Written Answers Nos. 423-442
423. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total value of public sector pensions in payment; the average public sector pension in 2014, under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16065/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraRetired staff members of my Department and bodies under its aegis are mainly in receipt of pensions from the Superannuation and Retired Allowances Vote (Vote 12) of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Payments to retired members of An Garda Síochána are made from the Garda Síochána Vote (Vote 20). Pension payments to the dependents of retired members are also made from this vote in certain circumstances.
The total value of pension payments made from the Garda Síochána vote in 2014 was €282,304,023 and the total number of recipients was 10,201 which gave rise to an average pension of €27,674.
424. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the supports available for the construction of an extension to an all-Irish playschool (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15422/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently provides approximately €260 million annually to early years and school-age care and education services. This funding is directed towards childcare programmes which aim to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of early years and school-age care and education. These programmes – the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, and the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) programmes - support the provision of early years and school-age care and education for more than 100,000 children each year.
Capital funding totalling €11.25 million was provided over the past 3 years to support the refurbishment and upgrading of early years services. This funding was targeted primarily at the community sector with the objective of ensuring that previously-funded community facilities remained fit-for-purpose and in a position to maintain and improve quality, and to make community services more efficient and sustainable through improving the energy rating of these facilities.
On Wednesday last, I announced that further capital funding totalling €7 million is being made available in 2015 for early years services with €5 million of this funding being made available for grants specifically for community/not for profit services. This funding will provide grant aid, in the region of €500,000, for significant upgrades of community/not-for-profit services, such as major refurbishment or relocation to new premises. Also under this strand of funding, grants of up to €50,000 will be available for essential maintenance, or works undertaken to improve the energy performance of childcare facilities. The remaining €2 million in capital funding is being made available for both private and community childcare facilities to access grants of up to €500 for quality improvement measures, specifically in the area of upgrading IT facilities.
This new funding allocation is open to early years childcare facilities providing services under at least one of the support programmes that I have referred to above. There is no further capital funding available to my Department to support capital developments in the childcare sector.
Further information on the new capital programme can be found on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie.
425. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in County Wexford who have been assessed as being in need of a social worker and are currently waiting to be allocated or reallocated one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15588/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Child and Family Agency, Tusla, collects information on unallocated cases in respect of the Wexford/Waterford administrative area.
As at 31st December, 2014, there were a total of 1,853 open cases in the area, of which 586 cases were awaiting allocation to a social worker, with 161 deemed to be high priority cases.
Where a child does not have an allocated social worker assigned to their case there is a system of oversight by social workers to ensure that any change in the child's circumstances is addressed. It is important to note here that "high priority" should not simply be equated with risk. For instance children in care for less than six months who do not have an allocated social worker but who are in stable placements are included in this category.
Tusla deals immediately with emergency cases, including for instance, a child who has been abandoned or is in immediate physical danger or at immediate risk of sexual abuse. Social work duty teams keep high priority cases under review by regular checking to ascertain risk to the child, and where necessary will reprioritise the case.
As part of Tusla's Business Planning process for 2015, I requested that an Action Plan be developed, setting out the proposed measures to tackle the issue of unallocated cases. Tusla is undertaking a national review of cases awaiting allocation to determine if additional social work posts may be required to meet existing demand and I look forward to the outcome of this review.
There has been a welcome downward trend in the number waiting to be allocated a social worker nationally, including an almost 50% reduction of high priority cases awaiting allocation for less than three months in 2014.
Tusla is also committed to producing a Workforce Development Strategy by the end of Quarter 2 this year. This development presents Tusla with a significant opportunity to continue to improve their service to vulnerable children and families. The Plan will consider issues relating to recruitment, retention, skill mix and turnover.
I look forward to receiving the Action Plan and Strategy and I will support Tusla in their ongoing work to deliver a safe and quality service.
426. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the Further Education and Training Awards Council qualifications available for study for children in detention centres. [15606/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 159A of the Children Act 2001, County of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board must provide for the education of children placed in the children detention schools.
There are currently two education centres attached to the children detention schools, one of which is situated in Trinity House School and the other is shared between Oberstown Boys School and Oberstown Girls School. FETAC levels 2, 3 and 4 Courses are available to students in the Detention Schools. Qualifications are primarily provided in the following subjects: communications, numeracy, food and nutrition, health and fitness, crafts (includes art, ceramics, woodwork and metalwork), interpersonal skills, computers, wood-turning and career preparation.
427. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of inter-country adoption placements that have broken down, considering that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, now includes this option on the Meitheal request form (details supplied). [15814/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra428. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his Department or Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, maintain statistics on the number of inter-country adoption placements that have broken down; if not, the reason why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15815/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 428 together.
As this is a service matter under the remit of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have asked the Agency to respond directly to the Deputy.
429. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of historic adoption files that have been transferred to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and previously to the Health Service Executive since each of the former adoption agencies closed down; and if these records included files on illegal adoptions, adoptions to the United States of America, vaccine trials, and persons adopted prior to 1952. [15816/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter under the remit of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have asked the Agency to respond directly to the Deputy.
430. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason his Department continues to refer to illegal adoptions as illegal birth registrations. [15817/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe term "illegal registration" refers to a case where the birth of a child was registered to persons other than the child's birth mother and/or father.
The Adoption Act 1952 provided a legal basis for adoption in Ireland and for the establishment of the Adoption Board. This brought order to what had been the system of ad-hoc arrangements in lieu of formal adoption procedures up to this point. Legal adoptions are effected in compliance with the provisions of this Act and the Adoption Act 2010. However, if an "adoption" was effected in breach of these Acts, the Department would consider that such arrangements would be an "illegal adoption".
431. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of retired public service pensions in payment in each year from 2008 to 2014, under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16048/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs civil service pensions are paid directly by the Paymaster Generals Office (under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform), the information set out below relates to public service agencies under the remit of my Department only. As my Department was established in June 2011, the information requested relates to the period from 2011 onwards.
|
Year |
Number of pensions in payment at December each year |
|
2011 |
18 |
|
2012 |
134 |
|
2013 |
146 |
|
2014 |
197 |
Note:
1. Increase in 2012 relates to the Children Detention Schools coming within the remit of this Department
2. Increase in 2014 primarily relates to the Child and Family Agency coming within the remit of this Department.
432. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total value of public sector pensions in payment; the average public sector pension in 2014, under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16059/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs civil service pensions are paid directly by the Paymaster Generals Office (under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform), the information set out below relates to public service agencies under the remit of my Department only.
|
Total Value of Public Service Pensions |
Average Pension Cost |
|
|
2014 |
€3,435,000 |
€17,436 |
433. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will designate a Minister of State to take responsibility for the area of drug use and the national drugs strategy, in view of the vital importance of this area of policy. [15163/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is a cross-cutting area of public policy and service delivery which requires a coordinated response to tackling the drugs problem. As Minister for Health, I have overall responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy at Government level. The Oversight Forum on Drugs, which I chair, is responsible for the high-level monitoring of the implementation of the Strategy across Government Departments and agencies, and solid progress is being made in delivering on its actions.
I am fully committed to the drugs brief, and am eager to tackle the issues in the area in as comprehensive a way as possible. My Department is beginning work on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy for the period after 2016 and as Minister with lead responsibility for drugs policy, I will play an active role in the development of the new Strategy. I look forward to engaging with all interested parties in this work.
It is a matter for the Taoiseach in the first instance to determine the approach to the allocation of portfolios to Ministers of State.
434. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken by his Department to raise awareness of Lyme disease and tick bites and educate those involved in agriculture and the general public regarding Lyme disease and tick bites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15296/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra435. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken by his Department to raise awareness of Lyme disease and tick bites and increase general education regarding Lyme disease and tick bites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15297/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra443. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken by his Department to raise awareness of Lyme disease and educate medical professionals and the general public regarding Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15295/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra472. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the locations where treatment is available for sufferers of late Lyme borreliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15433/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra473. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the way persons who suffer from Lyme borreliosis, who have slow-to-heal or permanent tissue damage, are treated; the therapeutic agents prescribed for relief and rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15434/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra474. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the way persons who suffer from post-Lyme syndrome are diagnosed and treated in this State, the locations where the treatment is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15435/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra475. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the training that is provided to clinicians and other health care workers to diagnose and treat late Lyme borreliosis and post-Lyme syndrome; the number of medical professionals who have been trained and are qualified to diagnose and treat these conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15436/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra476. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the work of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre's Lyme borreliosis sub-committee; the status of its development of strategies to minimise harm caused by Lyme borreliosis and to treat late Lyme borelliosis and post-Lyme syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15437/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 434, 435, 443 and 472 to 476, inclusive, together.
Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis) is an infection transmitted to humans by bites from ticks infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The infection is generally mild affecting only the skin, but can occasionally be more severe and debilitating.
