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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 May 2009

Vol. 683 No. 2

Written Answers.

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, answered orally.

Ambulance Service.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

9 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive has failed to fund the Dublin Fire Brigade service in Swords and that Dublin City Council has threatened to withdraw this service; if she is committed to the retention of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20620/09]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

105 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive is providing no funding towards the ambulance operating out of Swords; and her views on introducing a form of dispute resolution mechanism to resolve the on going dispute between Dublin City Council and the HSE regarding the funding of ambulance services. [20742/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 105 together.

Emergency ambulance services in Dublin have been provided by Dublin Fire Brigade for many years on behalf of the Health Service Executive. Ambulance services in the rest of the country are provided by the HSE.

The HSE reimburses Dublin City Council for the cost of providing ambulance services, based on a formula covering pay costs, superannuation and certain non-pay elements. The cost of providing an ambulance centre in Swords is not included in the formula, and the service was put in place by Dublin Fire Brigade without prior agreement as to funding with the HSE.

The HSE and Dublin City Council are in discussion regarding a number of practical issues, including the nature and terms on which Dublin Fire Brigade provides emergency ambulance services in Dublin. The most appropriate approach to the service in Swords can be considered in this context.

More generally, I believe it is important to ensure that all of our pre-hospital emergency services, including the service provided by the Dublin Fire Brigade, function as a high quality, integrated health service. The advice of the Health Information and Quality Authority on pre-hospital care issues will be a significant factor in determining how services should be organised so that clinical governance, patient safety and quality standards are met.

The HSE's discussion with Dublin City Council will, in addition to the immediate practical issues relating to Swords, cover how best emergency ambulance services for Dublin can be organised in the future.

Hospitals Building Programme.

John Deasy

Ceist:

10 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of her co-location hospital plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20590/09]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

44 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the co-located hospitals on grounds of public hospitals which are considered to be advanced sufficiently to be included for tax breaks following Budget 2009; the information she has regarding plans to proceed with the co-located hospitals proposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20475/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

132 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of public hospital sites which have to date been the subject of co-location plans and expenditure; the extent of the site works undertaken and completed to date; the locations identified for such proposals in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20903/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 44 and 132 together.

The aim of the co-location initiative is to make available additional beds for public patients in public acute hospitals through the transfer of private activity to co-located private hospitals. While the co-location initiative is an efficient means of delivering extra bed capacity, it is a complex process. The funding environment has changed significantly in the last number of months and this has affected both the public and private sectors. The successful bidders are working on the details of contractual terms with banks and other arrangers of finance. The HSE is continuing to work with the successful bidders to provide whatever assistance it can to help them advance the projects.

Significant progress has been made in advancing the individual projects. The Board of the HSE has approved preferred bidder status for the development of co-located hospitals at Beaumont, Cork University Hospital, the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick, St. James's, Waterford Regional and Sligo General Hospitals. Project Agreements for the Beaumont, Cork, Limerick and St James's projects have been signed.

Planning permission was granted by An Bord Pleanála for the Beaumont project late last year. Planning permission for the Cork and Limerick projects has been granted by the local authorities concerned and appealed in each case to An Bord Pleanála. A planning application for the St James's project has recently been submitted.

The necessary preparatory work for the Project Agreements in respect of Waterford Regional Hospital and Sligo General Hospital is proceeding.

Two further projects are at an earlier stage of the procurement process. A tender in respect of Connolly Hospital has been received by the HSE and is under consideration. Work is being undertaken on the drafting of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Tallaght Hospital.

The Minister for Finance announced in the Budget on 7 April that the schemes of capital allowances for private hospitals and certain other health facilities were being terminated subject to transitional arrangements for projects already in development. The relevant provisions are set out in the Finance Bill 2009 which is currently before the House. The termination date is 31 December 2009 but under the transitional arrangements, if certain qualifying criteria are met, the termination date for qualifying expenditure is extended.

Provided that co-located private hospitals conform to the requirements of these provisions the tax relief will apply. The qualifying conditions depend on the type of work to be carried out and whether or not the work requires planning permission. Where planning permission is required, the qualifying condition for a termination date beyond 31 December 2009 is that a valid application for full planning permission be submitted on or before that date and be acknowledged by the relevant planning authority. In such cases, the termination date in the case of qualifying hospitals is 31 December 2013. Under the capital allowances scheme applying to private hospitals, allowances are available to investors only from the year in which services at the relevant hospital have commenced. No tax expenditure has been incurred so far and none will be incurred until construction is completed and services are opened.

Services for People with Disabilities.

David Stanton

Ceist:

11 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the implementation of direct payments to people with disabilities to allow consumer choice in accessing services and supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20547/09]

I assume the Deputy is referring to the provision of personal social support services, rather than mainstream health services, to persons with a disability. These are designed to allow people with a disability to live a life of their choice to the greatest extent possible. As such, the nature, content and extent of such supports should depend upon the degree to which the individual needs them to participate as fully as possible in the social and economic life of their community. Currently, these supports are provided by the Health Service Executive and, more commonly, by voluntary agencies funded by the HSE. They would include, for example, day, respite and residential services.

Persons with a disability who require personal social supports, should have choice and control over the supports provided to them. This is being increasingly addressed through individual funding and individual budgets. Individual funding can ensure that the funding given to an agency for the provision of services to an individual, must be used to provide services for that individual. Individual budgets may involve a dedicated budget which is managed by the individual or by advocates on behalf of that individual.

This year, the Department of Health and Children will be reviewing disability service expenditure within the health sector as part of the Government's programme of Value for Money and Policy Reviews. The review will consider models of funding and budgets for those services which are intended to enable people with a disability to participate in the social and economic life of their community.

In addition, the Minister for Health and Children has established an Expert Group on Resource Allocation in the Health Sector in April 2009. The Group will examine how the existing system of resource allocation within the Irish public health service can be improved to support better the aims of the health reform programme. As part of the terms of reference, the Minister has asked the Expert Group, in the light of its work, to take a view on the most appropriate financing mechanism for the Irish health service. The Group has been asked to report to the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Finance by April 2010.

Medical Cards.

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

12 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if the centralisation of assessment of medical card applications is proceeding; the way, in that context, applications on hardship or medical grounds will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20484/09]

Up to the start of this year, medical card and GP visit card applications were processed in the 32 local health areas. However, under the Health Service Executive's 2009 Service Plan, the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications will transfer to the Executive's Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin. The change is being implemented on a phased basis and has commenced with the PCRS processing all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over.

Local Health Offices will continue to deal with queries of a general nature about the medical card scheme and will provide any assistance needed with the application process.

Under the new arrangements, the HSE will be aiming for a turnaround time of 15 days or less for all medical card applications. Emergency applications will be dealt with immediately with a card issuing within 24 hours. People whose income exceeds the income guidelines but have a case to be considered on medical or hardship grounds will continue to have their application considered by the PCRS.

Since medical card applications will all be processed centrally, this will result in a more consistent and transparent approach being applied.

This is an example of the type of innovation signalled in the Transforming Public Services Programme announced by the Taoiseach last November. It demonstrates how improved services can be delivered within the more limited resources available in a way which meets the needs of citizens in a modern society.

Health Services.

James Reilly

Ceist:

13 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that 133 terminally ill patients are seeking access to hospice care and are being forced to wait days for inpatient, home care and day care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20632/09]

Government policy in relation to Palliative Care is contained in the Report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care (2001). In 2008 the HSE was asked to prioritise palliative care service developments in the medium term. As a result "The Palliative Care Services Five Year Development Framework 2009-201” has recently been submitted to my Department by the HSE and is currently under consideration.

Patients who are diagnosed with a terminal illness or who are in the last stages of their treatment are initially dealt with by the relevant consultant and/or medical social worker and then referred for appropriate palliative services if required. To date the HSE has not collected national data on waiting times for hospice services but I am aware of a recent newspaper article which suggested that 133 terminally ill patients are waiting to access hospice care. Patients awaiting admission to an in-patient unit are generally either in an acute hospital where there is specialist palliative care input available, or in the community being attended to by a community based team. The HSE allocated €78m for Palliative Care services in 2008 and 2,655 people were treated in specialist in-patient units with 7,575 receiving home based specialist care. A further 729 people received intermediate palliative care and 1,865 received day care services.

Child Protection.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

14 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the structures in her Department to oversee the extent to which the social services operated by the Health Service Executive are properly and fully implementing the child protection guidelines of 1999; and if she is satisfied with the performance of the HSE in this regard to date. [20654/09]

Children First — the National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children 1999 are the national over-arching guidelines that apply to all individuals and agencies that are dealing with children. They are intended to support and guide health professionals, teachers, and members of the Garda Síochána and the many people in sporting, cultural, community and voluntary organisations who come into regular contact with children. The key message of the Children First Guidelines is that responsibility for protecting children must be shared by all adults. Anyone who works with, has responsibility for, or comes into contact with, children should be aware of the signs of abuse, be alert to the possibility of abuse, and be familiar with the basic procedures to report their concerns.

As the Deputy will be aware, in July of last year I launched the National Review of Compliance with Children First. The key finding of that review conducted by my office is that the Guidelines themselves are fundamentally sound and a renewed focus on implementation is required.

In order to ensure consistent national application of the Guidelines the HSE is currently standardising its child welfare and protection business processes. This is expected to be completed in 2009. The HSE is also working to achieve a refocusing of social work services through the ongoing Social Work Reform programme.

Among the significant successes achieved since the publication of the Children First guidelines has been the work carried out by the HSE Children First Information and Advice Officers in facilitating inter-agency work and supporting voluntary and community agencies to develop child protection policies and practices. Over the past twelve months the HSE has launched several child protection initiatives including the public awareness campaign- Parents Who Listen Protect -with a second phase of this initiative to be rolled out shortly.

I am working closely with the HSE in relation to the developments outlined above. I chair regular meetings with senior management of the HSE which enables me to raise specific child welfare and protection issues and to monitor the ongoing developments and progress in this area. The provision of appropriate robust and responsive child welfare and protection services is a key priority for both myself, as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and the Government.

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome.

David Stanton

Ceist:

15 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome in the State; the policy of her Department in preventing, diagnosing and supporting children and their parents in dealing with the impact of foetal alcohol syndrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20548/09]

The incidence of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in the State is unknown. Pre-natal exposure to alcohol can produce a range of effects known as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Depending on factors such as the amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy, the stage of pregnancy at exposure and the duration of alcohol exposure, FASD can range from mild attention deficit problems to full Foetal Alcohol Syndrome with its life long problems such as neurological, cognitive and behavioural problems, growth retardation and developmental delay. FASD is often difficult to diagnose and can be diagnosed as another disorder with clinically similar features.

The promotion of healthy behaviour in relation to alcohol intake is a national priority not least among young woman who are planning or embarking upon pregnancy.

In order to create greater awareness in relation to the risks associated with alcohol consumption the Health Service Executive has published a booklet entitled "Women and Alcohol". This booklet includes advice for women to avoid alcohol in pregnancy. The Department is also devising legislation to provide for mandatory labelling of alcohol containers advising of the risk of consuming alcohol during pregnancy. The legislation is part of a Public Health (Miscellaneous) Bill being prepared at present.

The diagnosis and management of FASD is a clinical issue requiring contact with General Practitioners and Specialists as appropriate.

The Health Service Executive is developing proposals for a research project in a large maternity hospital which aims to evaluate the prevalence of alcohol exposure in pregnancy, the patterns of behaviour (social drinking, binge drinking, sustained heavy drinking) and the factors that influence whether or not a woman drinks alcohol before conception and during each trimester of pregnancy. The research project aims to follow a cohort of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy to evaluate the impact on the infant's condition at birth and subsequent development.

Medical Aids and Appliances.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

16 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ask the Health Service Executive to review its practice of not recycling Zimmer frames and crutches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20465/09]

I understand from the Health Service Executive that the practice is to recycle aids and appliances to the greatest extent possible. On return, used aids and appliances are examined for damage, sent for decontamination, repaired if required and returned to stores for issue to another client.

However, some items, such as crutches and Zimmer frames, are considered single use items and the manufacturers will not guarantee them if they are recycled.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

17 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has received the Health Information and Quality Authority health technology assessment on colorectal screening; when this assessment will be published; when the first phase of roll-out will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20579/09]

Mary Upton

Ceist:

98 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children when the national bowel screening programme will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20489/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 98 together.

In April 2007, the National Cancer Screening Service Board (NCSS) established an Expert Advisory Group to study the medical and scientific evidence concerning Screening for Colorectal Cancer and to make recommendations to the Board about the desirability of introducing a population-based screening programme. The Board of the NCSS approved the Second (Final) Report of the Expert Group at its meeting on 20 November and it was submitted to me on 3 December 2008.

The Report of the Expert Group could not be comprehensively considered until the completion of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA), carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). The Board of HIQA approved the HTA report on 25 March and it was submitted to me on 17 April 2009.

Both reports will be published when I have completed detailed consideration of the recommendations, the funding required and the method of putting that in place.

Colorectal cancer is the cause of death of approximately 950 people each year in Ireland. This compares to 666 deaths from breast cancer, for example. Because of our ageing population and the long time in people's lives over which risk factors are built up, we can expect an increase in the numbers of colorectal cancer cases in the coming years. The National Cancer Registry, in its report on Cancer Projections 2005 to 2035, projects that there will be approximately 3,402 cases of colorectal cancer in 2020.

As with many cancers, early detection and treatment is one of the most effective measures to avoid premature death. Thorough population-based screening programmes are critically important, with proven effectiveness in breast cancer and cervical cancer, where we now have screening programmes being actively rolled out.

For these reasons, colorectal screening is my top priority for the next preventive and early detection services in our National Cancer Control Programme. I am pleased to note that the Irish Cancer Society shares this priority and at a recent meeting said that it would actively support a colorectal screening programme.

I intend that it will have the first call on new resources, which will be found principally by cost-saving measures elsewhere. Other priorities for new developments in cancer prevention and early detection will be capable of being implemented to the extent that sufficient cost-saving measures are found.

With the benefit of the report of the Expert Group and the Health Technology Assessment, I am now considering the design and implementation of a colorectal cancer screening programme in the most cost-effective way.

Children in Care.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

18 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the measure taken, in view of the failure of the local health office to respond to concerns regarding incidents of alleged attacks, disturbances, assaults and theft connected to residents at Grove Lodge, St. Ida’s Psychiatric Hospital, Portrane, County Dublin, to address these concerns and to address outstanding concerns regarding supervision and the safety of these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20642/09]

The Centre concerned, which opened in January of this year, has capacity for ten beds and caters for girls and boys between the ages of 12 and 17 years who are newly presenting to the Out of Hours Service. All placements are for a maximum period of one month with the primary objective to return the young people to their homes or local area as quickly as possible.

The HSE has stated that all issues in relation to Grove Lodge, and indeed any other children's residential centre, which are brought to the attention of HSE management are dealt with promptly. All criminal matters are referred to the Garda Síochána for investigation and appropriate action. The Centre in question is staffed by professionally qualified and trained social care staff on a twenty four hour basis and is managed by a Deputy Social Care Manager and Social Care Manager. The staffing ratio in Grove Lodge is higher than in other mainstream residential centres. The staff team deploy behaviour management techniques in the Centre such as therapeutic crisis intervention which aims to de-escalate situations. In addition the high staff ratio supports the development of positive relationships. The staff team offer all of the young people practical support with the development of life skills, as well as encouraging and facilitating their attendance at education and off-site activities.

The HSE has stated that the Centre has security cameras with fencing around the perimeter and an intercom system at the entrance gate to allow access. However, the HSE also state that it is important to bear in mind that the Centre is an open unit as distinct from a detention centre. Most of the young people are in voluntary care and are free to go in and out of the Centre within the agreed parameters. Due to the fact that it is an open Centre and despite the best efforts of staff to engage them in constructive activities, the young people will sometimes choose to go off with their own friends. The HSE acknowledges that unfortunately this provides potential for the young people to become involved in anti-social behaviour. If this occurs, this behaviour is challenged by management and staff and leads to sanctions being imposed on the young people. These sanctions may include the withdrawal of privileges, pocket money or participation in activities and may lead to the ultimate sanction of the young person losing their placement depending on the extent and context of their misdemeanours.

I am advised that in general the HSE has a close relationship with residents' associations/local groups in the areas where their children's residential centres are located. The HSE has had a number of constructive meetings with representatives from the Donabate/Portrane area with a view to facilitating good communications between the HSE and the local community.

Homeless Children.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

19 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will open a new unit to cater for homeless children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20657/09]

Current policy regarding homeless children is contained in the Youth Homelessness Strategy. 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/she benefits from a comprehensive range of services aimed at reintegrating him/her into his/her community as quickly as possible."

In 2008, a HSE Working Group completed an examination of progress regarding the implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy. The group concluded that generally the recommendations were implemented throughout the HSE. The HSE has advised that a range of alternative care options are available in each LHO area to meet the needs of young people who are out of home or who are homeless. These services include emergency residential beds, short to medium term residential beds, foster care and supported lodgings.

The HSE has advised that they are currently undertaking an audit of Aftercare services and that a multi agency group is examining ways to improve services so that young people leaving the care system do not become homeless as adults. In June 2009 the HSE is introducing a new Emergency Place of Safety Service to be accessed by Gardaí when removing a child to safety under section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991. This service will allow Gardaí to access an appropriate place of safety for children found to be at risk outside of normal working hours.

The HSE has further advised that work is being undertaken arising from the report of the Working Group in 2008 regarding the provision of services for homeless children. This Report did not recommend the opening of new units for homeless children and the HSE has no plans to do so at this time.

Health Insurance.

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

20 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has received a decision from the European Commission with regard to the new health insurance levy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20585/09]

The terms of the Interim Scheme comprising of a levy on private health insurance companies for each insured person and age related fixed sum tax relief for insured persons of 50 years of age and over, as provided for in the Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2008, were notified to the European Commission in November 2008. My Department has since provided additional information sought by the Commission. I expect that the formal decision of the Commission will be notified in early June. If the Commission's decision requires any changes to be made to the scheme I will be proposing appropriate amendments at Committee or Report Stage.

Preschool Services.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

21 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that there are sufficient preschool places to allow the rollout of the preschool year due to commence in January 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17061/09]

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

50 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the way the 38 week preschool support will be rolled out to qualifying applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17049/09]

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

100 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if, when families already avail of preschool education, the charges will be reduced accordingly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17055/09]

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

101 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will outline the information which will be needed for claims in respect of the new preschool supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17051/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 50, 100 and 101 together.

The Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is being introduced from January 2010 to benefit children in the key developmental period prior to commencing school. The scheme will allow eligible children to avail of a free play-school place in their pre-school year, which will be provided for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week for 38 weeks. It will also allow eligible children in their pre-school year who are attending full or part-time day-care services to avail of a free session of 2 hours and 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 50 weeks. As the new scheme will be introduced from January next, the first full year will be from September 2010.

Participating children must normally be aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months on the 1st September of each year. Exceptions will be allowed where children have special needs or it is necessary to accept children at an older age due to the enrolment policy of the local primary school. The PPS number of children wishing to avail of the scheme will be provided to my Office for the purpose of verifying the age eligibility of each applicant. Participating services will receive a capitation payment of €64.50 a week where children attend for 38 weeks, and €48.50 where they attend for 50 weeks of the year. Services will receive payments at the start of each term. Where the child is attending full or part-time day-care, the service will be required to reduce the childcare fees by the amount of the capitation payment.

While the provider will normally be required to provide services on a five day a week basis, transitional arrangements will apply during the initial period of January to August 2010, to allow services to adjust to the requirements of the new scheme. During this period, services which are already accommodating children on a pro rata basis may continue to do so and the capitation grant will be set by reference to the number of children attending each day rather than the total number of children in a week.

Up to 5,000 pre-school services, which will include more that 4,000 commercial childcare providers, will be invited shortly to participate in the new scheme. These services include full and part-time day-care services as well as sessional play-school services. These services must be notified to the Health Service Executive (HSE) or registered with the Irish Montessori Education Board. Officials in my Office will be writing to these providers very shortly providing them with further details and advising them of the application process.

Many of the 5,000 existing private and voluntary pre-school services will have already received capital grant aid under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) and or the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP). More than 65,000 additional childcare places will have been created by the end of 2010 as a result of this investment. I am aware from representations received from pre-school services in recent months that many services are currently reporting vacancy rates of up to 25% in their facilities. I am also aware that a number of people are now considering investing in a childcare business, and also that many existing services, which to date have only been open in the morning, citing lack of demand for an afternoon session, are now considering offering an additional session to meet an increase in local demand. As I said at the time of the announcement, some instances of under-supply may arise in the initial period of implementation of the scheme, however my Office and the City and County Childcare Committees will monitor the situation carefully, to maximise the beneficial impact of the scheme for parents and children.

Monageer Inquiry Report.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

22 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will publish, in full, the report of the Monageer inquiry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20656/09]

Joan Burton

Ceist:

36 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children if and when the recommendations of the Monageer inquiry will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20454/09]

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

62 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason certain recommendations in the report of the inquiry into the deaths of a family in Monageer, County Wexford have been blacked out; if she will publish the recommendations in full in order that lessons can be learned from them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20453/09]

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

119 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will specify the reason she took the decision not to publish the Monageer report in full as presented to her by the inquiry team; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20858/09]

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

120 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the basis of the legal advice received from the Attorney General which influenced her decision not to publish the Monageer report in full as presented to her by the inquiry team; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20859/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 36, 62, 119 and 120 together.

The redacted Report of the Monageer Inquiry, which I published on 12 May, 2009, is that which could be published based on legal advice sought by my Department following receipt of the report, in line with my commitment to address the matter of publication as soon as possible. On the basis of the legal advice I have already referred to I cannot comment on those aspects of the report that have been redacted or the reasons for the redactions. All the redactions in this report have been done solely on legal advice.

I am considering the option of appraising the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children of the substance of the redacted recommendations in a manner and context which ensures the rights of those involved are protected and no reputational damage is suffered. That process is ongoing and I am seeking legal advice in that regard. I want to take this opportunity to re-state my assertion that there is much learning to be gained from the report despite the legal necessity to redact certain aspects.

The CEO of the HSE and the Garda Commissioner have received the full report in their capacities as heads of the statutory bodies with responsibilities in relation to matters which were the subject of the inquiry. It is intended that this will enable all the recommendations, including those redacted, to be addressed insofar as they apply to their respective organisations.

Medical Cards.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

23 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the percentage of people covered by the full medical card and the doctor only card respectively, in view of the recent downturn in the economy and the number of people out of work; the estimated percentage increase for end of 2009; the thresholds for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20625/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

133 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on raising the income thresholds for eligibility for medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20904/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 133 together.

The most recent medical card and GP visit card figures provided to my Department by the Health Service Executive (HSE) reflect the position on 31st March 2009. The total number of medical card holders on 31st March 2009 was 1,370,764 and the total number of GP visit card holders on that date was 87,277. Accordingly, 32.97% of the national population (4,422,100) have either a medical card (31%) or a GP visit card (1.97%), based on the most recent population estimates available from the Central Statistics Office.

