Written Answers Nos. 524-543
524. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who successfully completed the standard and advanced motorcycle course in 2019 and to date in 2020; the duration of each course; and when the next standard and advanced motorcycle course will commence. [31174/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 for the management and administration of the Garda organisation. This responsibility includes decisions on distribution of resources and personnel. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that the Standard Motorcycle Training is 4 weeks in duration whilst the Advanced Motorcycle Training is 2 weeks in duration. Training is currently suspended due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Please see attached, in tabular form, the information requested as provided by the Garda Commissioner:
|
Year |
Standard Motorcycle Course |
Advanced Motorcycle Course |
Numbers Trained |
|
2020 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2019 |
Nil |
13 courses |
30 |
525. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to each crime task force within Dublin as of 31 December 2019 and 12 October 2020, in tabular form. [31175/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have sought the relevant figures from An Garda Síochána and will revert to the Deputy as soon as they have been received.
|
DMR North |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
|
31 Dec 2019 |
20 |
1 |
0 |
|
12 Oct 2020 |
19 |
1 |
0 |
|
DMR South |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
|
31 Dec 2019 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
12 Oct 2020 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR East |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
|
31 Dec 2019 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
12 Oct 2020 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
|
DMR West |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
|
31 Dec- 2019 |
21 |
2 |
0 |
|
12 Oct 2020 |
26 |
2 |
0 |
|
DMR North Central |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
|
No Crime Task Force in DMR North – BRU finished in Dec. 2018 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR South Central |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
|
31 Dec 2019 |
17 |
2 |
1 |
|
12 Oct 2020 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
526. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if additional funding will be allocated to legal aid to ensure that those who require legal representation, including those in direct provision, can access it in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31196/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (the “Act”) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017.
Civil legal aid and advice is provided primarily through a network of law centres by solicitors employed by the Board. There are 30 full time and 12 part-time law centres. Specific law centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway include an international protection speciality. The Board also engages private solicitors to provide services in international protection cases. A substantial portion of the Board’s international protection cases are handled by private practitioners.
Since the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015, the Board is committed to providing all international protection clients with early legal advice on all aspects of their application. They are given a priority appointment with law centre staff or referred to a private practitioner as soon as possible after their application for legal aid is received.
The International Protection Solicitors Panel, which is provided by the Legal Aid Board, plays an important role in providing legal assistance to people making an application for international protection and permission to remain in the State. Solicitors on the Panel provide a range of legal services including assistance with the international protection questionnaire and interview and representation at the International Protection Appeals Tribunal. The service provided by private solicitors on the Board’s panel is intended to be the same service that is provided by a law centre.
Last year, the former Minister for Justice and Equality approved changes to the terms and conditions of the Panel, including a restructuring of fees paid to solicitors. These changes were requested by the Legal Aid Board to take into account practical considerations that had arisen in relation to the operation of the panel, reflecting the Board's experience since the International Protection Act 2015 came into force, and legal developments in the interim. These changes were not occasioned by a reduction in the budget for the Legal Aid Board. They are due to come into effect shortly. These new terms and conditions will not result in delays in the provision of legal services and applicants will continue to receive the same high level of legal assistance.
I am advised that the Legal Aid Board considers that for 2020 and 2021 it has been sufficiently resourced to meet on a priority basis projected demand for legal services for international protection applicants.
Detailed information on civil legal aid services and advice provided to international protection applicants can be found here:
www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/legal-aid-services/services-for-international-protection-applicants/.
As announced in the Budget earlier this week, an increased provision of over €2 million in 2021 will bring total funding of the Legal Aid Board to €44.6 million, a 6% increase. This will enable the Board to recruit additional staff and meet other costs to enhance delivery of its services across the country.
527. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the additional measures in place to protect those in prison from Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31209/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra528. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the number of Irish prisoners that have tested positive for Covid-19 since the beginning of the crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31210/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 528 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that to date only four prisoners have tested positive for Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. Each positive case was a recently committed prisoner from the community and none of the cases have been acquired within the prison environment.