Lyme borreliosis is a notifiable infectious disease, the notifiable entity being the more severe neurological form, Lyme neuroborreliosis. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) collects and collates surveillance data on the condition. 20 cases of the condition have been provisionally notified in 2014. This number is likely to fall following validation.
Lyme borreliosis can be asymptomatic or have a range of clinical presentations. Current best advice is that diagnosis should be made only after careful examination of the patient's clinical history, physical findings, laboratory evidence and exposure risk evaluation. Exposure to ticks prior to disease manifestations is necessary for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis. Since an awareness or recollection of a tick-bite is not always present, however, this should not exclude the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis. Later stages require the use of antibody detection tests (or advanced DNA detection techniques). Testing for Lyme Disease is undertaken in most of the larger hospitals in Ireland. In undertaking Lyme testing, it is essential that the results are interpreted in the light of the clinical condition of the patient. If the result of this initial screen is equivocal, the patient's samples are referred to the U.K.'s Public Health England Porton Down facility which uses a two-tier system recommended by American and European authorities. This involves a screening serological test followed by a confirmatory serological test. Because of the general availability of initial screening for Lyme disease in Ireland and the provision of a confirmatory testing service in the UK, there is no need for Irish citizens to travel abroad for testing.
Common antibiotics such as doxycycline or amoxicillin are effective at clearing the rash and helping to prevent the development of complications. They are generally given for up to three weeks. If complications develop, intravenous antibiotics may need to be used. Anyone who suspects they may have contracted Lyme Disease should consult their GP who will arrange appropriate testing and treatment.
The Scientific Advisory Committee of the HPSC has established a Lyme Borreliosis Sub-Committee. The aim of this Sub-Committee is to develop strategies to undertake primary prevention in order to minimise the harm caused by Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland. These strategies will be published in a Final Report. In addition to staff from the HPSC, the membership of the Sub-Committee includes specialists in Public Health Medicine, Consultants in Infectious Diseases, Clinical Microbiology, Occupational Health an Entomologist from the Parks and Wildlife Service, a representative from the Local Government Management Agency and an Environmental Health Officer. A representative from the Patients' Association is also being sought. The Terms of Reference of the Sub-Committee are:
- To raise awareness in Ireland of Lyme Borreliosis amongst clinicians and the general public;
- To identify and highlight best international practice in raising awareness about Lyme Borreliosis for the General Public;
- To develop policies of primary prevention of Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland based on best international evidence;
- To explore ways in which to improve surveillance of neuroborreliosis in Ireland;
- To develop strategies to raise awareness among the public particularly in areas of higher tick populations;
- To produce a Final Report covering all the above areas.
- The Sub-Committee will hold its inaugural meeting on May 6.
Each year the HPSC holds a Lyme Awareness Week. This involves raising awareness for clinicians and the general public as to the risks of infected biting ticks, protection against tick bites and identifying the disease. Much use is made of the media to broadcast these messages in addition to the extensive material provided on the HPSC website. This years Lyme Awareness Week takes place from April 27 - May 1st.
436. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health following the second anniversary of the launch of the Government's flagship Healthy Ireland policy on 28 March 2015, what action the Cabinet committee on social policy, which has overall responsibility for the implementation of the policy, has taken; the further action he has taken over the failure to publish an implementation plan and outcomes framework in 2013, as promised; the reason there has been such a lengthy delay; when the implementation plan and outcomes framework will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15589/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra507. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health following the second anniversary of the launch of the Government's flagship Healthy Ireland policy on 28 March 2015, the progress that has been made in each Department to deliver on the objectives of the policy; the action that has been taken to establish the robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms promised in the report; the number of staff members in his Department who are working full-time on delivering on the Healthy Ireland agenda; the funding that has been specifically allocated to this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15590/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 507 together.
Healthy Ireland, A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025, which was launched in March 2013, is the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of the country over the coming generation. The Healthy Ireland Framework takes a “whole of Government” and “whole of society” approach to improving health and wellbeing which is based on the international experience and thinking in addressing the broad social determinants of health.
The Framework provides for new arrangements to ensure effective co-operation between the health sector and other areas of Government, public services, the community and voluntary sector, the business community and individuals. While many of the elements of the Healthy Ireland Framework are beginning to move into the 'implementing and operationalising' stage of policy implementation, the broad and complex nature of the Framework and the significant change agenda associated with its implementation requires that a critical focus remains on the wider enablers of implementation such as stakeholder consultation, building a supportive culture, communication and leadership.
