Written Answers Nos. 612-636
612. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of companies involved in the disposal of offal from the meat processing trade; and his views on whether there is sufficient competition within this particular section of the food processing industry, the lack of which places severe limitations on service users. [9681/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe meat processing industry generates in excess of 400,000 tonnes of animal by-products (ABP) each year. The range of disposal options available under the EU ABP Regulations includes incineration, landfill and composting of some ABP, but the vast bulk of this material is sent for rendering to produce meat-and-bone-meal (MBM) and tallow. There are 10 rendering plants approved by my Department. The collection and disposal of such material is a matter for commercial arrangement.
613. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the level of competition within the beef trade, including in the processing of the produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9682/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present in Ireland there are 30 major slaughtering plants supervised by my Department and some 220 low volume facilities under the supervision of local authorities. In addition there are also a number of standalone facilities engaged in boning and other value added activities. All of these companies compete for cattle from farmers for processing and any farmer is free to supply cattle to any processing facility they wish. I am aware that the Competition Authority also monitors practices in the processing sector and I welcome this input also in ensuring that a level playing field exists for suppliers.
614. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the export trade in live cattle; if he will provide an update on the registration and licensing of vessels for that trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9704/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI strongly support the development and exploitation of all available markets for Irish meat and livestock exports and, in that context, the resumption of live cattle exports from Ireland to Libya in 2013 was welcome as it provides alternative market outlets for certain categories of livestock, thereby serving a market demand and providing increased competition in the market place for cattle. The markets outside of the EU currently open to the live cattle export trade from Ireland are Egypt, the Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya.
With regard to the export of live cattle to the EU, there is already a good system of Roll-On Roll-Off Ferry services bringing livestock trucks from Ireland to France. In addition to this, a ferry has recently been approved by my Department for the carriage of livestock between Ireland and Great Britain. The opening of this service is welcome as it gives greater flexibility than the current situation whereby livestock trucks have to travel to Larne or Belfast to gain access to Great Britain.
Applications for the approval of ships for the carriage of cattle by sea must be approved by my Department in accordance with the Diseases of Animals (Carriage of Cattle by Sea) Orders, 1996 and 1998. My Department facilitates the export of live cattle by ensuring that such applications are processed expeditiously. Detailed inspections are required before approval is given to ships transporting animals and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continues to work with all those involved – including farmers and transporters - to facilitate trade and ensure that all such trade is carried out to the highest animal health and welfare standards.
To date nine applications for approval have been received in total. Two ships have been fully approved and seven others have been inspected. Detailed reports have been forwarded to the ship owners listing necessary modifications before approval can be granted by my Department. Five shipments containing cattle and three shipments containing both cattle and sheep have gone to Libya since that market re-opened. In total, 15,836 cattle and 21,443 sheep have been exported to Libya, including 2,500 cattle exported so far this month.
615. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department has not responded to the European Commission's request for the Department's views on the reopening of the pilot investigation into sea lice and salmon farms, for which the deadline was 15 January 2014. [9711/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Friday, 21 February my Department responded in full to the EU Commission in respect of the case referred to by the Deputy. This was in accordance with a requested extension to the deadline. This full written response was issued directly to the Environment Directorate of the EU Commission by my Department on an informal basis. The response was issued on a formal basis through the EU Pilot System on Monday, 24 February.
616. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the chief executive officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are on Hay contracts and those who are not on Hay contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10124/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOf the Four commercial semi–State companies under my Department's aegis, the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of The Irish National Stud Company Ltd and Horse Racing Ireland are on Hay contracts. Both Coillte and Bord na gCon do not currently have Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in place. Employees of both Coillte and Bord na gCon are filling the CEO role in an Acting capacity on an interim basis.
617. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that sporting organisations follow the Children First guidelines and other best practice for ensuring the rights of children are respected. [8966/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is taking a lead role in the cross-sectoral implementation of Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children [2011]. A Children First Implementation Inter-Departmental Group has been established involving key Government Departments, An Garda Síochána and the Child and Family Agency. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is represented on this Group and additionally, a representative of the Irish Sports Council also attends.
