Written Answers Nos. 206-217
206. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on progress made between Ireland and Russia on the issue of inter-country adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39854/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdoptions from Russia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). Under the provisions of the legislation, such adoptions may take place up to the end of October 2013.
As regards adoptions thereafter, Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention; therefore, future adoptions from Russia, beyond those provided for under the transitional arrangements, may only be possible under a bilateral agreement. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010. Any bilateral arrangements which might be entered into would be required by law to meet the minimum standards set out in the Hague Convention.
It is the role of the Adoption Authority to make an assessment of whether the intercountry adoption legislation and practices in a non-contracting state, in this case Russia, are in compliance with both Irish legislation and the principles of the Hague Convention. As part of this assessment the Adoption Authority has reviewed a draft bilateral agreement presented to it during previous discussions with its Russian counterparts and has provided me with an initial assessment in this regard. I have asked the Adoption Authority to have further exploratory talks with the Russian authorities focussing on areas of concern in order that the Authority may progress its assessment of the situation and provide a definitive recommendation to me on the feasibility of formally opening discussion with the Russian Federation under Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010.
Further information on intercountry adoption from Russia can be found on the Adoption Authority website (www.aai.gov.ie).
207. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the current situation regarding the inter country adoptions arrangements between Ireland and India; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39923/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdoptions between Ireland and India must comply with the terms and conditions of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The Hague Convention is a co-operative agreement drawn up to allow countries to mutually support one another in protecting the best interests of children in the intercountry adoption process. The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) is the Central Authority with responsibility for overseeing standards in respect of the adoption process taking place within this jurisdiction.
The AAI, in 2011, was notified by the Indian National Central Authority (CARA), that CARA would not be accepting dossiers from Irish applicants either until 30 September 2011 or until further notice as India was reviewing its intercountry adoption guidelines. A delegation from the Adoption Authority of Ireland visited India in June 2012 to discuss intercountry adoption with the Indian authorities. The delegation met with representatives of CARA and with representatives of a number of diplomatic missions in India.The Authority informs me that a report of the visit is being considered by the Board of the Authority.
The Authority advises me that if adoptions are to recommence the services of an accredited body will be required for inter country adoption between India and Ireland. The Authority has sought expressions of interest from accredited bodies in this regard. Further information on the matter is available on the website of the Adoption Authority of Ireland (www.aai.gov.ie).
208. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the reason applications for motorised transport grants are currently held up; the progress that has been made to date in ensuring that financial assessments for applicants are processed as quickly as possible; the date on which he envisages that the current impasse will be solved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39694/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the mater raised by the Deputy and I will reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
209. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason coeliac food is no longer included for medical card holders; the reason the relevant families were not informed that this cut was being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39682/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra210. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health in view of the recent cuts for families with coeliac dietary requirements, if he will consider applying the tax back incentive to persons who do not work as well as persons who do work, in view of the fact that unemployed persons will now find it very difficult to supply all the necessary food, or if he will consider increasing the dietary allowance that is paid to families. [39683/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra213. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to reconsider the recent initiative which saw up to 16,000 medical card holders who have coeliac disease no longer able to use their cards to buy gluten-free products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39721/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra251. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that coeliac sufferers will be able to continue, as they have done in the past, to avail of this necessary food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39867/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra260. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce an alternative scheme for persons on special diets like coeliac patients who due to the recent cuts announced by the Health Service Executive will no longer be entitled to free or subsidised gluten free food products for their condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39945/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 209, 210, 213, 251 and 260 together.
In the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of reimbursable items. This includes gluten-free products.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. A Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement may be awarded by the Department of Social Protection to eligible persons. Persons wishing to apply for this allowance can do so by completing an application form which can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Forms/Documents/swa9.pdf. Separate application forms are available for children. For persons who are not awarded a Diet Supplement, monies spent on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.
211. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide more details on the following allowances: the franking allowance, the key holder allowance which are available through his Department; if he will give details of the location at which information on these allowances is available; the persons entitled to them and the way to apply for same. [39687/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA franking allowance of €1,701.13 p.a is paid to Service Officers engaged on the duties for 15 hours per week or more or those designated as having sole responsibility for the franking duties in a particular location. There is one franking machine in use for my Department's mail with two service officers in receipt of the full allowance and one in receipt of half the allowance. A keyholder allowance of €1,769.21 p.a. is paid to three officers who are required to carry keys of Hawkins House on a 24-hour, seven day basis.
212. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive national appeals office will review the level of personal allowance available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39705/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to a service matter, the Deputy's query has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
214. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Kildare had to pay superannuation twice in regard to their salary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39727/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
215. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for medical card [39794/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
216. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for a medical card. [39795/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
217. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for a medical card. [39796/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
