Tipperary SR |
28,611 |
|
Waterford |
35,744 |
|
Wexford |
40,020 |
|
Total |
139,620 |
|
Southern |
|
|
Cork |
132,365 |
|
Kerry |
41,221 |
|
Total |
173,586 |
|
Western |
|
|
Galway |
65,758 |
|
Mayo |
47,588 |
|
Roscommon |
20,236 |
|
Total |
133,582 |
|
Grand Total |
1,155,727 |
More than 5,000 GP visit cards have been issued by the HSE which has been requested to provide a breakdown of this figure by county directly to the Deputy. Since 2005 I have made significant improvements to the way in which eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is assessed. In January 2005, I increased the income guidelines used in the assessment of medical card applications by 7.5%.
In June 2005, it was apparent that the effect of rising income in our successful economy meant that the target of 30,000 additional medical cards and 200,000 GP visit cards would not be achieved. At this time I simplified the means test for both medical cards and GP visit cards. It is now based on an applicant's and spouse's income after income tax and PRSI and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, child care and travel to work. This is much fairer to applicants.
I announced, on 13 October 2005, that the income guidelines for both medical cards and GP visit cards would be increased by an additional 20%. This means the income guidelines are now 29% higher than they were at the end of 2004. It will be noted that the income assessment guidelines used for GP visit cards are 25% higher than those used for medical cards. The HSE has publicised these changes to encourage people to apply and has made the application process as simple as possible.
In December 2005 my Department asked the HSE to take account of the welfare, taxation or other changes announced in the budget on the operation of the income guidelines and identify any changes which may be required to ensure medical cards and GP visit cards continue to be available to those who need them. I expect to receive a report from the HSE shortly about this matter. My Department and the Health Service Executive will continue to monitor the number of cards issued. The Government's commitment in the programme for Government to extend eligibility for medical cards will be kept under review in light of other competing service priorities, available resources and the graduated benefits approach which I introduced with the GP visit card.
Health Services.
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:263 Mr. Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a health centre in Dunleer, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2826/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
John McGuinness
Ceist:264 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of a request to obtain land at Thomastown, County Kilkenny, to extend the local health centre; if the proposal will be fast-tracked by the Health Service Executive in order that the project can be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2828/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act, 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:265 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a review of a file can be undertaken in relation to a refund to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2837/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:266 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to open the Cootehill day care centre for the elderly on a five day a week basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2752/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Services.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:267 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if special unique difficulties of suspensions of consultant surgeons and severe overcrowding were taken into account in her Department’s penalising of Cavan General Hospital to the extent of €220,563 under the new casemix incentivisation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2756/06]
All the hospitals which participate in the national casemix programme are actively encouraged to make submission on issues of concern to them to the casemix technical group in my Department, which is responsible for reviewing cost and activity data for inclusion in the budget model. Costs relating to matters which might reasonably be considered beyond local management control may be deducted following review. A deduction was allowed in relation to some costs incurred at the hospital. No allowance was made for pressure on services as this led to an increase in activity and a consequent lowering of unit costs, resulting in an improving financial outturn. This is reflected in the fact that the loss under casemix was less this year than last. I hope this trend will continue and it will return to having a positive outturn. It should be noted that the hospital has gained considerable funding over the years from casemix. In 2004 alone it gained almost €750,000.
Alcohol Labelling.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:268 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she intends to change the law to require that labels be placed on alcoholic beverages warning of the risks of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders; the steps she is taking to prevent FASD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2846/06]
This Department has funded a research project which involves a review of maternal records held by the Coombe Women's Hospital for the period 1996-2004. The aims of the project are to describe the prevalence and patterns of alcohol and nicotine use in a sample of pregnant women in Ireland between 1986 and 2004; to examine the association between a set of pregnancy outcome indicators — birth weight, Apgar score — and the consumption patterns; and to examine how alcohol consumption in Ireland, in a sample of pregnant women, relates to use in a similar population in other countries. The results are expected to be available later this year and will inform any future action required.
The issue of the information contained on labels on alcoholic beverages was considered by the working group on alcohol which was recently established to help mobilise the stakeholders through social partnership to achieve a targeted and measurable reduction in alcohol misuse. The report recommended that a group, representative of all relevant stakeholders, would be established to consider what useful information could be included on non-draft alcohol products, taking account of international evidence. Any future action on the recommendations contained in that report, including the issue of the information on labels, will involve consultation with all of the appropriate stakeholders.
Medical Cards.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:269 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will restore a medical card to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [2849/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Services.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:270 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will financially support persons (details supplied) in Dublin 10. [2850/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Accident and Emergency Services.
Niall Blaney
Ceist:271 Mr. Blaney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive is considering erecting a portacabin on the grounds of Letterkenny General Hospital which will act as an extension to accident and emergency to ease the overcrowding situation in accident and emergency; if so, when she envisages this may happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2852/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Services.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:272 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent of the waiting list for orthodontic treatment; her plans to reduce and eliminate this list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2866/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:273 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the shortage of radiographers here; her plans to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2867/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. The Deputy may wish to note, however, that efforts have been undertaken in recent years to improve staffing levels in radiography in the public health service. The success of these measures have contributed to an increase at end-September 2005 of 252 radiographers or 32% over the number employed at end-December 2000. There were 1,033 whole time equivalent radiographers employed in the public health service at end-September, 2005. In addition, the numbers of radiography training places in both the UCD diagnostic radiography course and the TCD radiation therapy course have increased in recent years. In 2003, the annual intake of students doubled to 40 in diagnostic radiography and more than doubled in radiation therapy from 10 to 25 in 2001.
Organ Donation.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:274 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her policy in relation to encouraging people to participate in organ donation programmes; if a system will be introduced whereby there will be a national opt-out scheme on the assumption that a person who had not chosen to opt-out of the donor scheme are deemed to have given their consent in advance of their death of being an organ donor. [2868/06]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:275 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, to get more people into the present organ donation programme, she will arrange to have a question in the forthcoming census asking people to tick a box if they agree to be an organ donor and, from the information obtained, a comprehensive national database will be established which can be assessed by the medical profession in the event of the possibility of organs becoming available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2869/06]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:276 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Irish Blood Transfusion Service will be asked to encourage its clients to complete organ donation cards on the basis that if they are prepared to donate their blood and are of a giving nature they will probably donate their organs in the event of their death (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2870/06]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:277 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on making the necessary changes in legislation obliging doctors to ask family members in a manner (details supplied) about organ donation in the event of an untimely death on the basis that it could increase the number of organs that become available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2871/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 to 277, inclusive, together.
The annual organ donor awareness campaign, which is organised by the Irish Donor Network and administered by the Irish Kidney Association, highlights the necessity for organ donation generally. The campaign, which is supported by my Department, highlights the need for organ donors by promoting the carrying of an organ donor card. I thank the Deputy for his suggestions with regard to increasing organ donation rates, and my Department will write to the Central Statistics Office and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service to ascertain their views on the suggestions.
There are two systems that can be used to ascertain an individual's wishes on organ donation: the opt-in system and the opt-out system. The former system, which operates in this country, requires that the specific consent to donation of each person, or their relatives, be obtained before organs or tissues are removed. The opt-out system presumes that all citizens consent to donation unless they have specifically expressed a wish to the contrary.
The practice in this country is that, even when a person has indicated his or her willingness to donate organs by way of carrying an organ donor card, or a driving licence marked accordingly, the consent of the next of kin is always sought. It is likely that this would continue to be the case in the event that the initiatives suggested by the Deputy are implemented. Even where opt-out systems are in operation the relatives of the deceased are approached as part of the donor screening process to seek a medical history of any high-risk behaviour. Thus, the relatives will always be aware that a donation is being considered and can register an objection to the donation.
The European Commission is considering the question of a directive in respect of organ transplantation, including the issue of consent, and proposes to conduct a thorough scientific evaluation of the situation. It will present a report on its analysis to the Council of the European Union and it is expected that this report will inform decisions regarding the development of a legislative framework in this area. In the context of increasing the number of donor organs available for transplant, the Health Service Executive has been asked by the Department to undertake a review and analysis of the factors that impact on organ procurement and retrieval rates in hospitals around the country.
Hospital Services.
Marian Harkin
Ceist:278 Ms Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Hanly report otherwise known as the Report of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing is Government policy. [2877/06]
Marian Harkin
Ceist:279 Ms Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if Ennis General Hospital will retain 24 hour, seven day consultant-led accident and emergency services. [2878/06]
Marian Harkin
Ceist:280 Ms Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if Ennis General Hospital will have full acute medical and acute surgery services on site. [2879/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 to 280, inclusive, together.
The Report of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing, Hanly report, made a series of important recommendations about the development of hospital services. These covered issues such as the changes needed in NCHD work patterns; reform of medical education and training; the need for a significantly revised contract for medical consultants and an increase in the number of consultants and the reorganisation of acute hospital services.
My Department is working closely with the HSE to build on, and progress, these recommendations. Negotiations on a new contract for consultants have begun. It is important that a new contract be put in place as soon as possible. I also want the discussions which have been under way for some time now about the work patterns of NCHDs to be brought to a successful conclusion at an early date. The Government last week considered a report from the medical education and training group, Buttimer report, in relation to postgraduate medical education and training, together with the Fottrell report on undergraduate medical education and training. I will, together with my colleague Deputy Hanafin, Minister for Education and Science, make an announcement in the near future on the measures agreed on foot of these reports.
These measures, combined with ongoing investment in acute hospital facilities, extra consultant posts and the organisation of services around hospital networks, are designed to provide patients with faster access to high quality consultant provided services.
Hospitals Building Programme.
Marian Harkin
Ceist:281 Ms Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the year in which she envisages the proposed Ennis General Hospital development central plan will be completed and operational. [2880/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the implementation of the capital programme for the health services, which is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Vaccination Programme.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:282 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of children who received out-of-date polio vaccine between January 1998 and December 2000 and who have now been revaccinated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2890/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:283 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the revised systems and protocols that were put in place post 2000 by the health boards to prevent the administration of out-of-date vaccine in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2891/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:284 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the national immunisation steering committee has made recommendations safeguarding against the use of out-of-date vaccines; if same has been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2892/06]
The Health Service Executive, which has statutory responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, has provided the following information regarding the national immunisation steering committee recommendations safeguarding against the use of out of date vaccines. HSE staff and general practitioners contracted by the HSE provide immunisation as recommended by the national immunisation advisory committee and in line with good clinical practice. A national review of immunisation and vaccination programmes took place in 2001. One of the main recommendations of this report was the central control and monitoring of all vaccines.
In September 2004 a national vaccine cold chain delivery service was established. This centralised system is managed through the HSE national population health directorate which oversees the procurement, ordering, distribution, stock control and payment of all vaccines provided by the HSE. The distribution of all vaccines is carried out through a third party distribution system following a procurement process. All information is held on a database from which weekly and monthly reports are produced. The main activities of the service include ordering all childhood vaccines; monitoring of all GP and HSE vaccine orders; monitoring and ensuring that all vaccines are stored and distributed within optimum temperature; monitoring all batch numbers of stock and expiry dates; detailing receipt of all out-of-date vaccines returned from the HSE and GP surgeries; dealing with emergency situations. The cold chain delivery of services is dedicated to ensuring that vaccines are delivered and used in line with best practice.
To safeguard against the use of out of date vaccines a service is also provided for the return of out-of-date stock from each delivery site on a monthly basis. When an order is placed and delivered all sites are asked to return out of date stock. To safeguard further against use of out of date stock, the delivery service wrote to all GPs and HSE sites in April 2005 specifically asking that all fridges be checked and that all out of date vaccines be collected, irrespective of vaccines type. The response to this initiative was excellent with approximately 63,000 doses received. This initiative will be repeated again early in 2006.
Cancer Incidence.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:285 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year from 1995 to date in 2006; the number of women who have died from breast cancer each year from 1995 to date in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2893/06]
Denis Naughten
Ceist:286 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer from 1995 to date in 2006; the number of men who have died from prostate cancer each year from 1995 to date in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2894/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together.
Statistics on the incidence of cancer and the number of deaths from cancer, including breast and prostate cancers, are collated by the National Cancer Registry. My Department has asked the director of the registry to examine the issue raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
Cancer Research.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:287 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the funding allocated by her Department for research into breast cancer in each year from 1995 to date in 2006; the funding allocated for research into prostate cancer each year from 1995 to date in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2895/06]
Denis Naughten
Ceist:288 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the breakdown of the €3.6 million in awards made to the Ireland-Northern Ireland National Cancer Institute Consortium; the amount of this funding spent on research for prostate cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2896/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 288 together.
The Deputy's questions relate to the statutory functions of the Health Research Board which are to promote, conduct, fund and commission medical, epidemiological and health services research in Ireland. Accordingly, my Department has asked the HRB to examine these matters and to provide the information directly to the Deputy.
Cancer Screening Programme.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:289 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the funding allocated by her Department to the BreastCheck programme in 2005; the amount earmarked for allocation in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2897/06]
BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme is currently available to women in the 50 to 64 age group in the eastern, north-eastern, south-eastern and midland regions. My Department made revenue funding of €10.606 million available to BreastCheck in 2005 to support the programme. A once off capital grant of €0.5 million was also made available to purchase new digital mammography machines as part of BreastCheck's replacement programme of analogue equipment. An additional once off capital grant of €0.28 million was made available to upgrade information technology equipment. Planning is under way for the roll out of the screening programme to the remaining regions in the country. The Department's letter of determination to BreastCheck for 2006 provides for an allocation of €13.693 million. This includes revenue funding of €2.3 million to, inter alia, provide for the recruitment and training of staff to commence the national roll out of the screening programme in 2007. An additional €0.2 million is being made available for improvements in radiographer ratios in the regions covered by the current programme.
Question No. 290 answered with QuestionNo. 196.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:291 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to introduce a national prostate cancer screening programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2899/06]
The chairman of the National Cancer Forum recently submitted a report entitled A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland, 2006. As part of the development of this strategy, the forum, a multi-disciplinary group of experts in oncology, reviewed all issues relating to screening and has developed criteria against which all future screening programmes will be assessed.
The forum has recommended that there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend the introduction of a population based prostate screening programme in this country. This issue should be reassessed when the results are available from randomised trials currently being conducted. This position is consistent with the recommendations adopted by the European Union which advocate the introduction of cancer screening programmes which have demonstrated their efficacy having regard to professional expertise and priority setting for health care resources. The proposals do not provide for specific recommendations in respect of screening for prostate cancer. Appropriate treatment for men diagnosed with prostate cancer is available at major hospitals throughout the country. Any man who has concerns regarding prostate cancer should contact his GP who will, where appropriate, refer him to the appropriate services in his area.
Health Services.
Pat Breen
Ceist:292 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has been refused dental treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2900/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Foreign Adoptions.
Mary Upton
Ceist:293 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the aspects of the draft protocol on adoption between Ireland and Belarus which have been found to be incompatible with Irish law; the further steps she has taken and which steps she intends to take to expedite agreement of such a protocol between Ireland and Belarus; if she has satisfied herself that the Adoption Board is taking all appropriate steps in informing prospective adoptors of Belarus children of the status of negotiations regarding the draft protocol on adoption between Ireland and Belarus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2908/06]
Representatives of the Adoption Board travelled to Belarus in October 2005. They met with officials of the national adoption centre and the Ministry of Justice. During the visit the Belarusian officials presented the Adoption Board with a draft protocol on inter-country adoption between Ireland and Belarus. Following examination of the protocol by the Adoption Board and the Attorney General a number of constitutional and legislative concerns were raised. The board is currently attempting to find ways to resolve the issues with the mutual agreement of both parties. The Adoption Board is treating the agreement as a priority matter. The Deputy will be aware that the agreement is subject to sensitive international negotiation and it would not be appropriate for me to go into any further details at this time.
Health Services.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:294 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the current spend or allocation to the various bodies dealing with the Traveller community; the amount of the overall spend or allocation in each of the years from 2000 to date in 2006 in funding all services, projects, schemes, grants, loans and resources to the Traveller community; her views on whether the return on such spending has been satisfactory; and her plans to improve the effectiveness of such services. [2918/06]
Part of the Deputy's question regarding the current allocations to various bodies dealing with the Traveller community relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Since 2000 over €9.6 million in ongoing revenue funding has been allocated to Traveller specific health services such as the appointment of designated public health nurses for Travellers and the replication of primary health care for Traveller projects. This funding is allocated through the Traveller health units in each Health Service Executive area. Travellers and Traveller organisations are involved in partnership with HSE personnel through each Traveller health unit in the development of Traveller health services and in the allocation of resources.
|
Year |
Additional Annual Funding |
Cumulative Total |
|
(€millions) |
(€millions) |
|
|
2000 |
1.14 |
1.14 |
|
2001 |
1.27 |
2.41 |
|
2002 |
1.90 |
4.31 |
|
2003 |
1.02 |
5.33 |
|
2004 |
1.20 |
6.53 |
|
2005 |
1.10 |
7.63 |
|
2006 |
2.00 |
9.63 |
A Travellers' all-Ireland health study will commence later this year and the findings of this study will determine the future direction of Traveller health services.
Post-Mortem Results.
Shane McEntee
Ceist:295 Mr. McEntee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average time for the results of post-mortem to be available in each of the Health Service Executive areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2922/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act, 2004. Accordingly my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Service Expenses.
Jack Wall
Ceist:296 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has not had their expenses awarded by the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2928/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Projects.
Michael Lowry
Ceist:297 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to correspondence (details supplied), when a decision to approve a project will be made by the national hospital office of her Department. [2945/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Services.
Mary Upton
Ceist:298 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive has initiated a review of the fee arrangements in place for the provision of chiropody services; if not, when such a review will be initiated and when such a review, whether or not already initiated will be concluded; if, pending the outcome of that review, a procedure will be put in place whereby top-up fees paid by medical card holders over the age of 65 years old for chiropody services will be refunded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2946/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.
There is no statutory obligation on the HSE to provide chiropody services to GMS patients. However, in practice arrangements are made to provide these services. Before the establishment of the HSE the nature of the arrangements for chiropody and the level of service provided was a matter for individual health boards and so a degree of variation in practice developed over time. Priority is usually given to certain groups of people, including people who are medical card holders aged 65 years and over. In several regions the service is provided by private chiropodists by arrangement with the HSE.
I consider that it is inappropriate for private chiropodists who are providing services on behalf of the HSE to charge patients a top-up fee, and I have conveyed this view formally to the HSE. My Department requested the HSE to initiate a review of the fee arrangements in place for the provision of chiropody services, with a view to ensuring that such additional fees will no longer be levied on persons in receipt of this service. The HSE has recently advised me that it has initiated a review of chiropody services.
Community Care.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:299 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the care programme envisaged for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2964/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Child Care Services.
John Perry
Ceist:300 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the avenues persons (details supplied) have to pursue to get clearance for the operation of their crèche and Montessori; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2966/06]
Garda vetting is currently not generally available in respect of child care services. In respect of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006, where that makes a contribution towards the staffing costs of certain workers working directly with children, it is a condition of the programme that such staff "must have any clearance prescribed by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform". The requirement of the programme only relates to such workers, and not to other people who may be present in the facility.
Last year, an inter-agency working group on Garda vetting reported with a clear and focused strategy for enhancing national vetting arrangements from a child protection perspective. This strategy provided for an expansion in the criminal record vetting service provided by the Garda central vetting unit to all organisations which recruit persons having substantial, unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults. This has significant implications for the education, child care, youth work, sports and voluntary sectors, among others.
To provide for the increase in demand associated with such an expansion in the availability of vetting, the working group made a number of recommendations. I am pleased that the central vetting unit has now been successfully transferred to new, custom-designed office accommodation in Thurles, County Tipperary, from where it will soon complete expansion of its vetting service. I can also confirm that, during its expansion, the matter of the adequacy of staff resources will be kept under constant review.
The strategy is being overseen by an implementation group on Garda vetting comprising key stakeholders, including the education, health, child care and sports sectors, as well as Mr. Paul Gilligan, CEO of the ISPCC. The implementation group is overseeing the implementation of the practical recommendations of the report of the working group. Implementation issues include the training of the additional staff, accommodation matters, financial management arrangements, work process re-engineering and the preparation of client organisations and sectors for the availability of vetting. In terms of overall prioritisation across sectors, the central vetting unit will roll out its vetting service in the chronological order that each sector completes its own preparatory actions.
Foster Care.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:301 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if social worker support for foster parents is available on weekends or after 5.30 p.m. on weekdays and if not, her plans to change this. [2967/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Community Care.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:302 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if continued respite care can or will be offered to a person (details supplied) who currently receives four night respite care associated with the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2983/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:303 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 can accept secondment to a hospital in the west of Ireland to cover maternity leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2984/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Pension Provisions.
Liam Twomey
Ceist:304 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason nurses affected by the abatement of pensions for employed pensioners have not received repayment of deducted pensions during the period 1 May 2005 to 20 October 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3147/06]
The Pensions (Abatement) Act 1965 provides the legislative basis for the suspension or reduction of an allowance or pension where, after retirement, a scheme pensioner is employed in an agency or organisation in which the superannuation scheme paying the pension applies. Remuneration plus pension for the specified period should not exceed the up-rated remuneration for the post from which the pensioner retired.
The calculation of pension abatement in the health sector was raised with me in the context of the lack of nursing graduates from the Irish education system in 2005. This gap arises because the three year diploma programme ended in 2004 and the first graduates of the four year degree programme will graduate this year, 2006. I requested that my Department review this matter and a revised circular 21/2005 was issued in October 2005. The new arrangements mean that, in effect, pensioners working in agencies or organisations covered by the scheme from which their pensions are paid, can earn up to 50% of the uprated remuneration of the former post, before abatement applies. These changes were introduced in response to a particular set of circumstances and the effective date of the revised arrangements is 20 October 2005.
Health Service Staff.
Liam Twomey
Ceist:305 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of neuro-radiologists here; the areas in which they are based; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3148/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Mental Health Services.
Liam Twomey
Ceist:306 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive southern region has received funding to use the Atlantic Lodge to provide mental health services at community level in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3149/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospitals Building Programme.
Liam Twomey
Ceist:307 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which the former North Western Health Board built its new headquarters at Manorhamilton; if such funding was approved by her Department; the services which were not delivered in the North Western Health Board area to fund this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3150/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for the project referred to by the Deputy. The project was planned and delivered by the North Western Health Board. It was not included in, nor funded by, the capital programme administered by my Department. Accordingly, my Department is requesting the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities.
Tom Hayes
Ceist:308 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 410 of 28 September 2005, the progress which has been made by the working group on cystic fibrosis since November 2005; when the recommendations will be published; and if an implementation plan will be published in conjunction with the recommendations. [3151/06]
As part of the overall funding for health services in 2006, additional revenue funding of €4.78 million has been allocated specifically for the development of cystic fibrosis services.
I wish to see significant improvement this year in the level of services available to persons with cystic fibrosis. The current service deficits in this area are widely acknowledged and have been identified most notably in the Pollock report, and by the Health Service Executive working group which is looking at this issue. My Department is advised that the working group is due to report shortly and will be making specific recommendations in relation to a range of service improvements required for persons with cystic fibrosis, in particular the need to increase the level of clinical, nursing and allied health professional staffing in CF units around the country. As part of the implementation process I have asked the HSE to address in particular the identified deficits at the national adult referral centre at St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin.
The publication of the working group report is a matter for the HSE and accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
National Drugs Strategy.
Seán Crowe
Ceist:309 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to provide a pre-residential stabilisation unit for cocaine addicts. [36835/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Seán Crowe
Ceist:310 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the fact that persons using cocaine are presenting themselves as poly-substance abusers with heroin being their main problem drug, this reflects a problem with regard to an incentive to come forward for treatment for persons solely addicted to cocaine in view of the fact that there is not an equivalent for the methadone programme that can be applied to cocaine addicts; and if so, the options which are being considered. [36831/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Seán Crowe
Ceist:311 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she envisages the provision of a specialist stimulant treatment service; and if she accepts the need for same. [36832/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Services.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:312 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of an application to develop a new health centre in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; her plans to progress the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3171/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:313 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of court actions regarding the provision of resources such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and psychological services relating to primary school students with special needs which her Department has been involved in for each year from 2000 to date; the number of these actions which progressed to the hearing stage; the number of cases that resulted in the provision, by her Department, of the resources sought by the plaintiffs; the costs which were incurred by her Department in responding to these court actions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3173/06]
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:314 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of court actions regarding the provision of resources such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and psychological services relating to secondary school students with special needs which her Department has been involved in during each year from 2000 to date; the number of these actions which progressed to the hearing stage; the number of cases that resulted in the provision, by her Department, of the resources sought by the plaintiffs; the costs which were incurred by her Department in responding to these court actions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3174/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together.
Since the late 1990s, a number of parents of children with autism began to take High Court cases to obtain specific educational services for their children. Since 2000, my Department has been involved in 142 cases in which applicants are seeking access to such appropriate education services. In cases involving children with disabilities this also includes, on occasion, access to appropriate health related supports. These cases are broken down as follows: 2000, 36 cases — 15 judicial review, 21 plenary; 2001, 32 cases — 11 judicial review, 11 plenary; 2002, 35 cases — 15 judicial review, 20 plenary; 2003, 18 cases — seven judicial review, 11 plenary; 2004, 12 cases — five judicial review, seven plenary; and 2005, nine cases — five judicial review, four plenary.
I am unable to say how many of these cases relate to primary or post-primary students. Due to the manner in which the judicial system operates, it can be some time before a case is entered. Furthermore, a number of the students would not be attending traditional primary or post-primary schools or other educational facilities due to the nature of their disability.
In that time, five cases have proceeded to full hearing. One of these cases was settled during the hearing. Of the other cases which proceeded to full hearing, the court ruled in favour of the State on two occasions, one case was successfully appealed by the State to the Supreme Court and a further case has yet to be determined. A number of other cases which commenced prior to 2000 are also being dealt with in my Department.
The cost to my Department, excluding the costs of the State defence which is borne by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, in each of the years since 2000 was as follows:
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Legal Costs |
Nil |
Nil |
2,492,579 |
1,339,660 |
2,741,436 |
|
|
Settlements |
Nil |
4,739 |
438,450 |
297,106 |
297,181 |
290,987 |
|
Total |
Nil |
4,739 |
438,450 |
2,789,685 |
1,636,841 |
3,032,423 |
It should be noted that these figures do not include the costs of staff involved in responding to these cases.
These cases are, in the main, taken against the Department of Education and Science and allege a failure on behalf of the State to provide for an appropriate education as provided for in the Constitution. While these cases are mainly taken by parents of children with autism, there are also a number of cases relating to ADHD, intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities.
The Deputy should note that my Department is not specifically named as a defendant in all of these cases but is involved due to the role of my Department in the formulation and development of policy in respect of the provision of health care and support services. The Health Act 2004 provided for the creation of the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Pursuant to the Health Act 2004, the HSE has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for all health related supports. As such, my Department does not have responsibility in the provision of services to individuals. In a number of the cases the Health Service Executive is also named as a co-defendant.
There has been significant progress made over the past number of years in enhancing and developing services for people with disabilities. An integral part of the national disability strategy is the implementation of two major legislative measures, the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, both of which provide a framework for the planning and delivery of health and personal social services and education services for people with disabilities.
The multi-annual investment programme published by the Government in December 2004 as part of the national disability strategy contained details of specific commitments for the provision of specific high priority disability services over the period 2006 to 2009. The programme, together with the enhancement of other key support services, is a key factor in building the additional capacity required to put in place the new framework provided for in the Disability Act and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act. The funding provided for in the national disability strategy amounts to €900 million over the period 2006 to 2009. In addition to the costs associated with this programme, which amount to €59 million in 2006, a further additional €41 million is being provided this year, the bulk of which will be used to enhance the level and range of multidisciplinary support services available to adults and children with intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities, autism and mental illness, with a priority on enhancing the assessment and support services for children with disabilities.
