Written Answers Nos. 165 - 174
165. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the proposed new National Children’s Hospital will be able to cope with the existing surrounding gridlock; his further views on whether major emergencies can be dealt with in an appropriate manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3672/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planning application to build the new children’s hospital on the St. James’s Campus included a traffic management and traffic mobility plan for the construction and operational phase which was endorsed by the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council. A 10-day oral hearing took place in December 2015 in which traffic evidence was presented in detail and allowed for cross questioning by those who had concerns. On 28 April 2016, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the new children’s hospital on the campus shared with St. James’s Hospital and for satellite urgent care centres on the campuses of Tallaght and Connolly Hospital without change to the proposed traffic and mobility plan.
An Bord Pleanála's inspector's report, which includes assessment and recommendations in relation to traffic impact at construction and operational stages, can be found at www.pleanala.ie/documents/reports/PA0/RPA0043.pdf.
In relation to the specific query raised on management of major emergencies, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
166. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the helipad services that will be available at the new National Children’s Hospital; if there will be no ground based helipad at the site; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a significant number of Coast Guard helicopters can only land on ground based helipads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3673/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere will be an elevated helipad at the new children's hospital, which will have direct and rapid access to the critical care, theatre and emergency departments within the hospital. This enhanced direct and rapid access will improve clinical outcomes for the sickest children and young people.
The Air Corps is the primary provider of paediatric helicopter services to the National Ambulance Service. Air Corps helicopters comprising Augusta Westland AW139 can land on a raised landing site or the roof of a building which is designed and certified for such operations. The Irish Coast Guard provides reserve support to the National Ambulance Service, when required, through its Sikorsky S92 search and rescue fleet primarily for search and rescue missions. The Sikorsky S92 helicopters are not licensed to land on helipads and, for access to the St. James's Campus, would land in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham from which patients would be transferred in an ambulance by road, which is current practice.
The majority of patient transfers to the three Dublin children’s hospitals are completed by road. In any major emergency rescue in a rural area, a Sikorsky Helicopter will bring the patient to the nearest regional hospital for stabilisation resulting in an appropriately planned transfer to the new children’s hospital.
167. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if public transport serving the St. James’s Hospital site will be increased to cater for the increased number of persons using the hospital following the construction of the new National Children’s Hospital and relocation of the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3674/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe campus at St. James’s hospital benefits from a full suite of transport options including private car, national rail, LUAS, bus, bicycle, pedestrian and taxi. Notwithstanding the public transport accessibility of the site, the need of most parents to access the hospital by car is recognised, and ample parking has been provided for families based on current and projected future demand.
The planning application to build the new children’s hospital on the St. James’s Campus included a traffic management and traffic mobility plan for the construction and operational phase which was endorsed by the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council. A 10-day oral hearing took place in December 2015 in which traffic evidence was presented in detail and allowed for cross questioning by those who had concerns. On 28 April 2016, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the new children’s hospital on the campus shared with St. James’s Hospital and for satellite urgent care centres on the campuses of Tallaght and Connolly Hospital without change to the proposed traffic and mobility plan.
An Bord Pleanála was satisfied with the measures proposed to mitigate traffic issues around the campus, and provide for parking (675 for families, 325 for staff), while also noting that no other site enjoys such connectivity with public transport.
168. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the financial assistance available to community groups wishing to set up a meals on wheels scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3676/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
169. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application to the NMBI in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3722/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartment officials sought and received a report on the matter from the NMBI and the content of that report is summarised below.
The NMBI have advised that the applicant applied for an application pack on 12 October 2016 which the applicant completed on 24 October 2016. She was advised of outstanding documents via email on 1 November 2016. The NMBI have further advised the Department that a document verifying the applicant's registration and good standing with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the United Kingdom was received in the NMBI on 28 November 2016 and the file was progressed to the next stage of the process which involves a full registration review of all the information received.
