Tuesday, 31 May 2022

Written Answers Nos. 614-633

Departmental Policies

Ceisteanna (614)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

614. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the status of efforts to facilitate later opening hours of nightclubs in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28044/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The Programme for Government commits to modernising our licensing laws and application processes, and my Justice Plan 2022 commits to publishing and enacting new laws to update and modernise licensing laws.

I am delivering on that commitment by preparing Heads of a General Scheme of a Sale of Alcohol Bill.

The objective of the proposed Bill is to repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2018, the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008, and the Public Dance Hall Act 1935, and to replace them with updated and streamlined provisions more suited to the 21st century.

Codifying alcohol licensing law into a single Act will make it more accessible and user-friendly for the licensed trade, courts, Gardaí and the public.

The creation of new categories of intoxicating liquor licences in order to meet the needs of new areas of activity in the hospitality sector is under consideration.

Any changes in alcohol licensing laws must be balanced with the need for regulation in the public interest, in particular public health and public order.

Reforms will be developed with a supportive approach to businesses, and the interests of public health, consumers and communities will be central to implementation.

Last November, I launched a wide-ranging consultation to seek the views of the public on the modernisation of Ireland’s licencing laws. The consultation, which ran until 21 January this year, looked at how best to update the existing laws governing the sale and regulation of alcohol in Ireland. Members of the public, academics, sectoral groups, and representative organisations were invited to complete an online survey and/or make a written submission to my Department.

There was a high level of response to the consultation, with in excess of 5,000 responses received. My Department is now reviewing these responses to ensure the reform of the legislation takes account of and is informed by this engagement.

The Deputy may also be aware that, on 10 March, I hosted a consultation webinar and panel discussion event on the reform of the alcohol licensing laws to give an opportunity for further discussion of the issues of concern to stakeholders.

That webinar can be viewed on my Department’s YouTube channel via the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tMtKzd_9jA .

It is intended to progress this legislation in the months ahead. Submissions from stakeholders will of course be carefully considered in the context of publication of the forthcoming Bill. Details of the proposed reform will be included in the General Scheme when published.

Citizenship Applications

Ceisteanna (615)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

615. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the average processing time for citizenship applications for minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28052/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions. 

For a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. 

In addition, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, has unfortunately resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing. 

Regrettably, the current average processing time for naturalisation applications for minors is approximately 23 months.

However, last year, my Department made 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest level since 2015.

The Citizenship Division of my Department has also been specifically focusing on the processing of  naturalisation applications for minors during the last month, which has resulted in over 1,100 applicants now having been contacted directly regarding the further processing of their application.

The citizenship application process is reviewed on an ongoing basis to continually improve customer service quality. Feedback from applicants is taken on board and, as a result, a much more simplified, customer-focused and streamlined mechanism for applicants to provide their proofs of residence has recently been introduced. 

To further speed up the processing of applications, a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times. Additional staff have also been assigned to the citizenship team.  

Since the beginning of this year, new applicants for citizenship no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full colour copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. This change in practice is welcomed by our customers and is also freeing up valuable staff time that up to now has been engaged in returning passports to applicants.

My Department intends to host the first in-person citizenship ceremony since the pandemic on 20 June 2022, with further ceremonies planned for December, in Killarney.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (616)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

616. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice if funding will be provided for the purchase of high-powered jet skis for the Garda water unit. [28081/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources. In addition, the Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the decisions on future allocations and spending. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. 

The Deputy may be aware that the Garda Water Unit (GWU) is a national resource based at both Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region, and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, and falls under the remit of Assistant Commissioner, Organised & Serious Crime. The operational control of the GWU is overseen by Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services. The GWU provide a full dive and marine capability throughout the State and respond to requests for assistance from within An Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the GWU currently has no plans for the provision of Jet Skis as part of GWU operational deployments. I am informed that the provision and allocation of all GWU resources, which includes two Patrol Boats and four Rigid Inflatable Boats, is under constant review and applications for new resources are made in line with European Marine Policing Best Practices and An Garda Síochána Procurement guidelines.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (617)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

617. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost of increasing the number of sworn gardai from 14,396 to 15,900 between 26 May 2022 and December 2023. [28082/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities.  Unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received. 

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 617 of 31 May 2022 where you asked for: “The estimated cost of increasing the number of sworn Gardaí from 14,396 to 15,900 between 26 May 2022 and December 2023”.

As you will recall, I sought the information you requested and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.

By law, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that to increase the number of sworn Garda members from 14,396 on 26 May 2022 to 15,900 by December 2023, an additional 1,504 members would be required.

As you will appreciate, the number of Garda members changes in line with recruitment and retirements, so the estimated additional payroll cost set out in the below table assumes that no additional Garda members leave the service between 26 May 2022 and 31 December 2023.

