Written Answers Nos. 263-281
263. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on the recent vote in the European Parliament on copyright legislation that will require digital companies to pay for using print journalism and copyrighted music; the implications of this here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51645/18]
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 actively engaged in negotiations since publication of this proposal. On 25 May 2018, the Copyright Directive was discussed by Ambassadors at Coreper and the Presidency gained approval for a mandate from the Council to commence negotiations with the European Parliament. The Parliament voted to endorse its approach at its plenary session on 12 September 2018.
Trilogue negotiations between the European Council, the European Parliament, and the European Commission commenced in October and good progress has been made towards crafting a compromise suitable for all three institutions of the European Union.
Negotiations on the Copyright Directive have been exhaustive and the Irish position has been developed on the basis of detailed examination but also significant engagement with the wide range of stakeholders affected across the various issues in Ireland, Brussels, and with other EU Member States, including at Ministerial level. I fully support this proposal which is vitally important to both the digital economy and to rightholders seeking greater protection of their works in the digital age. Our focus has always been on achieving the best balance for the competing interests of all stakeholders, including digital economy actors, rightsholders, and citizens.
Once a compromise approach has been agreed at trilogues it will be put to the European Parliament for a vote. If this final vote is successful, Ireland will then have two years to transpose the Copyright Directive into its national legislation. This transposition process will include extensive consultation with our stakeholders to ensure that Ireland has the most appropriate and suitable legislation that meets the needs of our citizens in the modern digital age.
264. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA Ireland visits over the past 12 months; and if she is satisfied with the level of foreign direct investment in County Meath. [51679/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland continues to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in all counties of Ireland to its client base. It is important to remember, however, that the final decision as to where to invest always rests with the company concerned. It is also the case that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as almost 70% of all new foreign direct investment comes from existing IDA client companies.
The IDA, for its part, is actively promoting Meath as a location for investment to its prospective and existing clients. County Meath has hosted five IDA site visits so far this year, compared to three site visits for 2017. The IDA also has a number of locations available for investment in Meath which are being marketed to its clients. These include lands at the Business & Technology Parks in Navan and at Donore Road on the Meath side of Drogheda. I am hopeful that more investors can be encouraged to locate in Meath and thereby contribute even more to job creation in the County.
Meath is already home to a number of overseas companies who have shown a significant level of commitment the County, with companies such as International Fund Services (IFS) Limited, Arcroyal and Alltech continuing to perform well. In April of this year, PCI Pharma Services announced the launch of its new facility in Stamullen which will create 50 new jobs over the next five years.
The following table sets out the number of IDA Ireland site visits to each County in Quarter 1, Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 of 2018.
|
County |
Q1 2018 |
Q2 2018 |
Q3 2018 |
|
Dublin |
69 |
72 |
68 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
0 |
1 |
|
Meath |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Laois |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
9 |
6 |
|
Clare |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
8 |
7 |
10 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Louth |
6 |
6 |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
3 |
4 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
9 |
5 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cork |
10 |
14 |
21 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
5 |
3 |
|
Galway |
10 |
20 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
135 |
172 |
154 |
265. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if there is an additional strand to a funding programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51696/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) represents part of my Department’s commitment to stimulating economic growth throughout the regions. The overall aim of the REDF is to support every region to build on its unique strengths and ultimately create sustainable jobs. Collaboration is at its core – among the public and private sectors, within and across regions.
The REDF support the development of initiatives that help to strengthen the ability of the regions in achieving high impact on economic development, job creation and enterprise development at a regional level.
The Fund has four streams:
- Stream One: to support major regional, multi-regional or national sectorial initiative grants of €2m up to €5m per project in funding towards capital and current costs. These initiatives should be focussed on achieving defined enterprise development outputs and impacts.
- Stream Two: to support significant county, regional or multi-regional sectorial and or enterprise initiative grants of €250k up to €2m per project in funding towards capital and current costs. These projects should be focussed on delivery of defined enterprise development outputs and impacts.
- Stream Three: for local and community enterprise initiative grants of €50k up to €250k per project in funding towards capital and current costs. These projects should be focussed at a local, county or regional initiative that have defined metrics for enterprise development in the area.
- Stream Four: to support significant Industry Clustering initiatives with grants of €50k up to €250k per project in funding towards current costs. These projects should support industry-led groups to maximise the benefits of collaborative opportunities where the results of the activity will have some identifiable and measurable impact on their business.
Stream four in particular seeks to support Industry Clusters either already established or newly formed and designed to stimulate innovative activity through mutual interests such as promotional activities, sharing of facilities and exchange of knowledge and expertise and by contributing effectively to knowledge transfer, networking, information dissemination and collaboration among the undertakings and other organisations and relevant stakeholders in the cluster. This allows for smaller industry-connected enterprises to join such consortia in the application for funding through the REDF scheme.
266. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the provision of the advanced IDA facility in County Carlow; the timescale for the commencement and completion of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51790/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of its €150m Regional Property Programme the IDA is directly investing in a building programme to help ensure property solutions are in place for overseas companies considering investing or expanding, thereby encouraging more foreign direct investment in regional locations. This programme includes the construction of an Advance Technology Building (ATB) in Carlow.
I understand that IDA Ireland has selected a suitable site for the Carlow ATB and is currently in the process of acquiring this. Following successful acquisition, planning permission will be lodged and construction will begin in 2019, subject to planning permission being granted.
267. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has formally met with her UK counterpart to discuss Brexit and its impact on east-west trade reciprocal arrangements and other Brexit-related matters that fall within the remit of her Department; the number of times they have formally met to discuss Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51880/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware Brexit is a priority issue for this Government. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, my cabinet colleagues and I have taken every opportunity to engage with EU partners and the UK to advance Ireland’s priorities.
Of course negotiations on both the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and political declaration on the framework for the EU-UK future relationship, both of which were endorsed by the European Council on 25 November, were conducted on behalf of the EU27 by the EU's Chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and the Commission's Article 50 Taskforce.
Since taking up office as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation in November 2017 I have met with various UK ministers to discuss matters of mutual interest, including in relation to trade. The impact of Brexit on the Irish-UK trading relationship provided an important context for these discussions.
In January 2018 I met with Hilary Benn MP and a group of UK Parliamentarians to discuss issues around the UK exiting the EU.
In February 2018 I met with Minister of State at the Department for International Trade, Mr Greg Hands MP.
In April 2018 during an EI trade mission to Manchester I met with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Andy Burnham at which Brexit, among other issues, was discussed.
In June 2018, on a visit to London I met with the Secretary of State for International Trade, Mr Liam Fox MP and with the Minister of State in the Department for International Trade, Mr Greg Hands MP. This meeting agenda focused on Ireland-UK trade, EU trade policy and global trade challenges.
During my visit to London in June I also met with the Minister of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Ms Claire Perry MP to discuss industrial strategy and innovation.
In September 2018 in the course of a trade mission to Scotland, I met with the Scottish Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, Mr Ivan McKee.
At various EU Council meetings this year I have met with various EU counterparts, including UK colleagues, both formally and informally. This included meetings with the UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Mr Greg Hands MP and, on two occasions with the U.K. Minister of State for Trade Policy, Mr George Hollingbery MP. Maintaining the strength of the Irish-UK trading relationship was a key focus of these discussions.
My Ministerial colleagues, Ministers of State Pat Breen and John Halligan have also, at various times, met with their UK counterparts.
Minister Breen met with the following UK counterparts:
- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Lord Henley in March 2018 and in May 2018;
- Scottish Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown MSP in March 2018;
- Minister for State for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Margot James in April 2018;
- Scottish Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, Ivan McKee in August 2018;
- Minister of State for Trade Policy, Mr George Hollingbery in November 2018.
Minister Halligan met in February and May 2018 with the UK Minister for Higher Education and for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Sam Gyimah.
Minister Halligan also met Minister Joseph Johnson, then Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation in Tallinn, Estonia on 24th July 2017 on the margins of the Informal meeting of Research Ministers. The purpose of the meeting was to enhance the existing bilateral research and innovation cooperation and identify new areas of opportunity for UK and Irish researchers and innovators to collaborate further.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government has already taken a number of key decisions on measures to support continued trade in the context of Brexit in areas of staffing, ICT and in terms of infrastructure that could be needed at our ports and airports.
In order to best support businesses, Government has also provided dedicated Brexit support measures in Budgets 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Government officials are also working closely with the EU and fellow Member States to discuss and to facilitate the use of the UK as a landbridge to enable transit of goods to and from Ireland post Brexit.
268. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of women and men, respectively, employed in her Department and the agencies under the remit of her Department in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52048/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra269. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the various grades in which males and females are employed in her Department and the agencies under the remit of her Department in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52065/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra270. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the ratio of males to females employed in her Department and the agencies under the remit of her Department in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52082/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 268 to 270, inclusive, together.
Staffing resources are an ongoing priority to ensure my Department’s continued ability to facilitate the wide mission and volume of work in a range of challenging policy areas. This will continue with ongoing day-to-day review of the appropriate staffing mix across my Department in response to known and probable priority areas.
My Department liaises directly with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and Top-Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) in relation to the filling of posts.