I am satisfied that the level of investment in disability services demonstrates that the Government is committed to the provision of appropriate services to enhance capacity within the health services to deliver on the various legislative provisions contained in the national disability strategy. This includes continued enhancements to services to allow children with disabilities participate in the education system.
Nursing Home Subventions.
Gerard Murphy
Ceist:315 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of people who have been deemed as qualifying applicants for nursing homes in the southern health service region on 31 December 2005; if these people had qualified prior to any changes in budget 2006 and if the only reason that payment was not being made was lack of funding from her Department. [3178/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Question No. 316 answered with QuestionNo. 136.
Nursing Home Charges.
Michael Ring
Ceist:317 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when persons (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive refunds of nursing home charges. [3200/06]
The general rules and policy relating to the national repayment scheme have been set out in previous parliamentary questions. These can be made available to the Deputy should he require them.
As the Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the scheme, inquiries relating to individual cases are referred to the parliamentary affairs division of the executive. My Department has asked the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:318 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the crisis situation in the national neurosurgery centre at Beaumont Hospital, she will provide for the immediate appointment of the additional neurosurgeons required and for increased co-operation with the health services in the Six Counties in this area of health care. [3222/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Question No. 319 answered with QuestionNo. 257.
Mental Health Services.
James Breen
Ceist:320 Mr. J. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason there are no statistics available on the number of children effected by autism here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3230/06]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:338 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the research which has been undertaken in regard to the high incidence of autism here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3261/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 338 together.
There has been an increase in recent years in the numbers of children being diagnosed with autism in Ireland. Similar increases have also been experienced in other European countries and in the USA. The diagnosis of autism is a clinical one, that is, it is based on a variety of observations rather than any defined laboratory investigation. Hence the evolving concept of an "autistic spectrum" which stretches from those severely affected to those with only mild disability.
There is increasing recognition of autism in Ireland and other countries. What is not clear, however, is whether the increase is due to a greater awareness leading to better ascertainment or whether there is actually a true increase in the prevalence of autism. It is, however, recognised that the epidemiology of ASD is undergoing rapid change due in whole or part to better ascertainment and re-clarification. For general purposes, a figure of 0.3% to 0.6% has been suggested for the overall prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders, ASD. This figure includes high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome.
There are currently no national statistics available in Ireland. The health services have, at regional level, in recent years been expanding the level of information available to them on the numbers and needs of persons with autism in their regions. While some persons with autism, who also have an intellectual disability, are included on the national intellectual disability database, it does not contain information on this group as a whole. In addition, while the database provides information relating to the level of services being provided and current and future needs, it does not identify persons with specific disabilities such as Down's syndrome or autism. Its principal role is as a planning and monitoring instrument.
The Department of Health and Children and the Heath Service Executive, together with the Health Research Board, which manages the national disability databases on behalf of the Department, have been investigating the possibility of establishing an information system which would give a level of information on the numbers and needs of persons with autism, similar to that already available from the national intellectual disability database. This issue is now being examined in the context of the overall information requirements set out in section 13 of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005.
Health Service Grants.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:321 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the funding which has been made available to the Health Services Executive southern area to enable curam grants which have been approved in 2005 but to date in 2006 have not been awarded to applicants due to lack of funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3231/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Services.
Mary Upton
Ceist:322 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Questions Nos. 218 and 238 of 22 November 2005, if all organs, and specifically lungs, donated here are first made available to the Mater transplant unit for the transplantation programme in the Mater Hospital; if only those organs that are not suitable to the Mater Hospital are subsequently made available to Newcastle Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3236/06]
Mary Upton
Ceist:323 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if Irish patients suffering from cystic fibrosis who are on the transplant list are disadvantaged since the new formal arrangements for organ donations have been put in place between the Mater and Newcastle Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3237/06]
Mary Upton
Ceist:324 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of lung transplants for Irish patients which were carried out in Newcastle Hospital in 2003, 2004 and 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3238/06]
Mary Upton
Ceist:325 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the parties which are involved in the formal arrangement that is in place between the UK transplant programme and the Mater Hospital organ retrieval team; if the formal arrangement involves her Department, the Health Service Executive or others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3239/06]
Mary Upton
Ceist:326 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the formal arrangement between the UK transplant programme and the Mater Hospital retrieval team is a written agreement; if the agreement is open to viewing by the public or interested and concerned parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3240/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 to 326, inclusive, together.
The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. The parties to the agreement referred to by the Deputy are the HSE and the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Question No. 327 answered with QuestionNo. 159.
Nursing Home Subventions.
Dan Neville
Ceist:328 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to increase nursing home subvention (details supplied). [3247/06]
The Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993 are administered by the Health Service Executive. There are currently three rates of subvention payable, €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 for the three levels of dependency which are medium, high and maximum. Included in these payments is an increase of 25% which came into effect in April 2001. There are no plans to increase the subvention rates at present.
The HSE has discretion to pay more than the maximum rate of subvention relative to an individual's level of dependency in a case, for example, where personal funds are exhausted. The application of these provisions in an individual case is a matter for the HSE in the context of meeting increasing demands for subvention, subject to the provisions of the Health Act 2004. The average rate of subvention paid by the HSE generally exceeds the current approved basic rates.
Compensation Claims.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:329 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the once off ex gratia payment of €2,000 in respect of nursing home fees has not been awarded to a person (details supplied). [3248/06]
The general rules and policy relating to the ex gratia payment scheme have been set out in previous parliamentary questions. These can be made available to the Deputy should he require them.
As the Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the ex gratia scheme, inquiries relating to individual cases are referred to the parliamentary affairs division of the executive. My Department has asked the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Services.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:330 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 was discharged early from hospital without proper supports; and if this person will receive the maximum support and assistance. [3251/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:331 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the ratio of doctors to beds available for patients in Kerry General Hospital and in Cork Regional Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3252/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:332 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the ratio of nurses to beds available for patients in Kerry General Hospital and in Cork Regional Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3253/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:333 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of places available in hospitals in County Kerry for children and adolescents under 16 who are mental health patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3254/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:334 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has satisfied herself regarding the adequacy of respite care for parents and carers of children and adults with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3257/06]
The Government has invested significant resources in recent years in the development of additional respite facilities for people with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities and those with autism. This funding has meant that a range of respite services, including centre based and day respite, is being provided around the country. For example, the 2005 annual report from the national intellectual disability database indicates an increase of 359.7% in the number of individuals availing of centre based respite services either as a planned or emergency intervention, bringing the total number of availing of respite services in 2005 to 4,004.
As the Deputy is aware an integral part of the national disability strategy is the multiannual investment programme, published in December 2004 by the Government, which contains details of specific commitments in relation to the provision of specific high priority disability services over the period 2006 to 2009. These commitments include the development of new residential, respite and day places for persons with intellectual disability and autism in each of the years covered by the programme.
Additional funding amounting to €59 million is being provided in 2006 to meets costs associated with the various elements of this programme. This funding will be used to put in place 255 new residential places, 85 new respite places and 535 new day places for persons with intellectual disability and those with autism, and also to progress the programme to transfer persons with intellectual disability or autism from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.
In addition to the specific high profile disability services which are included in the programme outlined, further additional funding amounting to €41 million is being provided to enhance the multidisciplinary support services for people with disabilities in line with the Government's commitment to build capacity within the health services in order to deliver on the various legislative provisions contained in the national disability strategy.
The management and delivery of health and personal social services in individual cases is a matter for the relevant HSE area.
Capital funding amounting to €55 million is also being provided in 2006 to support these developments.
Health Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:335 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the areas in which the facilities for tuberculosis and respiratory care previously available at Peamount Hospital are located; the extent and availability of such facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3258/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Mental Health Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:336 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has satisfied herself regarding the adequacy of the community care facilities in the event of recent announcements on the closure of psychiatric hospitals; if the sale of the hospital will have a direct and improving impact on the quality of care for the patients other than the financial benefit to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3259/06]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:337 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in the event of the proposed closure of the psychiatric hospitals, a guarantee will be given that all of the proceeds from any sale will go directly to the provision of community care services for the patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3260/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together.
The report of the expert group on mental health policy, A Vision for Change, was launched on 24 January. This policy envisions an active, flexible and community-based mental health service where the need for hospital admission will be greatly reduced. It will require substantial funding, but there is considerable equity in buildings and lands within the current mental health system, which could be realised to fund this plan. Therefore, this report recommends that steps be taken to bring about the closure of all psychiatric hospitals and to re-invest the resources released by these closures in the mental health service. The closure of large mental hospitals and the move to modern units attached to general hospitals, together with the expansion of community services, has been Government policy since the publication of Planning for the Future in 1984.
In A Vision for Change, a four-stage process is recommended for the closure of the hospitals as follows: to identify measures required to enable admission to cease and put these measures in place, to cease admissions to the hospital and draw up plans for relocation of existing patients, to implement plans for the relocation of existing patients and final closure of the hospital.
The report emphasises that this process should take place on a phased basis with wards closing sequentially. The Health Service Executive has stated that it anticipates the closure of mental hospitals and the reinvestment of the proceeds to take place on a phased basis. It has also emphasised that hospitals can only close when the clinical needs of the remaining patients have been addressed in more appropriate settings such as additional community residences, day hospitals and day centres together with a substantial increase in the number of the well-trained, fully staffed, community-based multidisciplinary community mental health teams as is recommended in A Vision for Change.
Question No. 338 answered with QuestionNo. 320.
Health Service Staff.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:339 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the areas within the health service most deficient in terms of staff numbers at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3262/06]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:342 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons employed directly or indirectly in the delivery of the entire health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3267/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 342 together.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive has responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the management of human resources and determining the appropriate staffing mix required to deliver its service plan priorities within approved employment ceilings. The parliamentary affairs division of the executive has therefore been asked to respond directly to the Deputy in regard to the issues raised. The Deputy will be aware however of the substantial increases in health service staffing over recent years in line with service developments. Further information is given in the following paragraph on overall increases and in regard to increases in numbers of key personnel.
My Department's health service employment census encompasses staff employed by the Health Service Executive, the voluntary hospitals and some intellectual disability agencies. The health service employment census shows a total of 101,513 wholetime equivalent staff, excluding home helps, at end September 2005. This compares with a total of 81,513 at end December 2000 and represents an increase of 20,000 or 24.5%. There has been an increase of 1,511 or 26.5% in medical and dental personnel, an increase of 5,701 or 19.5% in nursing personnel and an increase of 6,052 or 79.4% in health and social care personnel over end-2000 figures.
Cancer Incidence.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:340 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if studies have been carried out on the incidence of the various forms of cancer here; if this indicates any particular trend in any area; if the cause or causes of such trends have been examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3263/06]
The National Cancer Registry has routinely collected data on county of residence for all incidences of cancer since 1994. These data have been published in a number of reports, including Cancer in Ireland 1994-2000 and two all-Ireland cancer reports All-Ireland Cancer Statistics 1994-1996 and All-Ireland Cancer Statistics 1998-2000. Up-to-date tables describing cancer incidence by site, sex and county of residence are also available to the public on the registry website, www.ncri.ie. In addition to this routine analysis, the registry has carried out a number of analyses of cancer incidence for single counties in response to specific local issues.
The most recent detailed analysis of the relationship between cancer incidence and county of residence was carried out for the second all-Ireland cancer report, for the period 1998 to 2000, which was published in 2004. While this report showed some relationship between region of residence and cancer incidence, there were a few instances where this relationship could be shown at county level. In general, the number of cancer cases diagnosed at county level were too few, and the variation in incidence between counties too small, for any meaningful conclusions to be drawn. The only clear exception to this was for lung cancer, where incidence and mortality were significantly higher in Dublin than elsewhere. This variation in lung cancer incidence between urban and rural settings was also found in Belfast and Derry and is consistent with the pattern of incidence of lung cancer in other countries.
Medical Cards.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:341 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she has ordered improved entitlements in respect of medical cards with particular reference to the raising of income guidelines for eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3266/06]
I have made significant improvements to the way in which an applicant's eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is assessed. In January 2005, I increased the income guidelines used in the assessment of medical card applications by 7.5%.
In June 2005, it was apparent that the effect of rising income in our successful economy meant that the target of 30,000 additional medical cards and 200,000 GP visit cards would not be achieved. At this time I simplified the means test for both medical cards and GP visit cards. It is now based on an applicant's and spouse's income after income tax and PRSI, and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, child care and travel to work. This is much fairer to applicants.
I announced, on 13 October 2005, that the income guidelines for both medical cards and GP visit cards would be increased by an additional 20%. This means the income guidelines are now 29% higher than they were at the end of 2004. It will be noted that the income assessment guidelines used for the GP visit cards are 25% higher than those used for medical cards.
In December 2005 my Department asked the HSE to take account of the welfare, taxation or other changes announced in the budget on the operation of the income guidelines and to identify any changes which may be required to ensure that medical cards and GP visit cards continue to be available to those who need them. I expect to receive a report from the HSE shortly about this matter.
Question No. 342 answered with QuestionNo. 339.
Question No. 343 answered with QuestionNo. 158.
Hospital Hygiene.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:344 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cost of hospital hygiene audits to date in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3269/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Question No. 345 answered with QuestionNo. 158.
Hospitals Building Programme.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:346 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the next phase of the Naas Hospital development plan will be sent to tender in view of the fact that the project has reached that stage; if approval for tender is issued by her or the Health Service Executive and on whose advice; if her attention has been drawn to the necessity to proceed in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3271/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:347 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she has examined the cause or causes of the prolonged use of trolleys in lieu of beds in various hospitals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3272/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Departmental Programmes.
David Stanton
Ceist:348 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the programmes and supports in place to promote positive mental health among young people, in particular the 15 to 24 age group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3273/06]
Mental health promotion is a very broad concept involving any action to enhance the mental well-being of individuals, families or communities. My Department is committed to the promotion of positive mental health as recognised in the recently published A Vision for Change: Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy. This new policy recommends that "mental health promotion should be available for all age groups, to enhance protective factors and decrease risk factors for developing mental health problems".
All HSE health areas are committed to the promotion of positive mental health and have a variety of mental health promotion initiatives and programmes in operation. I have asked the HSE to communicate with the Deputy on the range of programmes in place currently.
Question No. 349 answered with QuestionNo. 163.
Departmental Offices.
David Stanton
Ceist:350 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the National Office for Suicide Prevention has been established; if not, when she expects same to be established; the functions of the National Office for Suicide Prevention; when the National Office for Suicide Prevention will begin its work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3276/06]
The National Office for Suicide Prevention was established by the Health Service Executive following the publication of Reach Out: National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention on 8 September 2005. Some €500,000 was allocated to the office on its establishment to allow it to commence its work immediately. An additional €1.2 million has been allocated to the office for 2006. The office will oversee the implementation of the strategy and will co-ordinate suicide prevention activities across the State, consult widely regarding the planning of future initiatives and ensure best practice in suicide prevention.
Services for People with Disabilities.
David Stanton
Ceist:351 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Question No. 369 of 28 September 2005, if her Department’s consultation process with the Department of Education and Science on the commencement of the provisions of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 has been completed; if the statutory regulations have been prepared; the timescale for the full commencement of the provisions of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3277/06]
Significant preparatory work related to the implementation of the provisions of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 has been undertaken to date by my Department with the Health Service Executive. In particular, a programme of consultation will take place over the next three months which is specifically designed to involve key stakeholders in the formulation of the structure which will support the delivery of the assessment of need process. The outcome of this process, together with other preparatory work, including mapping and identifying capacity and operational resources, will provide the basis for drafting the necessary regulations provided for in Part 2, and inform my Department in relation to the timescale for the full commencement of the provisions of Part 2.
The preparatory work regarding Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 also has to take account of the related provisions in the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. These relate to the assessment of children with special educational needs and the delivery of appropriate health-related support services by the Health Service Executive. These two legislative measures are complementary, with the same standards applying to the assessment processes provided for in both Acts. The Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive are working with the Department of Education and Science and the National Council for Special Education to progress these matters.
Nursing Home Subventions.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:352 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans regarding the compensation of patients who were forced to pay for private nursing home care due to a lack of public places and who now find themselves doubly disadvantaged by the offer of compensation to people who did secure a public bed and were subsequently illegally charged amounts substantially less that the cost of private care. [3287/06]
The Government has agreed the key elements of a scheme for the repayment of long stay charges for publicly funded residential care. All those fully eligible persons who were wrongly charged and are alive and the estates of all those who were wrongly charged and died since 9 December 1998 will have the charges repaid in full. The scheme will not allow for repayments to the estates of those who died prior to that date. The repayments will include both the actual charge paid and an amount to take account of inflation — using the consumer price index — since the time the person involved was charged.
Persons who were in publicly contracted beds in private nursing homes are covered by the terms of the Supreme Court judgment. The provisions of the judgment do not apply to individuals in private nursing homes who have entered these homes under the nursing home subvention scheme. The broad policy issues about State support for long-term care for older people, including residential care both publicly and privately provided, have been examined by an interdepartmental group. The report of that group is now being considered by the Government.
Health Services.
Michael Ring
Ceist:353 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be reassessed for orthodontic treatment. [3299/06]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Departmental Expenditure.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:354 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the overspend by her Department and the health boards for the years 1998 to 2005 inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3369/06]
The Department of Health and Children Vote surrendered a surplus to the Exchequer for each of the years 1998 to 2005. The following table sets out the amounts surrendered in each year.
|
Year |
Gross Expenditure Saving |
Appropriations in Aid Buoyancy |
Net Expenditure Surrendered |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
1998 |
0.504 |
2.058 |
2.562 |
|
1999 |
0.795 |
9.694 |
10.489 |
|
2000 |
1.318 |
4.385 |
5.703 |
|
2001 |
2.321 |
(1.058) |
1.263 |
|
2002 |
4.382 |
26.274 |
30.656 |
|
2003 |
8.061 |
18.203 |
26.264 |
|
2004 |
10.187 |
60.761 |
70.948 |
|
2005 estimated outturn |
64.304 |
(0.041) |
64.263 |
Under public financial procedures, any sums received over and above the amount voted by the Dáil for appropriations-in-aid must be surrendered at year end to the Exchequer.
For the years 1998 to 2004, inclusive, the terms of the 1996 accountability legislation applied to health boards. This required health boards to transfer a deficit or a surplus for the preceding year to the following year.
The variance arising in each of the years is set out in the following table. However, in respect of the years 1998 and 1999, figures are not immediately available but I am making arrangements to provide the Deputy with the information as a matter of urgency.
|
Year |
Surplus / Deficit per year |
|
€m |
|
|
1998 |
to be supplied |
|
1999 |
to be supplied |
|
2000 |
0.299 |
|
2001 |
14.496 |
|
2002 |
(16.744) |
|
2003 |
31.357 |
|
2004 |
4.223 |
The Health Act 2004 provided for the establishment of the Health Service Executive with effect from 1 January 2005. The HSE was established with its own Vote, Vote 40, and the provisional outturn for that Vote for 2005, which is subject to review and probable change, is as follows:
|
€m |
||
|
Gross Expenditure |
Saving |
4.436 |
|
Appropriations-in-Aid |
Buoyancy |
47.696 |
|
Net Expenditure |
Surrender |
52.132 |
Car Imports.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:355 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the number of left-hand drive cars imported here by non-nationals since January 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2963/06]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that as a general rule all vehicles imported permanently into the State must register for VRT purposes within 24 hours of arrival. This rule applies equally to vehicles imported by EU and non-EU persons. However, section 135(a) of the Finance Act 1992 permits a European or other foreign registered vehicle which is temporarily brought into the State by a person established outside the State to be exempted from the requirement to register for VRT purposes for a period normally not exceeding 12 months from the date upon which the vehicle concerned was brought into the State.
There is no requirement for vehicles imported under the temporary exemption provisions to be presented to the Revenue Commissioners to avail of the relief. Documents relating to ownership, registration or bringing into the State of the vehicle must be kept with the vehicle when it is in use in the State. When such vehicles fail to meet the conditions for temporary exemption they must be permanently removed from the State or presented for registration. The details of such vehicles are therefore not normally captured or held in the vehicle registration system.
These provisions are in line with Article 39 of the EU Treaty, which provides for the free movement of its workers within member states. The Deputy may wish to note that a reciprocal arrangement is also in place for our own State residents in fellow member states.
Permanently imported left-hand drive cars must be registered in the vehicle registration tax system and issued with Irish registration plates. However, in the registration process it is not obligatory either to identify such vehicles as left-hand drive or to provide the nationality of the persons importing the vehicles. However, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that based on information entered by customers on VRT form 4, at the time of registration, the numbers of left-hand drive cars known to have been imported in the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 are as follows:
|
Year |
Numbers of declared left-hand drive cars imported |
|
2002 |
918 |
|
2003 |
937 |
|
2004 |
1,335 |
|
2005 |
1,630 |
Tax Yield.
Joan Burton
Ceist:356 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the receipts on an annual basis from DIRT for each year from 1997 to date; the number of people or accounts of same levied in each of those years; the arrangements there are in force in respect of refunds where DIRT is levied on taxpayers with unused personal tax allowances and credits; and if there are special allowances in place in respect of people over 65. [2803/06]
The following table sets out the net yield from DIRT collected from 1997 to 2005:
|
Year |
€m |
|
1997 |
187.6 |
|
1998 |
238.7 |
|
1999 |
161.2 |
|
2000 |
386.0* |
|
2001 |
228.0 |
|
2002 |
206.0 |
|
2003 |
153.0 |
|
2004 |
144.0 |
|
2005 |
165.7# |
*The figure quoted for 2000 includes €215.7 million which was a result of the DIRT look-back audits.
#Provisional.
The amount of DIRT due to be paid each year is dependent on the amount of moneys on deposit and the rates of interest applying to such deposits rather than on the number of accounts involved. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the statutory return of DIRT filed by the financial institutions requires details only of the relevant amount of interest paid in the year and the appropriate tax in relation to the payment of that interest. Such DIRT returns are subject to audit by the Revenue Commissioners.
A refund of deposit interest retention tax is provided for in very limited circumstances only, viz an individual who is not liable or fully liable to income tax and is over 65 years of age at some time during the tax year or is permanently incapacitated by reason of mental or physical infirmity from maintaining himself or herself. Bodies qualifying for charitable status and companies are also entitled to refund of DIRT. The taxpayer must advise Revenue that he or she meets the legislative requirements and the amount of the retention tax suffered.
With deposit interest rates being very low in recent years, the quantum of the interest earned and tax retained would be very small in many cases and may be considered uneconomic to reclaim. In 2004 the Revenue Commissioners issued some 15,000 copies of the relevant form — form 54D — to those who claimed refunds in previous years. A corresponding figure for the number of forms issued in 2005 is not yet available.
Tax Certificates.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:357 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the delays in issuing P60s in respect of 2005; the reason for same; his views on whether this will delay the payment of overpaid tax to taxpayers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2809/06]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, each year, employers are requested to inform Revenue of the number of blank P60s they require. These forms are distributed in late November or early December. No delays were experienced in that regard in 2005.
Employers who do not notify Revenue of their P60 requirements following the initial invitation to do so can receive the forms subsequently by contacting Revenue and blank forms are issued without delay. In the circumstances, therefore, issue of P60s by Revenue is not impacting on the repayment of tax to those who may have overpaid. Employers must provide the completed P60 to employees within 46 days from the end of the year. In respect of the year 2005, employers have until 15 February 2006 to provide the completed P60 to the employee.
Tax Code.
Marian Harkin
Ceist:358 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if changes will be incorporated into the forthcoming Finance Bill to ensure that childminders who are availing of the new childminding relief scheme can pay social insurance contributions. [2830/06]
Marian Harkin
Ceist:359 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if the new childminding relief announced in budget 2006 is based on gross earnings or net income. [2831/06]
Marian Harkin
Ceist:360 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if childminders will be given the same rights and entitlements as all workers. [2832/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 to 360, inclusive, together.
The childminding relief I introduced in budget 2006 allows an individual to mind up to three children in the minder's own home, without paying tax, PRSI or levies on the childminding earnings received, provided the amount is not more than €10,000 per annum. If childminding income exceeds €10,000, the total amount will be taxable, as normal, under self-assessment. The income limit of €10,000 refers to gross income. No deductions will be allowed, for example in respect of expenses, in determining the individual's income level.
The new scheme is not a tax allowance, but is in fact an income disregard of €10,000. Where an individual chooses to avail of this relief, it will automatically follow that the amount earned, once it does not exceed €10,000, will not be assessable to tax or PRSI or levies and will thus be exempt from tax, PRSI and levies. Any change to make the income subject to PRSI under the scheme, either on a mandatory basis or in all circumstances on a voluntary basis, would require an amendment to the relevant social welfare legislation which would be a matter for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to consider in the first instance.
I understand that the "rights and entitlements" referred to by the Deputy are those derived from payments made under the PRSI system. Again, these are primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.
Question No. 361 withdrawn.
Tax Certificates.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:362 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance when a P45 will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2835/06]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a form P45 was issued to the taxpayer by her former employer on 25 January 2006.
Tax Code.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:363 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the statutory instrument which exempts recipients of foster care payments from paying income tax on that part of their income; when such income has not been taxable; and the specific payments same relates to. [2906/06]
Certain foster care payments are exempt by virtue of section 192B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. This measure was introduced by section 11 of the Finance Act 2005 and applies with effect from 1 January 2005.
The provision exempts from income tax, payments made by the Health Service Executive to a carer in respect of the care of foster children. Under the legislation, "carer" means an individual who is or was a foster parent or relative or who takes care of an individual on behalf of the Health Service Executive.
The payments in question are those made in accordance with Article 14 of the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations 1995 or Article 14 of the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995. In addition, the exemption covers certain discretionary payments made by the Health Service Executive in respect of former foster children between the ages of 18 and 21 who continue to reside with carers. It also covers such payments to carers in respect of those aged 21 years or over who suffer from a disability or are in full-time education where the disability or full-time education commenced before they reached the age of 21.
Finally, corresponding payments relating to foster children made in accordance with the law of another EU member state are also exempted under the provision.
Flood Relief.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:364 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if there is a format within which reports set out the grounds upon which funding is sought by local authorities from the Office of Public Works with regard to flood relief measures; if so, if local authorities attention has been brought to same; if such a standard format does not exist, his views on the establishment of same in order that all local authorities attention is brought to the extent of information required when requesting funding for flood relief works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2947/06]
The Commissioners of Public Works have a format for the preparation of flood studies. This is made available to local authorities when they approach the Office of Public Works for assistance with flooding problems.
State Property.
John McGuinness
Ceist:365 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if Black Freren Gate, Kilkenny city, is in the care or ownership of the Office of Public Works; if a recent inspection has been carried out as to the safety of the structure; if the structure will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2968/06]
The Black Freren Gate, which has been the subject of previous parliamentary questions by the Deputy, is not in the care or ownership of the Office of Public Works. It is thought to be in local authority ownership. Furthermore, as the gate is the subject of a preservation order, No. 1 of 1997, anyone seeking to do works to it would be required to seek permission from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister is also charged with protecting from damage any structure subject to a preservation order.
The Office of Public Works undertakes inspections of the monument at regular intervals on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and submits reports to his Department.
Departmental Payments.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:366 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of interest paid by his Department to contractors or to others due payments from his Department on account of late settlement of the amount due; the rate of interest applying to late payments; and if he is satisfied that all efforts are made to pay promptly. [3202/06]
The total interest paid by my Department on all relevant payments in 2004, the last year for which audited accounts are available, was €196.05, at a rate of 9% per annum. I am satisfied that transactions that comply with the relevant payment criteria are generally paid promptly.
