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Gnáthamharc

Thursday, 31 May 2018

Written Answers Nos. 110-129

Deportation Orders Re-examination

Ceisteanna (110)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the file of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed in view of the fact they were ten years resident before a deportation order was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24159/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 25 August 2017. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned requesting that the deportation order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).  All relevant aspects of the case will be considered before a decision is made.

The Deputy might wish to note that the decision to ensue from the consideration of this request will be to have the existing deportation order ‘affirmed’ or ‘revoked’. Once such a decision has been made, this decision will be notified in writing.  In the meantime, the deportation order remains valid and in place.  

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Land Acquisition

Ceisteanna (111, 112, 113)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of files in respect of property arbitration before the arbitrator; the number of interactions between the regulator and the relevant authorities, including the local authorities; his views on whether urgent action is needed to ensure that delays are reduced to the minimum and that emergency measures will be taken if necessary to ensure a more rapid processing of applications with consequent benefit to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24172/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of files referred to each member of the property arbitration team in each of the past five years and to date in 2018; the number of decisions made; the number pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24173/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that can be taken to accelerate procedures in the property arbitration office with particular reference to the need for a rapid turnaround within two months of referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24174/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 113, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is aware, when the State compulsorily acquires land for public purposes and there is a dispute between the vendor and the purchaser regarding the amount of compensation which should be paid, the vendor may apply to the Land Values Reference Committee (comprising the Chief Justice, the President of the High Court and the President of the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland) for the appointment of a Property Arbitrator to arbitrate on the amount to be paid.

In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries and the Courts Service has informed me that the remit of the Land Value Reference Committee, established under the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act 1919 and reconstituted under the Acquisition of Land (Reference Committee) Act 1925, is to appoint and maintain a panel of property arbitrators and to refer to that panel for arbitration the assessment of disputed claims for compensation arising under various statutory regimes authorising compulsory acquisition of land or rights relating to land.

The Courts Service has provided statistics on the number of the cases referred to the Property Arbitrators over the past 5 years and to date in 2018 as set out in the table below.

Year

Total Number of Cases

Number referred to the Property Arbitrator

Number referred to Part Time Temporary Property Arbitrators

2013

68

68

0

2014

42

42

0

2015

33

25

8

2016

60

2

58

2017

67

18

49

2018

8

5

3

The Courts Service has advised that the Committee has no oversight function in respect of the property arbitrators. Furthermore neither the Courts Service nor my Department has any function in relation to the work programme of property arbitrators who are appointed by the Land Values Reference Committee and so the further statistical data requested by the Deputy cannot be provided.

The remedies available to a party in the event that an arbitrator is in default in carrying out his or her functions depend on whether the arbitration is governed by the Arbitration Act 2010 or any other regime. The 2010 Act incorporates in Irish law, subject to the Act's provisions, the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration.

The Courts Service has further advised that it cannot be assumed that a delay in the completion of an arbitration is due to some default on the arbitrator's part.  Delays in the completion of an arbitration can occur for other reasons outside the control of the arbitrator, for example, an ongoing court case.

The Courts Service has further informed me that there is currently one full-time property arbitrator and seven temporary part-time arbitrators available to be nominated to act in cases in which the property arbitrator is unable to act and that the Courts Service is satisfied that this is sufficient to meet the demand for services in this area.  

Crime Prevention

Ceisteanna (114)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

114. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he is taking to help reduce the number of bicycles that are stolen. [24201/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that matters such as this are operational issues for the Garda Commissioner.

However, I am advised by the Garda authorities that a crime prevention initiative entitled “Operation Chain” was put in place by local Garda Management in the Pearse Street Garda District, and is a targeted intelligence led operation focusing on pedal cycle theft.  The initiative includes inter-agency co-operation with Dublin City Council and interested third parties, such as Dublin Cycling Campaign. 

I am further advised that An Garda Síochána has a number of “bait” bikes which are deployed at hot spot locations throughout the South Inner City by the Community Policing Unit. 

I understand that when these bicycles are deployed they are kept under surveillance by members of An Garda Síochána.  The bicycles are locked in prominent positions and when attempt is made to steal the bicycle, the members intercept the offender, arrest and detain them and recover the bicycle.  During detention, follow up enquiries are conducted which may include liaison with online retailers to ascertain if the individual has been involved in sale of bicycles on line and follow up searchers where warranted.

