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Wednesday, 9 Oct 2019

Written Answers Nos. 87-106

Manufacturing Sector

Ceisteanna (87)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the manufacturing sector has grown in the past five years; the scope for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41337/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The manufacturing sector has grown significantly over the last five years.

The DBEI Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (ABSEI) is a survey of approximately 4,200 client companies of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta employing ten or more employees in Ireland and comprises the Manufacturing and Information, Communication and Other Internationally Traded Services sectors. From this survey, Total Manufacturing Sales were €103.4 billion in 2017, up from €82.6 billion or 25.2% on 2013.

Total Manufacturing Sales, ABSEI Survey, 2013-2017

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Manufacturing €m

82,621

85,442

96,991

100,766

103,421

The DBEI Annual Employment Survey is an annual census of employment in all internationally trading Manufacturing and Services companies supported by the enterprise development agencies (IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and Údarás na Gaeltachta). From this survey, Total Manufacturing Employment increased from 192,640 in 2014 to 227,052 in 2018, an increase of 34,412 or 17.0% on 2014.

Total Manufacturing Employment, Annual Employment Survey, 2014-2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Manufacturing

192,640

202,913

209,438

217,721

227,052

The Deputy should be aware that the CSO measures activity (including output and employment) in the manufacturing sector for the whole economy, not just the internationally trading firms that are the subject of the above surveys.

As regards the future prospects for the sector, on 10 March 2019, the Government launched Future Jobs Ireland 2019, the first in a series of annual reports as part of a multi-annual framework to ensure our enterprises and workers are resilient and prepared for future challenges and opportunities. This is a whole-of-Government, economy-wide approach, which will form a key part of Ireland’s economic agenda over the medium term. Future Jobs Ireland focuses on five key Pillars, namely: embracing Innovation and technological change; improving SME productivity; enhancing skills and developing and attracting talent; increasing participation in the labour force; and transitioning to a low carbon economy. It will focus on future challenges in terms of ensuring we have skilled people working in quality jobs in sustainable sectors. Future Jobs Ireland will also ensure our enterprises and workers are well positioned to adapt to the technological and other transformational changes the manufacturing sector and our economy and society will face in the years ahead.

Industry 4.0 capability will be a critical driver of competitiveness, underpinning future productivity growth and innovation in goods and services across the manufacturing value chain. A forthcoming national strategy will set out the Government’s approach to developing a globally competitive business environment for Industry 4.0

Services Sector

Ceisteanna (88)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the services sector has grown in the past five years; the scope for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41338/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Services sector has grown significantly over the last five years.

The DBEI Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (ABSEI) is a survey of approximately 4,200 client companies of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta employing ten or more employees in Ireland and comprises the Manufacturing and Information, Communication and Other Internationally Traded Services sectors. From this survey, Total Services Sales were €132.0 billion in 2017, up from €76.9 billion or 71.6% on 2013.

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Services €m

76,919

86,274

101,631

114,852

131,978

The DBEI Annual Employment Survey is an annual census of employment in all internationally trading Manufacturing and Services companies supported by the enterprise development agencies (IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and Údarás na Gaeltachta). From this survey, Total Services Employment increased from 153,926 in 2014 to 202,638 in 2018, an increase of 48,712 or 35.4% on 2014.

Total Services Employment, Annual Employment Survey, 2014-2018

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Services

153,926

166,289

179,150

192,125

202,638

The Deputy should be aware that the CSO measures activity (output, employment etc) in the sector for the whole economy, not just the internationally trading firms covered by the above surveys.

As regards future prospects for the sector, on 10 March 2019, the Government launched Future Jobs Ireland 2019, the first in a series of annual reports as part of a multi-annual framework to ensure our enterprises and workers are resilient and prepared for future challenges and opportunities. This is a whole-of-Government approach, which will form a key part of Ireland’s economic agenda over the medium term. Future Jobs Ireland focuses on five key Pillars, namely: embracing Innovation and technological change; improving SME productivity; enhancing skills and developing and attracting talent; increasing participation in the labour force; and transitioning to a low carbon economy. It will focus on future challenges in terms of ensuring we have skilled people working in quality jobs in sustainable sectors. Future Jobs Ireland will also ensure our enterprises and workers are well positioned to adapt to the technological and other transformational changes that the services sector and our economy and society will face in the years ahead.

