I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, to the House.
Adjournment Matters
Special Educational Needs
My motion relates to funding that was approved for the autism unit in Finn Valley College, Stranorlar, County Donegal, which has more than 300 students. Funding was approved for the old building of the former school before the new building was built. That building has recently been completed and the students moved in in September. The previous Minister approved funding for an autism unit within the former school. The board of management and County Donegal VEC assumed that funding would be transferred to the new school to provide the much-needed autistic services for the students who depend on such services. I do not understand why the funding of €150,000 has been withdrawn given that there is no autism unit in the new building. I ask the Minister of State to outline whether the funding can be reinstated. I hope he will have good news that the funding originally approved and then withdrawn can now be reinstated or at least that the Department might enter into consultations with the school's board of management to find a way of having the funding reallocated to the school.
I have a separate issue relating to the same school, Finn Valley College. The Minister of State recently answered a parliamentary question on an application from County Donegal VEC for approximately €10,000 for the shuttle bus service to the school. The new school was built 600 m from the old building and yet the school transport drop-off and pick-up point was factored in as being at the old school rather than the new school. The pupils are now walking to and from the new school. During the first week seven or eight students walked to the school in the rain but had to go home because their clothes were so wet. Although the Minister of State has given a reply to a parliamentary question submitted by a colleague of mine in the past 24 hours saying no funding would be available even though the VEC made an appeal, it is a once-off grant of €10,000 and I appeal to him to revisit the decision.
I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to outline to the House my Department's position on the allocation of funding for an ASD classroom at Finn Valley College, County Donegal.
In February 2008, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, advised my Department that it had sanctioned a special class for pupils with autistic spectrum disorder from September 2008 at Finn Valley College. In June 2008 County Donegal VEC submitted a formal application for funding to provide the additional accommodation. The application was assessed and in July 2008 final approval was granted and funding of €150,000 was sanctioned on a devolved basis to County Donegal VEC to provide the special class at Finn Valley College.
In January 2009, County Donegal VEC wrote to officials in the planning and building unit of my Department requesting an extension of time to draw down the approved funding, stating that the procurement process for the installation of the ASD unit was in train. My Department approved the extension in time and advised the VEC that once the works commenced on site a 70% instalment of the grant would be paid on receipt of documentation as set out in my Department's letter of approval. My Department subsequently received no request from County Donegal VEC for drawdown of payment.
In June 2010, construction commenced on a new 3,452 sq. m school for Finn Valley College to cater for 325 pupils and was ready for occupation in September 2011. The new school was designed and planning permission had been granted prior to the approval of the ASD unit. In November 2010, a request was received by my Department from County Donegal VEC to include an ASD unit in the new school building. Following a technical assessment, it was agreed that it would not be feasible to add the unit to the project at that time, as it had reached such an advanced stage. The VEC was advised at that time to submit an application for funding for an ASD unit at the new school and to date no application has been received from County Donegal VEC.
I understand, however, that officials in the planning and building unit have recently been in touch with County Donegal VEC on this matter and that an application for funding for an ASD unit at Finn Valley College will be submitted shortly by County Donegal VEC. I again thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline the current position to the House.
On the school transport matter, if the Senator makes direct contact with my office I will undertake to examine that case again.
Adult Education
I thank the Minister of State for attending. I am glad to have the opportunity to highlight the need for the Department of Education and Skills to maintain 2012 funding for Laneview Learning Centre Dublin 17 at the current level. As the Minister of State will be aware, Laneview is an educational centre in Belcamp, Dublin 17. It takes referrals from the local HSE methadone clinic located next door. Its director, Pat Hanna, and his team have put together a very comprehensive education and personal development programme of 22 hours a week. This involves a wide range of elements, including basic literacy classes and computer classes, both of which are supported by the VEC which supplies tutors. The clients also participate in horticulture training and spend one day a week working in a greenhouse in Rush where they get an opportunity to learn new skills. They also do art and drama classes in the centre.