In its Service Plan for 2009, the HSE has provided for a net increase of 81,000 medical cards in 2009 i.e. a total of 1,423,830 medical cards by year end. The average monthly increase in the first quarter of 2009 was 6,214 medical cards, which if continued until the end of 2009 would result in a net increase of some 75,000 medical cards. The average monthly increase for GP visit cards in the first quarter of 2009 was 577, which if continued until the end of 2009 would result in a net increase of some 7,000 GP visit cards in 2009. Based on these estimates, the net number of medical card holders would increase by 5.5% and the net number of GP visit card holders would increase by 8.2% in 2009. It should be noted however that these are projections based on the figures for the first three months and the position may change as the year unfolds.

My Department is currently reviewing all legislation relating to eligibility for health and personal social services with a view to making the system as fair and transparent as possible. As part of this exercise, a review of the eligibility criteria for medical cards in the context of financial, medical and social need is being undertaken. A Steering Group has been established which is expected to complete this work and report to me within the next few months. I will then consider the course of action to take as regards income thresholds for medical cards.

The current income guidelines that apply to applicants for a medical card in respect of persons aged 70 years and over and persons aged under 70 are set out in the following tables.

Medical Card Gross Income Thresholds for Applicants aged 70 & Over

Gross Weekly Rate

Single — Aged 70 and over

700

Married Couple — Aged 70 and over

1,400

Medical Card & GP Visit Card Net Income Thresholds for Applicants aged under 70

Medical Card Weekly Net Rate

GP Visit Card Rate

Single Person Living Alone

Aged up to 65 years

184.00

276.00

Aged between 66-69 years

201.50

302.00

Single Person Living with Family

Aged up to 65 years

164.00

246.00

Aged between 66-69 years

173.50

260.00

Married Couple/Single Parent with dependant Children

Aged up to 65 years

266.50

400.00

Aged between 66-69 years

298.00

447.00

Allowances

Allowance for first 2 children under 16 financially dependent on applicant

38.00

57.00

For 3rd and subsequent children under 16 years financially dependent on applicant

41.00

61.50

Allowance for first 2 children over 16yrs financially dependent on applicant

39.00

58.50

For 3rd and subsequent children over 16yrs financially dependent on applicant

42.50

64.00

Dependant over 16 years in full-time education and not grant-aided

78.00

117.00

These guidelines for persons aged under 70 are before allowances are given for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of; rent/mortgage payments, childcare costs and travel to work.

Applicants, whose weekly incomes are derived solely from Social Welfare or Health Service Executive allowances / payments, which are in excess of the income thresholds (either at first application or on renewal), will be granted medical cards.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

24 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will introduce a mechanism for independent inspections of care facilities for people with disabilities. [20660/09]

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

39 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ringfence funding for the implementation of the Health Information and Quality Authority National Quality Standards for Residential Services for People with Disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20599/09]

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

55 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children when an inspection system to ensure the implementation of the National Quality Standards for Residential Services for People with Disabilities in Ireland will be implemented; if she has allocated funding for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20456/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 39 and 55 together.

A Standards Advisory Group was established by HIQA to develop National Quality Standards on Residential Services for People with Disabilities. The Group comprised officials of HIQA, my Department, the HSE, service providers, organisations representing people with disabilities and service users, and met on a number of occasions during 2008. Following a public consultation process initiated by HIQA, the proposed standards were formulated and have now been published. These standards will provide a national framework for quality, safe services for people with disabilities in a residential setting and relate only to adult services at present.

Given the current economic situation, to move to full statutory implementation of the standards, including regulation and inspection, presents significant challenges at this time. However, notwithstanding the difficulties of immediate statutory implementation, my Department, the HSE and HIQA have agreed that progressive implementation of the Standards will now commence, and that they will become the benchmark against which the HSE assesses both its own directly operated facilities and other facilities that the HSE funds. Further discussions will take place regarding the introduction of an appropriate level of external validation for relevant settings.

Child Protection.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

25 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a report recently completed which confirms that there are hundreds of cases reported to the Health Service Executive of children being at risk which have to date not been allocated to a social worker and whose circumstances have not been comprehensively assessed; the action taken by her to date with regard to similar reports made during the past two years; if she has read the latest such report; and if it will be immediately published in the public interest. [20651/09]

In 2008, the HSE undertook a data and information collection exercise in respect of child welfare and protection social work across its 32 Local Health Office areas. The purpose of this exercise, the first of its kind, was to provide a better understanding of the activity in each child welfare and protection social work department and, as far as possible, to correlate the various social, economic and environmental factors that have a negative impact on the welfare and protection of children.

The output from this work is contained in a comprehensive report titled Social Work and Family Support Survey 2008, which was completed in April 2009. The report correlates demographic and deprivation data, indicators of children at risk, human resources available to HSE child welfare and protection social work departments, and activity levels in these departments. The preparation of this report will enable improved management of child welfare and protection services by allowing my Office to engage in a more informed dialogue with the HSE so that policy in this area can be improved and services better targeted and delivered. It is, however, also worth noting that as this is the first time this level of data has been compiled it is inevitable that discrepancies will show up in the data. It is only by interrogating these data that my Office and the HSE can improve its quality with a view to integrating these new level of detail into service and policy evaluation in a truly effective manner.

While the report details cases not allocated to a named social worker, it also states that the management of unallocated cases is undertaken by a social work Team Leader and/or Principal Social Worker. For children in care, unallocated cases are managed by a Team Leader and most areas have a system where families can contact the named Team Leader when difficulties arise. In the majority of social work departments, cases without an allocated social worker are also receiving input from other members of the staff in that department e.g. family support worker, child care worker or project worker. No decision has, as yet, been made regarding the publication of the report. All child abuse reports to social work departments are subject to a phased process of initial screening and assessment by a social worker under the supervision of a social work Team Leader. This process will enable some cases to be dealt with appropriately and closed, some cases to be referred to other services or agencies for appropriate interventions, some cases to be provided with further assessment and intervention and some cases to be prioritised for intervention at a later date on the basis of risk assessment. All cases in which there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of a child are provided with services.

Children in Care.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

26 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that it cost the State €2,446,196 during 2008 to provide specialised residential care to children outside of the State and that this is an increase of €741,326 on the costs from the previous year; the reasons for this increase; the reason these children have not been provided with the care they need within the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20661/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Ambulance Service.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

27 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to licence or regulate the private ambulance services in the interest of prioritising and ensuring patient safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20606/09]

The use of private ambulance services has traditionally been a component of how public ambulance services are provided, by augmenting the service mainly at patient transport level. This arrangement ensures that the resources of the Health Service Executive can be applied more appropriately to respond to emergency and urgent calls.

The HSE has put in place a national contract to replace the arrangements that existed in the regions prior to the establishment of the HSE. The contract is in line with the requirements of the EU procurement Directives. The use of private ambulance services constitutes a very small part of the total workload of the HSE ambulance service. The HSE, in sourcing private ambulance providers, requires compliance with the clinical and technical standards set by the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council, the statutory body having responsibility for registration, education and training and standards within the field of pre-hospital emergency care — public, private and voluntary. There is no licensing system for private ambulance services under the Health Acts.

Mental Health Services.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

28 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the extra beds planned for 2009 for child and adolescent psychiatry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20470/09]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

42 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is planned to provide extra beds in 2009 for young people with eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20471/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 42 together.

Children with eating disorders are managed by the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service on a community basis, and where necessary, are admitted to child and adolescent mental health facilities. An additional 18 beds will be provided for the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service in 2009, bringing the total capacity to 30 beds. Ten of these beds have already opened, four in St Anne's, Galway and six in St Vincent's, Fairview. A further eight beds will be opened shortly in St Stephen's, Cork.

Construction has now commenced on two 20 bed units in Bessboro, Cork and Merlin Park, Galway. It is anticipated that construction will be completed on both developments in late 2009 and the beds commissioned in 2010.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

29 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on progress since she declared accident and emergency services a national emergency in March 2006; her views on whether current cut-backs will exacerbate the problems in accident and emergency departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20486/09]

Last year, hospital Emergency Departments treated 1.15 million people, of which 368,000 were admitted to hospital. In 2005 the average number of patients on trolleys awaiting admission each day was 259. The average to date in 2009 is down to 141, and figures to date in May show a further reduction to 116. Data collected by the HSE over recent months indicate that the vast majority of those patients requiring admission are transferred to the ward areas without any undue delay.

We need to continue to reduce waiting times for all patients presenting as emergencies to our hospitals. With this in mind, the HSE has set a lower waiting time target of 6 hours for all patients in its 2009 Service Plan. The aim is that all patients, irrespective of whether they are admitted or not, will be assessed, treated and discharged or admitted within 6 hours of arrival. The HSE is working to measure and report on the time taken to manage each patient's care from the point of arrival in the Emergency Department until they are discharged or admitted. As an interim measure, a sampling approach is being adopted at a selected time period each day, which involves collecting registration, admission and discharge data from Emergency Departments at all hospitals, either electronically or manually.

Preliminary results from the HSE's Performance Monitoring Reports for March 2009 for a sample of 19 hospitals indicate that of all patients who did not require admission, 92% were seen and discharged within 6 hours. Approximately one third of patients who attend Emergency Departments are admitted to hospital. At the moment, almost half of these are admitted to the ward within the new maximum target time of 6 hours. The challenge for hospitals is to ensure that this new target is reached for all patients.

I am confident that the introduction of the Fair Deal in September this year will have a positive impact on the number of patients in hospital whose discharge has been delayed. As a result of the introduction of the new scheme, nursing home care will be more affordable and acute beds will be freed up for acute patients. There have been very significant improvements and we will continue to work on further improvements by reducing inappropriate admissions, reducing average length of stay and shifting activity from in-patient to day case procedures. The delivery of these measures will be essential in further improving the experience for patients attending Emergency Departments. While it has been necessary to achieve savings across the acute hospital system, the HSE and individual hospitals will work to ensure that front-line services, including Accident and Emergency services, are protected.

Hospital Accommodation.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

30 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the widespread concern at the closure of wards in various hospitals around the country; the impact this will have on waiting times for elective procedures and accident and emergency departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20468/09]

Mary Upton

Ceist:

52 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has been given an estimate of the number of beds that will be closed to patients in acute hospitals around the country in July and August 2009; if she has been given an estimate of the way this will affect waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20487/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 52 together.

Seasonal bed closures are a normal feature of the hospital system, as a means of maximising efficiency when demand is lower — for example, during holiday periods — and to facilitate periodic refurbishment or decorating work. Beds may also be closed from time to time in order to control expenditure, given the need for every hospital to operate within its allotted budget for the year. Notwithstanding any bed closures which may occur, the HSE is committed to achieving the volume and quality of throughput in hospitals provided for in its 2009 National Service Plan, which I approved in December 2008. The National Service Plan commits to an increase in the proportion of patients treated on a day basis and this is one of a number of measures which will enable more efficient use to be made of the available bed stock.

The HSE has not yet determined the exact arrangements for bed closures during the months of July and August.

Health Services.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

31 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason home help hours are being reduced in many parts of the country; if she will initiate an examination of the way home help might assist in reducing the number of people occupying acute beds who could be at home with appropriate support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20481/09]

The Home Help Service is a well established and successful component of the overall strategy to enable older people to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Significant additional funding has been provided to the Health Service Executive in recent years for the expansion of this service. The HSE Service Plan 2009 envisages that the level of service provided nationally in 2008 will be maintained this year, thus equating to:

funding of around €211m to support this particular service

a projected overall provision of 11.98 million Home Help hours.

around 54,500 persons expected to be in receipt of home help service nationally at any one time.

It is the responsibility of the HSE to operate the Home Help service at local level, in the context of the service nationally, and taking account of overall priorities and resources. This particular service, in addition to the range of other home care support initiatives undertaken by the Executive such as Home Care Packages, can play an important role in relieving pressures on the acute hospitals and long-term residential systems. The Executive regularly reviews the provision of Home-Help in individual cases, having reference to various factors such as changing needs of the person and ensuring that resources are allocated as fairly as possible between existing clients and new applicants. In the circumstances, the question relating to the specific issues raised by the Deputy has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Child Protection.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

32 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will deliver a 24 hour social work service nationally to respond to all serious child protection and welfare concerns, as recommended by the Monageer inquiry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20568/09]

The Government and the HSE remain committed to the development of a comprehensive needs-based service for children at risk. Since taking up office as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I have convened and chair regular meetings between officials from my Office and senior child welfare and protection managers in the HSE aimed at improving the provision of services to children at risk. A key component of these discussions has been the provision of out of hours care.

In this context, the HSE is now putting in place a standardised national system whereby Gardaí can access an appropriate place of safety for children found to be at risk out of hours under Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991. This service will conform with Child Care Regulations and with the National Foster Care Standards. The provision of this service aims to ensure that children presenting as ‘at risk' outside of normal working hours are provided with an appropriate emergency place of safety thereby reducing or eliminating social admissions of children in an acute hospital setting. Foster families are currently being recruited with a view to commencing the service in June 2009.

In addition, and instead of developing a stand alone social work out of hours service, it has been agreed to develop alternative proposals based on a more integrated multidisciplinary approach which builds on the HSE's existing out of hours services including GPs, acute hospital services and mental health services. This should provide a more effective and integrated service by using existing resources and strengthening the links between services such as mental health and social work to appropriately address incidents occurring outside usual working hours. The aim is to ensure that persons seeking personal social services outside normal working hours can be provided with appropriate advice, information, support and, in emergency situations, access to specialist staff, such as staff working in the areas of mental health and suicide prevention.

Youth Services.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

33 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of youth cafes she has funded here; the location and amount of funding provided; and if she will fund further such facilities. [16737/09]

The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) has not funded youth cafés. The OMCYA has been allocated €750,000 from Dormant Accounts for the development of a structured programme of youth cafes in 2009. Final decisions on the operation of this programme are still under consideration. The focus of the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) which is now under the remit of the OMCYA is not on the provision of youth cafés. However a number of the facilities built under the YPFSF include a youth café area incorporated within the facility. The objective of the Fund is to attract "at risk" young people in disadvantaged areas into these facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance abuse.

The Youth Affairs Section that transferred from the Department of Education & Science to the OMCYA as of 1 January, 2009 has also provided funding in recent years to a small number of youth work projects that provide youth cafe facilities for young people.

Health Services.

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

34 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures that are in place and will be put in place to give the professional help required to those who were abused by a doctor (details supplied); if she will provide funding for the support group that is working with these victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20485/09]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has assigned overall co-ordinating responsibility for this matter to the Area Manager for Consumer Affairs in the North East area who is available to liaise with former patients or support groups. An arrangement for the provision of professional counselling support services has been put in place by the HSE for former patients of the person concerned. The service is provided by the National Counselling Service and will continue to be made available as required. The need for additional support will also be monitored by the HSE.

The issue of funding for the support group in question has been referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply.

Food Labelling.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

35 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made with regard to ensuring foodstuffs of foreign origin cannot be labelled as having been produced here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20181/09]

Food labelling is governed by Council Directive 2000/13/EC which was transposed into Irish law in 2002. The principle underlying this Directive is that the purchaser must not be misled to a material degree, particularly with reference to the nature, composition and origin of the foodstuff. In addition, there are national regulations for beef and veal, making mandatory the display of the country of origin on the label.

In January 2008, the European Commission presented its proposals on updating and harmonising this legislation. The draft EU Commission proposal makes allowance for voluntary Country of Origin Labelling for food products. The Commission has proposed that "where the country of origin or the place of provenance of the food is not the same as the one of its primary ingredient(s), the country of origin or place of provenance of those ingredient(s) shall also be given". Furthermore, it proposes that "for meat, other than beef and veal, the indication on the country of origin or place of provenance may be given as a single place only where animals have been born, reared and slaughtered in the same country or place. In other cases information on each of the different places of birth, rearing and slaughter shall be given". The proposal is still under discussion at EU working group level.

In November 2008, Ireland submitted its position paper on the proposal which supports mandatory Country of Origin Labelling. This paper was informed by submissions made to the FSAI by many of the key stakeholders. Ireland's position will be further informed by the outcome of an FSAI Consumer Survey, to be completed in June 2009.

Since January 2008 a number of meetings have taken place at European Union Working Group level, attended by officials from Department of Health and Children and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The next meeting is due to take place on 28 May 2009. On 16th March 2009, the European Parliament examined the proposal. Parliament has indicated, however, that it will not be in a position to conduct the first reading of the document until after the European Parliament elections. At this stage, it is likely that the proposal will not be finalised until end of 2009 at the earliest. Meanwhile, Ireland will continue to build alliances among member states, in addition to Italy, who to date have strongly advocated country of origin labelling.

Question No. 36 answered with Question No. 22.

Hospital Staff.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

37 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the extra consultants promised under the 100 plus scheme to be all appointed; her plans for other consultant appointments in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20467/09]

The HSE has made financial provision within its 2009 Service Plan for the recruitment of additional consultants, including appointments under the 100 plus scheme. In line with the new contractual arrangements agreed with Medical Consultants and to provide for a consultant delivered service, the number of hospital consultants will be increased but there will need to be compensatory savings by suppressing Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor posts. My Department has asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy on the specific issues she has raised.

Health Services.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

38 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to provide out-of-hours social work services, as recommended by the Monageer Report. [20662/09]

The Government and the HSE remain committed to the development of a comprehensive needs-based service for children at risk. Since taking up office as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I have convened and chair regular meetings between officials from my Office and senior child welfare and protection managers in the HSE aimed at improving the provision of services to children at risk. A key component of these discussions has been the provision of out of hours care.

In this context, the HSE is now putting in place a standardised national system whereby Gardaí can access an appropriate place of safety for children found to be at risk out of hours under Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991. This service will conform with Child Care Regulations and with the National Foster Care Standards. The provision of this service aims to ensure that children presenting as ‘at risk' outside of normal working hours are provided with an appropriate emergency place of safety thereby reducing or eliminating social admissions of children in an acute hospital setting. Foster families are currently being recruited with a view to commencing the service in June 2009.

In addition, and instead of developing a stand alone social work out of hours service, it has been agreed to develop alternative proposals based on a more integrated multidisciplinary approach which builds on the HSE's existing out of hours services including GPs, acute hospital services and mental health services. This should provide a more effective and integrated service by using existing resources and strengthening the links between services such as mental health and social work to appropriately address incidents occurring outside usual working hours. The aim is to ensure that persons seeking personal social services outside normal working hours can be provided with appropriate advice, information, support and, in emergency situations, access to specialist staff, such as staff working in the areas of mental health and suicide prevention.

Question No. 39 answered with Question No. 24.

Hospital Services.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

40 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Prospectus review of critical care services will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20414/09]

The Review in question was commissioned by the Health Service Executive in order to inform plans for the organisation and delivery of adult critical care services within the acute hospital system. I understand that the report is being finalised at present. A decision on publication will be made when the report is completed.

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

41 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children when, in view of the fact that the 2004 Comptroller and Auditor General report on the National Treatment Purchase Fund did not compare the cost of treatments between the private sector and the public sector, the Comptroller and Auditor General’s new report on same will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20610/09]

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

47 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the value for money assessments that have been carried out on the National Treatment Purchase Fund; if comparisons have been made with the cost-effectiveness of making more use of public hospital facilities and equipment as against referring patients through the NTPF; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20488/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 47 together.

I have emphasised to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) the need for maximum cost-effectiveness in the discharge of its remit, consistent with providing safe and effective care, and I am satisfied that the Fund is aware of its responsibilities in this regard. I have also asked the NTPF, in its dealings with private hospitals, to seek even better value in the current year and the Fund indicates that it has already succeeded in negotiating reductions in the prices paid for certain high-volume procedures. The Fund has also stated that where acceptable prices cannot be agreed, it will not purchase the required service from the provider concerned.

The NTPF uses a number of benchmarks in determining whether the prices offered by private providers represent value for money. These include public hospital average casemix costs and, where known, the prices paid by private health insurers. The NTPF has undertaken a comparison of the average price it has paid for certain high-volume procedures with the public hospital average casemix cost for similar treatments. While it is not appropriate to draw a direct comparison between the price charged by a private hospital for a procedure and the average public hospital casemix cost, the NTPF indicates that for the treatments in question there is a reasonable correlation in average costs. In some cases the price paid by the NTPF was appreciably lower than the average casemix cost in the public hospital system.

The Comptroller and Auditor General operates independently of the Government and I have no function in relation to any examination which the C & AG may decide to undertake.

Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 28.

Screening Programmes.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

43 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children when she proposes to have in place a national neonatal screening service for cystic fibrosis; her proposals to roll out such a service; and when it can be expected the screening programme will commence. [20413/09]

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

104 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children when she proposes to have in place a national neonatal screening service for cystic fibrosis; her proposals to roll out such a service; and when it can be expected the screening programme will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20738/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 104 together.

The Health Service Executive's Expert Advisory Group on Children and Families has produced a draft policy document on the introduction of a cystic fibrosis screening programme for newborns. Recommendations include the establishment of a Steering Group to oversee its implementation and to ensure coherence with the development of other relevant services.

The Steering Group has been established and will oversee the roll out of the screening programme. The HSE has set aside the necessary finances to allow for the commencement of the Programme later this year, subject to the preparatory arrangements being completed. My Department has asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputies on the operational issue raised by them.

Question No. 44 answered with Question No. 10.

Health Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

45 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in regard to her plans for co-location; the full extent of funding already spent or committed in this regard; the degree to which it is possible to recover expenditure or commitments entered into to date; her plans for the delivery of health services in the public and private sector for the future; the extent to which such policy is expected to converge with the various major reports on the future of the health services commissioned by her Department in the past eight years; if her attention has been drawn to the view held by some health experts that all hospitals and health facilities such as health centres should be centres of excellence and that only the highest standards should apply in all such locations and that future investment in the health services should not be solely for centres of excellence and the expense of all other facilities throughout the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20648/09]

While the co-location initiative is a complex process, it is an efficient means of delivering extra bed capacity for the public hospital system. Significant progress has been made in advancing the individual projects involved. The Board of the HSE has approved preferred bidder status for the development of co-located hospitals at Beaumont, Cork University, the Mid-Western Regional Limerick, St. James's, Waterford Regional and Sligo General Hospitals. Project Agreements for the Beaumont, Cork, Limerick and St James's projects have been signed.

I assume that the Deputy's questions regarding expenditure refer to the spending incurred by the HSE on its legal and other expenses in respect of the co-location initiative. Each of the preferred bidders under the co-location initiative is required to pay a deposit to the HSE on the signing of the project agreement and this is non refundable The intention of this requirement is to allow the HSE to recoup the expenses that it has incurred in this context.

The Deputy's question also refers to patient safety issues in the private sector. The fundamental objective of Government health policy is to maximise the health status of the population. The Government is committed to ensuring quality health services, delivered efficiently and effectively. Ensuring patient safety is paramount, so that people can have confidence in the services and that the best possible patient outcomes are achieved.