The purpose of the Group is to promote the importance of Children First compliance across Government and to ensure consistency of approach. The Group has completed a benchmark phase of establishing structures, mechanisms and activities in place within each sector to support and drive the implementation process. In July 2013 the Government approved the publication of each Departmental Children First Sectoral Implementation Plan on the relevant Department websites. A key priority of the Group is the development of appropriate reporting mechanisms in respect of the implementation of Children First within each sector and the assurance arrangements to monitor implementation and compliance.
It is important to emphasise that there have been significant legal and structural reform changes to improve all of the systems of protection of children in Ireland. In my own area, these changes include the establishment of the Child and Family Agency, the ongoing implementation of Children First National Guidelines and the development of legislation to put key aspects of Children First on a statutory footing. Officials from my Department are continuing to liaise with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in relation to the drafting of the Children First Bill, which is now at an advanced stage. The Bill is included in the Government's legislative programme for the Spring/Summer session and I expect to submit it to Government in the coming weeks.
618. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to provide for an additional free preschool year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9081/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children before commencing primary school. Approximately 68,000 children availed of the free pre-school year in the 2012/2013 academic year and €175 million funding was made available to support the provision. It is expected that similar numbers will avail of the programme in the current year.
The provision of a second free pre-school year would require considerable additional funding, broadly in line with the cost of the current one-year provision. This additional funding is not currently available due to the financial constraints under which the Government is operating. In addition, all of the available evidence indicates that the quality of the pre-school provision is key to good outcomes for children. The Pre-School Quality Agenda, which is currently being progressed by my Department, involves a range of actions in key areas aimed at improving quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime, is a key building block for any further extension of universal childcare provision.
Future developments relating to early years care and education are being considered as part of the preparation of the new National Early Years Strategy. The report of the Expert Advisory Group, "Right from the Start", sets out a wide range of recommendations for consideration and will contribute substantially to the final draft of the Early Years Strategy. One of the recommendations in the Report for consideration in the preparation of the Strategy is to extend the free pre-school provision, but only after achieving higher quality standards, more investment in training and mentoring, and professionalisation of the Early Years workforce.
619. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the early childhood care and education scheme in respect of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9134/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year for each eligible child before commencing primary school. Approximately 68,000 children availed of the free pre-school year in the 2012/2013 academic year and €175 million funding was made available to support the provision. It is expected that similar numbers will avail of the programme in the current year.
Each qualifying child is entitled to one free pre-school year only. While the programme does include an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification for children with special needs and an option of splitting the provision over two years, by availing of the programme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year, there is no provision for a second full year.
The child referred to by the Deputy was enrolled for the full free pre-school complement in the 2012/2013 academic year and the full funding was provided to the childcare provider on this basis. There are no circumstances where a second free pre-school year is provided under the programme and, therefore, no additional provision can be made for this child.
620. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of recent comments in support of adoption rights as part of her national discourse on ethics, if she will now bring forward legislation affording adopted persons automatic access to their birth certificates and files. [9198/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra627. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is taking to address the current barriers which prevent adoptees from tracing their birth parents; if she will consider bringing forward legislation to deal with this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9487/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra629. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9611/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 620, 627 and 629 together.
My Department is continuing to work on the Heads of Bill for the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill and I hope to be in a position to seek Government approval to publish the Heads of Bill as soon as possible. As I have stated on a number of occasions it is important to note that complex legal and constitutional issues have arisen in the drafting of the Bill. A particular challenge has arisen in the attempt to reconcile an adopted person's request for information about his or her identity with the right to privacy of his or her birth parent where consent has not been provided. My Department is continuing to consult with the Office of the Attorney General on this and on a number of related issues. One reason for the discussions with the Attorney General is to continue to tease out precisely how this can be done in the context of what I must state is extremely strong legal advice about the constitutional protection of the rights of the natural mother to privacy. A number of European court cases also have addressed this issue and highly complex legal and constitutional issues have arisen. I continue to explore how far the Government can go in building into legislation that right of the adopted person to get access to information without breaching the Constitution. This is the reason it is taking this length of time to draft the Heads of Bill. I intend to submit the Heads of Bill for Government approval as soon as these issues have been addressed.