Tax Collection.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:367 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the value of interest payments made by the Revenue Commissioners in respect of overpayments of tax, and the rate of interest applying; and his views on whether the legislation is too restrictive in respect of the circumstances when compliant taxpayers are due interest rebates. [3204/06]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the value of interest payments made by them in respect of repayments of tax for each of the three years 2003, 2004 and 2005 is as follows:
|
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
€33.1m |
€19.8m |
€8m |
The 2003 figures are not comparable with subsequent years because of changes which came into effect in that year. Furthermore, exceptional repayments which arise, for example, in cases which proceed through all stages of the appeal process and take many years to finally determine cannot be isolated in the above figures and make year on year comparisons inappropriate.
The rate of interest applicable since 31 October 2003 is 0.011% per day — approximately 4% per annum. The rate in the period 1 September 2002 to 31 October 2003 was 0.0161% per day- approximately 6% per annum. The interest is tax-free.
On the general question of whether the legislation is too restrictive, my predecessor as Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy, examined the whole question of taxpayers' entitlement to repayment of tax and interest on tax repayments in the context of Finance Bill 2003 with a view to introducing, in so far as practicable, a uniform scheme which was fair and reasonable for taxpayers, and which also took into account the position of the Exchequer. On foot of that review, a new scheme was introduced in Finance Act 2003 which gives taxpayers a general right to repayment of tax overpaid subject to a four year time limit on claims. Depending on the circumstances giving rise to the repayment, interest is calculated from the end of the tax period to which the claim relates or six months from the date on which a valid claim to the repayment is made. A corollary to the restriction to four years on the taxpayer's right to a repayment was a reduction to four years in the Revenue Commissioners right to assess taxpayers, except where fraud or neglect is involved, where no limit applies.
I am satisfied that the current provision is fair and appropriate and I have no plans to amend the legislation accordingly.
Tax Code.
Pat Carey
Ceist:368 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Finance if, arising from provisions included in budget 2006 relating to the provision of home care services for elderly persons in their own homes, such services will incur a 13.5% VAT charge while exactly similar services provided in nursing homes will be VAT exempt as outlined in correspondence, details supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3227/06]
The position is that home care services provided directly by the Health Service Executive, HSE, do not generally come within the scope of VAT, as public bodies are not regarded as taxable persons. This means that they do not charge VAT on the services they provide and cannot recover VAT incurred on their input costs.
The package of services aimed at older people, announced by the Tánaiste in the 2006 budget, is to be based on the pilot home care packages in place and will deliver a wide range of services. The packages are delivered through the HSE by a range of providers, including the HSE itself, voluntary groups and the private sector. Home care packages will consist of a mixture of grants, contracted care services, therapeutic input and equipment and other such community services as identified in the needs assessment as being necessary to facilitate the older person to remain living in his or her own home.
However, where home care services are provided for by private companies for a consideration in the course or furtherance of business, the provider may be obliged to register and account for VAT at the appropriate rate depending on the type of service it provides. Home care provided to individuals consists of a variety of services which may be liable to VAT at different rates. The current VAT treatment of such services is in accordance with the EU sixth VAT directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply.
However, officials from my Department, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Health and Children are examining this issue. In particular, they are trying to ensure that the home care services provided under this package are exempt from VAT in a manner that complies with EU law. In this regard, I understand that a national standardised needs assessment process will be developed by the HSE in 2006, which will design systems and approaches to the implementation of the home care packages based on its experience to date. When this is put in place, it should make it possible to exempt such services from VAT in line with EU law.
Garda Stations.
Pat Carey
Ceist:369 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the established need for the provision of a central community services facility in the Finglas area, he will consider the retention by the State of Finglas Garda station for such a facility, as outlined in correspondence, details supplied, once the gardaí have taken possession of their new station at Mellowes Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3228/06]
The Commissioners of Public Works are in the process of acquiring a site for a new Garda station at Mellowes Road, Finglas. Following vacation of the existing building, it is normal practice to ascertain if there is any further State use for the premises before placing the property on the open market. At this juncture, no decision can be made regarding the future use of the existing Garda station building in Finglas.
Tax Code.
Dan Neville
Ceist:370 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Finance if a section to deal with the anomaly whereby pensioners and others not in the tax bracket do not have the opportunity to reduce the cost of payment of local services, including refuse collection which is available to people in a position to claim allowance under the income tax regulations will be included in the Finance Bill 2006. [3246/06]
The current tax relief for waste service charges is provided by granting relief at the standard rate to taxpayers in respect of the charges they have paid in the previous year. Where a fixed annual charge applies, the full payment qualifies for tax relief, provided it has been paid on time. Where a variable charge is applied for refuse collection, based on a weight or volume, the tax relief is restricted to a maximum of €195 per annum at the standard rate of tax. Tax credits, as they currently apply in the tax system, are generally only of value when the taxpayer has sufficient income on which he or she pays enough tax to use them. Finally, the Finance Bill will be published on 2 February and it is not the practice to comment on it, one way or another, before it is presented to the Dáil.
Energy Resources.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:371 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the energy regulator has put in place a customer charter; and if the regulator is subject to referral to the Ombudsman. [2808/06]
The Commission for Energy Regulation published its quality customer service charter in May 2004 and this is available on the commission's website. I can confirm that under the Ombudsman Acts, the commission is not included in the list of Departments of State or other persons who are subject to investigation by the Ombudsman.
Telecommunications Services.
Shane McEntee
Ceist:372 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the third call for funding under the group broadband scheme will be announced for County Meath. [2924/06]
It is my intention to hold a third phase of the group broadband scheme. My officials are currently finalising the application procedure and documentation. I expect to be in a position to formally launch the third phase shortly.
Broadcasting Legislation.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:373 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the people and groups who have lobbied him or his Department on the designation of the Ryder Cup as a free to air event; when contact was made by these people and groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3164/06]
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:374 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if commitments have been made by his Department to the European tour and Ryder Cup organisers with regard to broadcasting the Ryder Cup; if commitments were made; the details of the commitments; when same were entered into; if same will impact on his decision over whether to designate the Ryder Cup as a free to air event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3165/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 374 together.
My Department has made no commitments to the European tour in respect of the broadcasting of the Ryder Cup. In March 2003, the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003 specified the events designated as events of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on free television services should be provided in the public interest. Section 9 of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Act 2003 requires me to carry out a review of designated events not later than three years after the passing of the 2003 Act, that is to say, not later than April 2006.
I announced my intention to commence this review in December 2005. The purpose of the review is to consider if the list of events designated in 2003 should be amended. As part of the review, I initiated a public consultation process. My Department wrote to the sporting organisations that organise the events already designated along with the European tour and Ryder Cup informing them of the review and seeking their views. My Department has also sought the views of broadcasters. I have received submissions from event organisers, broadcasters and members of the public via written submission, e-mail and on an Internet forum. The submissions received have been made available on my Department's website.
If, following the review, I should decide to amend the list of designated events, then, in accordance with the provisions of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999, I will publish my intention to do so and seek the views of interested parties. This would involve a further formal consultation with event organisers and broadcasters. EU approval would also be required before I could lay an order before both Houses of the Oireachtas to give effect to the designation.
Port Development.
Seán Haughey
Ceist:375 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if responsibility for port matters has been transferred to the Department of Transport with effect from 1 January 2006; the Minister who will deal with an application for the infill of 52 acres of Dublin Bay by the Dublin Port Company under the Foreshore Act 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3225/06]
The maritime transport division of the Department, which has responsibility for commercial ports, shipping policy and the State's regional ports and harbours, was transferred to the Department of Transport on 1 January 2006. Responsibility for the administration of the foreshore Acts remains with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
International Agreements.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:376 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the international treaties and agreements which Ireland has signed or are currently to be put before the Houses of the Oireachtas; if there are treaties and agreements which have not yet been put before the Houses of the Oireachtas, when same will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3159/06]
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:377 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the agreement between the Government of the USA and the Government of Ireland concerning security measures for the protection of classified military information and the acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, with annexes, will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; the delay of same; and if same will be approached as a matter of priority. [3160/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.
Article 29.5 of the Constitution provides that every international agreement to which the State becomes a party, except international agreements of a technical and administrative character, must be laid before Dáil Éireann. However, my Department has gone further and introduced the practice of laying all international agreements, regardless of their character, before the House.
The obligation to lay an international agreement before the House arises only when the State becomes a party to such an agreement. It has been made clear by the courts that, for the purpose of Article 29.5, Ireland is to be considered a party to an international agreement only when it has been ratified or acceded to, signed without reservation as to ratification or where it otherwise binds the State in international law. In addition, the agreement must be in force for Ireland. For example, if it is a bilateral agreement, the other country must also have ratified it.
Accordingly, an international agreement is not laid before Dáil Éireann where it has been merely signed, subject to ratification, by Ireland. Similarly, an agreement which has been ratified by Ireland but is not yet in force will not be laid before the Dáil.
It is the policy of my Department to ensure that all international agreements to which the State is a party are laid before Dáil Éireann promptly. The Constitution does not specify a timeframe within which international agreements should be laid before the Dáil, although it is clearly highly desirable, to say the least, that this be done quickly. Until recent years, no specific timetable was in place. However, since 2004, targets have been set. Currently, the target is for all agreements which have entered into force for Ireland in a given calendar year to be laid before the Dáil no later than the end of the following calendar year. Accordingly, all international agreements which entered into force for Ireland in 2005 will be laid before the Dáil no later than the end of 2006.
In addition to the constitutional requirement to lay certain international agreements before the House, as well as the practice of doing the same for all international agreements, there is also the clear desirability of making such agreements widely accessible. Up to recently, agreements were published in hard copy in the Irish Treaty Series at the same time as they were laid before the Dáil. I felt this was somewhat restrictive and, last year, I decided to make the Irish Treaty Series available on my Department's website. As a result, the texts of all international agreements published since 2002 can be downloaded from the Department's website free of charge.
In addition, new resources have been made available to help with the above. In particular, a new full-time post of treaty officer has recently been created in the Department. This should help ensure that, in future, every international agreement is laid before Dáil Éireann in a prompt manner and is also made readily available to the public. The treaty officer will also be able to intensify, in co-operation with colleagues within my own Department and in the wider Civil Service, a process already initiated in 2005 of reviewing departmental files with a view to identifying any international agreements previously entered into which may possibly have not yet been laid before the Dáil.
I will now turn to the two specific agreements in question. The agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Ireland concerning security measures for the protection of classified military information and the acquisition and cross-servicing agreement between the Department of Defence of Ireland and the Department of Defense of the United States of America were both laid before Dáil Éireann on 26 January. The first agreement was laid on a statutory basis and the second on a non-statutory basis. The difference of treatment is due to the fact that the first is regarded as an international agreement for the purposes of Article 29.5, whereas the second is being laid before the House as a matter of good practice.
On 13 January, the full texts of both agreements had been placed in the Oireachtas library for the information of Members and also made available on the Department's website. In the light of the improvements described above, I am confident that best practice will be followed — over and above, and rightly so, what is strictly required — and that all future international agreements will be laid before the House in a prompt manner.
EU Constitution.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:378 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the feasibility or otherwise of the EU pressing on with its efforts to adopt the current EU constitution; if an amended EU constitution should be negotiated; the implications for the Irish Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2872/06]
Following the "No" votes in France and the Netherlands, the European Council in June of last year decided to instigate a period of reflection on the EU constitution and the future of Europe. This issue will be reviewed during the current Austrian Presidency. EU Foreign Ministers are responsible for preparing this review.
The Government remains committed to the constitution and does not favour either selective implementation or any renegotiation of the text. The constitution is a balanced document and we are anxious to maintain that balance. Although there are many ideas in circulation concerning the fate of the constitution, no credible alternative scenario has yet gained significant support and most member states remain firmly committed to the constitution.
While not wishing to underestimate the significance of last year's referendum results, it needs to be remembered that 13 member states have now ratified the constitution and we expect some others to follow suit during 2006. It remains our hope that the current period of reflection across the EU will help create the conditions for the future completion of the ratification process and for the constitution to be brought into force. I acknowledge, however, that this is unlikely to come about before 2007.
With regard to the implications for the Irish Constitution, the Deputy will be aware that Ireland intends to ratify the EU constitution by referendum and that the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill was published last May. In the absence of greater clarity at the European level, however, there is no intention to hold an early referendum to enable Ireland to ratify the EU constitution and, consequently, there are no plans to move the Bill to its Second Stage.
Human Rights Issues.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:379 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the deterioration of human rights in Zimbabwe will be raised at the Council of Foreign Ministers; if he will seek to have an extension of the Europe-wide travel ban on President Mugabe and members of his Government and the restriction on the supply of military equipment to Zimbabwe when the issue becomes due for renewal on 20 February 2006; if he will include in the reasons for the extension of the restrictions the failure to restore an independent and impartial judiciary with full separation of powers, including repeal of the Zimbabwe constitutional amendment number 17; if he will work for the resolution of the humanitarian crisis by the immediate extension of food aid to all who need it and the guarantee of full and unimpeded access for the provision of aid and protection of the victims of the forced evictions and demolitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2873/06]
The General Affairs and External Relations Council, at its meeting in Brussels on 30 January 2006 which I attended, approved the renewal of the EU's restrictive measures against Zimbabwe for a further period of 12 months, until 20 February 2007.
I very much welcome this decision to renew these restrictive measures. This decision reflects the fact that there has been no progress by the Mugabe government in the past year towards meeting those benchmarks on improved respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law which the EU has set for reviewing its existing relations with Zimbabwe. On the contrary, the internal situation has clearly disimproved, particularly in the aftermath of the Zimbabwean Government's Operation Murambatsvina, launched last May, which resulted in an estimated 700,000 Zimbabweans being forcibly evicted from their homes or deprived of their livelihoods. The response of the Zimbabwean authorities to the worsening humanitarian situation which their actions have created continues to be inadequate. In particular, those responsible for planning and launching Operation Murambatsvina should be held accountable for their actions, as recommended by the UN Secretary General's special envoy, Anna Tibaijuka, who investigated these events last July.
The overall humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe remains critical, with the World Food Programme estimating that some 4.4 million Zimbabweans, representing one-third of the population, will require emergency food assistance this year. Ireland provided almost €2 million in emergency and recovery support, including food assistance, to the people of Zimbabwe during 2005 via the UN and agencies such as GOAL and Trócaire. Further funding is planned and will be announced shortly, in response to the UN World Food Programme's global appeal for $276 million for Zimbabwe for the current year. Ireland remains committed to delivering assistance directly to those most in need in Zimbabwe through a broad range of civil and aid organisations.
The political and human rights situation in Zimbabwe also continues to be of concern. The overall climate remains one of repression, with restrictions on the media and peaceful civil and trade union demonstration continuing to be suppressed. An unwelcome development was the adoption of a constitutional amendment by the Zimbabwean parliament last August, amendment number 17, which allows the Zimbabwean government to confiscate the passports of those whom it regards as undermining the national interest. Following a ruling by the Zimbabwean High Court last month declaring such seizure of passports illegal, enabling legislation is now likely to be prepared to give effect to this particular provision.
It is clear that international pressure needs to be maintained on the Mugabe government to alter its current policies. African governments and organisations such as the African Union are in a particular position to exert influence in this regard. The adoption by the African commission on human and peoples' rights, at its recent session in The Gambia, of a resolution condemning the human rights violations currently being perpetrated in Zimbabwe and urging the Zimbabwean Government to respect its international human rights obligations, demonstrates the widespread concern which now exists within Africa itself regarding the course upon which Zimbabwe is currently embarked.
Ireland, along with our EU partners, remains committed to working with others in the international community to help promote democratic change in Zimbabwe. The possibility of the EU reviewing and extending certain of its restrictive measures currently in place remains an option in the absence of any underlying improvement in Zimbabwe.
Decentralisation Programme.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:380 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to move his Department to Limerick in the context of the Government decentralisation programme; and if he will detail the schedule on the matter. [3177/06]
Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the development co-operation directorate of my Department, which is currently based in Dublin, will decentralise to Limerick. This is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2007. Already, a total of 25 posts in the directorate, including that of director general, are filled by officers who have signalled their intention to decentralise to Limerick.
In addition, there are currently 15 officers serving elsewhere in the Department, mostly abroad, who have also expressed an interest in decentralising to Limerick. These officers will be assigned to the directorate on a phased basis. This total of 40 represents some 32% of the posts being transferred to Limerick. The process of recruiting further staff for Limerick via the central applications facility is also being accelerated. The aim is that, by the second half of 2006, most posts in the directorate will be filled by staff who will decentralise to Limerick. In addition, we are working in close co-ordination with the Office of Public Works on specific plans for office accommodation for the division in Limerick.
Freedom of Information.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:381 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if requests to his Department for information regarding the use of Shannon Airport by United States military forces have been refused under section 24 of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3185/06]
The freedom of information Acts 1997 and 2003 established an independent process for consideration of freedom of information requests. As I have no role in respect of how the provisions of the Acts are applied in specific instances, it would be inappropriate for me to discuss the detail of individual requests. To do so would undermine the independence of designated decision makers and may also be prejudicial to the conduct of the appeals process provided for in the Acts.
As the Deputy will be aware, section 24(2) of the Acts provides for a mandatory exemption for certain types of records relating to security, defence, international relations and matters relating to Northern Ireland and deciding officers are required to refuse records that fall within its scope. I can confirm that the Department replied to two requests during 2005 that included a reference to the use of Shannon Airport. I understand that, while section 24(2) was appropriately applied to both requests, the requesters were provided with access to a number of records that did not come within its provisions.
Council of Europe Investigation.
Pat Breen
Ceist:382 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department is co-operating with the Council of Europe in its investigation into US rendition flights; the information, if any, his Department is withholding or plans to withhold from the investigators; the information his Department has provided or expects to provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3219/06]
Two investigations are currently under way under the aegis of the Council of Europe. The first is an investigation by Senator Dick Marty, a rapporteur appointed by the legal affairs committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The second takes the form of a questionnaire which has been sent to all member states of the Council of Europe by the Secretary General, Mr. Terry Davis.
In respect of the first investigation, the Department of Foreign Affairs has not been contacted by Senator Marty who, in his most recent memorandum, accurately records the Government's "total condemnation" of the practice of rendition.
In respect of the second investigation, as I informed the House on 14 December 2005, the Government is co-operating fully with the Secretary General's request. This will require input from a number of different Departments and Government bodies, and detailed work is actively and well under way in formulating the Government's response. This response will take its structure largely from the form of the questionnaire, namely, a description of domestic law relating to the issues raised by the Secretary General, followed by a comprehensive reply to his questions on the possibility that any "unacknowledged deprivation of liberty" might have taken place in Ireland. While the content of the Government's reply has not yet been finalised, I can assure the Deputy that my Department has no intention of withholding any information.
Sports Capital Programme.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:383 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if financial assistance or grant aid from national lottery funding has been advanced to voluntary groups or agencies in County Monaghan since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2862/06]
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:386 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if financial assistance or grant aid from national lottery funding has been advanced to voluntary groups or agencies in County Cavan since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2865/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 386 together.
The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the funding allocated under the programme to voluntary groups and agencies in Counties Cavan and Monaghan is contained in the following tabular statement.
Applications for funding under the 2006 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 27 and 28 November last. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday, 20 January. All applications received before the deadline will be evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
452,027 |
591,698 |
691,200 |
580,000 |
1,075,000 |
785,000 |
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
502,181 |
615,823 |
1,233,000 |
685,000 |
996,000 |
744,000 |
Swimming Pool Projects.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:384 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the rebuilding of Monaghan town swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2863/06]
As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Questions Nos. 397 and 272 of 8 November and 13 December 2005, respectively, I approved the tender and grant-aid of €3.8 million for the Monaghan pool project in January 2005. This approval allowed the council to finalise the legal formalities with the contractor so that work could begin on the project. Construction of the pool is under way with a completion date of mid-year. To date, Monaghan County Council has drawn down €1.62 million of the grant.
Tourism Revenue.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:385 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the increasing tourism deficit between the income from foreign tourism markets and the amount spent abroad annually by Irish holidaymakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2864/06]
Outbound tourism in the last three years has grown at a higher rate than inbound tourism. In 2003, expenditure by Irish residents travelling abroad — at €4.16 billion — marginally exceeded tourism and travel earnings from visitors to Ireland — at €4.06 billion — for the first time. This trend has continued in 2004 and 2005 where the last third quarter figures show a net outflow of almost €400 million in our tourism and travel balance.
Ireland's economic prosperity, particularly in comparison with that of our main tourism markets, coupled with the greatly improved access to foreign tourist destinations, has undoubtedly contributed to this phenomenon. However, it is also clear that this has fuelled significant growth in domestic tourism. CSO figures over the last five years show domestic holiday trips up by 32% and expenditure up by over 50% over that period.
Against a backdrop of intense international competition for Irish holidaymakers, Fáilte Ireland, which is responsible for promoting the home market, has significantly stepped up its home holiday campaigns in recent years backed by significant Exchequer resources.
In 2006, some €4 million has been allocated by Fáilte Ireland to home holiday promotion. Fáilte Ireland's consumer website for the domestic market —www.ireland.ie — which was launched early in 2005 — has proven particularly successful in generating quality year round business for the sector. Fáilte Ireland also publishes the highly successful Discover Ireland series of brochures aimed at the domestic consumer.
Question No. 386 answered with QuestionNo. 383.
Swimming Pool Projects.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:387 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department has received a report from the Office of Public Works on the Naas swimming pool project; if the report has been received; when he intends to approve the project and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3163/06]
As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 133 on 1 December 2005, I approved the detailed contract documents, submitted by Kildare County Council, for the proposed swimming pool in Naas in March 2005. Subsequent to this approval, however, Kildare County Council indicated to my Department that it proposed to change the site for the project. On 15 November, the council provided an addendum to the preliminary report in relation to the proposed new site and on 2 December 2005 submitted the revised contract documents. This documentation, which was found satisfactory from a technical point of view by the Department's technical advisers, the Office of Public Works, is now under consideration in my Department.
Decentralisation Programme.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:388 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the progress report on the proposal to locate his Department to Killarney; when the building will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3232/06]
My Department, with the exception of the National Archives, will be transferring to Killarney under the Government's decentralisation programme. The number of applications received under the central applications facility, CAF, for approximately 130 posts exceeds the numbers required for most of the grades. Eleven members of staff currently working in my Department have indicated that they wish to relocate to Killarney.
My officials are currently in the process of transferring staff, who have accepted an offer to relocate to Killarney, into the Department. This process will proceed on a phased basis is order to facilitate a smooth transition and appropriate training.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, my Department was designated by the decentralisation implementation group as one of the "early mover" Departments. The construction of the new building to house the Department in Killarney is scheduled to commence in mid 2006 with an anticipated completion date in the last quarter of 2007. My officials update the central decentralisation unit in the Department of Finance on a regular basis in relation to all progress.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:389 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if office accommodation has been secured for the new offices of Enterprise Ireland in Shannon, County Clare; the cost to the taxpayer; the date that it is anticipated Enterprise Ireland will decentralise to Shannon; and his views on the level of interest by public servants in the relocation of Enterprise Ireland to Shannon. [2921/06]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:395 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding Enterprise Ireland’s decentralisation to Shannon, County Clare; the number of public servants who have expressed an interest in moving to Shannon’s Enterprise Ireland headquarters; and the number of these which are currently Enterprise Ireland staff. [2920/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 395 together.
In respect of numbers, the most recent figures released show that 19 existing employees in Enterprise Ireland have indicated their willingness to transfer to Shannon. The number of applications received from within the civil and public service, including my Department, amount to 33, thus giving a total overall of 52 persons.
The most immediate implementation step for Enterprise Ireland is to provide for a new headquarters building designed to meet the business needs of the organisation. Enterprise Ireland, working closely with the Office of Public Works, OPW, has identified but not yet acquired a preferred site from the submissions received by the OPW in relation to the Shannon location. The preferred site is a 13-acre site owned by Shannon Development. In addition, and in co-operation with Shannon Development and OPW, the site was valued and a feasibility study carried out. The site occupies a prime position near the centre of Shannon and is considered suitable for a major landmark building or civic structure related to the town centre.
It is too early to comment definitively on a timescale or on the cost of the transfer of Enterprise Ireland's headquarters to Shannon. The factors of significance in this regard will be the acquisition of property and the level of interest in the Shannon location expressed by CAF applicants. My Department is corresponding with the Department of Finance regarding the acquisition of the preferred site.
Community Employment Schemes.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:390 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Centre for Independent Living in Mayo provides a personal assistant service to 40 leaders, of whom 18 are employed on community employment schemes; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that these schemes end after a three year period, which causes serious difficulties for the leader and person in question; if he will extend the remit to carry out employment on such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2778/06]
The main purpose of the community employment, CE, programme is to provide work experience and training for the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged groups, including those with a disability, and thereby enable participants to advance successfully to employment in the open labour market by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance-develop both their technical and personal skills.
In addition CE assists in the provision of a wide range of social and community services at local level which augment and support statutory service provision in these areas. The added value of this involvement with state supported dedicated service provision is the positive training and learning environment provided to the CE participant. Many CE participants through this participation go on to become qualified professional workers in selected employments such as child care and personal care assistants.
Within this context, the ring fencing and prioritisation of places, including those in health related services, has been in place for the past five years. As a result of this ring-fencing of places, CE participation levels in the Centre for Independent Living are, and will continue to be, maintained at a constant and supportive level.
It should also be noted that under changes announced by me on 10 November 2004 the three year cap for participants on community employment was raised to six years for those over 55 years of age in order to ensure the maintenance of essential community services particularly in rural areas, where it had been found that difficulties existed in finding replacement participants.
The aim of CE still remains primarily an active labour market programme with the emphasis on the progression and the development of individual participants. This is optimised when CE schemes are aligned with services provided by the responsible statutory provider which in the case of persons with a disability is the Department of Health and Children.
Work Permits.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:391 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he will take to ensure that an application for a work permit by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2812/06]
The work permit section of my Department has informed me that it has no record of any valid application in this instance. It should be pointed out, however, that incomplete and incorrectly completed applications, or applications for ineligible sectors or ineligible types of employee are returned to the employer concerned.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:392 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if work permits will become mandatory for citizens of the 12 most recent EU accession countries; the implications for free movement of labour within the Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2861/06]
I have no plans to require nationals of the new member states of the European Union to obtain work permits and there are, therefore, no implications for free movement of labour within the Union.
Employment Regulation Orders.
Jack Wall
Ceist:393 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is legislation in place or guidelines indicating rates of payment for persons employed in the hotel and restaurant business for premium working hours for weekends that is Saturday and Sunday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2912/06]
The wages and employment conditions of workers employed in the hotel and restaurant business are in most instances governed by employment regulation orders made pursuant to the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts 1946 to 2004.
The hotels employment regulation order applies to workers employed in hotels anywhere throughout the State except the County Borough of Cork and areas known until 1 January 1994 as the County Borough of Dublin and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire.
Wages and employment conditions of workers employed in the catering industry are governed by two catering employment regulation orders, one of which covers workers employed in catering establishments in the areas known until 1 January 1994 as the County Borough of Dublin and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire, and the other employment regulation order which covers catering establishments outside that area.
None of the above orders contains specific provision for payment of a premium for work carried out on Saturdays. In relation to Sunday work, the hotels employment regulation order provides that "work performed on Sunday, which forms part of the 78 hour rostered fortnight, shall be paid for at double time. The extra pay, which is additional to normal pay will be based on the appropriate rate without Board or Lodging".