I am advised that the Irish Prison Service has put in place an extensive range of measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission within prisons. The Director General of the Irish Prison Service at an early stage established an Emergency Response Planning Team (“ERPT”) consisting of senior staff with skills and experience in areas including operational; healthcare; and infection control. The ERPT was tasked with identifying and issuing instruction for any necessary actions with the aim of:
- Blocking the spread of Covid-19 in a prison setting;
- Early detection of any possible case of Covid-19 in a prisoner or staff member; and
- Prevention of the spread of Covid-19, should a case be confirmed.
The measures which have been introduced, guided by the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team and consistent with the prison specific guidance for the management of Covid-19 issued by the World Health Organisation and guidance of the Council of Europe, include:
- The introduction of a basic health check, including taking of temperatures for all persons, including staff, entering prisons since 29 March;
- The ongoing review of the provision of physical family visits, replaced by the introduction of video visits in line with local county restrictions on movement;
- In conjunction with the HSE, facilitating the testing of all new committals to the prisons at an early stage, which will allow for the prisoner to exit quarantine and enter the general population at an earlier stage, provided test results are negative;
- Isolation of suspected case or prisoner with symptoms to prevent the risk of transmission of infection;
- The provision of cocooned accommodation for vulnerable prisoners including all prisoners aged 70 years or more or those that are deemed medically vulnerable;
- Comprehensive training for IPS staff and the provision of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across the prison estate;
- Conducting of risk assessments and putting in additional controls where identified, such as the mandatory wearing of surgical masks for staff in areas which have been highlighted as locations where social distancing is difficult or cannot be maintained;
- A number of Standard Operating Procedures in place for the distribution of PPE, as well as the donning and doffing of PPE and Infection Control measures which are kept under consent review;
- Strong communication with staff and prisoners, including two prison newsletters published weekly and regular Covid-19 information leaflets for prisoners and newsletters for staff regarding actions taken; and
- Establishment of a robust contract tracing model which has been acknowledged by the World Health Organisation as best practice.
The successful strategy employed by the Irish Prison Service to control the risks arising during this pandemic has been founded on detailed contingency planning providing for flexibility and a rapid response to continually evolving risks as well as the co-operation and understanding of all concerned, including both staff and prisoners.
I understand that the Service continues to manage the risks and challenges faced in a prison context during the Covid-19 pandemic in line with public health guidelines. In doing so, it maintains a close working relationship with my Department, relevant criminal justice authorities, the National Public Health Emergency Team and the HSE. The Service has a Prison Framework for Restrictive Measures of activities and regimes which is in line with the levels 1 to 5 measures under the National Framework for living with COVID 19 published by the Government last month.
The ERPT is continually updating contingency plans. These plans are, by their nature, highly operational and are subject to change given the multiple scenarios that are possible. The Irish Prison Service continues to engage with all relevant stakeholders, in alignment with public health advice in the management of the response to the pandemic.
The Irish Prison Service has assured me that it is at all times cognisant of the impact of its decisions on people in custody. This impact is taken into account at all times, including at every stage of the planning process and the implementing of actions necessary to control and mitigate against the risk of Covid-19 in the prison environment.
529. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of recruits that were to start training with An Garda Síochána for 2020; the number of the recruits that actually began training in 2020 and the breakdown of targeted versus actual recruitment of Garda trainees for 2020, in tabular form. [31223/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe administration and management of An Garda Síochána is, by law, a matter for the Garda Commissioner. This includes responsibilities for matters including recruitment and training of members. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
Provision was made for up to 700 recruits to begin training in the Garda College over the course of 2020.
An initial batch of 125 new recruits began their training on 10 February. As the Deputy will appreciate, and in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated public health restrictions, public access to the Garda College has been prohibited since 12 March 2020. At that time, the February intake of recruits were among the over 300 Garda trainees attested earlier than scheduled and deployed along with sworn members of Garda College staff to operational duties in order to enhance Garda capacity to respond to the pandemic.
Subsequent to this, I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that arrangements were made to permit further intakes of Garda recruits.
In that regard, I am informed that approximately 150 new recruits are currently undergoing training under a revised delivery method, taking into account infection control advice. The first batch of approximately 75 commenced training on 25 May, and the second batch of 75 recruits commenced training on 22 June.