I am informed that between March 2017 and March 2018 bait bikes were deployed on 50 occasions with 16 persons arrested in connection with these deployments.

- 6 cases are before the Courts,

- 3 cases are still awaiting JLO recommendations,

- 7 cases are now finalised with outcomes,

- 3 persons received the Probation Act,

- 2 persons had charges taken into consideration,

- 1 person given community service,

- 1 person received an adult caution.

I am assured that Garda Management are continuously monitoring crime trends and hot spots to ensure intelligence led operations are put in place to target crimes of this nature. 

IDA Ireland Jobs Data

Ceisteanna (115)

James Browne

Ceist:

115. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the percentage of IDA jobs located in the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23990/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

IDA Ireland are working towards ambitious targets to ensure that employment and investment are distributed as evenly as possible across the country. The employment situation in the South-East, which covers Waterford, Carlow, Wexford, Kilkenny and South Tipperary, has been steadily improving in recent years with IDA client companies in the region creating 1,200 new jobs last year alone. This translates as an 9.2% increase when compared to 2016 figures.

The total employment in overseas companies in the region now  stands at  14,785 people across 75 client companies. This figure represents 7% of all people employed in IDA client companies across the country. Furthermore just over 12% of all IDA jobs created outside of Dublin have been in the South-East region.

I am confident that the Agency will continue to build on this strong FDI employment base in the coming months and years.

Trade Agreements

Ceisteanna (116)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

116. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the recent EU Council trade Ministers meeting regarding the commencement of EU trade agreement negotiations with Australia and New Zealand; the offensive and defensive interests for Irish businesses and SMEs in this deal; if she will provide a sector-by-sector breakdown in terms of market access and removal of import tariffs or duties; and the timeline for same. [24194/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Negotiating Directives for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with both Australia and New Zealand were agreed by EU Trade Ministers at the Trade Council on 22nd May 2018.

The draft negotiating directives were first published by the European Commission on the 13th September 2017.  Since then my Department has been actively engaged at EU level, principally through the Trade Policy Committee, in working to arrive at a position whereby the negotiations for FTAs with New Zealand and Australia can begin.  I am pleased that this has now been achieved with the Ministerial approval of the Negotiating Directives.

The EU Commission has “competence” on Trade matters under the Treaties and the EU Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, plans to travel to Canberra and Wellington in June to officially open negotiations, at political level, of separate EU Free Trade Agreements with Australia and New Zealand.  The negotiating teams are then expected to meet in Brussels in July for the first round of negotiations.

As the negotiations have not yet begun it is not possible to provide details of specific offers on market access or details of tariff reductions.  No offers have yet been made.  The specific market access concessions and tariff reduction measures will be arrived at through the negotiation process.  Officials from my Department will continue to be engaged, through the Trade Policy Committee, in working towards ambitious FTAs with these two important trading partners for both the EU and Ireland in order to achieve Agreements that remove barriers to trade and that provide opportunities for Irish businesses including SMEs.

As SMEs lack resources available to larger companies, non-tariff barriers such as differing regulatory frameworks affect SMEs more heavily.  For this reason, an ambitious and comprehensive FTA will represent the best outcome if Irish SMEs are to reap the benefits.

The EU’s recent Free Trade Agreements include chapters specifically focussed on SMEs and this will be the aim with New Zealand and Australia.  The proposed FTAs should also involve provisions that simplify customs procedures and administrative requirements that will benefit small exporters.  Such measures are very important for the growth of SMEs and in enabling them to diversify into new markets in order to deal with, among other challenges, the impacts of Brexit.

Ireland, like all Member States, has defensive as well as offensive trade interests.  We are mindful of the cumulative impact of EU FTAs on specific sectors like agriculture and the challenges they face.  Maintaining the balance between defensive and offensive interests is a matter for the negotiations.

In 2017, Ireland’s good exports to Australia were €889m.  Key goods exports include medical products and devices, pharmaceuticals, and computers and computer parts. Ireland’s services exports to Australia have grown significantly in recent years from €203m in 2003 to €2,818m in 2016 (the most recent year for which CSO figures are available).  

