Written Answers Nos. 124-148
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if copies of original documentation relating to an application for asylum including details of the hearing in the case of a person (details supplied) will be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26152/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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 11 March 2005. 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.
The person concerned was required to 'present' at the Offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau on 7 April 2005, to make arrangements for his deportation from the State. The person concerned failed to 'present' on that occasion and is therefore recorded as a person who is evading deportation.
If the person concerned requires copies of original documentation, he is best advised to present at the Garda National Immigration Bureau in an effort to pursue this matter further.
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 e mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which consideration is being given to an application for leave to remain and regularisation of residency in the case of a person (details supplied); if details that were submitted are under examination in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26154/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it has received a request for permission to remain in the State in respect of the person mentioned by the Deputy.
As background, the person's case is among a large number of cases held by INIS pending the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment in the Luximon and Balchand case which was finalised on 24 April 2018. It is hoped that INIS will be in a position to consider the person’s situation shortly in the context of addressing issues which have arisen with a number of other applicants who entered the State within the same time period and who are in a similar position.
In this regard, the person’s request remains under active consideration. As it may take some time to fully resolve the large number of cases involved, I would ask the person concerned to bear with us while we work through these cases. INIS will be in contact with the person again when this work is finalised.
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 e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application for long-term residency, stamp 4 and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26155/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 16 December 2010. That order remains valid and in place.
In relation to the Deportation Order, the Deputy might wish to note that the person concerned made a request, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have that order revoked. Following the detailed consideration of the request made, a decision was taken to affirm the order and that decision was communicated to the person concerned by letter dated 16 June 2017.
The person concerned then lodged judicial review proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision to affirm the Deportation Order. The High Court gave its Judgment in the matter on 23 January 2018. While the High Court did not set aside the decision to affirm the Deportation Order, the presiding Judge instead directed that certain specified matters be re-examined by my Department. I am advised that this judgment is being examined by the relevant personnel in the INIS at the present time to see how the Judge’s directions can be accommodated. That process has not yet been completed.
I am also advised that, separately, the person concerned has sought to be re-admitted to the international protection process. This request is under consideration at present. The Deputy might wish to note that the decision to ensue from the consideration of this request will be to grant or refuse consent to re-apply for international protection. Written notification of this decision will issue shortly to the person concerned.
I am also advised by INIS of my Department that there is no record of an application for a Certificate of Naturalisation having been received from the person concerned. The Deputy will appreciate that a determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an actual application has been received.
While it is open to any person to lodge an application for a Certificate of Naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements, as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which governs the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation, it is difficult to see how a person subject of a Deportation Order for the last seven and a half years would be in a position to satisfy the statutory criteria referred to. In any event, detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application form, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains guidance on the completion of an application for a Certificate of Naturalisation and also contains an on-line naturalisation residency calculator which potential applicants may find of assistance in establishing if the statutory residency requirements are met in their particular circumstances.
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 e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if all requested information in respect of an application for leave to remain in the case of persons (details supplied) has been supplied by them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26157/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, notifications have issued to the persons concerned pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
All representations received, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
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 e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26158/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person mentioned by the Deputy was granted a permission on student conditions in the State on 01 September 2009 until 02 December 2015. INIS informs me that, to date, no further application has been received from the person concerned.
It appears that this person has been unlawfully in the State since December 2015. A non-national may not be in the State other than with the terms of any permission given to the person concerned by the Minister for Justice and Equality. In addition to this, it is illegal for them, under the Immigration Act 2004, to remain in the State without the permission of the Minister. A person found guilty of such an offence is liable, under Section 13 of the Immigration Act 2004, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both. It appears that the person concerned has failed to meet the requirements of Section 9 of the Immigration Act 2004, which sets out the obligations of non-nationals in respect of registration.
In this respect it is advisable the person concerned should engage directly with the immigration service as soon as possible.
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 e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which consideration is being given for permission to remain in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26159/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it has received a request for permission to remain in the State in respect of the person mentioned by the Deputy.
As background, the person's case is among a large number of cases held by INIS pending the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment in the Luximon and Balchand cases which was finalised on 24 April 2018. It is hoped that INIS will be in a position to consider the person’s situation shortly in the context of addressing issues which have arisen with a number of other applicants who entered the State within the same time period and who are in a similar position.