The order also provides that "when an employee works a full day on a Sunday, which is in addition to the 78 hour rostered fortnight, he or she shall receive two additional day's pay based on the rate without Board or Lodging and pro rata for part-days".
The catering employment regulation order covering workers employed in catering establishments in the areas known until 1 January 1994 as the County Borough of Dublin and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire provides that "all workers rostered to work on Sundays, other than overtime, shall be paid time plus one-third for rostered work. Work done on a day on which a worker would normally be off duty, including Sunday, shall be paid for at the rate of double time except where an option to take time off in lieu is agreed between the employer and worker".
The order also provides that "part-time and casual workers are entitled to overtime after 78 hours in any fortnightly pay period. Where part-time or casual workers work on both Sundays in a fortnight, the second Sunday will be paid at the appropriate Sunday overtime rate of double time (whether or not 78 hours have been completed)".
The catering employment regulation order which covers workers employed in catering establishments for areas other than the areas known until 1 January 1994 as the County Borough of Dublin and the Borough of Dun Laoghaire provides that "work performed on Sunday, as part of the normal roster, shall be paid at the rate of double time".
The Deputy will be aware that it is the function of joint labour committees established for each of the sectors concerned to set out minimum rates of pay and relevant conditions of employment in employment regulation orders. Each committee is composed of representatives of employers and workers in the sector.
Jack Wall
Ceist:394 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in the hospitality industry a shift payment is permitted that reduces the legal minimum rate of payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2913/06]
Wages and employment conditions of workers employed in the catering industry are governed by two catering employment regulation orders, one of which covers workers employed in catering establishments in the areas known until 1 January 1994 as the County Borough of Dublin and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire, and the other employment regulation order which covers catering establishments outside that area.
The catering employment regulation order for the areas known until 1 January 1994 as the County Borough of Dublin and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire provides the normal working fortnight, before overtime, shall be 78 hours for all full-time employees aged 18 years and over, over a minimum of eight days and a maximum of ten days. Normally, staff may be rostered for a maximum of ten hours per day but this may be extended to a maximum of 12 hours with the agreement of the individual employer and employee. Any shift in excess of eight hours is subject to employees receiving a 15 minutes paid and a 30 minutes unpaid break under the order. Employees are entitled to payment in respect of all hours worked and there are no exceptions to this basic entitlement.
The catering employment regulation order for the areas other than the areas known until 1 January 1994 as the County Borough of Dublin and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire makes no specific provision in relation to length of shifts. However, all employees, aged 18 years and over are entitled to breaks and rest periods in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act and are entitled to payment in respect of all hours worked.
The Deputy will be aware that it is the function of joint labour committees established for each of the sectors concerned to set out minimum rates of pay and relevant conditions of employment in employment regulation orders. Each committee is composed of representatives of employers and workers in the sector.
The labour inspectorate of the Department is responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of all employment regulation orders. I urge anyone who has specific evidence of any breaches of these orders to furnish all the relevant details and any related materials to the inspectorate which will pursue the matter.
Question No. 395 answered with QuestionNo. 389.
Industrial Relations.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:396 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an investigation will be carried out in relation to the sacking of a person (details supplied); if this practice will be ended in the system of industrial relations; and if the maximum support will be given. [3168/06]
The system of industrial relations in Ireland is essentially voluntary in nature. The State has established a number of institutions to assist in the resolution of trade disputes between employers and workers, including the Employment Appeals Tribunal. I understand that the person referred to in the question has lodged a claim with the Employment Appeals Tribunal. The tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial body and I have no function in relation to its day-to-day operation.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:397 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when rent assistance will be put in place in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare which has already been approved by the community welfare officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2836/06]
The Dublin and mid-Leinster area of the Health Service Executive has confirmed that the person concerned has been awarded a rent supplement with effect from 5 January 2006 and has advised that the first payment for €882.80 will issue early in the week commencing on 30 January 2006.
Grant Payments.
Michael Ring
Ceist:398 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can be reassessed for the farm assist payment due to a change in her circumstances. [2790/06]
The person concerned is in receipt of a farm assist payment at the weekly rate €152.80 with means of €13 assessed since 10 August 2005, derived from income from capital and income from a holding. If her circumstances have changed since the last means assessment, it is open to the person concerned to apply for a review and a form for this purpose has now been issued to her.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:399 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views regarding ending the practice whereby a person on unemployment benefit will switch to becoming an adult dependent of his or her spouse; if the spouse is in receipt of a social welfare payment, once the 15 month claim has expired; and his further views on the introduction of a system of individualisation as has been applied in the tax code in order that a person who had been independent for many years should not be switched in this way to become an adult dependant. [2805/06]
Unemployment benefit is a short-term, contribution-based payment which is payable for up to 15 months, after which a person may apply for unemployment assistance, a means tested payment. Alternatively, one of a couple may receive credited contributions only, in order to maintain an insurance record while qualifying as an adult dependant on a spouse and partner's or on a partner's claim. However, there is no obligation on any person to become a qualified adult dependant on a partner's social welfare payment.
In general a payment limitation applies where unemployment assistance is in payment to one of a married or cohabiting couple and the recipient's partner is also in receipt of a payment. In this case, the rate of unemployment assistance payable is the maximum amount payable if one person claimed the other as an adult dependant.
Administrative individualisation is in place within the social welfare system, whereby a qualified adult dependant may opt to receive the relevant payment separately. This does not involve any changes in the rules and conditions for entitlement but comprises arrangements whereby payments, which include increases in respect of a qualified adult, are split between the parties involved. My Department has always provided for payments to be split in certain circumstances, for example, in cases of domestic difficulty where a spouse might otherwise have no other form of income.
The issue of better integration of the taxation and social welfare systems has been considered on a number of occasions since the Commission on Social Welfare finalised its report in 1986 most notably by the tax welfare integration group in 1996 and in the report of the working group examining the treatment of married, cohabiting and one-parent families under the tax and social welfare codes of 1999. The latter report noted that there are clear differences in the social welfare and tax codes in their treatment of different types of households, but that it could be argued that the income support and revenue generation objectives of the codes were fundamentally different.
Tax Code.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:400 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if arrangements have been made that persons taking up childminding under the €10,000 tax exemption scheme announced in the 2006 budget could obtain cover at least at class S even though exempt from payment of the insurance levy on earnings up to €10,000. [2806/06]
The childminding relief was announced by the Minister for Finance in budget 2006 and will be provided for in forthcoming legislation. It will allow an individual to supervise up to three children in his or her own home, exempting all related childminding earnings up to a maximum ceiling of €10,000 per annum from tax, social insurance and levy payments. If childminding income exceeds €10,000, the respective total amount earned by the minder will be taxable — as normal — under self-assessment procedures.
This new scheme for childminders is not a tax allowance but is in fact an income disregard of €10,000. It automatically follows that the amount earned — once it does not exceed €10,000 — is not assessable to either tax payments. Because self-employed income for social insurance purposes is primarily determined by reference to income assessable under income tax legislation, such income will not be reckonable for the purposes of making PRSI contributions without a change to social welfare legislation. It is possible, of course, that an individual contributor may opt to make a voluntary contribution to the social insurance system in order to maintain his or her existing contribution record.
I will consider the question of any changes to the social welfare code as a result of this measure in the context of forthcoming legislation.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:401 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the importance of child dependant allowance for families depending upon social welfare; if in this context the failure to increase same since 1994 is the correct policy and course of action; if a commitment will be given to review same in view of commitments for 2006 to 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2811/06]
My Department provides child income support in a number of ways. The principal support is child benefit, a universal payment which is neutral vis-à-vis the employment status of the child’s parents and does not contribute to poverty traps. Since 1997, the monthly rates of child benefit have increased by €111.91 at the lower rate and €135.48 at the higher rate, increases of 293.8% and 273.6% respectively. From April 2006, child benefit rates will be €150 per month for each of the first two children and €185 per month for the third and each subsequent child. Child benefit is paid to over 547,540 families in respect of approximately 1,060,740 children.
A second child income support is child dependant allowance, paid in addition to weekly social welfare payments in respect of over 255,737 children at full rate and over 83,577 at half rate.
In addition, my Department provides cash support by way of weekly payments to families at work on low pay, through the family income supplement scheme. A number of improvements have been made to the scheme over the years, including assessment of entitlement on the basis of net rather than gross income and progressive increases in the income thresholds, making it easier for lower income households to qualify for payment. As a result, there are currently over 17,448 families receiving a weekly FIS payment, reaching nearly 33,956 children. This is the highest number of FIS recipients in the history of the scheme.
Child poverty is clearly a complex area requiring co-ordinated action across a range of Government services and income support payments. The development of income supports which can make the most effective contribution to child poverty lies within my Department's responsibilities and a series of budgets have increased considerably in real terms the level of resources which are going to families with children.
While the range of income and other supports has made very significant contributions, a key issue arises as to whether this level of resources is best used to address poverty among those families. While the solutions to the problem of child poverty cover a wide range of measures, including income supports and services, I am committed to reviewing the role of child income supports in this regard. This includes examining the feasibility of merging the family income supplement and child dependant allowance into a second tier child income support taking account of an examination being carried out in this area by the National Economic and Social Council.
Michael Ring
Ceist:402 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused the carer’s allowance; if their claim will be reviewed in view of the recent EU directive on immigrant workers and the habitual residency clause being illegal; and when their claim will be approved and awarded. [2844/06]
As detailed in the reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 165 of 23 November 2005 and 138 of 1 December 2005, the person concerned applied for carer's allowance in respect of two carers on 4 October 2005. The principal conditions for receipt of the allowance are that full-time care and attention is required and being provided and that the means test that applies are satisfied. Additionally, the requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes including carer's allowance with effect from 1 May 2004.
All applicants regardless of nationality are required to be habitually resident in the State in order to qualify for carer's allowance. The basis for the restriction contained in the new rules is the applicant's habitual residence. The restriction is not based on citizenship, nationality, immigration status or any other factor. The question of what is a person's habitual residence is decided in accordance with European Court of Justice case law, which sets out the grounds for assessing individual claims.
Each case received for a determination on the habitual residence condition is dealt with in its own right and a decision is based on application of the guidelines to the particular individual circumstances of each case. Any applicant who disagrees with the decision of a deciding officer has the right to appeal to the social welfare appeals office.
There has been no change in legislation relating to the habitual residence condition. A circular issued in November 2005 clarifying the position regarding the application of the habitual residence condition to supplementary welfare allowance. This was incorrectly reported in some areas of the media as a change in legislation.
Having examined all the facts in the case raised by the Deputy, a deciding officer decided that the person does not satisfy the habitual residence condition on the grounds that she has not been continuously resident in the State or in the common travel area for the last two years. Furthermore, it is not clear that she intends to reside in the State permanently from now on and she has maintained substantial links abroad by retaining property in the United States of America. She was notified of this decision, the reason for it and the right to an appeal on 21 November 2005.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions with regard to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
Michael Ring
Ceist:403 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the child dependant allowance will be awarded to a person in receipt of social welfare in respect of their 19 year old student daughter, in view of the fact that the student daughter is in receipt of the one-parent family allowance in her own right. [2925/06]
The award of the one-parent family payment recognises the recipient as head of a distinct family unit. Payment of a child dependant increase in respect of the same person would be inconsistent with that principle. In addition, social welfare legislation provides that where a person may qualify for more than one payment, the one that is more beneficial is put into payment. In the scenario outlined in the Deputy's question the one-parent family payment is more beneficial than the child dependant allowance.
Michael Ring
Ceist:404 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been refused unemployment assistance by the habitual residence section; and if this case will be reviewed. [2955/06]
The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1 May 2004. The basis for the restriction contained in the new rules is the applicant's habitual residence. The restriction is not based on citizenship, nationality, immigration status or any other factor. The question of what is a person's habitual residence is decided in accordance with European Court of Justice case law, which sets out the grounds for assessing individual claims.
Each case received for a determination on the habitual residence condition is dealt with in its own right and a decision is based on application of the guidelines to the particular individual circumstances of each case. A person who has supplied proof of residence in the common travel area for a period of two years or more and who intends to settle here will satisfy the habitual residence condition. The common travel area includes Ireland, Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
The person concerned made an application for unemployment assistance in August 2005. When making his claim for unemployment assistance, he stated that he had lived in Northern Ireland for a period of four years until September 2004. His case was referred to the habitual residence unit of my Department for a determination on his habitual residence in the State. In November 2005, he was requested to submit evidence of his residence in Northern Ireland for the period from November 2003 to September 2004.
As the person concerned did not provide the requested information, his application for unemployment assistance was disallowed in January 2006 because he had failed to furnish evidence that he had lived in the common travel area. Accordingly, he was notified of the deciding officer's decision and was advised of his right of review and appeal. It is open to him to submit the requested proof of residence and his case will then be reviewed.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:405 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when rent supplement will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2982/06]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function in relation to decisions on individual claims.
The Dublin and mid-Leinster area of the executive has advised that the person concerned has been awarded a rent supplement from 1 December 2005 at a rate of €794.80 per month. The first payment for rent supplement issued to the person concerned on 21 December 2005.
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:406 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the fuel allowance will be reviewed with a view to including people in receipt of small occupational pensions as eligible applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3255/06]
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive payments with meeting the cost of their additional heating needs during the winter season. Fuel allowances are paid for 29 weeks from the end of September to mid-April and are not intended to meet the full cost of heating.
Eligibility is subject to means. People who already qualify for means-tested pensions or allowances such as old age, non-contributory, pension, long-term unemployment assistance or one-parent family payment do not have to undergo a further means test to qualify for fuel allowance. The majority of people who receive fuel allowances qualify because they satisfy the relevant means test for their primary weekly payment.
In the case of contributory pensions such as old age contributory, retirement and invalidity pensions, which are not means tested, a person may have a combined household income of up to €51 per week, or savings or investments of up to €46,000, over and above the maximum contributory pension rate used for reference purposes, and still qualify for fuel allowance. In this way, the fuel allowance income limits increase each season in line with the increases in this reference pension rate.
The 2006 budget provided for an increase in the rate of fuel allowance of €5 from €9 to €14, or €17.90 in designated smokeless areas. Some 274,000 customers, 151,000 with basic fuel allowance and 123,000 with smokeless supplement, will benefit in 2006 at an estimated cost of €125.1 million.
Any changes in the means rules or other conditions of the scheme would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in the context of the budget and in the light of the resources available to me for improvements in social welfare generally.
Michael Ring
Ceist:407 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the outcome of an oral hearing for unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [3289/06]
Following an oral hearing, an appeals officer disallowed the unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned on the grounds that he is not genuinely seeking work. The appeals officer was not satisfied that the person concerned has made sustained efforts to seek employment. He was notified accordingly on 20 January 2006. The appeals officer's decision is final in the absence of new facts or fresh evidence. The person concerned has made an application for farm assist and his file is currently with the social welfare inspector for investigation. When a decision is made, the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
Under social welfare legislation decisions in respect of claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
Departmental Posts.
David Stanton
Ceist:408 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 824 of 25 January 2006 the number of posts that his Department is currently working to fill as stated in his reply; the location of each post; the grade of each post; the way in which he intends to fill each post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3372/06]
The filling of posts in the Department is considered in the context of the Government policy on public service numbers and of the needs of the service to be provided. Posts, where they fall vacant, are examined critically on this context before a decision to fill them is made.
The present position is that the Department is currently working on filling 50 vacant posts which have arisen in recent months. These comprise of three assistant principal officers, 14 higher executive officers, six executive officers, eight staff officers and 19 clerical officers. A total of 13 of the posts are based in the Department's local offices, a further eight posts are on investigative duties, with the remaining 29 in various areas of the Department.
Arrangements are in train to fill these posts in the normal way including the redeployment of staff within the Department on lateral transfer and the redeployment of surplus staff from the Department of Agriculture and Food. In addition, some posts will be filled by promotion or by recruitment from panels operated by the Public Appointments Service.
Pension Provisions.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:409 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if increases under benchmarking and national pay rounds apply to pensioners of the Dublin Port Company; if rights in respect of payment were provided in the Harbours Act 1996; if former employees who had links to, for example, the Garda Síochána grades have a right to receive the appropriate linked awards; and if the port company has discretion regarding the payment of pensions in respect of which guarantees were given in legislation. [2807/06]
Dublin Port Company is the responsible authority for the administration of pension schemes within the company. Accordingly, payments under such pension schemes are an operational matter for the company and I do not have a role in this regard. The legislative provisions relating to superannuation schemes in the State-owned port companies are contained in sections 40 and 41 of the Harbours Act 1996.
Insurance Premiums.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:410 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Transport his proposals to address the issue of young drivers’ high insurance premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2860/06]
The Government's insurance reform programme initiated in 2002 has been very successful in bringing down the cost and increasing the availability of motor insurance. Arising from the insurance reform programme, there has been an overall reduction in premia levels for motorists of 26.1% since April 2003. This has been brought about chiefly through the initiative of the Government by improving the functioning of the insurance market decreasing the cost of delivery of compensation and investigating the competitiveness of the market.
Insurance premia have reduced for young drivers, but not as significantly as other categories of drivers. The principal reason the price of motor insurance has decreased less in the case of young drivers is the high incidence of road accidents occurring in this category. Males aged between 17 and 25 are over-represented in fatal and serious injury crashes. Unfortunately, road accident statistics indicate that young drivers are eight times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a road traffic accident than any other sector of the driving population.
Recent cost surveys carried out by the Financial Regulator show significant differences in quotes between insurance companies and it pays the motorist to shop around. Moreover, first time drivers will initially be unable to build up a no claims bonus record; something which more experienced drivers can achieve. However, after the first year, providing that the necessary conditions are met, the new driver will be able to apply the first year discount to reduce the cost of his or her policy.
Under the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004, a person cannot be charged more solely on the basis of age unless the insurer can show that the difference in treatment is reasonable and is justified by reliance on actuarial or statistical data or other underwriting or commercial factors. Insurers base their premia on their experience of claims relating to certain demographics and user types.
EU law prevents governments from intervening with regard to premium levels or in respect of what risks insurance companies are prepared to underwrite. According to the motor insurance industry, the cost of insuring a driver who has yet to pass the driving test is substantially higher than for a driver with a full licence. Consequently I expect that the implementation of the package of measures aimed at a substantial increase in test throughput will over time reduce the cost of insurance for younger drivers. My Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance, is developing a package of measures to deal with the backlog of driving test applications.
There is a personal responsibility on all who drive to drive safely at all times. The National Safety Council concludes that 86% of collisions are caused by human error. If we all take more care, accidents will reduce, as will the cost of motor insurance.
Port Development.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:411 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the discussions which have occurred regarding the future of port facilities on the east coast; if he has completed his review of investment priorities; the proposals which are under consideration in respect of Bremore near Drogheda and in respect of Dublin Port; and when the preferred development options will be decided upon. [2935/06]
Richard Bruton
Ceist:412 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the announced Progressive Democrats policy in respect of port development in Louth to take the pressure from Dublin Port; if there have been discussions at Government level; and if a joint policy position is emerging. [2936/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.
On 15 December last, the Progressive Democrats launched a discussion document, A New Heart for Dublin. According to the document it is intended to fuel debate and it invites submissions from interested parties.
In January 2005, when responsibility for ports policy resided in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Minister of State with responsibility for marine affairs launched the Government's ports policy statement. The policy statement aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs. One of the key challenges that lies ahead is the provision of adequate in-time port capacity, particularly for unitised trade. The policy statement sets out a framework to ensure that capacity needs are identified, planned and progressed in a coordinated manner.
As an initial step in this process, the Department consulted with the commercial ports handling unitised trade, to determine their view of port capacity and how they intended to deal with the projected capacity requirement. Both Dublin Port Company and Drogheda Port Company, along with other port companies, responded in this regard with information on their project proposals.
In addition, in September 2005, the Department appointed a firm of consultants expert in this field, Fisher Associates, to, inter alia, invite detailed project submissions from the commercial ports and evaluate those submissions. As part of this process the Department of Transport expects submissions from both Dublin Port Company and Drogheda Port Company with regard to their capacity plans.
The purpose of this process is to satisfy the Government that the anticipated capacity requirement to 2014 and beyond can be efficiently and adequately met through the successful advancement and implementation by the port sector of some combination of the key projects referred to above. It is envisaged that the final report of Fisher Associates will be finalised by the second quarter of 2006.
Drogheda Port Company has a well-publicised proposal to develop a new port facility at Bremore in north County Dublin. Drogheda Port Company updated my officials on the progress of this project at meetings in December 2005 and January 2006. In addition, I am informed that on Friday, 27 January 2006, Drogheda Port Company published a notice in the national and international press seeking joint venture partners in the project. The company is aware that participation in any such joint venture would require my approval, given with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
Parking Regulations.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:413 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to introduce a system to allow for partial footpath parking in some urban areas at the discretion of local authorities; if such a system will be implemented through the painting of lines on the footpath to indicate the depth at which cars might park where such parking was allowed in order to allow wheelchairs, buggies or prams to pass parked cars safely and easily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2770/06]
Article 36 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, S.I. No. 182 of 1997, imposes prohibitions on the parking of vehicles on public roads, including a prohibition on parking a vehicle on a footway.
A proposal of the nature referred to by the Deputy was received last year in my Department from Dublin City Council. The council has been advised that this proposal will be considered in the context of a general revision of the traffic and parking regulations. The review is being pursued initially through the preparation of a new traffic signs manual being developed at present to provide a comprehensive framework for traffic signage in the future.
Light Rail Project.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:414 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport his plans for a Luas line serving Terenure, Harold’s Cross and district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2771/06]
Transport 21 provides a Government commitment to deliver an extensive Luas and metro network for Dublin in the period up to 2015.
Transport 21 includes provision for the carrying out of feasibility work on a number of projects including a proposed Luas line from the city centre to Dundrum via Terenure. Transport 21 involves a very large commitment of financial resources to the development of Dublin's public transport system, including a major extension of the Luas network. However, those resources are finite and it has therefore been necessary to prioritise the investments to be made over the ten-year period.
Landing Rights.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:415 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is preferred that housing areas for helicopters awaiting landing clearance should be over agricultural areas rather than over towns with large populations; and if the Irish Aviation Authority will be instructed to reverse its decision to house helicopters bringing spectators to the Ryder Cup over Maynooth town and instead house them over agricultural lands to the north and south of the town. [2789/06]
Neither I nor my Department have a role in holding areas for helicopters awaiting landing clearances. The Irish Aviation Authority has informed my Department that it has not made any decision, and does not propose to make any decision, to hold helicopters over Maynooth town during the Ryder Cup event. The authority has stated that there is consideration of a holding circuit west of Maynooth but this may change as plans evolve closer to the event.
Driving Tests.
John Perry
Ceist:416 Mr. Perry asked asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be called for a driving test; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2816/06]
A driving test will be arranged in due course for the person concerned.
Road Safety.
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:417 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the level of compliance with seat belt wearing requirements amongst motorists in 2004 and 2005. [2883/06]
The most recent published data on seat belt wearing rates is contained in the 2003 Survey of Free Speeds (Urban and Rural) and Seat-belt Wearing Rates published by the National Roads Authority, NRA. Wearing rates, deduced from the 2003 surveys, were as follows: 85% for drivers; 84% for drivers and front seat passengers; 46% for adults occupying rear seats; 68% for primary school going children occupying front passenger seats; 62% for secondary school going children occupying front passenger seats; 48% for primary school going children occupying rear seats; and 44% for secondary school going children occupying rear seats.
I understand that the NRA will soon publish the results of the surveys undertaken in 2005 to determine seat belt wearing rates.
Air Traffic Management.
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:418 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself that the Irish Aviation Authority has the resources to provide sufficient oversight of Irish airlines in view of the increased air traffic and of the planned future further increases, particularly in view of remarks by the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association regarding the eroding of safety margins. [2923/06]
The Irish Aviation Authority was established under the Irish Aviation Act 1993 and given responsibility for the safety regulation of the Irish aviation industry and the provision of air traffic management services in Irish airspace. The authority exercises its safety regulation functions and service provision functions in accordance with the norms of international standards and procedures, both European, that is, European Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, Joint Aviation Authorities, JAA, Eurocontrol, and global, the International Civil Aviation Authority, ICAA. It is, furthermore, the competent authority for purposes of the EU EASA regulations.
The question of resources within the authority is entirely a matter for the board. The authority has advised me that its workforce in the safety regulation area has been recently reinforced in the operations and airworthiness areas to take account of growth in the aviation industry.
My responsibility in the safety functions of the authority arises under section 32 of the 1993 Act, which requires me, periodically, to commission an examination of the performance by the company of its functions in so far as they relate to the application and enforcement of technical and safety standards in aircraft and air navigation. The most recent examination took place in 2004 and concluded that there is a general, positive and pro-active attitude and competence vis-à-vis safety and the maintenance of a high safety level.
The authority is also periodically subject to external review by EASA, JAA and other agencies such as ICAO and Eurocontrol. I understand that these reviews concluded that the Irish Aviation Authority is performing its functions satisfactorily and is appropriately resourced for its task.
Road Network.
Michael Lowry
Ceist:419 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if correspondence (details supplied) has been brought to his attention; his views on the matter; if funding will be provided to the relevant local authorities to address the matter. [2944/06]
I received two copy letters from the person referred to by the Deputy, one on 3 November 2005 and the other on 20 January 2006. My private secretary responded to both representations explaining that the upkeep and repair of non-national roads, such as the ones referred to in the letters, was the responsibility of South Tipperary County Council.
The National Roads Authority has recently announced its grant allocations for 2006. South Tipperary County Council has been allocated a total of €43,190,190 for road improvement works in its administrative area.
Road Safety.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:420 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if left-hand drive cars are treated similarly to right-hand drive vehicles for the purposes of the national car test; if he has satisfied himself that left-hand drive vehicles are appropriate for driving conditions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2960/06]
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:421 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Transport his view of the roadworthiness and suitability for driving conditions here of the numerous additional left-hand drive cars that have been registered by non-Irish nationals in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2961/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 421 together.
The items to be tested, the method of testing and the reasons for failure of the NCT are set out in the national car test, NCT, Manual 2004 published by my Department. Right-hand drive and left-hand drive vehicles are subject to the same test.
An extensive range of requirements relating to the construction, equipment, lighting and use of the vehicle must be satisfied in order to use a motor vehicle on Irish roads. These requirements are set out in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002, the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 to 2004 and the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 1996. On steering, the regulations provide that a vehicle must be equipped with a strong and efficient steering mechanism which enables the vehicle to be turned easily, quickly and with certainty and which is constructed and arranged that no overlock is possible and that the wheels will not under any circumstances foul any part of the vehicle. There is, however, no obligation for the steering wheel to be on the right-hand side of the vehicle.
At European level, the regulatory framework for vehicle standards is set through a harmonised system of motor vehicle type-approval known as EU-Vehicle Type Approval, VTA. The VTA system facilitates the achievement of a single market for motor vehicles and their components through harmonised safety and environmental standards and, in that regard, standards have been specified in a series of separate EU type-approval directives including standards relating to steering equipment. The type-approval process ensures that new vehicles put on the market meet the safety and environmental standards laid down by the EU. A fundamental principle of the VTA system is that it is not open to a member state of the EU to refuse to register a new vehicle for use on its roads, on grounds relating to a particular vehicle matter, where the vehicle concerned complies with the requirements of the relevant type-approval directive for that matter.
Given Single Market rules, a vehicle which is put into service in one member state is entitled to be used and/or traded in any other member state subject, of course, to its roadworthiness and compliance with other regulatory requirements, for example, VRT and motor tax. Typically, a left-hand drive European vehicle would require adjustments to be made to its headlights and mirrors for it to be used on Irish roads. While the alignment of the headlights is checked as part of the periodic roadworthiness test, it is a matter for the user of the vehicle to ensure that mirrors are correctly set.
