Billy Kelleher
Ceist:214. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the review of the seven joint labour committees by the Labour Court. [17320/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJoint Labour Committees
Ceisteanna (214)
Freagraí scríofa
Section 41A of the Industrial Relations Act 1946 as amended by Section 11 of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012 provides that reviews of each Joint Labour Committee (JLC) will be carried out by the Labour Court, as soon as practicable after the commencement of the Act, and at least once every 5 years thereafter. The first such review was completed in April 2013.
The second review of the JLC's is currently under way and in this context, the Labour Court launched a public consultation process on 16 March seeking submissions from interested parties. The deadline for receipt of submissions was 6 April 2018. The Labour Court is required to conclude its review by 22 April 2018 and to report to me in that timeframe.
The review by the Labour Court will consider whether any JLC should be abolished, maintained in its current form, amalgamated with another JLC or have its establishment order amended. Having completed its review, the Labour Court will make recommendations to me and, if satisfied that the Court has complied with the requirements of the Act, and I consider it appropriate to do so, I will make Orders in the terms of the recommendations.
Enterprise Ireland Investments
Ceisteanna (215)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:215. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on Enterprise Ireland's capital investment initiative. [17322/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In early 2015, Enterprise Ireland launched the Capital Investment Initiative to assist client companies improve productivity and competitiveness through the acquisition of new capital equipment and technology. This initiative, which is targeted at manufacturing and/or an internationally traded services SMEs, provides grant aid of up to a maximum of €250,000. Approved funding under this initiative can be used to purchase new or second-hand equipment including reasonable direct installation costs - second hand equipment must be less than 7 years old and more than €10,000 in value. Refurbished equipment will be evaluated on a case by case basis by Enterprise Ireland Assessor.
In 2018 Enterprise Ireland will run 11 Capital Investment Initiative calls throughout the year. Submitted projects are assessed by the Capital Investment Initiative Committee based on the company's application, financial information and a Commercial Assessment of the project. The approval process takes approximately 8 weeks.
Since the Capital Investment Initiative was launched in 2015 Enterprise Ireland has approved 167 projects to 157 companies under the Initiative. Enterprise Ireland do not report on the number of applications received in any of their competitions. Details of approvals are set out in the table.
|
Year |
Total Approved |
|
2015 |
49 |
|
2016 |
63 |
|
2017 |
37 |
|
2018 (1 Jan to 18 April 2018) |
18 |
|
Total |
167 |
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (216)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:216. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if reports from parents of children attending a school (details supplied) will be examined; the contractual changes that have taken place since 2017 that may have led to this deficit in services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17133/18]
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.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Ceisteanna (217)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:217. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the action that has been taken on each of the recommendations from the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction; and his further plans in this regard. [17325/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The report of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction provided a range of recommendations in relation to the regulation of AHR. The principles encompassed within the Commission's recommendations were taken into consideration during the development of the General Scheme on AHR and are broadly reflected in the provisions of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017.
The General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 encompasses the regulation of a range of practices, including: gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research; surrogacy; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos; posthumous assisted reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The General Scheme also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR.
The introduction of legislation in relation to AHR and associated research is a priority for me and officials in my Department are engaging with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to the process of drafting this Bill. In addition, the Joint Committee on Health is currently conducting a review of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which began in January of this year.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (218)
Tom Neville
Ceist:218. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to improve CAMHS, for example, access, age-appropriate placements, waiting lists and standardised operating procedures. [16231/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (219)
Tom Neville
Ceist:219. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE is addressing the diagnosis and treatment of co-morbidity between addiction and mental health teams. [16233/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE Mental Health Division, along with the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division and subsequently with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, have recognised the need for a Clinical Programme for Dual Diagnosis to respond to people with substance misuse, both alcohol and/or drugs, together with mental illness. The Primary Care Division has already appointed a National Clinical Lead for the Addiction Services to improve its response to drug and alcohol abuse at primary care level and this Clinical Lead will work with the Mental Health Clinical Lead to develop a cohesive programme for those with a dual diagnosis.
