Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 16 Dec 2014

Written Answers Nos. 402-422

School Completion Programme

Ceisteanna (402)

Derek Nolan

Ceist:

402. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current funding arrangements for the school completion programme; the changes proposed or that have occurred to its funding levels; if the funding will continue to be ring-fenced; if his Department is committed to the continued implementation and development of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47792/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of young people who are risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 36,000 children.

Since 1st January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion Programme. As with all major spending programmes, the School Completion Programme budget was subject to examination under the terms of the 2011 Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. This process identified a requirement for savings of 6.5% per annum across the programme over the period 2012 to 2014. The amount provided for 2014-2015 for the School Completion Programme takes account of the savings requirements in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-2014. The Agency has approved local projects' school retention plans for the 2014/2015 academic year. The first instalment of 2014/15 funding issued to local projects last September. Further payments totalling approximately €9.5 m will issue this month, with a third instalment in May 2015.

The estimate for the Child and Family Agency for 2015 is €635 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department will issue a Performance Statement this month under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. This will include my priorities for consideration in the development of the Agency's 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the Agency's proposed activities, programmes and priorities for 2015, including provision for the School Completion Programme, in the light of the monies available.

A review of the School Completion Programme has commenced. It is being carried out by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. The Review is an important initiative to plan for the future development of this Programme. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.

Child and Family Agency Funding

Ceisteanna (403)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

403. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47849/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The financial allocation for Tusla, The Child and Family Agency, in 2014, its first year of operation, was set at €609 million. This is comprised of €602 million in current funding and €7 million in capital funding. It is acknowledged that delivering the range of service required of the Agency, within this budget, was challenging.

Notwithstanding the significant level of resources provided, certain areas of expenditure, such as legal costs, have in the past proven difficult to manage within the allocated budget. It is also noted that other areas of expenditure such as private residential and foster care have experienced strong demand in 2014.

The Agency is implementing significant reform to seek to achieve greater value for money and efficiencies in such areas and the progress in this regard is subject to ongoing monitoring and review with my Department.

The forecast outturn for the Agency for 2014 shows that there will be a shortfall in funding and I would like to assure the Deputy that this will be met through the transfer of funds within my Department's Vote. My Department has also secured additional funding for the Agency in 2015 and the allocation will be set out in the Revised Estimate for Public Services which is due to be published on 17th December next.

As regards care for young people reaching the age of 18, the Child and Family Agency provides an aftercare service for those in care on their 18th birthday and there are a number of supports for those leaving care, particularly where they are in full time education. My Department is working with the Agency to progress and develop the range and quality of service provision with a view to improving consistency of provision across the country of child protection and welfare services, including aftercare.

Departmental Meetings

Ceisteanna (404)

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

404. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his Department held meetings separate to the management advisory committee meetings which were attended by either him or the Minister of State and the management advisory committee; if so, if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of such meetings that occurred in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47858/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I took up the position of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in July of this year, and since then I have attended the following meetings involving the Management Advisory Committee (MAC):

Date of Meeting

Attendees

18th July 2014

Minister/MAC meeting: attendees comprising the Minister, Advisors and MAC members

24th July 2014

"Town Hall" meeting (Whole Staff Meeting)

10th December 2014

Minister/MAC meeting: attendees comprising the Minister, Advisors and MAC members

These meetings are distinct from those dedicated meetings of the Management Advisory Committee. In respect of my predecessors, two Minister/MAC meetings took place in 2011; six Minister/MAC meetings took place in 2012; five Minister/MAC meetings took place in 2013; and two Minister/MAC meetings took place in 2014.

Departmental Meetings

Ceisteanna (405)

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

405. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of management advisory committee meetings which were held in each of the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of management advisory committee meetings that were attended by him, the Minister of State, the political adviser, the Secretary General and the titles of all other attendees in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47874/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Management Advisory Committee (MAC) of my Department is comprised of the most senior officials in my Department. The Committee currently comprises the Secretary General (Acting), an Assistant Secretary and two Directors (one Acting). On occasion other officials or participants may be requested to attend to brief the Committee on certain agenda items. A member of Departmental staff is also present to take minutes. Attendances at MAC meetings are reflected in the minutes of the meetings. As Minister, I do not attend MAC meetings, nor do the Political Advisors. I meet with the members of the MAC both as a group and individually on a regular basis. Since its establishment in 2011 there has been no Minister of State for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The number of meetings for the years 2011 to 2014 (to date) are as follows:

Year

Number of MAC Meetings

2011

6

2012

19

2013

22

2014

23

The minutes of MAC meetings up to 6th October 2014 are published on my Department's website. The minutes of subsequent meetings will also be posted on the website in due course. A meeting of the MAC was scheduled for this morning and is included in the table.