The private healthcare sector plays a significant role in the provision of health and personal social services in Ireland. Such private healthcare provision spans from general practitioner services through private beds in public hospitals and private hospitals to private nursing homes. In addition, the National Treatment Purchase Fund purchases treatment primarily from private hospitals and has been very successful in reducing the length of time public patients have to wait for hospital treatment.

In January 2007, I established the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance and it reported to me in July 2008. The Government recently accepted the Commission's report and approved the commencement of work on the drawing up of legislation to give effect to its central recommendation on the licensing of both public and private healthcare providers. Co-located hospitals would be subject to licensing and any other standards that are introduced. Other recommendations to be implemented include the introduction of a programme of clinical audit across all health services, adverse event reporting, learning dissemination and a system of credentialing for healthcare professionals right across the public healthcare system.

Mental Health Services.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

46 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the annual report on the Mental Health Commission. [20659/09]

Pursuant to the provision of Section 42 (1) of the Mental Health Act, 2001, copies of the 2008 Annual Report of the Mental Health Commission which includes the Report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services were laid before both houses of the Oireachtas on Wednesday, 13th May 2009. The Report was published by the Mental Health Commission on Thursday, 14th May 2009.

I welcome the publication of the Report, the purpose of which is not just about detecting abuses and unsafe practices but also to provide constructive feedback to those delivering services and act as an educational resource to encourage the development of progressive and innovative ideas and practices. The Report highlights the fact that reforming our mental health services is not just about increased financial investment; it is about staff being receptive to change. Essentially it involves putting the service user at the centre and embedding the ‘recovery' approach in the service. With regard to the Inspector's view that the absence of a separate Mental Health Directorate is a serious drawback to the implementation of ‘ A Vision for Change’, I welcome the recent decision by the HSE to appoint a national lead dedicated to mental health.

Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 41.

Hospital Accommodation.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

48 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has found a way to address the financing of the promised beds for cystic fibrosis patients at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20476/09]

Refurbishment work took place last year in St Vincent's University Hospital to provide eight single en-suite rooms for the exclusive use of people with cystic fibrosis. The next stage in the development of St. Vincent's Hospital will involve the building of a new ward block to replace existing accommodation. The new ward block will include accommodation for cystic fibrosis patients. I am anxious to ensure that the project is delivered without delay. The HSE, in partnership with St. Vincent's Hospital, have structured the tender for this development in such a way that payments for the works can be deferred towards the end of the construction period. The design team have been instructed to proceed on this basis. They have now signed off on the design and will shortly be going to tender for the construction of the new building. It is intended that the construction, equipping and commissioning of this block will be completed as early as possible in 2011.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

49 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children when the proposal to have a single waiting list for colonoscopies as a consequence of the agreeing of the new consultants contract will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20472/09]

The new Consultant Contract provides for a single waiting list for outpatient diagnostics. This agreement did not initially cover colonscopies, but this was subsequently agreed at my request. The HSE is now working to give effect to this agreement in relation to colonoscopies.

I have instructed the HSE to ensure that urgent colonoscopies are provided within four weeks. The HSE has established a special review group to identify and report on the number of patients who require urgent colonoscopies. The review group has begun work on establishing a process that will enable the information on urgent colonoscopies to be accurately recorded and reported. A system whereby any patient who requires an urgent colonoscopy will receive it within four weeks of referral is to be in place by the end of the year.

It is important to note that not all colonoscopies are urgent. All hospitals prioritise individuals with significant symptoms according to clinical need. Only a small proportion of patients are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In an average year, for example, there are some 2,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in Ireland, while there are over 55,000 colonoscopies performed.

In the case of non-urgent colonoscopies, the HSE has instructed all hospitals to refer patients waiting for longer than three months to the National Treatment Purchase Fund. The National Hospitals Office is actively encouraging all hospitals to continue to work with the NTPF to monitor waiting times and to refer those waiting over 3 months to the NTPF. The HSE's special review group will also examine the nature of the conditions for which patients are placed on the single waiting list for a colonoscopy. These include symptomatic patients, those recalled periodically and those for surveillance. The group will identify the specific actions required by the HSE to provide patients with a colonoscopy as soon as possible.

Finally, the HSE has also begun work on developing and implementing national guidelines for quality assurance of colonoscopy services. The HSE intends to make best use of the considerable existing knowledge and expertise as to how the management and quality of colonoscopy services can be optimised. To this end it has had preliminary engagement with some of the professional medical colleges.

Question No. 50 answered with Question No. 21.

Hospital Services.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

51 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is planned to close the stroke unit in Sligo General Hospital; if this will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20466/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 30.

Hospital Staff.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

53 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children when her attention was first drawn to the issue of consultants who have opted for a public-only contract not being able to admit patients who have health insurance in a private capacity; the amount of a shortfall in cash to public hospitals that is expected to result from this; the way the money will be made up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20462/09]

I do not believe that there will, in fact, be a loss of €50m to public hospitals arising from the new consultants' contract, and I will set out the reasons why. A central objective of the new consultants' contract is to improve access for public patients to public hospital services. It ensures, for example, for the first time in public hospitals, that patients needing outpatient or ambulatory diagnostic care will be seen on the basis of medical need, with no distinction between public and private. Consultants holding the ‘public-only' Type A contract do not undertake any private work and no patient admitted under the care of such a consultant can be accorded ‘private' status.

Public hospitals may not therefore raise a private accommodation charge where a patient is admitted under the care of a Type A Consultant, nor may another consultant involved in the treatment of such a patient charge a fee. Approximately 560 of 1,550 consultants who have accepted the new contract have this Type A contract. Public hospitals earn income from health insurance companies for private patients admitted only to designated private beds.

The only way that the HSE could be at a loss of €50m, as a result of the new consultants' contract, would be if designated private beds in public hospitals went unoccupied by private patients for a significant part of the year. I do not expect this to happen, because there will be approximately 1,400 consultants still in a position to treat private patients in public hospitals. It can be expected that the 980 consultants on the new contract who are allowed private practice, plus the 400 approximately remaining on the old contract, will continue to admit and treat sufficient numbers of patients, so that there will be little, if any, loss of private bed income to the hospitals concerned. Thus, in practical terms, I do not expect a €50m loss, or any material loss at all, to public hospitals as a result of the new contract.

Departmental Expenditure.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

54 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding that will be spent in 2009 to implement A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20469/09]

The estimated additional cost of the implementation of ’A Vision for Change’ the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy is €150m over 7 — 10 years. Substantial resources are invested in mental health services; overall spending on these services amounts to an estimated €1 billion. Development funding totalling €51.2m was allocated to the HSE in 2006 and 2007, some of which was diverted because of core budgetary pressures; however, I am advised by the HSE that 94% of the €51.2m will be in place before the end of 2009. Implementing ‘A Vision for Change’ is essentially about the reallocation and remodelling of these resources. Additional funding has been provided in 2009 for the recruitment of 35 therapy posts for the child and adolescent mental health service. In addition, once-off funding of €1.75m has been provided for suicide prevention initiatives and for mental health projects supporting service users and carers.

Question No. 55 answered with Question No. 24.

Health Service Staff.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

56 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the major problems arising as a result of the moratorium on replacing health service staff which in some cases is hindering the implementation of her policy; if she will introduce more speedy procedures or approval in urgent or critical situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20479/09]

In order to implement savings measures on public service numbers, the Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade with effect from 27 March 2009 to end 2010. A HSE circular has issued which gives effect to the Government decision in the public health services and other specific aspects of the employment control framework for the health services.

The Government decision has been modulated to ensure that key services are maintained insofar as possible in the health services, particularly in respect of children at risk, older people and persons with a disability. The HSE will be focussing on the scope that exists within the health services for reorganising and restructuring of work in order to minimise the impact on essential service delivery. The redeployment and reassignment of existing staff will also support the reorientation of care from hospitals to the community and to facilitate the development of integrated care. It is seeking a high level of flexibility from staff and unions to achieve this.

In addition, the employment control framework specifically exempts the following front line grades in the health sector from the moratorium: Medical Consultants, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Clinical Psychologists, Behaviour Therapists, Counsellors, Social Workers, and Emergency Medical Technicians. The framework actually allows for a growth in the number of those posts within the overall approved employment ceiling (111,800 wtes) for the health sector. The framework also includes provision for the creation of 225 new development posts this year for cancer and disability services. The focus on these key grades is in line with existing Government policy on the prioritisation of certain development areas, for which significant funding has already been provided. The overall result will be to assist in the reorientation of health employment to services delivered in primary and community care.

I wish to advise that as part of the Employment Control Framework for the health sector, the Joint Employment Control Monitoring Committee comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance and the HSE meets regularly to monitor the implementation of the moratorium and any issues arising.

Hospital Services.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

57 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene to prevent the removal of all acute in-patient services from Monaghan General Hospital, as planned for 31 May 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20655/09]

The Transformation Programme for the North East region has been informed by the Teamwork Report to the Health Service Executive (HSE) which demonstrated that the service configuration in the region was unsustainable. A series of focused and necessary service changes are being implemented across the region.

The transfer of acute medical care from Monaghan General Hospital to Cavan is subject to a number of dependencies first being in place, including the development of an enhanced ambulance and pre-hospital thrombolysis service. The recently opened Medical Assessment Unit at Cavan will also support the transfer of services from Monaghan. The timeframe for this transfer is currently under review by the HSE. The changes proposed by the HSE, which I support, are for reasons of patient safety. The HSE will continue to work with all stakeholders to bring about the improvements in a carefully planned way that puts patients first.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

58 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in regard to the future development and delivery of the health services for children; the degree to which it is intended to continue the provision of services at such locations as Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin; if it is intended to reduce, downscale or in any other way reduce or interfere with the standard and quality of services available there; if she has authorised a reduction in the budget to Crumlin or other hospitals in order to meet economic guidelines; her views on the anxiety and concern of the parents of sick children at such a prospect; if she will give an assurance that there will be no attempt in any way to reduce the scale and quality of services for sick children but on the contrary will indicate the way it is intended to provide an increased and improved paediatric service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20647/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

72 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene to prevent the closure of wards at Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Dublin. [20658/09]

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

123 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will reverse the decision in relation to the closure of wards and cutbacks in Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20884/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

135 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the future of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin; if action is being taken that can ultimately lead to a diminution of services available at the hospital which in turn will cause anxiety, concern and distress for the parents of sick children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20906/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 72, 123 and 135 together.

The provision of high quality hospital services for children will continue to be a priority for the Government. The Children's Health First Report commissioned by the Health Service Executive indicated that the population and projected demands in this country can support only one world class tertiary paediatric hospital. It recommended that the hospital should be in Dublin and should, ideally, be co-located with a leading adult academic hospital. Following detailed consideration, it was decided that the most appropriate location for the new National Paediatric Hospital is at the Mater Hospital. The hospital will also include an associated Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght which is to open in advance of the main hospital.

The Government is committed to the development of the National Paediatric Hospital as a priority. The project is proceeding as planned and is being overseen by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board which was established in May, 2007. The HSE is working closely with the Board in progressing the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2014. Services will continue to be supported and developed at Our Lady's Children's Hospital until such time as the new National Paediatric Hospital is opened.

In common with all hospitals, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin is facing considerable challenges in delivering a high quality service to its patients, while remaining within budget. The Hospital is committed to providing the full level of services that it promised in its service plan for 2009. The top priority will be to protect patient care. So far this year, Crumlin Hospital has delivered more treatments to patients than for the same period last year. In the first three months of 2009 there were 2,745 treatments for children as in-patients and 3,841 as day cases– up by 244 over 2008. Crumlin also had 21,252 attendances at the out-patient department — up by 1,041 from the first quarter of last year.

The allocation to Crumlin for 2009 is €139.6m, an increase of some 39% over the last five years. There was a reduction of 3% this year, in line with the budgetary constraints we face across the system. A particular challenge for the Hospital is that it is operating at some 100 posts above its employment ceiling — it employed 1,650 people (wholetime equivalents) at the end of March compared with its ceiling of 1,550. This is contributing to its current financial difficulties.

The HSE is working closely with Crumlin Hospital to achieve an agreed programme of savings, totalling €6.5m this year. The focus of these savings will be on non-pay areas of expenditure and on protecting front-line services. On this basis, the HSE believes that the Hospital will achieve a break-even position this year.

I believe that we need to look now in a more strategic way at the way in which we provide paediatric services in Dublin. In 2009 the Government will provide over €250m for the running of three paediatric hospitals in Dublin — Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght. I believe that we can achieve significant cost savings if services and practices are more closely integrated across the three hospital sites, even before the new National Paediatric Hospital has been completed. With this in mind, the HSE is pursuing ways in which services across the three hospitals can best be co-ordinated, to avoid unnecessary duplication and to achieve savings that can be put back into patient care.

Health Services.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

59 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has been given an assessment of the long-term affects on services and waiting times of the widespread cutbacks to front-line health care already implemented and planned for implementation for 2009; if she has alternative proposals to the current cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20452/09]

The HSE National Service Plan 2009 approved by me in December 2008 included €250m in economy and cost avoidance measures for 2009 (in addition to a continuation of €280m value for money measures from 2008). In broad terms, the planned level of activity outlined in the HSE Service Plan for 2009 is in line with that targeted in 2008. Since then, a number of potential exposures (some of which were identified in the National Service Plan) materialised. Based on the best information available, a figure of €540m was arrived at through detailed examination undertaken by the HSE and my Department.

The HSE submitted an amendment to the National Service Plan on 2 April under Section 32(4) of the Health Act 2004 with proposals to achieve savings of €72m through service reductions. As part of the Supplementary Budget on 7 April, additional funding of €160m was made available to offset the projected reduction in the yield from the health levy. It was also agreed that, in acknowledgement of the difficulty in accurately forecasting the impact of unemployment levels on medical card numbers, the funding provision in respect of medical cards would be kept under review. The approach agreed as part of the Supplementary Budget when combined with €133m in measures already identified by the HSE and not affecting the Service Plan, left a residual problem of €147m (compared to the previous figure identified of €540m).

As outlined in my press release of 24 April, I wrote to the Chairman of the HSE on 23 April outlining a series of measures totalling €147 aimed at avoiding service level reductions and which obviate the need for the proposed amendment to the existing National Service plan. This approach means that the post National Service Plan pressures of €540m have been addressed without recourse to service reductions. I have asked the HSE to continue to focus on delivering the level of services as originally planned. Notwithstanding the progress made, it is clear that the financial challenges underpinning the HSE's delivery of the Service Plan continue to be very substantial. The achievement of the service targets set out in the HSE Service Plan will require continued monitoring and the emphasis on budgetary management will need to be sustained at all levels.

Health Service Staff.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

60 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of grade VIII or above posts she has approved for the Health Service Executive in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20458/09]

My Department has approved 4 posts at Grade VIII (and equivalent) or above in 2009. It is important to note that, as announced in Budget 2009, there will be a 3% reduction in management and administrative grades in sections of the health sector in 2009. This equates to 500 wholetime equivalents and the reduction will streamline management structures in the health service and will further reduce health employment in 2009.

Care of the Elderly.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

61 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied with the home care systems available to the elderly and disabled in view of cases (details supplied); if this is typical of the home care packages so long promised by herself and the Health Service Executive; her views on the system in which the HSE is moving towards agency carers rather than making commitments to local carers who know the patients and have built up a good relationship with them which is sometimes difficult; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20416/09]

Government policy in relation to older people is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not possible, the health service supports access as appropriate to quality long-term residential care. Additional funding of just over €200 million was provided to develop various community services and supports for older people over the period 2006-8. This additional funding related, for example, to Home Care Packages, Home-Help, Meals-on-Wheels, and Day/Respite care.

Home Care Packages are a relatively new initiative, introduced in 2006, and developed in the meantime across the country through phased investment of €120 million. A package comprises a number of community-based services and supports, provided in a way to best meet the needs of an older person. The person will have significant medical, nursing and/or therapy requirements and may be recently discharged from hospital, or at-risk of admission to hospital, if such needs are not met in a planned way. The HSE Service Plan 2009 envisages around 8,700 people benefitting from packages at any one time, or over 11,000 people benefitting over the course of the year. It is a matter for the HSE to provide Home Care Packages at local level, including as appropriate, delivery on a partnership basis with the voluntary sector or through private providers.

It is clear that the Government has made considerable improvements in recent years to enhance Home Care provision generally across the country. There is no doubt that demand can at times exceed resources. However, the HSE has responsibility to deliver services both nationally and locally, in the context of Government priorities and its overall resources, while at the same time taking account of the need to maximise services to the most vulnerable in our society. The HSE undertakes reviews of its wide range of services, to ensure that such services are provided in the best possible manner. In the circumstances, the question relating to the particular case has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 22.

Health Services.

Sean Sherlock

Ceist:

63 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the introduction of a no-fault compensation scheme within the health services such as that which operates successfully in New Zealand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20478/09]

New Zealand does not have a specific no fault compensation scheme to deal with personal injury claims arising from the delivery of health services. Requests for compensation arising from medical accidents or clinical error are dealt with by the Accident Compensation Corporation as one element of a general no fault system covering all accidents including motor, industrial/occupational and domestic accidents.

The focus of the scheme is on rectifying any damage caused by an accident and returning the affected person to full health and to work if appropriate. Compensation is made up of health and rehabilitation services and a weekly cash payment to compensate for any loss of earnings. Because of the level of support provided under the scheme the right to sue for personal injury arising from an accident has been abolished in New Zealand except in exceptional cases where there is a claim for exemplary damages. Therefore, in general, victims of accidents receive no compensation for "pain and suffering". The New Zealand scheme is funded from a combination of taxation and an employment levy.

In regard to a possible introduction of such a scheme into the health services in this country, a Group, chaired by Professor Peter McKenna of the Rotunda Hospital and which will be reporting to me later this year, has been examining the feasibility of introducing a limited no fault scheme for infants who suffer from Cerebral Palsy. I will await their report before giving further consideration to a wider no fault compensation scheme for the health services. As I have said before, I would be sympathetic to the introduction of a no fault compensation scheme with clearly defined parameters with regard to costs and types of claims.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

64 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedure available to families and concerned others at night-time or a weekend if they believe someone to be suicidal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20455/09]

Families or individuals that have concerns that someone may be suicidal or in a crisis situation should contact their local General Practitioner or accompany the person to the Accident and Emergency Department of the nearest general hospital so that the person's needs can be assessed.

Commissions of Investigation.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

65 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has received a copy of the final report into a nursing home (details supplied); if she will publish the report; if, and when, she will implement the recommendations of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20457/09]

The Final Report from the Commission of Investigation, established to investigate the management, operation and supervision of the former Leas Cross Nursing Home was due to be completed and submitted to my colleague Minister Harney by 15th May, 2009. The Sole Member to the Commission recently advised that this report would not be completed by this date and sought a revision of the time frame as provided for in the Commissions of Investigation Act, 2004. Following consideration of his request, Minister Harney decided to extend the time for completion to 12 June, 2009.

The Deputy will be aware that the Commission was established by the Government, under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, in the light of the gravity of the issues raised by previous reviews into this nursing home and the resultant public concern surrounding these matters generally. This Act provides that a Commission's Final Report shall be published as soon as possible after submission to a specified Minister, subject to the other requirements of the Act. It was originally intended that the Final Report of this particular Commission would be published and I wish to re-iterate that this remains the position. Following receipt and consideration of the Final Report, Minister Harney will then be in a position to determine the appropriate steps to be taken, including the issues raised by the Deputy, with a view to publishing the Report of the Commission at the earliest possible date.

Ambulance Service.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

66 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are plans for a comprehensive air ambulance service here; her views on whether this service is more urgently needed in the context of a reduction in accident and emergency services in smaller hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20480/09]

An air ambulance service is currently provided by the Air Corps on the basis of a Service Level Agreement prepared by the Departments of Defence and Health and Children, in consultation with the Health Service Executive, the Defence Forces and the Air Corps, all of which are signatories to it. This arrangement has operated successfully for a number of years.

The air ambulance service is provided by the Air Corps for the following categories:- Inter-hospital transfer of patients with spinal or other serious injury or illness, Neonates requiring immediate medical intervention in Ireland, Patients requiring specialised emergency treatment in the UK, Organ retrieval teams within Ireland, and Paediatric patients requiring immediate medical intervention in Ireland. In addition, the Irish Coast Guard provides Air Ambulance inter-hospital transfers as part of its work and also provides for emergency medical evacuation from the islands around Ireland. In situations where the Coast Guard service is not available, the Air Corps will transport patients from offshore islands to mainland hospitals.

The focus of ambulance service policy for the medium-term is on the consolidation and development of land ambulance services. This includes ensuring that ambulance personnel have the requisite skills and training to enable them to provide more complex pre-hospital care. The continuing development of control and deployment arrangements will also enable the most effective and efficient use of available resources. There are no plans at present for the HSE to become involved in the development or use of private air ambulance services.

Medicinal Products.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

67 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, arising from a statement (details supplied) regarding the decision to ban benzylpiperazine, plans to enforce the ban and to ensure that this substance is withdrawn from sale; her plans for a public awareness campaign to alert people as to the dangers of this substance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16731/09]

On 31 March 2009, Benzylpiperazine (BZP), one of the so-called ‘party' or ‘happy pills' available for sale in ‘head shops' was declared a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (Controlled Drugs) (Declaration) Order 2009. This means that the possession and sale of BZP are now illegal. A press release issued from my Department on 31 March and there was considerable media coverage of the ban on BZP. Head shops possessing supplies of BZP must dispose of those stocks or risk prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Acts. Enforcement of this measure is a matter for the Gardaí who have powers under the Misuse of Drugs Acts to search premises and to seize supplies of BZP which have not been disposed of.

Hospital Staff.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

68 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is the case that a new chief executive officer has been appointed for the proposed new tertiary paediatric hospital in Dublin; when it is expected that this hospital will be operational; if the economic climate has affected planning for the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20473/09]

The Government is committed to the development of the National Paediatric Hospital as a priority. The project is proceeding as planned and is being overseen by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, which was established in May, 2007. The Board has appointed a Chief Officer, a Medical Director and a Finance Officer. The HSE is working closely with the Board in progressing the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2014. The new hospital will be based at the Mater Hospital and will include an associated Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght which is to open in advance of the main hospital.

Health Services.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

69 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has plans to ensure safe practices, including throughput of patients to maintain expertise in specific specialties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20474/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

134 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the principle of the need to ensure that all hospitals and health centres or institutions are operated to the level of a centre of excellence in each case and that the patients’ needs are at all times paramount in the determination of the layout and delivery of hospital and health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20905/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

138 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the standards intended to apply in terms of procedures, practices and equipment at hospitals or health institutions not identified as suitable centres of excellence in the future; the way this is expected to affect the quality and standard of services to patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20909/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 134 and 138 together.

The fundamental objective of Government health policy continues to be to maximise the health status of the population. The Government is committed to ensuring quality health services delivered efficiently and effectively. Ensuring patient safety is paramount so that people can have confidence in the services and that the best possible patient outcomes are achieved.