In this regard, the person’s request remains under active consideration as illustrated by correspondence issued to the person concerned on 3 May 2018. It may take some time to fully resolve the large number of cases involved so I would ask that the person concerned bear with the INIS while they work through the cases. INIS will be in contact with the person again when this work is finalised.
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 e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26160/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned has an application with Unit 2, Residence Division. On 1 December 2017, a letter requesting further documents in relation to the person's application was sent to their legal representative. No response to this request has been received in Unit 2, Residence Division to date.
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 e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a stamp 2 will be updated to stamp 4 or otherwise regulated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26163/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the position is still the same as was set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 3 May 2018 and Parliamentary Question No. 310 of 15 May 2018, respectively.
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. The service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by the way of Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when further consideration will be given to an application for stamp 4, leave to remain or other permission in the case of a person (details supplied); if the matter will be re-examined with a view to clarification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26164/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned has not submitted written representations.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation. If any representations are submitted, they will be considered before a final decision is made.
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 e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the information requested has been supplied in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26167/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing.
A letter issued to the person concerned on 21 December 2017 requesting certain documentation with a reminder letter issuing on 5 January 2018 and a reply is awaited. Upon receipt of the requested documentation the case will be further processed.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
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 e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) will have their residency status approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26168/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned made an application for Stamp 4 residence permission to the Family Dependent Unit. A decision on the person's application issued to them by letter dated 15 May 2018. The application was unsuccessful. The person concerned may wish to consult the INIS website (www.inis.ie) to explore alternative ways of obtaining a Stamp 4 in their own right. I understand that a letter to this effect from the Family Dependent Unit issued to the person concerned on 15 May 2018.
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. The service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by the way of Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
135. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if an analysis has been undertaken of proposed EU legislation regarding the directive on copyright in the digital Single Market particularly on Articles 11 and 13; if persons and stakeholders will be invited to make submissions in view of the potential impact here if the legislation is enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25999/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 14 September 2016, the EU Commission published a package of copyright reform proposals as part of its Digital Single Market strategy. This included a Directive on copyright in the Digital Single Market (hereinafter the “Copyright Directive”). The intention of the Directive is to craft modern copyright legislation suitable for all European citizens. Among the Directive’s many proposals are provisions aimed at ensuring greater rights for press publishers seeking to protect their content online (Article 11), and intended to address the “value gap”, whereby rightsholders are receiving less remuneration despite the increased usage of their works (Article 13).
Officials of my Department have been thoroughly engaged in negotiations since publication of this proposal and have been successful in achieving a number of amendments to address the concerns of our stakeholders. On 25 May, the Copyright Directive was discussed by Ambassadors at Coreper and the Presidency gained approval for a mandate to commence negotiations with the European Parliament.
Negotiations on the Copyright Directive have been exhaustive and while I appreciate the concerns that have been raised, I fully support the intention of this proposal which is vitally important to both the DSM and the digital economy. Our focus has always been on achieving the best balance for the competing interests of all stakeholders, including digital economy actors, rightsholders, and citizens. To that end, there has been extensive engagement with stakeholders across the various issues in Ireland, Brussels, and with other EU Member States, including at Ministerial level.
My Department will engage positively with the negotiations on the proposal going forward to ensure that Ireland can benefit from its many merits as soon as possible. Once the Directive has been agreed at EU level and we begin to transpose it into Irish legislation, my Department will hold a public consultation to ensure that we have modern copyright legislation that is most appropriate for Ireland.
136. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of freedom of information, FOI, requests her Department has received since January 2018; the number that were appealed, refused and granted, respectively; the costs that were applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25956/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the FOI requests received by my Department and its Offices to date in 2018 are set out in the following table. This table provides details of FOI requests granted/part granted, refused, dealt with outside of the Freedom of Information framework or withdrawn, requests where the final decision was the subject of an appeal, and finally, details of requests were search, retrieval and copying costs were charged.
