Written Answers Nos. 41 - 60
41. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contacts between his office and a person (details supplied); the inquiries he has made on foot of the person's complaint; the actions which were taken by the Commission for Public Service Appointments to investigate the complaint; his views on each of the individual claims submitted by the person; and his proposals to address the concerns raised by the person. [29928/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) is an independent statutory body. It is responsible for overseeing appointments to a wide range of positions in the Civil and Public Service. In carrying out its oversight role, it audits recruitment processes and examines complaints from individuals unhappy with the conduct of an appointment process. The CPSA may make recommendations, offer advice or give instructions to recruiting bodies within its remit. However, it does not have the statutory authority to reverse a recruitment decision taken by one of those recruiting bodies.
As it is an independent statutory body, my Department has no involvement in the examination of complaints made to the CPSA.
However I am advised that the person for whom the details have been provided did make a complaint to the CPSA in 2015 and, following its examination of the matters complained about, the CPSA issued a report on the matter to the individual and to the recruiting body concerned. I am also informed that the complaint was partially upheld and that the CPSA recommended to the recruiting body that it review its process with a view to ensuring that candidates are assessed in a more consistent manner.
The complaint has been fully and properly addressed.
42. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the current Stage of the Heritage Bill 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29934/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Heritage Bill 2016 passed its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016 and is included in the Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 8 June 2016. It is intended that this Bill will proceed to the Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.
43. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will counteract funding cuts and invest in the development of the Irish language and Gaeltacht authorities by allocating €4.5 million in the upcoming budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29945/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Budget Estimates for 2017 were published by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, yesterday and contain an allocation of €46.736m in total for programme expenditure on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Islands. In addition, €13.239m has also been allocated to An Foras Teanga for 2017.
In addition, I was pleased to confirm yesterday an additional capital allocation of €2.4m in 2016 for Údarás na Gaeltachta, which will greatly assist the organisation in creating and maintaining jobs in Gaeltacht areas.
44. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the European Commission has granted approval to a company (details supplied) for the purchase of Project Jewel and the Moore Street battlefield, as defined by the recent High Court decision; if not, the body which is currently in charge of the land on which it sits; the body which is the direct employer of the archaeologists who are working on the Moore Street national monuments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29901/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra45. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will identify the employer of each worker currently operating on the Moore Street national monument and the contract on which the employment exists; the objectives of the contract; and the person or company which pays the salaries of these employees. [29920/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra46. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount which has been spent on the Moore Street national monument, as defined by the High Court, by the State in all its activities up until the High Court decision; the amount which has been spent by the State on all activities in this area since; and the money which has been spent in both scenarios. [29921/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra47. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the person who is the current owner of the lands of the national monument on Moore Street, as defined by the High Court decision; and if there are any loans associated with these lands in the charge of NAMA. [29922/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 44 to 47, inclusive, together.
Nos. 14-17 and part of No. 18 Moore Street are in my ownership as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. My functions in this case under the National Monuments Acts do not include oversight of ownership of other properties in the area or interactions between the owners of such properties and other official bodies and institutions. I have no statutory function in relation to these matters, or in regard to the conveyance of ownership or the disposal of loans associated with those properties.
I understand that, in the context of the work of the Moore Street Consultative Forum, the Deputy has been furnished with details of the interdisciplinary project and construction teams responsible for the ongoing works to preserve and protect the buildings in my ownership as Minister. The personnel involved are employed by the companies identified and consequently my Department would not have the information sought by the Deputy in relation to terms of employment and associated matters. I am advised that it would not be appropriate to disclose any such personal information in the context of data protection laws and the rights of the individuals.
All of the costs incurred by my Department to date have related to the acquisition of the buildings in my ownership as Minister (i.e. Nos. 14-17 and part of No. 18 Moore Street) and to works carried out for the purpose of their protection and preservation. The overall amount to date is €4.35m.
48. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé ar intinn aici a iarraidh ar Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe dul ar aghaidh leis an bpleanáil ar na hoibreacha breise a theastaíonn ag Cé an Chalaidh Mhóir, Inis Meáin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29995/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar is eol don Teachta, is cúram do Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe Cé an Chaladh Mhóir. Cé nach bhfuil acmhainní ag mo Roinnse i láthair na huaire chun oibreacha a chuir chun cinn ag an gcé sin, tá iarrtha agam ar mo chuid oifigigh an cheist maidir le réamh-phleanáil don togra a phlé leis an gComhairle Contae.
