Written Answers Nos 201-220
201. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that health centres in the Dublin-mid Leinster region, including Athlone, Moate and Ballymahon will continue to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6463/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key objective of the Primary Care Strategy is to develop services in the community which will give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others.
The HSE has responsibility for the provision of Primary Care Centres and the maintenance of existing health centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
202. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the EU Draft Tobacco Products Directive; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that people have concerns that the directive will take away their right to use electronic cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6512/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2001 Tobacco Products Directive concerns the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products in the EU. Last December, following extensive consultation with stakeholders, including a public consultation, the Commission published a proposal for a new EU Tobacco Products Directive, the ultimate purpose of which is to reduce the numbers of people smoking. The proposal will be discussed in the European Parliament and Council of Ministers and the Commission has expressed the hope that it will be adopted in 2014.
Areas covered by the new proposal include ingredients and emissions, labelling and packaging, traceability and security features nicotine containing products and cross border distance sales of tobacco. The World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Report 'Control and Prevention of Smokeless Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes' noted that "there is growing concern internationally about the quality, safety and "regulatory gap"of these emerging products broadly called Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems as they continue to penetrate new markets."
The proposal for a new EU Tobacco Products Directive stipulates that nicotine containing products, such as e-cigarettes that have a nicotine level exceeding 2 mg per unit or a nicotine concentration exceeding 4 mg per ml may be placed on the market only if they have been authorised as medicinal products on the basis of their quality, safety and efficacy and with a positive risk benefit balance. Nicotine containing products that have a nicotine level below this threshold can be sold as consumer products provided that they feature an adapted health warning. The intention is not to remove nicotine containing products from the market but to ensure that these new products are regulated effectively.
This proposal is the main health related priority for the Irish Presidency and I am strongly committed to making as much progress as possible.
203. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the establishment of a North-South alcohol body; the terms of references; the membership proposed from either side of the Border; and when he expects the body to hold its first meeting. [6514/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA North/South Alcohol Forum has been established at the request of my Department and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Northern Ireland. The aim of the forum is to contribute to reducing alcohol related harm on the island of Ireland. A scoping meeting was held last October to discuss the establishment of the North/South Alcohol Forum and terms of reference were agreed. The Forum met for the first time on the 05th February.
The Terms of Reference of the Forum are to:
- Provide a forum for discussion on alcohol issues;
- Strengthen all island alcohol initiatives;
- Exploit opportunities for North South cooperation on alcohol;
- Identify policy solutions and other measures to improve the legislative and regulatory arrangements impacting on supply and use of alcohol;
- Share information on evidence and research and
- Develop pathways for improved policy making and action.
The Membership of the Forum is as follows:
|
Name |
Organisation |
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Dr John Devlin |
Dept of Health |
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Mr Liam McCormack |
Dept of Health |
|
Mr Seamus Carroll |
Dept of Justice and Equality |
|
Ms Noreen Walsh |
Dept of Justice and Equality |
|
Mr Joe Doyle |
Health Service Executive |
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Mr Andy Walker |
Health Service Executive |
|
Mr Owen Metcalfe |
Institute of Public Health |
|
Dr Helen McAvoy |
Institute of Public Health |
|
Dr Joanna Purdy |
Institute of Public Health |
|
Dr Deirdre Mongan |
Health Research Board |
|
Mrs Bernie McCrory |
CAWT Cooperation and Working Together |
|
Prof Frank Murray |
Beaumont Hospital |
|
Dr Joe Barry |
Trinity College Dublin |
|
Ms Fiona Ryan |
Alcohol Action Ireland |
|
Mr Gary Maxwell |
Dept of Health, Social Services and Public Safety |
|
Ms Maureen McCartney |
Dept of Health, Social Services and Public Safety |
|
Mr Kieron Moore |
Dept of Health, Social Services and Public Safety |
|
Mr Liam Quinn |
Dept of Social Development |
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Ms Caroline Hobson |
Dept of Social Development |
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Ms Cathy Mullan |
Public Health Agency |
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Mr Owen O'Neill |
Public Health Agency |
|
Prof Ian Young |
Queens University Belfast |
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Ms Jenny Irvine |
ARC Healthy Living Centre |
|
Dr Declan Bedford |
RCPI Alcohol Lead |
|
Mr Stephen Bergin |
Health and Social Care Board |
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Ms Anne Bill |
FASA Forum for Action on Substance Abuse and Suicide Awareness |
204. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if undertreated asbestos has been uncovered at a hospital (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6519/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
205. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the national mental health policy of not moving the intellectually disabled back into institutions from the community and to continue with the programme for Government. [6536/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with Programme for Government commitments, this Government has prioritised the reform of our mental health services and is committed in particular to the delivery of more and better quality care in the community. The relocation of people resident in mental health facilities, including those with an intellectual disability, to more appropriate settings in the community, is continuing in line with recommendations in A Vision for Change and the more recently published National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011-2016. While placement in an institutional setting is required on occasion, the HSE makes every effort to ensure that a person's needs are met in the community where ever possible, and as resources permit. The allocation of substantial funding of €35m for mental health in 2012, with an additional €35m in 2013 will be directed at ensuring the continued development of mental health services across a range of headings, including the further ongoing development of community services.
