Written Answers Nos. 153-163
153. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will re-instate funding to a bereavement support group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43220/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its establishment, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has engaged in a comprehensive and much needed programme of reform across our child welfare and protection system. In this regard, Tusla must ensure that it makes the most effective use of its resources in a manner that is sustainable.
Tusla's budget is directed towards services which are best aligned to those outcomes in its Corporate Plan, with priority being given to front line services. It is in this context that Tusla has decided to cease funding the organisation in question
Tusla values the work of bereavement support groups and recognises the positive contribution they have made in supporting families and local communities.
Tusla appreciates that this withdrawal of funding will create a challenge for bereavement support groups going forward and extends its thanks for the work undertaken by the group in question over the years.
154. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if children (details supplied) in County Cork will be able to avail of the second early childhood care and education scheme year; the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43249/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, children qualify for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme when they are within the qualifying age range which is 3 years and 2 months to 4 years and 7 months in the September of the relevant year. This means, for example, that children born between 2 February 2011 and 30 June 2012 qualified for free pre-school from September 2015.
In Budget 2016, it was announced that, from September 2016, children will be eligible to start free pre-school when they turn age 3, and can continue in free pre-school until they start primary school (once the child is not older than 5½ years at the end of the relevant pre-school year i.e. end June). Until this date however, the current eligibility criteria and rules of the Programme will remain.
Currently, children are entitled to one year free pre-school (i.e. 38 weeks during the academic year) under this Programme. As the first child mentioned by the Deputy availed of this entitlement during the 2014/5 programme year, no additional provision can be made for him. In addition, the second child mentioned by the Deputy is below the age range for eligibility for ECCE in the 2015/2016 programme year but will qualify for the 2016/17 programme year.
This extension of free pre-school will increase the number of children benefiting from free pre-school from about 67,000 per annum, to 127,000 in a given programme year. Accommodating this increase requires a significant increase in capacity in the pre-school sector; pre-school services need time to consider and implement any needed infrastructural or service changes, and to put in place extra staff resources. The September 2016 implementation date was set to allow pre-school providers to put such measures in place.
It is appreciated that this does mean that a small cohort of children, including one of the children referred to by the Deputy, while continuing to avail of the 38 week entitlement to free pre-school currently provided under the ECCE programme, will not benefit from additional free pre-school provided under this new budgetary measure. However, should an earlier start date have been chosen, the likelihood is that there would not have been sufficient capacity in the sector to accommodate all children.
155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will augment the funding available to Kildare youth services, with particular reference to Leixlip youth project which has to meet demands in excess of the ordinary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43412/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 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 2015, funding of €49.9m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
An amount of €488,200 has been allocated for the projects and services under Kildare Youth Services, which operates under Youth Work Ireland. My Department provides funding to Kildare Youth Services under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme in respect of six local youth projects in Athy, Naas, Leixlip, Newbridge, the Curragh and Kildare town and a Youth Information Centre in Naas.
Last week, I was pleased to allocate €1.17m in ‘once-off’ funding to assist youth projects that are experiencing budgetary difficulties as they approach the end of the year. An allocation of €10,000 was made to Leixlip Youth Project. The youth projects came to my Department's attention through engagement with the national youth organisations, youth officers in the Education and Training Boards, through representations and submissions received and through regular meetings with youth services in the course of the year.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that Budget 2016 has provided an additional €1.1m in current youth funding to my Department bringing the total allocation to €51m to support the voluntary youth services in 2016. The additional funding will be used for programmes that target disadvantaged young people and to assist national youth organisations in their work to support local voluntary youth services.
In addition, €2.75m in capital funding has been allocated to my Department for 2016. In the main, this funding will be used to support smaller scale projects, such as refurbishments, health and safety works, and accessibility improvements in youth services.
My Department has commenced work on the detailed allocations for the national youth organisations and local services and projects funded under the various schemes. Every effort is being made to notify youth organisations and projects of their 2016 allocation as soon as possible. Details of the new capital funding scheme will be announced early in the New Year.
156. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the financial allocation to each family resource centre in 2015 and the basis on which these allocations were made, in tabular form. [43451/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy was sought from Tusla and is set out in the table. Tusla has confirmed that allocations are agreed on the basis of a Family Resource Centre's length of time in the Family Resource Centre Programme and the number of staff it employs.
|
Family Resource Centre |
Budget 2015 |
|
ABBEYDORNEY/KILFLYNN (T/A SHANNOW) |
€98,770.00 |
|
ADRIGOLE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD (T/A THE CAHA CENTRE) |
€140,230.00 |
|
ARD FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€113,238.00 |
|
ARDEN VIEW COMMUNITY & FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€135,630.00 |
|
ARTANE COOLOCK RESOURCE & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE LTD |
€98,407.00 |
|
BAGENALSTOWN FRC |
€138,210.00 |
|
BALALLY FRC LTD |
€97,770.00 |
|
BALDOYLE FAMILY RESOURCE SERVICES LTD |
€110,785.00 |
|
BALLINA FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€105,550.00 |
|
BALLINROBE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€148,256.00 |
|
BALLYBODEN FRC |
€74,990.00 |
|
BALLYDUFF FAMILY & COMMUNITY SUPPORT FORUM LTD.(Buds) |
€86,600.00 |
|
BALLYFERMOT RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€90,680.00 |
|
BALLYMOTE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€114,450.00 |
|
BALLYMUN CHILD AND FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€110,410.00 |
|
BALLYOGAN FRC |
€94,670.00 |
|
BALLYSPILLANE COMMUNITY & FRC Centre Ltd |
€103,800.00 |
|
BREFFNI COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD |
€91,290.00 |
|
BRIDGEWAYS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€98,170.00 |
|
CAIRDEAS KILMOVEE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€87,780.00 |
|
CARA HOUSE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€90,580.00 |
|
CARA PHORT FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€84,910.00 |
|
CASTLEBAR LE CHEILE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€88,670.00 |
|
CASTLEMAINE FRC LTD (T/A MAINE VALLEY FAMILY CENTRE) |
€100,810.00 |
|
CHERRY ORCHARD FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€145,535.00 |
|
CLANN RESOURCE CENTRE OUGHTERARD LTD |
€130,250.00 |
|
CLARA COMMUNITY & FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€141,100.00 |
|
CLAREMORRIS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€87,310.00 |
|
CLONES FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€89,511.00 |
|
COBH FRC |
€123,481.00 |
|
CONNECT FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€87,790.00 |
|
CROOM FRC |
€96,170.00 |
|
CURRAGH PRIDE FRC LTD |
€96,231.00 |
|
DONEGAL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€103,590.00 |
|
DOWNSTRANDS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€98,390.00 |
|
DROICHEAD FRC LTD (Callan) |
€93,870.00 |
|
DROICHEAD NA DAOINE Ltd |
€92,133.00 |
|
DUAGH FAMILY & COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€108,350.00 |
|
DUNFANAGHY COMMUNITY & FAMILY RESOURCE LTD |
€113,260.00 |
|
DUNMANWAY FRC |
€96,560.00 |
|
FACT BALLINCOLLIG FRC |
€103,750.00 |
|
FAMILY LIFE CENTRE |
€114,850.00 |
|
FATIMA GROUPS UTD |
€155,180.00 |
|
FOCUS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LIMITED |
€88,470.00 |
|
FORWARD STEPS RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€127,783.00 |
|
GOREY FRC |
€94,350.00 |
|
GORT RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€111,760.00 |
|
GREYSTONES FRC |
€93,040.00 |
|
HILL STREET FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€90,418.00 |
|
HILLVIEW COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€125,468.00 |
|
HOSPITAL FRC |
€137,860.00 |
|
KERRYHEAD/BALLYHEIGUE FRC |
€98,530.00 |
|
KILLALOE BALLINA FRC |
€131,850.00 |
|
KILLINARDEN FRC |
€116,255.00 |
|
KILLORGLIN FRC |
€104,020.00 |
|
LE CHEILE FRC (Mallow) Ltd |
€137,350.00 |
|
LISTOWEL FRC LTD |
€151,082.00 |
|
LOUGHREA FAMILY & COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€99,080.00 |
|