In 2017, Ireland’s good exports to New Zealand were €109m.  Services exports amounted to €232m in 2016, the most recent year for which figures are available. Key goods exports include medical products and pharmaceuticals products, industrial machinery and dairy products.

In the FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, we will seek to include a chapter on services that should aim to remove barriers to international trade in services that should facilitate further growth.

My Department is currently in the process of undertaking a comprehensive study which will examine in depth the economic impact and opportunities of existing and forthcoming EU Free Trade Agreements, including the Australia and New Zealand FTAs.  The analysis from the study will inform the Department and relevant agencies in setting the policy framework required for Irish businesses to take full advantage of concluded trade agreements and preferential trade access, and to prepare for future opportunities; including Australia and New Zealand.

The EU is predicted to increase its exports to Australia and New Zealand by as much as one third if an ambitious and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement can be delivered.

EU exports to Australia of dairy and, to a lesser other food and beverages are expected to increase significantly. An EU-New Zealand FTA would result in a long-term increase of EU exports of non-ruminant meat e.g. pork; dairy; and to a lesser extent, other food and beverages.

The EU’s Impact Assessment identified the main sectors in which EU businesses reported experiencing problems accessing the market in Australia and New Zealand. These included agriculture and food products (beef meat, pig meat, dairy, processed food products, and alcoholic drinks). While some agriculture products, in particular beef, are sensitive for Irish businesses the removal of these barriers to trade in Australia and New Zealand may also open export opportunities for Irish producers.

The EU’s analysis indicates growth of exports for all sectors apart from minor decreases of EU exports of some agricultural sub-sectors (rice, cereals, fruit and vegetables and fibres and other crops - all of these have low EU trade volumes).

Both New Zealand and Australia were among the 11 countries that signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in March 2018. In light of the benefits that CPTPP offers its signatories it is important that the EU conclude its own trade deals with participating countries in order to ensure that Irish businesses are not at a competitive disadvantage.

While it is not currently possible to specify the date at which any agreement might come into effect, such agreements usually take a number of years to negotiate and a further one or two years for the so-called “legal scrubbing” of the text of the agreement. In addition, depending on what is negotiated in respect of any particular sector or class of goods, there are often multi-annual phasing period for specific commitments.

Brexit Staff

Ceisteanna (117)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

117. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the additional staffing for her Department and other agencies to address Brexit and health and safety at work as announced in budget 2018; the amount of the €3 million allocation that has been spent; the number of persons hired; the purpose of the hiring; the agencies to which the persons were allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24213/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In my Department, a dedicated Brexit Unit was established in 2016, led at Assistant Secretary level within the EU Affairs and Trade Policy Division, to coordinate and represent the Department and its Agencies response to Brexit.  During 2017, this Unit increased its staffing complement to lead on engagements with a broad range of stakeholder to further inform and validate this response.

Given the wide mission my Department has, and the continuing impact on all policy matters, officers across all policy areas of my Department may deal with Brexit-related issues.

In this context, staff expertise has been drawn from across a number of different policy areas, and these staff have been assigned to a number of additional postings across the whole Department that have been most impacted by Brexit.  We are continually prioritising the Brexit challenges and will actively keep the staffing requirements under review through workforce planning during 2018.

The State Agencies, listed below, received an additional pay allocation in Budget 2018 to manage the impact of Brexit. It is important to note however that the work of very many Business Units both within my Department and its Agencies are impacted by Brexit and are responding to it outside of the specific numbers mentioned below.

Enterprise Ireland

In 2018, Enterprise Ireland was allocated €1.3 million to recruit 18 additional staff members for Brexit related posts across the organisation.  To date six positions have been filled and the Agency is actively recruiting the remaining positions.

IDA

Budget 2018 saw the IDA allocated an additional €700,000 to further reinforce its staffing levels as a result of Brexit.  It is intended that the Agency will use this funding to create 10 new positions across a range of areas in the organisation.  It will also be used to hire five more graduates who will be on fixed term rolling three year contracts. The IDA has also established a specific Brexit Committee to oversee its response to the opportunities and challenges arising from the UK’s exit from the EU.  The Agency also has a clear Brexit Plan, which includes one-to-one investor engagements and public relations and media campaigns.

Science Foundation Ireland

Science Foundation Ireland were allocated an additional €400,000 in Budget 2018 and has filled four posts which have some Brexit Related Activities attached to their roles.  Three of these roles are within the Programmes & Investment Directorate and the Fourth is at Directorate level. 

