Róisín Shortall
Ceist:761. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in establishing the right to home care support on a statutory footing; and the timeframe now proposed for same. [20859/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Care Provision
Ceisteanna (761)
Freagraí scríofa
The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not possible, the Health Service Executive supports access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate. It is my objective to ensure that available resources are deployed to achieve the best possible outcomes for older people.
The HSE is continuously working to develop the services provided and to ensure they match the needs of older people as much as possible within the overall level of funding provided. The projected target levels for home help hours and home care packages set out in the 2014 HSE’s National Service Plan were met. The 2015 Service Plan projects the expected provision of 10.3m hours help hours this year and that 13,800 people will be in receipt of a home care package.
The current review of the Nursing Home Support Scheme will include consideration of the way that residential and community care is currently balanced, and whether new approaches to the provision and financing of community care would be appropriate.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Administration
Ceisteanna (762)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:762. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if Lyme disease will be added to the long-term illness scheme. [20861/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (763)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:763. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to bring the number of cystic fibrosis beds in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, up to the full complement of 20 rooms, as recommended; and the time frame for same. [20862/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (764)
Michael Ring
Ceist:764. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be scheduled for a procedure. [20864/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, 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.
Health Services Data
Ceisteanna (765)
John Halligan
Ceist:765. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home residents currently funded by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18265/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (766)
Robert Troy
Ceist:766. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the way his Department is addressing the long waiting times for, and lack of access to, community mental health services for children and teenagers. [20402/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Public Sector Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (767)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Ceist:767. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of public and civil servants who were recruited under the aegis of his Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21110/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ten new civil servants were recruited to my Department during 2014. This does not include officers who transferred into the Department from other Departments or State Agencies.
In relation to the number of recruitments in the HSE my Department has 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.
Information relating to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is currently being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Public Sector Staff Redeployment
Ceisteanna (768)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Ceist:768. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of public and civil servants under the aegis of his Department who were seconded abroad or to another Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21126/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Two civil servants from my Department were seconded to other Government Departments during 2014.
In relation to the number of secondments in the HSE my Department has 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.
Information relating to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is currently being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Public Sector Staff Retirements
Ceisteanna (769)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Ceist:769. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of public servants under the aegis of his Department who retired in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21146/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the number of retirements in the HSE, I 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.
Information relating to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is currently being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Human Rights
Ceisteanna (770)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:770. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify statements made to Dáil Éireann on 14 May 2015 by An Taoiseach, in relation to the case of a person (details supplied), specifically regarding the charges against that person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20119/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Taoiseach informed the Dáil on 14 May, at the most recent hearing in this case our Embassy in Cairo was advised by this individual’s lawyers that he is facing differing charges than some other defendants in the group trial.
This information has been subsequently re-confirmed to the Embassy, and we are informed that the most serious charges applied to some of the group do not apply to this individual. However, the charges faced by this individual must nonetheless be addressed and my Department is seeking further clarification on their likely implications.
I most recently discussed the case with my Egyptian counterpart on 27 April and we agreed to keep our channels of communication open.
Given that this trial is underway, the Irish government must exercise restraint in its public comment. This is entirely consistent with our approach in other consular cases, what we firmly believe to be in this Irish citizen’s best interests, and to be most likely to contribute to a positive outcome for him.
The next hearing of the trial is due to take place on 3 June. Embassy officials have been in attendance at each of his hearings so far and will attend again on 3 June. Officials in my Department will continue to provide consular support both to the citizen himself and to his family and to take all appropriate action that is in his best interests.
Human Rights
Ceisteanna (771)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:771. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied), in view of statements made to Dáil Éireann by An Taoiseach on 14 May 2015, specifically regarding the charges against the person, and the scheduled hearings on the case; if he has discussed this specific matter with his Egyptian counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20120/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Taoiseach informed the Dáil on 14 May, at the most recent hearing in this case our Embassy in Cairo was advised by this individual’s lawyers that he is facing differing charges than some other defendants in the group trial.
This information has been subsequently re-confirmed to the Embassy, and we are informed that the most serious charges applied to some of the group do not apply to this individual. However, the charges faced by this individual must nonetheless be addressed and my Department is seeking further clarification on their likely implications.
I most recently discussed the case with my Egyptian counterpart on 27 April and we agreed to keep our channels of communication open.
Given that this trial is underway, the Irish government must exercise restraint in its public comment. This is entirely consistent with our approach in other consular cases, what we firmly believe to be in this Irish citizen’s best interests, and to be most likely to contribute to a positive outcome for him.
