Written Answers Nos. 162-181
162. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason a school (details supplied) was not successfully awarded CLÁR funding despite meeting the necessary requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30211/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March last, with a closing date of 5 May. The programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
Funding for the 2017 CLÁR programme was available this year under four separate Measures:
Measure 1: Support for School and Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure
Measure 4: First Responder Supports
In total, more than 500 applications were received across the four Measures to the value of €15 million.
Funding to support projects under CLÁR this year was limited and it was not possible to fund all applications. In recent weeks, 230 successful projects were approved for funding, with a total of just under €7 million allocated across the four Measures.
In general, applications were assessed on the basis of their eligibility under the scheme criteria and on the quality of the documentation supporting their proposals, as required in the scheme guidelines. I can confirm that the application in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy was unsuccessful as adequate supporting documentation was not provided.
163. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if all agencies under her aegis have an up to date tax clearance certificate; the agencies which do not have an up to date tax clearance certificate; the reason they do not have a tax clearance certificate in each case, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30280/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that I am advised that a current tax clearance certificate is held by each of those bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department.
164. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of Aosdána members who have been refused a cnuas; and the reason for these refusals. [30295/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra165. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department has considered reforms to Aosdána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30296/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
Aosdána is an initiative established by the Arts Council in 1981 to honour creative artists who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Ireland. There are currently some 250 members of Aosdána. Individual m embers of Aosdána can qualify for a means-tested payment known as the Cnuas if they are resident in Ireland, are full-time practising artists and if their income is below the threshold for qualification.
The scheme is the responsibility of the Arts Council and not of my Department. Under section 24(2) of the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is independent of the Minister in its funding decisions. There are no plans by my Department to make reforms to this initiative.
Details of Aosdána membership including the names of members who receive funding are published every year in the Arts Council's Annual Report and on the Aosdána website at www.aosdana.ie.
166. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding ring fencing funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30417/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Vision For Change requires that mental health services are accessible to all who require them. The HSE Mental Health Division has prioritised the provision of seven-day services as a key priority for 2017.
The HSE Mental Health Division’s first priority is to ensure that all areas provide access to a weekend service for people currently attending the service. In recognition of this, it set up a Service Improvement Project with a dedicated Project Manager resource in November 2016.
This project is focused on a more detailed mapping of current provision at weekends and extended hours including uptake of the service.
The HSE Mental Health Division is also examining other options such as a phone helpline for people who are attending or have attended the Specialist Mental Health Services in the past. This would enable people in need of advice to obtain this immediately from a mental health professional.
In March 2017, HSE presented proposals for the extension of seven day Mental Health services coverage to Minister McEntee. This included identification of gaps in the current service. HSE advised that the extension would take the form of extra staff being added to existing Mental Health teams to facilitate increased out-of-hours coverage. This plan is currently being finalised.
From 2012 to 2016, around €115 million was added to the HSE Mental Health Budget. This is a significant increase and the Government is strongly committed to further increasing our mental health budget annually, as resources allow, to expand existing services.
Budget 2017 made allowance for an additional €35 million for services to be initiated in 2017. Key priorities to be addressed in the HSE's 2017 Service Plan include youth mental health, further improvement to CAMHs and adult services, older people's mental health services and further enhanced out-of-hours response for those in need of urgent services. Recognising the time lag in new staff taking up posts and the completion of preparations for the introduction of these services, it is estimated that the revenue spend in 2017 associated with this increased allocation will be €15 million. There will also be a further additional spend of €9.5 million in mental health associated with increased pay rates, bringing the total budget to over €850 million.
167. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure the drug Respreeza continues to be made available for persons suffering from genetic emphysema; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30247/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines 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 reply to the Deputy.
168. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients outsourced at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30257/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra169. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30258/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the outpatient waiting times at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017, by year, speciality and wait time bands (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30259/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra171. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick in each of the months of 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30260/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick in each of the months to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30261/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the operating budget for University Hospital Limerick in each of the years 2016 and 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30262/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the total agency spend at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30264/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent nursing positions in place at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30265/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of beds operational at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30266/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatient hospital cancellations at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30267/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra179. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient hospital cancellations at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30268/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra180. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient and outpatient did not attends at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30269/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra181. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of theatres operational at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra184. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of times the full capacity protocol was initiated at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30273/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 173, inclusive, 175 to 181, inclusive, and 184 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
174. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the capital budget or total capital spend at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30263/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the capital projects agreed and funded at University Hospital Limerick; the details and overview of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30271/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra183. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number and cost of each capital project funded by the HSE and his Department at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30272/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 174, 182 and 183 together.
As the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to the approved capital projects it has funded and their cost at University Hospital Limerick in 2016 and to date in 2017.