The NMBI have indicated that due to significant volumes of applications being handled by the NMBI at present, it was not possible for a full registration to take place until 12 January 2017. In this regard, please note that a total of 4,323 applications were issued during 2016 compared to 2,534 for the same period in 2015.
The NMBI have informed the Department that the applicant will be notified, via email today that her registration has been approved and she will be requested to make the final registration payment of €145 in order to place her name on the Register. The Director of Registration has requested that she is notified on receipt of this payment and she will ensure that the applicant's name is placed on the Register with immediate effect.
NMBI has advised that they continue to assess and enhance their registration processes and are responsive to issues raised by applicants. Many improvements have been implemented in recent weeks, e.g. a dedicated EU/EEA Registration Team has been established which will focus exclusively on processing EU applications received in line with EU Directive 2013/55/EU. A dedicated Non-EU Registration Team and a dedicated Irish Registration Team have also been established. Revisions to the NMBI's existing application forms and guidance documents are currently under review in order to assist applicants through the process - these are among a number of significant changes being implemented by the NMBI. These changes will enhance and improve the registration process for applicants while the NMBI will continue to review its processes to ensure that they meet requirements while also meeting the central principle of protecting the public.
170. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that the HSE followed all procedures in processing a complaint regarding the care of a person (details supplied); the reason the issues relative to the employee of the HSE are still not resolved; if he will insist on the HSE in resolving these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3723/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the HSE that this matter has been dealt with in accordance with the HSE HR policies and procedures.
With regard to any issues in relation to the employee which remain outstanding, it should be noted that the HSE continues in its efforts to bring this matter to a conclusion which will involve direct engagement with the employee.
171. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if all of the information requested by a person (details supplied) under the Freedom of Information Act as an employee of the HSE will be made available to them as soon as possible; if the full internal review of the decision relative to their request will be undertaken by a HSE official senior to the person who made the original decision and not by a person of the same grade; his views on whether the Act clearly states that a review cannot be conducted by an official of the same grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3724/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Freedom of Information Act does state that an internal review of a decision should be taken by a member of staff of a higher grade than the original decision maker. The Health Service Executive is an entirely separate body for the purposes of the FOI Act and, as with all other bodies, is responsible for ensuring it complies will all provisions of the Act.
If a requestor is dissatisfied with the outcome of an internal review the proper course of action is to refer the matter to the Office of the Information Commissioner which, I understand has, happened in this case,
172. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the investigation into the rescue of over 200 dogs in January 2016 by Wexford County Council, the WSPCA and the NWSPCS in Ferns, County Wexford has now concluded; the person or body that carried out these investigations; his views on the role and responsibility of the local authority in the investigation and welfare groups in this incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3544/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe investigation by Wexford County Council into this case is currently ongoing.
In this investigation Wexford County Council is receiving assistance from my Department's local Veterinary Officers, the Gardai, WSPCA and the County Veterinary Officer.
173. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the names of the financial institutions through which low cost loans will be made available to farmers. [3545/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of my priorities has been to address the impact on farmers of the sustained period of lower commodity prices, which has caused cash flow difficulties for farmers in several sectors. The “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme” was developed by my Department in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI). It will provide farmers with a low cost, flexible source of working capital and will allow them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises.
This innovative loan Scheme will make €150 million available to farmers throughout Ireland at low-cost interest rates of 2.95%. This is supported by €25 million being provided by my Department, including €11 million in EU exceptional adjustment aid. There were a number of applications submitted in response to the SBCI’s "Open Call" for financial institutions to participate in the Scheme, which were the subject of a formal approval process. The SBCI is aiming to bring the loans to market by the end of January and I hope to make an announcement in this regard shortly, including the details of participating financial institutions.
174. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when farmers in their last year of AEOS and who were expecting payment at the end of December 2016 will be paid. [3546/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place before final payments can issue. As all AEOS 2 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Officials are working through these files and payment will be made in all cases as soon as possible.
