Written Answers Nos. 126-135
126. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and nationality of persons detained in prisons here for breaches or suspected breaches of immigration regulations for each of the past five years. [52555/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the information requested in relation to the number and nationality of persons detained in prison for immigration-deportation reasons in each of the past five years is set out in the following table.
|
Nationality |
Yr 2017 to date |
Yr 2016 |
Yr 2015 |
Yr 2014 |
Yr 2013 |
Yr 2012 |
|
Afghanistan |
14 |
22 |
13 |
17 |
14 |
13 |
|
Albanian |
34 |
67 |
48 |
70 |
36 |
25 |
|
Algerian |
7 |
10 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
|
American |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
|
Andoran |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Angolan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Antillian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Argentinean |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Armenian |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Australian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Bangladeshi |
4 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Belgian |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Belizian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Belorussian |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Beninese |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Bolivian |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
11 |
|
Bosnian |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Botswanan |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Brazilian |
32 |
41 |
22 |
16 |
23 |
39 |
|
Bulgarian |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Burmese |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Burundian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Cameroon |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Canadian |
2 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Central African Republic |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Chad |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Chidden |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Chilean |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Chinese |
23 |
27 |
38 |
58 |
34 |
32 |
|
Colombian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Congolese |
0 |
1 |
5 |
8 |
10 |
6 |
|
Croatian |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Czech |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Danish |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Dominican Republican |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dutch |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Egyptian |
4 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
El Salvadorian |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Equatorial Guinean |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Eritrean |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Ethiopian |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Finn |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
French |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Gambian |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Georgian |
8 |
8 |
3 |
4 |
9 |
14 |
|
Ghanian |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
|
Greek |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
|
Guatamlan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Guyanan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Hondourian |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Hungarian |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Indian |
8 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Indonisian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Iranian |
2 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
10 |
|
Iraqi |
16 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Israeli |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Italian |
2 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
Ivory Coast |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Jamaican |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Japanese |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
|
Jordanian |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kazakhstan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Korean North |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Korean South |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kosovon |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Kuwaiti |
1 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kyrghyzstan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Latvian |
2 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Lebonese |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Lesothean |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Liberian |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Libyan |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Lithuanian |
5 |
6 |
5 |
8 |
6 |
7 |
|
Macedonian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Madeiran |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Malawian |
1 |
3 |
22 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
|
Malaysian |
6 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
|
Maltese |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mauritanian |
0 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Mauritius |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
Mexican |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Moldovan |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
|
Mongolian |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Moroccan |
0 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Mozambique |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Namibian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Nepalese |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
New Zealand |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Nicaraguan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Niger |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
Nigerian |
15 |
19 |
17 |
26 |
25 |
24 |
|
Norwegian |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
Pakistani |
36 |
25 |
24 |
27 |
21 |
24 |
|
Palestinian |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Panamanian |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Paraguayian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Peruvian |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Philippino |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Polish |
0 |
2 |
2 |
10 |
9 |
5 |
|
Portuguese |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Romanian |
6 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
10 |
|
Russian |
2 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
3 |
4 |
|
Sao Tome & Principe |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Saudi |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Senegese |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Serbian |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sierra Leonean |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Singaporese |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Slovak |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Slovenian |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Somalian |
7 |
21 |
8 |
12 |
11 |
4 |
|
South African |
8 |
25 |
8 |
4 |
17 |
18 |
|
Spanish |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
Sri Lankan |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Sudanese |
0 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
|
Surinam |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Swedish |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Swiss |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Syrian |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Taiwanese |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
2 |
|
Tanzanian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
|
Togo |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Tunisian |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Turkish |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Ugandan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|
Ukrainian |
2 |
7 |
22 |
10 |
9 |
7 |
|
Unknown |
6 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
10 |
1 |
|
Uruguayian |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Venezuelan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
9 |
3 |
|
Vietnamese |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Yemenese |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Zairian |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Zambian |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Zimbabwe |
3 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Total |
311 |
408 |
335 |
390 |
374 |
385 |
127. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and nationality of persons detained here due to the fact that they have been deemed illegal immigrants, face deportation, are being transferred to another member state under the Dublin regulation or have been refused leave to land, with particular reference to the length and outcome of each detention since 2015. [52556/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to information on the detention of persons refused leave to land, section 5 of the Immigration Act 2003 (as amended by the International Protection Act 2015), contains the main provisions dealing with the removal from the State of persons refused leave to land. It specifies that a person to whom this section applies may be arrested by an immigration officer or a member of An Garda Síochána and detained in a prescribed place of detention for the purpose of facilitating their removal from the State, which must be as soon as is practicable.