Ní miste dom a lua gur thug mé cead le déanaí an soláthar €6m a bhí ar fáil do mo Roinnse i mbliana ar mhaithe leis an togra muiroibreacha atá beartaithe d'Inis Oírr a thairiscint do Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe d’fhonn réiteach fad-théarmach a fháil ar an bhfadhb stairiúil a bhain le caiteachas breise suntasach a bhí ag seasamh amach i ndáil leis an obair fheabhsúcháin a rinneadh ar chéanna ar Inis Meáin agus ar Árainn le cabhair deontais ó mo Roinn roinnt blianta siar.
Bhí ar mo chumas an chéim sin a ghlacadh nuair ba léir nach mbeadh an tsuim €6m iníoctha i mbliana do thogra Inis Oírr. Táthar ag súil anois go lorgófar tairiscintí don obair thógála ag Inis Oírr in 2017 agus tá soláthar €2m déanta agam sna Meastacháin chuige sin, figiúr a mheastar a bheidh dóthaineach don bhliain seo chugainn.
49. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the main areas of underspend against profile, broken down by subhead, by her Department up to 30 September 2016 that has led to an underspend of €11 million or 5.7% on current and an underspend of €23 million or 34.6% on capital against profile on that date; the expected outturn at the year end on current and capital broken down the same way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29996/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of provisional expenditure in respect of my Department and all Government Departments are published at Vote level by the Department of Finance on a monthly basis. Provisional current and capital expenditure figures in respect of my Department at Vote level as of 31 August 2016 are available at http://www.finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/Appendix%20III%20-%20End-August%202016%20Gross%20Voted%20Expenditure_0.pdf and details of expenditure as of 30 September 2016 will be published shortly. Details of the actual outturn for my Department at subhead level for 2016 will be published in due course in the Annual Appropriation Account and will be available on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General as was the case for previous years.
Underspend against profile has occurred principally in relation to the Arts Programme, in respect of once off Decade of Centenary projects, and the Rural and Regional Programmes, which transferred to my Department in June. While it is too early to accurately forecast the end of year outturn at this point in the year, no savings beyond those which can be carried forward by deferred surrender are envisaged at present.
50. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) who requires early intervention services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29986/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
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.
51. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there are mental health services available outside of the average business hours, that is, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29894/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra24/7 cover is provided within mental health services by a number of interlinked components across the services. These are as follows:
- During normal working hours i.e. 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday, the Community Mental Health Teams responsible for each age group (children and adolescents, working age adults and older persons) are available to respond to crises. For existing patients of the service, the usual route is that they contact their community mental health nurse or health and social care professional as appropriate. For those without previous contact, the route is through the person’s GP who requests an urgent assessment. All mental health teams keep slots for urgent referrals for a person who is acutely suicidal or severely depressed. On occasion where there is no slot available, the cases booked for that day have to be rearranged to facilitate an urgent assessment.
- During the above hours a person may present to the Emergency Department. The Mental Health Division, arising from the Programme for Government investment since 2012, has now ensured that all Level 4 hospitals have a Liaison Psychiatry Service available on the site of the acute hospital. This service provides prompt assessments in the Emergency Department. Most Level 3 hospitals now have either a service in place or one is planned with the allocation from the Programme for Government in 2015. For the latter, recruitment is taking place and where the liaison service is not yet in place the local service has an alternative arrangement whereby the person is assessed by a liaison nurse or NCHD and the consultant on duty for that day provides advice on management.
- The National Clinical Programme (NCP) for the Assessment and Management of Self-Harm in Emergency Departments began in December 2014. Under this programme 25 senior mental health nurses at Clinical Nurse Specialist level have been trained and deployed to Emergency Departments. This facilitates an onsite, rapid response to those who have self-harmed and/or are suicidal. It supplements and works with the Liaison Psychiatry Service to provide a bespoke response to those who are suicidal or have self-harmed.
- During the on call period i.e. between 5pm and 9am Monday to Friday and throughout the weekend period, there is a Consultant Psychiatrist together with a Psychiatric Registrar or Senior House Officer on duty in acute hospitals. This provides the urgent/crisis response to people presenting to Emergency Departments during the on call period. Since December 2014, this has been supplemented by the development of the Self-Harm Clinical Programme such that where two nurses are available, extended hours are provided to the Emergency Department.
- In addition, approximately half the areas within the country provide a seven day week contact point for existing patients within the mental health service. This is provided for existing patients who are thought to require additional follow-up particularly during Saturday and Sunday when there are no clinics operating. Such patients may attend a designated point such as a day hospital or alternatively the nurse may visit the patient at home.
52. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an issue with children under six years of age and over awaiting sequential and bilateral cochlear implants at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, or Temple Street; when theatre and capacity issues referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 467 of 8 June 2016 will be addressed; the action being taken by the HSE; if he is aware of significant numbers of children waiting for these implants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29896/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBeaumont Hospital is the national centre for delivering Ireland’s national cochlear implant programme, with surgical provision for patients under six years being carried out in the Children’s University Hospital Temple Street. A simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation scheme for patients under six commenced in Temple Street in July 2014. The hospital had a two-year agreement (July 2014 - June 2016) in place with Beaumont Hospital for theatre access to facilitate an initiative on sequential cochlear implants treatments for previously unilateral implanted children under 6 years of age. In June 2016, Temple St completed its commitment to accommodate the treatment of all the under 6s children requiring sequential treatment – 210 in total.
In relation to the over 6s, this service is provided by Beaumont Hospital. While Temple Street is willing to have all paediatric cochlear implant services transferred from Beaumont, this needs to be done in a planned manner, and requires the development of the necessary infrastructure, including theatre capacity, to support the service transfer to Temple Street. Until such time as additional capacity is provided at Temple Street, the position is that service for older children continues to be under the remit of Beaumont Hospital, which has also experienced theatre capacity issues.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy in relation to action underway to address the theatre capacity issues.
53. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider allowing the use of cannabidiol oil to treat a person diagnosed with Dravet syndrome (details supplied), who otherwise faces the prospect of having to travel to the United States to access this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29898/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraCannabidiol (CBD) is derived from cannabis. However, since it does not have psychoactive properties it is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts.
While I am aware that CBD oil is sometimes marketed as a nutritional or dietary supplement, it should be noted that it is not authorised as a medicinal product in Ireland. Under European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market, the manufacturer must seek an authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or, in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency. A determination on an application for authorisation of a medicinal product is based on a rigorous scientific assessment of the application against the criteria of safety, quality, efficacy, legal and regulatory requirements.
Where a medicinal product is not authorised in Ireland, a licensed wholesaler may import it if it has been prescribed by a doctor for a patient under his/her care, on his/her direct responsibility and in order to meet the special needs of a patient. Therefore, if a CBD oil preparation does not contain an ingredient which is a controlled substance, such as THC, it may be feasible to have that product imported and used in Ireland, in accordance with specific conditions, should a patient’s doctor be of the opinion that this is an appropriate treatment.
On the wider issue of medicinal cannabis, I am aware that cannabis has been legalised for medicinal use in certain countries. The Deputy will be aware that a Private Members’ Bill on this issue was recently published. My officials are considering the contents of this Bill
54. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he intends dismantling the current directorate structure of the mental health services; if so, the nature of the replacement; if the new structures that are put in place will have their own leadership and budget as was recommended in A Vision For Change only seven years ago and at the time was lauded as a milestone and an indication that mental health would no longer be neglected; if his attention has been drawn to the damage that lack of leadership and funding will have on mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29907/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently discussing with the Health Service Executive a proposal for the restructuring of senior management in the Executive. The rationale for these proposed changes is to provide more dedicated focus at the most senior level of the HSE on the twin challenges of improved operational performance in our health service on a day to day basis and the planning of a significant programme of change to equip the health service to better meet current and future health challenges.
Changes in the senior management structures within the HSE are a matter in the first instance for the Director General. Accordingly, I am referring the specific question to the Executive for direct reply.
55. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the inequity in the services available across the nine community health care organisations; if his attention has further been drawn to the unequal division of health care workers throughout the areas (details supplied); his plans to ensure equitable service delivery of mental health treatment across the community health care areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29908/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
56. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if funding can be made available for a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29909/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
57. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29930/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 HSE, 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.
58. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if the implementation committee for the national positive ageing strategy has been appointed; if so, the names of the members; when they will meet and report; if it has not been appointed, when he plans to appoint the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29932/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware my Department is developing a new implementation proposal for the National Positive Ageing Strategy. This plan proposes mechanisms to facilitate the identification by NGO stakeholders of their policy priorities, along with regular on-going structured engagement between relevant State Agencies and stakeholders on the key issues so identified.
The details of the above will be finalised shortly.
59. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); his views on the issue of funding between COPE and the HSE in Cork north Lee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29935/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
60. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the caseload per speech and language therapist for counties Louth and Meath, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29936/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this 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.