The Health and Safety Authority

The Health and Safety Authority received an allocation of €400,000 for Brexit related posts for 2018.  Following a review of its Workforce Plan, a number of inspector posts were identified and business cases were submitted to the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation. Sanction has been given to fill seven inspector posts and the Authority has commenced the recruitment process for these positions with preliminary interviews scheduled to take place in mid- June. 

A recruitment process was also recently completed for an Accreditation Officer post and the successful candidate is taking up the position in early June.  This role will assist the Irish National Accreditation Board to manage the increase in applications for accreditation from UK based enterprises and to support Irish enterprise expand their business in response to Brexit.

A business case has also been submitted for a Grade 1 Inspector role for market surveillance of chemical products which is where the Authority estimates the bulk of Brexit impacts will be for Irish businesses. 

Research and Development Funding

Ceisteanna (118)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

118. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the increased investment in research and development as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the €5 million allocation that has been spent; the projects on which it has been spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24214/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Innovation 2020, our national strategy for research and development, science and technology lays out our vision for Ireland to become a global innovation leader.  Key to that is a commitment to increase public and private investment in research.  The announcement in Budget 2018 of an additional €5m in investment in the R&D sphere is evidence of the Government’s commitment to that strategy.  Specifically, this additional funding will be targeted at further developing the network of Research Centres, building critical mass and addressing enterprise needs and expanding Ireland’s participation in International Research Organisations. 

Budget 2018 included an allocation of €4.25m to develop a new SFI research centre – the SFI FutureMilk Centre – in 2018.  The new Research Centre will be led by Teagasc, in partnership with the Tyndall National Institute and universities and institutes of technology throughout the country. A total of €13.5m in funding has been committed by 46 industry partners to the new Centre. This new Centre will be an agent of growth for the Irish dairy industry by being a world leader in research for precision pasture-based dairying.  Since the Budget announcement, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has joined Science Foundation Ireland to co-fund the Centre.  The Research Centre will be launched and funding drawdown will commence later in 2018.

In addition, as part of Budget 2018 Ireland committed to join the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in 2018. Negotiations were entered into in October 2017, Ireland’s formal application is currently being set before the ESO Council.  As we intend to join ESO in the final quarter of this year, from October 2018, our total contribution for 2018 is €0.75m. This includes the annual contribution on a pro rata basis.

The benefits of membership of ESO are significant and include the creation of advanced enterprise relevant skills in areas such as data analytics, software and photonics.  

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (119)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

119. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an ENT procedure at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23993/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Ceisteanna (120)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

120. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the practice of the dermatology department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda requesting persons to reply by return of post to queries (details supplied) within seven days or be taken off the appointment waiting list. [23997/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Good practice around the management of hospital waiting lists recommends periodic validation processes and in this context, the NTPF National Inpatient/Daycase Planned Procedure Waiting List Management Protocol sets out the national protocols for the management of waiting lists including validation and clinical suspensions.

In addition, I have asked the NTPF to put in place a standardised approach to validation of waiting lists across all hospitals.

The purpose of Validation is to:

- Maintain hospital-patient communication during the patient’s waiting list journey;

- Update the patient record;

- Reduce the rate of patient non-attendance and/or patient cancellations; and

- Provide clean, accurate, up to date waiting list data which reflects the true demand for hospital services.

Administrative validation is the process whereby hospital administration contacts patients on inpatient and day case waiting lists at pre-planned intervals during the year to ensure that patients are ready, willing, suitable and available to attend a hospital appointment or wish to be removed. When a patient is removed from a waiting list due to non-response to a written validation cycle, notification must be sent to the referring clinician and the patient. A copy should also be placed in the patient’s Health Care Record (HCR). If requested by the GP/referring clinician, patients can be reinstated back to their original place on to the Waiting List.

In addition, clinical validation is the process whereby the Clinician or delegate clinical team member conducts a review of the patients healthcare records and/or medical notes for patients on inpatient, day case and planned procedure waiting lists in excess of six months. Where there is a requirement for clinical validation, patients are contacted by phone by the clinician or delegate as part of a virtual clinic. These reviews are carried out at pre-planned intervals during the year.