It is widely recognised that treating a low volume of cases in higher-volume specialties is not conducive to optimal patient care. In order to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients, clinicians must be able to maintain their specialist skills by treating a sufficient number of cases. It is more difficult for specialists to maintain their skills in smaller hospitals when treating a low volume of patients. This has implications for how we organise acute services generally.

The HSE has commissioned a number of reviews in relation to how acute hospital services should be organised in particular regions. These reviews have highlighted the need for changes to be made in the provision and organisation of acute hospital services in the regions concerned, particularly in relation to accident and emergency services, critical care, acute surgery and medicine. Importantly, the programme also involves developing smaller hospitals to provide a much greater proportion of less complex care, especially in day surgery, medicine and diagnostics. This underlines the fact that smaller hospitals can be reconfigured to provide important services for their local community.

A recent example of reconfiguration in relation to the delivery of specialist services is the development of designated centres for cancer care. A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland 2006 identified an evidence-based requirement for specialist cancer centres each serving a population of 500,000 — meaning that eight would be required — and recommended, inter alia, that all cancer care should be provided through a system of four Managed Cancer Control Networks. The restructured National Cancer Control Programme will deliver real improvements in cancer care based on best international practice.

In 2007, I established the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) as part of the Health Reform Programme. A core function of HIQA is to set standards on safety and quality of health services and to monitor enforcement of those standards in an open and transparent way. HIQA has already developed national quality standards in areas such as Symptomatic Breast Disease Standards, National Hygiene Standards and National Standards for Infection Prevention and Control. Work has also commenced on the development of National Quality Standards for acute hospitals in the public sector. HIQA standards will apply to all public health services wherever appropriate.

There has also been considerable progress made in recent years in reforming the regulation of health professionals in Ireland. The Medical Practitioners Act 2007 and the Pharmacy Act 2007 provide for new, modern systems of regulation for Medical Practitioners and Pharmacists. New legislation is in preparation for the reform of the regulation of Nurses and Midwives. Part 11 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, once commenced, will place duties and responsibilities on individual medical practitioners, their employers and the Medical Council regarding the maintenance of professional competence. Preparations are ongoing for the implementation of these provisions, which will be commenced in due course.

In January 2007, I established the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance and it reported to me in July 2008. The Government recently accepted the Commission's report and approved the commencement of work on the drawing up of legislation to give effect to its central recommendation on the licensing of both public and private healthcare providers. Other recommendations to be implemented include the introduction of a programme of clinical audit across all health services, adverse event reporting, learning dissemination and a system of credentialing for healthcare professionals. Both the Government and the HSE are committed to a process of change which is incremental and which involves appropriate consultation and discussion with those affected.

I believe that all of these measures are contributing to an improvement in the quality and standard of our health service.

Drug Rehabilitation Programmes.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

70 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had regarding the provision of detox facilities for drug addicts who wish to detox their bodies in order to participate in a drugs rehabilitation programme; if her attention has been drawn to the shortage of such facilities in the country and the difficulties that arise for those who want to give up addictive drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20483/09]

I discussed this issue on 21 January and 5 March 2008 with Minister of State Pat Carey T.D. who at that time was Minister of State with responsibility for co-ordinating the National Drugs Strategy: the outcome of these meetings was the appointment by the HSE of a senior rehabilitation co-ordinator. The Deputy's question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply in relation to existing detoxification facilities.

Hospital Services.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

71 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans to develop outpatient services at Roscommon and Portiuncula Hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20415/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 72 answered with Question No. 58.

Departmental Expenditure.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

73 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the timescale for her consideration of a new way to finance the health system here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20463/09]

I established an Expert Group on Resource Allocation in the Health Sector in April 2009. The Group will examine how the existing system of resource allocation within the Irish public health service can be improved to support better the aims of the health reform programme. As part of the terms of reference, I have asked the Expert Group, in the light of its work, to take a view on the most appropriate financing mechanism for the Irish health service. The Group has been asked to report to the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Finance by April 2010.

Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 6.

Health Services.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

75 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children if the policy of not using blood regularly taken from patients with haemochromatosis for transfusion for other patients is being re-considered; if she will initiate discussion in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20460/09]

The IBTS provides phlebotomy for people with haemochromatosis on a weekly basis in Dublin. Donors are referred from their consultant for initial screening for suitability for blood donation. The donors are reviewed once per year by the referring consultant, but are otherwise cared for by the IBTS clinical staff. The service was initially set up as a pilot in 2007, but has become an established service following the success of the pilot scheme. The clinic has the capacity at the present time to provide a service for up to 600 blood donors with haemochromatosis. Blood collected at this clinic is treated in the same way as all other blood collected by the IBTS. The IBTS does not offer the service to people who would otherwise have to pay for phlebotomy, on the basis that it could be seen as offering a degree of financial incentive to donate blood. This would be contrary to good practice and to the requirements of European law on promoting unremunerated donations.

The IBTS is considering the options and opportunities for an expansion of its service for haemochromatosis patients throughout the country, and is exploring this position with stakeholders at present.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

76 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for access to dermatology services for public patients in each of the hospitals which provide this speciality; her plans in place to appoint more dermatologists and reduce the waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20464/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Departmental Staff.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

77 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff working in her Department; if there are plans to redeploy or offer redundancy or early retirement to any of these staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20459/09]

Some 522.41 wholetime equivalents were employed in my Department at the 30th April 2009 of which 467.06 work in the core Department.

An Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement for civil and public servants was introduced by the Department of Finance on 30th April 2009. The details of the scheme are outlined in Department of Finance Circular 12/2009 — Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement and this Circular is available on the Department of Finance website at www.finance.gov.ie. The purpose of the scheme is to facilitate the permanent, structural reduction in the numbers of staff serving in the civil service, local authorities, health sector and non-commercial state bodies, with associated restructuring of organisation and operations in as timely a manner as possible. The scheme is open to applications from 1st May 2009 until 1 September 2009. In accordance with the terms of the Government moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service, vacancies arising from the operation of the scheme may not be filled unless specific sanction is given by the Department of Finance. The implementation of the scheme in my Department will need to be managed carefully and a plan to cope with the reduction in numbers will be developed. This will include a review of work activities and processes and consequent changes in the organisation of work and staffing resources.

Further details are awaited from the Department of Finance in relation to plans for the redeployment of staff in the civil and public service. A number of staff have applied to be considered for redeployment on a voluntary basis to the Department of Social and Family Affairs and my Department is also in contact with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to possible redeployment to that Department.

Job Losses.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

78 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of this Deputy regarding the growing unemployment figures in Tallaght, Dublin 24, and the need for effective action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20819/09]

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

79 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will furnish an action plan by FÁS to cater for the needs of the growing number of unemployed in Tallaght, Dublin 24; if her attention has been drawn to the need for an effective response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20820/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.

Unemployment is increasing across the country due to the downturn in the economy and this has impacted on the Tallaght area also. This situation is unwelcome and I share the Deputy's concern in the matter. The increases are, however, an indication of the challenges that are now facing the labour market and the economy as a whole. This current economic uncertainty and consequent rise in unemployment requires a national response as the current challenges we are facing are not confined to one specific region.

Employment/unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey published by the CSO. It does not provide data on particular counties but only on Regions. Employment in the Dublin Region, which includes Tallaght, has dropped by 19,800 and unemployment has increased by 15,000 in the year to Quarter 4 (September — November 2008), the latest period for which data is available. The number of persons signing on to the live register in the Tallaght region as at end April, 2009 stands at 8,787, an increase of 97% over the last twelve months. The Live Register, however, is not a measure of unemployment as it includes part-time, seasonal and casual workers who might be signing on from time to time.

In response to the challenge of increasing unemployment my Department through FÁS, the National Training and Employment Authority, is prioritising on a national basis, the need to assist and up-skill those who have become unemployed as a result of the present downturn in the economy. In addition to the 51,000 FÁS training places announced on the 5th February, 2009 a further 18,725 training places for the unemployed were provided in the Supplementary Budget to bring the total number of training and work experience activation places funded by my Department in 2009 to approximately 128,000. This is a substantial increase on the 66,000 places, which were available at the end of last year.

In terms of job creation, Enterprise Ireland's (EI) activity in Tallaght is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing and internationally traded services companies. Enterprise Ireland activity is focused on the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and the creation of new jobs by supporting entrepreneurs to set up High Potential Start-Up companies. The agency works closely with the Tallaght Institute of Technology in encouraging the commercialisation of research and has approved financial support of over €2.6m to the Institute for the development and management of a Campus based Incubation Centre. This centre provides entrepreneurs with affordable space in an environment, which provides support to them to research their new ideas, and to afford them the opportunity to bring about new indigenous businesses. The agency has also approved support of €1.225m for a Centre of Excellence at the Institute of Technology Tallaght, the focus of which is Microsensors for Clinical Analysis.

South Dublin County Enterprise Board (CEB) continues to provide support for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level throughout South Dublin, which is inclusive of the Tallaght area. Business growth and job creation are inherent considerations in the activities of the CEB. The CEB delivers a series of programmes to underpin this role and they can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. During 2009 South Dublin CEB will continue to support enterprise development in the area through the provision of both direct and indirect assistance and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development.

The Government remains intent on meeting the on-going challenges in the labour market, including the on-going needs of the unemployed in the Tallaght region. We will, through FÁS, continue to focus on providing training opportunities to those who are unemployed to improve their skills, increase their employability, thereby enabling them to get back into employment as soon as possible.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

80 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will request her officials to make contact with a company (details supplied) in Dublin 24, to offer advice in respect of those employees who will be made redundant from the company; if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by those workers and their needs in respect of the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20862/09]

The company concerned has recently submitted a number of claims for statutory redundancy rebate payments with my Department. These applications will be examined by the Redundancy Payments Section to see if they meet the eligibility criteria set down in the Redundancy Payment Acts.

Under the Redundancy Payments Scheme all eligible employees are entitled to a statutory redundancy lump sum payment on being made redundant. A redundancy situation arises in general where an employee's job no longer exists and he/she is not replaced. It is up to the employer concerned in the first instance to determine whether or not there is in fact a redundancy situation. Disputes in this regard can be referred to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) for adjudication.

Considerable information is available on my Department's website (www.entemp.ie) in relation to redundancies, including an on-line redundancy payments calculator. Further information is obtained by telephoning 1890 80 80 90

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

81 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by her Department and each individual agency of her Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20869/09]

Based on a review of payments made over the period 27th to 30th April, the average time taken for payments to be issued by my Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received was 11 days where a valid invoice was received and all necessary tax requirements were in order. The processing of payments by my Department's agencies is a day-to-day operational matter for the agencies concerned and I do not have details of the average time taken by them to make payments.

The Government has, this week, approved formal arrangements to reduce the period within which payments are made by Government Departments to their business suppliers. At present, the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002 provide for late payment interest to be paid to suppliers where a purchaser does not pay for goods or services by the relevant payment date. In the absence of any agreed payment date, late payment interest falls due after 30 days has elapsed from the date of receipt of a valid invoice. The Government's objective is to reduce the payment period for Government Departments to 15 days with effect from 15th June 2009.

These arrangements should help ease cash flow difficulties for small business in the current economic climate. The arrangements will operate on an administrative basis and will not alter the contractual relationship between Departments and their suppliers or the period from which late payment interest applies. I am assessing the impact of extending the arrangements to the local authority, health and education sectors and specific proposals in relation to these sectors will be developed following the completion of the assessments.

Garda Stations.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

82 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 2 December 2008, the progress made to date on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20725/09]

A preliminary design for the new Station, which envisages retention and modernisation of the existing structure, is currently being prepared, and will shortly be submitted to the Garda authorities for approval. It is anticipated that, following detailed planning, an early Planning submission will be lodged, with a view to commencing works on site in the second half of 2009.

In the meantime, suitable temporary accommodation has been identified close to Clonark, and arrangements are in train for An Garda Síochána to occupy this accommodation, pending the provision of the permanent Garda Station.

Tax Code.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

83 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify his position in relation to entitlement to PAYE tax allowance or tax credit; the difference in treatment of tax credits for pensions in cases of pensioner couples, each on separate social welfare pension plus occupational pension; if each is entitled to separate PAYE tax credit; the difference in treatment of tax credits for pensioners in cases of pensioner couples when one of whom is a qualified adult on their spouses pension book; and if each is entitled to separate PAYE tax credit. [20747/09]

The position is that the PAYE tax credit is due against a variety of sources of income including occupational pensions and pensions payable under the Social Welfare Acts. However, irrespective of the number of sources of income against which the PAYE tax credit may be due, an individual is entitled to only one PAYE tax credit (currently €1,830) per annum.

As regards a pensioner couple where each spouse is in receipt of a separate social welfare pension plus an occupational pension, each spouse is entitled in their own right to the PAYE tax credit. As regards a pensioner couple where one spouse is a dependant ‘qualifying adult' on the other spouse's pension book, the PAYE tax credit is due only to the spouse who has an entitlement to the pension and a separate PAYE tax credit is not due in respect of that element of the pension payable in respect of a dependant ‘qualified adult'.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

84 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be approved for an incapacitated child credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20801/09]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in response to the person's claim dated 9th March 2009, they issued a request for a doctor's certificate outlining the nature of the child's illness. The certificate has not yet been received. I would suggest that if the individual wishes to pursue the claim, the person to contact is Mr. Pearse Penney, Revenue House, Blackpool, Cork. Telephone 021 6027266.

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

85 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the levies and taxes for which persons aged 70 years and over are liable particularly as a result of the recent budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20805/09]

It is assumed that the Deputy's question refers to taxes on income and accordingly I will address my reply to income tax, PRSI and income and health levies. Persons aged 70 years and over are not liable to pay health levy contributions and PRSI contributions are not payable by persons aged 66 and over. They are however subject to income tax on their taxable income and to income levy on their aggregate income unless this income qualifies for specific exemptions provided for in the legislation relating to these taxes.

With regards to income tax, a person aged 65 years or over is exempt from income tax if his or her income does not exceed €20,000 for a single person or €40,000 for a married couple (in the case of a married couple this treatment will also apply if one spouse is under 65 years and the other is aged over 65 years). These thresholds are increased if the person has dependent children. In cases where it is more favourable, a marginal relief system is available for incomes rising slightly above these thresholds where 40% is applied on all income above the threshold. If a person's income is in excess of these thresholds and not on marginal relief, income tax is chargeable on the person's taxable income, or in the case of a married couple on the couple's joint taxable income, with the tax due being reduced by the amounts of any tax credits (including age credit) due to the person or the couple.

In relation to the income levy, a person aged 65 years and over will not have a liability to income levy if he or she meets any of the following conditions:

The person has an entitlement to a full medical card for any part of the tax year, or

The person's aggregate income for the tax year, excluding social welfare payments, is less than €20,000 for a single person, €40,000 for a married couple.

Married couples, where one or both are aged 65 years or over, whose combined income does not exceed €40,000 are entitled if they have had income levy deducted from their income, to make a claim to Revenue after the end of the tax year for a refund of all income levy deducted.

In addition to social welfare payments, or similar type payments from other departments, being disregarded for income levy purposes, a number of other income sources that have been provided with a specific exemption from income tax are also exempted from the income levy. A list of these exempt sources is set out in Appendix B of the Frequently Asked Questions document on the income levy which is available on the Revenue website at http://www.revenue.ie/en/spotlights/income-levy.html.

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

86 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the income levy applies to an investment product (details supplied). [20852/09]

The position is that the income levy does not apply to tracker bonds. These products are currently subject to Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) at 28% on the interest paid on the date of the maturity payment.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

87 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20871/09]

The following table contains the information requested by the Deputy. Average time for payment to be made to suppliers in period to end April 2009

Name of Body

Average no of Days for payment to be made to suppliers

Department of Finance

11

State Laboratory

14

Public Service Appointments

5

Commission for Public Servants Appointments

7

Office of the Ombudsman

6

Valuation Office

7

Special EU Programmes Body

13

Office of Public Works

13

Revenue Commissioners

14

National Treasury Management Agency

16

Tax Code.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

88 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if there is a tax concession available in respect of the payment of toll road charges. [20891/09]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in the calculation of business profits of a trade or profession, a deduction would be available for expenditure incurred on toll road charges where the expense is incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the trade or profession. This treatment is in accordance with the general rule which applies in relation to the calculation of such profits.

From a VAT perspective, where VAT forms part of the charge for a toll road service and the service is used by a taxable person for the purposes of taxable supplies, then the taxable person may claim that VAT as an input credit deduction in his/her VAT return. Again, this treatment is in accordance with the general rule which applies in relation to VAT on qualifying business expenses.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

89 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance when a tax rebate will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [20892/09]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the tax rebate in question relates to Relevant Contracts Tax that was deducted by a Principal Contractor from the taxpayer referred to by the Deputy. A total of €14,298.02 was deducted in 2008 and €8,115.57 has been refunded. The balance of €6,182.45 is currently being withheld pending clarification on the VAT registration status of the taxpayer for the tax year 2008. This matter is currently being discussed with the taxpayer's tax agent.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

90 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the services available to a child (details supplied) in County Cork who has recently been diagnosed as autistic; if she is satisfied that the appropriate levels of occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and other therapies are being made available to them as prescribed in their assessment of needs; if a detailed copy of this assessment of needs will be made available to the parents of the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20799/09]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Service Allowances.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

91 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if the parents of a child (details supplied) in County Cork are entitled to a domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20800/09]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Service Staff.

Mary White

Ceist:

92 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Health and Children the rationale behind An Bord Altranais being included in the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the public service in view of the fact that it is a self-funding agency. [20834/09]

Organisations such as An Bord Altranais are established under statute. In the case of An Bord Altranais (The Nursing Board), it was established under the Nurses Act, 1985, and is the statutory regulatory body for nurses and midwives. The Board consists of 29 members, 17 of whom are elected by nurses and 12 appointed by the Minister, 2 of whom are representatives of the Department of Health and Children.

Under the Act the Minister has a range of functions in relation to the Board one of which, Section 17 (1), relates to the officers and servants of the Board "In addition to the Chief Executive Officer, there shall be appointed such and so many persons to be officers and servants of the Board, as the Board, with the consent of the Minister, from time to time determines." The Act also provides that the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1956 applies to the Board and its officers and servants as if it were a local authority.

In addition to its statutory functions, the Board also administers the Nursing Careers Centre on behalf of the Health Services. For this purpose ongoing funding is provided by the HSE and the amount of this funding in 2007 was €600,000.

While the bulk of the Board's income is generated by fees paid by nurses and midwives, it and bodies similar to it, are statutory bodies whose staff have access to a public service pension scheme. They are thus covered by the recent Government decision that, with effect from the 27 March 2009 to end 2010, no post in the public sector, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade. The decision also applies to temporary appointments on a fixed-term basis and to the renewal of such contracts. Therefore, when vacancies arise each agency must reallocate or reorganise work or staff accordingly.

In the case of the health sector, any exceptions to this principle, which will arise in very limited circumstances only, require the prior sanction of the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Finance.

Hospital Services.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

93 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be reached in regard to the release of funding to proceed with the equipping of the new community hospital in Dungarvan, County Waterford (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20843/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Question No. 94 answered with Question No. 8.

Care of the Elderly.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

95 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the capital funding that has been allocated to public facilities for long-stay bed units to be upgraded in accordance with the new Health Information and Quality Authority standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20538/09]

Since 2002, there has been a significant capital investment in infrastructure to support services for older people. In 2002, approximately €39m was invested. By 2007 this figure has increased to approximately €86m. The 2008 outturn is in the region of €115m.In addition to the construction of new units, the Health Service Executive (HSE) provides funding to upgrade existing premises.

The Executive's delivery of Community Nursing Units (CNU) and the upgrading of existing facilities is informed by the Prospectus Report which identified and prioritised the areas of greatest need and developed a programme of additional and replacement long stay residential places. This report indicated that in general, it would be more cost effective to replace rather than upgrade and refurbish the majority of the existing bed stock which didn't meet current guidelines. However, in cases where it is necessary to upgrade facilities to meet the standards it is a matter for the HSE to prioritise this expenditure within its Capital Plan and in this regard the Executive is working on an Action Plan to prioritise a phased programme of refurbishment and replacement of existing public nursing homes to meet the new standards. As the Deputy's question is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Services.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

96 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of new beds provided for acute hospitals since 2006; the number planned for 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20539/09]

There have been a number of capital developments in recent years which have involved the provision of new acute beds in the acute hospital system. In some instances these have replaced existing facilities which were no longer appropriate for modern purposes.

In terms of new beds planned for 2009 and beyond, the Deputy will be aware that there are major capital projects at various stages of development. These include the major projects at the Mater, St. Vincent's and Letterkenny General Hospital. In addition, the HSE continues to progress the provision of new beds through the co-location initiative.

I have asked the HSE to provide the specific details requested by the Deputy.

Proposed Legislation.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

97 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the nursing home Bill to be operational; if funding is ring-fenced for the later part of 2009 to implement the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20482/09]

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill has completed Committee Stage in the Dáil. It is the Minister's intention to progress the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas with a view to implementing the scheme in the second half of 2009.

Budget 2009 provided €55 million for the implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme this year and the scheme will be introduced in the context of this funding allocation. In advance of the introduction of the scheme, a dedicated subhead for long-term residential care has been established within the Health Service Executive's Vote (subhead B16 in Vote 40). The total funding in the subhead for 2009 stands at €909 million and expenditure from this subhead is being monitored on a monthly basis.

Question No. 98 answered with Question No. 17.

Hospital Services.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

99 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the new services for cystic fibrosis patients that will be delivered in the different Health Service Executive regions in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20477/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Questions No. 100 and 101 answered with Question No. 21.

Health Services.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

102 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 is being charged €2,500 for laser treatment and that the person in question cannot afford that sum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20730/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

103 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are services here for sufferers of Frederick’s ataxia who are under the age of 18 years; the services there are for over 18 year olds; the reason the clinic at Tallaght, Dublin cannot treat under 18 year olds; the contribution the State can make to sufferers who must be treated outside the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20734/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Question No. 104 answered with Question No. 43.
Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 9.

David Stanton

Ceist:

106 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the breakdown of the location in which the €8.5 million in funding for emergency disability residential and day places (details supplied) to be provided in the third quarter of 2009 will be distributed; the way the money will be distributed; when the money will become available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20753/09]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

107 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children if early intervention services provided to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin by the Health Service Executive at a hospital based on a catchment area will be provided at an alternative location outside the catchment area but closer to the person’s home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20763/09]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

108 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20790/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Patient Private Property Fund.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

109 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No.343 of 22 April 2009, the position regarding the issues raised; when payment will commence; the total to be paid; the average payment in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20796/09]

The HSE is now in a position to calculate the first payments due to clients on interest retained on Patient Private Property (PPP) funds invested on client's behalf since 2005. All funds required to make these payments are retained in the PPP fund and are available to transfer. The HSE will be in a position to commence actual payments in the next couple of weeks.