The table summarises the numbers of persons refused leave to land since 2015. In the vast majority of cases persons are returned on the next available flight within a short period of time. Others are granted a temporary permission to enter the State usually on the condition they report to their nearest Garda station. Only a very small number are detained for longer periods, usually until a return flight is available. Accordingly, these figures should not be interpreted as indicating any significant period of detention.
|
Year |
No. of refusals |
|
2015 |
3,451 |
|
2016 |
3,951 |
|
2017 to 1/9 * |
2,578 |
* The figure for 2017 is provisional and subject to change.
The enforcement of deportation orders and Dublin Regulation removal orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Accordingly, detention for the purpose of enforcement of such orders falls within the remit of the GNIB. I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the breakdown of data requested by the Deputy is not readily available, and that efforts to compile such information would require the expenditure of a disproportionate and inordinate amount of Garda resources and time. However, my officials are exploring this matter further with both An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service, and I will be in touch with the Deputy again in relation to this matter.
128. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to establish an IDA taskforce in the midlands in order to improve job creation in the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52441/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is strongly committed to regional development and my Department and its agencies are working towards ambitious targets to ensure that employment and investment are evenly distributed across the country, including across the Midlands.
The Midlands Action Plan for Jobs remains a key policy tool for supporting employment in that area. The second progress report on the Midlands plan was published earlier this year and it showed that substantial progress has been made towards that goal. The region, for example, was the second fastest growing in the country in the year to Q2 2017 with numbers employed up 5% to 122,400. The unemployment rate in the region has also dropped to 8.3%, representing a reduction of 4.2% since Q1 2015. My Department and its enterprise agencies continue to work together to implement the Midlands Action Plan and I am confident that the employment situation will continue to improve in the coming year.
In terms of specific efforts to encourage multinational-driven employment in the region, IDA Ireland markets the four counties of Mullingar, Longford, Laois and Offaly together as part of the Midlands region. There are currently 30 multinational companies based in the Midlands, employing 4,280 across all four counties. The Agency is determined to increase those numbers and it has appointed a dedicated Regional Manager to the region to further aid its efforts to grow investment in the wider area.
The IDA is also investing directly in property solutions for foreign direct investment in the Midlands and has received planning permission for one office building in Athlone, which should be ready for occupation in 2018. This is in addition to an advanced technology building which is now occupied by a pharmaceutical firm.
In addition, the Agency has undertaken a number of general initiatives in the Midlands region to encourage investment. This has included introducing indigenous companies to multinational firms so that Irish businesses are best placed to win new contracts and thereby ensure their long-term sustainability. The Agency has also launched a digital marketing campaign to market the Midlands Region to potential investors. The Agency regularly engages as well with the Chief Executives of the relevant Local Authorities to ensure that all parties are working together to help win new investment and jobs.
129. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of meetings Enterprise Ireland and the IDA have had with each of the EU27 in 2016 and to date in 2017; the value of imports and exports by each State in this regard, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52480/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland is working with client companies through a network of market and sector advisers from 10 offices located throughout the country and 33 international office across the globe. 12 of these offices are located within the EU27 and another 8 EU27 counties are serviced by an Enterprise Ireland office from a nearby location. Enterprise Ireland’s Market Advisers across these locations regularly interact with relevant enterprise development stakeholders.
