Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:201. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce a statutory right to aftercare for children leaving the care system. [7608/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAftercare Services
Ceisteanna (201)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that I am currently examining options, in association with the Attorney General, to strengthen legislation regarding the provision of aftercare. This matter is currently being progressed in my Department. The Deputy will also be aware that the HSE has provided information on aftercare to my Department to guide the development of policy to underpin the strengthening of legislation for services in this important area. The HSE responded to my Department at the end of November in relation to the key findings of the National Implementation Group and provided information on the current provision of aftercare, assessment of need, multi-agency working and the HSE policy regarding section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991, which provides that the HSE must take all reasonable steps to make suitable accommodation available to a child who is in need of accommodation.
The response of the HSE provides an important update on the significant progress in developing aftercare supports, the development of greater consistency nationally and the challenges in making supports available to individual young people, including the need for multi-agency cooperation and the need to take account of the views of those leaving care who, ultimately as young adults must wish to avail of the aftercare arrangements being made available. There have been improvements in the delivery of aftercare service and the issue is under ongoing active consideration by the National Implementation Group. My officials will continue to engage with the HSE to ensure that the service is addressing the needs of these vulnerable young people.
Youth Services Provision
Ceisteanna (202)
Clare Daly
Ceist:202. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline any initiatives she is undertaking to promote collective activities for young people of a social and recreational nature to reduce isolation and encourage social inter action and confidence building. [7620/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has a specific role in supporting the provision of youth services and facilities and promoting non-formal education and developmental opportunities for young people in out-of-school settings through which they can enhance their personal and social skills and competencies. Particular regard is had to the needs of young people between the ages of ten and 21 and to those who are socially or economically disadvantaged including early school-leavers, homeless young people and those who are unemployed or at risk of substance misuse. In particular, the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides targeted supports to disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (Rounds 1 and 2) and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. Supports is also made available for all young people via the Youth Service Grant Scheme, Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, European Youth in Action Programme (administered by Léargas – The Exchange Bureau) and Gaisce – the President’s Award. These measures aim to provide positive developmental opportunities for young people, to enhance their personal and social competencies, increase social inclusion and social integration and improve school attendance and engagement with formal education.
Funding of €53.173 million has been provided to my Department for the provision of youth services in 2013 and my Department is currently finalising the allocations for organisations and projects in 2013. In light of budgetary constraints, the emphasis in 2013 will be on supporting existing youth programmes and services for young people including those projects for young people with fewer opportunities. The funding budget of €53.173 million for 2013 includes €1.75 million for a new capital funding programme for 2013 that will provide €1.5 million for youth cafés and youth projects and €250,000 for the provision of play and recreation facilities. Criteria for the new programmes are being developed at present and my Department will be announcing details regarding the application process for 2013 shortly. My Department provides funding for a Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which supports youth work activities at a local level (€1.035 million in 2012). These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through local Vocational Education Committees. The allocation for this scheme will be notified to the VECs over the coming month and applications for funding will be subsequently invited by the VECs from local groups in their areas.
Foster Care Policy
Ceisteanna (203)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:203. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the manner in which checks are carried out by social workers to ensure that individuals nominated as referees for foster parent applicants are persons of good character and that they in fact themselves are in a position to provide references as to the good character of the applicant foster parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7648/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
Crèche Facilities
Ceisteanna (204)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:204. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details of any Health Service Executive correspondence with creche facilities in the Dublin north east area related to payment of subsidised creche places and any alterations to the funding arrangement for HSE places in local facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7689/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (205)
Billy Timmins
Ceist:205. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7596/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (206)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:206. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health in view of the widespread concern among NCHDs, if he will request HIQA to investigate compliance with the EU Working Time Directive on the grounds of patient and doctor safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7600/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) by 2014. I have emphasised to the Health Service Executive the high priority the Government and I attach to this issue. In January 2012, a detailed plan for the achievement of compliance by NCHDs with the Working Time Directive was submitted to the EU Commission. The plan affirmed Ireland's commitment to achieving compliance with the Directive over a three-year time period i.e. by end 2014. It committed to implementing the measures necessary, including new work patterns for medical staff, transfer of work undertaken by NCHDs to other grades and the organisation of hospital services to support compliance. The HSE National Service Plan 2013 states that there will be a particular focus in the acute hospital service on the achievement of compliance with the European Working Time Directive amongst the non-consultant hospital doctor workforce. e Executive is currently finalising its National Operational Plan to support the implementation of the National Service Plan. This will specify in greater detail the actions to be taken in relation to EWTD compliance at hospital level.
