Colm Keaveney
Ceist:152. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will seek extra funds (details supplied) for dementia in the forthcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34912/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMental Health Services Funding
Ceisteanna (152)
Freagraí scríofa
The Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014. This delivers on a commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a national Alzheimer’s and other dementias strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and develop enhanced community based services.
The Department of Health and the HSE have agreed a joint initiative with the Atlantic Philanthropies to implement significant elements of the Strategy over the period 2014-2017. This National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme will represent a combined investment of €27.5m, with Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12 million, and the HSE contributing €15.5 million.
This programme will promote a greater focus on timely diagnosis of dementia and on the value of early intervention, along with the long-term objective of making people in Ireland generally more aware and understanding of the needs of people with dementia, and of the contribution that those with dementia continue to make to our society.
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. The resource material will include training materials and guidance on local services and contact points, etc.
- Measures to raise public awareness, address stigma, and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia.
A Monitoring Group, chaired by the Department of Health, has been established to assist with and advise on implementation of the National Dementia Strategy, including the National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme. This Group includes health professionals, administrators, researchers, and advocates. The Group also includes a person living with dementia and a representative of those who care for people with dementia. The most recent meeting of this Monitoring Group was held on 24 September 2015.
The question of funding for dementia services next year is being considered as part of the Estimates Process 2016 which is currently underway, and the recommendations received have been noted in this context.
Hospital Investigations
Ceisteanna (153)
Billy Timmins
Ceist:153. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 878 of 9 June 2015, the details of an incident that occurred in St. Vincent's hospital in Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34915/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to your further question about this incident, I have again asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (154)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:154. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding for vital services for persons with autism (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34932/15]
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.
As this is a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the 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.
Home Help Service Provision
Ceisteanna (155)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:155. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding providing vital home help services for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34933/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Departmental Staff Relocation
Ceisteanna (156)
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:156. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the total number of staff under the remit of his Department that have applied to be transferred to departmental or State agency offices located outside the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35296/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Civil Servants who are interested in transfers to regional offices can seek such transfers through the Central Transfer Lists or the Central Applications Facility which was maintained in the context of the decentralisation programme. In addition Civil Servants can also seek transfers through their Staff Association for head to head swaps. More recently staff have also had the opportunity to apply for many redeployment vacancies in the Public Service as previously advertised by the Public Appointments Service.
This Department does not maintain a list of all such applications. Details of staff who have applied for such transfers to specific regional locations would be available from the Department currently maintaining the respective Central Transfer list for that location.
We are collating the information in relation to the non-commercial semi state bodies under my Departments aegis and will revert to the Deputy on receipt. With regard to HSE employees, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Departmental Staff Relocation
Ceisteanna (157)
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:157. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the total number of staff under the remit of his Department that have applied to be transferred to departmental or State agency offices located outside the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35295/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Two Executive Officers and four Clerical Officers from my Department have applied for a transfer to another Government office outside Dublin within the last two years.
Charitable and Voluntary Organisations
Ceisteanna (158)
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:158. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the Greater Chernobyl Cause may expect to receive follow-up action in regard to the provision of assistance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34760/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has recently been in contact with the Greater Chernobyl Cause who are organising a national competition for schools in 2016, in relation to any logistical supports that may be available to assist the project. I am pleased to inform you that my Department has agreed to assist the organisers in publicising the competition and has agreed to disseminate information about the competition to schools. My Department are awaiting the publicity information from the organisers which will be available shortly.
SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Data
Ceisteanna (159)
Tom Fleming
Ceist:159. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons in County Kerry who have applied for the Momentum Ignite programme; the number who were successful and-or completed the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34763/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This is a day to day operational matter for SOLAS and I have asked them to reply directly to the deputy.