Niall Collins
Ceist:251. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a proposal by an organisation (details supplied). [14919/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSmall and Medium Enterprises Supports
Ceisteanna (251)
Freagraí scríofa
The provision of State supported hedging products, or similar products aimed at subsidising an exchange rate, is prohibited under EU State Aid rules. However, there are multiple financial providers active in the Irish market that can provide a comprehensive and competitive range of hedging and foreign exchange products to SMEs who require them.
Viable Irish SMEs can access sustainable, flexible and appropriately priced finance through the Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) currently operated by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI). The SBCI uses an on-lending model; this means it does not lend directly to SMEs, rather it channels its funds though partner financial institutions, known as on-lenders. Since its establishment in 2012, 530 facilities have been sanctioned under the CGS, amounting to €84.4 million. As a result of the facilities sanctioned under the CGS to SME’s, 2104 new jobs have been created and 1186 jobs have been maintained. The main reason provided by SME’s for seeking finance was for working capital purposes which accounted for 67% of all CGS facilities.
The Microenterprise Loan Fund is also available through Microfinance Ireland (MFI). Since its inception in 2012, 3,441 applications have been received, with the value of loans approved to the end of 2017 amounting to €22.6 million. This facility has supported 3952 jobs (net) in 1,567 micro-enterprises.
As the Deputy will be aware, there are already significant Government measures to support the financing needs of SMEs; in addition to the supports mentioned, these supports include the Supporting SMEs Online Tool, Local Enterprise Offices, the Credit Review Office and the recently announced Brexit Loan Scheme.
Advisory supports in relation to business planning, such as those provided by the Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland, are also particularly important in assisting viable but vulnerable SMEs that may be adversely affected because of Brexit and other challenges. These supports help raise awareness of both private market financial supports and existing State supports.
Personal Injury Claims
Ceisteanna (252)
Niall Collins
Ceist:252. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason the Personal Injuries Commission has no consumer representatives other than Competition and Consumer Protection Commission officials. [14920/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The membership of the Personal Injuries Commission, chaired by Justice Nicholas Kearns, includes representatives from my Department, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, the Bar Council, the Law Society, Insurance Ireland, the State Claims Agency as well as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
I am satisfied that the PIC membership, as outlined above, includes representation from consumer stakeholders, including the business community.
Personal Injury Claims
Ceisteanna (253)
Niall Collins
Ceist:253. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of data (details supplied) in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [14921/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The following Table details the number of applications received by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) each year from 2010 to end February 2018 and the number of assessments accepted for that period. The remainder of cases are, either released by the issuing of an authorisation under section 14 (where the respondent does not consent to an assessment or liability may be an issue), or under section 17 (where the Board has discretion not to make an assessment in certain situations specified in the legislation) or under section 32 (where the claimant or respondent does not accept the assessment) or are cases that are not completed usually because they are settled during the PIAB process or withdrawn. There is no data available on cases settled directly between the parties outside of the Court and PIAB process. An authorisation by PIAB is necessary before a claimant can initiate proceedings in Court.
PIAB cases are dealt with speedily and at a low cost, the current delivery cost is approximately 6.5% of the value of the compensation and this is mainly comprised of the fees paid by the claimant and respondent and the costs of the medical reports required to assess the case. Comparable figures for litigation are not available. However, the Cost of Insurance Working Group Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance published by the then Minister for Finance in January 2017 estimated that the delivery costs for cases settled outside the PIAB model from data provided by a representative sample of Insurance Ireland members was 44.2% in 2015.
Table of Applications to PIAB, Accepted Awards and Delivery Costs on Accepted Awards
|
Year |
Personal Injuries Applications to PIAB |
Number of Accepted Awards |
Delivery Costs on Accepted Awards % |
|
2010 |
26,964 |
5,038 |
8.8 |
|
2011 |
27,669 |
5,875 |
8.8 |
|
2012 |
29,603 |
6,124 |
9.0 |
|
2013 |
31,311 |
6,476 |
7.5 |
|
2014 |
31,576 |
7,519 |
6.7 |
|
2015 |
33,561 |
6,716 |
6.5 |
|
2016 |
34,056 |
7,073 |
6.4 |
|
2017 |
33,114 |
6,788 |
6.2 |
|
2018 (to end February) |
5,467 |
2,027 |
Available at year end |
Source: PIAB Annual Reports.
