Written Answers Nos. 165-176
165. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans for the now closed St. Brigid's Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway; the discussions that have taken place with any other public body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38800/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the ambulance services that have been restored, by county, since partial cover was removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38801/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the ambulance services that have been withdrawn since 2011, by town and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38802/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve the ambulance services available to towns, by town and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38803/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 168, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
172. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 185 of 3 July 2014, if he will provide an update on the licensing of the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38821/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first step for a medicine to be placed on the Irish market involves the manufacturer seeking an authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency. A determination on the application for authorisation is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the application against legal and regulatory requirements.
The HPRA has advised that this medicine was authorised for placing on the Irish market on 5th August last.
173. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of temporary contracts in place for the public sector as a whole, including State agencies and other public bodies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38830/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has staff on secondment or on loan from other agencies within the health group who are not direct employees of the Department. In addition there are also a number of staff on fixed term (pensionable) contracts including advisors, civilian drivers and other staff engaged by Ministers in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines for ministerial appointments whose employment contracts are co-terminus with the Ministers holding Office. The Department has no other public sector workers on temporary contracts or other non-permanent contracts of employment.
The information being sought by the Deputy in relation to non-commercial semi-state agencies under the remit of the Department is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy on completion. The Health Service Executive has also been requested to investigate and respond directly to the Deputy.
174. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of contracts of indefinite duration that have been sought and the number that have been granted in the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 in the public sector under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38842/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the years specified by the Deputy, one person was appointed on a contract of indefinite duration in the Department of Health in 2011.
The information relating to staff of non-commercial State Agencies under the remit of my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded separately to the Deputy. The HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy in respect of its staff.
175. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding funding for overseas aid; the way 0.7% of Ireland's gross national income will be allocated to this in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38643/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, which is at the heart of our foreign policy. Our policy on International Development, “One World, One Future” clearly sets out our vision for a sustainable and just world, together with our goals and areas of focus for the coming years. The policy restates our commitment to achieving the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA), when economic circumstances permit.
Since coming to office, the Government has successfully managed to stabilise the budget for development assistance. This is a significant achievement, particularly in light of the difficult budgetary circumstances we faced and a clear demonstration of our commitment to the aid programme. In 2011 we provided €657 million to ODA, €629 million in 2012, and €637 million last year. For 2014 we expect to provide in excess of €600 million for ODA. These are substantial allocations of public funds and represent a genuine investment on behalf of the Irish people to assist those less fortunate than ourselves. The estimates process for Budget 2015 is now almost completed. The final allocation to ODA is ultimately a decision for Government, and will be announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on Budget Day next week. As the Deputy can appreciate I am not in a position to announce next year’s allocation but, as I have repeatedly stated publicly, and in response to previous Questions, I and the Minster for Foreign Affairs and Trade have been making the strongest case possible for the allocation to the development assistance programme.
I am determined to ensure that Ireland’s aid programme continues to be recognised as a world leader, focusing relentlessly on delivering real and sustainable results that provide lasting improvements to the lives of some the world’s poorest people.
176. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a person (details supplied) is being refused a passport, despite being the holder of an Irish passport previously. [38759/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2011 the Passport Service received a complaint from a family member that a passport had issued to the person concerned on the basis of a false passport application i.e. it had been completed by an individual, who did not have authority to act on behalf of the applicant. The Passport Service contacted the individual who had completed the passport application, put this to him, and asked that he provide appropriate evidence that he was duly authorised to act on behalf of the applicant. The passport was returned on foot of the correspondence and to date he has been unable to provide the evidence requested. The Passport Service has confirmed to the family that in order for the passport to re-issue, an application will have to be accompanied by appropriate evidence that it has been completed by an individual who has authority to act on behalf of the applicant. The Passport Service has also advised the family to seek independent legal advice in relation to resolving these concerns.
