Written Answers Nos. 523-42
523. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the Health Service Executive proceeds with development of appropriate training courses for family and other informed carers in keeping with priorities highlighted in the national educational needs analysis completed by the executive in 2009, and dementia skills elevator 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13314/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra524. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure the early and timely diagnosis and intervention process for dementia, by maximising the access that general practitioners and acute hospital clinicians have to specialist assessment and diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13315/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra525. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in the national dementia strategy regarding the plan to deliver on home care packages and respite care, and improve the supports available for carers to facilitate dementia patients to live at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13316/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra526. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide dementia advisers dedicated to the needs of those with early onset dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13319/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 523 to 526, inclusive, together.
The Irish National Dementia Strategy was published in December 2014. Its primary focus is to enable people with dementia to live well in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, and it sets out ways of achieving this. The Strategy is accompanied by a National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme co-funded by the HSE and the Atlantic Philanthropies. Key elements of the initiative include:-
- the rollout of a programme of Intensive Home Supports and Homecare Packages for people with dementia;
- the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for GPs, who are the critical and initial point of contact with the health system for those with dementia;
- measures to raise public awareness, address stigma, and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia.
The Strategy contains a set of priority actions capable of implementation within existing resources or by reconfiguring resources. It also contains a number of additional actions which may require resources additional to what is currently available and which will be considered as these become available in the future.
In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
527. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 442 of 10 February 2015, the level of negotiations he has had regarding utilising St. Joseph's Hospital in County Longford and St. Mary's Hospital in County Westmeath as a step-down facility; in view of the fact that in the previous reply by SNR the official outlines the current status, and that any further increase in bed capacity would require refurbishment, if it is Government policy to ensure necessary funding is made available to carry out necessary refurbishment, and additional staff to utilise these facilities for set-down facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13320/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it 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 the matter with them.
528. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the space currently utilised by the Health Service Executive for the provision of mental health services and other services on the St. Loman's Campus in Mullingar in County Westmeath; the space that is not utilised; and the future plans for same. [13321/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
529. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the time frame for the recruitment of a second palliative consultant for the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar in County Westmeath; and the terms of the contract. [13322/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the 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.
530. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the recruitment process for the recently announced new positions at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar in County Westmeath; the timeframe for same; the number of positions that are replacement positions, new positions and positions transferred from agency staff to permanent staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13323/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the 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.
531. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment from the ear, nose and throat department in Letterkenny General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13330/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
532. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal is on the routine or urgent list with orthopaedics in Sligo Hospital; when this person can expect an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13331/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
533. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health his views on a charitable community (details supplied) which is providing care and supports to 275 persons in a range of ages, most of whom are full-time residents in 18 locations, and his views that if not provided appropriate financial support, vulnerable individuals with intellectual disabilities are threatened with losing their homes and supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13342/15]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
534. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is waiting eight months for a cataract operation at University Hospital Galway; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13377/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular patient query raised by you, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
It is important to note that I am precluded under Section 6 of the Health Service Executive Governance Act 2013 from directing the HSE to provide any treatment or service to an individual.
535. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13391/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
536. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13407/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
537. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is given an appointment for a magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, scan at Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore in County Offaly, as a matter of urgency. [13414/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
It is important to note that I am precluded under Section 6 of the Health Service Executive Governance Act 2013 from directing the HSE to provide any treatment or service to an individual.
538. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has responded to the unhelpful comments of the President of the European Commission, Mr Jean Claude Juncker, in relation to the creation of a European Union army, in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. [11616/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of recent comments by the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jean Claude Juncker, in relation to a European Army. There is no European army, nor is there any basis for one. The Protocol on the concerns of the Irish people on the Treaty of Lisbon states explicitly that the Treaty does not provide for the creation of a European Army. As regards Ukraine, we have consistently stated that there can be no military solution to the conflict. The EU has led efforts to find a peaceful outcome based on political dialogue and negotiation. Last month’s diplomatic initiative by Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande which led to the 12 February Minsk Agreement was motivated by a strong desire, on the part of all Member States, to bring an end to the violence that has caused such misery and hardship for the local population in eastern Ukraine.
539. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his Department have made any representations to the ambassador of the People's Republic of China, or to any other Chinese officials, regarding the continuing detention of persons (details supplied), members of a women's rights activist group who were arrested prior to International Women's Day on 8 March 2015 to prevent them from protesting on women's rights issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13000/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland continues to raise Human Rights issues with other countries including with the People’s Republic of China. Exchanges take place periodically at high levels of state and government and through official channels. The EU and China also have a continuing Human Rights Dialogue, to which Ireland contributes in Europe and in China, alongside its EU partners. On 8-9 December 2014 the 33rd round of this Dialogue was held in Brussels. This allowed the two sides to have a detailed exchange of views on a wide range of human rights issues. Women’s rights were one of the issues discussed. Individual cases were raised in the context of the discussion about China's human rights situation. The cases to which the Deputy refers were raised directly with the Chinese authorities by the EU delegation in Beijing, acting on behalf of all EU Member States, including Ireland.
On 12 March 2015, a spokesperson for the EU urged the Chinese authorities to release these women’s rights activists immediately. The statement went on to say that the Union urges China not to restrict the activities of human rights defenders promoting the human rights of women.
Most recently on 23 March 2015, an EU spokesperson stated that as the UN is preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women, the European Union urges China not to restrict the activities of human rights defenders promoting the human rights of women.
Ireland is committed to advancing gender equality and women’s rights and is an active participant in the work of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the principal global policy-making body on gender equality. In 2010, Ireland played a key role in the establishment of UN Women, the UN body to promote gender equality.
Ireland works to integrate the human rights of women as well as a gender perspective, into the work of the UN Human Rights Council including the Council’s programme of work and when considering the content of resolutions and special mandates. Ireland also uses the mechanism of the Universal Periodic Review to advance the rights of women. During the second cycle of the UPR, Ireland has made recommendations to States on a number of women’s rights issues including female genital mutilation, gender-based and sexual violence, marital rape, trafficking and discrimination against women including in the judicial system.
540. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that a child with special needs in a special school was subjected to prone restraint 360 times in 2014; if she is aware that the child is currently on continuous suspension since 16 February 2014 because the parent is so concerned for the child's well-being that the parent cannot agree to the behaviour support plan that allows the school to continue professional crisis management prone restraint for when the child hurts themselves or others; her views that the child is not only missing out on education but much needed support from a multidisciplinary team that has been funded privately, and recently, through the Health Service Executive in the school setting. [12672/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all of the pupils in their school.
Schools may seek advice from their local National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) psychologist, from their National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Special Educational Needs Organiser, or from the National Behavioural Support Services, as to how children with behavioural needs can best be supported in school.
Training is also available for schools in relation to the provision of support for children with special educational needs from the Special Education Support Services (SESS), who can, as part of their designated training modules, provide guidance for schools in relation to containment or management measures for difficult behaviour.
There are a number of published guidelines available to schools: The Department recently published new Guidelines for Schools on Supporting Students with Behavioural, Emotional, and Social difficulties, which are available on the Department's website www.education.ie.
- The Child and Family Agency has also developed guidelines for schools on Codes of Behaviour. In developing a Code of Behaviour schools must specify the standards of behaviour that shall be observed by each student attending the school. All parents must be made aware of behaviour management strategies employed by a school.
- The National Educational Psychological Services document Behavioural Emotional and Social Difficulties- a Continuum of Support: Guidelines for Teachers also provides advice for teachers. Schools are therefore supported by guidance and training and may also seek additional advice and assistance from NEPS and the NCSE, if required.
Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of an Educational Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld. Application forms for taking a section 29 appeal are available on my Departments website at the following link http://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Appeal-against-Permanent-Exclusion-Suspension-or-Refusal-to-Enrol/Section-29-Appeals-Application-Form.doc.
541. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the legislation on school enrolment will be enacted; and the current directive from her Department on enrolment in primary and post-primary schools. [12675/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. The enrolment policy must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
This Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. Parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of an Educational Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year.
The Deputy will be aware that Government gave approval in March last year for drafting the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill. The Bill is on the Government legislative programme for publication in the Spring/Summer session.
The objective of the Admission to Schools Bill is to provide an over-arching framework to ensure that how schools decide on who is enrolled and who is refused a place in schools is more structured, fair and transparent.
542. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 is eligible for a grant to purchase a laptop to help with college examination studies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12677/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department allocates significant resources to ensure that students can participate fully in their academic courses and are not disadvantaged by reason of a disability. The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is managed by the HEA on behalf of my department and provides funding to both further and higher education institutions for the provision of services and supports for full-time students with disabilities.
The institutions are responsible for the management and allocation of the Fund at local level throughout the year.