Personal Injury Claims
Ceisteanna (254)
Niall Collins
Ceist:254. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on amending the PIAB Acts to provide that a claimant who is found to have made deliberately unsustainable claims in the course of his or her PIAB claim shall not be entitled to an order for legal costs in a subsequent litigation. [14922/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 51 of the PIAB Acts provides that PIAB assessments shall not be admissible in any subsequent proceedings unless the proceedings concerned relate to the enforcement of any assessment that is being accepted.
There are a number of pieces of legislation that come under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan T.D., to deal with exaggerated or fraudulent claims, namely the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 and the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
I have no plans to amend the PIAB Acts in this regard.
Personal Injury Claims
Ceisteanna (255)
Niall Collins
Ceist:255. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a revised book of quantum whereby modest injuries attract modest damages, while more severe injuries receive damages of a level appropriate to the injury and loss of earnings suffered; and her views on the UK system of care not cash for minor bodily injuries. [14923/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) is an independent statutory agency and I, as Minister, am not permitted in my executive function to interfere in any way with the day to day operations and functions of PIAB.
Section 54 of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 sets out the principal functions of the Board. Section 54(1)(b) states: ‘to prepare and publish a document (which shall be known as the ‘‘Book of Quantum’’) containing general guidelines as to the amounts that may be awarded or assessed in respect of specified types of injury’
The revised Book of Quantum was published in October 2016. The Book was compiled by independent consultants and commissioned by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB).
The Book is not a recommendation for compensation levels but rather a reflection of the prevailing level of awards, i.e.:
- compensation values awarded by the courts
- settlements agreed by the Insurance Industry
- settlements agreed by the State Claims Agency; and
- settlements agreed through the PIAB process.
The establishment of the Personal Injuries Commission was one of the key recommendations in the Cost of Insurance Working Group Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance published in January 2017 by the then Minister for Finance, Mr Michael Noonan T.D., and the then Minister of State for Financial Services, Mr Eoghan Murphy T.D. The Report sets out the terms of reference for the Personal Injuries Commission. The Commission as part of its second Report has been asked to report on care not cash models. It is anticipated that this Report will be published in Q2 of 2018.
EU Directives
Ceisteanna (256)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:256. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the EU Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM legislation will exclude physiotherapists from a list of health professionals entitled to refer individuals for X-rays; if so, the rationale for same; his plans to revise the list of health professions entitled to refer persons for X-rays (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14505/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
EU Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom defines referrer with certain roles and responsibilities attaching to same. Member States are required to designate health professionals as referrers as appropriate.
The statutory instrument transposing the Directive will designate those who may refer for radiological tests and in this regard I propose to designate nurses, doctors, dentists and radiographers as appropriate. Physiotherapists are not designated as referrers in the current regulations (S.I. 478/2002) and it is not proposed to designate them in the new regulations.
In November 2017, I launched Working Together for Health: A National Strategic Framework for Health and Social Care Workforce Planning. Underpinned by a core set of principles, the framework is intended to support the recruitment and retention of the right mix of health workers across the health system to meet planned and projected service need. Implementing the framework will be a multi-annual undertaking and it is envisaged that, in due course, matters relating to health and social care professionals, including scope of practice, will be considered and addressed through the framework structures currently being established.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review
Ceisteanna (257, 258)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:257. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to introduce an independent appeals mechanism within the nursing homes support scheme to provide third party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14514/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEamon Scanlon
Ceist:258. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when the review of pricing system for long-term residential care facilities will be published as recommended within the review of the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14515/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together.
The Report of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of pricing mechanism by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
A Steering Committee has been established to oversee this review which is chaired by the NTPF and includes representatives from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The NTPF have responsibility for the development of this report, although Department Officials continue to engage with the NTPF regarding the review. The most recent update from the NTPF is that the report will be finalised and ready for review in the first half of 2018.
With regard to the Deputy’s question on plans to introduce an independent appeal mechanism within the NHSS to provide third party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the NTPF, I cannot nor would I wish to, prejudge the outcomes of the NTPF pricing mechanism review. However I welcome the work to date and look forward to the NTPF concluding the review later this year.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (259)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:259. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment in the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. [14518/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (260)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:260. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has to wait to get an appointment with the Cavan-Monaghan child development team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14519/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces
Ceisteanna (261)
John Curran
Ceist:261. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health when the details of new funding initiatives to strengthen the capacity of drug task forces to support the implementation of Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery during 2018 will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14536/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse in local communities.