The availability of a supportive environment with group and individual counselling is an essential element in enabling clients to avail of the education programmes on offer in Laneview. For many of its clients, Laneview is the first involvement they have had in any form with education since their early teenage years. Its director informed me that a large number of the participants started using serious drugs at the age of 12 so for many of them it is their first opportunity to avail of real education since they were very young. The objective of the programme offered in the centre is to help clients to rebuild their lives and reduce their reliance on methadone. All clients must sign a contract when they are referred from the methadone clinic to Laneview committing to cut down on the amount of methadone they are taking. The objective is to wean them off reliance on methadone and to improve their home environment. The Laneview centre works as closely as possible with families to involve spouses and other family members to ensure when the person goes home, he or she has as supportive an environment as possible. The ultimate objective of the programme is to enable clients to take up education and work opportunities. Previous clients have gone on to sit the junior certificate, which is a huge achievement for them. They have also participated in vocational training courses for careers such as hairdressing and other such areas. There is no doubt that without the supportive environment offered by the Laneview centre, including the counselling elements I mentioned, the people involved could not have done this. Most clients would never have signed up for a standard education programme nor would a standard environment be suitable for them given their dependence on methadone and their need for supportive services as well as educational ones. The Laneview centre provides them with educational opportunities which are simply not available anywhere else.
The ongoing partnership between the centre and the HSE is also crucial. The clients sign the contract before coming to the Laneview centre. Regular reviews take place and staff from the centre along with HSE staff every week check people are fulfilling the commitments they made and are making progress. They also keep an eye on them all the time so people do not end up dropping out.
I raise this issue because the centre already suffered a major cut in funding of 30% in 2009. It has pared back its costs as much as possible and adapted and protected its services inasmuch as it can, but it has heard its funding is in line for another severe cut next year. I urge the Minister of State not to let this happen and to intervene with his colleague the Minister, Deputy Quinn, and the Department.
Further cuts would have huge social costs for the individuals themselves and for their families and communities. It would also cost the State much more in the long run in economic terms. Laneview has worked with former prisoners who, with the support of the centre, have stayed out of trouble and avoided reoffending. The Minister of State is well aware of the high cost of prison places. If cuts lead to the centre having to reduce its programmes next year or, the worst possible outcome, to close, and one more person ends up in prison as a result, the overall financial cost to the State in the long term would be far greater than funding the centre.
I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this issue and I urge the Minister of State to do everything he can with his colleague, the Minister, and other members of the Government to protect this vital service from cuts next year.
I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, and thank the Senator for raising it.
The Department contributes to the overall aim of Government policy on drugs and the national drugs strategy, which is to provide an effective integrated response to the problems posed by drug misuse. Part of the Department's contribution to the national drugs strategy is to provide funding for a number of projects in local drugs task force areas.
Laneview Learning Centre, also known as the rehabilitation and support programme, RASP, was established in 1998 with the aim of addressing drug problems in the Coolock area of Dublin. In 2005, following a review of its operation, the board of RASP changed the name of its building to Laneview Learning Centre.
Laneview Learning Centre provides a community-based drug rehabilitation project for adults who are in recovery from addiction. Through the provision of a community employment scheme it provides a number of placements for adults from the Dublin 17 area who are on a treatment programme with the adjacent Beldale Clinic, operated by the HSE. The project provides a programme which has both an educational content and a rehabilitation emphasis.
This year, for the educational component of the programme, the Department has allocated €138,847 towards the RASP project at Laneview Learning Centre. This is the same as the 2010 allocation for the project. This funding primarily goes towards the cost of one staff salary, the cost of leasing premises and other programme costs.
Senator Power will be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, is undertaking a comprehensive expenditure review across all areas of Government spending. This process will inform budgetary decisions and the Senator will appreciate that I am not in a position at present to state what funding allocation will be made available by the Department to the Laneview Learning Centre in 2012. A decision regarding the provision of an allocation to Laneview Learning Centre for 2012 will be taken by the Department in the context of the overall budgetary process for 2012.