I am not in a position to give a comprehensive account of the provisions of the proposed legislation until the Heads of Bill have been agreed by Government. Once approved by Government, the Heads of Bill will be sent to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for its detailed consideration. The process of sending the Heads of Bill to that Committee will ensure that the provisions of the proposed legislation will be subject to public scrutiny and it is of course open to that Committee to invite and encourage submissions from all interested parties. In the meantime I am open to any proposals or suggestions in relation to policy on this matter that assists in achieving as much access as possible in a manner that is legally and constitutionally sound.
621. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address the issues experienced by a child care service (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will streamline the continual changes to grants and schemes to ensure this centre and similar child care centres throughout the country can plan ahead and provide a professional and quality service. [9254/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Childcare Directorate of my Department implements the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, with assistance from Pobal in relation to issuing CCS payments. Community childcare services qualify for funding under the CCS programme on the basis of the level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. The information provided in the parental declaration forms submitted to my Department is verified by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and the HSE. This information determines the level of subvention which applies to each individual parent. The information is gathered during a 'snap shot' week in the month of October.
Following verification, participating services are provided with a list of qualifying parents and confirmation of the subvention level applied to each parent. Parents can appeal if they consider that they are entitled to a higher rate of subvention. The verification and appeals process is necessary so as to ensure that all those applying for support under the programme satisfy the qualifying criteria. It is only when this process is complete that the final figure to which each service is entitled can be determined.
Unfortunately, the Department has found a high level of inaccuracies in the information submitted and this is a major contributory factor in the delays in finalising the final payment to providers. It should be noted that my Department does make a number of preliminary payments to participating services prior to the final determination to ensure that services have sufficient funding to enable them to continue to provide the service. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the appeals process for this year is currently being processed at a quick pace and so, it is anticipated that the complete process will be finalised earlier than in previous years.
In relation to the ECCE programme, payments can only be made in respect of children who are within the qualifying age range. When ECCE returns are received in the Department, the PPS numbers are forwarded to the Department of Social Protection in order to verify that the PPS number and the child's date of birth correspond. When discrepancies arise, childcare services are required to forward documentation confirming the child's details. Payments, which are backdated where necessary, issue as soon as possible after confirmation of the child's eligibility. As is the case with the CCS programme, the level of accuracy of the information submitted by participating services has a major impact on the capacity of this Department to determine the final capitation payment to which services are entitled. It has been necessary to make a small number of administrative changes to the programmes in recent years. These have resulted from the need to ensure that funding is targeted at those most in need of support and that the considerable public funds committed to these programmes is providing the maximum benefit to the greatest possible number of qualifying children.
I would like also to advise the Deputy that in addition to the above programme new strands of childcare support programmes have been introduced to support parents and children in need of childcare supports for social, training or employment reasons. Officials in my Department are currently working intensively to develop an ICT infrastructure to support the efficient administration of these support programmes so that the payment process is streamlined and that providers are in a position to meet their financial deadlines.
622. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update with regard to funding to relocate a facility (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9284/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding in the amount of €20,000 was allocated to Cork County Council in respect of an application towards the relocation of Dunmanway Playground. The payment was made under the Play and Recreation Capital Scheme, 2013, which is administered by my Department.
623. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department is considering the administration of preschool places on a geographical basis or if it is a matter of parental choice as to where to take up a preschool place for a qualifying child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9288/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides for one year's free pre-school attendance for each eligible child before commencing primary school. Approximately 68,000 children availed of the free pre-school year in the 2012/2013 academic year and €175 million funding was made available to support the provision.
Children born between 2 February 2010 and 30 June 2011 will qualify for the free pre-school provision in the school year commencing in September 2014. The ECCE programme is available to all eligible children in private and community childcare facilities throughout the country. It is a matter for parents to select a pre-school service which is participating in the programme and which has a vacancy for their child.
624. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason dossiers are not being sent to India, as per the US-Mexico model, for those couples who have been approved by the Health Service Executive to adopt from India, despite that country being closed to Ireland for adoptions; if the declarations and extensions will be extended beyond two years for declarations and one year for extensions of declarations; when she expects an accredited agency will be set up for adoption from India; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9367/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Republic of India has ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, as such it is not necessary to have a bilateral agreement with India. As a contracting state under the Hague Convention, the Adoption Act 2010 provides that adoptions by Irish prospective adoptive parents may be made subject to Irish and Indian requirements being satisfied in line with relevant laws and the provisions of the Hague Convention.