In respect of the particular issue raised, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Correspondence

Ceisteanna (121)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

121. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) raised in correspondence will be reviewed; if advice will be offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24006/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospitals Data

Ceisteanna (122)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

122. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of attendances to a facility (details supplied) in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24007/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (123)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

123. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when improved home help hours will be provided to a person (details supplied) who has a serious medical condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24008/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 Staff

Ceisteanna (124)

James Browne

Ceist:

124. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 6 February 2018, the net additional number of staff within mental health services on 1 January 2018 in comparison to 1 January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24011/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Services Funding

Ceisteanna (125)

James Lawless

Ceist:

125. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for the provision of a dietetic service in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24015/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (126)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

126. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the Sligo cataract scheme will be rolled out nationwide in order to address the growing waiting lists for public cataract surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24016/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Paediatric Services

Ceisteanna (127)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

127. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a national eye care scheme will be introduced for all children up to 16 years of age in order to reform eye care here particularly in relation to children for which services are limited and on ad hoc basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24017/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (128)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

128. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 12 and from 12 to 16 years of age who are waiting for ophthalmology services in counties Roscommon and Galway in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; the length of time they have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24018/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Ceisteanna (129)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

129. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Roscommon and Galway who are waiting for public cataract surgery in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; the length of time they have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24019/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government.

Cataract surgery is among the most common surgical procedures carried out in the Ophthalmology specialty. Through the work of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (or NTPF)and the HSE, the overall number of patients waiting for cataract surgery has fallen by 22% since July 2017, while the number of patients waiting more than 12 months has declined by 71% in the same period.

For 2018, under the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan, all clinically suitable patients waiting for more than 9 months for a Cataract procedure will be offered treatment this year, with 5,000 NTPF funded procedures planned in both public and private hospitals.

Last year funding was allocated to provide additional capacity at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital as a result and a cataract theatre is now operational three days per week. This year, in line with the Action Plan, the HSE is planning to open a dedicated Cataract theatre in Nenagh Hospital in July.

The information sought by the Deputy is provided in the attached tables:

IPDC Waiting List for Cataract Procedures by Area of Residence as at 31/12/2013

Sum of Total

0-3 Months

3-6 Months

6-9 Months

Grand Total

Roscommon

35

29

20

84

Galway

126

100

58

284

Grand Total

161

129

78

368

IPDC Waiting List for Cataract Procedures by Area of Residence as at 23/12/2014

Sum of Total

0-3 Months

3-6 Months

6-9 Months

9-12 Months

12-15 Months

15-18 Months

18+ Months

Grand Total

Roscommon

43

44

35

17

18

4

2

163

Galway

160

132

128

90

65

33

4

612

Grand Total

203

176

163

107

83

37

6

775

IPDC Waiting List for Cataract Appointments by Area of Residence as at 31/12/2015

Sum of Total

0-3 Months

3-6 Months

6-9 Months

9-12 Months

12-15 Months

15-18 Months

Grand Total

Roscommon

28

26

36

27

32

0

149

Galway

159

139

121

86

98

1

604

Grand Total

187

165

157

113

130

1

753

IPDC Waiting List for Cataract Appointments by Area of Residence as at 30/12/2016

Sum of Total

0-3 Months

3-6 Months

6-9 Months

9-12 Months

12-15 Months

15-18 Months

18+ Months

Grand Total

Roscommon

47

45

44

40

11

15

12

214

Galway

186

147

140

124

85

83

28

793

Grand Total

233

192

184

164

96

98

40

1007

IPDC Waiting List for Cataract Appointments by Area of Residence as at 29/12/2017

Sum of Total

0-3 Months

3-6 Months

6-9 Months

9-12 Months

12-15 Months

15-18 Months

18+ Months

Grand Total

Roscommon

66

40

36

45

24

7

6

224

Galway

256

193

131

155

59

19

28

841

Grand Total

322

233

167

200

83

26

34

1065

IPDC Waiting List for Cataract Procedures by Area of Residence as at 26/04/2018

Sum of Total

0-3 Months

3-6 Months

6-9 Months

9-12 Months

12-15 Months

15-18 Months

18+ Months

Grand Total

Roscommon

58

66

39

3

2

2

16

186

Galway

213

264

188

11

2

3

50

731

Grand Total

271

330

227

14

4

5

66

917

Barr
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