In light of this, I am advised by Garda authorities that the table below contains the latest information available, as requested by the Deputy:
Target Number v Actual Number of Trainee Gardaí commencing training in 2020
|
Target Number of Trainee Gardaí due to commence training in 2020 |
Actual Number of Trainee Gardaí that commenced training in 2020 |
|
700 |
275 |
As the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, Garda numbers are now over 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide.
Budget 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to 620 new Gardaí and an extra 500 Garda staff. On that basis, there should be 14,700 Gardaí, with a further 300 recruits in training in Templemore, by December 2021 – a total of 15,000.
530. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 584 of 21 July 2020, the estimated amount of the allocated 2021 estimate for capital expenditure under the prisons Vote group that is expected to be taken up by the construction of Limerick Prison. [31251/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraProvision of safe and secure custody and dignity of care to persons in the penal system in Ireland is a priority for me as Minister and for the Irish Prison Service.
Delivery of the Limerick Prison redevelopment project is a key part of ongoing work in relation to the prison estate and is reflected in the Prison Service Strategic Plan 2019-2022.
Prior to the Budget the Irish Prison Service had a capital allocation for 2021 of €21 million.
The additional €15 million brings the total allocation in 2021 to €36 million.
I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that in respect of the redevelopment of Limerick Prison, based on the current cashflow projections and construction programme, €28 million has been allocated to the construction contract for 2021.
This allocation is subject to no unforeseen issues and/or adverse impacts arising on construction activities due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
531. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 15 September 2020, the number of cases prosecuted and e-scooters confiscated in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 for illegal use of e-scooters on public roads and in public places; if she will provide a breakdown of same on a six-month basis, that is, January to June and July to December 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31456/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the number of traffic offences under the PULSE traffic category which involved dangerous or illegal use of e-scooters in the years in question.
The Deputy should note that as with scramblers/quad bikes etc., there are more incidents on PULSE than there are objects/vehicles associated with incidents, as one vehicle may be involved in a number of related incidents. The figures below are therefore based on incidents with the mentioned key text in the narrative or incidents that didn’t have the key text in the narrative but did have an e-scooter linked as seized/detained.
|
Jan-Jun 2018 |
Jul-Dec 2018 |
Jan-Jun 2019 |
Jul-Dec 2019 |
Jan-Jun 2020 |
Jul-15th Oct 2020 |
|
|
Traffic Offences |
0 |
0 |
25 |
23 |
25 |
21 |
|
Collisions |
1 |
2 |
4 |
18 |
12 |
25 |
|
Vehicles Seized or Detained |
0 |
0 |
33 |
23 |
37 |
54 |
I am informed by the Courts Service that it is not possible to extract the number of prosecutions relating to e-scooters from those related to other types of vehicles.
532. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice her plans to amend the upper age limit for new recruits to An Garda Síochána in view of the increased recruitment drive announced in budget 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31490/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Expert Review Group has been established to examine the issue of Garda Recruitment, Entry Pathways and Recruit Education. This is a commitment under A Policing Service for the Future, the Government’s Implementation Plan for the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Group will examine a variety of matters including the age of recruitment to An Garda Síochána. The Group operates in an advisory capacity and will submit a report to the Garda Commissioner within 12 months. My Department is also studying a recent Workplace Relations Commission decision (awaiting publication) in relation to the entry age into An Garda Síochána and will engage further with the Garda authorities in this regard.
533. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice if statistical information will be provided for each of the years 2018 to 2021 in relation to An Garda Síochána (details supplied). [31569/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.
|
Actual 31/12/2018 |
Actual 31/12/2019 |
Actual 31/12/2020 |
Actual to 28/02/2021 |
Projected 31/12/2021 |
|
|
New Recruits |
799 |
600 |
275 |
0 |
450 |
|
Garda Trainees Attested |
789 |
605 |
522 |
75 |
148 |
|
Retirements/Departures from service |
312 |
334 |
339 |
41 |
350 |
|
Overall Garda Strength numbers (members) |
14,032 |
14,307 |
14,491 |
14,522 |
14,289 |
|
Overall Garda Staff numbers (civilian) WTE |
2,429.40 |
2,944.90 |
3,112.60 |
3,124.20 |
3,550 |
534. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the current capacity of Loughan House and Shelton Abbey. [31570/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLoughan House and Shelton Abbey are open, low security prisons for adult males who are regarded as requiring low levels of security. I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the current bed capacity of Loughan House is 140 and that of Shelton Abbey is 115.