FOI Requests Received by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and its Offices to Date in 2018
|
Total Number of FOI Requests Received |
Total Number of Requests Dealt with Outside FOI/Withdrawn |
Total Number of Requests Granted/Part Granted |
Total Number of Requests Refused |
Total Number of Requests Currently on Hand |
Total Number of Requests Appealed |
Total Number of Requests where Search, Retrieval and Copying (SRC) Costs were Charged |
|
139 |
52 |
47 |
5 |
35 |
1 |
1, where SRC charges amounted to €220 |
137. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the commitments made to UEFA to introduce measures to counter unauthorised ticket sales for the Euro 2020 games to be held here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25979/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA commitment was given to UEFA to introduce legislation to prevent the unauthorised transfer and use of tickets for matches or official events related to EURO 2020 to be held here. Officials of my Department have met with UEFA officials to discuss the implementation of the commitment. I will bring forward legislative provisions necessary to give effect to the commitment before tickets go on sale.
138. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of businesses that have availed of the Brexit scorecard to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25984/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEI has introduced a number of Brexit specific programmes to help Irish companies remain resilient in the face of uncertainty. One of these measures is an online “Brexit SME Scorecard” to help all Irish businesses self-assess their exposure to Brexit. The Scorecard generates a report on weak areas with suggested actions and resources, and information on events for companies to attend, to prepare for Brexit. To date 2,291 companies have availed of the Scorecard.
While the Brexit Scorecard is available to all companies, Enterprise Ireland client exporting companies that utilise the Scorecard will then be able to engage with the agency’s experts both domestically and through the overseas offices in global markets.
139. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of businesses that have availed of the Be Prepared grant to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25985/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, through its agency Enterprise Ireland, supports companies in urban and rural areas to start, innovate and remain competitive in international markets, now and into the future. On an annual basis Enterprise Ireland works with approximately 5,000 companies through a network of market and sector advisers based across 10 national offices and 33 international offices. These manufacturing and internationally traded services companies are a critical source of existing employment and job creation in every county in Ireland.
To date 110 companies have availed of the Brexit Be Prepared Grant. Enterprise Ireland’s Be Prepared Grant offers SMEs a grant of up to €5,000 to assist them in preparing an action plan for economic shocks, such as Brexit. The grant can be used to help cover consultancy, travel and travel expenses associated with researching the direction of their action plan. Enterprise Ireland is committed to processing all applications for the grant within eighteen days.
For example, this might involve investigating the feasibility of diversifying into new markets and market segments; investment in innovation; improvement in operational competitiveness; and/or enhancement of strategic financial capability.
Enterprise Ireland will continue to promote the Be Prepared Grant to all counties and regions to ensure that the maximum number of clients are engaged in preparing for the impact of Brexit.
140. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of businesses that have availed of the market discovery fund to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25986/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland believes that the best way for Irish companies to withstand current global economic challenges is by diversifying their export footprint. Enterprise Ireland launched the Market Discovery Fund in January 2018 with the aim of encouraging companies to expand into new markets by helping with the costs of researching viable and sustainable market entry strategies.
The Fund provides support towards both internal and external costs incurred by companies when researching new markets for products and services. Eligible companies can receive support when they are looking at a new geographic market for an existing product/service, or when looking at exporting a new product/service to a market that they already do business in.
The Market Discovery Fund is available across three levels:
- Level 1: Grant up to €35K
- Level 2: Grant greater than €35K but less than €75K
- Level 3: Grant greater than €75K but less than €150K
The maximum funding is 50% of eligible expenditure up to a maximum grant of €150,000. Eligible expenditure includes, but is not limited to, salary support, consultancy costs, trade fair costs and foreign travel.
The Market Discovery Fund has now been open for applications for a number of months and to date, thirty-three Market Discovery Grants have been approved.
141. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of businesses that have availed of the Brexit loan scheme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25987/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Brexit Loan Scheme provides affordable working capital to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees that are or will be Brexit impacted and meet the scheme criteria. The €23 million exchequer funding (€14 million from my Department and €9 million from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) has been leveraged to provide a fund of up to €300 million.
The scheme features a two-stage application process. First, businesses must apply to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to confirm their eligibility for the scheme. This application process requires businesses to use guidelines provided on the SBCI website to determine if they are eligible, and if so, to complete the eligibility form. As part of the process, businesses must submit a business plan, demonstrating the means by which they intend to innovate, change or adapt to meet the challenges posed by Brexit. The SBCI assess the applications and successful applicants receive an eligibility reference number.
