Written Answers Nos. 466-483
466. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40402/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
467. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the existence of a ministerial order in relation to the Health Service Executive owned lands at Currabeg, Ardee, County Louth, with the order confirming the land is to be secured for industrial usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40404/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Health has no responsibility for the zoning of land under the planning legislation. The designation of land use is a matter for the planning authorities.
468. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in making payment under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway who was approved on the 30 July 2014; if it will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40413/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
469. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the additional expenditure his Department will need to incur in 2015 and 2016 to deal with demographic pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40436/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health, in its Comprehensive Review of Expenditure submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the run up to Budget 2015, estimated that demographically driven cost pressures (due to the increasing size and age of the Irish population) would result in an additional resource requirement of about 1.5% annually in order to maintain levels of health service provision. This would equate to an additional resource requirement of the order of €170 million.
In Budget 2015 the Government has provided an additional €305 million in Exchequer funding bringing the Exchequer contribution to €13,079 billion. In addition, a further €330 million in once-off revenue measures will also be available to fund health services. This means there will be an increase of €635 million in health services current spending compared to the initial 2014 health budget allocation.
Specific savings and efficiencies of €130 million have also been identified in the areas of procurement, drug costs, agency costs, clinical audit and special investigation. Significantly, any savings made will go back into the development and delivery of services for patients and will not be used to reduce the overall Budget deficit or pay down the national debt. This will ensure that any further savings identified and achieved can be reinvested in the service in the years ahead.
The Government has also increased the health expenditure ceiling for 2016 to €13,253 billion. These higher funding levels in 2015 and 2016 will allow the health system to support our growing and ageing population. Furthermore, the additional investment provided over this period will enable the health system to invest in a number of enhancements including the commencement of an extension to the BreastCheck programme, expanded Mental Health teams and further investment in suicide prevention. Free GP care for the over 70’s and the under 6's will also be introduced when negotiations conclude with the IMO.
It is important to note that in Fianna Fáil's pre-budget submission they only provided for an extra €94 million Exchequer allocation for health. This is to be set against €305 million by the Government. Furthermore, Fianna Fáil only set aside €10 million in new money for mental health. This is in stark contrast to the €25 million from the Government.
470. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 870, 871 and 873 of 17 September 2014 when a reply will be issued to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40443/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThese questions were referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. The HSE is currently compiling the information requested and a reply will issue to the Deputy as soon as possible.
471. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if much needed standing equipment, including standing frame, bench and harness, may be provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who has severe health issues and has Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40468/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
472. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding two organisations that have service contracts with the Health Service Executive and the constitutional right to seek information under the Freedom of Information Act (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40473/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to inform the Deputy that the new Freedom of Information Act was enacted on Tuesday, 14 October 2014.
S6(9) has now become Section S11(9) of the FOI Act, 2014 and it states that "A record in the possession of a service provider shall, if and in so far as it relates to the service, be deemed for the purposes of this Act to be held by the FOI body, and there shall be deemed to be included in the contract for the service a provision that the service provider shall, if so requested by the FOI body for the purposes of this Act, give the record to the FOI body for retention by it for such period as is reasonable in the particular circumstances "
The HSE is best placed to deal with queries in relation to specific contracts in place with bodies such as Nua and Redwood. In this context, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the HSE for direct reply to him.
474. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no Health Service Executive orthodontic care available for patients in County Sligo and its environs; his plans to provide this service in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40476/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to investigate this matter and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
475. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 122, 124 and 125 of 8 October 2014, if there have been documented cases of digital mammograms contributing to the occurrence of breast cancer; and if there is a safety statement available for digital mammogram machines here. [40478/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no documented cases of digital mammography contributing to the occurrence of breast cancer. Manufacturers’ manuals and safety statements are available for mammography machines used in Ireland.
BreastCheck utilises digital mammography as it is the most advanced method available, giving enhanced image quality and significant reductions in the radiation dose associated with screening examinations.
Quality assurance processes and measurements are a vital part of the BreastCheck programme. The ‘Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Mammography Screening’ is available from the publications section of the BreastCheck website. These guidelines are consistent with those of the European Reference Organisation for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services (EUREF) which is the EU standard. EUREF is currently evaluating the BreastCheck programme.
476. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim who needs continued orthodontic treatment after their planned procedure at a hospital was suddenly cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40480/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to investigate this matter and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
477. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the number of civil servants in his Department who have designated a County Mayo venue as their preference for a transfer; the numbers who have moved to the county in each year since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40898/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraStaff who were interested in transfers to regional offices could historically seek such transfers through the Central Transfer Lists or the Central Applications Facility which was maintained in the context of the decentralisation programme. The only mechanisms for staff to register an interest in being transferred to a regional location is through application to another Department with an office in that location or application through their Staff Association for a head to head swap. Staff may also now apply for any one of the many re-deployment vacancies advertised in the Public Service through the Public Appointments Service. This Department does not maintain a list of all such applications and many of them are not required to be notified to the Department. Hence, it is not possible to say the number of civil servants in my Department who have indicated a preference for a transfer to a Mayo location.
However, I can confirm that no staff have transferred from my Department to Offices/Departments in County Mayo since 2011.
478. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which ongoing dialogue is taking place with the US authorities to affirm some form of regularisation of their residency for the undocumented Irish in the US with particular reference to those longest remaining undocumented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39763/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis has been, and will remain, a key priority for the Government in our bilateral relationship with the United States. Through our Embassy in Washington and our Consulates throughout the U.S., we are working closely with many other individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond towards achieving some relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the United States and improved channels for legal migration between Ireland and America. During my recent visit to the US from 23 September to 1 October I had a wide range of meetings with both Irish community groups and high level government contacts on this important issue.
My programme included discussions with Vice President Joe Biden, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Congressman Joseph Kennedy. I had a meeting in New York with Irish-American community leaders, including from the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, Ancient Order of Hibernians and the New York branch of the GAA, with whom the Government has worked closely on our shared U.S. immigration reform agenda. I also had the opportunity to visit the Emerald Isle Immigration Center and Aisling Irish Center in New York and the Irish International Immigrant Center in Boston, which gave me the opportunity to meet some of those most affected by the current state of affairs.
Following the bipartisan U.S. Senate bill last year, and despite extensive combined efforts at Government, Embassy and Irish-American community levels since then, the U.S. House of Representatives has not yet taken action that would deliver relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the U.S. or an improved facility for future legal migration between Ireland and the U.S. While it appeared before the summer to be the intention of President Obama and his Administration to examine the scope for action on immigration via executive authority, President Obama announced on September 6 that he would delay any such action until after the November U.S. elections.
The exact extent, nature and timing of any action that the U.S. Administration will be ready to take remains to be confirmed and there is clearly no guarantee as to the outcome that can be achieved via executive action. However, in my contacts in Washington, including in my conversation with the White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, I stressed the importance of addressing the needs and concerns of the undocumented Irish migrants in any such action. There are of course limits to what executive action is likely to be able to do and so further progress on the legislative track is also necessary.
While there appears to be some willingness to consider further action in Congress at some future point, this is dependent on many factors and will not be easy to achieve. The Government will continue to work resolutely for progress over the coming months from which currently undocumented Irish migrants in the U.S. and their families can benefit.
479. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm that Ireland is seeking to avail of subsidised rental accommodation under a scheme operated by the Holy See for poor countries such as those in the developing world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39767/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is not seeking to avail of subsidised rental accommodation under a scheme operated by the Holy See for developing countries.
A permanent Chancery for the resident Embassy to the Holy See has not yet been identified. My officials are addressing a variety of logistical, protocol and other tasks, including securing accommodation appropriate to the objectives of the Embassy, the staffing level and the available budget. A range of options are under consideration.
480. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he has taken to support efforts to eliminate gender based violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40028/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPreventing and responding to gender-based violence is a major priority of Ireland’s programme for overseas development, Irish Aid, and is at the core of our work to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. As set out in the Government’s Policy on International Development, One World, One Future, we regard gender-based violence as a major abuse of human rights which undermines women’s health, well-being and livelihoods. Irish Aid is playing an active role in international policy development, funding and research to address gender based violence, including the broader challenges of women’s economic and political empowerment and their access to justice. Ireland also continues to work with civil society organisations and national and local governments in Uganda, Mozambique, South Africa, Sierra Leone and Liberia supporting service delivery, building capacity and lobbying for the development and roll out of laws and policies to tackle gender-based violence. As women and girls are particularly vulnerable to such violence in emergency situations, Irish Aid prioritises the protection of women and girls in its response to humanitarian emergencies.
