Written Answers Nos. 96-110
96. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the role her Department plays in ensuring that multinationals here operate according to the principles laid down in the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21274/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) is a non-binding ILO instrument providing guidance to enterprises on social policy and inclusive, responsible and sustainable workplace practices. Its principles are addressed to MNEs, governments of home and host countries, and employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Declaration sets out principles in the fields of employment, training, conditions of work and life and industrial relations which governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations and multinational enterprises are recommended to observe on a voluntary basis; its principles does not limit or otherwise affect obligations arising out of ratification of any ILO Convention.
Adopted by the Governing Body of the ILO in November 1977 the instrument has been amended several times, most lately in March 2017. The Governing Body of the ILO then adopted a range of operational tools, including encouraging the appointment of tripartite agreed national focal-points to promote the use of the MNE Declaration and its principles, whenever appropriate and meaningful in the national context. Governments of MNE host countries should promote good social practice in accordance with this Declaration among multinational enterprises operating in their territories.
Currently, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Unit of my Department promotes the Declaration as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility for Larger Companies. The appointment of a National Focal Point is subject to tripartite agreement and my Department has been engaging with the Social Partners in this regard.
97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if a person (details supplied) qualifies for a work permit in view of the fact that the person has resided here for several years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21305/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that not enough information has been provided to determine whether the person (details supplied) qualifies for an employment permit.
In order to work in the State all non-EEA nationals require a valid employment permit unless exempt under permission from the Department of Justice and Equality. In order to apply for an employment permit a non-EEA national must have secured a job offer for an eligible occupation from an Irish registered employer.
The State's general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within Ireland and other EEA countries. Where specific skills prove difficult to source within the State or EEA, an employment permit may be sought by an employer to hire a non-EEA national in line with the Employment Permits Acts and associated Regulations, which lay down in legislation the criteria in relation to the application, grant and refusal of an employment permit.
Any application for an employment permit should comply with all of the legislative requirements for the particular employment permit type, including that the non-EEA national has the required immigration permission at the time of application. Family circumstances are not relevant in the context of employment permit applications. Immigration permissions are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, and any such queries should be directed to that Department.
Details on how to apply for an employment permit are available on our website at the following link -
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/
98. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that every effort will be made to resolve the funding anomalies regarding the Rehab Group in view of the fact that it employs 1,500 staff nationally and provides services for over 3,000 vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21195/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the Rehab Group to examine the way in which the funding gaps can be addressed in the interests of over 3,000 vulnerable service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21197/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 102 together.
This Government’s on-going priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives.
Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services over the past number of years. Since this Government took up office, the budget for Disability Services has increased by €314 million. This year alone, the Health Service Executive has allocated €1.9 billion to its Disability Services Programme.
My primary concern is to ensure the continuity of appropriate person-centred disability services is maintained and delivered in an equitable manner consistent with the care and support needs of individuals. I want to acknowledge the important services provided by Rehab and the commitment of the staff of Rehab to people with a disability and their families.
I am informed by the HSE that the total revenue allocation provided by the HSE to Rehab for social services has increased by €8.1 million to €56.1 million in 2019 when compared with the allocation in 2016.
Rehab provides a range of services to young people and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, or acquired brain injury. Services are co-ordinated through Rehab’s three service delivery divisions, RehabCare, the National Learning Network and Rehab Enterprises.
Rehab and the HSE have committed to working intensively together with a view to making substantive progress in reaching a solution to the issues.
Rehab have agreed not to issue a notice of termination, pending the conclusion of this intensive work with the HSE. Both I and Minister Harris had a further meeting with Rehab and the HSE yesterday, Wednesday, 15th May.
99. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a unit (details supplied); if the location of same has been decided upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21189/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with national policy, the Government is committed to ensuring that specialist palliative care inpatient services are provided in all regions of the country. My Department and the HSE accept that a hospice is needed in Cavan, serving counties Cavan and Monaghan, as the demand for specialist palliative care in the region is not being met by existing services.
The HSE's Palliative Care Three Year Development Framework 2017-2019 commits to the development of a 16-bedded specialist palliative care unit in Cavan. My Department is continuing to engage with the HSE to work towards this objective.
100. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of talks being held between the HSE and the Rehab Group over funding; his plans to avoid the possible withdrawal of services for persons with disabilities, the contracts for the provision of which are held by the charity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21190/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government’s on-going priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives.
Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services over the past number of years. Since this Government took up office, the budget for Disability Services has increased by €314 million. This year alone, the Health Service Executive has allocated €1.9 billion to its Disability Services Programme.
My primary concern is to ensure the continuity of appropriate person-centred disability services is maintained and delivered in an equitable manner consistent with the care and support needs of individuals. I want to acknowledge the important services provided by Rehab and the commitment of the staff of Rehab to people with a disability and their families.
I am informed by the HSE that the total revenue allocation provided by the HSE to Rehab for social services has increased by €8.1 million to €56.1 million in 2019 when compared with the allocation in 2016.
Rehab provides a range of services to young people and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, or acquired brain injury. Services are co-ordinated through Rehab’s three service delivery divisions, RehabCare, the National Learning Network and Rehab Enterprises.
Rehab and the HSE have committed to working intensively together with a view to making substantive progress in reaching a solution to the issues.
Rehab have agreed not to issue a notice of termination, pending the conclusion of this intensive work with the HSE. Both I and Minister Harris had a further meeting with Rehab and the HSE yesterday, Wednesday, 15th May.
101. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if medication will be provided to a person (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21196/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
103. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if funding will be released to an organisation to allow a person (details supplied) avail of a residential care placement in one of its homes. [21198/19]
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.
104. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an urgent surgical appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied). [21200/19]
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.
105. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a matter (details supplied) will be investigated and referred to the hospital for an update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21204/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
106. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21205/19]
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.
107. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on a medical card application by a person (details supplied); if the application will be finalised without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21207/19]
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.
108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason further information is being requested in the case of an application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied); the actions being taken to bring the application to a conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21208/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if transport to and from an initiative will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21209/19]
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.
110. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [21210/19]
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.