The Department acknowledges that the RASP project at Laneview Learning Centre provides a significant service for stabilised recovering adult drug users. The project provides a programme which has both learning content and, equally, a strong rehabilitation emphasis. The Department will inform the project of decisions on its future funding as early as possible.
In addition to the funding provided for the Laneview Learning Centre and five other projects in local drugs task force areas, the Department makes a significant contribution in support of the prevention pillar of the national drugs strategy through the mandatory social, personal and health education curriculum at primary level and at junior cycle at second level; through the initiatives under the delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, action plan to prevent early school leaving and achieve better educational outcomes for students, given that early school leaving is a major indicator for those engaging in substance misuse; and through the guidelines on substance use policies issued to all schools.
The Department remains committed, within the resources available to it, to provide support for the national drugs strategy.
Nursing Home Services
I wish to share time with Senator Michael Mullins. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch.
This is a straightforward case of asking the Minister for Health to outline why the relocation of a nursing home in order to meet HIQA standards should be classified as a start-up case or a new build and not as a current operation. The nursing home has been in operation since October 2002 and must move because of HIQA requirements because the building it is in is under a preservation order. Just because it is moving premises, the Department of Health wants to classify it as a new build. This is blatantly unfair and I am bringing the case to the attention of the Minister of State.
The nursing home is Pointe Boise in Salthill, which is located in a small streetfront site with a preservation order on the building limiting any development. In 2002, when it commenced operation, it was described in the local press as state-of-the-art, but by 2005 it had become apparent that as standards and expectations improved, it did not have the resources to upgrade the fixtures, fittings and facilities because the 24 bed home was only breaking even.
In 2007, the draft national standards were published and the nursing home first became aware of medium-term difficulties with the building. In June 2009, the national quality standards were introduced which require all homes to provide a range of facilities by June 2015, including a treatment room, a quiet space, a private meeting room, communal toilets, additional wheelchair toilets for visitors, an assisted toilet per floor and a number of other physical facilities. These are not available in the nursing home and cannot be because of the tightness of space and a preservation order. Some rooms may be unsuitable and contrary to the regulations owing to the loss of usable floor space from sloping ceilings and steps into rooms.
The environmental health officer also requires building works to be completed to include separate catering facilities, staff changing facilities and fitting mechanical ventilation. An important point is that on 8 March 2011, the fire officer, having inspected the building, presented a comprehensive action plan for completion which, among other actions, involves sizeable building works. The entire situation makes the future of this nursing home in the building unviable. However, the future of the nursing home as a running operation for patients and families is viable.
The building occupied by the nursing home is on a lease which expires in nine months time. The lease includes an option to vacate, renew or purchase. The sensible option for the business is to relocate. Since 2007 it has been exploring opportunities to provide better care facilities in line with the new standards, and this has resulted in the building of a new home on the grounds of St. Mary's college, which is a large secondary school. This would provide a nursing home for some of the priests. Since 27 August, it has been registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, as a nursing home specifically designed to comply with new regulations and at a scale of economy to be viable at the average Galway city fair deal rates. Those involved are pleased with the HIQA report.
The HIQA registration process included a two-day inspection on 12 and 13 July. The report states that the inspection covered both nursing homes — the current Pointe Boise and the new location on the grounds of St. Mary's — because all of the residents and staff will relocate to the new home. In their reports, the fire officer and environmental officer noted that the old nursing home needed substantial work.
The home was scheduled to open its new nursing home on the grounds of St. Mary's college on Saturday, 24 September. It is unique, in that a nursing home relocating premises to comply with legislation and care standards has not occurred previously. The building was completed in June, the home was registered by HIQA on 27 August and 24 September was selected as the opening date, as it would best suit residents and their families in moving. However, the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, negotiates the fair deal cost-of-care rates with individual nursing homes on behalf of the Minister for Health. On previously presenting the situation to Mr. Joe Carroll of the NPTF, the fund signalled that the home could be considered as a current operation. However, the home engaged with Ms Fiona Walsh for all of last week. At a meeting last Friday, she refused to agree to continue the current fair deal cost-of-care rates.