206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6551/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
207. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a home help service in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; if the case will be reviewed and reinstated based on their urgent need; and if she will expedite a positive response [6569/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
208. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to communications with supports groups for people with narcolepsy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6570/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth myself and officials from my Department, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills have met with the relevant advocacy group on a number of occasions, to address their concerns and to outline the services available. My priority is to ensure that children/adolescents affected by narcolepsy with symptom onset post pandemic vaccination are provided with services and supports to meet their health needs.
The HSE and the Department of Education and Skills together provide a comprehensive range of services and supports to those affected. These supports and services include access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred. This includes expenses for counselling services for individuals and also for families of children affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination, in cases where such services are not already available through the HSE. Multi-disciplinary assessments which allow for the appropriate individualised health and educational supports to be put in place are ongoing. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is also engaging with the HSE and with the individual schools and parents of children concerned to identify and provide educational supports for the children and adolescents affected. The Health Service Executive advocacy unit is in regular contact with the support group SOUND. Through regional co-ordinators the HSE also has frequent contact with individual members of SOUND.
M y Department is considering all possible supports which may need to be put in place for those affected by Narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination. A further meeting with representatives from the support group will be arranged when the matter has been concluded.
209. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the number of retired public sector workers on pensions within his Department or any office-body under his aegis who have been re-instated in other positions within the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6762/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSix retired Public Servants (3.86 wholetime equivalents) are currently employed in my Department. Four were re-engaged on a temporary basis on work related to our Presidency of the EU. Two others are Ministerial appointees (Special Adviser and Civilian Driver) who were previously employed elsewhere in the Public Service.
With regard to the Health Service Executive and the Non-Commercial State Agencies, they have been asked to collate the data sought as soon as possible and it will be provided directly to the Deputy by them when available.
210. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the way training programmes for tourism businesses in the areas of ecotourism and environmental policy may contribute to the local economy and job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6464/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of training programmes and business supports to tourism businesses is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
211. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline all streams of funding for sports clubs available through his Department or an agency under its remit. [6390/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary vehicle for the funding of sports clubs is the Sports Capital Programme. The last round of the programme was launched on 28th March 2012 with the deadline for applications being the 11th May for paper based hard copy applications and 1 June for applications made online. The Department received 2,170 applications for funding under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme. The allocations under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme were announced last December. No decision has been taken on the timing of the next round of the programme. It may be possible for a club to raise funds via the ‘Tax Relief for Donations to Certain Sports Bodies’ scheme (section 847A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997). This is a Revenue operated scheme which offers tax benefits to individuals or companies who make donations to the club. Further details on this scheme and how it operates can be found on the Revenue Commissioners website. My Department provides funding to the Irish Sports Council which in turn distributes monies to National Governing Bodies. Some of these Bodies provide grant aid or services to local sporting bodies.
212. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the lowest score that qualified applicants for a grant from the capital sports programme 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6415/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications received under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme were first checked to ensure eligibility and then eligible applications were initially assessed against the following criteria (the final 4 criteria only apply to regional and national projects):
Selection Criteria
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Increase in the levels of active participation/ improved standards of sporting performance, especially among women and older citizens |
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Level of socio-economic disadvantage in the area |
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Technical merits of the project |
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Financial viability of project |
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Level of own funding available |
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Extent to which applicant will be able to maintain project after completion |
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Current and planned levels of sport and/or recreational sport facilities in the area |
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Current or proposed sharing of facilities with other sporting groups or schools |
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Level of SCP (or other Government) funding received in the past |
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Strategies to be used to attract people from disadvantaged areas |
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Priority of proposed improvements/ facility in relation to existing facilities |
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Priorities as identified by the NGB (national/regional projects only) |
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Priority as identified by the Irish Sports Council (NGB and third level only) |
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Location of facility within the network of national, regional and municipal facilities (non-local projects only) |
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Linkages with Local Authorities Swimming Pools Programme (municipal multi-sport only) |
In deciding the final allocations of funding to local projects within each county Minister Varadkar and I had regard to a number of additional factors, including:
- the performance of each application during the assessment process;
- ensuring a geographic spread of projects within each county;
- ensuring an appropriate spread of projects between rural and urban areas within each county; and
- ensuring that there is a spread of projects among different sports.