In excess of €27.6m has been allocated to task forces by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive for community-based drugs initiatives this year. This level of funding is consistent with the amounts provided in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
I will shortly be announcing details of new funding initiatives to strengthen the capacity of task forces to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, during 2018.
I strongly believe that resources should be directed towards interventions that are most effective in reducing problem substance use. Measuring the effectiveness of responses to the drug problem is therefore an important objective of public policy. Towards this end, my Department will develop a performance measurement system by 2020 which will improve accountability across all sectors, including the task forces.
I will shortly be meeting with the chairs of the task forces to discuss this and other issues relating to the implementation of the national drugs strategy.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (262)
John Curran
Ceist:262. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase advertising to inform parents that HSE school teams will be visiting second level schools from mid-March 2018 to offer girls the second dose of the HPV vaccine and provide another opportunity for girls who missed out on the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14537/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Home Help Service Data
Ceisteanna (263, 264)
John Curran
Ceist:263. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of new persons to receive home support in each community healthcare organisation, CHO, area in 2018 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14544/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Curran
Ceist:264. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of home support in each CHO area as of March 2018; the corresponding number for March 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14545/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Home Help Service Data
Ceisteanna (265)
John Curran
Ceist:265. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each CHO area who are on a waiting list for home support; the number of persons in each area waiting more than two, four, eight and 12 weeks, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14546/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (266)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:266. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (detail supplied); and when they will receive an appointment with the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [14549/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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 the Deputy directly.
Mental Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (267)
James Browne
Ceist:267. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the timeline to address staffing shortages in mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14552/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to increasing the Mental Health budget annually, as shown by the substantial additional funding of some €200 million provided for mental health from 2012 to 2018.
Since 2012, over 1,550 additional posts have been approved to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams. These posts are directly facilitating the policy of moving away from traditional institutional based care to a patient-centred, flexible and community based mental health service.
I recognise that there are particular difficulties recruiting mental health staff at present and related workforce challenges. Psychiatry is a specialty where there are significant worldwide shortages and international competition for our doctors and nurses.
We have responded to the recruitment difficulties in a number of ways.
In Budget 2018, funding was provided for an additional 130 Undergraduate Psychiatric Nurse training places per year. This will help to increase the number of nurses in the mental health system. In addition, we have provided funding for 114 Assistant Psychologist and 20 Psychologist posts in the Primary Care Mental Health Services. The HSE is currently in the process of recruiting these psychology posts. The introduction of this grade will help to alleviate some of the pressures in CAMHs.
Recruitment of nurses is a key priority this year. The HSE has committed to offering permanent contracts to all graduate nurses, including mental health nurses. These contracts are being offered as part of the 2017 Nursing and Midwifery Agreement, reached with the INMO and SIPTU. This Agreement has a particular focus on addressing recruitment and retention of nursing and midwifery posts. This Agreement followed an agreement with the Psychiatric Nurses Association and SIPTU in summer 2016 that also includes a range of measures aimed at improving psychiatric nursing staffing levels. Very extensive and detailed work was undertaken throughout 2017 and continues into 2018 to implement these Agreements.
The Public Service Pay Commission identified problems in recruitment and retention in specific and specialist groups that are internationally in demand particularly in the health sector. The Commission is currently undertaking a more comprehensive examination of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in those sectors and employment streams where difficulties are clearly evident, including psychiatry. The Commission is committed to reporting on medical and nursing grades mid-year. The outcome of its assessment will be subject to discussions between the relevant parties.
Departmental Staff Training
Ceisteanna (268, 269)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:268. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the amount that his Department has spent on social media training and consultancy in each year since 2016. [14570/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTimmy Dooley
Ceist:269. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if training has been delivered in his Department on the use of social media (details supplied); the frequency and cost of this training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14586/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together.
The Department of Health has not provided any social media training to its staff during the period 2016 to date.
Ambulance Service Provision
Ceisteanna (270)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:270. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of SUVs and the technical specification of each that were bought for use by HSE paramedics in counties Louth and Meath over the past five years; if these vehicles functioned fully in the recent snow events; and if the HSE paramedics sought assistance from an organisation (details supplied), the Civil Defence or other organisations to help transport paramedics. [14606/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.