Vehicles with left-hand side steering are used in this country by nationals and non-nationals who have imported them temporarily or permanently for their own use, by operators of specialist vehicles including vehicles not manufactured with steering on the right-hand side and by business and recreational visitors. Equally importantly, there are Irish vehicle operators who must use their right-hand vehicles in jurisdictions where left-side steering is the norm.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:422 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the number of major road accidents involving non-nationals since January 2004; the number of fatalities involved; his views regarding the level of left-hand drive cars involved in accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2962/06]
Statistics relating to road accidents, based on information provided by the Garda Síochána, are published by the National Roads Authority, NRA, in its annual road accident facts reports. The most recent report, now entitled Road Collision Facts, relates to 2004 and is available on the NRA website. Reports relating to previous years are available in the Library.
In 2004, 374 people lost their lives in 334 collisions. The 2004 report gives details of the number of cars and goods vehicles involved in fatal and injury collisions classified by the driver's country of residence.
Out of 245 cars involved in such collisions 18 — 7% — were driven by drivers who were resident outside of the State. In respect of goods vehicles, eight out of 90 — 8.8% — were driven by non-residents.
The report does not provide data relating to the number of non-nationals who died in road collisions or the number of left-hand drive cars involved in collisions generally.
Landing Rights.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:423 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if a DC 9 airliner landed on Irish soil at any time in any of the years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 or to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3145/06]
In accordance with international aviation law, overflights or non-traffic stops by an aircraft of an ICAO, International Civil Aviation Organisation, state engaged in non-scheduled or private services may operate without prior permission from my Department.
When airlines receive permission to operate scheduled or charter services they are not required to notify my Department of landings by particular aircraft. It is only in the case where an airline makes an application for a single flight that my Department would have a record of the specific aircraft being used.
This aircraft has never applied for traffic rights to my Department and accordingly my Department does not have any records relating to landings in Ireland.
Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airport Authorities have informed my Department that a DC 9 aircraft with the registration number N822US has not landed at any State airport during the period 2002 to date.
Departmental Records.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:424 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the amount of interest paid by his Department to contractors or to others due payments from his Department on account of late settlement of the amount due; the rate of interest applying to late payments; and if he has satisfied himself that all efforts are made to pay promptly. [3201/06]
In accordance with the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997 and European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002, the amount of interest paid to contractors or to others due to late settlement of payments on account for the year ended 31 December 2005 was €103. The interest rate chargeable for late payment, as set out in the regulations, is the relevant European Central Bank, ECB, rate plus seven percentage points, currently 9.25%.
It is the policy of my Department to ensure that all invoices are paid promptly. The low level of prompt payment interest payable reflects the system of internal control in place to ensure that all payments are, in as far as possible, paid before their due date.
Light Rail Project.
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:425 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if the proposed extension of the Luas from Connolly Station to the docklands will terminate at the proposed new mainline station which is to be located in the docklands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3223/06]
The railway order application which I received in November last from the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, for a Luas extension from Connolly Station to the Point Depot includes a proposed stop at Spencer Dock.
A major focus of Transport 21 is the integration of services of various modes. While specific proposals have not yet been received from Iarnród Éireann on the location, in the Docklands area, of the underground station associated with the proposed rail interconnector, I would expect that those proposals will take account of the requirements for optimum integration between Luas and commuter rail services.
Road Traffic Offences.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:426 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the penalties that apply to non-nationals where their car is seized by the Garda Síochána; if an on-the-spot fine can be applied; if penalty points can be applied if the non-national does not hold an Irish driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3284/06]
The Road Traffic Acts establish a range of offences that apply to all road users in the State irrespective of their nationality.
Depending on the offences in respect of which an accusation is made, a person may be offered the option of the payment of a fixed charge or an on-the-spot fine. In the case of certain offences the payment of a fixed charge will result in the endorsement of penalty points on a person's licence record. There is, however, no requirement on any accused person to make such a payment. Where a fixed charge or an on-the-spot fine is not paid, the matter proceeds to be heard in the appropriate District Court.
A conviction for the commission of a road traffic offence may result in the requirement to pay a fine, imprisonment or the imposition of penalty points or a direct driving disqualification.
Where penalty points are imposed and the person does not hold a current Irish driving licence, a record of the points is created for future transfer to an Irish licence when one is issued to that person.
Pursuant to regulations made under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1995 members of the Garda Síochána can exercise the powers of effect detention, removal, storage and subsequent release or disposal in respect of any vehicle the Garda reasonably believes to be registered in the State and the Garda believes the vehicle is being used in contravention of driver insurance requirements or that motor tax has not been paid for the previous three months or longer. In addition, a Garda can exercise these powers where a person driving a vehicle refuses or fails to produce there and then a valid driving licence and the Garda is of the opinion that the person is by reason of his or her age ineligible to hold a driving licence licensing him or her to drive the vehicle.
Where a vehicle is detained, removed and stored the owner of the vehicle must pay a charge for the detention, removal and storage at a rate of €125 for one day and €35 for each further day of storage. Where the charges remain unpaid for a period of six weeks the Garda Commissioner may instigate arrangements to dispose of the vehicle.
I propose to consider in consultation with the Garda Commissioner the scope for extending the current operation of the provisions of section 41 to address issues such as the seizure of vehicles registered outside of the State or vehicles being driven by persons who do not hold current driving licences generally.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:427 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the steps he intends to take to address the legal loophole whereby the Garda cannot impound untaxed or uninsured foreign-registered cars driven by non-residents. [3286/06]
Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 and the Road Traffic Act (Section 41) Regulations 1995 set out the law relating to the detention of vehicles by the Garda. Subsection (1)(b) states that vehicles registered in the State can be detained if a policy of insurance is not in place for the vehicle. Subsection (1)(c) states that vehicles registered in the State can be detained where motor tax has not been paid in respect of a continuous period of three months or more immediately prior to use. These subsections are being examined by my Department with a view to broadening their scope in a forthcoming road safety Bill so as to enable all vehicles regardless of their country of registration to be detained. All victims of uninsured driving, whether the driver of the uninsured vehicle is Irish or a non-national, are entitled to compensation through the Motor Insurer’s Bureau of Ireland, which is funded through our motor insurance premia.
Industrial Relations.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:428 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his views on reports that some red-circle workers at Irish Ferries are being let go; his further views on whether the agreement that was reached to end the industrial dispute at Irish Ferries is being undermined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3137/06]
The Labour Relations Commission brokered the registered agreement, referred to by the Deputy, which ended the recent Irish Ferries dispute. I have no function in regard to the implementation of agreements entered into under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission.
Local Authority Permits.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:429 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the inconsistencies that exist between the different systems used by local authorities relating to the issuing of permits for the movement of large construction equipment; and if he intends to establish a more streamlined, manageable and efficient system of permits under his Department. [36645/05]
The Irish Road Haulage Association has expressed dissatisfaction concerning the existing arrangements for the issue of special permits, particularly in connection with journeys conducted on a regular basis involving wide and long loads. The function is assigned to local authorities because they are best placed to assess the suitability of the roads in their functional areas for use by non-compliant vehicles and to determine the appropriate routes and itineraries to be used in the making of journeys by such vehicles. However, my Department is reviewing the special permit system with a view to streamlining the process for vehicles involved in journeys conducted on a regular basis transporting wide and long loads. In that regard, a meeting was held with the assistant Garda Commissioner, Garda national traffic bureau, in November 2005 at which the Garda agreed to act as the co-ordinating body for the issue of special permits for such operations. The implementation of such arrangements will require the making of revised regulations, work on which is under way in my Department.
Dormant Accounts Fund.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:430 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a group (details supplied) in Dublin 10 can apply for funding from the dormant accounts fund; and the way in which they can apply. [2851/06]
I announced details on 4 January 2006 concerning the allocation of €24 million in 2006 from the dormant accounts fund for the purpose of supporting programmes and types of projects tackling social and economic disadvantage. Details of the announcement are available on the website of my Department, www.pobail.ie. The detailed arrangements to administer the funding measures announced on 4 January are being finalised. It is anticipated that the various measures will be rolled-out on a phased basis over the coming months as the operational arrangements, including application details, are finalised.
Community Development.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:431 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on the application under the grant aid for locally-based community and voluntary organisations from a centre (details supplied) in County Dublin and the reason that this application was deemed ineligible. [2907/06]
The guidelines for the 2005 programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations set out a list of categories of organisations and activities which are ineligible for funding. Sports clubs are one of those ineligible categories. It was for this reason that the application from the organisation in question was deemed ineligible. It is open to the applicant organisation to have the decision reviewed by applying in writing to the Department, stating the basis for the review, as advised in the notification letter which issued to the organisation recently.
Michael Lowry
Ceist:432 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the support available from his Department for farmers’ markets; his views on increasing supports for the establishment of farmers’ markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2959/06]
My Department provides financial support to the establishment and development of farmers' markets through the Leader programmes and the CLÁR village and countryside enhancement scheme. Communities and organisations interested in receiving funding may apply to their local Leader group for information. In addition, my Department funds the work of a small food business co-ordinator whose work includes developing a cohesive approach between LEADER companies in supporting such markets. These resources are appropriate to meet current demand.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:433 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the representations which he has received from residents in Erris, County Mayo, with regard to the potential conversion of the old Údarás site in the Barr na Trá area into a local community centre; the possibility of such a conversion; and the prospects of the site being donated by Údarás to the community group in question. [3146/06]
My Department has not received a representation in regard to the matter referred to by the Deputy. Responsibility for the disposal of Údarás property is entirely a matter for the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta in accordance with relevant State and EU guidelines and directives. I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that the property in question was advertised for sale in September 2005. Following representations to an tÚdarás from local interests, it was decided to withdraw the property from the market in order to afford the local community group an opportunity to prepare and present its plans for the potential use of the building. The community group has been asked to submit its proposals by the end of April 2006 and no decision in the matter will be taken by an tÚdarás before then.
Dinny McGinley
Ceist:434 D'fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil iarratas faighte ag a Roinn le haghaidh deontais d’eagraíocht (sonraí tugtha); cén uair a frítheadh an t-iarratas; ar ceadaíodh an deontas; cad é méid an deontais; cad é an méid atá díolta go dáta; cén uair a íocfar an fuílleach agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [3310/06]
Rinneadh socrú i mí Iúil 1999 go n-aistreofaí iarratas ón eagraíocht atá luaite ag an Teachta go dtí mo Roinnse ón Roinn Turasóireachta, Spóirt agus Áineasa. Tar éis deontas i bprionsabal a bheith ceadaithe ar 8 Feabhra 2002, deimhníodh deontas de €127,000 dóibh ar 31 Márta 2003 faoi na scéimeanna feabhsúcháin sa Ghaeltacht, €105,834, agus CLÁR, €21,166. Tá€73,632 den deontas sin íoctha leo go dáta agus tá iarratas ar íocaíocht eile á mheas ag mo Roinn faoi láthair. Íocfar an fuílleach de réir an ghnáth-chleachtais oibre atá i bhfeidhm do dheontais den chineál seo.
Grant Payments.
Tom Hayes
Ceist:435 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary under the single payment scheme. [2974/06]
One of the persons named submitted an application under the single payment scheme on 14 May 2005. He also included an application to consolidate his entitlements under the consolidation measure of the scheme. Following an initial examination of the consolidation application, it was noted that the person named declared 0.6 hectares for growing potatoes and/or fruit-vegetables on his 2005 single payment application. In accordance with Article 51 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003, lands used for the production of potatoes and/or fruit-vegetables declared by applicants under the single payment scheme are not eligible to benefit from payment. My Department issued a letter to the person named on 27 January 2006 outlining this position and requesting that he indicate whether he wished to proceed or withdraw his consolidation application. Upon receipt of a reply from the person named, my Department will be in a position to complete processing of his application and arrange for payment to issue.
Michael Noonan
Ceist:436 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the single farm payment grant will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2785/06]
The person named submitted an application under the single payment scheme on 16 May 2005. The herdowner also applied to have his entitlements consolidated under the 2005 scheme consolidation measure. This application has been processed and payment amounting to €8,844.68 in respect of the scheme issued to the person named on 27 January 2006.
Michael Ring
Ceist:437 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their special beef premium and slaughter premium for 2004; and if their full single farm payment has issued. [2792/06]
The application under the 2005 single payment scheme for the person named has been fully processed and payment has issued. Payment in full under both the 2004 slaughter premium scheme and the 2004 special beef premium scheme have also issued to the person named. However, I have arranged for an official of my Department to contact the person named directly to clarify matters as regards these payments.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:438 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has not received the full single farm payment; when remainder of the payment will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2802/06]
The person named submitted an application under the single payment scheme on 12 May 2005. While the person named established 38.42 entitlements, the single payment scheme application form declared a total of 24.58 forage hectares. Payment amounting to €6,788.70 in respect of the scheme issued on 20 December 2005 based on the declared forage area of 24.58 hectares included on her application form. The person named submitted an application for consideration in respect of the inheritance measure of the scheme. Following processing of this application the person named was notified that her inheritance application was successful, and the number of entitlements transferred to her was based on the number of hectares inherited. However, as the predecessor of the person named established entitlements partly on owned and leased lands, the total single payment transferred should have been divided by the number of hectares to establish the number of entitlements transferred. The amended position established by my Department is that the person named holds 24.58 entitlements with a gross single payment value of €11,275.12. Arrangements have been made to issue a supplementary payment reflecting the amended position to the person named shortly.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:439 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will be granted their area aid and single payment due in October 2005 and 1 December 2005 and promised payment at an early date through written answer on 15 December 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2824/06]
An application under the disadvantaged areas scheme-single payment scheme, which declared 47.05 hectares, was received from the person named on 15 May 2005. The person named had established 38.93 entitlements, each with a unit value of €62.66, during the reference period. As part of the control procedures under relevant EU legislation, the application was randomly selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility inspection. Following this successful inspection, the application of the person named is being further processed with a view to immediate payment in full under both the disadvantaged areas and the single payment schemes.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:440 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the full single farm payment will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2825/06]
An application under the single payment scheme was received from the person named on 16 May 2005. Payment issued to the person named on 13 January 2006.
Animal Diseases.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:441 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason her Department has failed to implement in full the December 2001 agreement with the Irish Farmers Association on the depopulation of known scrapie flocks; when the third element of the agreement on compensation associated with restocking will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2909/06]
Denis Naughten
Ceist:442 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to implement in full the recommendations set out in the Crosby report on scrapie compensation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2910/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 442 together.
The agreement of December 2001 with the Irish Farmers Association did not contain a commitment on the part of my Department to meet costs related to restocking in years 4 to 6 following flock depopulation as a result of scrapie. However, following consideration of a technical report on possible additional costs that could arise in those years for those who restocked in year 3, I sought and received approval from the EU Commission, under state aid rules, to make additional payments to flockowners who had flocks depopulated as a result of scrapie during the period December 2001 to 15 April 2003. As the additional costs in each case would be related, inter alia, to the number of breeding ewes in the flocks in years 4 to 6, my Department issued documentation along with declaration forms to the relevant flockowners in late November last in relation to these payments for year 4. Flockowners who wish to be considered for these payments were requested to return the completed stocking declaration form together with their flock register. A number of flockowners have submitted their applications, inspections have been carried out and payments issued. Some of the flockowners have difficulty with the foregoing. While discussions are continuing with farmer representatives on this, payments must be based on relevant accounting principles and must avoid overpayment.
Grant Payments.
Mary Upton
Ceist:443 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Galway who was unable to farm during the single payment reference years 2000-02 inclusive, who had farmed the same land for the previous thirty years, will under circumstances be entitled, at this juncture, to apply for some or all of the entitlement they would have had the benefit of, had they been able to farm during the aforementioned single payment reference years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2915/06]
A provisional statement indicating 4.69 entitlements worth €384.55 each and amounting to €1,803.54 issued to the person named. These entitlements reflect the average of the premia paid to the person named during the reference period 2000-02 under the premia and arable aid schemes. My Department has no record of an application from the person named for a review of these entitlements or for consideration of their circumstances under the force majeure measure of the single payment scheme.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:444 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive the single farm payment; the reason for the delay in issuing same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2933/06]
The person named has submitted an application for consideration in respect of the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. Following the processing of his application, the person named was notified on 26 January 2006 that his application was successful. Payment in respect of the single payment scheme is scheduled to issue to the person named shortly.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:445 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath of 8 November 2005 has not been replied to as this person seeks to establish their full entitlements to single farm payment; and the steps she will take to have same dealt with without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2940/06]
The person named submitted a single payment application to activate his single payment entitlements on 16 May 2005. He also submitted an application to transfer his entitlements by sale to another farmer by private contract clause. The EU regulations allow farmers for whom entitlements have been established and who, before 16 May 2005, have sold their land to another farmer, to also sell the entitlements to that other farmer by inserting a clause in the sale contract to the effect that the entitlements are now also being transferred with the lands. The person concerned had established his entitlements on his own lands, which he subsequently sold without the entitlements. Therefore, he did not have lands to enable his entitlements to be transferred under the provisions of the EU regulations and my Department could not approve of the sale of entitlements without lands.
Under the regulations, entitlements established for a farmer cannot be sold without land to another farmer until at least 80% have been used in one calendar year. The entitlements concerned have been activated in 2005 by the person named and are currently held to him. He may use the entitlements in 2006 by declaring one hectare of land for each entitlement under the 2006 single payment scheme and comply with the terms and conditions of the scheme. Having used at least 80% of entitlements in 2006, the entitlements may then be sold without land.
Food Industry.
Michael Lowry
Ceist:446 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the support available from her Department for farming markets; her views on increasing supports for the establishment of farming markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2958/06]
Farmers' markets represent a real growth opportunity for farmers and small-scale food producers. There are now more than 100 of these markets in operation throughout Ireland, reflecting the increased demand for fresh locally produced foods. With changing consumer preferences, there is potential for further growth in the quantity and variety of produce sold through these markets. I am very aware of the role that farmers markets perform in supplementing farm incomes, providing an alternative route to the market for small food producers and providing consumers with an alternative retail experience. They offer direct access to consumers and assist the development of local and regional speciality foods. In addition, there is a myriad of indirect benefits in terms of improved community spirit, increased employment and added value for tourism.
Bord Bia, as part of its statutory role in promoting the development of Ireland's food and drink industry, is working with other State and local agencies to exploit these growing opportunities. In co-operation with Invest Northern Ireland, they have published a comprehensive information guide on the operation of the farmers markets. Bord Bia has a dedicated person in the small business department to assist both producers and individuals, and performs a vital support function for farmers markets through the provision of advice and mentoring assistance.
There are a number of other ongoing initiatives. Bord Bia continues to work closely with the Office of Public Works on developing the successful ‘Food at Farmleigh' programme. The ‘Farmleigh' model is being rolled out to other OPW heritage properties around the country this year in places like Donegal, Laois, Wexford and Cork. Bord Bia has also liaised with Dublin City Council as part of the Smithfield regeneration programme and the proposed development of the fruit, vegetable and fish markets. Interested parties were invited to make submissions on the proposed regeneration to the Dublin City planner and a consultative forum, including Bord Bia, was established. This initiative will provide small food producers with direct access to the lucrative Dublin market.
Grant Payments.
John Perry
Ceist:447 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) was not awarded their full entitlement under the single payment; if their file will be reviewed in view of correspondence attached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2970/06]
The person named submitted an application under the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. Following processing of this application, the person named was requested to submit details of the transfer of the holding. The supporting documentation requested by my Department on two occasions, was never submitted. This resulted in my Department notifying the person named on 11 August 2005 that her application was unsuccessful.
An application form requesting the transfer of entitlements as a result of a change in the details of the ownership of the herd number has been issued to the person named. When this form is completed and returned to my Department, this transfer of entitlements will be completed and payment will issue.
The person named also submitted an application for consideration under the force majeure-exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment scheme. Having processed this application, the herd owner was advised by my Department on 4 July 2005 that the application was unsuccessful, as no grounds had been established for increasing the sheep numbers during the reference period. However, my Department has included this case with those cases currently being reviewed in the context of the effect of participation in agri-environmental schemes on stocking levels. The person named will be notified of the outcome of this review in due course.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:448 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the special beef premium scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2997/06]
The person named submitted four applications in respect of a total of 49 animals under the 2004 special beef premium scheme. As animal passports were not submitted in respect of seven animals, only 42 animals were potentially eligible for payment. Following computer validation of these applications, it was found that seven animals were not recorded on the CMMS database as being in the herd of the person named on the date of application for the scheme. Under the rules of the scheme, it was appropriate that these animals be rejected, that is, not paid premium and a reduction penalty applied to any payments due in respect of the other applications. Given the level of non-compliance, no payment was due to the person named under the 2004 scheme, in accordance with the governing EU regulations.
However, following a review of the circumstances of the case, and a satisfactory resolution to the registration problems, the proposed penalty will not now be applied. The applications are now being further processed with a view to payment at an early date, if otherwise in order.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:449 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding an application under the single payment scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2998/06]
The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the single payments scheme national reserve under category D. Category D caters for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who commenced farming in 2002 but who received no direct payments in respect of that scheme year. In addition, the farmer must have either purchased or inherited land.
The position is that more than 23,000 applications for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve were received when account is taken of farmers who applied under more than one category. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants at the earliest opportunity.
My Department will be in contact with individual applicants as soon as their applications are fully processed when formal letters setting out my Department's decision will be issued.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:450 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding an application under the single payment scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2999/06]
The person named submitted an application under the single payment scheme on 9 May 2005. His application to consolidate his entitlements was fully processed and payment amounting to €9,481.59 was issued by my Department on 29 December 2005.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:451 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding an application for the single payment scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3000/06]
The application under the 2005 single payment scheme for the person named has been fully processed and payment has issued.
Departmental Expenditure.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:452 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of interest paid by her Department to contractors or to others due payments from her Department on account of late settlement of the amount due; the rate of interest applying to late payments; and if she has satisfied herself that all efforts are made to pay promptly. [3203/06]
It is the policy of my Department to fully comply with the terms of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997 and with the regulations on combating late payment in commercial transactions. There are procedures in place to meet their requirements and there is ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with their provisions.
The total interest paid during 2005, resulting from late payments made to contractors and others, amounted to €11,907.81. The annual rate of interest rate applicable for the year was 9%.
Grant Payments.
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:453 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment under the single payment scheme will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3245/06]
The person named established entitlements during the reference years. In 2005, he entered into a partnership with his son. In order to receive the entitlements, an application to transfer entitlements into both names as a result of a change in ownership of the herd number must be submitted. This application was not received in my Department.
An application form has now been sent out to the person named. When this form is returned, the entitlements can be transferred to the current registered owners and payment will issue.
Legal Education.
Tony Gregory
Ceist:454 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the need to deregulate the legal education market; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the failure of the Law Society and the Kings Inns to publish criteria for independent colleges to provide training courses for solicitors and barristers as directed by the Competition Authority. [2773/06]
The Competition Authority published a preliminary report on competition in legal services in February 2005 which included a number of recommendations, addressed to the Law Society and King's Inns, on the supply of legal education. The report recommended that the Law Society should issue detailed criteria by 30 September 2005 pursuant to which it will licence institutions to provide professional education courses and that King's Inns, by the same date, should also issue detailed criteria pursuant to which it will recognise barrister-at-law degrees awarded by other educational providers and allow persons awarded such degrees entry to the barrister's profession. The final report of the Competition Authority is due to be published later this year and I expect that its conclusions will take account of the views of the Law Society and King's Inns on the recommendations made in the preliminary report.
On a related matter, in December 2005 the Government approved my proposals to establish a legal services ombudsman on a statutory basis to oversee the handling of various classes of complaints against solicitors and barristers by the Law Society and Bar Council. As one of his functions, the legal services ombudsman will prepare an annual report on the numbers of persons admitted to the legal professions and an assessment of the adequacy of same having regard to the level of demand for legal services and the overall numbers of practising barristers and solicitors. The establishment of the office of the legal services ombudsman will form part of a Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to be published in the current Dáil session.
Visa Applications.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:455 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason it takes so long to process visas for non-nationals wishing to study here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2927/06]
The visa section in my Department is committed to providing a high quality service to all its customers and is making every effort to process all visa applications in as timely a manner as possible. The timeframe for processing visa applications has been reduced in recent months and study visa applications currently take approximately three weeks from the date of receipt in the visa section. This may change from time to time depending on the volumes of applications at particular times and the resources available to process them.
In June 2002, my Department took the unprecedented step of seconding a number of dedicated visa officers to the Irish embassies in Moscow and Beijing. A primary objective of this initiative was to enable the provision of a better and more timely customer service by making decisions locally rather than having large numbers of visa applications sent to Dublin for decision. Following on from the success of this initiative, dedicated visa officers have also recently been seconded to the Irish Embassy in New Delhi. Significant extra resources have also been allocated to the visa office in the Department to cater for the large volume of applications.
Drug Treatment Services.
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:456 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on transferring a person (details supplied) in County Wexford from Mountjoy to Portlaoise or Shelton Abbey to ensure that they will no longer have easy access to heroin; if addiction treatment will be available to this person while they are incarcerated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2764/06]
The person referred to is serving cumulative sentences totalling 14 months for burglary, assault and threatening-abusive behaviour. He is at present due for release from prison on 3 August 2006.
I recently approved a transfer to the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise for this prisoner. I am not prepared to authorise a transfer to either Shelton Abbey or Portlaoise Prison. As I have repeatedly stated, no level of illegal drug consumption in a prison setting is acceptable to me or to the prison authorities. It is my intention and that of the Irish Prison Service to take all necessary measures to eliminate drug misuse among prisoners. There are currently a range of measures employed in the Irish Prison Service with the aim of eliminating both the supply of and the demand for drugs within the prison system. These measures continue to be updated and reinforced and the new drugs policy for the Prison Service, which I will very shortly publish, will again outline my personal commitment to tackling this problem.
Measures to curtail the supply of drugs into prisons, include video surveillance, improved visiting-searching facilities and increased vigilance by staff. Netting has been installed over the recreation yards in a number of our closed prisons, to prevent contraband material, such as drugs, being propelled over exterior walls. Future prison designs will seek to locate recreation yards away from perimeter walls as part of further efforts to frustrate the supply of illegal drugs.
Measures to reduce the demand for drugs within the prison system include education, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicted offenders. These programmes and interventions are delivered on an individual and co-ordinated basis by the psychology service, probation and welfare service, prison education service and prison officers. Particular initiatives put in place include drug free areas, drug misuse awareness programmes, support programmes and appropriate health interventions, substitution therapies, vaccination programmes and treatment for viral illnesses. When introduced, mandatory drug testing will play an important role in the overall strategy for tackling the scourge of drug use among prisoners. It will enable identification and referral of drug abusers to treatment programmes, enable enhanced focusing of resources and act as a deterrent to drug misuse.
The prisoner is advised to make contact with probation and welfare service to discuss his particular needs and they will advise him on what options are appropriate to him.
Citizenship Applications.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:457 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 regarding their application for reunification of their family from Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2765/06]
The refugee in question made an application for family reunification in respect of his mother and siblings. My Department has recently been in correspondence with him requesting further documentation in support of the application. On receipt of this documentation a decision will be made in this case.