Brexit Preparations

Ceisteanna (89)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she has taken to withstand the impact of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41339/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can assure the Deputy that since the outcome of the UK Referendum in 2016, Government has been actively preparing for Brexit to make sure that Irish citizens and businesses are as ready as possible for all Brexit scenarios. Preparations and contingency measures by Government were set out in December 2018 in the Government’s Contingency Action Plan for a No Deal Brexit and subsequently updated in July 2019.

In the case of my own Department I secured, in budgets 2017, 2018 and 2019, significant additional resources for my Department and the enterprise and regulatory agencies under my remit to ensure that they can work with businesses to prepare for Brexit.

Preparations for a No Deal Brexit occupy the highest priority across Government and Budget 2020 is based on the assumption of a No Deal Brexit. From a business perspective, the focus is on providing targeted, temporary measures for the most impacted sectors and regions i.e. those in vulnerable but viable employment. But there should be no doubt that while the Government has put a range of mitigation measures in place, there will be serious disruption in a No Deal Brexit.

In my own Department, through our enterprise agencies, we have put in place a full range of supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses across the country are prepared for the UK’s exit from the EU.

Key business supports include a range of assistance programmes available through the Local Enterprise Offices, including Technical Assistance for Micro-Enterprises; the Lean for Micro Programme; the Innovation and Investment Fund; and a Brexit Mentoring Programme. The LEOs also provide Customs Training Workshops that provide businesses with a better understanding of the potential impacts, formalities and procedures to be adopted when trading with a country which is outside the Single Market and Custom Unions.

Enterprise Ireland are key providers of a range of supports – through their SME Scorecard, Be Prepared Grants, Act on Programme and Market Discovery Fund, amongst other supports.

InterTradeIreland helps companies to prepare for Brexit through a range of supports and services suited to all businesses no matter what stage they are at with their Brexit plans. Key measures include Brexit Planning Vouchers, Implementation Vouchers and a range of Brexit advisory services.

The Department, working with other key stakeholders has also put in place a range of Brexit specific measures to enhance access to finance through, for example, the Brexit Loan Scheme (which provides affordable working capital to firms impacted by Brexit); the Future Growth Loan Scheme which provides a longer-term facility to support capital investment; and the Rescue and Restructuring Scheme which is available to provide restructuring support to undertakings in severe financial difficulties as a result of Brexit.

In addition, responding to the needs of businesses trading with the UK, we have put in place the Clear Customs initiative which offers eligible customs agents, customs intermediaries and affected businesses a free training programme to build capacity in the customs sector. Additional support of €6,000 per trainee will be available through Enterprise Ireland to participating eligible companies to assist with the costs of recruiting and assigning new staff to undertake training and take up new customs roles.

The Department is also leading negotiations with the European Commission DG Competition, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and other colleagues, on relevant State Aid issues.

We continue to enhance the resources of the Department’s regulatory agencies, to ensure that they are sufficiently resourced to fulfil their mandates, which are vital to the efficient functioning of the economy and which are essential to the maintenance of the Single Market.

Of course while Government can put in place support measures for businesses, there are specific actions too that firms must take themselves. With just over three weeks until 31 October, there are 9 steps that businesses, large and small, should take and these are outlined in a booklet entitled “Getting Your Business Brexit Ready: Practical Steps” which was launched in September 2019. The booklet provides a comprehensive overview for businesses on the core steps they should take to prepare for Brexit and is available at https://www.gov.ie/brexit.

To further assist firms, my own Department developed a checklist of the key actions for businesses to consider to be Brexit prepared. The checklist is available on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Brexit-Preparedness-Checklist.html.

To promote and build awareness of the need for businesses to prepare for Brexit, working in collaboration with the Accountancy Bodies of Ireland, I held four Brexit briefing events in July and September, covering a number of counties in the border regions that are likely to be most impacted by Brexit. These Brexit events covered a broad range of important topics to help businesses prepare for Brexit such as customs, supply chain, cashflow and product conformity.

In addition, the enterprise and regulatory agencies under my Department have been working closely with businesses for months through their own engagement campaigns and client clinics. These include Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Boards, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), the Health and Safety Authority, the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB), the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as well as InterTrade Ireland.