The next hearing of the trial is due to take place on 3 June. Embassy officials have been in attendance at each of his hearings so far and will attend again on 3 June. Officials in my Department will continue to provide consular support both to the citizen himself and to his family and to take all appropriate action that is in his best interests.
Human Rights
Ceisteanna (772)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:772. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify statements made to Dáil Éireann on 14 May 2015 by An Taoiseach, in relation to the case of a person (details supplied), specifically regarding the charges against that person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20121/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Taoiseach informed the Dáil on 14 May, at the most recent hearing in this case our Embassy in Cairo was advised by this individual’s lawyers that he is facing differing charges than some other defendants in the group trial.
This information has been subsequently re-confirmed to the Embassy, and we are informed that the most serious charges applied to some of the group do not apply to this individual. However, the charges faced by this individual must nonetheless be addressed and my Department is seeking further clarification on their likely implications.
I most recently discussed the case with my Egyptian counterpart on 27 April and we agreed to keep our channels of communication open.
Given that this trial is underway, the Irish government must exercise restraint in its public comment. This is entirely consistent with our approach in other consular cases, what we firmly believe to be in this Irish citizen’s best interests, and to be most likely to contribute to a positive outcome for him.
The next hearing of the trial is due to take place on 3 June. Embassy officials have been in attendance at each of his hearings so far and will attend again on 3 June. Officials in my Department will continue to provide consular support both to the citizen himself and to his family and to take all appropriate action that is in his best interests.
Human Rights
Ceisteanna (773)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:773. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied), in view of the Taoiseach's statements to Dáil Éireann on 14 May 2015, specifically regarding the charges against the person and the scheduled hearings on the case; if he has discussed this specific matter with his Egyptian counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19860/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Taoiseach informed the Dáil on 14 May, at the most recent hearing in this case our Embassy in Cairo was advised by this individual’s lawyers that he is facing differing charges than some other defendants in the group trial.
This information has been subsequently re-confirmed to the Embassy, and we are informed that the most serious charges applied to some of the group do not apply to this individual. However, the charges faced by this individual must nonetheless be addressed and my Department is seeking further clarification on their likely implications.
I most recently discussed the case with my Egyptian counterpart on 27 April and we agreed to keep our channels of communication open.
Given that this trial is underway, the Irish government must exercise restraint in its public comment. This is entirely consistent with our approach in other consular cases, what we firmly believe to be in this Irish citizen’s best interests, and to be most likely to contribute to a positive outcome for him.
The next hearing of the trial is due to take place on 3 June. Embassy officials have been in attendance at each of his hearings so far and will attend again on 3 June. Officials in my Department will continue to provide consular support both to the citizen himself and to his family and to take all appropriate action that is in his best interests.
Public Sector Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (774)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Ceist:774. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the next First Secretary competition will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20074/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An internal competition for promotion to First Secretary has been announced in my Department and the closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 25 May 2015.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (775)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:775. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the attempted coup in Burundi. [20090/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am seriously concerned at the political situation and the violence in Burundi. Over the past two weeks, there has been a wave of killings, militias have acted with impunity, and the country has experienced arbitrary arrests, intimidation, forced closures of media outlets and the targeting of human rights defenders. I have condemned the coup attempt by senior military figures on 13 and 14 May, which added to the rising toll of death and injury and increased the numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Burundi has experienced recurring violence over the years since its independence in 1962. The recent street protests arose in response to a decision by the ruling party to name President Pierre Nkurunziza as its candidate for a third presidential term in elections scheduled for June. Widespread complaints that this breaches established term-limits were considered by the Constitutional Court of Burundi, which pronounced on 5 May that the candidacy is constitutional.
We discussed the situation in Burundi at the EU Foreign Affairs Council which I attended in Brussels on 18 May. The Council condemned the attempted coup, highlighted the need for restraint, re-stated the importance of inclusive and transparent political dialogue and expressed support for the mediation efforts of the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative, the African Union and the East African Community. The Council also stressed the importance of a credible, transparent and non-violent election process in the country and noted that, as conditions conducive to the holding of elections are not in place at the moment, they should be postponed within constitutional limitations.
I am also following the situation in Burundi through our Ambassador in Dar-es-Salaam, who is also accredited to Burundi. I am particularly concerned about the plight of Burundian refugees, with as many as 47,000 now in Tanzania. Our Embassy in Dar-es-Salaam is closely monitoring refugee movements and engaging with and supporting the local efforts of the UN High Commission for Refugees. In 2014, Ireland provided approximately €1 million to NGO partners, Concern Worldwide and Civicus, for their work in Burundi.