Firearms Offences.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:458 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if reports have been received of persons carrying guns as a form of fashion accessory; if so, the nature of these reports; if carrying guns has become so prevalent as to require special consideration by the Government and Houses of the Oireachtas. [2766/06]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have no intelligence which indicates that persons are carrying guns as a form of fashion accessory. As the Deputy will be aware, any person wishing to possess, carry or use a firearm must obtain a firearms certificate from a Garda superintendent and comply with specific requirements under the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2000. Any person found in possession of, carrying or using a firearm in contravention of the Firearms Acts is subject, on conviction, to a fine of up to €635 or imprisonment of up to a maximum of five years or both. In this regard, I wish to inform the Deputy that, in the context of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is currently before the House, I propose to bring forward a wide range of amendments which will strengthen the law governing the control of firearms. Included in these proposals are measures which will introduce new offences concerning the modification of firearms such as "sawing off" a shotgun; increase the fines and penalties generally for offences under the Firearms Acts; and create mandatory minimum sentences, of between five and ten years, for certain firearms offences, including possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances, possession of a firearm with criminal intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, possession of a firearm while hijacking a vehicle, and use or production of a firearm to resist arrest.
I also propose providing a statutory basis for an amnesty during which firearms may be surrendered to the Garda Síochána before new penalties and minimum mandatory sentences are introduced. The amnesty will enable those in possession of firearms who are not in compliance with the legal requirements to regularise their position, and thus enable the Garda Síochána to concentrate on more serious offenders.
Child Care Services.
Joe Walsh
Ceist:459 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision will be made on an application for a capital grant under EOCP 2000-2006 to a group (details supplied) in County Cork. [2772/06]
As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 has been assigned to the Department of Health and Children as part of the establishment of the new Office of the Minister for Children under the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan.
With regard to the application for capital grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006, I understand that the community based group in question was not recommended for capital funding as the proposal is not deemed to adequately meet the criteria of the programme. The current service is operating below capacity and there was limited evidence of a need for the proposed service and its future sustainability based on projected income and costs. I understand from inquiries I have made that, to date, the group has not submitted an appeal of this decision.
Garda Stations.
Tony Gregory
Ceist:460 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the timescale for the temporary relocation of Fitzgibbon Street Garda station to allow for its refurbishment; the location to which the Garda station will be temporarily rehoused; if the building next to the Garda station in Fitzgibbon Street currently used by the Garda Síochána can be retained in use during the refurbishment; and if a nearby building (details supplied) could be utilised. [2774/06]
It is the intention to relocate the station party in Fitzgibbon Street to temporary accommodation to allow a much needed refurbishment of the station to be undertaken. As various options for the relocation of the station are being considered by the Garda authorities and the Office of Public Works, I am not in a position at this time to indicate any timescale for the move. Consideration is being given, however, to retaining the building next door to the station for Garda use during any refurbishment.
The sourcing of alternative accommodation is a matter in the first instance for the Office of Public Works which has responsibility for such matters. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the premises mentioned by the Deputy have not been considered by them. I have, however, furnished details of the building referred to by the Deputy to the Office of Public Works.
Residency Permits.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:461 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his decision to refuse residency on the basis of an Irish born child to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2787/06]
The person in question applied for permission to remain in Ireland on the basis of having an Irish born child prior to 1 January 2005, in accordance with the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. Her application is currently being reviewed and I will notify the Deputy when the outcome of the review is known.
Garda Stations.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:462 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that gardaí are not allowed to use the new Garda station at Derrinturn, Carbury, County Kildare for health and safety reasons, namely, due to the fact that there is no back door on the premises; if he will arrange to have the matter examined with a view to having remedial action taken that will allow the early use of the new premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2788/06]
Health and safety standards in the construction of Garda stations are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works, which has informed me that the recently completed new Garda station in Derrinturn meets all the appropriate standards. Accordingly, I expect that the gardaí will occupy the station very shortly.
Garda Reserve Force.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:463 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the terms and conditions which will apply to the deployment of the proposed reserve force to back up the Garda Síochána; the training which will be provided for these persons; the powers that they will have at their disposal; the tasks that they will undertake; if they will have their own command structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2804/06]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 1148 on Wednesday, 25 January 2006.
Registration of Title.
John Perry
Ceist:464 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the legal ownership of a folio (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2815/06]
I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the current position of the folio in question.
Closed Circuit Television Systems.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:465 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when closed circuit television cameras will be provided for Carlow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2817/06]
As the Deputy is aware, Carlow is one of the 11 remaining locations nationwide which form part of the Garda CCTV programme. Following recommendations from the Garda authorities, I have approved the implementation of six new Garda CCTV systems. With the addition of these six new locations a total of 17 Garda town centre CCTV systems, including Carlow, will be implemented in the following locations: Athlone, Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dungarvan, Ennis, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Sligo, Tallaght, Tullamore and Waterford.
As I have indicated previously, I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of this CCTV programme and reduce as far as possible the workload of the Garda Síochána in this regard. The answer is to outsource the installation of Garda CCTV systems to the greatest extent possible, making use not only of the technical but also of the project management expertise in the private sector.
In recent months the Garda Síochána has conducted a thorough examination of all aspects of Garda involvement in CCTV systems. Following this review, I recently received a comprehensive and innovative proposal for the project management and the outsourced service provision of Garda CCTV systems, including Carlow, from the Garda Commissioner.
The Garda authorities wish to commence the initial public procurement process and I am also anxious to proceed urgently with this comprehensive request for tender to source the best CCTV service possible for Carlow and the other 16 locations selected. This will happen in conjunction with the imminent commencement of section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides a legislative basis for the operation of CCTV in public places. My Department is currently in consultation with the Department of Finance with a view to proceeding as quickly as possible with the procurement process to contract the project managers and outsourced service providers for the development, installation and management of these CCTV systems.
My ambition is to have a Garda CCTV system operating in Carlow and the other locations, at the earliest opportunity subject to compliance with relevant procurement legislation and procedures.
Garda Deployment.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:466 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí employed in Carlow town for each year from 2002 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2818/06]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Carlow Garda station as at years ending 31 December 2002 to 2005, inclusively, was as set out in the table hereunder:
|
Station |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
Carlow |
51 |
50 |
53 |
54 |
The timescale for achieving the target strength of 14,000 members of the Garda Síochána, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, remains as when I announced the Government approval in October 2004 for my proposals to achieve this objective. The phased increase in the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. As part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to facilitate this process, 1,125 Garda recruits were inducted to the Garda College during 2005. The college will induct 1,100 recruits this year and a further 1,100 in 2007, by way of intakes to the Garda College of approximately 275 recruits every quarter. This project is fully on target and will be achieved.
Deportation Orders.
Tom Hayes
Ceist:467 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision to deport a person who had permission to remain here from December 2000 until March 2004 will be reconsidered. [2829/06]
The individual concerned entered the State on 9 December 2001 and his passport was stamped by the Garda National Immigration Bureau giving him permission to remain in the State until 29 November 2002. His passport was subsequently stamped, giving him permission to remain in the State until 23 March 2004. The individual concerned has resided illegally in the State from that date.
In accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, the person concerned was informed on 18 January 2006 that the Minister was proposing to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was, in accordance with the Act, given the option of making representations within 15 working days setting out the reasons he should not be deported, namely, be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before the deportation order was made; or consenting to the making of the deportation order. As of now, no such representations have been received by my Department.
Residency Permits.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:468 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the application for residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2839/06]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 2 November 2004 and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 17 November 2005 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before an order is made, or consenting to the making of a deportation order. Her case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 — prohibition of refoulement. I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:469 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status in respect of residency and work permit eligibility in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [2840/06]
I refer the Deputy to the answer I gave to Question No. 35 on Tuesday, 17 May 2005.
The person concerned arrived in the State on 12 April 1999 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
The person concerned was informed by letter dated 31 May 2001 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him and afforded him three options in accordance with section 3(3)(b)(ii) of the Immigration Act 1999 as amended, namely, to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a deportation order or to submit, within 15 working days, representations to the Minister, in writing, setting out the reasons he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. His case was examined under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 — prohibition of refoulement. On 20 February 2002, my predecessor refused temporary leave to remain and signed a deportation order in respect of him. Notice of this order was served by registered post requiring him to present himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau, GNIB, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, on 8 March 2002 in order to make arrangements for his deportation from the State.
The person concerned failed to present as required and was classified as an evader. As such he is liable to arrest and detention under section 5 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, for the purposes of ensuring his removal from the State. I urge the person concerned to come forward and present himself to the GNIB as soon as possible.
Deportation Orders.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:470 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider his decision to deport a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2841/06]
I refer the Deputy to the replies I gave to Question Nos. 726 and 781 answered on Wednesday, 26 January 2005, Question No. 129 answered on Thursday, 14 April 2005 and Question No. 143 answered on Thursday, 19 May 2005.
The person concerned presented herself as required at the Garda National Immigration Bureau but her deportation was postponed as she was advanced in pregnancy at the time. She subsequently made an application to have her deportation order revoked based on her cohabiting relationship with a man granted refugee status in the State and their parentage of a child born in Ireland on 10 June 2005. This application is being considered by my officials and I expect the file to be passed to me for decision shortly.
Citizenship Applications.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:471 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2842/06]
I informed the Deputy in response to Question No. 364 on 8 March 2005 that it was likely that the application of the person concerned would be finalised in or around June 2006. This is still the position.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:472 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to citizenship status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2843/06]
I have been advised by officials in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform's citizenship section that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation having been received from the individual concerned. It is not possible to determine if the person in question is eligible for Irish citizenship until a fully completed application form, accompanied by the necessary supporting documentation, has been received. I understand that an application form is being sent to the Deputy's office in this regard.
Garda Vetting Procedures.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:473 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason local Garda vetting is not being used until such times as the proper facilities are available in Garda headquarters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2876/06]
Following the establishment of the Garda central vetting unit in 2002, the vetting of persons who have substantial, unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults was centralised to the unit to ensure best practice in the processing of such applications. Preparations are at an advanced stage for the extension of the availability of the unit's vetting services to all appropriate sectors and groups, including recognised child care organisations. An additional 17 staff were provided recently to more than double the unit's numbers from 13 to 30. I am pleased that the unit has been successfully decentralised to new, custom-designed office accommodation in Thurles, County Tipperary, from where it will soon commence the expansion of its vetting service.
Crime Prevention.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:474 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a safety plan will be put in place at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if this person will receive the maximum support. [2885/06]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the gardaí in Clontarf are aware of two incidents of robbery at the location in question, both of which are being fully investigated. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that there is no record of any threats against the person or property referred to as having been reported to the Garda. I understand that local Garda management is aware of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity. As a result of targeted policing initiatives by the community policing unit, a number of persons have been arrested and charged with related offences. I have been assured that the location referred to continues to receive ongoing attention by district and divisional resources with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence.
Registration of Title.
Pat Breen
Ceist:475 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Land Registry will expedite an application for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2886/06]
Pat Breen
Ceist:476 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application in the Land Registry for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2887/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 476 together.
I have asked the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly about the current position in respect of the applications in question. If the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, I understand that the Land Registry makes every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the reason underlying the urgency.
Road Traffic Offences.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:477 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level of speed limit enforcement, in terms of speed checks conducted by the Garda Síochána in 2004 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2901/06]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the specific statistics sought by the Deputy are not compiled in a way that can be used to establish the number of speed checks conducted by the Garda. The amount of time it would take to compile such information would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources and could not be justified in the circumstances. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that there were 161,192 speed detections in 2004. I understand that the final figure for 2005 is not yet available.
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:478 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level of drink-driving enforcement, in terms of drivers checked by the Garda Síochána for suspected drink driving in 2004 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2902/06]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that statistics are not compiled by the force in a way that would establish the number of drivers specifically checked by the Garda for suspected drink driving. The amount of time it would take to compile such information would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources and could not be justified in the circumstances. However, I can confirm that there were 12,207 detections of drink driving offences in 2004 and 13,668 detections of drink driving offences in 2005. The statistics for 2005 are operational, provisional and liable to change.
Registration of Title.
Michael Ring
Ceist:479 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Land Registry will be instructed to expedite a dealing application on a folio (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when this matter will be dealt with. [2903/06]
I understand that, subsequent to the recent response to the Deputy from the Land Registry about this matter, the application in question has been completed.
Traveller Community.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:480 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current spend or allocation to the various bodies dealing with the Traveller community; the amount of the overall spend or allocation in each of the years from 2000 to date in 2006 in funding all services, projects, schemes, grants, loans and resources to the travelling community; his views on whether the return on such spending has been satisfactory; and his plans to improve the effectiveness of such services. [2916/06]
The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform's diversity and equality law unit spent €444,379.80 on Traveller projects, schemes, grants and resources in 2000. It spent €457,105.70 on such schemes in 2001, €321,817.00 in 2002, €137,731.26 in 2003, €122,963.26 in 2004 and €416,432.84 in 2005. Some €651,000 has been allocated for such schemes in 2006. The Department also allocates funding to the Traveller community under a number of other programmes under its aegis.
As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the 2006-10 national child care investment programme has been assigned to the Department of Health and Children as part of the establishment of the Office of the Minister for Children, for which the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is currently responsible. I understand that grants totalling almost €5 million have been approved to date to child care projects associated with the Traveller community under the 2000-06 equal opportunities child care programme. Some 11 grants, totalling over €1.7 million in capital grant assistance, have been given to community based and not-for-profit groups; and 23 grants, totalling over €2.4 million in staffing grant assistance have been given to community based and not-for-profit groups. It is anticipated that funding committed to child care projects associated with the Traveller community under the 2000-06 programme will lead to the creation of 142 new child care places and will enhance over 200 existing places. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has published Developing Childcare in Ireland, which is a comprehensive review of progress under the 2000-06 programme. The review, which details all grant approvals to the end of 2004, was circulated to all Members of the Oireachtas and posted on the Department's website.
Under phase 1 of the equality for women measure, funding of €289,193 was approved in February 2002 for a pilot project payable over a three-year period to the National Traveller Women's Forum and Pavee Point Travellers' centre. The aim of the project is to develop a culturally appropriate training programme to enhance the participation of Traveller women in social partnership fora. In March 2005, under the RAPID strand of the equality for women measure, I allocated funding of €495,000 to four organisations working with the Traveller community. The funding is payable over the period 1 June 2005 to 31 March 2007. Some €175,000 was allocated to Galway Traveller support group to promote the participation of Traveller women in local community decision making structures. Some €160,000 was allocated to the Traveller visibility group in Cork to deliver a training programme for young Traveller women which will support their access to education, training and employment. Some €130,000 was allocated to the Finglas-Cabra partnership to explore issues of access and encourage consideration of education, training and employment as a progression route for Traveller women. Some €30,000 was allocated to the south side Traveller action group in Dún Laoghaire to promote the participation of Traveller women in local community decision-making structures.
The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform provided grant funding for awareness raising projects undertaken by organisations working with female victims of domestic violence. In 2004, Pavee Point Traveller centre received funding of €2,260 towards the publication of a brochure about violence against women. In 2005, €4,100 was awarded to Pavee Point towards an awareness raising campaign during the United Nations 16 days of action on violence against women. The Department also funds a variety of community based projects which assist offenders on supervision from courts or on release from custody. The projects do not specifically cater for offenders from the Traveller community. I have been advised by the management of the probation and welfare service that a small proportion of those referred to such projects are from the Traveller community. However, near the end of 2005 a grant of €5,000 was provided for a specific programme for Travellers in the Waterford area.
A high level group of officials has been reviewing the existing mechanisms for the delivery of services to Travellers. The high level working group dealing with Traveller issues reports to the groups of senior officials on social inclusion which, in turn, reports to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion. The high level group is made up of members of the senior officials' group and other senior public servants with responsibility for key areas of service delivery for Travellers. The high level group is intended to provide a forum for senior policy makers and service providers to meet to discuss barriers to service delivery and explore possibilities of approaching service delivery in a more integrated way. It is intended that the report of the group, which will address the full range of public service provision for Travellers, will be presented to the Government shortly.
Criminal Prosecutions.
Damien English
Ceist:481 Mr. English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of foreign nationals who have been charged or convicted of crimes by category here; the number of persons convicted; and if he intends to apply the Transfer of Execution of Sentences Act 2005. [2995/06]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the nationality of offenders is not necessarily known or recorded at the time of preferring a charge, or recording a conviction. Therefore, it is not possible to provide statistics on the basis of the nationality of persons who commit offences. The Transfer of Execution of Sentences Act 2005 applies to cases in which persons sentenced by an Irish court fled from this State to their state of nationality without commencing or completing their sentence. In such cases, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may, as an alternative to requesting the extradition or surrender of the person, ask the authorities in that state to enforce the Irish sentence. There are reciprocal arrangements in the cases of Irish nationals who have fled back to this State from a sentencing state prior to the commencement or completion of a sentence. As the Act gives effect, inter alia, to Article 2 of the additional protocol to the 1983 Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, it will be necessary for the State to accede to this protocol before commencement of the Act.
Victims Commission.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:482 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to his reply to Question No. 489 of 2 November 2005, the reason given to the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime for the refusal of funding by the helpline in question; if there has been any further contact with representatives of this helpline since; and his views towards the provision of such a service in the future. [3154/06]
I established the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime in March 2005, with a three-year remit, to devise a framework of supports for victims of crime into the future and to disburse funding for victim support measures. Its chairman is Mr. Jim McHugh who is a retired assistant commissioner of the Garda Síochána. Its other members are Ms Nora Owen who is a former Minister for Justice; Mr. Seán Lowry who is a former head of the probation and welfare service; Mr. Michael Whelan of Gemini Consulting; and Ms Marian Finucane who is a broadcaster. The commission, which is independent in its decision-making, examines each case on its merits. The Missing in Ireland support service made an application to the commission in April 2005 for €71,000 to staff and run a helpline for missing persons. The application was considered in detail by the commission at its meeting of 25 April 2005, when it decided to allocate €25,000. I have been advised that in the course of follow-up discussions, the support service rejected the offer and advised that it would accept the full amount sought or nothing. I understand there was no further contact between the commission and the support service until November 2005, when the commission suggested to the support service that it should contact the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which had provided funding for a helpline in 2002 and 2003, with a view to furthering its application for funding.
When the national missing persons helpline was established in October 2002, initial funding of €65,000, to include establishment costs, was provided by the Department. The helpline, which was operated and administered by Victim Support, received further funding of €45,000 in 2003, subject to the conditions that no funding beyond 2003 should be implied and that audited accounts should be provided for the Department on a calendar basis. No audited accounts have been received by the Department to date. At the end of 2003, the Department commissioned a review of the helpline from the department of social sciences of Dublin Institute of Technology, which found that the number of telephone calls which had been made to the helpline up to that point was approximately 100. While the Department is of the view that the service is valuable for the relatives of missing persons, perhaps it could be provided on a more cost-effective basis as an add-on to an existing service. Other than the request to the independent commission for funding, no request for funding has been made by Missing in Ireland support services to the Department. It is open to the support services to make a new application for funding to the Department, which will consider it on its merits.
Visa Applications.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:483 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures the Government proposes to take, such as the provision of a special visa, to the non-Irish spouses of deceased Irish citizens who may be living in countries where their safety may be in jeopardy, and who as a result of same would be in need of an Irish passport or similar accreditation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3155/06]
I presume the Deputy is referring to non-EEA spouses of Irish nationals who are deceased. Marriage to an Irish national does not grant any automatic right to enter or reside in the State, just as it does not grant an automatic right to Irish citizenship following the coming into force of the Immigration and Citizenship Act 2001, which abolished the previous system of post-nuptial citizenship. There is no special visa regime for non-EEA spouses of deceased Irish citizens. It is open to any visa required national wishing to travel to the State to submit an application for a visa for the purpose of the intended journey. Such an application will be considered on its merits. The issuing of an Irish passport is contingent on the person being an Irish citizen, which does appear not to be the case here.
Asylum Applications.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:484 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of additional and impressive material which goes a very considerable way to authenticate in every detail the basis for the application for a person (details supplied) to stay here, he will consider this new information based on an expert interview and allow the person involved to stay here on humanitarian grounds. [3156/06]
The person in question arrived in the State on 22 August 2001 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following the consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The person was informed in a letter of 25 April 2003 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given three options, in accordance with section 3(3)(b)(ii) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended — to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a deportation order or to submit, within 15 working days, representations to the Minister in writing setting out the reasons he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. His case was examined under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, on the prohibition of refoulement. Consideration was given to representations received on his behalf from the Refugee Legal Service for temporary leave to remain in the State. On 10 December 2004, I refused temporary leave to remain and signed a deportation order in respect of him. Notice of the order was served by registered post requiring him to present himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, on 20 January 2005, to make arrangements for his deportation from the State. The man presented as required and was given further presentation dates throughout 2005. He is due to present again on 8 March 2006. His deportation will be effected by the bureau as soon as a travel document is obtained for him.
Deportation Orders.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:485 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of additional and impressive material which goes a very considerable way to authenticate in every detail the basis for the application for a person (details supplied) to stay here, he will consider this new information based on an expert interview and allow the person involved to stay here on humanitarian grounds. [3157/06]
The person in question arrived in the State on 22 October 2001 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following the consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The person was informed in a letter of 25 June 2003 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given three options, in accordance with section 3(3)(b)(ii) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended — to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a deportation order or to submit, within 15 working days, representations to the Minister in writing setting out the reasons he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. His case was examined under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, on the prohibition of refoulement. Consideration was given to representations received on his behalf from the Refugee Legal Service for temporary leave to remain in the State. On 3 August 2004, I refused him temporary leave to remain and signed a deportation order in respect of him. Notice of the order was served by registered post requiring him to present himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, on 27 January 2005, to make travel arrangements for his deportation from the State. The man presented as required and was given further presentation dates throughout 2005. He is due to present again on 8 March 2006.
The person is awaiting deportation following a comprehensive examination of his asylum claim and his application to remain temporarily in the State. Late representations made on 26 January 2005 regarding his medical condition were considered but were deemed not to constitute sufficient grounds for revoking the deportation order and granting leave to remain instead. Therefore, the decision to deport remains unchanged. An application for readmission to the asylum process on behalf of the person was made by his legal representative in November 2005. A decision was taken by the Department that the new evidence presented was not such as to cause the original recommendations of the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and that of the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal to be overturned. Consequently, the readmission request was refused. The enforcement of the deportation order is now an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Stardust Report.
Martin Brady
Ceist:486 Mr. M. Brady asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a copy of the report to the families of victims in the Stardust fire received from the Forensic Science Laboratory following new evidence submitted by them in February 2004 will be issued. [3158/06]
In response to a recent written request, I have forwarded a copy of the report received by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform from the Forensic Science Laboratory to a member of the Stardust victims' committee. The findings of the report were outlined to the victims committee by the Department at a meeting in November 2004.
Child Care Services.
Martin Ferris
Ceist:487 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Listowel Family Resource Centre which caters for over 100 families will be allowed to retain the staff funding from his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3166/06]
Responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 has been assigned to the Department of Health and Children as part of the establishment of the new Office of the Minister for Children, under the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan.
The group in question was approved in April 2005 for staffing grant assistance of €170,400 which will continue in place up to 31 December 2007. I understand the group sought additional staffing grant assistance in July 2005 and that this was refused as the amount previously approved was deemed appropriate for the level of service provided. I also understand that the group has appealed this decision and that this appeal is in the final stages of appraisal.
Citizenship Applications.
John Curran
Ceist:488 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when it is expected that a decision will be made regarding an application for naturalisation made by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22. [3189/06]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 18 November 2004. Applications for naturalisation are taking approximately 24 months to process. It is likely, therefore, that a decision will be made in the case towards the end of this year. I will be in touch with the Deputy and the applicant when the matter is finalised.
Prison Medical Service.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:489 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the service his Department will provide for a person (details supplied) whose mental and health condition brings that person into conflict with the law in order to avoid periods of imprisonment that are totally inappropriate for that person’s condition and a misuse of expensive prison places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3226/06]
The Irish Prison Service must accept all committals sent to the various institutions by the courts. Prisoners with mental health problems have access to medical, nursing, psychiatric, and psychology services within the prison system. In cases where qualified medical practitioners decide that a prisoner requires in-patient treatment, the prisoner may be transferred to the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, or another hospital, if appropriate.
The prisoner in question was transferred to the Central Mental Hospital for treatment on 22 December 2005. As he is a remand prisoner, it is a matter for the courts to determine when he can be released from custody.
Public Order Offences.
Dan Neville
Ceist:490 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the situation of anti-social behaviour in housing estates and the fear that same engenders in vulnerable people has been discussed (details supplied). [3242/06]
Strong provisions are already in place to combat anti-social and unlawful behaviour. The primary basis for the law regarding public order offences is the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which modernised the law in this regard.
I recently published legislative proposals to deal with anti-social behaviour, including provision for anti-social behaviour orders. I propose to introduce these proposals by way of Committee Stage amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is before the House. In so far as anti-social behaviour orders for children are concerned my colleague, Deputy Brian Lenihan, Minister of State with special responsibility for children, has obtained Government approval for separate provisions in regard to children to be brought forward as Committee Stage amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, as part of a package of measures concerning juvenile justice issues.
In formulating the proposals my Department has, where the need arose, consulted with relevant Departments. In this regard, discussions have taken place with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in regard to housing legislation, in so far as anti-social behaviour is concerned.
I take great satisfaction in the Government's decision of October 2004 to approve the recruitment of 2,000 additional gardaí to increase the strength of the force to 14,000. As a result there will be a combined organisational strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training of 14,000 in 2006. One thing I have already promised is that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties but will be put directly into frontline, operational, high visibility policing.
The Garda Síochána is now better resourced than at any time in its history. The Garda funding which I secured in the Estimates for 2006 is at an historic high of over €1.29 billion, and compares to just €600 million in 1997. The provision for Garda overtime in 2006 will be €83.5 million — an increase of €23 million on the allocation for 2005. This will greatly aid the planned deployment of a visible policing service in a flexible, effective and targeted response to criminal activity and crime prevention. The €83.5 million in overtime will yield 2.725 million extra hours of policing by uniformed and special units throughout the State.
I attach great importance to the development of a real partnership between the Garda Síochána and local authorities on matters affecting policing. My intention and that of the Oireachtas, as set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, is that joint policing committees and local policing fora established under them will provide arenas where the Garda Síochána and local authorities can co-operate and work together to address local policing and other issues.
I will shortly issue guidelines for the establishment and operation of the committees after consulting my colleagues, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. My view is that the best way forward is to establish a small number of joint policing committees on a pilot basis. Setting up a small number of pilot committees will give an opportunity to identify any teething problems that may arise when they are operating in practice. Any problems can then be addressed before the joint policing committees are rolled out to the remaining local authorities. I hope to be in a position to make a further announcement in this area in the near future.
Last month I approved grant funding to 13 applications under the community based CCTV scheme. This initiative will allow communities to press ahead with their own local CCTV system. This scheme provides an ideal opportunity for communities to work with local gardaí and their local authority with a view to improving the safety and well-being of their area. CCTV has proved extremely successful in the prevention and detection of crime and is part of a series of measures aimed at tackling street assaults and public disorder.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they take a proactive approach to policing anti-social and public disorder issues by immediate intervention, arrest and prosecution or advice, as appropriate, under the juvenile diversion programme. Divisional juvenile liaison officers regularly visit schools, youth clubs and social services and give presentations under the education programme and highlight alternative options for regular offenders. Community gardaí and the Garda schools liaison officers also visit schools and address young people on a variety of topics, including anti-social behaviour. The concept of restorative justice provides for the bringing together of offenders and victims, which can also help to highlight the impact of anti-social behaviour, and other criminal behaviour, on victims and other members of the community.
Members of the Garda Síochána are frequently in contact with other Government and non-Government agencies, particularly the local authorities in order to develop a multi-agency approach to addressing anti-social behaviour and public disorder and other issues by introducing by-laws regarding drinking in public places. These efforts will continue.