This is a problem. The home is unable to move and has no idea as to whether it will ever be able to do so. The collateral damage is significant. The home would have created 33 new jobs as a result of the move and has already recruited the first group, with induction training and human resources work completed. The home has the unwelcome task this week of informing those people that there are no jobs available.
Some 31 extra beds will be available in the new premises, with ten admission assessments already completed and a further 15 older people scheduled to be so assessed. Many of the latter are in Galway hospitals or the Galway Hospice. The home must inform them that it can no longer provide care. Unless the new home gets the NTPF's subvention of the current operation, it cannot afford to make the move. The irony is that the home could have solved the problem with the University College Hospital, Galway, UCHG, accident and emergency unit and saved the Department of Health a considerable sum had the right decision been taken by the NTPF on Friday. Some 36 people occupying a ward in UCHG are awaiting fair deal funding.
Will the Minister of State decide to have the operation classified as a current operation rather than a new build or a start-up, which it clearly is not?
I welcome the Minister of State to the House and support Senator Healy Eames's case. Additional jobs would be created and extra beds would help the awful accident and emergency unit situation we are reading and hearing about in the national media every day as well as the lack of available beds in UCHG. The home will not be viable unless it can get the rates it expected as an existing business. The situation is cut and dry. The home informs me that it cannot afford to open unless it gets that rate. If it does not open we will lose jobs and fail to free up beds in UCHG. It would be a shame to see a fine facility lying idle when the community needs it. Will the Minister of State discuss the issue with the NTPF to resolve it? As the home has been operating for the past ten years, it seems strange that it cannot be classified as an existing business to give it a competitive edge and enable it to open the new facility.
Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible or, where not possible, to support access to quality long-term residential care. The facility referred to by the Senators is a new, purpose-built private nursing home. It will replace another 28-bed private nursing home in the vicinity. It will also provide additional capacity in the area.
The provider of the nursing home being replaced has notified the chief inspector of the plans to conduct an orderly wind down of operations. All of its residents have chosen to transfer to the new nursing home. The new home will accommodate 60 residents and incorporate an integrated day-care service with places for a maximum of 12 residents daily from the local community. The new nursing home was registered by HIQA on 27 August.
To be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the nursing homes support scheme, a private nursing home must be registered as a designated centre with HIQA under the Health Act 2007, have agreed a price for long-term residential care for the purposes of the scheme with the NTPF and hold a valid tax clearance certificate. The agreed price criterion is necessary because of the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above a person's contribution.
The NTPF has statutory responsibility for the negotiation of prices with private nursing homes. It is independent in the performance of this function and, in carrying it out, must ensure value for money for the individual and the State. It negotiates with each nursing home individually and may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes as part of the process. This method of negotiation is necessary to ensure that the State obtains the best value for each individual in a nursing home and to comply with competition law. I understand that negotiations between the nursing home referred to by the Senators and the NTPF are ongoing.
That the business plan was based on the old rate is understandable. People could find themselves in some difficulty because they did not get the rate they assumed they would. It is a good facility that will meet standards and increase capacity. I will take the Senators' concerns to the Minister.
I appreciate that, but the Minister of State's reply gave no answer to the issue.
I cannot give the Senator the answer.
I appreciate that. Were I running Pointe Boise Nursing Home in Salthill and I moved my operation to Pointe Boise on St. Mary's grounds, I would have a legal case to ask to be classified as an ongoing operation as opposed to a start-up or new build. The Minister of State has acknowledged that what the home is prepared to provide is necessary. It seems like an open and shut case. Will the Minister of State bring the matter to the Minister of Health's attention? Can he intervene with the NTPF or is it independent?
Yes. The NTPF is independent in its negotiations. The situation poses difficulties. As I outlined, the winding down of one operation and the starting of another would be a clear separation, although I am not saying that this is justification. I do not dispute the Senator's assertion, but there must be other instances of the like around the country. We do not want to set a precedent by entering into a special arrangement with one provider, as all other providers would expect the same treatment.