The HSE is continuing the validation of data on client balances nationally to allow the calculation of actual interest owed and assign that interest to existing clients' PPP accounts or arrange for the payment to be passed on directly to clients or their estate.

Hospital Services.

James Reilly

Ceist:

110 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow can expect to have surgery to ensure the best outcome for them; the reason this surgery cannot be carried out at a hospital or under the National Treatment Purchase Fund in view of the length of time they have been on the waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20809/09]

I understand that the HSE and the authorities at Crumlin are seeking to agree arrangements with the National Treatment Purchase Fund for a number of patients who are suffering with this condition to be treated as soon as possible. I would hope that early progress can be made in this regard.

In addition to this the HSE and the three Dublin paediatric hospitals are also having discussions with a view to establishing the potential to improve the existing arrangements for the provision of paediatric orthopaedic services generally.

My Department has asked the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on the specific case raised.

Health Service Staff.

James Reilly

Ceist:

111 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount which will be saved in 2009, in 2010 and in 2011 by implementing the recruitment ban and by not allowing the renewal of certain positions by An Bord Altranais. [20816/09]

An Bord Altranais (The Nursing Board), which was established under the Nurses Act, 1985, is the statutory regulatory body for nurses and midwives. The Board consists of 29 members, 17 of whom are elected by nurses and 12 appointed by the Minister, 2 of whom are representatives of the Department of Health and Children.

Under the Act the Minister has a range of functions in relation to the Board one of which, Section 17 (1), relates to the officers and servants of the Board “In addition to the Chief Executive Officer, there shall be appointed such and so many persons to be officers and servants of the Board, as the Board, with the consent of the Minister, from time to time determines.”

The Act also provides that the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1956 applies to the Board and its officers and servants as if it were a local authority.

In addition to its statutory functions, the Board also administers the Nursing Careers Centre on behalf of the Health Services. For this purpose ongoing funding is provided by the HSE and the amount of this funding in 2007 was €600,000.

While the bulk of the Board's income is generated by fees paid by nurses and midwives, it is a statutory body whose staff have access to a public service pension scheme. It is thus covered by the recent Government decision that, with effect from the 27 March 2009 to end 2010, no post in the public sector, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade. The decision also applies to temporary appointments on a fixed-term basis and to the renewal of such contracts. Therefore, when vacancies arise each agency must reallocate or reorganise work or staff accordingly.

In the case of the health sector, any exceptions to this principle, which will arise in very limited circumstances only, require the prior sanction of the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Finance.

My Department has been advised by An Bord Altranais that it has 45 staff, 10 of whom are employed on fixed term/purpose contracts. Since the ten temporary staff concerned are employed by An Bord Altranais detailed information as to the actual savings arising from the non-renewal of their contracts in 2009, 2010 and 2011 is not readily available to my Department. However it is understood from An Bord Altranais that the associated payroll costs are in the region of €330,000 per annum.

A submission received from the CEO of the Board in relation to this matter is currently being considered in my Department.

Hospital Services.

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

112 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will be admitted to Tullamore Hospital, County Offaly, for hip replacement surgery. [20822/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

113 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure surgery will be arranged at an early date for a person (details supplied). [20826/09]

As the Deputy's question relates to the operation of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, my Department has asked the Chief Executive of the Fund to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the information requested.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

114 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason an operation was cancelled for a second time in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if an early date will be arranged for this operation; and if the person will be contacted. [20835/09]

The management of waiting lists generally is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.

Departmental Correspondence.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

115 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if either she or the Health Service Executive has replied to the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20836/09]

The Office of the Ombudsman did not raise this case with the Minister or her Department. However, I understand that the HSE replied to the Office in December last concerning this particular matter.

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

116 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an operation will be arranged under the National Treatment Purchase Fund for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the reason such an operation is being delayed; and if she will expedite a response. [20841/09]

The management of waiting lists generally is a matter for the HSE and the hospitals concerned. The National Treatment Purchase Fund arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.

As this case is a matter for the HSE in the first instance, it has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.

Health Service Staff.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

117 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify a matter (details supplied). [20849/09]

In order to implement savings measures on public service numbers, the Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade with effect from 27 March 2009 to end 2010. A HSE circular has issued which gives effect to the Government decision in the public health services and other specific aspects of the employment control framework for the health services.

The Government decision has been modulated to ensure that key services are maintained insofar as possible in the health services, particularly in respect of children at risk, older people and persons with a disability. The HSE will be focussing on the scope that exists within the health services for reorganising and restructuring of work in order to minimise the impact on essential service delivery. The redeployment and reassignment of existing staff will also support the reorientation of care from hospitals to the community and to facilitate the development of integrated care. It is seeking a high level of flexibility from staff and unions to achieve this.

In addition, the employment control framework specifically exempts the following front line grades in the health sector from the moratorium: Medical Consultants, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Clinical Psychologists, Behaviour Therapists, Counsellors, Social Workers, and Emergency Medical Technicians. The framework actually allows for a growth in the number of those posts within the overall approved employment ceiling (111,800 wtes) for the health sector. The framework also includes provision for the creation of 225 new development posts this year for cancer and disability services.

The focus on these key grades is in line with existing Government policy on the prioritisation of certain development areas, for which significant funding has already been provided. The overall result will be to assist in the reorientation of health employment to services delivered in primary and community care.

The HSE circular which has issued gives effect to the Government decision on the moratorium in the public health services and other specific aspects of the employment control framework. Section 7 of this circular deals specifically with emergency interventions to maintain critical front-line services and contains provisions to address emergency clinical risk issues.

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Youth Services.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

118 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will reverse the recent decision not to provide funding for the young people’s facilities and services small grants fund in 2009 in view of the fact that the decision was taken without consultation with the affected local drug task forces and that the small grants are the only local access many groups have to resources to work with disadvantaged and vulnerable people in local communities. [20832/09]

The Young People's Facilities & Services Fund (YPFSF) now under the remit of the Office of the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs (OMCYA) currently operates in 18 areas — 14 Local Drug Task Force areas, (12 in Dublin, Bray and Cork) and in Galway, Limerick and Carlow town.

The decision not to provide Small Grants from the YPFSF in 2009 was made following the agreement of the National Assessment Committee (NAC) which oversees the implementation of the Fund. The NAC is chaired by the OMCYA and has representation from relevant Government Departments (i.e. Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Environment, Heritage Local Government, Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs including the functions of the National Drugs Strategy Team) and Agencies, Youth Services and the voluntary and community sectors.

In light of the current fiscal climate and in an effort to preserve service provision and to allow for the expansion of the YPFSF to 4 new towns of Arklow, Athlone, Dundalk and Wexford the NAC agreed that the Small Grants should not be provided in 2009.

I am fully aware of the success of this Small Grants Fund and of its benefits to local and voluntary community groups and my officials are keeping the matter under review.

Questions Nos. 119 and 120 answered with Question No. 22.

Care of the Elderly.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

121 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive is refusing to fund the nursing home stay of a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [20861/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

122 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by her Department and each individual agency of her Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20873/09]

I would like to inform the Deputy that my department does not collate information in the manner set out in the question. However, I can confirm that no prompt payment interest has been incurred by my department to date in 2009. It is a policy of my department to adhere to the European Communities (Late Payments in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002 in relation to prompt payment. All invoices authorised for payment are paid within 30 days of receipt. In addition there are a number of agencies funded directly by my Department. The agencies have indicated that they adhere to the 30 days allowed in the Prompt Payment Legislation in respect of goods and services received. The National Treatment Purchase Fund and the Irish Medicines Board have negotiated contracts with their suppliers allowing for payment within 45 days. My department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Services Executive to have a reply issue directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Question No. 123 answered with Question No. 58.

Garda Vetting Services.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

124 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will resolve a matter in which a person (details supplied) in County Cork has applied for a service and has been unable to avail of same. [20885/09]

Officials from my Office have facilitated access for the individual named by the Deputy to an appropriate Authorised Signatory which will enable the individual to avail of Garda Vetting.

Health Service Allowances.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

125 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the reason domiciliary care allowance has been withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Cork without notice. [20886/09]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

126 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the circumstances in which a person (details supplied) in County Cork suffering from a life long illness no longer has a medical card. [20887/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

127 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm when payment of supplementary welfare allowance will be made by the Health Service Executive south to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [20888/09]

The issue raised by the Deputy is an operational one and accordingly, I have requested the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

128 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that cancer patients availing of a taxi service to and from chemotherapy treatment in County Cork who are receiving supplementary welfare allowance payments from the Health Service Executive toward the taxi cost are being assessed on each journey for such payments to ensure that they are receiving the best value and that this is in some cases causing a delay in payment to the taxi firm. [20889/09]

As the issue raised by the Deputy is an operational one, I have requested the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.

Services to People with Disabilities.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

129 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will continue to provide funding in respect of a project (details supplied). [20890/09]

The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Programme of Assistance Dogs for families of children with autism is funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform under their Enhancing Disability Services Programme.

Hospital Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

130 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide an assurance that there are no plans currently available or proposed to reduce in any way the scale, quality or future development of services at Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare and that the Health Service Executive has not been given a mandate to determine such policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20901/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

131 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has given instructions or directives to the Health Service Executive to undertake a review of services at all regional and general hospitals here; if it is intended arising from same to reduce the scale and quality of services currently available at such locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20902/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

136 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if reviews are currently under way throughout the hospital services with a view to re-centralisation which will result in diminution, downgrading or closure of some services at regional hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20907/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

137 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of hospitals intended for closure or downgrading over the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20908/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 136 and 137 together.

There is no question of closing acute hospitals, or of "downgrading" the services they provide. The fundamental objective of Government health policy is to maximise the health status of the population. The Government is committed to ensuring quality health services, delivered efficiently and effectively. Ensuring patient safety is paramount, so that people can have confidence in the services and that the best possible patient outcomes are achieved.

It is widely recognised that treating a low volume of cases in higher-volume specialties is not conducive to optimal patient care. In order to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients, clinicians must be able to maintain their specialist skills by treating a sufficient number of cases. It is more difficult for specialists to maintain their skills in smaller hospitals when treating a low volume of patients. This has implications for how we organise acute services generally.

The HSE has commissioned a number of reviews in relation to how acute hospital services should be organised in particular regions. These reviews have highlighted the need for changes to be made in the provision and organisation of acute hospital services in the regions concerned, particularly in relation to accident and emergency services, critical care, and surgical services. Importantly, the re-configuration of services also involves developing smaller hospitals to provide a much greater proportion of less complex care, especially in day surgery, medicine and diagnostics. This underlines the fact that smaller hospitals can be reconfigured to provide important services for their local community, rather than being diminished or "downgraded".

The Government is committed to a process of change which is incremental and which involves appropriate consultation and discussion with those affected. The HSE is proceeding on this basis.

Question No. 132 answered with Question No. 10.
Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 23.
Question No. 134 answered with Question No. 69.
Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 58.
Questions Nos. 136 and 137 answered with Question No. 131.
Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 69.

Departmental Reports.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

139 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of reports relating to the delivery of health and hospital services which were commissioned by her in the past ten years; the reports in relation to same which determine policy in the predetermination of the delivery of services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20910/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

140 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reports commissioned by her in the past ten years which is expected to become the template for the future delivery of the health services; if one particular policy arising from such reports is expected to be favoured in preference to another; if policy is to be determined by a selection from each report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20911/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.

Since 1999 a total of 209 reports have been commissioned by my Department. This spans a ten year period of widespread reform, huge technological advances, service expansion and fundamental change in our health system. The names of these reports are set out in the tables below.

Health is an extremely complex environment involving a broad spectrum of primary and acute care services for the entire population, ranging from services for children and families, services for older people, mental health services and disability services. The nature, cost and burgeoning demand for services require that a strong emphasis be placed on the evidence base for policy and resource usage. While certain reports (such as the Audit of Structures and Functions in the Health System and the report of the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service) can be identified as having a far reaching impact on the structure and management of our health services, it is not possible to isolate one report or set of reports as providing a template for the delivery of health services.

Many of the reports can be traced back to the development of services for cancer, cardiovascular health, health promotion and the subsequent evaluation of these strategies. A number of the reports deal with complex and ethical issues, for example, the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction and the Green Paper on Abortion.

A strong feature of a number of the reports related to engagement in widespread public consultation. National and international expert advice is critical and vital components in the development of health strategy.

Reports have also been commissioned in the area of standards in health care. It is often argued that we don't give sufficient attention and prominence to the development and articulation of standards or best practice in the area of health and personal social services. Medical error is a feature of medical systems world-wide and Ireland is no exception. The reports of Independent Inquiries form an important part of the body of knowledge which reflects a responsive and accountable health system. Examples of these include the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Infection with HIV and Hepatitis C of Persons with Haemophilia and Related Matters and the Fitzgerald and Doherty reports into cancer misdiagnosis. Such Inquiries serve the public interest and ensure that we take appropriate corrective action to learn from experience and address the systems failures.

The commissioning of external reports is very much part of a modern and effective administrative system and helps to inform the development of policy, regulation and legislation for the health sector as well as serving the public interest. There is, and will continue to be, a need for objective, independent and expert review and evaluation of health services and health outcomes into the future.

Reports Commissioned in 1999

Name of Report

A review of Oral Health Promotion/Education activity in the Republic of Ireland

An Evaluation of the Delivery and Monitoring of Water Fluoridation in Ireland

Annual Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 1999

Building Healthier Hearts

Consumer survey relating to qualitative information on the important influences on demand for Health Insurance

Drafting of a National Traveller Health Strategy

Evaluation of Fissure Sealing and the Targeted Approach

Evaluation of Oral Health Research in Ireland

Fluoride Intake in Infants

Fluorosis in 5 year olds

Green Paper on Abortion

Health Statistics Report 1999

National Health & Lifestyle Surveys National and Regional Reports Phase 1

Long-Stay Activity Statistics 1998

Oral and Dental Specialisation in Ireland

Oral Health Studies of Adults and Children

Probity arrangements within the Dental Services Treatment Scheme

Report of National Joint Steering Group on the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors

Report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care

Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the infection with HIV and Hepatitis C of Persons with Haemophilia and Related Matters

Response to Professor Connett’s ‘50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoride’

Review of the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme

Study into charges for private dental treatment

Towards a Standardised Framework for Intercountry Adoption Assessment Procedures

Treatment Utilisation in the Dental Treatment Services Scheme

Use of Fluorides in the promotion of Oral Health in Ireland

Youth as a Resource: Promoting the Health of Young People at Risk

Reports Commissioned in 2000

Name of Report

Final Report of the Empowerment of Nurses and Midwives Steering Group: An Agenda for Change

Acute Hospital Bed Capacity: A National Review

Ambulance Service Communication Study

Analysis of Child Care Interim Minimum Dataset 1998

Analysis of Child Care Interim Minimum Dataset 1999

Annual Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 2000

Critique of earlier Health Strategy ‘Shaping a Healthier Future’

Feasibility Study relating to implementation of Case-Mix based Risk Equalisation

Report of the Forum on Fluoridation Ireland

Long-Stay Activity Statistics 1999

Nursing Education Forum — A Strategy for a Pre-Registration Nursing Education Degree Programme

Report of the Paediatric Nurse Education Review Group

Report of the Working Group on National Anti-Poverty Strategy and Health

Report on the Current and Future Supply and Demand Conditions in the Labour Market for Certain Professional Therapies

Review of the Organisation and Management of “An Bord Uchtála” (The Adoption Board)

Review of the organisational structures of the ERHA

Report of The Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction

The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland — Consumer survey of radiotherapy services in Ireland

The Nursing and Midwifery Resource — Interim Report of the Steering Group

Value for Money Audit of the Irish Health System

Reports Commissioned in 2001

Name of Report

Annual Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 2001

Effective Utilisation of Professional Skills for Nurses and Midwives

Evaluation of the North Eastern Health Board’s Out of Hours Co-operative

Evaluation of the Pilot Programme for the Education of Health Care Assistants

Final Report on Options for System Development and Implementation

Report on the steps open to the State to instigate an effective inquiry into the role of the international pharmaceutical companies into the infection with HIV and Hepatitis C of persons with haemophilia

Heart Health Task Force Progress Report July 1999-June 2001

Impact of Alcohol Advertising on Teenagers in Ireland

Market research for the Department on the public’s attitude to health matters

National Blood Strategy Implementation Group Report

National Evaluation of the Role of the Clinical Placement Co-ordinator

National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres

Pharmacy Review Group Report

Policy Paper 1 — “The Invisible Student” Young Parents in Education — Policy Paper 2 — “I Hadn’t a Penny”

Provision of Medical Indemnity Report: Provision of Clinical Indemnity Scheme Helpline service on behalf of State Claims Agency.

Report of the Review Group on Health Service Care Staff

Report of the Working Group on Foster Care

Report on the Regulation of Practitioners of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Ireland

Report on the Strategic Options for the Voluntary Health Insurance Board

Report to the Minister for Health and Children: Independent Examination related to the Medical Council and the South Eastern Health Board

Review of Dáil na nÓg 2001 — Professional Solutions

Review of potential liabilities of Portiuncula Hospital

Reports commissioned in 2002

Name of Report

A feasibility study on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS)

Analysis of Child Care Interim Minimum Dataset 2000

Analysis of Question 1 of Public Consultation to the National Health Strategy “Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You” (2001)

Annual Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 2002

The Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service

National Task Force on Medical Staffing

Audit of Structures and Functions in the Health System

Childline Review — Children’s Research Centre

Dental Epidemiology

EHLASS Report 2001 — European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System

Evaluation of Pharmacy Regulations

Inquiry into the Handling of Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse relating to the Diocese of Ferns

Long-Stay Activity Statistics 2001

National Children’s Advisory Council — Facilitation for Young People and Report on Young People’s Participation on the Council

National Children’s Advisory Council — Report of the Voice of the Child — National Youth Council of Ireland

National Children’s Advisory Council — Report on the Implementation of Children First and Vetting

Paediatric Palliative Care Needs Assessment — ‘A Needs Assessment for Children’

Position Paper on Feasibility of Introducing a Cost of Disability Payment

Report of Mr Kevin Bonner on Monaghan General Hospital

Report of the Independent Review Panel to the Minister for Health and Children concerning the birth of Baby Bronagh Livingstone on 11 December 2002

Report on Social Work Workload Management

Review of funding of sheltered workshops

Review of Governance and Accountability in the General Medical Services Scheme

Review of Proposed Pharmacy Models

The Evaluation of ‘Cancer Services in Ireland’ A National Strategy 1996

Report of The National Implementation Committee on Pre-Registration Nursing Degree Education

The Nursing and Midwifery Resource — Final Report of the Steering Group — Towards Workforce Planning

The Nursing and Midwifery Resource — National Study of Turnover in Nursing and Midwifery — Dept of Nursing Studies

Reports commissioned in 2003

Name of Report

Promoting the Well-Being of Families and Children: A Study of Family Support Services in the Health Sector in Ireland

A Census of Family Support in Ireland: Results of a Census of Family Support Services which were funded by Health Boards in 2002

A Guide to the Children Act, 2001

Adoption Legislation Consultation

Annual Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 2003

Children’s Understanding of Well — Being

Development of a Research Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery Research

EHLASS Report 2002 — European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System

Evaluation of the South Eastern Health Board’s Out of Hours co-operative

Family Support in Ireland — Definition and Strategic Intent

Heart Health Task Force Second Report on Implementation of the Cardiovascular Health Strategy July 1999-September 2002 ‘Ireland’s Changing Heart’

Interim Report of the National Breastfeeding Committee

Irish Health Service Reform Programme — Dialogue on Implementing Reform — Communication and Consultation Programme July — September 2003

Long-Stay Activity Statistics 2002

Men and Domestic Violence: What Research Tells Us

National Children’s Advisory Council — Report on Alcohol Use/Misuse by Young People

National Health & Lifestyle Surveys National and Regional Reports — Phase 2

National Standards on Foster Care

National Standards on Foster Care — Children’s Version

Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy ‘A Vision for Change’

Report of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training (MET) Group (Buttimer Report)

Report of the Task Force on Assaults on Psychiatric Nurses

Report of the Working Group on Treatment of Under 18 year olds presenting to Treatment Services with Serious Drug Problems

Report of the Working Group on Undergraduate Medical Education and Training (Fottrell Report)

Report on the Regulation of Health and Social Care Professionals

Review of circumstances surrounding the death of Róisín Ruddle

Review of internal controls in the Department of Health and Children with a view to implementing the recommendations of the Mullarkey Report; and consultancy assistance with respect to the structure of the Management Information Framework (MIF) in the Department

Review of Library and Information Service

Survey and Report on Public Perceptions on Biomedical Research (RCSI)

Reports commissioned in 2004

Name of Report

A critical appraisal of and commentary on “50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoridation”

A Feasibility Study of the Inclusion of Blood and Tissue Data as a Component of the National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland

Cultural Male Circumcision Report

Evaluation of Coronary Heart Attack Ireland Register (CHAIR)

Evaluation of Heartwatch

Giving Children a Voice: Investigation of children’s experiences of participation in consultation and decision making in Irish hospitals

Health Service Reform Programme Composite Report

Investigating the Impact on Children of Witnessing Domestic Violence: Nature and Adequacy of Child-Centred Services

Kidscreen National Survey 2005

Lourdes Hospital Inquiry — An Inquiry into Peripartum Hysterectomy at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda

National Primary Care Steering Group Progress Report

National Children’s Advisory Committee — End of Term Report 2001 — 2004

Obesity the Policy Challenges — The Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity 2005

Play and Technology

Public Perceptions of Biomedical Research

Report by the Care and Management Sub-Committee of the National AIDS Strategy Committee on HIV/STI Services in Ireland

Report from the Evaluation of the National Health Promotion Information Project

Report of the Expert Group on Midwifery and Children’s Nursing Education

Report of the Working Group to examine the development of appropriate systems to determine nursing and midwifery staffing levels

Report on certain issues of management and administration in the Department of Health and Children associated with the practice of charges for long-stay patients in Health Board institutions (Travers Report)

Research on Children’s Understanding of Wellbeing

Review of the National Health Promotion Strategy

Review of the Structures and Support Needs of Comhairle na nÓg and Dáil na nÓg

The Child’s Right to be heard in the Health Setting

The Development and Implementation of Child Impact Statements

The Process of Youth Homelessness: A Qualitative Longitudinal Cohort Study

‘What we Heard’ and ‘Speaking Your Mind’ — Reports on the Service User Consultation Process and the Public Consultation Process for the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy

Young People’s Views about Opportunities, Barriers and Supports to Recreation and Leisure

Young Voices: Guidelines on how to involve children and young people in your work

Reports commissioned in 2005

Name of Report

Comhairle Implementation Group Report

Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report 2005

Evaluation of the Work of the Children and Young People’s Forum

Joint Ministerial and Coiste na dTeachtaÍ Report 2005

NCAC — Mid-Term Review of the National Children’s Strategy

Prospectus (co-located Private Hospitals)

Reducing the Risk: A Strategic Approach (Sudden Cardiac Death Taskforce Report)

Report from the Evaluation of the National Health Promotion Information Project

Report of Consultation on the Health Act (2004) Part 9 — Complaints

Report of Dr. Deirdre Madden on Post Mortem Practice and Procedures (Working Group).