There are 64 Garda youth diversion projects established nationwide. Garda youth diversion projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved — or further involved — in anti-social and-or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the projects also contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and enhancing Garda-community relations. I am committed to the continuing development and, as resources permit, the expansion of Garda youth diversion projects. I have secured a budget of €6.6 million for the projects and local drugs task force projects in 2006, which represents an increase of €1.2 million for youth diversion. I intend to ensure that 100 schemes will be established nationwide before the end of 2007. I have asked the Garda Commissioner to bring forward proposals for further community based initiatives in this area in light of the additional funding.
A subgroup of the RAPID programme national monitoring committee was set up in the latter part of last year tasked with examining mechanisms to improve departmental-agency support and assisting RAPID areas in their response to tackling anti-social behaviour. This subgroup, which has commenced its work, comprises my Department, the Departments of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Health and Children, Education and Science, Social and Family Affairs, and the Garda Síochána, Pobal and FÁS.
In so far as anti-social behaviour has a social impact, my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, informs me that under the NAP-inclusion process, people experiencing urban poverty and rural disadvantage are identified as vulnerable groups, and targets have been set to tackle social exclusion in urban and rural areas marked by disadvantage. The objective is to create viable and sustainable communities with access to employment, adequate income and services. Key targets in this area include fostering public safety and crime prevention, ensuring the basic needs of all families are met through enhanced and better co-ordinated State support services, improving access to employment, health, education and housing for rural dwellers and improved transport services to rural dwellers. Progress on these targets is ongoing.
Consultation for the 2006 to 2008 NAP-inclusion process was undertaken by the office for social inclusion at the end of 2005. Under the process 78 written submissions were received and over 500 people participated in a number of regional seminars. The issue of anti-social behaviour was discussed during the consultation process with participants agreeing that this issue affected both urban and rural areas. The input from the consultation process will inform future policy development as it will feed into the next NAP-inclusion process.
Garda Deployment.
Dan Neville
Ceist:491 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to augment the Garda station at Newcastle West to deal with serious anti-social behaviour in sections of the town. [3243/06]
The detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda authorities.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of the Garda station at Newcastle West, as at 31 December 2005, was 27, all ranks. Garda personnel assignments, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that the best possible use is made of existing Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided for the public.
The Garda authorities advise that the situation with respect to Newcastle West Garda station will be kept under review and when additional personnel next becomes available, the needs of this station will be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda stations throughout the country.
In this regard, the timescale for achieving the target strength of 14,000 members of the Garda Síochána in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government remains as when I announced the Government approval in October 2004 for my proposals to achieve this objective. The phased increase in the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. As part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to facilitate this process, 1,125 Garda recruits were inducted to the Garda College during 2005. The college will induct 1,100 recruits this year and a further 1,100 in 2007, by way of intakes to the Garda College of approximately 275 recruits every quarter. This project is fully on target and will be achieved.
The Commissioner will be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. Clearly, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies, in particular, areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to very significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. One thing I have already promised is that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high visibility policing. They will have a real impact.
Registration of Title.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:492 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the issuing of the proper land certificates to a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [3250/06]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that further details are required in order to locate the application in question. If the Deputy can provide me with the date of lodgement of the application and a Land Registry reference number, I will make further inquiries on his behalf.
Road Traffic Offences.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:493 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of breathalyser tests, that is, tests conducted with either an alcometer or the blow in the bag alcolyser, conducted in each of the years from 2002 to 2005 inclusive; the breakdown for each Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3282/06]
I am informed there are no data available on the number of breathalyser roadside breath tests for the years 2002 and 2003.
The following table indicates the number of roadside breath tests for 2004, by Garda division. Statistics are not compiled in such a way as to indicate the Garda station. The amount of time it would take to compile such information would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources and could not be justified in the circumstances. I understand final figures for 2005 are not yet available.
|
Number |
|
|
Carlow-Kildare |
173 |
|
Cavan-Monaghan |
344 |
|
Clare |
410 |
|
Cork City |
310 |
|
Cork North |
140 |
|
Cork West |
842 |
|
Donegal |
188 |
|
DMR North Central |
0 |
|
DMR North |
287 |
|
DMR South Central |
81 |
|
DMR South |
0 |
|
DMR East |
79 |
|
DMR West |
308 |
|
Galway West |
1,270 |
|
Kerry |
297 |
|
Laois-Offaly |
443 |
|
Limerick |
886 |
|
Longford-Westmeath |
479 |
|
Louth-Meath |
311 |
|
Mayo |
968 |
|
Roscommon-Galway |
154 |
|
Sligo-Leitrim |
159 |
|
Tipperary |
125 |
|
Waterford-Kilkenny |
973 |
|
Wexford-Wicklow |
289 |
|
Total |
9,516 |
A roadside breath test is not required before effecting an arrest for drink driving. Thus in DMR north central there were 373 arrests without a roadside breath test being required. Similarly, in DMR South there were 590 arrests without a roadside breath test being required.
Penalty Points System.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:494 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when training will take place to inform the Garda Síochána of the new penalty points offences; the way in which the offences will be enforced in practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3288/06]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that training for members of the Garda Síochána in the new penalty points offences, FCPS, commenced on 14 December 2005. Training is now completed in many divisions and is currently ongoing in the remaining Garda divisions.
In regard to enforcement, I announced the establishment of the Garda traffic corps in November 2004. The strategic review of traffic policing was published at the same time. An assistant commissioner — traffic — was appointed on 22 February 2005. He has been tasked with implementing the recommendations contained in the strategic review which encompass a number of resource areas, including human, transport and speed detection equipment. Implementation will be over a three and a half to four year period.
I am informed that the strength of the Garda traffic corps on 31 December 2005 was 570. Its strength will be increased over the next three years as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2006 |
805 |
|
2007 |
1,030 |
|
2008 |
1,200 |
This expansion of the staffing resources of the traffic corps will occur in tandem with the overall expansion of the Garda force to 14,000 members over that period. All personnel assigned to the new traffic corps will have completed the standard training programme. It is important to remember that all gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to enforce road traffic laws as and when breaches of road traffic laws occur.
Crime Levels.
Michael Noonan
Ceist:495 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the rise in crime, including break-ins and burglary, in Doon, County Limerick; if additional Garda resources will be allocated to assist with policing in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3367/06]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the crime statistics for the past six years show that there has been no substantial increase in thefts or burglaries in Doon, County Limerick. There were three burglaries recorded in 2005, with none in 2004 and one in 2003. There were two theft related offences recorded in 2005 with seven in 2004 and six in 2003.
Local Garda management is satisfied that the Garda resources currently allocated to Doon are adequate and that the situation is regularly reviewed.
Drug Seizures.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:496 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of drugs seized in the Bray and Greystones area in 2004 and 2005; the breakdown of these drugs; the street value of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3368/06]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is not readily available and that research is necessary to retrieve the relevant data. I will be in further contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.
Physical Education Facilities.
Mary Upton
Ceist:497 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be provided to enable a sports hall (details supplied) in Dublin 8, which was originally built on the understanding it would be opened up for the use of local community groups, to be properly staffed so that it can be so opened up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2926/06]
Mary Upton
Ceist:498 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of sports halls which have received funding from her Department since 1998 on the basis that such sports halls would be available for use by community groups; the amount which has been invested in these facilities; the number of sports halls which have been made available for regular use by community groups already; the number which have yet to be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2929/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 498 together.
My Department has provided funding in excess of €34 million for the construction of nine dual-use halls with enhanced facilities, attached to post-primary schools. Eight of the halls, including the hall referred to by the Deputy, are in Dublin and one is in Cork.
Issues relating to the facilitation of community usage of the halls are being considered and my Department will be in contact with the school authorities in due course.
School Curriculum.
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:499 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on organising a driver training initiative with a view to incorporating a suitable programme into the school curriculum at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3256/06]
The question of introducing a road safety and driver education syllabus into schools has been examined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, on foot of a report from a task group set up in 2000 and which included representatives of the Department of Education and Science, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the National Safety Council, the Garda Síochána, the Irish Insurance Federation, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, Rosary College Crumlin, the CCEA Northern Ireland and the NCCA. The NCCA also commissioned a study on driver education in post-primary schools from Dr. Ray Fuller of Trinity College Dublin.
The NCCA, whose role is to advise the Minister for Education and Science on curriculum and assessment issues, recommended that road safety be addressed within the context of social, personal and health education, SPHE, and that driver education, and specifically learning to drive for pupils aged 17, should not become part of the school curriculum. The NCCA noted that this concurred with the practice in other jurisdictions.
At the start of the 2001-02 school year, the National Safety Council, with assistance from my Department, distributed copies of Staying Alive — a road safety resource for transition year and the senior cycle — to all second level schools. This pack contained a wide range of learning opportunities and activities on topics such as personal responsibility and decision-making, environmental issues and risks and rules for road users. A CD-ROM with additional material downloaded from the Internet was included in the pack along with copies of the Rules of the Road. In the preparation of the Staying Alive resources material, views were sought from a range of organisations with interests in the promotion of road safety. Prior to its issue to second level schools, the material was piloted in 20 schools and the response from teachers in those schools was very positive.
Notwithstanding the above, I am aware that my colleague, the Minister for Transport, has very recently announced that a new high level Government road safety group is to be formed. My Department will be represented on the group.
David Stanton
Ceist:500 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the content of the social, personal and health education module run in schools in conjunction with her Department; the success of this module in improving the mental health of students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3274/06]
Social, personal and health education, SPHE, is part of the core curriculum for all pupils in primary schools and in the junior cycle of post-primary schools. The syllabi are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
The SPHE curriculum for primary schools offers particular opportunities, in an age-appropriate way, to foster the personal development, health and well-being of the individual child. Through SPHE, pupils are provided with opportunities to develop self-awareness and self-confidence and to explore the feelings and emotions that accompany growing and changing. Pupils identify and discuss the qualities and skills associated with friendship and learn how to treat people with dignity and respect. Their understanding of what it means to be healthy and to have a balanced lifestyle is developed and they are taught the importance of taking some responsibility for their own health. Through SPHE, pupils also learn strategies to cope with worries and difficulties, decision-making and how to resolve conflict.
The SPHE curriculum for the junior cycle focuses on the holistic development of young people to enable them meet the challenges and opportunities presented by life in our world today. It aims to enable students to develop the skills for self-fulfilment and for living in communities; promote self-esteem and self-confidence; develop a framework for responsible decision-making; and promote physical, mental and emotional health and well-being. Four of the ten modules in the junior cycle SPHE curriculum deal specifically with the development of positive mental health. These are: belonging and integrating; self-management — a sense of purpose; communication skills; and emotional health.
Students' health and education are inextricably linked. In SPHE, health is understood as a multidimensional concept that includes not just physical well-being, but also mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. SPHE provides students with a unique opportunity to develop the skills and competences to learn about themselves, to care for themselves and others and to make informed decisions about their health, personal lives and social development. SPHE helps students to develop health literacy skills that do and will play an important part in improving the mental health of students.
School Accommodation.
Pat Breen
Ceist:501 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 27 October 2005, when the application for capital investment for the provision of suitable accommodation to cater for an autistic unit at a school (details supplied) in County Clare will be assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2757/06]
An application for capital investment for the provision of suitable accommodation to cater for an autistic unit has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria and is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2006-10.
Schools Building Projects.
John McGuinness
Ceist:502 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of a school building programme at a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the matter will be expedited. [2758/06]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The school in question was listed in my announcement of March 2005 as a project to start the architectural planning process.
A design team was appointed in June 2005 and my Department wrote to the school authorities in July 2005 outlining the scope of works and giving approval to prepare a stage 1-2 submission — developed sketch scheme with costings. My officials have been in contact with the school authorities and they indicated that the stage 1-2 submission will be forwarded to my Department by the end of January 2006. When this submission is received and reviewed, my officials will be in further contact with the school authorities as to the next steps involved in progressing this project.
Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2006-09.
John McGuinness
Ceist:503 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if the full design team has been appointed for the construction of a new school for a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; when a planning application will be made for the project to the local authority; the reason for the delay; and if the matter will be expedited. [2759/06]
The school referred to by the Deputy was listed among the 43 schools I announced in March of 2005 to start architectural planning. The brief is for a new 16 classroom school. Apart from the civil structural engineer, whom my Department hopes to have appointed in the near future, all other design team members have been appointed. The architectural service for this project is being dealt with in-house by the school building section and substantial works on the early stages of the design process have already been completed.
The school authorities wrote to my Department in December 2005 requesting amendments to the brief and this is currently being examined by my officials. When this is completed, my Department will be in further contact with the school authorities as to the next step required to progress the project. It is not possible at this point to indicate when the architectural planning process will be completed. There are five stages in this process and the timeframe for completing these stages is contingent on various factors including any unexpected issues that may arise, the period of time for the granting of planning permission, and obtaining a fire certificate etc.
Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2006-09.
Special Educational Needs.
Michael Noonan
Ceist:504 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if special needs teaching will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2760/06]
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which was established recently and which has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs supports. More than 70 special educational needs organisers, SENOs, have been recruited throughout the country and are a focal point of contact for schools and parents.
My officials have been advised by the NCSE that an application has been received for individual teaching hours support for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. The local SENO is currently examining the application and the school authorities will be notified directly of the outcome of the application in the near future.
Schools Building Projects.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:505 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the very dangerous situation involving several near accidents at the entrance to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; her views on whether there is an urgent priority need to create a safe entrance and exit for the pupils and staff at the school; if, approval will be given to the application from the school to enable the necessary work to get under way to remedy the situation. [2761/06]
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.
Provision is built into the annual school building programme to enable schools to address urgent health and safety issues as identified by the school authority by way of an annual allocation, currently amounting to €3,809 plus €12.70 per pupil, under the devolved grants scheme for minor works. This allocation can be used entirely at the discretion of the school authority to address issues such as the creation of a safe entrance and exit as required at the school referred to by the Deputy.
Where schools are unable to address all issues arising on an incremental basis, it is open to the school authority to apply for funding from my Department under the appropriate scheme — in this instance, the summer works scheme. This school's application under the summer works scheme for 2006 was unsuccessful, as the application was received well after the designated closing date of 14 October 2005.
School Transport.
Pat Breen
Ceist:506 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason her Department has not replied to letters of 25 October and 7 December 2005 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2779/06]
My Department understands that the pupils referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied live in a closed school area. In the case of amalgamations, pupils residing in a closed school area may be deemed eligible for transport to the school of amalgamation only. My Department further understands that the pupils are not attending the amalgamated school. In such circumstances, the establishment or re-routing of a school bus service for pupils not eligible for school transport to the school of attendance is not warranted.
It is open to the families to appeal my Department's decision to the independent school transport appeals board.
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:507 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the decision to refuse school transport to 49 children in the Blackwater area of County Wexford will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2791/06]
My Department's school transport section is satisfied on the basis of the catchment area map held in the Department, which is the definitive map, that the children in question are not fully eligible for transport to schools in Wexford town. Furthermore, Bus Éireann has informed my Department that there are no spare seats available to facilitate the pupils in question with catchment boundary transport to Wexford town. A number of families from the Blackwater area recently appealed my Department's decision to the independent school transport appeals board. The board upheld my Department's decision in the matter.
The school transport appeals board is independent of my Department and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in cases which have been considered by the board.
John Cregan
Ceist:508 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science the training which is given to drivers of school buses employed by the vocational educational committee and other schools privately in health and safety and first aid; and the term and conditions of employment of such drivers. [2795/06]
My Department is not aware of any drivers of school buses being employed by vocational education committees. If the Deputy has a specific case in mind and the details are made available, the school transport section of my Department will make inquiries in the matter. The terms and conditions of employment of any drivers engaged privately by schools would be a matter for the school authorities concerned.
Bus Éireann, which manages school transport services on my Department's behalf, has 22 inspectors who are qualified driving instructors and have taken the institute of advanced motorists course. These training inspectors are included on the Driving Instructors Register of Ireland, and undergo regular refresher training as instructors. Utilising these inspectors, Bus Éireann provides relevant training for its own school bus drivers, familiarises them with the bus they will be using, and arranges subsequent refresher courses from time to time. Bus Éireann school bus drivers are provided with detailed safety instructions and guidelines outlining what to do in the event of accidents, emergencies, and breakdowns, and a booklet is also provided detailing procedures to be followed when student misbehaviour threatens the safe operation of the service. Drivers are also provided with a mobile phone for use in the event of an accident or other emergency.
Contractors engaged by Bus Éireann to provide school transport services must use only nominated drivers who are subject to medical examination and are competent, experienced and duly licensed to drive the size of vehicle required. The driving of a contractor's school bus by any other person is strictly prohibited. They are provided with detailed operating instructions by Bus Éireann with which they are obliged to comply and are given signs to place in the front and back window of the bus to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is a school bus. Safety instructions are also provided, and services are monitored by mobile Bus Éireann inspectors who also carry out service checks. Although the training of a contractor's driver is a matter for the contractor, a disability awareness programme was recently organised by Bus Éireann specifically for drivers of contractors' school transport services serving schools for special needs children.
Contractors are contractually obliged to comply with any regulations issued under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, and produce a safety statement, if requested by Bus Éireann.
State Examinations.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:509 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is help of a financial nature available to a person in receipt of the widow’s pension, in relation to pre-leaving certificate costs, such as exam papers and other expenditures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2810/06]
The position regarding the alleviation of entry fees for the State examinations is that students who are covered by the general medical services card scheme, either directly or as the dependents of medical card holders, are not liable to pay fees.
My Department has no function in respect of the costs associated with school based tests, for example, mock examinations, as they are not part of the State examination system. Accordingly, there is no financial assistance available from my Department for such costs.
School Accommodation.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:510 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science when finance will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for the provision of an extra classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2813/06]
The school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large-scale projects. Progress on the proposed works is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards.
Teaching Qualifications.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:511 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if trained secondary teachers are eligible to take on temporary full-time posts in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2834/06]
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill vacancies in an individual primary school is a matter for the board of management of the school concerned. Unqualified personnel should only be employed in exceptional circumstances and when all avenues for recruiting qualified personnel have been exhausted. Boards of management of schools were advised of this in primary circular 15/05 which issued to all school authorities in May 2005.
Qualifications recognised for the purposes of teaching at second level are not accepted for the purpose of recognition to teach in a permanent capacity in primary schools. At primary level, teachers are class teachers rather than subject specialists, and must be qualified to teach the range of primary school subjects to children aged four to 12 years. To obtain recognition to teach in mainstream primary schools, persons holding qualifications recognised for teaching at second level must successfully complete a recognised postgraduate primary conversion course.
However, under a temporary scheme currently being operated by my Department, which was introduced some years ago to address the shortage of qualified teachers at primary level, teachers holding qualifications recognised for teaching at second level are remunerated at the trained rate of pay when they take up substitute or temporary positions in primary schools. Teachers holding qualifications recognised for teaching at second level are also entitled to restricted recognition to teach in special primary schools where a proportion of the pupils attending the special school are of post-primary age, that is, 12 years or older, and where second level programmes, such as the junior certificate schools programme or the leaving certificate applied programme, are provided by the school. If appointed to such posts, the teachers concerned are placed on the trained teachers' common basic scale.
Higher Education Grants.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:512 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding is available to assist Irish students studying in the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2845/06]
Under my Department's higher education grant schemes, maintenance grants are available to eligible students pursuing approved undergraduate courses in other EU member states, including the United Kingdom. In general, approved courses are those pursued in a third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds.
Students attending approved courses in other EU member states are subject to the same conditions of funding as students attending approved courses in the State. The main conditions of funding relate to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. In addition, tax relief on tuition fees is available in respect of approved courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level in other EU member states.
While the current exchange rate issues with sterling are appreciated, my Department is not in a position to supplement grant aid for students pursuing courses in the United Kingdom. Moreover, such an approach could well give rise to anomalies and to claims of inequitable treatment between students studying in different countries.
Third Level Participation.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:513 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of participants in post-leaving certificate courses in counties Monaghan and Cavan, respectively, in the academic year 2005-2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2857/06]
Returns in respect of the number of students enrolled in post-leaving certificate courses at 30 September 2005 in counties Cavan and Monaghan indicate there were 1,019 and 206 students, respectively.
Psychological Service.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:514 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of educational psychologists employed in the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS; her views on whether this is sufficient to provide all primary school pupils with an adequate psychological service; the action she will take to employ additional educational psychologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2858/06]
Since the establishment of NEPS in 1999, the number of NEPS psychologists has increased from 43 to 121 at present. Any increase in the number of psychologists in NEPS will depend on the availability of resources and must also take account of Government policy on public sector numbers. All primary and post-primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through NEPS or through the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments, SCPA, full details of which are available on my Department's website.
In common with many other psychological services, NEPS operates a staged model of service to schools, whereby an initial referral usually leads to a consultation and provision of advice to teachers and parents on appropriate teaching and management strategies. Progress is kept under review and only those children who fail to respond to these interventions will need to see a psychologist. This allows the psychologists to offer early appointments to children in urgent need of support and early advice to teachers in respect to those children whose needs are perhaps less pressing but who still need additional help in school.
The system of assessment and provision for children with special educational needs is kept under constant review by my Department. We have introduced a general allocation model of additional resources to all primary schools for children in the "high incidence" category of special educational needs as set out in my Department's circular Sp Ed 02/05. This is expected to lead to a reduction in the number of referrals of children for psychological assessment for the purpose of accessing additional resources.
In general, I expect the establishment of the National Council for Special Educational Needs, NCSE, will result in the needs of children with special needs being met with greater speed and flexibility within the system.
School Transport.
Paudge Connolly
Ceist:515 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science if a report will be provided on the recent review of school transport catchment areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2859/06]
A general review of catchment boundaries has not taken place and a nationwide review is necessary. Catchment boundaries have their origins in the establishment of free post-primary education in the late 1960s and were determined following consultation with local educational interests. For planning purposes, the country was divided into geographic districts each with several primary schools feeding into a post-primary centre with one or more post-primary schools. The intention was and continues to be that these defined districts facilitate the orderly planning of school provision and accommodation needs.
Reviews of specific catchment boundaries may be carried out where appropriate. A number of reviews have been carried out over the years where, for example, a new post-primary school is established in an area where previously there was none or, conversely, where a sole provider school closes due to declining enrolment. The area development planning initiative, involving an extensive consultative process carried out by the Commission on School Accommodation, will also inform future revisions to catchment areas. An area development plan takes account of demographic changes and projects future enrolments for existing schools and new schools if required. Catchment boundary changes will be made where the implementation of the recommendations in an area development plan requires such adjustments.
Catchment boundaries have provided and continue to provide a useful tool in facilitating the orderly planning of school provision and accommodation needs and the operation of the national school transport service.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:516 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 is being denied transport to take them to school; and if assistance will be given. [2884/06]
My Department has recently sanctioned a transport service for the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. Bus Éireann, which organises the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, has been asked to make the necessary arrangements in this regard. I understand transport may be required to a different school from the end of February next. On receipt of an application in this regard, the matter will be considered.
School Accommodation.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:517 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if progress has been made in the discussions being held by her Department on the location of a school (details supplied) in the grounds of another school; if the school will be able to move into its new premises in time for the start of the school year 2006-07; and the refurbishment works that are planned in the context of the reorganisation. [2888/06]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that works on the school buildings to which he refers were included in my recent announcement of 62 schools for which design teams will be appointed under the 2006 capital programme. The timing of the amalgamation and the relocation of the school in question is dependent on the rate of progress on the refurbishment project and, in particular, the timing of its completion. This project will be dealt with as a matter of priority.
School Transport.
Michael Ring
Ceist:518 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be collected at a more suitable pick up point with regard to their school transport service. [2904/06]
Under the post-primary school transport scheme, post-primary routes are, in general, planned so that no eligible pupil will have more than 3.2 kilometres, 2 miles, to travel to a pick up point.
On the basis of information outlined by the Deputy in the details supplied, the family concerned appears to reside no more than 3.2 kilometres, 2 miles, from the present pick up point. This arrangement is within the school transport scheme guidelines. In view of the particular concerns outlined, however, my Department will request a report on the matter from the transport liaison officer for County Mayo.
Physical Education Facilities.
Tom Hayes
Ceist:519 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application for the provision of a sports hall at a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [2905/06]
The school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for a new physical education, PE, facility at the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large-scale projects. The project has been assigned a band four rating. Progress on the proposed works is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards.
Schools Refurbishment.
Shane McEntee
Ceist:520 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Science when a refurbishment and extension programme for a school (details supplied) in County Meath will be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2914/06]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The school in question was listed in my announcement of April 2005 as a project to progress through architectural planning up to pre-tender stage, namely, up to and including advanced architectural planning.
In order to bring this project to the required stage, my Department's officials have requested and received various amendments to the stage three submission — detailed plans-costs — during 2005. Most recently, my Department's officials wrote to the school authorities on 1 December 2005 with some further queries and a response has been received. This will be examined as soon as possible and my officials will then be in further contact with the school authorities with regard to the next steps involved in progressing this project. Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006-09.
Traveller Community.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:521 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the current spend or allocation to the various bodies dealing with the Traveller community; the amount of the overall spend or allocation in each of the years from 2000 to date in 2006 in funding all services, projects, schemes, grants, loans and resources to the Traveller community; her views on whether the return on such spending has been satisfactory; and her plans to improve the effectiveness of such services. [2917/06]
The needs of the Traveller community are a high priority for me and my Department. My Department provides additional resources to enhance the education of Traveller children. In 2004-05, my Department spent over €56 million on Traveller education over and above what is being provided through mainstream education. This expenditure makes special provision to enable members of the Traveller community to successfully access educational services.
In summary, this provision includes 45 pre-schools for Travellers, over 500 resource teachers for Travellers in primary schools, nearly 140 whole-time equivalent posts for Travellers in post-primary schools, 40 visiting teachers for Travellers and enhanced capitation grants for Traveller pupils at primary and post-primary levels. In addition, there are 33 senior Traveller training centres located throughout the country that cater for the needs of Travellers aged 15 years and upwards who have left school early with no qualifications or minimal qualifications. These centres provide a programme of general education, vocational training, work experience as well as guidance, counselling, psychological services and child care services. Approximately 10% of students at these centres are from the settled community. Travellers may chose from mainstream literacy provision or they may attend Traveller specific literacy programmes, which 19 vocational education committees provide.
I am currently awaiting the publication of a report that was prepared by my inspectorate. It addresses the findings of a survey of Traveller education provision. The report is based on an extensive review of the participation and inclusion of Traveller pupils in 30 primary and six post-primary schools. The report will provide recommendations that will inform policies and provide strategies to facilitate schools in enhancing the education provision for Travellers at a national level.
I expect to shortly receive a report on the recommendations for a five year Traveller education strategy. This report spans the full spectrum of lifelong learning from pre-school to adult and further education. It also emphasises the important role that Traveller parents have in their own education and that of their children. The report is in the final stages of preparation. Inclusion is a core principle that has guided the development of this report.
It is important to note that, in 2002, the Department published Guidelines on Traveller Education in Primary Schools and Guidelines on Traveller Education in Second Level Schools. These guidelines highlight the Department's policy on integration, give information on Traveller culture and provide advice on responding to the educational needs of the Traveller students.
In May 2005, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, published Guidelines on Intercultural Education in Primary Schools. This publication, along with the Guidelines on Traveller Education in Primary and in Second Level Schools, provides information and help to schools to increase their understanding of diversity. The NCCA is due to publish guidelines on intercultural education for post-primary schools this year.