As the Brexit deadline of 31 October 2019 draws nearer, I am very conscious of the urgent need for businesses to take action to prepare and plan for Brexit, despite continuing political uncertainty.

I recently asked my officials to contact over 220,000 companies listed with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to advise them of the array of supports and the organisations available to assist them with their Brexit preparations. This latest initiative through the CRO was just one of the many channels and campaigns that my Department has been engaged in to communicate with businesses to get out the key messages in terms of steps to take to prepare for Brexit.

Trade Strategy

Ceisteanna (90)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which international trade in the future is likely to be governed by WTO norms with particular reference to recent developments in this regard affecting world markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41340/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland is one of the world’s most open, global, export-based economies with international trade constituting an important means of creating more and better jobs and growing our economy. Export-led growth and foreign direct investment have been cornerstones of successive Governments' economic and trade policies.

As Ireland has benefitted immensely from our export orientated enterprises trading across the globe, we fully support a multilateral, rules-based, global trading system, as embodied in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). An effective WTO dispute settlement system is an essential element of this order.

As International Trade Policy is a competence of the EU Commission under the EU Treaties, the EU Commission takes the lead on WTO matters taking into account the views of individual Member States and the collective good of the Union. Therefore, Ireland continues to be fully engaged with the Commission on the area of WTO reform.

One of the most imminent threats facing the WTO is acknowledged to be the impasse with the Appellate Body as a result of the continued veto by the United States of the appointment of Appellate Body Panel Members. This continued vetoing of appointments to the Appellate Body means that it will officially cease functioning after 10 December 2019, when there will be only one panel member remaining.

The European Commission has been very active in attempts to resolve the Appellate Body impasse and, more generally, to lead on essential WTO reform. In that regard, the Commission published a “concept paper” on WTO reform on 18 January 2018. More recently, an informal process to examine the issues raised by the United States and others was established and chaired by New Zealand WTO Ambassador David Walker, the current Chairman of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body. Ambassador Walker presented a set of possible "landing zones" on reform to the General Council of the WTO in July of this year. And Ambassador Walker, with full EU support, continues to engage with WTO members to resolve the impasse. The European Commission has continued to engage with other like-minded WTO members to encourage reform as part of this process.

Should the Appellate Body cease to function after December 2019, the EU has proposed an Interim Arbitration Agreement process grounded in the framework of Article 25 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding of the WTO. The EU hopes to agree, on a bilateral, case-by-case, basis with countries with whom it may, from time to time, have trade disputes to agree to operate under this Interim Arrangement.

In discussions by EU Trade Ministers in Council, I have strongly supported the Commission's proactive engagement on WTO Reform, with officials in my Department and on assignment to our Permanent Mission to the UN and WTO in Geneva actively promoting Ireland's and the EU's interests in maintaining and improving the multilateral, rules-based, international trade order embodied in the WTO.

Finally, I should add that EU Commission President-elect, Ursula von der Leyen, in her "Mission Letter" to Commissioner Phil Hogan, who has been nominated as the next Trade Commissioner, highlights WTO Reform as one of the key priorities for Commissioner Hogan's term, thereby, once again, making clear the EU's commitment to the multilateral, rules-based, global order for world trade.

Market Access

Ceisteanna (91, 92)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she has met or proposes to meet importers throughout the EU and globally with a view to identifying opportunities for exports in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41341/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she has identified new markets for Irish products in the Brexit era; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41342/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.

While the UK is and will remain a major market for Irish companies, expanding the Irish export footprint in markets beyond the UK is a key priority. In that context, Enterprise Ireland’s strategy is to support Irish exporters to be more innovative, competitive and market diversified.

The Irish exporting landscape is strong and companies in Ireland are succeeding in winning business worldwide for their products and services. Enterprise Ireland client companies achieved record levels of exports in 2018 of €23.8bn, against the backdrop of Brexit uncertainty. In 2018, the Eurozone region, which is a key focus of Enterprise Ireland’s diversification strategy, saw growth of 7.6% to €4.8bn, with Germany, France and the Netherlands each exceeding €1bn in exports. Exports to North America increased from €3.87bn in 2017 to €4.08bn in 2018, an increase of 5.5%. Our Enterprise agencies are now opening new offices around the world to support our companies in competing and thriving in global markets.