Report of the Long-Term Care Working Group

Report of the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification

Report on Public Consultation on the Development of a Recreation Policy for Young People in Ireland

Sustaining Progress — Working Together to Reduce the Harms Caused by Alcohol Misuse

The Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study 2006 (Research Project)

Reports commissioned in 2006

Name of Report

Dáil na nÓg Delegate’s Report 2006

European Schools Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) Research Project

Evaluation of the Irish Haemovigilance System

First Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on ‘A Vision for Change’ the Report to the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy

HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention Plan 2008-2012

National Children’s Advisory Council (NCAC) — Report on Youth Volunteering in Ireland

Report of the Working Group on Haemochromatosis

Report on the Outcome of Consultations with Teenagers on the Issues to be Considered by the Minister for Children when Examining the Age of Consent for Sexual Activity

Research commissioned on : Children’s Perspectives on Parenting Styles and Discipline

Research Commissioned on : National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland (NLSCI)

Research commissioned on: A follow up study on the educational and Social Support experiences of Young People in Long Term Foster Care

Research commissioned on: A Study of Parent-Child Agreements and Arrangements based on Court Records

Research commissioned on: Child Protection Services in Ireland: An Evaluation

Research commissioned on: Ethics Committees and Ethics Approval for Children’s Research in Ireland

Research commissioned on: Public Library Services for Children and Young People in Ireland

Research commissioned on: Services and Supports for Children on Remand in Ireland

Review of Administration and Processes, Department of Health and Children

Second Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on ‘A Vision for Change’ the Report to the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy

Slan 2007 — Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition in Ireland (Research Project)

Study of Efficiency and Effectiveness of Vocational Training Services and Rehabilitative Training Services for People with Disabilities Provided by Specialist Training Providers

Value for Money Review of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 — 2006

Health-related consequences of problem alcohol use

Working Group on Alcohol and Drugs Synergies

Reports commissioned in 2007

Name of Report

Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report 2007

Doherty Report on Breast Radiology Services at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise

Fitzgerald Report on Breast Radiology Services at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise

Independent Inquiry into the tragic deaths of the Dunne Family in Monageer, Co. Wexford

National Children’s Advisory Council (NCAC) — Report on Youth Café Provision

National Oral Health Policy

Quality Assessment of the Value for Money Review of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006

Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

Research commissioned on : The Physical Chastisement of Children by Parents

Review of the Operation of the Mental Health Act 2001 — Findings and Conclusions

Round Table discussion on the financial abuse of older people

Teenagers’ Views on Solutions to Alcohol Misuse

All Ireland Traveller Health Study

Financial and Legal Advice on options for obtaining regulatory authorisation in connection with the VHI

The Report of the Comhairle na nÓg Development Fund (2007-2008)

Vaccine Damage Steering Group

Reports commissioned in 2008

Name of Report

National Children’s Advisory Council (NCAC) — End of Term Report 2005-2008

Report of the Independent Pharmacy Pricing Body

Strategic Plan for the St. Ultan’s Children’s Project

Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report 2008

A Directory of Health Research Undertaken on Children (0-17 years)

Evaluation Report on the Inclusion Programme Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affair

National Men’s Health Policy 2008-2013

Phase III of a Qualitative Longitudinal Study of Homeless Youth in Dublin

Report on the Irish Medicines Board assuming the role of Competent Authority for Cosmetics Products

Research on Young Carers in the Irish Population

Review of Protecting our Future: Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse 2002

Third Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on ‘A Vision for Change’ — the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy

Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services

Report of the Commission established to provide an independent assessment of how a 35 hour week can be achieved for nurses

Review of the circumstances surrounding the elapse of time in bringing to completion the Western Health Board inquiry into allegations of abuse in the Brothers of Charity Services, Galway

Study of certain Accounting Issues within the Health Service Executive

Lighthouse Service.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

141 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify a recent report regarding the possibility of a reduction in funding from the British Government towards the cost of shared lighthouse facilities; if there will be a reduction in funding; and if he will confirm that a reduction in funding will not result in decreased safety to shipping or marine rescue personnel. [20743/09]

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) are an example of longstanding British-Irish and North-South co-operation serving the mutual interests of its communities. There are three General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) for Britain and Ireland. CIL are the authority for all of Ireland, the Northern Lighthouse Board for Scotland and the Isle of Man and Trinity House for England and Wales.

The entire system of lights and navigational aids is funded by the General Lighthouse Fund (GLF) as a single financial unit. Expenditure is met from the GLF which derives its income principally from the collection of light dues levied on commercial shipping at ports. The three GLAs spend a total of almost £100 million each year to provide the service. This arrangement predates the foundation of the State. The British Government does not provide any funding towards the lighthouse service.

The light dues collected at Irish ports are supplemented by annual Exchequer contribution to the GLF so that the total revenues from sources in the State account for 50% of expenditure by CIL in the State or 50% of 70% of CIL's total expenditure. The remaining 50% is met out of GLF revenues from UK Light Dues.

A review of funding of CIL has been underway since February 2007. The review followed sustained pressure over many years in the UK by shipowning interests which complained that they were, in effect, subsidising the Irish lights service to an unreasonable extent.

Negotiations are continuing with the UK Department for Transport on all elements of funding arrangements including any implications for the Irish Exchequer contribution.

UK authorities have indicated that they support continuing the service as a single integrated system covering Britain and Ireland. The lighthouse authorities' operations are being examined with a view to maximising the benefits of the integrated system in the interest of safe navigation in both Irish and UK waters.

I am to meet Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick, UK Under Secretary of State for Transport, today (21 May 2009) and will be discussing these matters with him.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

142 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20876/09]

The average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by the Department of Transport to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received is 21 days. The details of the average time for payment by each individual agency are a matter for the agencies themselves.

Garda Investigations.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

143 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will support a matter (details supplied). [20851/09]

I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

144 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20769/09]

If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

145 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for leave to remain in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20770/09]

There is currently no application pending in my Department for leave to remain in the case of the persons whose details were supplied. If an application for asylum has been made by the persons concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

146 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for leave to residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20771/09]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 23 May 2005. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 31 May 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The person concerned was invited, by letter dated 16 June 2008, to submit an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). The person concerned did not submit such an application.

The case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will now be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this overall consideration has been completed, the file is passed to me for decision.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

147 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for leave to residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20772/09]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 198 of Thursday, 25 September 2008, and the written Reply to that Question. The person concerned applied for asylum on 23 January 2006. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 19 July 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned is passed to me for decision.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

148 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for leave to residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20773/09]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of Thursday, 25 September 2008, and the written Reply to that Question. The person concerned applied for asylum on 14 February 2006. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 27 November 2006, 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 leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned is passed to me for decision.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

149 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for leave to residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20774/09]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of Tuesday, 7 October 2008, and the written Reply to that Question.

The person concerned applied for asylum on 25 January 2006. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 12 February 2007, 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 leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned is passed to me for decision.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

150 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20775/09]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions No. 822 of Tuesday, 17 June 2008, and No. 169 of Thursday, 29 May 2008, and the written Replies to those Questions. The person concerned applied for asylum on 27 April 2005. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act,1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 9 November 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations were submitted by the person concerned at that time.

The person concerned has also submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006) and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned is passed to me for decision.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

151 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20776/09]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of Thursday, 23 October 2008, and the written Reply to that Question.

The person concerned applied for asylum on 12 December 2005. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 20 November 2006, 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 leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned is passed to me for decision.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

152 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20777/09]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 143 of Thursday, 23 October 2008, and the written Reply to that Question.

The person concerned applied for asylum on 23 December 2005. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 9 November 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned is passed to me for decision.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

153 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20778/09]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 21 February 2006. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 23 June 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file is passed to me for decision.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

154 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20779/09]

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person in question made a Family Reunification application for his wife in November 2004 and subsequently made a second Family Reunification application for his son and daughter in February 2005.

The application for his son and daughter was approved in April 2007. To date there has been no decision made in relation to his wife's application. This is due to the fact that the Family Reunification Section requires original documentation and clarification in relation to some issues.

I am further informed by INIS that the Family Reunification Section wrote to the applicant on the 14th May 2009 in relation to the above, however the address supplied by the Deputy is different to the address held on file.

The Family Reunification Section will re-issue the letter once the applicant has confirmed his current address in writing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

155 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20780/09]

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person in question was the subject of a Family Reunification application which was approved in December 2002.

The person in question has current permission to remain on that basis. This permission to remain is valid up until 1st August, 2009.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

156 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20781/09]

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that there is no record of a Family Reunification application from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question.

However, the person in question was granted a Residence card of a family member of a European Union citizen for a period of five years by the EU Treaty Rights Section on the 14th August, 2008.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

157 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20782/09]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 15 April 2004. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 11 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 leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The person concerned was subsequently notified of her entitlement to submit an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). She was also invited to update her earlier representations to the Minister. The person concerned did not submit an application for Subsidiary Protection, however, updated representations were submitted on her behalf.

The case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will now be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this overall consideration has been completed, the file is passed to me for decision.

Deportation Orders.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

158 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who wishes to apply for revocation of a deportation order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20783/09]

Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, provides the Minister with a power to amend or revoke a Deportation Order. The legislation does not specify what form such an application should take. In practice, however, these types of applications are usually made by the legal representatives of the persons concerned and in the main must set out any new facts or circumstances which have arisen since the original decision to deport was made. Any such application submitted would be considered on its merits, having due regard to all refoulement issues, and following such consideration, a decision would be taken to either affirm or revoke the Order.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

159 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20784/09]

I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 137 of Thursday 26 March 2009, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

160 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20785/09]

I wish to inform the Deputy that the person in question was granted permission in July, 2008 to remain in the State until 27 February, 2011 by my Department. This permission was a renewal of permission previously granted to the person concerned under the IBC/05 scheme. However, I am informed that the person concerned has not registered with her local Immigration Officer, which is a requirement of the permission granted.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

161 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20786/09]

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person in question made a Family Reunification application for his wife, three children and mother in July 2008.

The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. The investigation has been completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to INIS.

The report will be considered by INIS and a decision on the application will issue in due course.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

162 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for citizenship or family reunification in respect a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20787/09]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of this Department in January 2005.

A letter issued to the person concerned on 8 September, 2008 requesting further documentation. A copy of the letter was re-issued on 19 January, 2009 and a 21 day letter was issued to the person in question on 28 April, 2009. To date the Citizenship Division of my Department have received no response from the applicant. Further processing of the application will commence once the documentation requested is received.

Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that the address the Deputy has provided differs from the address my Department holds on file, it is the responsibility of the applicant to keep the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informed of any change of address in writing.

I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made a Family Reunification application in respect of two children. A decision issued to the person concerned in April 2004 approving one child and refusing the other. The person concerned subsequently appealed the Family Reunification decision to refuse this child and the decision to refuse was upheld in June 2004.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

163 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20788/09]

The Deputy should note that it is not the practice to comment in detail on individual applications for refugee status where a final decision has not been made.

As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted.

A final decision on each application is made following receipt of the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, as appropriate.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

164 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20789/09]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 27 February 2006. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 14 January 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned is passed to me for decision.

Visa Applications.

M. J. Nolan

Ceist:

165 Deputy M. J. Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for a visa on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [20798/09]

The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Abuja on the 11 March 2009. Following consideration by a Visa Officer in Abuja it was referred to the Visa office, Dublin for processing on 1 April 2009. The application is currently being processed and a decision will issue within two weeks.

Garda Stations.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

166 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a garda station (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the station is to be refurbished; the number of gardaí in the station; if this is the full complement as determined by the Garda Commissioner; if there are plans for the placement of a community garda at the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20817/09]

As part of the alignment of Divisional boundaries the station referred to by the Deputy transferred to the Naas District in June 2008. The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to be decided on the basis of his identified operational needs. I am advised that the personnel strength at the Station was doubled from 1 Garda to 2 Gardaí in August 2008.

The Commissioner recently launched a new National Model of Community Policing for An Garda Síochána. A National Community Policing Office will be established within the Garda Community Relations Section and it is intended that every District Officer throughout the country will take ownership of community policing within their area of responsibility. Community Policing personnel will be appointed to each Community Policing Area which is to be designated at local level in consultation with the National Community Policing Office.

Any plans for the refurbishment of the existing station will be considered by the Garda authorities in the context of overall priorities and available maintenance budgets.

Garda Vetting Services.

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

167 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a garda clearance certificate will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [20824/09]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a vetting application in respect of one of the persons referred to was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit on 7 May, 2009. The application is being processed at present and a response will issue shortly. However, the Garda Central Vetting Unit has also informed me that no vetting application has been received on behalf of the other persons referred to. In the circumstances, I can only suggest that the persons in question seek clarification from the organisation submitting the application.

Proposed Legislation.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

168 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the status of cohabitation legislation; when he expects this legislation to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20828/09]

The General Scheme of the Civil Partnership Bill published in June 2008 provides for a civil registration scheme for same-sex couples and a cohabitants scheme for opposite-sex and same-sex couples who choose not to marry or to register a civil partnership as the case may be. The Government Legislation Programme published on 22 April 2009 provides for the publication of the Civil Partnership Bill during the current Dáil session.

Prison Reports.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

169 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a hyperlink to the electronic versions of each of the annual reports of the Inspector of Prisons. [20848/09]

I wish to advise the Deputy that all reports of the Inspector of Prisons can be viewed on the Department's website at www.justice.ie. The following is a list of hyperlinks to the electronic version of each of the annual reports of the Inspector of Prisons as requested.

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/1stannreport.pdf/Files/1stannreport.pdf

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/AnnualRpt2.pdf/Files/AnnualRpt2.pdf

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/ThirdAnnualRpt.pdf/Files/ThirdAnnualRpt.pdf

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/4thAnnRpt.pdf/Files/4thAnnRpt.pdf

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/annualreport2007pdf.pdf/Files/annualreport2007pdf.pdf

Residency Permits.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

170 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 366 of 6 May 2009, wherein it was indicated that a letter advising the person (details supplied) in County Westmeath of the outcome of his application for long-term residency dated 19 March 2009 issued to him, if he will take steps to issue this letter in view of the fact that the person has not received the correspondence of 19 March 2009 or otherwise; if this correspondence will be issued to him without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20856/09]

Officials in the Long-Term Residency Section of my Department inform me that an application for long-term residency was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 29 May, 2007. On 19/03/2009 a letter advising him of the outcome of his application was sent to the most recent address the applicant had provided. A copy of this letter has now been sent to the applicant at the address provided by the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

171 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20874/09]

I wish to inform the Deputy that based on a review of invoices received in the year to date and paid up to 30 April, 2009 across the Justice Sector the average time from receipt of the invoice to payment is less than 13 working days.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

172 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, arising from his discretionary refusal to grant naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare who are effectively stateless persons born in Latvia in the former USSR of Russian ancestry, fail to qualify for Russian or Latvian citizenship, have lived here for circa 12 years and who are deemed ineligible for naturalisation on the basis that they have received a social welfare payment; if he will review this case in view of these circumstances with a view to addressing the issues arising under international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20899/09]

I have adopted a general policy that I will normally require an applicant for naturalisation, unless he/she is a refugee, programme refugee or Stateless person, to show that he/she has supported him or herself (and his or her family if appropriate) while residing in the State and, as far as can be determined, is in a position to continue that support into the future. I am, generally speaking, satisfied to accept that an applicant is self supporting if there is no evidence that he or she has accessed State support in the 3 year period prior to the date of application or subsequently and has satisfied officials that they have supported themselves independently in that period. The persons mentioned in the Deputy's Question both availed of State support in the three year period prior to the date of application or subsequently. Consequently, I refused their applications.

Prison Accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

173 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prison cell and spaces available throughout the prison service; the number of such spaces currently occupied, shared by one, two, three, four or more persons; the number and location of prison cell space unoccupied; if this was the situation at the time of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 18 December 2008; if all prison spaces available are used for the purpose for which they were intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20900/09]

I wish to inform the Deputy that as of 21 May, 2009 there were 3,641 permanent beds available in the prison system. On the same day there were 3,860 prisoners in custody. This represented an occupancy total of 106%. This is in contrast to the situation at the time of my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 239 where on 18 December, 2008 there were 3,611 permanent beds available in the prison system and there was a total of 3,656 prisoners in custody. This represented an occupancy total of 101%. On 21 May, 2009 there were 2,540 cells/spaces available to the Irish Prison Service and all these cells/spaces were used for the purpose for which they were intended. These do not include cells/spaces used for special observation purposes or other cells/spaces used for administrative purposes. The breakdown of the cells/spaces used on 21 May, 2009 is set out in the table below.

Total number of cells occupied

Single Cells (1 person only)

Double Cells (2 persons only)

Treble Cells (3 persons only)

4 man cells (4 persons only)

Other (More than 4 persons)

2,540

1,645

663

192

30

10

It has to be acknowledged that the Irish Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts and it does not have the option of refusing committals. On 21 May, 2009 there were bed vacancies in Loughan House (16) and Shelton Abbey (5), both open centres. It is the case that there has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner population over recent years. This situation is particularly apparent over the past 12 months during which time the total number in custody has increased by approximately 330. This represents a 9% rise in the number in custody. The provision of an extra 1,300 prison places in recent years has in some way addressed the issue of overcrowding which had become a chronic problem for the prison system.

It is clear that in some of our prisons we are operating in excess of our bed capacity at this time. In the short term, the issue of increasing bed capacity in our prisons will be addressed by the provision of an additional 400 prison spaces later this year. This additional accommodation is built and ready for commissioning and consists of:

a new remand block in Castlerea Prison which will accommodate approximately 100 prisoners;

a new block in Portlaoise Prison which will accommodate approximately 150 prisoners;

a new block in Wheatfield Prison which will accommodate 150 prisoners.

Most recently over 30 extra spaces have been made available at the open centre at Shelton Abbey and a further 40 spaces have been made available at the open centre at Loughan House. It should also be borne in mind that our prisons have contingency plans in place whereby they can accommodate numbers above their ideal working capacity.

In relation to the recent decision to discontinue negotiations with the Leargas Consortium on the construction of the prison at Thornton Hall, I wish to reiterate that the Thornton project will go ahead but we simply must find a more affordable solution for the taxpayer and the taxpayer must get better value taking into account what is happening to prices in the construction industry. I can confirm that it is my intention to bring comprehensive new proposals to the Government in a matter of weeks on how we can proceed with building a new, modern, regime orientated prison complex at Thornton. I am confident that my revised plans will meet the twin objective of giving us modern accommodation and best protecting the taxpayers' interests.

Foreign Conflicts.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

174 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his efforts to ensure a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20845/09]

As stated on many occasions in this House, most recently on 23 April, I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka and in particular about the grave humanitarian crisis that is taking place there. I fully endorse the conclusions of Monday's EU External Relations Council, which stated that "the EU ... is appalled by the loss of innocent lives as a result of the conflict and by the high number of casualties, including children, following recent intense fighting". I am also deeply disturbed by the reports of serious breaches of international humanitarian law by both sides in the conflict and I am firmly of the view that these must be subject to independent review. I note that a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka will take place next week.

The Government of Sri Lanka has declared that the war is over and that they have won it. The LTTE have admitted defeat. The immediate priority now must be to ensure the safety and welfare of all displaced civilians. This is going to be an enormous undertaking as there are already over 200,000 requiring assistance and at least 50,000 more who will be seeking it in the coming days. The Government of Sri Lanka must fulfil its obligations under international law to protect all people under its jurisdiction. Camps in which displaced people are being assisted must be transferred from army to civilian control, entry to and departure from them must be strictly voluntary, and the camps must be temporary. Humanitarian agencies and independent observers must be given full access to these areas and the people in them.

The second priority is to get a post-conflict strategy underway without delay. This will need to focus on reconstruction, economic and social development, and the restoration of basic services in the Tamil North. Hopefully, plans can be agreed with the Government to enable a comprehensive programme to be mounted.

Thirdly, an inclusive reconciliation and peace process must be initiated. The fact that the war is over will not, of itself, achieve stability in Sri Lanka. It will be essential that arrangements and mechanisms are in place to ensure the representation of the Tamil population and facilitate dialogue, negotiation and reconciliation. I welcome President Rajapakse's stated intention to pursue a negotiated settlement with the Tamil community and very much hope that this can begin at an early date. Key to a successful process and sustainable peace will be a dialogue mechanism, based on the principles of parity of esteem, consent, equality and the rule of law. It will be important that the international community is involved in the peace process. International experience, expertise and support will be invaluable in terms of guiding the process, keeping it on track and serving as an independent facilitator. As I have stated in this House on a number of occasions, should the relevant parties there seek our advice in relation to the peace process, we would be happy to give consideration as to how we could best help.

Ireland would welcome further action by the international community, in particular by the UN Secretary General and the UN Security Council, to assist in this process. I support an early visit by the Secretary General to Sri Lanka, as he proposes. In view of the serious humanitarian crisis in the affected areas, Irish Aid is now providing funding of €308,000 for emergency response through NGO partners, to include emergency medical and nutrition support, the provision of shelter, and distribution of food and non-food items. In addition, a member of Irish Aid's Rapid Response Corps has been deployed to Sri Lanka to assist in the emergency response effort of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

International Agreements.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

175 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding Ireland’s participation in talks regarding the island of Rockall and the surrounding seabed and waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20846/09]

The regime governing the exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf in international law is set down by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Under that Convention a coastal state is entitled to a continental shelf 200 nautical miles (approx. 370 km) in breadth regardless of whether its continental shelf physically extends that far, subject only to the similar rights of its coastal neighbours. It may also claim a broader shelf where it can show that the natural prolongation of its land territory under water actually extends beyond that limit. A claim to extended shelf must be supported by scientific and technical data and be established to the satisfaction of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which was created by the Convention for this purpose.

Ireland's shelf naturally extends beyond 200 nautical miles both to the west and to the south of the country, including in the Hatton-Rockall Area of the North East Atlantic. Ireland and the UK agreed a maritime boundary on the continental shelf here in 1988 but this is not accepted by Iceland or Denmark (on behalf of the Færoe Islands), both of which also make extensive overlapping claims. The UN Commission's rules of procedure prevent its consideration of a submission concerning an area of disputed continental shelf without the consent of the states concerned. The four countries have met regularly since 2001 (most recently in London before Christmas) but have so far failed to reach an agreement that would allow the Commission to consider a submission on the area concerned.

In view of this, and in consideration of the 12 May 2009 deadline for the making of submissions that applies to Ireland, the Government recently authorised the making of a national submission to the Commission in respect of the Hatton-Rockall Area. This submission was lodged with the Commission in New York on 31 March. While the Commission's rules of procedure prevent its consideration without the consent of all the states concerned, submission at this time does preserve Ireland's legal position. In the meantime, the four states intend to keep the matter under regular review and we will continue to work for the creation of conditions that will permit consideration of the submission by the Commission as soon as possible.