It is important to acknowledge that it takes time to ensure this enabling environment is appropriately built and strengthened, to build close links and working relationships with key areas in other Government Departments to progress the 'whole of government' approach underpinning the Framework and to identify potential barriers or progress and find solutions, and to exploit opportunities to progress a 'Health in All Policies' approach.
The implementation of the Healthy Ireland Framework is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform, chaired by An Taoiseach. Implementation is supported by a Cross Sectoral Group comprising senior officials from key Government Departments and agencies and by a Healthy Ireland Council whose membership derives from a range of stakeholders and sectors. The co-ordination of the implementation of the Framework is driven by the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health, which has a complement of 6.8 staff and the expenditure by the Programme is met directly from the Department of Health vote.
The initial phase of implementation (2013/14) has focussed on establishing the underpinning architecture, and accountability structures and mechanisms; building the capacity of the Programme and embedding its work in the Department's overall responsibilities and work; establishing and supporting the HSE capacity around health and wellbeing through the Health and Wellbeing Division; identifying and building key strategic relationships and partnerships across a range of cross-sectoral partners; and initiating a number of foundational projects.
The Healthy Ireland agenda is clearly reflected in the priorities for 2015-2017 published by my Department earlier this year. Under the priority area 'Driving the Healthy Ireland agenda', deliverables include the publication of a first Healthy Ireland Survey; publication and implementation of a National Physical Activity Plan which has been developed in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport and other stakeholders; introduction of public health legislation on alcohol; development of a national 'Healthy Workplace' framework across public and private sector; publication of an Obesity Policy; publication of a Sexual Health Strategy; and development of an Outcomes Framework.
The Programme has established a good foundation for driving the 'whole of government' approach, which is now entering a critical stage to make real impact in terms of improving communications, efficiency, coherence and accountability across linked policy areas, as well as making progress on integrating policy development and implementation and delivering a comprehensive policy and legislative programme across a range of public health and societal challenges.
I am satisfied that the Healthy Ireland policy initiative continues to make good progress towards the goals set out in the Framework and will have made a lasting contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of the Irish population by 2025. In addition to the achievements and progress listed above much progress has been made in relation to the 'whole of society' engagement which is critical to the implementation of the sustainable culture change envisaged in the Healthy Ireland Framework, and in particular with the Healthy Ireland Council. I would like to acknowledge the support received from other Departments and agencies in relation to the ongoing work.
437. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a full medical card will be approved in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [15150/15]
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.
438. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health how the cost of respite care charges is calculated. [15170/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCharges for long-stay in-patient services, including long-stay in-patient respite care services, were provided for under the Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and came into effect on 15 July 2005 under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005. The Regulations have been amended on a number of occasions since 2005, most recently by the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, which came into effect on 23 July 2011.
Long-stay charges for in-patient services only apply to the further provision of in-patient services to persons who have already received at least 30 days of in-patient services during the immediately preceding 12-month period. Accordingly, many respite episodes would not attract any charge.
The level of the charges is based on income and cannot exceed 80% of the weekly non-contributory State pension. The Regulations provide for a maximum charge of €175 per week where in-patient care is provided in a setting with 24-hour nursing care (Class 1) or a maximum of €130 per week where in-patient care is provided in other settings (Class 2).
The charges are structured to ensure that those paying them retain a reasonable minimum income for personal use: at least €33 per week for those paying Class 1 rates and at least €64 per week for those paying Class 2 rates. The charging legislation provides that the HSE may reduce or waive charges where necessary to avoid undue financial hardship, having regard to individual financial circumstances, including whether there are dependants.
439. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of a case in County Longford, where a person is considered by a parent to have contracted encephalomyelitis due to the pandemic vaccination; if it is accepted that this was caused by the vaccination; the measures of aid that have been put in place for the person and the person's family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15173/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra517. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of a case (details supplied) in County Longford, where a person is felt by a parent to have contracted encephalomyelitis due to the pandemic vaccination; if it is accepted that this was caused by the vaccination; the measures of aid that have been put in place for the person and the person's family; if any are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15616/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 517 together.
As this issue relates to an individual case, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy. 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.
440. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the home care supports that have been, or will be, put in place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite the provision of a home care plan for this person. [15274/15]
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.
441. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if a medical card holder or a holder of a general practitioner visit card has to pay a general practitioner for having blood taken to diagnose a condition or monitor an ongoing condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15288/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons covered by the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme should not be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of a patient or to monitor a diagnosed condition.
442. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15293/15]
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.