LUS NA GREINE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€93,970.00 |
|
MEVAGH FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE (MEITHEAL MHIOBHAIGH TEORANTA) |
€142,463.00 |
|
MIDLETON COMMUNTIY FORUM LTD |
€96,580.00 |
|
MILL FRC |
€94,350.00 |
|
MILLENIUM FRC |
€148,053.00 |
|
MOHILL FAMILY SUPPORT CENTRE LTD |
€137,658.00 |
|
MONSIGNOR MCCARTHY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€92,304.00 |
|
MOUNTVIEW FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€127,837.00 |
|
MOVILLE & DISTRICT FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€131,100.00 |
|
MULLAGHMATT CORTOLVIN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LTD |
€135,667.00 |
|
NEART HAMHNAIS TEORANTA (BALLYHAUNIS FAMILY RESOURCE) |
€91,110.00 |
|
NEWBRIDGE FRC LTD |
€140,453.00 |
|
NEWPARKCLOSE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LTD |
€142,040.00 |
|
NORTHSIDE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€166,717.00 |
|
NORTHWEST CLARE FRC |
€115,983.00 |
|
PORTLAOISE FAMILY & COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€139,010.00 |
|
QUARRYVALE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€83,960.00 |
|
RAHEEN COMM DEVELOPMENT GROUP LTD |
€135,700.00 |
|
RAPHOE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€149,401.00 |
|
ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP LTD |
€96,972.00 |
|
SACRED HEART COMM & CHILDCARE PROJECT LTD |
€95,319.00 |
|
SCHOOL ST & THOMAS COURT BAWN FRC LTD |
€140,898.00 |
|
SHANAKILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€138,140.00 |
|
SHANNON FRC |
€94,912.00 |
|
SLIGO FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€104,370.00 |
|
SOLAS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€105,040.00 |
|
SOUTH WEST KERRY FRC LTD |
€95,190.00 |
|
SOUTHEND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP LTD |
€97,071.00 |
|
SOUTHILL FRC |
€140,440.00 |
|
SPAFIELD FRC LTD |
€125,253.00 |
|
ST ANDREW'S RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€177,070.00 |
|
ST BRIGID'S COMMUNTIY CENTRE |
€87,570.00 |
|
ST BRIGIDS FAMILY & COMMUNITY CENTRE (Waterford) |
€150,640.00 |
|
ST CANICES COMMUNITY ACTION LTD |
€155,610.00 |
|
ST JOHNSTON & CARRIGANS FAMILY RESOURCE GROUP |
€134,700.00 |
|
ST KEVINS FRC |
€96,360.00 |
|
ST MATTHEWS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€96,640.00 |
|
TAGHMON FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€101,150.00 |
|
TEACH OSCAIL FRC PROJECT |
€96,640.00 |
|
THE FORGE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€115,470.00 |
|
THE PEOPLES RESOURCE CENTRE KELLS LTD |
€102,693.00 |
|
THREE DRIVES FRC |
€96,530.00 |
|
TRIM FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€116,902.00 |
|
TUBBERCURRY FRC |
€134,800.00 |
|
WEST CLARE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE (Kilrush) |
€124,660.00 |
|
WEST SLIGO FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD |
€106,730.00 |
|
WESTPORT FAMILY & COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE |
€137,926.00 |
|
SOUTH WEST WEXFORD COMM DEV GROUP |
€116,068.00 |
|
BALGADDY CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE (paid to Dublin South Partnership) |
€80,698.00 |
|
Pilot Projects |
|
|
Bandon |
€65,000.00 |
|
Beara |
€76,073.00 |
|
TOTAL |
€12,257,174.00 |
157. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that at some respite care facilities for children, parents now have to pay for any respite care time over 30 days per year where nursing care is required and that this is not means tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43289/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCharges for the maintenance element of long-stay in-patient services – which may include respite in-patient services and which apply to adults with full or limited eligibility – are provided for under the Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005, as amended.
Children under the age of 18 are exempt from these charges. On foot of the Deputy's question, I arranged for enquiries to be made regarding the issues raised and have ascertained that they relate to a young adult, rather than a child.