To support client companies with global ambition to grow and diversify their global footprint, Enterprise Ireland runs a programme of Trade Missions and Events. In the period 2016 to 2017 (year to date), Enterprise Ireland ran 25 Ministerial Trade Missions and Events to EU27 locations. These events give Enterprise Ireland clients, the opportunity to connect with existing and new customers, access key decision makers, increase sales in international markets and exchange ideas.
Enterprise Ireland regularly engages with EU27 enterprise development groups to exchange knowledge on enterprise policy. This ensures that Enterprise Ireland continues to provide a best in class offering to its clients and informs the development of the agency’s strategy.
In addition, Enterprise Ireland is the national coordinator for Horizon 2020, the EU’s programme for research and innovation and is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe. This see Enterprise Ireland engage on an ongoing basis with EU27 members part of Horizon 2020.
Insofar as IDA Ireland is concerned, they have offices across the globe, and in Europe these offices are located in London, Paris and Frankfurt. These offices cover a range of territories and sectors. Europe is IDA Ireland’s second largest market accounting for 20% of investments won by the Agency since 2010. While the market is challenging, significant opportunities remain, particularly in the context of Brexit.
Building geographical diversity into IDA Ireland's portfolio is a key goal of the IDA’s current five-year strategy ‘Winning FDI’ and through this strategy the Agency intends to grow its market share in Europe, consolidate on its improving performance in key growth markets and achieve higher business returns by targeting fast growing companies.
In the time available to my Department details on IDA EU27 engagements were not immediately available but will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as they are available.
As regards the level of trade between Ireland and EU27, a table showing the statistics for trade between Ireland and the EU27 MS is attached with the data drawn from the Central Statistics Office.
Ireland's Goods and Services Exports 2016
|
~ |
EU Member State |
Goods EUR Million |
Services EUR Million |
|
1 |
Austria |
369 |
842 |
|
2 |
Belgium |
14,617 |
2,464 |
|
3 |
Bulgaria |
80 |
101 |
|
4 |
Croatia |
38 |
89 |
|
5 |
Cyprus |
33 |
-120 |
|
6 |
Czech Republic |
369 |
338 |
|
7 |
Denmark |
615 |
1,350 |
|
8 |
Estonia |
42 |
37 |
|
9 |
Finland |
257 |
1,131 |
|
10 |
France |
5,069 |
6,229 |
|
11 |
Germany |
8,025 |
10,484 |
|
12 |
Greece |
282 |
339 |
|
13 |
Hungary |
297 |
* |
|
14 |
Italy |
2,415 |
5,677 |
|
15 |
Latvia |
59 |
69 |
|
16 |
Lithuania |
34 |
111 |
|
17 |
Luxembourg |
67 |
2,998 |
|
18 |
Malta |
44 |
115 |
|
19 |
Netherlands |
5,895 |
4,314 |
|
20 |
Poland |
1,371 |
1,075 |
|
21 |
Portugal |
423 |
1,076 |
|
22 |
Romania |
278 |
95 |
|
23 |
Slovakia |
77 |
95 |
|
24 |
Slovenia |
92 |
61 |
|
25 |
Spain |
2,972 |
3,804 |
|
26 |
Sweden |
789 |
2,743 |
|
27 |
UK |
15,034 |
22,496 |
* Suppressed for confidentiality reasons.
130. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if a transport grant will be provided for a person (details supplied). [52335/17]
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.
The provision of transport to adults with a disability attending HSE-funded day services is not a core health service, and the HSE endeavours to ensure that all service users access public transport, including rural transport services, if possible. This is in keeping with the principle of mainstreaming with a clear focus on ensuring persons with a disability have access to the normal range of services and participate in community life as far as possible. In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass, so there should be no additional cost burden at an individual level.
However when all other options are exhausted, and a person cannot avail of a day service because they do not have transport to attend, some transport is provided by disability service providers on a case by case basis as resources allow. Service providers are continuously reviewing their transport arrangements to ensure that they are used as effectively and equitably as possible within available resources. This may result in the provision of a reduced quantum of service to the service user, and the HSE does its best to provide transport in certain cases without reducing services. Service providers continue to keep the matter of transport under review.