The gender equality unit in my Department is supporting Pavee Point with a research project on the development of appropriate mechanisms to monitor education access, participation and outcomes by gender for Travellers and the further education section is funding Pavee Point through the education equality initiative for a project entitled, Parents and Traveller Education. The National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education, established in 2003, aims to facilitate increasing higher education participation by a number of target groups, of which the Traveller community is one. The actions outlined above aim to ensure that Travellers are not disadvantaged or deprived of educational opportunities. I am constantly evaluating the most appropriate ways of ensuring that Travellers receive a quality education.
The total expenditure figures are as follows: 1999-2000 —€39.56 million; 2000-01 —€41.07 million; 2001-02 —€44.29 million; 2002-03 —€47.1 million; 2003-04 —€47.55 million; and 2004-05 —€56.27 million.
Third Level Enrolments.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:522 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason students are registering late for courses in higher education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2927/06]
The registration of students for courses in higher education is the responsibility of individual third level institutions and I do not have a function in this matter.
Schools Building Projects.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:523 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science when the design team will be appointed in respect of the construction of a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2930/06]
The school referred to by the Deputy was listed among the 43 schools that I announced in March of 2005 to start architectural planning. The brief is for a new 16 classroom school. Apart from the civil-structural engineer, who my Department hopes to have appointed in the near future, all other design team members have been appointed. The architectural service for this project is being dealt with in-house by the school building section and substantial works on the early stages of the design process have already been completed.
The school authorities wrote to my Department in December 2005 requesting amendments to the brief and this is currently being examined by my officials. When this is completed, my Department will be in further contact with the school authorities as to the next step required to progress the project. It is not possible at this point to indicate when the architectural planning process will be completed. There are five stages in this process and the timeframe for completing these stages is contingent on various factors, including any unexpected issues that may arise, the period of time for the granting of planning permission and obtaining a fire certificate, etc. Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006-2009.
Transition Year.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:524 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students availing of the option of taking a transition year in the years 2000 to 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2931/06]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the following number of students were enrolled in the transition year programme in the school years 2000-01 to 2004-05: 2000-01 — 23,309 pupils; 2001-02 — 22,835 pupils; 2002-03 — 23,362 pupils; 2003-04 — 23,842 pupils; and 2004-05 — 24,844 pupils. Data on student enrolment for 2005-06, including the transition year programme, are not yet available, as returns from schools are being processed by my Department.
Special Educational Needs.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:525 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she will take to ensure that financial aid is given to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who must attend a school for autistic children to undertake the AVA course, and without financial assistance it will not be possible for this person to undertake the necessary course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2942/06]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the Saplings applied behavioural analysis, ABA, facility in Mullingar, which is due to commence operation on 6 February 2006. My officials have received information that indicates that the child in question is currently on the waiting list for this facility and is expected to be among its first pupil intake.
My Department has approved significant funding to facilitate the employment of the necessary staff and to finance the day to day administration and running costs of the facility. My Department has agreed to fund the following posts, namely, a director, a supervisor, one tutor for each child attending the facility and a floating tutor post. It is the responsibility of the management of the facility to recruit the necessary staff.
Schools Amalgamation.
John McGuinness
Ceist:526 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in sanction being given to schools (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to amalgamate; the reason a technical report on the site and buildings has not been completed; if the technical report will be expedited and thereafter the amalgamation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2969/06]
My Department was informed recently that the authorities of the schools to which the Deputy refers have secured an agreement locally to amalgamate. I understand that this course of action had previously been put on hold due to the lack of such an agreement. Now that the proposed amalgamation is being supported by all concerned, the next step is for a technical assessment to be carried out on existing buildings to determine which, if any, would be suitable to act as a host for the new school. My Department will be in direct contact with the school authorities when it is in a position to schedule this assessment.
Disadvantaged Status.
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:527 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Kerry will be designated as a disadvantaged school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3161/06]
A key element of delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, the new action plan for educational inclusion is the putting in place of a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage in our primary and second level schools for the purposes of qualifying for resources, both human and financial, according to the degree of disadvantage experienced. This standardised system will replace all of the existing arrangements for targeting schools for participation in initiatives to address disadvantage.
The identification process is currently being finalised and we anticipate being in a position to issue an invitation to selected schools to participate in a new integrated school support programme shortly. Existing schemes and programmes will be integrated into the school support programme on a phased basis over the implementation period.
Schools Building Projects.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:528 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science when facilities will be provided for a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3162/06]
The school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for a new school building from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for largescale projects and assigned a band two rating. Progress on the proposed works is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards.
Special Educational Needs.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:529 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of court actions regarding the provision of school places for students with special needs and the provision of resources relating to students with special needs which her Department has been involved in during 2005; the number of these actions which progressed to the hearing stage; the number of cases that resulted in the provision of the school places or resources sought by the plaintiffs; the costs which were incurred by her Department in responding to these court actions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3172/06]
In 2005, there were 91 active legal cases involving provision for children with special educational needs to which my Department was a party. Of these, one case progressed to hearing and judgment was given in favour of the State.
In 2005, my Department spent a total of €1,285,751.89 on legal costs and settlements associated with court cases relating to educational provision for children with special needs. These figures do not include the costs of the State's legal defence, which is borne by the Attorney General's office. I would stress, however, there has been significant progress made over the past number of years in respect of increasing the number of teachers and other supports in our schools that are specifically dedicated to providing education for children with special educational needs.
At primary level there are approximately 5,000 teachers in our schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to under 1,500 in 1998. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs. At second level, there are approximately 1,600 whole-time equivalent resource teachers in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to the approximately 200 teachers who were in place in the 1997-98 school year for such pupils. Furthermore, there are approximately 6,300 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants, SNAs, in our primary and second level schools supporting children with special needs.
In addition to the issue of resources at school level, the National Council for Special Education has been established. This council has approximately 100 staff, the great majority of whom are special educational needs organisers, SENOs, who are locally based throughout the country. The role of the SENOs is to ensure that all special educational needs in their areas are addressed in an effective manner. In particular, the SENOs are a focal point of contact for parents-guardians and schools, and process applications for resources for children with special educational needs. I am satisfied that the establishment of the council and the work of the SENOs is transforming the delivery of special educational services in this country.
I am confident that, as a State, we have faced up to the issue of providing appropriate educational provision for all children with special needs and that much work has been done to ensure that the necessary resources and structures are in place. I can confirm that I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education, ensure that all children with special needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.
Schools Building Projects.
Noel Grealish
Ceist:530 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a new school (details supplied) in County Galway; when this project will proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3183/06]
The architectural service for this project is being dealt with in-house by the school building section and the project is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. It is not possible at this point to indicate when the architectural planning process will be completed. There are five stages in this process and the timeframe for completing them is contingent on various factors, including any unexpected issues that may arise, the period of time for the granting of planning permission and obtaining a fire certificate, etc.
My Department's officials are currently awaiting the views of Galway County Council on planning issues that may arise, which my Department expects to have in March 2006. Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2006-2009.
Physical Education Facilities.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:531 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science when the proposed extension to a swimming pool in the ownership of her Department (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be examined and approved; if her attention has been drawn to the deficiencies in changing room facilities for families; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the lack of family changing facilities is a cause of concern for parents with regard to child safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3186/06]
An application for major capital grant aid has been received from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects. Progress on the project will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards.
School Inspections.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:532 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of inspections carried out in 2004 and 2005 by inspectors of Irish for second level schools here; the locations where such inspections took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3190/06]
A total of 133 inspections of Irish were carried out in post-primary schools in 2004 and 2005. The locations by county are as follows:
|
Number |
|
|
Carlow |
5 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
|
Clare |
4 |
|
Cork |
12 |
|
Donegal |
3 |
|
Dublin |
34 |
|
Galway |
7 |
|
Kerry |
11 |
|
Kildare |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
|
Laois |
1 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
|
Louth |
4 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
|
Meath |
5 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
|
Waterford |
6 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
Many of these inspections were carried out in the context of an evaluation of Irish at junior cycle level. It is intended that a composite report on the outcomes of the evaluation will be published towards the end of 2006.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:533 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the role, remit and responsibilities of inspectors of Irish for second level schools appointed by her Department; the level of resources and facilities available to inspectors to carry out their duties effectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3191/06]
The role, remit and responsibilities of inspectors of Irish for post-primary schools are in accordance with section 13(3) of the Education Act 1998. Apart from the general functions outlined in section 13(3) which apply to all inspectors, the responsibilities are further delineated in section 13(3)(f) which states that inspectors should evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching, development, promotion and use of Irish in schools and centres for education and report to the Minister on those matters.
An inspector of Irish also reviews decisions referred to the Department concerning exemption from the study of Irish, in special circumstances, for post-primary students. The central services unit of the inspectorate ensures that all inspectors are provided with the necessary resources and facilities to implement their work programmes effectively.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:534 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of inspectors for Irish appointed by her Department to deal with second level schools here; the number of second level schools by category here; the programme of work and schedule of appointments that is currently being followed so as to enable inspectors to carry out their job effectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3192/06]
There are seven inspectors of Irish in my Department. This includes an inspector who is currently on a career break and two inspectors who are on secondment, one to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the other to An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta. There are 736 post-primary schools in the system in the current school year: 398 secondary, 248 vocational and 90 community and comprehensive schools.
Inspectors are deployed on a regional basis with about 140-150 post-primary schools in each region. The inspectorate has an annual business plan which includes an annual inspection plan. Each inspector of Irish contributes to the overall plan through a planned annual programme of subject inspections of Irish and also through inspections of Irish within whole school evaluations. In addition, post-primary inspectors of Irish may participate in the annual evaluation of Coláistí Samhraidh and in curriculum development as members of syllabus committees for Irish established by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
VEC Inquiry.
Pat Breen
Ceist:535 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost the inquiry established by her into the County Clare Vocational Educational Committee amounted to; the timeframe she envisages for the publishing of the inquiry; if the inquiry findings will be made public following same being made available to the County Clare VEC and other interested parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3220/06]
The cost of the inquiry referred to by the Deputy was €23,208.67.
The inquiry report has been forwarded within the last week to a number of persons specifically referred to in the report. In addition, the report has been provided to County Clare VEC and I have asked the VEC for its proposals in the light of the report's findings, following which I will consider what action to take.
Subsequent to this process, I will consider the matter of wider circulation of the report.
School Accommodation.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:536 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the deputations she has met from schools in counties Wicklow and Carlow seeking approval for additional school accommodation since 1 December 2005; the persons who were on these deputations; the persons who met with them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3371/06]
Since 1 December 2005, I met deputations from both Blessington Community College and Brittas Bay National School, County Wicklow. Both Deputy Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Deputy Liz McManus also attended these meetings.
Waste Disposal.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:537 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to implement a scheme in supermarkets whereby after paying for their goods customers can take them out of the cartons, containers or packaging and leave them in an area of the supermarket for the supermarket to dispose of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3169/06]
Ireland has enjoyed considerable success in recent years in meeting targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. Data from the Environmental Protection Agency show that the 25% target for 2001 set under directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste was achieved and also that, with 56% recovery of packaging waste in 2004, Ireland has exceeded the 2005 recovery target of 50% set under the directive. The comparable figure for 1998 was 14%. Under the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2003, as amended, all producers participating in the placing of packaging on the Irish market, must segregate the packaging waste arising on their own premises into specified waste streams and have it collected for recycling by authorised recovery operators. Major producers, those who have an annual turnover in excess of €1 million and who place more than 25 tonnes of packaging on the Irish market, have additional responsibilities with regard to the recovery of packaging waste from their customers.
Major producers have the option of either complying directly with their producer responsibility obligations, that is, self-compliance or alternatively, getting an exemption from those requirements by becoming a member of a packaging waste compliance scheme. Major producers, who opt to self-comply with the regulations, are required, inter alia, to accept from any person, free of charge, at each premises from which packaging, packaging materials or packaged products is supplied, packaging waste of a type or brand supplied by that major producer and adequate facilities must be provided by that major producer at each of the relevant premises for the acceptance, segregation and storage of such packaging waste from customers. A further obligation on self-compliers includes the placement of a sign at each entrance to each premises from which packaging, packaging materials or packaged products is supplied, informing the public that packaging waste of a type or brand supplied by that major producer will be accepted free of charge at that premises for the purposes of recovery.
Repak Limited, established by Irish industry in 1997 to promote, co-ordinate and finance the collection and recovery of packaging waste with a view to achieving Ireland's packaging waste recovery and recycling targets under the packaging waste directive, is the sole approved compliance scheme for the recovery of packaging waste in Ireland. Repak membership income is used to subsidise the collection of packaging waste from both the household and commercial sectors. In the household sector, subsidy is provided towards the collection of packaging waste from bring banks and civic amenity recycling centres, as well as segregated kerbside collection of packaging waste from households.
The regulations exempt major producers who are participating in the Repak scheme from having to take-back packaging waste from consumers. This exemption is the main incentive to join the collective scheme and thereby contribute to the funding of recycling activities. Removal of the exemption would be likely to undermine the scheme and, given that the existing regulatory arrangements are achieving the desired result concerning meeting the directive's recovery and recycling targets, such a measure is not under consideration.
Local Authority Staff.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:538 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the staffing numbers for each of the local authorities here; and the number of outdoor staff also involved in each local authority. [3515/06]
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:550 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the staffing numbers for each of the local authorities here; and the number of outdoor staff involved in each local authority. [3176/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 550 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 1518 of 25 January 2006. Detailed information in respect of the position at the end of 2005 is not yet available in my Department.
Dog Breeding Establishments.
Mary Upton
Ceist:539 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation to set standards for the practice of puppy farming; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of many animal welfare groups and organisations regarding this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3469/06]
Mary Upton
Ceist:556 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the regulations to regulate the management of dog breeding establishments will be published; when it is envisaged they will come into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3221/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 556 together.
The report of the working group established to review the management of dog breeding establishments was submitted to me on 7 September 2005. On 20 October 2005, I announced a public consultation process on foot of the working group's report indicating that, in view of the many divergent views on the issue, I wanted to canvass public opinion more widely before taking final decisions on the matter. An advertisement inviting submissions was placed in the national newspapers on Monday 24 October 2005. The closing date for receipt of submissions was Friday 16 December 2005.
The responses received are being examined in my Department at present and, as soon as this exercise is completed, I will consider further the recommendations in the report of the working group and will then make a decision as to the action to be taken.
Water and Sewerage Schemes.
John Perry
Ceist:540 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the directive which has been issued concerning charges for water meters in schools in view of the fact that schools are part of the community structure; his views on whether parents are already paying water charges for their own supply which would mean that they are paying water charges twice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2814/06]
In accordance with the EU water framework directive, the national water services pricing policy framework provides for the recovery by sanitary authorities of the cost of providing water services from the users of these services, with the exception of households using the services for domestic purposes. The policy framework requires full recovery of the cost of providing water services to the non-domestic sector by means of a meter based volumetric charge and the full metering of this sector by December 2006. The framework does not provide for the exemption of any classes of non-domestic users from the charging policy.
Local Authority Funding.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:541 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the increase in the local government fund to Kildare local authorities in the years 1998-2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2819/06]
I assume that the question refers to general purpose grants from the local government fund. The information sought is set out in the following table:
|
Local Authority |
Kildare County Council |
Athy Town Council |
Naas Town Council |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
1998 Allocation |
9,263,953 |
272,745 |
487,803 |
|
1999 Allocation |
10,719,067 |
331,301 |
514,542 |
|
2000 Allocation |
11,810,017 |
353,764 |
547,152 |
|
2001 Allocation |
13,893,975 |
397,985 |
615,545 |
|
2002 Allocation |
15,303,344 |
425,786 |
826,340 |
|
2003 Allocation |
16,541,890 |
503,912 |
968,554 |
|
2004 Allocation |
19,507,617 |
608,994 |
1,152,089 |
|
2005 Allocation |
21,799,170 |
651,493 |
1,297,736 |
|
2006 Allocation |
23,893,115 |
714,073 |
1,422,392 |
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:542 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to local authorities under the shared ownership scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2820/06]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)
A sum of €220 million in capital funding is available this year for allocation to local authorities under the shared ownership scheme. Local authorities have been requested to submit a forecast of their requirements under the scheme and they will be advised of their allocation following an assessment of these returns, in the normal way.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:543 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to local authorities under the annuity loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2821/06]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)
Local authorities have been asked to submit their 2006 requirements under the annuity loan scheme in the normal way. They will be notified of their allocations, following an assessment of the returns, as soon possible.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:544 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to local authorities under the subsidised sites scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2822/06]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)
The low-cost sites scheme allows local authorities to provide housing sites at reasonable cost to assist persons in housing need to provide their own housing. As this is a demand-led scheme operated in the first instance by local authorities, the Department does not make individual financial allocations to local authorities. My Department is examining whether greater use can be made of this scheme. In the review of local authorities' five year action plans for social and affordable housing to take place this year, the potential for further activity under the scheme will be explored. Details of funding provided under this scheme to local authorities in 2005 are set out in the following table.
|
€ |
|
|
Carlow Town Council |
1,023,504 |
|
Donegal County Council |
104,293 |
|
Kildare County Council |
133,929 |
|
Limerick County Council |
278,228 |
National Homeless Strategy.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:545 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the date for the completion of the review of the national homeless strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2823/06]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)
The independent review of the implementation of the integrated and preventative homeless strategies and their associated action plans has been completed and will be published shortly.
Traveller Community.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:546 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the current spend or allocation to the various bodies dealing with the travelling community; the amount of the overall spend or allocation in each of the years from 2000 to date in 2006 in funding all services, projects, schemes, grants, loans and resources to the travelling community; his views on whether the return on such spending has been satisfactory; and his plans to improve the effectiveness of such services. [2919/06]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)
My Department provides both capital and current funding to local authorities towards the provision and management of Traveller specific accommodation in addition to funding standard local authority accommodation in which Travellers are accommodated. Capital funding for Traveller specific accommodation is provided to local authorities for the construction of new Traveller specific accommodation and the refurbishment of existing Traveller specific accommodation. This funding recoups to local authorities the full cost of providing and refurbishing group housing schemes and serviced halting sites; 50% of the costs associated with the provision of caravans in emergency situations; the full cost of a special grant of €3,810 payable to Travellers for the first time purchase of a house and the special grant of 10% of the cost, up to a maximum of €640, to a Traveller family who are purchasing a caravan for the first time.
Current funding arises in respect of the recoupment to local authorities of a percentage of the costs of managing and maintaining halting sites as well as 90% of the salaries and travelling expenses of social workers employed by local authorities and voluntary bodies concerning the accommodation of Travellers. Of this number, three are employed by voluntary bodies who work with Travellers, Crosscare, Navan Travellers Workshop, and Clarecare, and funding is also provided for the employment by the Irish Traveller Movement of an accommodation officer.
The level of capital and current funding to local authorities in each of the years 2000 to 2005 by my Department is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Expenditure Capital |
Expenditure Current |
Totals |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
2000 |
15,119, 547 |
2,389,278 |
17,508,825 |
|
2001 |
23,699,661 |
3,966,545 |
27,666,206 |
|
2002 |
26,642,640 |
4,449,114 |
31,091,754 |
|
2003 |
28,950,000 |
4,922,752 |
33,872,752 |
|
2004 |
35,691,710 |
5,640,990 |
41,332,700 |
|
2005 |
37,000,000 |
5,514,832 |
42,514,832 |
Funding for 2006 will be published shortly in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2006.
During the course of the first local authority Traveller accommodation programmes from 2000 to 2004 there was a significant improvement in the accommodation position of Travellers. During that time an additional 828 families were accommodated in standard local authority accommodation. In the same period, 398 new units of permanent Traveller specific accommodation were provided and a further 322 units of permanent Traveller specific accommodation were refurbished to modern standards. This has resulted in a reduction of over 50% in the number of families on unauthorised sites, down by 606 families from the high of 1,207 at the inception of the programme to 601.
These improvements in the accommodation position of Travellers are very welcome and it is expected that this level of progress will continue under the new Traveller accommodation programmes adopted by local authorities to cover the period 2005-08. A number of steps have been taken by my Department to ensure that this happens. For the first time, local authorities were required, when adopting their new programmes, to specify annual targets for the provision of accommodation for Travellers. These targets will be closely monitored and each local authority's progress will be measured against them on an annual basis.
On the current expenditure side, a study is currently under way on the issues arising concerning the management and maintenance of Traveller specific accommodation with a view to assisting local authorities to improve their activities in this area. My Department and local authorities also take an active part in the work of the high level group on Travellers which, under the aegis of the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform, is working to ensure that there is improved co-ordination in the delivery of all services, including accommodation, to Travellers.
Local Authorities.
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:547 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an assessment has or will be carried out on the extent to which section 142(5)(f) of the Local Government Act 2001, which states where a member of an elected council attends a meeting or event by virtue of an authorisation under this section, he or she shall submit a summary of the proceedings to the next ordinary meeting of the local authority, is being enforced. [2943/06]
The Local Government Act 2001 provides that an elected council may authorise one or more of its members to attend a conference, seminar, training or other meeting or event held, whether within or outside the State, for the purpose of discussing, obtaining or imparting information regarding or connected with any matter that is of concern to the local authority regarding the performance of its functions and is relevant to its administrative area and to the local community. In addition, the legislation provides that any member who attends such an event should submit a summary of the proceedings to the next ordinary meeting of the local authority.
It is a matter for each local authority to ensure that it complies with these requirements. Material recently supplied by city and county councils to my Department indicates that most local authorities have established reporting arrangements consistent with the above requirements.
Local Authority Staff.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:548 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the desirability of, and need for, autonomous local authority architects in general and, with specific reference to a letter received in his office in June 2005 and responded to on 28 June 2005 regarding Galway city; his plans for the provision of a city architect in Galway. [3144/06]
Each county and city manager is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. There is no application before my Department for a post of city architect in Galway.
Social and Affordable Housing.
Gerard Murphy
Ceist:549 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the arrangements made between his Department and the building industry that allows both developers and builders profit on Part V agreements with local authorities. [3175/06]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)
Section 96(3)(d) of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002 provides that where houses or sites are to be transferred to the planning authority the price of such houses or sites are determined on the basis of building and attributable development costs as agreed between the authority and the developer, including profit on the costs.
Following representations made by the Irish Home Builders Association, local authorities were advised that "profit on costs" in section 96 should, in addition to contractor's profit, allow for developer's profit, the level of which can be up to 15% depending on a number of factors. Local authorities were also advised of the need to ensure that any agreements entered into under Part V, which includes agreement on the level of profit, should constitute the best use of resources available to them for the delivery of social and affordable housing.
Question No. 550 answered with Question No. 538.
Housing Management Companies.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:551 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if all local authorities will be requested to conduct an audit of the extent of unfinished housing estates, including an assessment of the number of new housing estates under construction that require monitoring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3180/06]
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:554 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the review by local authorities on the issue of management companies has been completed; if so, if the results will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3184/06]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:559 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of his and the Taoiseach’s statements in Dáil Éireann concerning the operation of management companies in housing estates, all local authority managers have been instructed to ensure that all services in public areas normally provided by local authorities are removed from the remit of management companies. [3317/06]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:560 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a report from each local authority manager in the operation of management companies whose remit includes public services normally provided by local authorities has been sought; and his views on what he has found to be the practice nationally. [3318/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 551, 554, 559 and 560 together.
My Department issued circular letter PD 1/06 on 25 January 2006 reminding local authorities of their obligations under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 regarding taking in charge of estates. The circular letter also clearly states that the existence of a management company to maintain elements of common buildings and carry out landscaping must not impact upon the decision by the authority to take in charge roads and related infrastructure where a request to do so is made. Each local authority has been directed to establish a policy addressing certain specified issues on the taking in charge of housing estates to be agreed by the members of the authority, and reported on to those members on a regular basis and at least once annually.
The circular letter also directed each local authority to submit a report to my Department detailing how each local authority is performing on taking in charge of estates. The report will contain information relating to the anticipated number of housing estates which will be taken in charge this year and how many houses will be affected; the number of housing estates that have not yet been taken in charge whose planning permission expired more than two and less than seven years ago; the number of housing estates which are finished or unfinished in line with the relevant planning permission; the action being taken to resolve the issue of unfinished estates; whether the planning authority has a stated policy in regard to taking in charge of housing estates and the average length of time it takes to take an estate in charge.
With regard to management companies, most planning authorities have now responded to my Department's request for a report on their policies regarding the attachment of conditions relating to management companies to planning permission for various types of residential developments. The position, so far, is that the majority of planning authorities do not attach conditions to planning permission requiring management companies to be established in the case of housing estates. A number do in specified circumstances, such as where there is a shared waste water treatment plant between a number of houses.
As already stated, the recent circular issued by my Department made clear that the existence of a management company does not remove the planning authority's statutory obligations, as set out in the 2000 Act, regarding taking an estate in charge. I am considering whether any further guidance should issue to planning authorities regarding planning conditions regarding management companies.
Consultancy Contracts.
Noel Grealish
Ceist:552 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the date he appointed a company (details supplied) to develop and improve a new house price statistics system will be extended; the position regarding the implantation of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3181/06]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)
The system concerned has been developed and is being maintained under a renewable contract with one of the companies named. My Department does not have direct contract with the other company in respect of this project. The software system is operational and is being used to collect data from some financial institutions. We are already receiving details in respect of approximately 25,000 mortgages, between applications and loans drawn down, each month.
My Department is analysing the data that is being supplied. It is not envisaged publishing a new house price index until further data from all financial institutions are available to support new price indices. However, this system has also been developed to provide analysis and trends on buyer profiles. The results from the data collected through this house price statistical system will be published in the Department's annual housing bulletin, which is due for release in the middle of 2006.
Legislative Programme.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:553 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to bring into force the section of the Local Government Act 2000 that will enable the establishment of new town councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3182/06]
Part 17 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that qualified electors of a town having a population of at least 7,500 as ascertained at the last preceding census and not having a town council may make a proposal for the establishment of such a council. Under the relevant provisions of the Act, a proposal to establish a town council, and the timing of any such proposal, is a matter for the local community in the first instance, with a decision on such a proposal being a reserved function of the relevant county council, following a public consultation process. I am considering the steps necessary to commence the relevant provisions of the 2001 Act and I have initiated consultation with local government interests in regard to the creation of new town councils and their prospective functional responsibilities under the Act.
Question No. 554 answered with QuestionNo. 551.
Local Authority Funding.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:555 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to publish the Indicon report on local government funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3187/06]
I expect to publish this report shortly.
Question No. 556 answered with QuestionNo. 539.
Fire Stations.
Michael Ring
Ceist:557 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to the tender date for a project (details supplied) in County Mayo being passed, when the building phase will commence. [3298/06]
As indicated in the reply to Question No. 438 of 15 December 2005, my Department is awaiting the submission by Mayo County Council of proposals for the acceptance of a tender for the provision of a new fire station at Westport. Until the tender process has been completed, it will not be possible to indicate when construction will commence.
Legislative Programme.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:558 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if legislation is either pending or in force which addresses the issue of light pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3313/06]
No environmental legislation is pending or in force, at either EU or national level, on light pollution.
Questions Nos. 559 and 560 answered with Question No. 551.
National Parks.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:561 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if Lough Veagh in County Donegal has been closed to game anglers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3366/06]
Lough Veagh is part of Glenveagh National Park, which is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, of my Department. The NPWS has for some time made available two boats on Lough Veagh for renting to local anglers during the period from mid-July to end-September. A safety report on this arrangement was commissioned by an independent expert. The report concluded that the arrangements which operated in past years fall short of recognised best practice.
Game fishing in national parks must be compatible with the wider nature conservation and management requirements of these parks. The recommendations of the safety report are being considered by my Department and any necessary decision will be taken well in advance of the commencement of the next season in mid-July.