This home was forced into it by HIQA's guidelines and the preservation order.
The Minister of State to continue, without interruption.
No. While I am not certain this is the first instance around the country, let us assume it is. However, it will not be the last. I am not opposed to setting precedents, as I believe things are only done when precedents are set. However, we need to be careful. The fair deal scheme is an expensive one, rightly so, as it seeks to provide care for vulnerable older people and because we expect the best. Negotiations are ongoing. I will bring the Senator's concerns to the attention of the Minister, although I am not certain there is much he can do. Through negotiation a resolution can be achieved.
I thank the Minister of State for undertaking to bring my concerns to the attention of the Minister.
Cystic Fibrosis Services
I welcome the Minister of State. I wish to raise with her the provision of adult cystic fibrosis in-care beds at Cork University Hospital. She will be aware that in Ireland one in 19 people carries the cystic fibrosis gene. When two parents carrying the gene have a child, there is a one in four chance that it will be born with cystic fibrosis. While we are unique in that we have a higher incidence of cystic fibrosis than any other country in the western world and our record in this regard is shameful. The statistics indicate that average life expectancy for CF patients in the Republic is 16 years, whereas in the North it is 26 years and in Canada, 36. The level of care one receives often determines one's life expectancy. An organ donor transplant system is being put in place. While our organ donation record is good, it could be better.
On the provision of 11 beds in a ward currently vacant at Cork University Hospital, the Build4Life organisation has raised almost €2 million to fit it out. This is an entirely voluntary organisation — it has no paid staff. Mr. Joe Browne from Castleisland who has been pioneering this effort for many years received an allocation of funding through the previous Minister for Health and Children from the national lottery. However, to start and complete this project a further €300,000 is required from the Government through the national lottery. When PRSI, all taxes and so on have been paid from the total sum of €2.3 million, the organisation will have returned €450,000 to the Exchequer. As such, an allocation of €300,000 from the Government, on top of the €2 million already raised by the Build4Life organisation, would result in a return of €450,000 to the taxpayer. However, all the indications thus far from the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, are that the Government cannot make any funding available.
While in a time of austerity one might say we cannot afford €300,000, when one considers there would be a return to the taxpayer of €450,000 following the spending of €2.3 million, it would make sense. Added to this is the moral argument that as a result of the provision of isolated beds people with cystic fibrosis would receive the care they deserve, resulting in a better quality of life and an altering of the shameful statistic of average life expectancy of 16 years. I, therefore, look forward to hearing the Minister of State's response.
I note that when in opposition the Minister made a number of pledges as to what he would do in this regard. Unfortunately, while he was available for meetings when in opposition, he is now unable to sit down with Dr. Plant, the cystic fibrosis specialist. Dr. Plant gained vast experience in Seattle and despite bringing that expertise to Ireland, he is not being given the resources he needs to ensure those with a low average life expectancy in Ireland, unlike others in the Six Counties, will have a good quality of life.
I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, and thank the Senator for raising it. I am glad to have an opportunity to outline the current position and speak about the scandalous neglect in this area in the past ten years, particularly at a time when we had more money than we knew what to do with it. The then Government could have resolved this issue, but it chose not to do so, which is a scandal we also need to address. The neglect of persons with cystic fibrosis is scandalous.
The Government firmly believes the needs of cystic fibrosis patients must be recognised and respected. The Minister for Health has stated his Department's policy that there must be sufficient inpatient beds to treat all people with cystic fibrosis who require hospitalisation. I am happy to say construction of the new 100 bed unit at St. Vincent's Hospital is well under way and due to be completed next year. The new building which will have single en suite rooms and isolation rooms will play a vital role in the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis and a range of other conditions. Cork University Hospital has the second largest adult cystic fibrosis centre in Ireland. That centre caters for the needs of 145 attending adult patients from the Munster region.