Ministerial-led Trade Missions support the Government's major drive towards market diversification. The majority of trade missions are taking place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represent the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Trade Missions focus on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences.

As well as the global efforts supported by our agencies, key to our success has been our commitment to trade liberalisation in order to open new markets for our indigenous sectors. The EU has successfully concluded a number of important trade agreements with trading partners and is in the process of negotiating or upgrading its agreements with many more. The existing suite of EU Free Trade Agreements and new trade deals will continue to be very important for Ireland. With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to our continued economic growth and, in this regard, Ireland will continue to support the EU’s ambitious programme of negotiating new Free Trade Agreements, opening new markets for Irish companies and increasing export and investment opportunities.

Enterprise Support Schemes

Ceisteanna (93)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she continues to monitor impediments likely to impact on business nationally with particular reference to the need to ensure the availability of indigenous and foreign investment in a business friendly environment with consequent employment opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41343/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department and its agencies consistently engage with businesses throughout the country and across a variety of sectors to ensure an understanding of the existing and potential challenges faced by our businesses. This engagement helps to inform the policies and strategies that will assist our enterprises in overcoming business impediments and to avail of opportunities in domestic and international markets.

My Department, through its agencies, provide a wide range of supports to enable companies to consolidate market share and also to become more competitive and to operate in international markets.

A key strategic priority of Enterprise Ireland has been to increase the diversification of client companies exports into new markets, with two-thirds of exports to go beyond the UK by 2020. This is particularly important in the context of Brexit. The proportion of exports to the UK has reduced by 10% to one-third of exports over the last ten years, reflecting the success Irish companies are having in substantially increasing and broadening their exports to other international markets which has resulted in strong export and employment growth. Exports by EI supported companies have doubled to markets outside the UK since 2008.

EI clients' exports for 2018 rose for a ninth consecutive year, and now stand at €23.8 billion, the highest level in the history of the State. This represents a 6% increase on 2017, and a €10.9 billion increase in exports since 2009. In relation to employment, as of the end of 2018 a total of 215,207 people are now employed by Enterprise Ireland supported companies. This is the highest in the history of the agency.

My Department continues to promote high level international events including trade missions which support the goal of securing high level market access for Irish companies.

In March 2017, my department launched the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF). The REDF is a €60m competitive fund complementary to the Regional Enterprise Plans with the overarching aim of driving enterprise development and job creation in each region throughout Ireland. The Fund is administered for my Department by Enterprise Ireland and it is aimed at supporting collaborative and innovative projects that can have a significant impact on enterprise development and help to sustain and add to employment at a national, regional and county level.

During 2017 and 2018, 42 projects have been awarded funding as part of Government initiatives under Project Ireland 2040, over two completed Calls for Proposals worth a total of almost €60m, with collaborative projects supported in every region. Call Three of the Fund closed on 25 September last.

The Local enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the "first stop shop" for advice on starting and growing a business locally. In 2018, 8,007 new jobs (gross) and 3,656 jobs (net) were created by LEO-backed client companies, with jobs growth across every LEO area. At the end of 2018 there were 36,666 people employed by 7,164 small businesses and start-ups that had received financial assistance from the Local Enterprise Offices.

The Government is nevertheless conscious of our need to also continue attracting FDI. IDA Ireland continues to work with their client companies and prospective clients to promote Ireland as an excellent location to do business. FDI companies have a hugely positive effect on the local economy. Direct employment of 229,057 jobs along with indirect employment of a further 183,246 jobs translates to a total of 412,303 jobs supported by FDI in Ireland at the end of 2018.

Foreign Direct Investment

Ceisteanna (94)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which Ireland continues to remain an attractive country for foreign direct investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41344/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland continues to perform strongly in terms of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). There are now over 229,000 people employed in IDA Ireland client companies. Last year alone IDA Ireland won 265 projects, compared with 237 in 2017. Within this figure, a record number of 134 were from new companies investing in Ireland for the first time, which represented an increase of 20% over 2017.

The release in June of the IDA's mid-year results for 2019 further demonstrated that the pipeline of FDI into Ireland remains strong, with confirmation of 13,500 job approvals and 140 investments secured. There have been a number of significant investments in 2019 across all regions including 150 jobs by Meissner in Castlebar, 100 new positions at JRI America in Tralee and 75 new jobs at Greenfield Global in Portlaoise.