For ease of reference I attach the web address of the section of the website containing the MAC minute: http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/MACMinutes/MACMinutesPage.htm.

Early Childhood Care and Education Standards

Ceisteanna (406, 409, 410)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

406. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of services participating in the early childhood care and education programme which are in receipt of the higher capitation rate and which have preschool leaders holding appropriate qualifications at level 6 or lower on the national framework of qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47900/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

409. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of services participating in the early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme, the preschool leaders of which all hold appropriate qualifications at level 7 on the national framework of qualifications and the preschool assistants of which all hold level 5 or higher qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48017/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

410. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of services participating in the early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme whose preschool assistants hold qualifications on the national framework of qualifications that are lower than level 5 and are in receipt of the higher capitation rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48018/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 406, 409 and 410 together.

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is implemented by my Department and provides a free preschool year for all children before they commence primary school. There are in the region of 4,200 child care providers participating in the programme, providing the free preschool provision to approximately 68,000 children each year. The programme represents an annual investment of nearly €175 m.

It is currently a requirement of the programme that all the preschool leaders in participating child care services must hold, as a minimum, a qualification at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ). A standard weekly capitation fee of €62.50 is paid for each eligible child participating in the ECCE programme in these services.

A higher capitation fee of €73 for each eligible child is payable to preschool service providers where all the preschool leaders delivering the ECCE programme hold a bachelor degree in childhood/early education (minimum of Level 7 on the National Framework for Qualifications (NFQ) or equivalent) and have 3 years experience working in the sector, and where all the preschool assistants in the service hold a relevant major award in child care/early education at Level 5 on the NFQ or its equivalent.

When a service provider applies for the higher capitation rate, the relevant qualifications are checked in my Department to confirm eligibility. The ratios and sessions operated within the service must also be checked to ensure that all the ECCE children in the service are benefiting from the higher qualified staff.

In the academic year 2013/2014, 1,402 child care services who provided evidence of the qualifications of their staff and who received sanction from this Department were paid the higher capitation rate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the ECCE programme. Applications for the higher capitation rate for 2014/2015 are currently being examined by my officials and the numbers sanctioned for the higher payment are expected to be available early next year.

The higher capitation rate is not payable to services where staff delivering the ECCE programme hold qualifications lower than Level 7 on the NFQ or where the preschool leader holds the Level 7 qualification but the preschool assistant does not hold a Level 5 or higher qualification.

I wish to advise the Deputy that new qualification requirements are being introduced as part of the ongoing progression of the Early Years Quality Agenda. This will mean that a minimum Level 5 award on the NFQ in early childhood care and education will be necessary for all staff working in early years services (no requirement currently exists). It is expected that this requirement will apply from September 2015 in the case of existing services. In addition, the minimum qualification requirement for preschool leaders delivering the ECCE programme will be increased from a Level 5 award to a Level 6, from the same date.

Youth Services Funding

Ceisteanna (407)

John Deasy

Ceist:

407. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown by county of the funding provided to Foróige projects; and the amounts allocated to each group in receipt of such funding in each of the past five years. [47964/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme under which funding is made available on an annual basis to 31 national and major regional youth organisations, including Foróige. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 young people and involve approximately, 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country. In 2014, funding of €49.78 m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.

Funding is provided to Foróige under the Youth Services Grant Scheme in respect of support for the organisation at national level. In 2014, €2,651,154 was provided to the organisation under this scheme. Foróige also receives funding for local projects around the country under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund 1 and 2. In 2014 €4,557,810 was provided for these projects.

The data on funding of youth projects is organised by reference to the local Education and Training Boards that administer the funding on behalf of my Department. The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department in respect of the years 2010-2012. However, details of the funding provided to Foróige for 2013 and 2014 for each of its projects, by Education Training Board area, is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.

Voluntary Sector Funding

Ceisteanna (408, 413)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

408. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will intervene to ensure that funding is made available to ensure that Childline’s 24-hour service continues; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to a funding crisis caused by increased demand, Childline may have to withdraw its night-time service, a time when the service is desperately needed; if his attention has been further drawn to the vital importance of Childline to vulnerable children throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47997/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

413. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to support Childline to secure funds in order that it may continue its necessary and excellent work throughout 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48153/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 413 together.

I am aware that the ISPCC has been experiencing difficulties with regard to the funding of Childline which is a dedicated 24 hour listening service for children. Officials from my Department and the Child and Family Agency met with representatives from the ISPCC last week. The purpose of the meeting was to clarify the nature and extent of the difficulties being faced by Childline. Arising from the meeting the ISPCC has provided additional information which is being examined. A further meeting has been scheduled for today (16 December). I will be happy to keep the Deputies updated on this matter.

Questions Nos. 409 and 410 answered with Question No. 406.