The Irish Prison Service collates daily data, on a prison by prison basis, on the prisoner population. This includes details of the number in custody and bed capacity, both male and female, the number of remands and the number on temporary release.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the bed capacity for all prisons is included in the Daily Population figures which are published on the website of the Irish Prison Service – www.irishprisons.ie.
535. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the criteria used for selecting visiting committee members for the Irish Prison Service; the requirements in terms of qualifications; the role involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31571/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, Prison Visiting Committees are made up of individuals from across society. The Visiting Committee to each of the current 12 prisons or places of detention is appointed under the Prison (Visiting Committees) Act, 1925 as applied by section 4 of the Prisons Act, 1970. Rules relating to the specific functions and operation of such Visiting Committees are set out in the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1925.
The function of Visiting Committees is to visit, at frequent intervals, the prisons to which they are appointed and to hear any complaints which may be made to them by any prisoner. Visiting Committees have free access, either collectively or individually, to every part of their prisons. They focus on issues such as the quality of accommodation, catering, medical, educational, welfare and recreational facilities.
The above legislation provides that members of Prison Visiting Committees are to be responsible persons. While at present there is no formal requirement for any specific qualifications in order to be considered for membership of a Prison Visiting Committee, generally speaking applicants have an interest in the wider criminal justice sector or related fields and have a desire to contribute to society. Members of Prison Visiting Committees are drawn from a wide spectrum to ensure that the needs of prisoners are understood and met. All applications or expressions of interest with regard to membership of Prison Visiting Committees are examined individually. Appointments to Prison Visiting Committees are generally for a period not exceeding three years and members can be considered for re-appointment.
Appointments to Prison Visiting Committees are made by me, in my capacity as Minister, on foot of representations, either from local representatives or from individuals nominating themselves. This is the long standing practice used by successive Ministers in appointing members to Prisons Visiting Committees.
Given the nature of the functions of Prison Visiting Committees, all applicants are subject to Garda clearance.
The Deputy may wish to note that there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to review the existing functions, powers, appointment procedures and reporting processes for Prison Visiting Committees. Work in this regard has commenced in my Department.
536. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the status of the 2019 and 2020 annual reports by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons. [31572/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Inspector of Prisons, whose independence in the exercise of her functions is provided for by law, plays a vital role in ensuring effective independent oversight of our prison system. The main function of the Inspector of Prisons is to carry out regular inspections of prisons and places of detention in Ireland.
The Inspector also investigates deaths of prisoners in custody and has oversight of the prisoner complaints procedure in the Irish Prison Service.
I was pleased to see an increase in the 2021 budget for the Inspector of Prisons of just over €0.75m, bringing the total 2021 allocation to €1.954 million. This total allocation represents an increase of over 60% compared to the Inspectorate's 2020 budget, and over 290% when compared to 2019.
Section 32 of the Prisons Act 2007 provides that the Inspector of Prisons shall submit a report to me as Minister, not later than 31 March in any year or such later date as may be specified by me, on the performance of the Inspector’s functions during the previous year.
The Inspector has notified me that due to competing priorities and current resources, the inspector was not in a position to submit the report for 2019 within the specified timeframe.
I hope to be in a position to publish the report for 2019 as soon as possible and as the Deputy may appreciate, the 2020 annual report will not be collated until year end.
537. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the overall ratio of staff to prisoners maintained across the Irish Prison Service; the number for Portlaoise prison; and the number of staff assigned to each block of the campus. [31573/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the allocation of staffing resources across the prison estate is based on the security and operational needs of each individual prison.