A Programme Manager was appointed in December 2016, and Dr William Flannery has commenced work as National Clinical Lead for this Clinical Programme. A literature review and clinical service mapping exercise has commenced. The National Working Group held its first meeting mid-October 2017, and has initiated a work plan to develop a Model of Care based on a Programmatic approach to service improvement and development. The National Working Group is made up of key stakeholders with clinical, service user and service provider expertise, and is chaired by Dr Flannery.
The aims of this Programme are to develop a standardised evidence based approach to the identification, assessment and treatment of comorbid mental illness and substance misuse.
These include:
- Increasing awareness of the frequent coexistence of mental illness and substance misuse
- Ensuring there is a clear clinical pathway for management of people with such a dual diagnosis including when they present to Emergency Departments
- Ensuring a standardised service is provided throughout the country
- Ensuring adolescents are also included within the scope of this Clinical Programme.
The combination of mental illness and substance misuse is, as the comorbidity suggests, associated with a high degree of risk. This includes a high risk of suicide as well as a risk of danger to other people. In addition, there is a risk of organic brain damage which may be irreversible. The risk of suicide is relevant in the context of the Clinical Programme for Self Harm Presentations to Emergency Departments and so there is a crossover between these two Clinical Programmes.
An integral part of the Dual Diagnosis Programme will be to devise a model of care that will ensure that all adolescents and adults suspected of having a moderate to severe mental illness coexisting with significant substance misuse have access to a timely mental health service nationally and this is to be delivered on a CHO basis. The service will be provided in an integrated manner across the Primary Care Division and the Mental Health Service and will ensure that there are close working relationships with the relevant specialties in the Acute Hospital Groups that would deal with any medical comorbidities that may occur, particularly in those with alcohol misuse.
Hospital Consultant Recruitment
Ceisteanna (220)
Eugene Murphy
Ceist:220. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a third paediatric consultant rheumatologist has been approved for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin as part of the 2018 service plan in view of the waiting list and access issues for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17010/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (221)
John Brassil
Ceist:221. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health when the national biosimilars strategy will be published; the reason for the delay in publishing same; the measures the strategy will contain to increase Ireland's low uptake of biosimilars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17095/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Medicines play a vital role in improving the overall health of Irish patients. Securing access to new and innovative medicines in a timely manner is a key objective of the Government of Ireland. However, the challenge is delivering on this objective in an affordable and sustainable way.
The Department and the HSE are engaging in a number of initiatives which will endeavour to lead to better access to medicines for patients, value for the taxpayer and the cost- effective provision of medicines in Ireland. To address some of these issues, the Government is developing a National Biosimilar Medicines Policy to promote the rational use of biosimilar medicines and to create a sustainable environment for biological medicines in Ireland.
A public consultation on a National Biosimilar Medicines Policy was undertaken by the Department of Health towards the end of last year. The responses to the consultation and other possible policy levers are being considered by the Department with a view to developing a National Biosimilar Medicines Policy.
The development of such a policy will require the involvement of stakeholders across the health system and this process is under way.
Hospitals Building Programme
Ceisteanna (222)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:222. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when works will commence on the new hospital in Cork city promised in the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17079/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Development Plan provides €10.9 billion to invest in infrastructure, equipment and additional service capacity for the public health sector.
The National Development Plan is a ten year plan which will provide the capital funding to develop dedicated ambulatory elective-only hospital facilities. We must ensure that we carefully plan the use of this capital funding so as to meet the populations health needs and achieve value for money.
As is to be expected with a ten year plan, many proposals, including an elective-only hospital in Cork, are at a very early stage and will require to progress through appraisal, planning, design and tender before a firm location, timeline or funding required can be established.
Home Help Service
Ceisteanna (223)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:223. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the reason Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan LHO experienced a reduction of 26,713 home help hours in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17073/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Psychological Services
Ceisteanna (224)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Ceist:224. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to alleviate the waiting list for child psychologists, particularly amongst persons under 15 years of age who make up 80% of the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8872/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In recognition of the particular need to address access to primary care-based counselling services for under 18s, the Government has prioritised investment in this area. The HSE's National Service Plan 2016 provided an additional €5 million for psychology for children with a focus on enhanced counselling interventions for children and adolescents. Recruitment of these posts, which includes a mix of psychologists and psychology assistants has commenced on a nationwide basis.
I have asked the HSE to revert to the Deputy in relation to the detailed service issues, including the number of children waiting for an appointment for psychology services.