Written Answers Nos. 250-264
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a stamp 4 will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); if so, the date on which same will issue; if the process will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30890/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Immigration Service of my Department has not yet received a new application for Long Term Residency permission (Stamp 4) from the person referred to by the Deputy. The previous application made in 2009 was closed in 2010 after requests for further documentation were not responded to. This person, however, currently holds a Stamp 1 permission to remain in the State valid to 2 June 2021.
Based on the information supplied, the Immigration Service of my Department is unable to advise on whether the person is eligible for Stamp 4 permission. It is open to the person concerned to submit an application for Stamp 4 to Long Term Residency Division (LOTR), Residence Division - Unit 3, Immigration Service Delivery, Department of Justice, PO Box 12079, Ireland for examination.
In order to make an application for Long Term Residency in the State the person concerned must have been legally resident in the State for a minimum of 5 years (i.e. 60 months) on work permit/work authorisation/working visa conditions. Details of the application process are available on the Immigration Service website at http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Long_Term_Residency
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
251. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice the value of regional aid granted under the regional aid guidelines granted by her Department or agencies under the remit of her Department in each of the past seven years; the value by county or lowest possible NUTS level over the period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30902/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not granted any regional funding of this nature.
252. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a charge (details supplied); his plans to review this charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30781/20]
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.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
253. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason in-person speech and language therapy sessions have not been provided to a person (details supplied) since February 2020; and the reason the person has not been transferred to a primary care centre in which speech and language sessions have been taking place during the same period [30637/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
254. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if clarity will be provided on a statutory instrument (details supplied) as it relates to yoga and pilates studios. [30639/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra294. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if yoga and pilates are included within the statutory definitions of SI No. 347 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 as they meet the requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30862/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 294 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September, 2020. This Plan provides a framework setting out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.
The framework sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. It is framed to account for periods during which there is a low incidence of the disease, with isolated clusters and low community transmission, through to situations where there is a high or rapidly increasing incidence, widespread community transmission and the pandemic is escalating rapidly in Ireland and globally. It recognises the need for society and business to be allowed to continue as normally as possible and is designed so that either national or county level restrictions can be applied.
The Plan reflects a careful consideration of the impact of the introduction of restrictions on employment and livelihoods, keeping as many businesses open as possible at different stages, while acknowledging that some businesses and services are critical. It acknowledges that sports, arts and other social activities are central to our well-being and that sports and arts are also the world of work for our many in our communities.
As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. COVID-19 is infectious in a person with no symptoms, or for the period of time before they develop symptoms. For this reason, we are all asked to be extra careful when socialising and working with others. For now, we must act like we have the virus to protect those around us from infection.
Ireland has moved from a short-term emergency response approach to a medium-term approach to managing risk and repairing the damage that COVID-19 has inflicted on society. All counties in Ireland are at Level 3 of the Plan for living with Covid-19 until 28th October. Further information on the public health measures in currently in place in relation to the different Levels can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/
Yoga and Pilates classes are regarded as exercise and sporting events under the Plan and where possible, such classes can be held online.
Under Levels 3, 4 and 5 indoor training is only permitted on an individual basis, therefore exercise and sporting events, including classes, cannot take place.
Under Level 2 restrictions, indoor classes, training and exercise can take place in pods of up to 6 people, once sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.
Under Level 1 of the Framework, there is no specific capacity limit, with capacity guided by what can be accommodated safely in the venue while ensuring all protective measures are in place, including social distancing.
Further information on exercise and sporting events under the Plan are available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/resilience-and-recovery-plan-for-living-with-covid-19-your-questions-answered/#exercise-and-sporting-events and on Ireland Active at https://irelandactive.ie/news/update-regarding-government-medium-term-plan-re-covid-19-level-2-3/
The Deputy should note that the regulations referred to in the question have been revoked and have been replaced by the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 6) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 413 of 2020). These regulations can be viewed at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
255. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his plans to offer screening appointments at the mobile breast screening unit at a care centre (details supplied). [30640/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
256. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason a business (details supplied) was not closed for deep cleaning following five confirmed cases of Covid-19 there. [30641/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
257. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE waited 13 days to inform the manager of a centre (details supplied) following a suspected Covid-19 case that the other members of a class at the centre needed to isolate for 14 days from the day of contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30644/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
258. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a home (details supplied); when the home will be open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30650/20]
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. 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.
259. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will request the NRDO to report on its initiatives for the treatment and provisions of supports through the HSE to persons that have EDS; the initiatives planned by the NRDO to provide treatment through the HSE for EDS; if the NDRO plans to provide financial support for persons that need treatment for EDS to travel abroad for treatment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30654/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
260. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if personal care or home help will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30671/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
261. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding Covid-19 contact tracing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30693/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
262. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of approved consultant posts in the health service; the number of vacant approved posts; the number of recommended consultant posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30694/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this operational matter.
263. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details suppled); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30711/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
The resumption of services from June onwards has allowed for increased activity, with the HSE utilising innovative methods including telemedicine to facilitate patient appointments. Patient safety remains at the forefront of service resumption. To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols which has resulted in reduced capacity and activity.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund has also recommenced arranging treatment in both private and public hospitals for clinically suitable patients who have been waiting for long periods on public hospital waiting lists.
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 is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
264. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding special needs day-care service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30715/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