The Secretary General of my Department is one of four Secretaries General leading the delivery of Action 8.5 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan – “To improve gender balance at each level by reviewing supports and policies to ensure these measures are impactful and measurable”.
The Civil Service has set an ambitious target to achieve 50/50 gender balance in appointments at senior levels. This is essential to ensure that the Civil Service is reflective of society.
My Department operates an equal opportunity policy to ensure that an equal share of both women and men can compete for and be awarded high visibility positions across the Department and its Offices. In this regard, the Department operates a best fit for the job policy.
The Gender balance of the Department and its Agencies is set out in the tables below:
Department Figures as at 30 November 2018
|
Department |
Grade |
Total |
Male |
Female |
Ratio M:F |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0:1 |
|
|
Deputy Secretary Equivalent |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1:0 |
|
|
ASEC |
7 |
4 |
3 |
4:3 |
|
|
ASEC Equivalent |
7 |
5 |
2 |
5:2 |
|
|
Principal Officer including equivalents |
57 |
33 |
24 |
11:8 |
|
|
Min Special Advisor |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1:1 |
|
|
Senior Examiner of Patents |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1:0 |
|
|
Assistant Principal including Equivalents |
141 |
77 |
64 |
77:64 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
136 |
59 |
77 |
59:77 |
|
|
Examiner of Patents |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1:2 |
|
|
Administrative Officer |
23 |
9 |
14 |
9:14 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
218 |
71 |
147 |
71:147 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
257 |
90 |
167 |
90:167 |
|
|
Civilian Driver |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1:1 |
|
|
TCO |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1:1 |
|
|
Services Staff |
31 |
24 |
7 |
24:7 |
|
|
Cleaners |
13 |
0 |
13 |
0:13 |
|
|
Sub Total |
906 |
380 |
526 |
190:263 |
|
Agency |
Grade |
Total Number of Staff in Grade |
Number of Male Staffin Grade |
Number of Female Staffin Grade |
RatioM:F |
|
NSAI |
CEO |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0:1 |
|
SPSO |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2:0 |
|
|
PSO |
12 |
6 |
6 |
1:1 |
|
|
SSO |
56 |
33 |
23 |
33:23 |
|
|
SO |
9 |
8 |
1 |
8:1 |
|
|
Level D |
7 |
1 |
6 |
1:6 |
|
|
Level C |
17 |
0 |
17 |
0:17 |
|
|
Level B |
10 |
2 |
8 |
1:4 |
|
|
EO |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2:0 |
|
|
T2 |
25 |
21 |
4 |
21:4 |
|
|
TA |
4 |
4 |
0 |
4:0 |
|
|
IAASA |
A/Sec |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1:0 |
|
PO |
13 |
5 |
8 |
5:8 |
|
|
AP |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1:0 |
|
|
A/C Gr I |
6 |
3 |
3 |
1:1 |
|
|
A/C Gr II |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0:2 |
|
|
HEO |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0:2 |
|
|
EO |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2:1 |
|
|
CO |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0:1 |
|
|
PIAB |
ASS |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1:0 |
|
DIRECTOR |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1:1 |
|
|
PO |
5 |
4 |
1 |
4:1 |
|
|
AP |
24 |
16 |
8 |
2:1 |
|
|
HEOIncludes 4 FTC |
20 |
5 |
15 |
1:3 |
|
|
EO |
15 |
5 |
10 |
1:2 |
|
|
COIncludes 2 FTC |
11 |
4 |
7 |
4:7 |
|
|
CCPC |
D/Sec |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0:1 |
|
A/Sec |
3 |
3 |
0 |
3:0 |
|
|
PO |
6 |
4 |
2 |
2:1 |
|
|
AP1 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
1:4 |
|
|
AP |
15 |
6 |
9 |
2:3 |
|
|
Case Officer |
12 |
6 |
6 |
1:1 |
|
|
HEO |
28 |
14 |
14 |
1:1 |
|
|
AO |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0:1 |
|
|
EO |
24 |
12 |
12 |
1:1 |
|
|
Service Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1:0 |
|
|
CO |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0:2 |
|
|
Enterprise Ireland |
Chief Executive Officer |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0:1 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2:0 |
|
|
Assistant Secretary |
8 |
7 |
1 |
7:1 |
|
|
Principal Officer |
50 |
37 |
13 |
37:13 |
|
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
268 |
150 |
118 |
1.27:1 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
127 |
42 |
85 |
42:85 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
97 |
18 |
79 |
18:79 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
94 |
32 |
62 |
16:31 |
|
|
Health and Safety Authority |
Chief Executive Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1:0 |
|
Assistant Chief Executive |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2:1 |
|
|
Programme Manager |
5 |
1 |
4 |
1:4 |
|
|
Assistant Principal |
8 |
2 |
6 |
1:3 |
|
|
Senior Accreditation Officer |
8 |
5 |
3 |
5:3 |
|
|
Accreditation Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1:0 |
|
|
Inspector Grade 1 |
17 |
11 |
6 |
11:6 |
|
|
Inspector Grade 2 |
39 |
24 |
15 |
8:5 |
|
|
Inspector Grade 3 |
56 |
30 |
26 |
15:13 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
13 |
2 |
11 |
2:11 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
15 |
3 |
12 |
1:4 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
14 |
4 |
10 |
2:5 |
|
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
Director General |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1:0 |
|
Executive Team(Comprised of Deputy Director General & Directors) |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1:1 |
|
|
Level F |
14 |
5 |
9 |
5:9 |
|
|
Level E |
17 |
4 |
13 |
4:13 |
|
|
Level D |
17 |
4 |
13 |
4:13 |
|
|
Level C |
6 |
0 |
6 |
0:1 |
IDA Ireland : It has not been possible for the IDA to provide a response in the time available, a response will issue to the Deputy in the coming days.
271. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the commencement of the Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51634/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2018 was enacted on 24 July 2018. This Act was introduced to correct typographical and technical errors in the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, which will facilitate the subsequent commencement of Parts 2 & 3 of the Act. Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 contain provisions relating to the regulation of donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR) procedures carried out in the State, including dealing with the rights of children born as a result of those procedures. There are important administrative and operational arrangements to be put in place to facilitate the implementation of Parts 2 & 3, including the establishment of the National Donor-Conceived Person Register and the appointment of authorised persons under the Act. It is my intention that Parts 2 & 3 of the Act will be commenced as soon as possible.
272. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding increasing the level of funding for a group (details supplied); his views on its establishment in line with advice issued by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51735/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
273. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health when the latest review of the National Carers’ Strategy took place; and if additional actions have been added to the strategy since it was first published in 2012. [52042/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2012 National Carers’ Strategy is a cross-departmental strategy that sets the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers. The Strategy is to be implemented on a cost neutral basis. Each relevant Department is responsible for the implementation of their actions and the Department of Health co-ordinates a progress report on overall implementation which is produced on a periodic basis over the lifetime of the Strategy and presented to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. The Strategy contains actions to implement four national goals encompassing a recognition of the value and contribution made by family carers, a need to support carers to manage their own health and well-being, providing adequate information, training, supports and services, and the empowering of carers to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.
As part of the National Carers' Strategy, the Department of Health is committed to the periodic publication of progress reports, highlighting work carried out by relevant Government departments and agencies. The fifth progress report, capturing actions which took place in 2017, was published on the Department of Health's website in August 2018.
The Department of Health is engaging with other Departments at present with a view to the development of a revised Action Plan for the further implementation of the Strategy. Meetings have been held between the Department of Health and a number of other departments and agencies to identify additional actions which can be carried out. A stakeholder consultation on the draft Department of Health/HSE health-related proposals was undertaken at the Annual Carers Forum organised by the Department of Employment and Social Protection in November. Family Carers Ireland, the main carer representative organisation, has submitted a revised set of proposed actions for various Government Departments which will be considered in consultation with other Government Departments and the Department of the Taoiseach over the next few months with a view to agreeing a revised action plan in 2019.
274. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason persons (details supplied) have still not received a medical card even though they meet all the criteria and are fully eligible. [51510/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
275. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the length of time children are waiting for speech therapy and occupational therapy services after assessment for developmental language disorder nationally; the comparable length of time for the Dublin 15 area; the number of children on such a waiting list nationally and in the Dublin 15 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51511/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
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.
276. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken in relation to a protected disclosure from persons at a hospice (details supplied). [51526/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra277. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports regarding governance issues at a hospice (details supplied), specifically in regard to bullying and harassment of staff; and the steps he will take to address concerns regarding recent audits of finances at the hospice. [51527/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person involved in making a protected disclosure at a hospice (details supplied) was subsequently dismissed by the hospice following disciplinary procedures; and if he will investigate governance at the hospice to ensure such breaches are not occurring and that public funding is not inappropriately used. [51528/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 276 to 278, inclusive together.
As the question refers to a Section 38 Agency which is governed by the Health Service Executive, this is a matter for the HSE. This question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
279. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the status of a new facility (details supplied); his plans for a former facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51529/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
280. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the status of a sale of State-owned lands (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51530/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
281. 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. [51531/18]
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, since 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.