The number of staff required is influenced by a number of factors including, in particular, the numbers in custody, category of prisoner and regimes and a range of other factors, including the risks and needs associated with specific areas and particular offenders.
As the Deputy will appreciate, for security and operational reasons, the Irish Prison Service does not publish a detailed breakdown of the staffing resources within specific prisons.
538. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the resistance of local authorities to become the data controller for a scheme (details supplied); if her Department has issued further guidelines to local authorities on this issue; and if not, if her attention has been drawn to the fact a local organisation is eager to apply but is aware of the current impasse with data protection and cannot progress their application. [31581/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, community-based CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must:
- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee;
- have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller, and
- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.
This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of how they are funded and these key legal requirements have not changed since 2006. The option to establish a Community CCTV scheme is available to groups that meet these legal requirements, anywhere in the country. As part of the application process the Local Authority must provide assurance that they will act in the data controller role.
My Department is currently in correspondence with the Data Protection Commissioner regarding the structure of the scheme as it relates to data protection. The Department will review the proposed An Garda Síochána (Digital Recordings) Bill in light of the issues raised.
The Department is not aware of the issue raised by the Deputy in relation to Bailieborough, Co Cavan. Applications for the CCTV Scheme are only forwarded to my Department once they have been through the application process in place with An Garda Síochána and they have been approved by the Garda Commissioner. I am advised however that An Garda Síochána have liaised with both Community Groups and Cavan County Council on a regular basis to assist in advancing all submitted applications relating to Community Based CCTV, and that they will continue to do so.
539. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if an application for a family reunification will be expedited (details supplied). [31702/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for family reunification in respect of an adult child under the provisions of the International Protection Act 2015 on 3 September 2020. The application was refused as the adult child is over the age of 18 and a decision letter issued to the applicant on 6 October 2020.
It is open to the person concerned to apply for a “Join Family” long stay visa if they wish to remain in the State for more than 90 days. Comprehensive guidelines for all types of visa applications are published on the website of the Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie). The guidance for a visa for the purpose of joining family members residing in Ireland refers applicants to the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. The criteria set out in that policy is used in assessing both visa applicants for this type of visa and any subsequent residence application should the person's visa application be successful. The Policy Document is available at: www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Family%20Reunification%20Policy%20Document.pdf/Files/Family%20Reunification%20Policy%20Document.pdf.
540. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces assigned to her Department in percentage and absolute terms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31737/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of Justice has ten buildings in its estate in Dublin and a number of regional locations. All of the buildings have a dedicated restroom, which may be used by staff for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk.
541. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice if she has secured funding in budget 2021 to replace either the helicopters or aircraft within the Garda air support unit. [31764/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for carrying on and managing the administration and business of the organisation as well as for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no role in those matters.
Record resources of €1.952 billion have been made available to An Garda Síochána in Budget 2021. There will also be continued investment in the Garda Fleet of €8 million in addition to the highest ever investment of approximately €15 million in the Garda Transport Fleet in 2020 – a proportion of which relates to the Garda Covid response.
The Garda Air Support Unit was established in September 1997 and it currently comprises one fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters. I understand that there is no provision made in the Capital Plan or the 2021 budget to replace the aircraft or helicopters within this unit.
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions on prioritising the upgrading or replacement of Garda equipment or these aircraft in particular are in the first instance for the Commissioner and his management team, in the context of the investment being made in An Garda Síochána and his operational priorities.
Regarding the fixed wing aircraft specifically, and as the Deputy may be aware, a Technical Advisory Group comprising of personnel from my Department, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Defence and the Irish Air Corps was established to examine the options in relation to future replacement of that aircraft. A number of options have been examined but I understand there is currently no plan for replacement of the aircraft at this time. My Department continues to engage with Garda management on an ongoing basis in relation to that matter, as well as ongoing engagement more generally on current and capital resource needs.
542. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the child psychologist post that has been vacant at a centre (details supplied) since January 2020 will be filled, as assessments of need are not being carried out in the required timeframe of three months. [30969/20]
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.
543. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy will be restored in full at a centre (details supplied) to clear the waiting list for persons that have been referred and need to avail of the services. [30970/20]
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.