It is a matter for contacting states whether they wish to impose restrictions on whether and how intercountry adoptions of citizens of that State may be effected. In this regard, the Authority advises that there remains a general moratorium by the Indian Central Authority (CARA) on India accepting adoption applications from other countries other than in special circumstances. The Authority has recently received an announcement from CARA that India is currently accepting packs from non-resident Indian prospective adoptive parents for the adoption of Indian children (normal category). This means that India remains closed to non-Indian prospective adoptive parents at this time in respect of its normal categories of children. The Adoption Authority understands that CARA is accepting applications in respect of special needs children, which includes children over five years of age and sibling groups. The Authority is currently attempting to establish from CARA a possible time frame for the acceptance of application packs in the 'normal' category from non-Indian nationals.
The Adoption Authority has advised it is their position that it is necessary to have an Irish registered accredited body to facilitate intercountry adoptions from India in order to safeguard the process for the child and the adoptive parents. The Authority has two applications for India from Irish agencies which are being considered. Any accreditation being considered by the Authority can only apply to the Indian Special Needs Programme at this time. The accreditation of agencies to facilitate adoptions is solely a matter for the Adoption Authority under law. I have raised with the Adoption Authority the likely timescale of reaching conclusions on these applications and I understand it is intended to finalise the process promptly.
Furthermore, the Authority advises that it is the policy of CARA to impose the following age limits and age differentials. Again, they are a matter for the Indian authorities and are not specific to Ireland.
- To adopt a child in the age group of 0-3 years, the maximum composite age of the prospective adoptive parents should be 90 years wherein the individual age of the prospective adoptive parents should not be less than 25 years and not more than 50 years.
- To adopt children above three years of age, the maximum composite age of the PAPs should be 105 years wherein the individual age of the PAPs should not be less than 25 years and not more than 55 years.
- In the case of a single applicant, he or she should not be less than 30 years of age and shall not be above the age of 50 years. The maximum age shall be 45 years to adopt children in the age group of 0-3 years and 50 years for adopting children above 3 years.
Updates in relation to intercountry adoption from India are posted on the Authority website when available (www.aai.gov.ie).
I have arranged to meet a group in relation to intercountry adoption and arrangements in the coming week.
625. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding available for children's playground facilities; her policy regarding the development of same; the involvement of local authorities in applying for funding and deciding on locations of playgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9379/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraEncouraging children and young people to play and enjoy recreational facilities is becoming increasingly important. My Department is working closely with the Local Authorities, and the network of Play and Recreation Officers within them, to support the implementation of the national play and recreation policies, Ready Steady Play and Teenspace, National Recreation Policy for Young People. This includes the provision of funding for a National Play Day and a National Recreation Week, at a cost of €78,000 per year.
In 2013 I allocated €250,000 under the Play and Recreation Capital Scheme, to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people. Local Authorities were invited to apply for a maximum grant of €50,000, for one or more new innovative play and recreation projects. A commitment from successful Local Authority applicants to provide matching funding was a requirement of the grant scheme. This amount of funding will be made available again in 2014. My Department is currently working with the Local Area Network for Play and Recreation (LANPR), which I launched in 2012, to review existing policies and funding schemes.
While consideration of grant applications in 2013 took into account areas where no facilities existed or where play and recreation facilities were in need of refurbishment, the location of playgrounds is a matter for individual local authorities.
626. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will increase the number of family support workers in north Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9418/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFamily is the most important influence on a child's life. From birth, children depend on parents and family to protect and provide for their needs. Sometimes parents need help, support and additional resources to do this. Family Support Services provide a flexible programme of interventions which are provided through a broad range of skilled personnel, including Family Support Workers, Project Workers, Co-ordinators and Youth Workers.
The new Child & Family Agency brings together family support services previously delivered by two agencies, the HSE and the Family Support Agency. The establishment of the agency means that for the first time, this service will be provided under one roof and this should ensure the provision of a more integrated service to families that require such support. The Child & Family Agency employs 24.77 whole-time equivalent Family Support Workers in North Dublin who work in partnership with the voluntary sector to provide a multifaceted service which supports parents, guardians and carers to sustain the care of their children within the home setting by engaging with them to meet their changing needs through the use of consultation, plans, reviews and feedback. This model of support has been developed under the National Service Delivery Framework which is at an advanced stage of implementation in the North Dublin area.