Ministerial Travel

Ceisteanna (411)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

411. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide details of all official foreign trips he and Ministers of State in his Department plan to take between now and the end of 2015; if he will provide information in respect of the persons he and Ministers of State in his Department will meet on these trips; the purpose of the trips; the duration of the trips; if there are plans to use all of these trips to promote Ireland as a good place for doing business and as a destination for foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48028/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am planning to travel to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where I will address the Dutch Cancer Society Annual Network Meeting on 22nd January, 2015 as well as meeting with the Secretary of State with responsibility for Tobacco Control in the Netherlands. This is the only trip which I currently have planned for 2015. There are no Ministers of State in my Department.

All expenses for this trip will be paid for by the Dutch Cancer Society.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (412)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

412. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding allocated to early intervention schemes for 2014; the amount allocated for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48044/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The ABC Programme is an innovative prevention and early intervention initiative consisting of committed funding for an area-based approach to helping to improve outcomes for children by reducing child poverty. The programme builds on and continues the work of the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (PEIP) 2007 - 2013 which was co-funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) and Atlantic Philanthropies (AP).

The ABC Programme targets investment in evidence-informed interventions to improve the long-term outcomes for children and families living in areas of disadvantage. It aims to break “the cycle of child poverty within areas where it is most deeply entrenched and where children are most disadvantaged, through integrated and effective services and interventions” in the areas of child development, child well-being, parenting and educational disadvantage.

The ABC Programme is jointly funded by my Department and The Atlantic Philanthropies (AP). The total amount of committed funding from both the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and The Atlantic Philanthropies available in the period 2013-2016 will be €29.7 m.

In 2013, 13 sites were approved for inclusion in the ABC programme. It is expected that all of the projects will be operational by the end of 2014.

In 2014 €4.0 m was allocated to the ABC Programme. In 2015 €4.75 m will be allocated to the ABC Programme.

Question No. 413 answered with Question No. 408.

Commissions of Investigation

Ceisteanna (414)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

414. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the forthcoming commission of investigation into the mother and baby homes will be in all ways compliant with the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, BICI, principles and best practices for international and national commissions of inquiry and the Siracusa guidelines for international, regional and national fact-finding bodies. [48216/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government has undertaken to establish a Commission of Investigation into matters of significant public concern relating to Mother and Baby Homes. The independent statutory investigation will be established by Order in accordance with the Commission of Investigations Act 2004.

The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 gives the Commission the power to conduct investigations within its terms of reference in the manner it considers appropriate while adhering to the rules and procedures contained within the 2004 Act. Although the State is not bound by the principles and guidelines referenced by the Deputy, the Government is satisfied that the provisions of the Commission of Investigations Act 2004 provide for a prompt and thorough investigation in accordance with the State's obligations under international human rights laws.

The Commission must seek and facilitate the voluntary co-operation of people whose evidence it requires. A commission is entitled to compel witnesses to give evidence. It can also direct a person to provide it with any documents in the person’s possession or power relating to the matter under investigation. If the person fails to comply, the Commission can apply to the court to compel compliance.

Establishing a statutory Commission of Investigation provides an effective and transparent mechanism to examine these complex and sensitive matters while also respecting fair procedures and natural justice.

School Completion Programme

Ceisteanna (415)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

415. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will address the school completion programme in Donaghmede and Ayrfield, Dublin 13, and Edenmore, Dublin 5, as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48231/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of young people who are risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 36,000 children.

Since 1st January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion Programme. The Agency has approved local projects' school retention plans for the 2014/2015 academic year. The first instalment of 2014/15 funding issued to local projects last September. Further payments totalling approximately €9.5 m will issue this month, with a third instalment in May 2015.

This School Completion Project for the areas mentioned by the Deputy, is comprised of six primary schools and two post-primary schools. I am advised that an amount of €214,184 was allocated by the Agency to the project for the school year 2014-2015, of which €174, 024 will have been paid in two instalments by 31 December 2014, with a final payment of €40,160 due in May 2015. The amount provided for 2014-2015 takes account of the savings requirements in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-2014. The allocation of the funding across the range of interventions planned for young people and between the local schools in the School Completion Programme project for the area is a matter for the Local Management Committee.

The estimate for the Child and Family Agency for 2015 is €635 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department will issue a Performance Statement this month under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. This will include my priorities for consideration in the development of the Agency's 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the Agency's proposed activities, programmes and priorities for 2015, including provision for the School Completion Programme, in the light of the monies available.

A review of the School Completion Programme has commenced. It is being carried out by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. The Review is an important initiative to plan for the future development of this Programme. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.