A project that received a score of 49 under the initial assessment was allocated €6,500 towards the purchase of sports equipment to allow children with disabilities to engage in a particular sporting activity. This was the lowest scored project that was allocated funding.
213. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that the anti-social behaviour phonelines that are in place in DART and rail stations will be manned after 5.30 pm in view of the fact that anti-social and criminal activity is more likely to occur in the evening time in many of these stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6424/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for Irish Rail and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
214. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the progress made to date of the stakeholder group which is undertaking a national review of speed limits; if he will outline when the group will report; his views that legislation may be necessary arising out of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6425/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe work of the stakeholder group established by my Department to progress the Speed Limits Review is nearing completion and I expect to receive the final report of the Group shortly. While I will give careful consideration to implementing any recommendations that emerge from the Report, I do not propose to speculate on possible legislation at this time.
215. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide on a county by county basis the accident blackspots that were to be upgraded in 2012; the accident blackspots that were upgraded in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6441/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days. Details of the allocations provided to local authorities for Low Cost Safety Improvement Grant Schemes are outlined in 2012 Grant Allocations for Regional and Local Roads booklet, a copy of which is available in the Dáil library.
216. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the funding difficulties associated with many small sports clubs, particularly Marino AFC; if, when available, Dublin City Council facilities may be provided at a discounted rate for clubs dealing with children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6470/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to his Parliamentary Question No. 1153 on this matter on 16 January 2013.
217. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a permanent passenger boat licence of a class P2 passenger boat will issue to a person (details given) in County Cork in replacement of an interim licence issued on the 11 August 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6499/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for a passenger boat licence for the vessel in question is being held by the Marine Survey Office of my Department as the vessel holds a current fishing licence issued by the Sea Fisheries Administration of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine.
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport fulfils the role as the safety regulator for all maritime transport in Ireland. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine fulfils the role as the economic regulator for fishing. These two roles are quite distinctive and separate and it is important that decisions relating to the regulation of maritime safety transportation are made in the interests of ensuring the safety of the travelling public.
Unfortunately, in the past there have been tragedies where fishing vessels were used to carry passengers. The two uses are very different and incompatible. The arrangement and equipment of the vessels is different as well as the need for different crew qualifications. Because the use of fishing vessels for passenger transport does raise important safety issues, special consideration is required for any such proposed use. This Department has determined that it may be possible for a fishing vessel to carry passengers but to do so the fishing license must be suspended and the vessel undergo a passenger boat safety survey for compliance with the statutory requirements to ensure the safety of the travelling public.
It is suggested that the fishing vessel owner contact the Sea Fisheries Administration to enquire whether the vessel would be eligible for a temporary suspension of the fishing licence to allow for the change of use to a passenger boat. When this process is completed he should then contact the Marine Survey Office of my Department regarding the issue of a passenger boat licence.
218. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm which authority is responsible for the maintenance of the N11 as it passes through Donnybrook Village, including traffic sequencing of lights on the road at this section and speed levels. [6517/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe road mentioned by the Deputy no longer forms part of the N11 but was redesignated as a regional road. The maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. In this case the responsible road authority is Dublin City Council.
219. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a motor tax issue (details supplied) in Dublin 6. [6574/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile motor taxation is a matter for local authorities, I appreciate that some of the difficulties experienced relate to the matter of the roadworthiness certificate issued. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the issuing of certificates of roadworthiness. Accordingly, I have referred the roadworthiness certificate aspect of the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply from the Road Safety Authority within 10 working days.
220. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of retired public sector workers on pensions within his Department or any office-body under his aegis who have been re-instated in other positions within the public sector. [6764/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are three retired public sector workers currently working for my Department. These three people are engaged part-time by the Department in relation to specific projects. I do not have information on whether any staff who retired from this Department are currently working in positions within the public sector. I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 workings days please advise my private office.