My Department is leading the Children's Services Committees Initiative for national and local inter-agency working to improve outcomes for children and young people. The purpose is to secure better developmental outcomes for children and young people through more effective integration of policies and services. It is planned to introduce the Partnership, Prevention and Family Support pillar of the Service Delivery Framework in North Dublin this year in conjunction with partner agencies through Fingal Children's Services Committee.
A number of priority objectives for 2014 have been identified which will inform future service developments in the area of family support, such as:
- The development of a strategy for Family Support and parenting to complement my Department's National Policy Framework.
- The alignment of the Family Resource Centres with the overall Agency approach to prevention and early intervention.
- A quality review of the implementation of family support processes in each area as well as the integration of Family Resource Centres within the Service Delivery Framework; and
- The introduction of Meitheal, the National Practice Model for all Agencies working with children and young people.
628. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a final reply will issue in respect of correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9539/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA reply has recently been issued to the Deputy in relation to the correspondence by the Deputy in this Parliamentary Question.
630. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health if JobBridge scheme payments are recognised as a payment from his Department in terms of qualifying for the retention of a medical card on return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9008/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
631. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the supports available in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9604/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
632. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 689 of 18 February 2014, if he will confirm that the accounting error he specifies in his reply also occurred in the previous year, 2008, and that when his reply refers to a €106,672,203 surplus, it was in fact an accumulation over 2008 and 2009; if he has sought or acquired any additional information with respect to the decision to reformat the online tribunal report in 2010 and 2011; if he will disclose whether his Department was responsible or whether the tribunal made that change; if his attention has been drawn to what recent additions were made to those PDF reports for 2010 and 2011 and if hard copies of the full tribunal annual report for the years 2007-2012 are held in the National Archives; if he will identify what public funds are held in his Department's two relevant special accounts; the total disbursement to date; the way the disbursements are co-ordinated; and how often the Committee of Public Accounts examines his Department's administration of these disbursements. [9714/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe error in the published accounts of the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal for 2009 to which I referred in previous PQ replies did not also occur in 2008, and the documented surplus of €106,672,203 referred to previously was not an accumulation over 2008 and 2009. The Tribunal decided to compile the 2010 Annual Report in-house for reasons of cost. The Tribunal advises that their decision to revert to the original report format for 2012 arose to facilitate the revised process for laying reports before the Houses of the Oireachtas on-line. The recent addition of accounts details for 2010 and 2011 on their website was made by the Tribunal when it came to attention that these details had been omitted. All Annual Reports of the Tribunal are laid before both houses of the Oireachtas and they are available in the Dáil Library.
The Revised Book of Estimates for 2014 includes the following figures pertaining to the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal under Vote 38 Department of Health:
- Subhead F3 - Payment to a Special Account established under Section 10 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Acts 1997 and 2002: €24.786m
- Subhead F4 - Payment to a Reparation Fund established under Section 11 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Acts 1997 and 2002: €3.849m
Details of disbursements from the Department of Health Vote to the two Special Accounts established under Sections 10 and 11 of the Acts are set out in the following table. The accounts of the Department of Health are audited on an annual basis by the Comptroller & Auditor General.