Under the Act, long-stay charges for in-patient services only apply to the further provision of in-patient services to adults 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. Those receiving ongoing acute care as well as those being supported under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme are excluded from these charges.
The Regulations provide for two different classes of income-based charges in respect of the maintenance element of the in-patient services provided:
- Class 1 relates to charges for those receiving in-patient services on premises where 24-hour nursing care is provided, subject to a current maximum of €175 per week for a person whose income is €208 or more, and
- Class 2 charges apply where 24-hour nursing care is not provided, subject to a current maximum of €130 per week for a person whose income is €194 or more.
Affordability and the avoidance of financial hardship are built-in features of the charging provisions under the 2005 Act and Regulations:
- Firstly, the Act caps the amount which may be charged – at 80% of the non-contributory State Pension weekly rate. At present, that means an upper limit of €175.20 per week.
- Secondly, the charges are structured to ensure that those paying them retain a reasonable 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.
- Thirdly, the Act provides that the HSE may reduce or waive a charge imposed on a person if necessary to avoid undue financial hardship.
To assist in the fair application of the provisions of the 2005 Act and Regulations, the HSE has developed national guidelines for the determination of long-stay charges for in-patient services. These include the need to have regard to the individual circumstances of each service user and his or her dependants. The guidelines ensure that the applicable charge is determined taking account of each person’s income and necessary outgoings while receiving care, including reasonable regular financial commitments. This avoids any unfair burden on the service user or his or her dependants.
158. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to address the long waiting times for an outpatient appointment at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42998/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe University of Limerick Hospitals Group is committed to reducing waiting times for out-patient appointments, not only in University Hospital Limerick, but across the Hospital Group. An Outpatient Lead has been appointed to oversee the management of the waiting list, and improvements in waiting time performance are being achieved.
The Group achieved the maximum permissible waiting time of 18 months by 30 June 2015, and is on target to achieve the maximum permissible waiting time for an outpatient appointment of 15 months by year end. To this end, a series of measures are being put in place. Firstly, waiting lists have been validated to ensure accuracy. In addition, an exercise is underway to ensure that all appointment slots are being used appropriately, and contact is made with patients in advance of their appointment in an effort to minimise the number of people who do not attend.
Specialties have been identified where additional measures are required to achieve waiting time improvement. In specialties such as ENT and Orthopaedics, arrangements are in place to refer patients, as appropriate, to private facilities. Additional clinics have been put in place across the Group in certain specialties such as Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics and Neurology. A locum Consultant Neurologist has been employed for 2 weeks to facilitate additional clinics in that specialty.
Looking ahead, the University of Limerick Hospitals Group is centralising the process for the management of all new outpatient referrals. Work to streamline the service and deliver on shorter patient wait times, is already well underway, and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2016.
159. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding in 2016 for the construction of a new Holy Angels day care facility in County Carlow to replace the outdated prefabricated facility which is home to the support services of mental and physically disabled children. [43203/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the status on locating a new respite house, Tír na nÓg, for the Holy Angels day care facility in County Carlow. [43204/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions 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.
161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a person who holds a long-term illness card and a medical card is entitled to a waiver of the prescription levy in respect of all medicines dispensed to that person, or only in respect of medicines for illnesses covered by the scheme. [43209/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. The conditions covered by the LTI Scheme 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.
A person holding an active LTI book is not required to pay prescription charges for medicines dispensed under the LTI Scheme and directly related to the specific illness covered by the scheme. Medicines dispensed to the same person under the General Medical Services (medical card) Scheme are subject to a prescription charge of €2.50 per item, with a monthly cap of €25 per person or family.
162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who received refunds of prescription charges; the value of refunds arising from the change of the Health Service Executive's policy to allow medical card holders to also hold a long-term illness card. [43210/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you.
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.
163. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 695 of 2 July 2013, the number of psychiatric nursing staff officially appointed or allocated; of involuntary resident patients; of long-term involuntary or forensic patients; and of those deemed suitable for accommodation in an intensive care rehabilitation unit; in each unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43211/15]
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.