Successful applicants can then apply for a loan under the scheme with one of the participating finance providers. Participating finance providers are the Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank with Allied Irish Bank following later this month. Approval of loans are subject to the finance providers own credit policies and procedures.
The scheme was launched on 28 March this year. Metrics detailing the uptake of the scheme will be available at the start of Quarter 3, 2018.
142. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of businesses that have availed of the Brexit start planning vouchers to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25988/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a range of supports offered to help businesses prepare for Brexit, InterTrade Ireland offers ‘Brexit Start to Plan’ vouchers valued at up to £2000/€2000. This funding helps companies access professional advice on specific issues such as tariffs; currency management; regulatory and customs issues; and movement of labour, good and services. InterTrade Ireland has reported strong demand for these vouchers, with 277 applications approved since the scheme launched in June 2017.
143. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding allocated to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement in each of the years 2010 to 2018; the amount expended in each year in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26084/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding allocation and expenditure for the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) in respect of the years 2010 to 2018 are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Funding allocation |
€6.086m |
€5.967m |
€5.697m |
€5.330m |
€4.672m |
€5.091m |
€5.015m |
€4.895m |
€5.057m |
|
Expenditure at year end |
€3.699m |
€3.397m |
€3.436m |
€3.123m |
€3.013m |
€3.073m |
€2.727m |
€3.014m |
€1.194m (to end of May 2018) |
The distribution of the funding allocations across my Department’s Vote, including that of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, is determined through the annual Revised Estimates Volume (REV) process.
A significant element of the non-pay allocation provided to the Office provides for possible legal costs. These costs, as well as their timing, are difficult to forecast as the Office has little or no control over the timing of when the cases will be determined. It is also the case that the Office cannot be sure of the outcome of cases in terms of costs orders and it cannot anticipate the scale of costs that other parties may seek. Whilst it is entirely prudent that provision continue to be made to meet legal costs in the Office’s subhead, the corollary of the uncertainty in relation to the amount, timing etc. of such costs can lead to underspends. This has been the case for the last number of years where the Office’s legal costs have been significantly less than anticipated thus giving rise to underspends.
There have also been underspends in the pay allocation. Over recent years, a number of senior-level vacancies have arisen within the Office through a combination of retirement, promotion and transfer to other parts of the public service. Whilst the Office, along with a number of other State organisations, faces challenges in the recruitment of highly qualified professional staff, particularly in the current buoyant labour market, I am satisfied that it has sufficient pay monies. At present, there are no requests for additional staffing from the Office.
144. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if the St. Vincent’s Hospital Group and the National Maternity Hospital will carry out obstetric and gynaecological services including termination of pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25945/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms of the Mulvey agreement provide for the establishment of a new company which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. I can assure the Deputy that care in the new maternity hospital will be delivered without religious, ethnic or other distinction and any medical procedure which is in accordance with the laws of the land will be carried out there.
145. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25952/18]
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 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.
146. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided to persons that are suffering from Huntington's disease to avail of specialist treatment in a hospital (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the funding for the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25953/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
147. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of freedom of information, FOI, requests his Department has received since January 2018; the number that were appealed, refused and granted, respectively; the costs that were applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25965/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table.
The detail supplied in the table is in respect of the Freedom of Information requests which have been completed.
The figure provided in relation to costs applied is a total estimate of costs in relation to the processing of a number of Freedom of Information requests. Deposits of 20% were requested in respect of these. There were 2 Freedom of Information requests which exceeded the overall ceiling limit of €700, and the estimated cost of processing these requests is not included in this table. My Department is awaiting a refinement of the scope of these two requests.
2018
|
Requests |
Completed |
|
Freedom of Information Requests Received |
213 |
|
Internal Review Appeals |
2 |
|
Refused |
31 |
|
Granted |
39 |
|
Costs Applied |
€1,257 |
148. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the sleeping arrangements available in hospitals for children with disabilities in circumstances in which cot sides are not present in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25973/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the health and safety measures in place in hospitals for children availing of hospital beds without cot sides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25977/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 150 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