An Fhoireann Rannach

Ceisteanna (416)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

416. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige an bhfuil iniúchadh déanta fós ar na poist agus na réimsí oibre ina mbeidh státseirbhísigh atá inniúil sa Bhéarla agus sa Ghaeilge ag teastáil, de réir mar a thug an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe treoir don Roinn a dhéanamh; má tá an t-iniúchadh déanta, cad é líon agus cad iad céimeanna na bpost atá i gceist; cén líon de na poist sin a bhfuil duine leis an gcumas cuí Gaeilge agus Béarla ann cheana féin; cén plean atá ann chun na poist eile a líonadh le daoine a bhfuil na cáilíochtaí cuí acu; cén cháilíocht Ghaeilge atá riachtanach do na poist sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48369/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Níl an t-iniúchadh atá i gceist déanta ag mo Roinn go fóill.

Public Sector Staff Redeployment

Ceisteanna (417)

John Deasy

Ceist:

417. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the number of public sector workers under the aegis of his Department who have been approved for inter or intradepartmental or agency work transfers, both to and from County Waterford, in each of the past five years. [48803/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Since the establishment of my Department in June 2011, there have been no public sector worker transfers either to or from Co. Waterford in respect of my Department.

The information required to respond in respect of agencies under the remit of my Department is not normally held by the Department. I have asked my officials to arrange for the agencies concerned to supply the information directly to the Deputy.

Tobacco Control Measures

Ceisteanna (418)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

418. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns that retailers will suffer from a reduction in turnover because of business lost due to the introduction of plain packaging of tobacco products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47769/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, Tobacco Free Ireland, Ireland’s policy on smoking, sets a target for Ireland to be tobacco free by 2025. In practice, this will mean a smoking prevalence rate of less than 5%. The two key themes underpinning the report are protecting children and the denormalisation of smoking. The introduction of standardised packaging of tobacco is just one of over sixty recommendations made in the policy.

In December 2012, Australia became the first country in the world to introduce standardised or plain packaging of tobacco products. Research has shown that a year after standardised packaging was introduced in Australia, there was no evidence of any decrease in customers purchasing tobacco products from small retail outlets, no flooding of the market by cheap brands and no increase in the use of illicit tobacco as predicted by opponents to standardised packaging.

I am confident that the introduction of standardised packaging in Ireland will assist in reducing the numbers of people smoking in this country, and in particular act as a deterrent for young people from starting to smoke.

Tobacco Control Measures

Ceisteanna (419)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

419. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 107 to 110, inclusive, of 9 October 2014, the consultations held in respect of the issues raised in the detailed opinions submitted by EU member states; the input from other Departments into the preparation of his Department's response to the European Commission; if he shares any of the concerns raised by EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48023/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, Government approval was received on 19th November 2013 to proceed with drafting the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2013. The legislation has now been passed by the Seanad and Second Stage of the Bill concluded in the Dáil on 2nd October 2014.

The Bill was formally notified to the Commission and to Member States under the EU Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC) and the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) on 17th June 2014. As the Deputy has noted, detailed opinions on the proposed measures have been received from a number of Member States. As the detailed opinions in question cannot be released for publication, I do not propose to discuss their contents at this time. The detailed opinion documents are currently being considered by officials in my Department and a response is being drafted in consultation with other relevant Government Departments.

The Commission and Member States had until 18th September to comment or provide detailed opinions on the proposed measures. For this reason, the standstill period has increased by three months, i.e. until 18th December 2014. The legislative process cannot continue until after this standstill period.

Nursing Staff Contracts

Ceisteanna (420)

Jim Daly

Ceist:

420. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason Health Service Executive permanent contracts of employment do not recognise years of service when nurses are being offered new contracts of employment or make provision to pay them increments on the basis of job experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48293/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Ceisteanna (421)

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

421. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health his plans for the provision of primary care centres in the localities of Donnybrook, Dublin 4, and Terenure, Dublin 6W; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47699/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the delivery of primary care infrastructure is a service matter your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (422)

Derek Nolan

Ceist:

422. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the free BreastCheck programme to women over 65; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47723/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I recently announced the extension of the BreastCheck screening programme to women aged 65 to 69 years of age. Planning for this is underway and screening of the extended cohort will commence towards the end of 2015. The age extension will be expanded on an incremental basis and it will be fully rolled out in 2021. The additional eligible population is approximately 100,000 and, when fully implemented, 540,000 women will be included in the BreastCheck Programme.

The extension will result in those who are already being invited to screening as part of the current programme having their period of screening extended until they are 69 years of age. Those aged 65 will be the first to be invited. The extension will be implemented on a phased basis in order to manage the additional screening and follow up involved.

Women of any age who have concerns about breast cancer should seek the advice of their GP who will, if appropriate, refer them to the symptomatic breast services in one of the eight designated cancer centres.

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