It is therefore clear that Ireland remains attractive to overseas investors. Our key selling points include our talented workforce, pro-enterprise policy environment and continuing membership of the European Union. Our track record as a proven successful home for overseas firms is also important.

However, we cannot take future FDI success for granted. That is why the Government is working hard to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy and ensure that Ireland remains attractive to overseas investors. Steps are also being taken to diversify further our sources of investment, including through the expansion of the IDA presence overseas.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (95)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

95. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be repatriated and brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, as a matter of urgency in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41239/19]

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.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (96)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

96. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the incidental expenses incurred by his Department from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41250/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The amount of incidental expenses incurred by my Department from 01/01/18 to 01/01/19 is €1,030,906.91.

European Health Insurance Card

Ceisteanna (97)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

97. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if legislation regarding the extension of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to residents in Northern Ireland has been drafted; if cross-Border workers here but working in the North and paying revenue and customs to the UK will retain their card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41288/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Legislation to put in place a direct-reimbursement scheme for eligible residents of Northern Ireland who incur medical expenses while receiving treatment analogous to that provided under the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme was published on the 7th October and began its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas in the Seanad on the 9th October.

It is a persons competent Member State, i.e. the one where they pay social insurance or receive a contributory social insurance pension from, which issues their EHIC. Therefore, an Irish cross border worker in Northern Ireland will currently apply for their EHIC to the UK authorities. In a disorderly Brexit, one where the UK leaves the EU without an agreement, the UK will no longer be the competent Member State for these persons. However, as these persons will no longer be working and making social insurance contributions in another EU\EEA Member State or Switzerland, this State, as the Member State in which they are ordinarily resident and have eligibility for healthcare, will assume competency to issue such persons an EHIC.

Hospital Consultant Data

Ceisteanna (98)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

98. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant positions that need to be filled, both temporary and permanent, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41294/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Home Care Packages Data

Ceisteanna (99)

Pat Casey

Ceist:

99. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the number of persons up to 30 September 2019 waiting for homecare support by county in tabular form; the number of applications for homecare support up to 30 September by CHO areas 6 and 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41295/19]

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.

Newborn Screening Cards

Ceisteanna (100)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

100. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the newborn screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41296/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Currently all newborn babies (between 3 and 5 days old) are offered newborn bloodspot screening (generally known as the ‘heel prick’) through their parents/guardians for eight very rare conditions that are treatable if detected early in life.

A National Screening Committee is being established and will hold its first meeting before the end of 2019, as per recommendation 5, contained within the Scally Review (2018). The Committee’s role will be to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly.

I appointed Professor Niall O’Higgins as Chair of the Committee in July and asked that, as part of its initial body of work, the Committee prioritise a review of the national newborn blood-spot screening programme and look specifically at how Ireland should best proceed with an expansion in line with international best practice.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (101)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

101. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [41312/19]

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, 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (102)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

102. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [41313/19]

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, 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (103)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

103. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41315/19]

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, 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.

HSE Staff

Ceisteanna (104)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

104. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the local HSE environmental health office will contact a person (details supplied) in relation to a matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41316/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This is a matter for the HSE therefore I have referred the questions to the HSE for attention and direct reply.

HSE Reports

Ceisteanna (105)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

105. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when the national out of hospital cardiac arrest steering group report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41319/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Steering Group was established by the Health Service Executive and, as such, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Home Care Packages Administration

Ceisteanna (106)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

106. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if matters (details supplied) in relation to homecare will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41320/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy commits to the introduction of a statutory homecare scheme in 2021. As part of this, work is on-going to determine the optimal approach to the development of the scheme within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms and in 2019 work is focusing on the design of the scheme, the options for regulation, and a review of existing services.

As part of this, in recent months, the Department of Health has commissioned a review of the management, operation and funding of existing home-support service-provision. This will significantly enhance the evidence-base for the development of the statutory scheme and ensure that it builds on emerging good practice within Ireland.

I am aware of the proposals referred to by the Deputy and will take these into consideration as I continue to develop the scheme. I expect to be in a position to provide further details around the general terms of the proposed scheme in January 2020.

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