In September 2007 Dr. Barry Plant was appointed as director of the adult cystic fibrosis programme at Cork University Hospital. Since his appointment, he has worked closely with various HSE services, philanthropic organisations such as Build4Life and the CFAI and scientific research agencies in advancing the needs of these patients. In June 2008, in consultation with the cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team and the cystic fibrosis community locally, he submitted a statement of need for cystic fibrosis services to the executive management board of Cork University Hospital. This document which was approved by the board outlined a strategic plan to develop cystic fibrosis services in the hospital, including the provision of day and inpatient facilities.
The cystic fibrosis day centre caters for most clinical needs of cystic fibrosis patients. It includes five isolation rooms, a dedicated cystic fibrosis gym, a multidisciplinary team room and consultant rooms. The day centre was opened in May this year. The capital costs for this development were provided for through a partnership approach between HSE South and the Build4Life organisation.
Dr. Plant is working with the executive management board of Cork University Hospital to develop a designated inpatient unit, with en suite rooms for cystic fibrosis patients. A location has been identified for a combined designated adult inpatient facility and respiratory unit in a vacated ward on the Cork University Hospital campus. Provisional plans and costings have been made, with an estimated build cost of approximately €3 million. The hospital is working in partnership with Build4Life to co-fund this development.
To date, Build4Life has raised more than €2 million to support cystic fibrosis capital developments at Cork University Hospital. HSE South is examining ways to secure additional capital funding to complete the unit in the context of decreasing capital budget allocations in the current stringent climate. The need to develop the adult inpatient facility remains a board and HSE South priority and the HSE will continue to work with Build4Life to complete the project.
The Minister recently met the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland and is keenly aware of the needs of people living with cystic fibrosis. The Minister is available to meet the Senator.
The Build4Life organisation has sought a meeting with the Minister who, to date, has refused to meet it. As I pointed out, if the Minister allocated €300,000 from national lottery funding, as his predecessor did, the spend of €2.3 million would result in a tax return of €450,000. There is no timeline for the provision of this service. The final line of the Minister's reply reads, "The Minister . . . is keenly aware of the needs of people living with cystic fibrosis." People with cystic fibrosis die. They do not live with it. The Minister spent a long time in opposition and although I do not mean to beat him over the head about what he promised while in opposition, it would make financial sense for the Government to allocate €300,000 for the project because it will get €450,000 back. The Minister of State is taking the matter on behalf of the Minister but as he has not given any timeline for his Department or the HSE to put this project in place, it does not augur well for those living with cystic fibrosis. While we wait for him to make this a reality and allocate funding, people with cystic fibrosis will die.
The funding has been raised by voluntary organisations and only €300,000 is required from the Government. The Government would get that money back with €150,000 on top so anybody looking at that would think this makes much sense and the project should go ahead immediately. Nevertheless, the Minister is indicating that these people must continue to live with cystic fibrosis and people may die while they wait.
There is no disagreement about whether the unit is required. The Senator's language is not the type that should be used. I know people with cystic fibrosis and they have enough difficulty in their lives without listening to that sort of negative comment. There is no disagreement about the unit, which must be built, along with the isolation rooms. We all know what needs to happen. There is no timeline in the reply but it will be done in the shortest possible time. It will not take the ten years it was left to linger by the previous Government. It will come about much sooner and I agree entirely with the Senator that the quicker we get this done, the better the outcomes and greater the result. There is no disagreement in that respect either.
Dr. Barry Plant is an incredible physician in treating cystic fibrosis and his patients consider him a friend. He has a relationship with them that is quite unique because his understanding of their condition is unique. We know what needs to happen and the issue is being worked on. We hope to bring a resolution in the shortest possible time. We are currently in negotiations on sorting out the budget for the next three years because of the mess in which the country has been left. As part of that process we cannot allow projects like this to slide down the drain despite that mess. The process must be completed but the question is how we get the money to do it. I agree entirely with the Senator that any delay is unacceptable but unfortunately there will be a slight delay.
The Seanad adjourned at 2.45 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 18 October 2011.