The HSE was asked by my Department in January to ensure that clear responsibility is placed with a hospital CEO and a senior manager and/or clinical lead for the achievement of specified improvements in compliance, such that the end 2014 target will be met. The Minister may give directions in writing to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) under the Health Acts. However, the position is that HIQA wrote to the HSE on 24th January 2013 in relation to concerns that there may be risks to patients as a result of NCHDs working in excess of 48 hours per week. In the circumstances outlined, and in particular the measures in train to address compliance with the Directive, I do not intend to intervene as the Deputy suggests.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (207, 221, 222, 233, 234)
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:207. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the actions he is taking to address concerns that there will be a shortage of medical intern places for both EU and non-EU graduates of Irish medical schools this year due to the increased number of students graduating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7601/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Kevin Humphreys
Ceist:221. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to increase the number of medical intern positions across hospitals here to take account of the increased number of medical undergraduates; if he will be bringing forward proposals for same shortly; if he will outline the actions that are being taken; if his attention has been drawn to the Second Interim Report on the Implementation of the Reform of the Intern Year which stated that maintaining the status quo seems least desirable in terms of lost educational investment, personal impact and loss of talent to the Irish health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7594/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Willie Penrose
Ceist:222. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to deal with the significant increase in the number of medical school graduates for 2013 such that is anticipated that in July 2013 there will be a shortage of intern places for both EU and Non-EU graduates at Irish medical schools; if steps are being taken to implement the recommendations for an increase in intern posts as set out in the NCCMET Report; if he will outline the plans if any which are in place to deal with this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7597/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Seán Kyne
Ceist:233. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm if the number of intern places for graduates of medical colleges here will be increasing in view of the fact that there has been an increase in the number of medical students in recent years in view of the immense benefit such intern places are to graduates for gaining valuable practical experience. [7669/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:234. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health in view of the increase in medical students-graduates, if the shortage of medical intern placement has been bought to his attention, which will have serious implications for medical graduates in the immediate years going forward; if he will have the matter examined to increasing the number of places available for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7709/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 221, 222, 233 and 234 together.
The issue of an adequate number of intern places in the Irish medical system is a priority for my Department and for the HSE. The HSE established an Intern Implementation Group in 2009 to implement aspects of the Report of the NCMET on the Intern Year and I am aware that this Group has issued two Implementation Reports, most recently in April 2012 (Second Interim Report). The intern year is an integral part of medical training, and a medical practitioner cannot be fully accredited without it. There were 572 posts available in Ireland for the July 2012 intern intake, an increase of almost 70 posts since 2007. To date, there have been sufficient posts for all EU graduates from Irish medical schools, and a number of available posts for some non-EU applicants. My Department has been in regular contact with the HSE in relation to the issue of intern places, with the aim, in so far as is possible, to provide a sufficient number of intern places for Irish/EU graduates from Irish medical schools. In addition, under EU law, intern posts must be open to graduates from other EU countries and the HSE has no control over the numbers applying.
The application process for internships closed in November last, but the HSE will not know the final number of eligible applicants for some time. The final numbers that will proceed to the first round match have not yet been determined, as the overseas candidates must pass the entrance test, pass the HSE English language requirements, provide a Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate, and pass their final year medical exams. Candidates applying from within Ireland must provide a BLS certificate and pass their final year medical exams. This year the HSE will have approximately 80 additional posts available for interns commencing their training in July. In total, therefore, there will be in the region of 650 places available for 2013, and the HSE estimates that this will be sufficient to ensure that every EU graduate of the six Irish medical schools can access an internship.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (208)
Patrick Nulty
Ceist:208. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health when the new acute mental health admissions unit in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin will be operational; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7474/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.