Rockall itself, which is a tiny islet or rock and the only part of the Hatton-Rockall Area that is above water, is not relevant to these discussions. Although a matter of controversy during the 1960s and 1970s when sovereignty over such rocks and skerries was thought to be central to the mineral rights in the adjacent seabed and to fishing rights in the surrounding seas, the matter was effectively resolved in 1982 upon adoption of the Law of the Sea Convention. Article 121, paragraph 3 of the Convention provides that: "Rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf."

Article 121(3) applies to Rockall. Ireland ratified the Convention on 21 June 1996. The United Kingdom acceded to the Convention on 25 July 1997. It is accordingly accepted by both sides that Rockall cannot be used as a basis for delimiting their respective continental shelves or exclusive economic zones and the matter has not been relevant to the discussions that have taken place concerning the continental shelf in the Hatton-Rockall Area.

Ireland has also made submissions to the Commission in respect of two other areas: nationally in respect of the area adjoining the Porcupine Abyssal Plain to the south-west and jointly with France, Spain and the UK in respect of a large area in the Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay. The Commission issued favourable recommendations following its consideration of the Porcupine Abyssal Plain submission and on foot of these the Government made an order under the 1968 Continental Shelf Act on 31 March last that incorporates 39,000 square kilometres of additional seabed in this area into the designated Irish continental shelf. The Commission has also recently made recommendations following its examination of the Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay submission and these are currently under consideration by the four states concerned.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

176 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his efforts to support the inhabitants of the Chagos Islands in their bid to return to their homeland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20847/09]

The demand of the Chagossian natives to return to the Chagossian archipelago is a complex issue involving competing sovereignty claims and legal arguments.

In November 2000, the High Court of England and Wales found that the "wholesale removal" of the Islanders between 1967 and 1971 was an "abject legal failure". The Court ruled that the Islanders could return to the small outlying islands in the group but not to the largest, Diego Garcia, and granted the Islanders British citizenship. Following this ruling, the British Government commissioned a study on the matter which concluded that island resettlement would be "impractical and inconsistent with the existing defence facilities". A study commissioned by the Islanders contested this position. In November 2002 the Islanders launched a further action in the High Court of England and Wales claiming that they had been treated in such a way by the British Government as to entitle them to compensation and return of their property. In October 2003, the Islanders lost this claim for compensation.

In June 2004 a royal decree was issued in Britain banning the Chagos Islanders from returning to the islands. In October 2004 the High Court agreed to a judicial review of the royal decree, and it was overturned in May 2006. This decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal in May 2007. The British Government requested that the House of Lords examine this decision in June 2008, and in October 2008 the Law Lords ruled that the royal decree which imposed the ban on returning to the islands should stand. The Law Lords ruling is the final judgement in the British legal system. The group have stated that they may bring their case to the European Court for Human Rights.

The Government will continue to monitor the situation of the Chagossian Archipelago. We would wish to see the issue resolved by agreement between the parties, and in a manner which properly addresses the unfortunate situation of the Chagos Islanders.

Human Rights Issues.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

177 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the jailing of Burma’s pro-democracy leader (details supplied); if he will report on the international efforts being made to highlight this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20853/09]

I deplore the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma and esteemed Nobel Peace laureate, her imprisonment in the notorious Insein Prison in Rangoon and the laying of charges and institution of court proceedings against her.

In a statement on 14 May, I condemned her arrest, saying that it represented the latest chapter in an ongoing effort to silence this courageous pro-democracy advocate and opposition leader before, during and after the elections which are due to be held in Burma in 2010. I noted also that her arrest and incarceration were particularly distressing given the very real concerns regarding her state of health. I made clear my view that Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma must be released and a process of dialogue and reconciliation initiated without delay.

The EU Presidency also issued a Declaration on 14 May, deeply regretting the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and strongly urging the Burmese authorities to release her. The Declaration called on the regime to engage in an inclusive process of national reconciliation, which is essential for setting Burma on a genuine path to stability and prosperity, and to initiate a new phase in the development of the country.

At the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting on 22 April, EU Foreign Ministers agreed the renewal of the Common Position on restrictive measures on Burma for an additional year. We also agreed to keep open the possibility of revising the Common Position in the light of developments on the ground. In this context, the situation in Burma was discussed again at the GAERC on Monday last and Ministers agreed that, following the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, the EU should look at new steps, including additional restrictive measures, which could be taken against the Burmese regime.

Ministers at the GAERC also discussed the up-coming EU-Troika meeting with Burma which will take place on 25 May in the margin of the ASEM Ministerial meeting in Hanoi. There will also be an opportunity on the occasion of both the ASEM meeting and the EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Phnom Penh which follows it, to convey to the representatives of many of Burma's neighbours who will be attending these meetings our very strong concerns and views about Aung San Suu Kyi, and the situation in Burma more generally. It is essential that we make clear to them, individually and collectively, how important it is that they use their influence in relation to the situation in Burma, including the position of Aung San Suu Kyi and the elections scheduled for 2010.

I myself have repeatedly made clear the Government's view that the elections will have no credibility unless all political prisoners are released unconditionally and a political process is initiated with the support of the United Nations on the basis of an inclusive, long-term dialogue in which the opposition and ethnic groups can participate fully. I fully support the role of the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy, Dr Ibrahim Gambari, and the personal engagement of the UN Secretary General himself. I spoke to him about the situation in Burma when I was in New York on 8 May. I very much hope that Secretary General Ban will be able to visit Burma shortly, as he plans, and to making concrete progress on the political and humanitarian agenda there.

I will continue to work in the EU and UN frameworks and with the countries of the region to do all possible to advance our objectives in relation to Burma.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

178 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20872/09]

As the Deputy will be aware, payment of invoices by this Department is governed by the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997 as amended by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002. The Act, which came into force in January 1998, provided for the payment of interest on invoices which are unpaid after 45 days from date of receipt. In August 2002, the point at which interest becomes due was reduced to 30 days.

While there are no figures available to establish the average time for payments made by my Department, its payment procedures are designed to avoid undue delay in the processing and payment of valid invoices. Every effort is made to make payments within the 30 day period, and the Department is generally successful in this.

The number of late payments in each year represents a very small part of the total number of payments made. For example, in 2008, my Department made over 11,000 payments in Ireland, of which only 18 were late payments under the terms of the Acts mentioned above, less than 0.2% of the total payments made.

There are no agencies operating under the direct responsibility of my Department.

Sports Funding.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

179 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a lottery grant will be awarded to an association (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that all legal documents have now been submitted; and if he will expedite payment. [20838/09]

Satisfactory legal documentation in respect of the grants in question was received today by my Department and will be processed in the normal manner. The club in question was provisionally allocated €175,000 under the Sports Capital Programme in 2006 for dressing rooms only. The guidelines, terms and conditions for the programme specify that the Department will pay grants in stages as an approved project proceeds by reimbursing the applicant's costs when they submit original, paid, valid invoices or certificates of payment. The Department typically pays 70% of the value of the valid paid invoices submitted. In addition, the Department reserves 5% of the grant pending confirmation from a consultant or architect that the facility has been satisfactorily completed in all respects and that the defects liability period has expired.

In the case of the club in question, the Department will shortly authorise the payment of €98,000 on foot of the valid, paid invoices received to date. In order for the balance of the funding to be drawn down, subject to the retention arrangements already outlined, it is necessary that additional valid, paid invoices for works carried out in respect of the dressing rooms now be submitted. My Department will write to the grantee in question shortly confirming the initial payment and outlining the steps necessary to draw down the balance of the allocation.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

180 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20864/09]

The average time for payment to be made by agencies affiliated to my Department to outside contractors for goods and services is a matter for the agencies themselves. However, the Prompt Payment of Accounts Acts, apply to all Public Bodies and to contractors on public sector contracts. Insofar as the Department is concerned the average turnaround time for payments to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received is 9.48 days.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

181 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20866/09]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to question number 329 on the 8th May 2008.

All payments made by my Department to businesses in respect of goods and services received are subject to the Prompt Payments of Accounts Act 1997, which requires that payments are made within 30 days of receipt of the invoice or delivery of the goods or services, whichever is the later.

I wish to confirm that my Department processes in excess of 99% of all payments within the 30 day timeframe.

The Deputy will appreciate that payments made by agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day-to-day operational matter for the Chief Executive Officers of those organisations. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Question to the organisations in question and am asking the Chief Executive Officers to provide any relevant information directly to the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

182 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position with regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if they are in receipt of the free schemes and the fuel allowance; if they are on a full rate of invalidity pension; and if they are receiving the living alone allowance and all other entitlements due to them. [20746/09]

Disability Allowance is a weekly Allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment and a means test.

The person concerned is currently receiving Disability Allowance at the reduced weekly rate of €194.30 plus €7.70 Living Alone Allowance which gives a weekly total of €202.00. She was assessed with means from capital.

Her file is currently with a Social Welfare Inspector for a means review and she will make arrangements to interview the person concerned shortly in order to determine her current means. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome upon receipt of the Social Welfare Inspector's report.

The person concerned is also in receipt of the Free Fuel Allowance of €23.90 which is payable weekly from September to April and a Free Travel Pass and the Free Schemes i.e. Electricity, T.V. and Telephone allowance.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

183 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when social welfare payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20791/09]

The person concerned made an application for jobseeker's allowance on 20 January 2009 at Maynooth branch office indicating a different address from that outlined by the Deputy. His application has not been finalised as details of his means and his residency have not yet been established.

The person concerned has not notified the Department of a change of address. If he has changed address he should contact the local social welfare office for the area in which he is now resident.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

184 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded jobseeker’s allowance. [20808/09]

The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance on 13 May 2009. A Deciding Officer has disallowed his claim on the grounds that his means, derived from benefit of spouse's earnings, exceed the maximum jobseeker's allowance payable to a person in his circumstances. It is open to him to appeal this decision and he can contact his Social Welfare Local Office in this regard.

Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation 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:

185 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused jobseeker’s allowance. [20813/09]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

186 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded farm assist. [20815/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.

There is no record of a recent jobseeker's allowance application from the person concerned. Until 12 January 2009, he was in receipt of jobseeker's benefit while in part-time employment. His benefit exhausted on that date. He re-applied for benefit on 21 January, 2009. His average income per day from his employment and whether his farm is jointly owned with his spouse are relevant to his entitlement and are currently being investigated. When these enquiries are completed a decision will be made as soon as possible and he will be notified of the outcome.

His recent farm assist application is also being investigated at present.

Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation 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:

187 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an overpayment should not have to be repaid and that it should be cancelled as per section 246(1)(a) and (b) of SI No. 142 of 2007, in view of the fact that it was an error by her Department and not by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [20830/09]

The person concerned applied for Carer's Benefit on 22 November, 2006 in respect of one care recipient. She was awarded Carer's Benefit in respect of him from 1 June, 2006 to 28 May, 2008. Her first payment of Carer's Benefit was credited to her bank account on 14 December, 2006, and an arrears payment was also credited to her bank account on this date which paid her Carer's Benefit for the period 1 June, 2006 to 13 December, 2006 and included a payment for Respite Care Grant of Eur 1,200.00. The award letter that issued to her on 6 December, 2006 informed her that payment included a Respite Care Grant of Eur 1,200.00. She had also applied for the Respite Care Grant in respect of this care recipient to the Respite Care Grant Section on 31 August, 2006 and this was paid on 25 October, 2006.

A natural justice letter issued to her on 22 February, 2008 informing her that she received two Respite Care Grants in respect of this care recipient in 2006, this letter also afforded her the opportunity to furnish within 21 days of the date of that letter, any statement or evidence she wished to make available to the Deciding Officer in the matter. No reply was received to this letter. Therefore, having regard to Section 302 (b) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, a deciding officer found that the person concerned was not entitled to the Respite Care Grant which she received from Carer's Benefit Section in 2006. Accordingly she was overpaid by Eur 1,200.00 and this sum is recoverable by the Department.

She was notified of this decision and of her right of appeal to the Independent Social Welfare Appeals Office on 22 April, 2009. An appeal has now been opened by the Social Welfare Appeals Office who will contact her in due course. Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation 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:

188 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded the one parent family payment in view of the fact that all requested information has been submitted. [20860/09]

The application for one-parent family payment from the person concerned is currently with a Social Welfare Inspector, whose investigations are ongoing. On completion of enquiries a decision will be made and she will be notified of the outcome. Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation 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.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

189 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by her Department and each individual agency of her Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20875/09]

The average time for payments to issue to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received by the Department during the period 1 January 2009 to 30 April 2009 was 22 calendar days. The average times for payments to issue by agencies under the aegis of the Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received for the period 1 January 2009 to 30 April 2009 are set out in the following table.

State Board/Agency

Average calendar days for payment of invoices from 1 January 2009 to 30 April 2009

The Pensions Board

less than 30

Citizens Information Board

10

Combat Poverty Agency

7

Family Support Agency

12

Social Welfare Tribunal

Nil incurred

Invoices for the Pensions Ombudsman's office are paid by the Department.

Departmental Staff.

David Stanton

Ceist:

190 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 30 April 2009, the number of advocacy resource officers currently employed across the citizens information network; the location of same; the length of time each has held their position; if the positions are permanent; if more are to be created; the way she has been working with the Citizens Information Board to develop the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20883/09]

The Citizens Information Board provides advocacy through the Citizens Information Services focusing on access to services, welfare entitlements and employment rights. This type of mainstream advocacy is also open to people with disabilities. The advocacy capacity is strengthened through the provision of Advocacy Resource Officers (ARO) who work to build the capacity of information providers within the Citizens Information Services to advocate on behalf of clients.

There were nine Advocacy Resource Officers employed across the Citizens Information Service on fixed-term contracts of varying duration. With regard to the contracts, three expired in quarter one 2009, a further three expire in quarter two 2009, and the remaining three will conclude in the first quarter of 2010. The locations and the duration of their contracts are set out at Appendix A. The Citizens Information Board is currently examining the role of the Advocacy Resource Officer with a view to providing a permanent structure to support advocacy services across the Citizens Information network.

Appendix A — Advocacy Resource Officers (ARO)

Location of Post

Duration of contract

Meath CIS, Navan

4 years — December 2008

Clondalkin CIS

4 years — March 2009

Dublin City Centre CIS

3 years — April 2009

Wexford CIS

2 years — May 2009

Longford CIS

2 years — May 2009

Tipperary CIS

1 year — June 2009

Kerry CIS

2 years — January 2010

Donegal CIS

2 years — February 2010

Westmeath CIS

2 years — March 2010

Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

191 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the correct level of one parent family allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20898/09]

The person concerned is in receipt of one parent family payment since July 2008. Her rate of payment is based on a means assessment carried out at that time. When payment was awarded she was advised that she should notify the Department of any change in her circumstances. To date she has not notified the Department that her circumstances have changed. If there has been a change in her circumstances she should notify her local office in Maynooth or the parent office in Ballyfermot and a review of her means will then be carried out.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

192 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20867/09]

All payments for supplies of goods and services to my Department, the Defence Forces and agencies under the remit of my Department are paid centrally by the Finance Branch of my Department based in Renmore in Galway. In the year to the end of April 2009, the average time taken for payment to suppliers was 6.5 days from the receipt of an invoice.

Motor Taxation.

M. J. Nolan

Ceist:

193 Deputy M. J. Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on allowing commercial transport operators who rely on seasonal business to tax their vehicles on a monthly basis rather than the minimum of three months which currently exists in view of the economic climate and taking into account the commercial realities and the cost of doing business here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20795/09]

In accordance with a long-standing approach provided in section 1 of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952 (and regulations made under this Act), the cost of motor tax is calculated on the basis of whole calendar months for periods of three, six or twelve months. To change to a monthly tax period would greatly increase the costs of administering motor tax and cause an adverse effect on all aspects of the current system. Unlike other countries, we provide a short tax period of three months. The introduction of one month tax periods would undermine the monitoring of compliance by vehicles in public places with motor tax requirements and create difficulties for enforcement. There are no proposals to amend the current system.

87% of the national commercial goods fleet pays the minimum tax goods rate of €288 per year.

Local Authority Housing.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

194 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide funding in respect of phases two and three of the framework plan of regeneration for an area (details supplied), which was published in December 2008, in the event of Dublin City Council failing to accumulate sufficient funding from the sale of council property on the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/09]

Following the failure to reach agreement with the developer at St. Michael's Estate, O'Devaney Gardens, and Dominick Street in summer 2008, Dublin City Council has examined its options for the regeneration of these sites. A report by a multidisciplinary Special Housing Taskforce, established to develop plans for the regeneration of these estates, was presented to the Council in December 2008.

It will be up to the City Council to decide on the type of regeneration proposal that is most appropriate for O'Devaney Gardens and to determine the means by which the project should be advanced. It is open to the Council to prioritise the project in terms of its Social Housing Investment Programme, to progress its proposals in accordance with the usual conditions and, subject to approval by my Department, to manage its delivery in accordance with available allocations.

Architectural Heritage.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

195 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 390 of 31 March 2009, the position regarding the allocation to Roscommon County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20728/09]

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

198 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in making funding available for 2009 to the Heritage Council in respect of civic structures grants and significant places of worship grants to allow it continue to the next phase of its projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20827/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 198 together.

Allocations for the various programmes and schemes under the 2009 built heritage capital programme could not be finalised pending publication of the Revised Estimates for the Public Service 2009. I expect to make an announcement shortly in relation to the allocations for the various programmes and schemes including the local authority conservation grants scheme, the civic structures conservation grants scheme and the significant places of public worship grants scheme.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

196 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the owner of an apartment under the affordable housing or shared ownership scheme is entitled to release equity in the property by way of remortgage without triggering the clawback provision; the other consequences which may apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20794/09]

Legislative provision to facilitate arrangements under which a local authority could agree to its clawback charge ranking in second place behind a new or topped-up mortgage charge, thereby facilitating persons in affordable housing wishing to re-mortgage with a private lender, is included in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 which is currently before the Oireachtas and is targeted for enactment by the Summer recess.

Where a purchaser of an affordable home bought by way of shared ownership wishes to buy out the local authority's share at any stage within 20 years, current legislation requires that the clawback also be bought out at that stage. Provision is also included in the Bill to allow these purchasers, who wish to buy out the local authority's share of their home, to re-finance with a private institution for this purpose, without being compelled to buy out the clawback at the same time.

Procurement Procedures.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

197 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the requirement imposed by some local authorities that companies tendering for construction works must have three years of tax records before being considered for work with the council; if this is a requirement dictated by him; if so, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20804/09]

No requirements, in addition to EU procurement requirements and national procurement policy and guidelines as set out by the Department of Finance, have been defined by my Department in respect of tendering for construction contracts within the local government sector. Both EU and National guidelines stipulate that demonstration of financial capacity is a valid criterion for tender evaluation progress. While it is a matter for each local authority to define the criteria to be used for these purposes, any qualitative criteria used should be relevant, appropriate and not unduly restrictive.

Question No. 198 answered with Question No. 195.

Local Authority Funding.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

199 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the money which has been allocated to Waterford County Council in regard to the construction of new fire stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20844/09]

In 2009 to date, over €1 million has been recouped to Waterford County Council in respect of work completed on Dungarvan fire station, the purchase of a new fire appliance, the purchase of two water tankers as well as the retro-fitting of exhaust extraction systems in Tramore and Cappoquinn fire stations. In recent years, a further €1.2 million was recouped to the Council in respect of fire stations in Ardmore, Dungarvan, Dunmore East and Tramore.

The provision of exchequer funding to support further investment in County Waterford fire service will have regard to the fire authority's priorities, the spread of existing facilities and the totality of demands from other fire authorities for available funding.

Local Authority Staff.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

200 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify a matter (details supplied). [20850/09]

The provisions governing local authority membership and local authority employment are set out in sections 13 and 161 of the Local Government Act 2001. Under section 13 of the Act, a person employed by a local authority who is not the holder of a class, description, or grade of employment designated by order under section 161 is disqualified from being elected or co-opted to, or from being a member of, a local authority.

For the purposes of the Local Government Act 2001 (Section 161) Order 2004, designated employments are employments whose maximum salary does not exceed the maximum salary for the post of Clerical Officer in a local authority.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

201 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20870/09]

My Department receives in excess of 40,000 valid invoices for payment each year from contractors and suppliers. The average time taken to make payments in respect of these for the period from 1 May 2008 to 30 April 2009 was 19 days. My Department does not compile or hold data of this kind for bodies under the aegis of the Department.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

202 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20865/09]

My Department aims, in its dealings with suppliers of goods and services, to pay all invoices as soon as possible after the goods and services have been satisfactorily delivered and the supporting documentation necessary to enable the payment has been received by my Department. In addition, payments governed by the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997, are required to be made within the statutory limit of 30 days set out in the Act.

The vast majority of all payments made by my Department to outside contractors for goods and services are made within 30 days. In 2008, over 99% of all payments made by my Department were made within 30 days. All payments made by agencies affiliated to my Department are a day-to-day operational matter for those organisations. Payments made by these agencies are subject to the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997.

Telecommunications Services.

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

203 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason for the delay in extending broadband to the village of Kilmessan, County Meath; the efforts made to remove obstacles and to progress this issue; the timeframe for the full provision of broadband to the residents and businesses of Kilmessan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20896/09]

Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Broadband services can now be provided over various platforms, DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless access, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre by the private sector service providers. I understand that broadband is available in Kilmessan, County Meath from mobile and wireless service providers.

Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

204 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be granted REP scheme four. [20731/09]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

205 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the payments that were issued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway in 2006; if these included REP scheme payments; if so the date they were awarded; and the person to whom they were awarded. [20757/09]

REPS payments totalling €4,638.52 issued to the person named in 2006. My Department has no record of any payments to him under any other schemes.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

206 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded REP scheme four. [20759/09]

The REPS 4 application for the person named was received on 11 February 2009. Under EU Regulations, payment on any individual REPS 4 application for 2009 cannot be made until completion of administrative and area checks on all applications received up to the closing date of 15 May 2009. At that stage 75% of the payment to each participant can be released, with the balance being paid when the last of the on-farm inspections for the year has taken place.

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

207 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a payment for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20761/09]

Following the supplementary budget on 7 April, an 8% reduction was applied to forestry premiums. The 8% reduction for this person equals €26.49 which results in a new premium amount of €304.60 payable from 2009 onwards.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

208 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REP scheme payment. [20768/09]

Tax Code.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

209 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will clarify the imposition of the income levy on forestry premiums and on the recent cuts to those premiums; if these cuts and levies are being reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20806/09]

The forestry premium payment, as with all income, is subject to the income levy but this is a general across-the-board levy which is not specific to forestry.

The forestry premiums due for 2009 that were recently paid by my Department included an 8% reduction. This decision to reduce the forestry premiums must be seen in the context of unprecedented pressure on the public finances and the necessity to take difficult decisions in order to make maximum use of the available limited resources.

The premium reduction and the income levy are not being reconsidered at present.

Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

210 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo did not receive payment under the suckler cow welfare scheme for 2008. [20807/09]

The person named has four animals for consideration under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment has issued for one of the animals. The remaining three are in error, as the applicant declared that they were castrated during the six-week meal feeding period. The rules of the scheme state that castration must take place outside this time. My Department has written to the person named to outline the situation. As the reply has not resolved the issue, an officer from my Department will be in contact shortly with the applicant.

Proposed Legislation.

Tom Sheahan

Ceist:

211 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the recently published Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) (Amendment) Bill 2009 has been brought to his attention; his views on the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20811/09]

This Bill has been brought to my attention. As there are significant legal issues arising in the first instance I am arranging for the Attorney General to examine and advise in advance of the Government taking a position.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Tom Sheahan

Ceist:

212 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for introducing a 17% cut to the REP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20812/09]

The withdrawal of the 17% increase in REPS 4 rates of payments was a necessary response to the pressures on the public finances and the anticipated level of up-take of REPS 4.

Now that the closing date for applications for REPS 4 has passed a full review of the Scheme will be undertaken, in the context of the overall participation rate, the funding which is likely to be available to me and the flexibility provided by the additional funding which I negotiated in the recent CAP "Health Check".

Farm Retirement Scheme.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

213 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow to determine if he or she will qualify for the farm retirement scheme based on the legal transactions and agreement they had entered into; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20837/09]

My Department received an application under the Early Retirement Scheme from the person named on 12 December 2008. It could not be accepted for processing as it was received after the Scheme had been suspended for new applications on 14 October 2008 because of budgetary constraints. I indicated at the time that I would monitor all schemes and services throughout 2009 and would review the position thoroughly in the context of the preparations of the 2010 Estimates for my Department.

Grant Payments.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

214 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, who has been in farming since 2004 and has made an application every year of entitlements since then from the national reserve operated by his Department, has not been granted entitlements; if steps will be taken to allocate him or her a cohort of entitlements under the national reserve scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20857/09]

While the person named has submitted a Single Payment application form since the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme in 2005 my Department does not have any record of a National Reserve application form being submitted for the person named for the scheme years 2005, 2006, 2007 or 2008.

However, the person named has submitted an application under Category A of the 2009 National Reserve. This category caters for farmers who inherited, leased or otherwise received free of charge, or for a nominal amount, from a farmer who retired or died before 16 May 2005, a holding that was leased out to a third party during the 2000-2002 reference period.

The National Reserve application from the person named was received in my Department on 8 May 2009. Processing of the 2009 National Reserve will commence shortly and the person named will be notified of the outcome of his application in due course.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

215 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20863/09]

Suppliers of good and services to my Department have been paid on average within 16 days of receipt of invoices in the current year in the period from 1 January to 30 April, 2009.

Payment for goods and services by State Agencies which come under the remit of my Department are an operational matter for the agencies themselves.

Grant Payments.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

216 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the maximum payment has been issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [20878/09]

The person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under both the Farm Waste Management and Farm Improvement Schemes. My Department is currently processing the applications concerned and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Psychological Service.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

217 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the category and number of staff working within the National Educational Psychological Service; if additional psychologists committed to in budget 2009 can be recruited in view of the moratorium on public sector recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20719/09]

The National Educational Psychological Service currently has a staffing complement of 34 administrative and 159 psychologist staff distributed over some 22 regional and local offices nationwide.

As I have previously informed the House I was pleased to announce, following the recent Budget, that I have provided an increase in the financial allocation to NEPS with a view to increasing the number of psychologists by some 50 posts. As the Deputy may be aware the moratorium referred to allows for exceptions and my Department is in communication with the Department of Finance in this regard.

Education Welfare Service.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

218 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff employed by the National Educational Welfare Board in 2008; the number of staff currently employed by NEWB; if any staff are on maternity or other leave; if positions will be filled in 2009 as a result of the moratorium in public sector recruitment; the number of staff in total that will be employed by NEWB in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20720/09]

The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as the statutory body with responsibility for school attendance. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. I am informed by the Board that on 31st December 2008 there were 104 staff employed. Currently the Board employs 106 staff. Five staff are currently on maternity leave. No staff are currently absent on other forms of long term leave, such as, long term sick leave.

As a non-commercial state sponsored body the NEWB must comply with the conditions of the moratorium on recruitment in the public sector. While the Government Decision does allow for certain exceptions these will require the sanction of the Minister for Finance. It is not possible at this point in time to give the number of staff in total that will be employed by the NEWB for 2009. The current figure may not remain static particularly if staff decide to leave the NEWB during the course of the year. Therefore it is not possible to accurately report actual numbers of staff who will be employed by the Board in 2009.

The NEWB is one aspect of the comprehensive framework that this Government has put in place to improve school attendance, to encourage more young people to finish school and to support parents and the wider community in addressing the individual needs of children at risk of educational exclusion. These services are available to all schools participating in DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) the Action Plan for educational inclusion. In line with Government policy the Board prioritises its resources to support schools participating in DEIS.

This week I announced plans to expand the remit of the Educational Welfare Board from 1 September 2009, to include responsibility for the Home School Liaison and School Completion Services as well as Visiting Teacher supports for Traveller pupils. The revised remit will bring together the individual services under one common management team which will provide for a single, more focussed, strategic direction at local, regional and national levels. This integrated approach is part of the Government's overall approach to Transforming Public Services announced in November 2008.

School Accommodation.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

219 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 447 of 12 May 2009, the 60 schools he suggests will participate in the cost saving accommodation scheme he launched in July 2008; if any of the 60 schools identified have been formally offered the opportunity to use funds to build permanent structures; when he expects funding to be made available to the 60 schools identified to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20721/09]

As I indicated to the Deputy in my response to Dáil Question No. 447 answered on 12th May last, I introduced a further innovation, in July of 2008 which allows those schools with an urgent and pressing need for additional accommodation which is likely to last for more than 3 years, and who are being given approval for grant aid, to avail of the option of using their grants either to purchase prefabs or to construct permanent classrooms for the same amount.

The level of funding available is outlined in the initial letter of approval from my Department to the schools. It is then a matter for the schools to decide which option to pursue. As it is a devolved scheme schools may claim the first portion of the grant when the building works commence, 70% of the cost of the project, subject to receipt of the necessary certification and the balance when the project is completed. A tabular statement giving details of the schools that have indicated their intention to pursue the provision of permanent accommodation is set out below. A number of other schools have not yet indicated to my Department if they intend to provide a permanent accommodation solution.

Permanent Option-Schools indicating permanent provision

School No.

County

School

Primary Schools

01867W

Cork

Castlelyons NS

permanent

02278I

Cork

Presentation NS, Millstreet

permanent

04005G

Tipperary NR

Scoil Naomh Peadar, Horse & Jockey, Thurles

permanent

04152T

Cork

Scoil Mhaoiliosa, Knockavilla, Upton

permanent

08490N

Cavan

St. Clare’s School, Ardmhuire

permanent

09060L

Galway

Bawnmore NS, Claregalway

permanent

09537S

Cork

Ballinadee NS

permanent

11372B

Wicklow

Scoil Mhuire, Réalt na Mara

permanent

12350T

Mayo

SN na h-Aille, Ballinrobe

permanent

12447L

Cork

Baltydaniel NS

permanent

13145A

Mayo

St. Colmcilles NS, Westport

permanent

13543M

Cork

Derrinacahara

permanent

13563S

Donegal

SN Chill Choinnigh, Glenties

permanent

13607M

Carlow

St Columba’s NS, Tullow

permanent

13728B

Cork

Castletownshend NS, Skibbereen

permanent

14073G

Cavan

St Patricks NS, Castletara

permanent

14726C

Cork

St. Multose NS, Kinsale

permanent

14966W

Roscommon

Kilteevan NS

permanent

15194A

Leitrim

Scoil Naomh Caillin, Carrick-on Shannon

permanent

15226K

Limerick

Caherline NS

permanent

15257V

Mayo

Quignamanger NS, Ballina

permanent

15557K

Roscommon

Scoil Muire gan Smal, Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis

permanent

15945T

Kerry

Firies NS, Church Road, Firies

permanent

16316Q

Cavan

St. Mary’s NS, Arva

permanent

16605A

Wexford

Kilrane National School

permanent

16673R

Wexford

Cushinstown NS, Foulksmills

permanent

16827S

Kilkenny

St. Leonard’s NS, Dunamaggin

permanent

17296S

Tipperary NR

Ballinahinch NS

permanent

17304O

Wicklow

St Brigid’s NS, Annacurra

permanent

17508H

Offaly

Scoil Colmcille, Durrow

permanent

17517I

Clare

Doolin Mixed NS

permanent

17607J

Donegal

SN Seiseadh Ui Neill

permanent

17694H

Tipperary SR

Cloneen NS, Clonmel

permanent

17868O

Cork

Scoil Freastogail Muire

permanent

17950W

Cork

Holy Family NS

permanent

18021H

Galway

SN an Chroi Ro Naofa, Belclare, Tuam

permanent

18130M

Meath

St Patricks NS, Johnstownbridge

permanent

18242A

Wicklow

Scoil Aodán Naofa, Carnew

permanent

18345K

Tipperary

SN Iosef Naofa, Roscrea

permanent

18358T

Meath

St. Fiach’s NS, Ballinacree

permanent

18424G

Carlow

St. Joseph’s NS,

permanent

18460K

Galway

Milltown NS

permanent

18470N

Wicklow

Scoil Naomh Brid

permanent

18660S

Kilkenny

St Nicholas NS, Windgap

permanent

18746F

Galway

Scoil Mhuire, Athenry

permanent

18922W

Mayo

Cloonliffen NS

permanent

19224D

Cork

Kilmeen NS

permanent

19305D

Tipperary SR

Tankerstown NS, Bansha

permanent

19339U

Wicklow

Stratford Lodge NS, Baltinglass

permanent

19363R

Cavan

Mullahoran NS, Kilcogy

permanent

19388K

Galway

Clonberne NS, Ballinasloe

permanent

19442N

Clare

Ruan Central National School

permanent

19505L

Dublin

SN Oilibheir, Balbriggan

permanent

19750B

Laois

Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix

permanent

19761G

Cork

St. Peter’s NS, Dungourney

permanent

19800N

Limerick

Milford NS, Grange, Castletroy

permanent

19812U

Mayo

Foxford NS,

permanent

19837N

Dublin

Drimnagh Castle PS, Long Mile Road

permanent

19964U

Sligo

Scoil Mhuire gan Smal PS, Ballymote

permanent

20130B

Dublin

St. Patrick’s NS, Diswellstown Rd., Castleknock

permanent

Post-Primary Schools

61051L

Cavan

St. Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff

Permanent

62421A

Cork

Presentation Secondary Mitchelstown

Permanent

65450W

Tipperary

CBS Thurles

Permanent

71990R

Meath

St. Oliver’s Post Primary School

Permanent

72470T

Tipperary

St. Sheelan’s College

Permanent

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

220 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools nationwide that are accommodated solely in temporary or prefabricated accommodation; if he will provide a list of such schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20722/09]

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. Following a survey of over 900 schools across the country my Department has set up a database giving details regarding their use of prefabricated accommodation. The information gathered does not specify whether the accommodation in individual schools is entirely made up of temporary buildings.

Separately, arrangements are being made to conduct a survey of accommodation at primary and post-primary level using the Department's recently commissioned Geographical Information System (GIS) and this will establish the position relating to the extent of all accommodation. The specifications for this inventory are being drafted and my Department will be in contact with the education partners in relation to this later this year.

The Deputy will be aware that demand for additional accommodation in schools has risen significantly over the last number of years, with the appointment of 6,000 extra teachers in the primary sector alone since 2002. The overall policy goal is to ensure the highest standard of permanent accommodation for all schools. However, in the context of a rapidly increasing school population, the necessity to put additional accommodation in place in a short time frame, and competing pressure on the capital budget available to my Department, it is necessary to make use of temporary accommodation in order to meet accommodation needs in some circumstances.

It is the policy of my Department to provide a permanent accommodation solution in so far as possible to meet accommodation demands presenting in schools. However, the time span involved in architectural design and obtaining planning permission processes effectively means that, in all instances, it may not be possible to provide a permanent accommodation solution as soon as it is required and in these cases temporary accommodation is provided as an interim measure.

In July of 2008, I introduced a new scheme which allows those schools with an urgent and pressing need for additional accommodation which is likely to last for more than 3 years, and who are being given approval for grant aid, to avail of the option of using their grants either to purchase prefabs or to construct permanent classrooms for the same amount.

I'm also introducing a new pilot project aimed at replacing rented prefabs with permanent modular buildings. This project will be targeted at schools that have older rented prefabs and need long-term additional accommodation. In 2009 almost €614 million will be spent on school infrastructure. It represents a significant investment in the school building and modernisation at a time of great pressure on public finances and is a sign of the very real commitment of this Government to investing in school infrastructure and will permit the continuation of progress in the overall improvement of school accommodation.

School Building Projects.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

221 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of a post-primary school building project (details supplied) in County Roscommon; when he expects the tenders to be signed and construction to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20726/09]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project at the school to which he refers was included in my recent announcement of 43 projects to proceed to tender and construction in 2009. A building contractor has not yet been appointed as the project is still progressing towards tender stage. The contract notice seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified contractors has been published on the public procurement portal www.etenders.gov.ie. Until the project has been tendered and a contract put in place, it will not be possible to provide the other details requested by the Deputy.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

222 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of a primary school building project (details supplied) in County Roscommon; when he expects the tenders to be signed and construction to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20727/09]

My Department has recently received the revised Stage 2B submission from the Design Team which is being examined by my Officials. Stage 2B which includes the detailed design and bill of quantities for the project is the precursor to tender stage. My Department will inform the school authorities of further progress once the Stage 2B submission has been approved.

School Accommodation.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

223 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on requests from the various gaelscoileanna of south County Dublin for the purchase by his Department of the former boys vocational school in Dundrum in order to provide a gaelcholáiste to meet the secondary school needs of the many graduates of the gaelscoileanna in the area. [20745/09]

Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level over the coming years.

Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools and the school building stock to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area.

Overall post-primary accommodation requirements in the Dundrum area, including the case for the provision of a new Irish language post-primary school, will be considered in this regard.

Pension Provisions.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

224 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded their pension and lump sum in view of the fact that they have been retired since 1 February 2009. [20758/09]

The person in question gave intermittent substitute service which was non-pensionable up until recently. However, arising from recently introduced improvements in superannuation, it will be possible for the person to reckon the service for superannuation purposes subject to meeting certain criteria and to payment of appropriate contributions. Pending the finalisation of the detailed arrangements, my Department is processing the person's retirement benefits and expects to make an award to her shortly. When all the details of the improvements are finalised the person's benefits will, if necessary, be revised.

Special Educational Needs.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

225 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the way children in special needs classes at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will be accommodated from September 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20764/09]

I take it that the Deputy is referring to my Department's decision to suppress a special class for pupils with a mild general learning disability (MGLD) in the school in question.

I wish to assure the Deputy that there will be no pupil with a special educational need who will be without access to a special needs teacher as a result of the decision to apply the normal rules which govern the appointment and retention of teachers of special classes for pupils with a MGLD.

Teacher allocations to schools typically increase or decrease depending on pupil enrolment. In the case of classes for MGLD the normal pupil teacher ratio that applies is 11:1. My Department however permits schools to retain a teaching post where it has a minimum of 9 pupils in the class. This minimum was not fulfilled in the school referred to by the Deputy. Therefore, the school no longer qualifies to retain the class.

These special classes which are to close pre-date the 2005 General Allocation Model of allocating additional teacher support to schools to enable them to meet the needs of pupils with mild general learning disabilities as well as a number of other high incidence disabilities. All primary schools now have additional teaching support in place for this purpose.

All children with MGLD who are in the classes being suppressed will be able to receive teaching support through the teaching resources allocated to primary schools under the General Allocation Model. Schools decide themselves how best to use this allocation based on the needs of the pupils and how to adjust their support in line with the changing needs of pupils as they mature. My Department provided a circular SP ED 02/05 to schools to assist them in deploying the General Allocation Model resources.

All of the other primary schools in the country who do not have classes for children with MGLD cater for these pupils from within the General Allocation Model. I wish to reiterate that pupils with a MGLD have, and will continue to have access to additional teaching resources to support their education.

Asylum Support Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

226 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if assistance or a grant will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20793/09]

Non-Irish nationals in the following categories are entitled to free access to some Further Education courses on the same basis as Irish nationals:

EU nationals;

persons who have refugee status in Ireland;

persons in the State as the spouse of an EU national, where the EU national has moved from one country to another within the EU to work;

persons (including their spouse and children) who have been granted leave to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds;

persons who have permission to remain in the State as the parents of a child born in Ireland;

applicants for asylum who have been granted permission to work under the terms of a government decision of 26 July 1999.

Asylum seekers who do not have an entitlement to work are entitled to free access to adult literacy, English language and mother culture supports only. As the person mentioned by the Deputy is an asylum seeker who does not have an entitlement to work he is not eligible for free access to this course. He may, however, access the course by paying the full economic cost of the course.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

227 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in County Dublin is having to introduce an aptitude test to determine which children going into first class will remain in senior infants, or which will join with children in second class, due to having to amalgamate classes and having no first class thus leading to class sizes of up to 40 pupils; the alternative available to the school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20814/09]

Combined classes are a feature of the majority of schools in the country and this arrangement has no adverse implications for the quality of the education children receive.

While the staffing schedule allocates on the basis of an average number of pupils each individual school decides on how to arrange its classes. In terms of class sizes almost 80% of primary pupils were in classes of less than 30 pupils during the last school year. With over 20,000 individual classes spread across all schools throughout the country there will inevitably be differences in individual class sizes. Some schools can have class sizes of greater than 27 or 28 but this is often because of a local decision by a school to use its teaching resources in order to have smaller numbers in other classes.

Where it is possible, I believe that principals should consider the benefits of having smaller multi-grade classes as against having particularly large differences in class sizes at different levels in the school. In general, the view of my Department is that, where combined classes are formed, mixed-ability classes are preferable and my Department recommends random selection as a fair and educationally sound approach to the assignment of pupils to such classes.

Schools Building Projects.

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

228 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied). [20823/09]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the post primary school to which he refers was included in my recent announcement of 43 projects to proceed to tender and construction in 2009.

A building contractor has not yet been appointed as the project is still progressing towards tender stage. The contract notice seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified contractors has been published on the public procurement portal www.etenders.gov.ie.

Higher Education Grants.

Mary White

Ceist:

229 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Education and Science the circumstances that prohibit persons (details supplied) in Dublin 6W from qualifying for a higher education grant. [20831/09]

My Department received an appeal from the candidates referred to by the Deputy. The appeal was made on the grounds of a change in circumstances. My Department examined the appeal and it was determined that there was not satisfactory evidence to prove a change in circumstance which is likely to be permanent therefore the decision of the assessing authority was upheld.

School Accommodation.

Mary White

Ceist:

230 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Education and Science if he proposes to continue with the rental arrangement of a number of prefabs for use at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15. [20833/09]

A new 16 classroom school building with a 2 classroom ASD Unit was opened in 2007 for the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department is not currently paying any rent in relation to prefabs for this school.

Schools Building Projects.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

231 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 441 of 12 May 2009, if the outstanding document has been received; and if the letter of acceptance has issued. [20842/09]

I can confirm that the outstanding document referred to has been received from the preferred bidder and is in order. The Letter of Acceptance will issue as soon as legal title to the site has been confirmed.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

232 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by his Department and each individual agency of his Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20868/09]

A review of payments made by my Department during the first four months of 2009, to bodies classified as being outside of the public sector, showed that approximately 84.5% of payments were made within 15 days from the date of receipt of a valid invoice from a supplier, 12.5% of payments were made between 15 and 30 days while just under 3.0% of payments were made after 30 days. My Department seeks to ensure that prompt payment is made to all suppliers while at the same time satisfying the requirement, under the Public Financial Procedures, that invoices are correctly certified as being in order for payment. In a small number of cases, owing to the nature of some of the services supplied to the Department, analysis of invoices can be quite complex.

With regard to agencies under the aegis of my Department the information sought is a matter for each agency and is not collated centrally.

Schools Refurbishment.

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

233 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science the action which has taken place over the past 12 to 18 months regarding the substantial extension proposed for a school (details supplied) in County Meath; if he will clarify the way such a project could be delayed for so long over what appears to be minor technical issues; if he will assign an official to take responsibility for progressing this file; if he will make arrangements for an official to meet with a delegation from the community to discuss the impasse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20895/09]

The project to which the Deputy refers to is at an early stage of architectural planning. The school's application for Major Capital Grant Aid has been assessed in accordance with the prioritisation criteria agreed by the education partners, and has been assigned a Band rating of 2.1.

My Department received a Stage 1/2 submission (Site Suitability, Site Report and Initial Sketch Scheme) last year. Upon review there were a number of issues raised regarding the submission by my Department's Planning and Building Unit. A stage 1/2 Addendum was requested from the School's Design Team and this addendum is currently with my Department for review.

As the Deputy will be aware, in February, I announced details of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction and 25 high priority projects to commence architectural planning. The project to which the Deputy refers was not included in this announcement. Therefore the project is unlikely to progress further this year. As this situation is unlikely to change, the Department is of the view that a meeting would not be productive at this time. Once the current stage is cleared, my Department will be in direct contact with the school authorities regarding the status of the project.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.

Higher Education Grants.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

234 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the way eligibility for a higher education grant is determined for holders of stamp four residency status; if this is done by individual authorities, vocational educational committees or if specific guidelines are issued by his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it would appear that while holders of such status are fully entitled to work here, there appears to be a doubt as to whether such status entitles holders to stamp four to higher education or maintenance grants; if his attention has been further drawn to the likelihood of discrimination under international law in individual cases; if he will take action to ensure that all such cases are dealt with in strict accordance with specific guidelines laid down by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20897/09]

Under the terms of the maintenance grant schemes, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, means and previous academic attainment. The decision on eligibility for a higher education grant is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC as appropriate.

The Nationality requirement as set out in the 2008 Grant schemes states candidates must hold E.U. Nationality; or have Official Refugee Status; or have been granted Humanitarian Leave to Remain in the State (prior to the Immigration Act 1999); or be a person in respect of whom the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has granted permission to remain following a determination not to make a deportation order under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999; or have permission to remain in the State by virtue of marriage to an Irish national residing in the State, or be the child of such person, not having EU nationality; or have permission to remain in the State by virtue of marriage to a national of another EU Member State who is residing in the State and who is or has been employed, or self-employed, in the State, or be the child of such a person, not having EU nationality; or be nationals of a member country of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform adjudicates on a person's entitlement to remain in the State and on the stamp that is awarded where permission to remain is sanctioned. A ‘stamp 4' does not of itself convey any entitlement to public services.

It is the candidate's nationality or his/her immigration status in the State that determines whether or not he/she meets the nationality requirement outlined in the Scheme. Possession of a ‘stamp 4' does not automatically satisfy the nationality requirement of the grant schemes. My Department understands a ‘stamp 4' can be awarded to categories of applicants other than those specified in my Department's grant schemes.

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