Irish Aid is an active member of the Irish Consortium on Gender-based Violence, an association of Irish development, human rights and humanitarian organizations and the Irish Defence Forces. This aims to build members’ capacity to respond to all forms of gender-based violence in conflict, post-conflict and long-term development contexts.
Ireland also supports UN Women to advocate for an end to violence against women, to increase awareness of the causes and consequences of such violence and to build the capacity of partners to prevent and respond to violence. Ireland is also supporting the UN Women administered Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women. This supports NGOs, governments and UN country teams in their work to prevent violence against women and girls, to assist survivors and expand their access to key legal, psychosocial and health care services. The aim, in turn, is to strengthen implementation of laws and policies on violence against women, and to address the linkages between violence and HIV and AIDS.
481. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the recognition of the Palestinian State following a recent vote by the United Kingdom and Sweden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40100/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland supports the full achievement of a Palestinian state. We believe this should happen soon. Our policies are designed to be supportive of the negotiated comprehensive peace agreement which we believe is fundamental to the achievement of this objective.
I believe substantive political talks on a peace settlement must take place as a matter of urgency and I reiterated that view recently at the Gaza Reconstruction Conference hosted by the Governments of Norway and Egypt on 12th October in Cairo.
I am conscious of the developments mentioned by the Deputy and Ireland’s position will continue to be evaluated in light of our own assessment and that of all our EU Partners.
482. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expected outturn in relation to official development assistance expenditure by the end of 2014; the total allocation available to his Department for ODA in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40243/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor 2014, the Government’s total allocation for Official Development Assistance (ODA) is just under €600 million. Of this total, €479 million is allocated to Vote 27 – International Cooperation - managed by the Development Cooperation Division of my Department. A further estimated €120 million is allocated to ‘other ODA’. This comprises Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation budget together with ODA-eligible contributions made by other Government Departments. Final outturn figures for 2014 will be available and published early next spring. Since coming to office, and in the context of very difficult budgetary circumstances, this Government has largely managed to stabilise annual allocations to ODA. On Budget day last week we announced a total allocation to ODA of just over €600 million for next year, ensuring that we have protected the aid budget. Of this total, €476 million was allocated to Vote 27 – International Cooperation which will be managed by my Department.
Our 2015 allocation to ODA demonstrates our ongoing and firm commitment to the aid programme. Our priority now is to ensure we continue to focus this significant level of public funding on delivering real and sustainable improvements to the lives of some of the world’s poorest men women and children.
483. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council in relation to the inadequate resourcing of organisations progressing the work of reconciliation in different communities throughout Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40244/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the issue the Deputy has raised. A number of organisations have expressed their concern to me about the overall level of funding currently available for peace and reconciliation work. The advancement of reconciliation on this island remains a priority issue for me and my Department. I am pleased that the budget of my Department’s Reconciliation Fund has been maintained in Budget 2015 at €2.74 million. This reflects the Government’s commitment to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement commitment relating to the promotion of reconciliation, and its recognition of the importance of supporting the work of civil society groups in this area. The Reconciliation Fund awards supports projects that tackle sectarianism and contribute to reconciliation through education, dialogue, culture and commemoration; promote tolerance and respect; challenge stereotypes of one’s own and other communities; and develop and strengthen meaningful cross-border links. All applications to the Fund are assessed in terms of their potential to meet the objectives and criteria of the Reconciliation Fund’s Strategy, which was launched in June 2014. Each year, approximately 150 organisations are awarded funding for their work on addressing sectarianism and promoting reconciliation.
As well as the Government’s own support for reconciliation, the international community has, of course, made a major contribution to this work. The previous phase of a number of EU funding programmes, which support reconciliation and peace-building work, ran from 2007 to 2013. The draft operational programme for EU PEACE IV (covering the period 2014-2020 and involving resources of some €260M) was jointly submitted to the European Commission by the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive in late September.
In addition to the EU, the International Fund for Ireland, which is supported by financial contributions from the US Government, continues to make a valuable contribution to promoting community relations in marginalised and hard to reach communities.