|
Year |
Paid from Health Vote to the Special Account established under Section 10 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act, 1997, as amended. |
Paid from Health Vote to the Special Account established under Section 11 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act, 1997, as amended. |
Total |
|
- |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
1995 |
76,184,284.71 |
0.00 |
76,184,284.71 |
|
1996 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
1997 |
34,282,928.12 |
19,046,071.18 |
53,328,999.30 |
|
1998 |
113,006,688.98 |
19,046,071.18 |
132,052,760.16 |
|
1999 |
59,677,689.69 |
11,427,642.71 |
71,105,332.40 |
|
2000 |
47,615,177.94 |
6,983,559.43 |
54,598,737.37 |
|
2001 |
49,519,785.06 |
7,618,428.47 |
57,138,213.53 |
|
2002 |
44,286,000.00 |
6,349,000.00 |
50,635,000.00 |
|
2003 |
46,651,000.00 |
8,349,000.00 |
55,000,000.00 |
|
2004 |
53,000,000.00 |
8,500,000.00 |
61,500,000.00 |
|
2005 |
63,500,000.00 |
8,500,000.00 |
72,000,000.00 |
|
2006 |
64,286,000.00 |
11,349,000.00 |
75,635,000.00 |
|
2007 |
54,900,000.00 |
9,000,000.00 |
63,900,000.00 |
|
2008 |
64,286,000.00 |
11,349,000.00 |
75,635,000.00 |
|
2009 |
49,000,000.00 |
5,200,000.00 |
54,200,000.00 |
|
2010 |
42,000,000.00 |
6,400,000.00 |
48,400,000.00 |
|
2011 |
28,600,000.00 |
3,600,000.00 |
32,200,000.00 |
|
2012 |
25,300,000.00 |
3,250,000.00 |
28,550,000.00 |
|
2013 |
21,200,000.00 |
3,000,000.00 |
24,200,000.00 |
|
Total to end 2013 |
937,295,554.50 |
148,967,772.97 |
1,086,263,327.47 |
|
Amount voted for 2014 |
24,786,000.00 |
3,849,000.00 |
28,635,000.00 |
633. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the aspects of the Disability Act 2005 that are yet to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9494/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Parts of the Disability Act 2005 have been commenced except for Part 2, relating to the Assessment of Need, which has been partly commenced. In 2008, the then Government decided, in the light of financial circumstances, to defer further commencement of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act (EPSEN) 2004.
The Assessment of Need process, which at present encompasses younger children, provides for the needs of eligible applicants occasioned by their disability to be assessed. The Cross Sectoral Team comprising, inter alia, representatives of the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the HSE, which was established to provide for a joint approach to the implementation of the Disability and EPSEN Acts, continues to meet to address issues of mutual concern for children with disabilities.
634. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the total number of serious adverse reactions to Lariam, using the strict medical definition of "serious", reported to the Irish Medicines Board, where the symptoms have persisted for less than a year, where symptoms have persisted for more than one year but less than three, where symptoms have persisted for more than three years but have now resolved, and where symptoms have persisted for more than three years, have still not resolved and where a serious adverse reaction was reported but the IMB has no follow-up data on whether these symptoms persist or have resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8896/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Medicines Board is the statutory body responsible for the authorisation of marketing permission for pharmaceutical products and the monitoring of possible adverse reactions to such products. Therefore, I have asked the IMB to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.
635. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total sum that has been spent to date on the national dental software system computerised project; the costing on an annual basis; if the project is still being funded by the 2002 contract and if he has any concerns in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8905/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra641. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health with regard to the national dental software system, the parts of the country that have been computerised; the software being used; the persons who own said software; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8979/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra654. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health with regard to the national dental software system, the reason the project has not been completed; the reason the Health Service Executive is persisting with a system that has failed to deliver; if, in future, local health boards will be allowed to select their own supplier of dental software; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9103/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra656. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the national dental software system project is in compliance with proper procurement procedures; if he is satisfied, after 12 years of both poor implementation and significant operational problems, with the fact that Exact is still the system of choice for the NDSS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9107/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 635, 641, 654 and 656 together.
A national electronic dental record system is in use in 3 of the 4 HSE regions which include the counties of Dublin, Meath, Louth, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Offaly and in East Wicklow. The software used is SOEL Health (formerly EXACT) which is supplied by Software of Excellence. The process used to choose the software for use by the national dental system, was undertaken by the former Eastern Regional Health Authority in 2002 and was fully compliant with all appropriate procurement procedures. The software has been significantly developed and improved over the intervening period by the suppliers and previous versions have been replaced with the upgraded version within the HSE.
The software used by the HSE dental service in Donegal and in Sligo-Leitrim is EXACT, which is supplied by Software of Excellence. The software used by the HSE dental service in Cork and Kerry is Bridges, which is supplied by Integrity Data Associates.
With the development of the National Oral Health Office the upgrading of EXACT to SOEL Health has now been completed and the expansion of SOEL Health to remaining areas is under way. SOEL Health remains the software of choice of the HSE dental service. There are no plans to allow local areas to select their own suppliers of software.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the costs of the national dental software system.
636. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the provisions of a surgical appointment for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10. [8960/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