The HSE has committed to establishing a high level cross divisional working group this year to rationalise the provision of transport and to maximise equitable access and efficiencies. The HSE also intends to liaise with the National Transport Authority and disability service providers to explore ways in which the Authority’s services could assist people with disabilities. The National Transport Authority has a total of 17 Transport co-ordinating units called Local Link which provide safe secure and reliable Public Transport services in local and rural areas of Ireland through a combination of scheduled Public Transport services and door to door services. The HSE plans to explore the opportunities these units may provide to people with disabilities to access day services and participate in the social, educational and economic life of their local communities. A Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme is currently operated by the Revenue Commissioners which provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance.
As the remainder of the Deputy's relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
131. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of times section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 was invoked in each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017 by An Garda Síochána, by division, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52420/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of times section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 was invoked in each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017 between the hours of 6 pm and 9 am; the number that occurred at the weekend and bank holidays by division, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52421/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.
The statutory remit of the Mental Health Commission is to promote, encourage and foster the establishment and maintenance of high standards and good practices in the delivery of mental health services and to take all reasonable steps to protect the interests of persons detained in approved centres under this Act. In line with this role, the Commission collects a range of data and much of this information is published in their Annual Report which is available on the Commission’s website.
Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 confers powers on the Gardaí and allows them to take persons they believe may be suffering from a mental disorder, within the meaning of the Act, into custody with a view to making an application to a registered medical practitioner for a recommendation that the person be involuntarily admitted to an approved centre. Upon arrival in the approved centre, a Consultant Psychiatrist has 24 hours to examine the person and determine if he/she is suffering from a mental disorder.
The breakdown of applications for involuntary admission in 2015 and 2016 on a national basis by type of applicant, including by the Garda under section 12 of the 2001 Act, is as follows:
2015
|
Form |
Type |
Total |
% |
|
1 |
Spouse, Civil Partner, Relative |
831 |
47% |
|
2 |
Authorised Officer |
231 |
13% |
|
3 |
GARDA SÍOCHÁNA |
404 |
23% |
|
4 |
Any Other Person |
289 |
17% |
|
TOTAL |
1,755 |
100% |
2016
|
Form |
Type |
Total |
% |
|
1 |
Spouse, Civil Partner, Relative |
786 |
44% |
|
2 |
Authorised Officer |
242 |
13% |
|
3 |
GARDA SÍOCHÁNA |
455 |
25% |
|
4 |
Any Other Person |
325 |
18% |
|
TOTAL |
1,808 |
100% |
As the Deputy will see from the above tables, the number of applications by Gardaí under section 12 has risen from 404 in 2015 to 455 in 2016, a rise from 23 to 25%. Regional breakdowns of the national figures are not routinely collated nor is a breakdown of timings during the day when the person was taken into custody.
Up to 5 December 2017, 426 applications had been made for involuntary admission by a member of An Garda Síochána, however, these figures have not yet been verified.
133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52501/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive's (HSE’s) report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion”,(2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. In May 2016, 2725 people lived in congregated settings and our objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings. A congregated setting is defined as a residential setting where people live with ten or more people.
The HSE has established a subgroup, under ‘Transforming Lives’, the Programme to implement the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which is developing an implementation plan for moving people from institutions. I welcome the fact that the needs of people moving from congregated settings will be fully taken into account during this process as the model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan.
Just under 2,500 people with a disability remain living in congregated settings. I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres. The model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan (PCP). The PCP may change over time in line with an individual’s needs and circumstances and the model of service delivery applicable at a particular time.
I am pleased to note that the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is providing funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to provide suitable accommodation for people transitioning from institutions in 2017. CAS funding is also available to provide housing for people with disabilities in the community more generally that is not specifically targeted at deinstitutionalisation. HSE Managers at Community Health Organisation level engage with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to provide a letter of approval confirming that they are supportive of the application and this it is in line with national guidance for housing of people with disabilities. This demonstrates the joined up commitment of both Departments to support the de-congregation programme.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
134. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52331/17]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52334/17]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