Year	2022	2023
2022 intake (250 recruits)	€470,000	€7,610,000
2023 intake (1,254 recruits)	n/a	€30,350,000
Estimated additional payroll costs	€470,000	€37,960,000

The Garda authorities inform me that the above figures are based on recruits entering training for 32 weeks on 31 October 2022 and 1 January 2023 respectively. The calculations are based on approximately €6,650 per recruit for the first 32 weeks, whereby new recruits undergo training and during this time they receive basic allowances. The remaining costs are paid on completion of the 32 weeks training, which includes Garda members moving to the first point of the pay scale when attested and an estimation of allowances that the members may qualify for depending on their assignments and employer’s PRSI.

It is important to note that non-pay costs are not included in the estimated figures and that the calculation is an estimate only as it must take account of several unknowns, including the actual date of recruitment and locations of any new Garda.

Furthermore, the estimate is based on current work schedules and pay scales, with the impact of the scheduled pay rise in October 2022 taken into consideration.

Finally, the annual payroll costs would continue to increase as the members move up the Garda pay scale each year and the estimated figures do not take account of potential overtime costs in excess of estimated briefing time payments.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (618)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

618. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí within the Meath division who have successful completed Garda driving level 3 course in 2021 and to-date in 2022, in tabular form. [28083/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda training. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The Deputy will be aware that Covid-19 restrictions on the Garda Training College constrained training opportunities for periods over the last two years.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that within the Meath Division, one Garda member successfully completed the Garda driving level 3 course (CBD3) in 2021, and that no Garda member has completed this course to date in 2022. 

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (619)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

619. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases that the Garda computer crime unit has dealt with in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [28084/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I can assure the Deputy that the prevention and investigation of cybercrime is a priority for the Government and for An Garda Síochána. Budget 2022 provides over €2 billion in funding to An Garda Síochána. Since 2016, the budget for An Garda Síochána has increased by approximately €500m, or 33%. These funds provide for continued investment in the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), with ongoing expansion of the Bureau.

The Bureau is the national Garda unit tasked with the forensic examination of computer media seized during the course of any criminal investigations. These include murders, cybercrime, online harassment, computer intrusions, child exploitation offences and any criminal investigation in which computers are seized or may contain evidential data. The unit also conducts investigations into cyber-dependent crimes which are significant or complex in nature, network intrusions, data interference and attacks on websites belonging to Government departments, institutions and corporate entities.

The Bureau is part of Organised and Serious Crime, and is staffed by civilian personnel and Garda members of various ranks up to Detective Superintendent. Members of the unit undergo intensive training in the area of forensic computing and cybercrime investigations, and give expert witness testimony in all types of investigations and prosecutions in court. In addition to its forensic and investigative role, GNCCB acts as a liaison with various partner agencies and law enforcement bodies.

The expansion of the GNCCB is a priority project under A Policing Service for our Future, the implementation plan for the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The aim of this project is to significantly enhance the capabilities of GNCCB to tackle cybercrime in this jurisdiction, including the establishment of six GNCCB Cyber Satellite hubs strategically located throughout the country.

I am pleased to note that Cyber Satellite hubs have recently been established in Cork, Galway, Mullingar and Wexford. These hubs are engaged in cybercrime forensics, investigations and support roles.

For the Deputy's information, the table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of cases that the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau has dealt with in 2020, 2021, and up to and including 9 May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available. 

Year	Cases created on GNCCB systems	Cases closed by GNCCB
2020	400	333
2021	490	431
As at 9 May 2022	166	162

Breakdown of Case Incident Type:

Incident Type	2020	2021	2022
Armed Robbery		3	2
CCTV Requests	2	9	2
Child Exploitation / Grooming	34	45	13
Child Pornography Enquiry	170	212	59
Criminal Damage	4
Cyber Crime - Cyber Attacks	5
Data Retrieval	35	39	8
Denial of Service		1
Disclosure of Personal Data	3	1
Drug Offenses	4	10	5
Fraud Enquiry	5
Harassment	19	23	15
Human Trafficking	1	12	4
Internal Affairs	4	20	6
Internet Investigation	2
Interpol Request	1
Missing Person		3	2
Murder - Suspect	16	7	15
Murder - Victim	2	1	4
Mutual Assistance Request	1	1
Phishing Incident	1
Ransomware	1	15	3
Sexual Assault / Rape	17	13	8
Telecommunications	1
Terrorism	10	8	1
Theft and Fraud Offences	58	56	15
Unauthorised Access	4	11	2
Website Defacement			2
Total	400	490	166

Court Judgments

Ceisteanna (620)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

620. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers who were summoned to court for driving without a licence per district court in 2021 and to date in 2022; the number convicted per district court in each year; and the fines imposed per District Court in each year. [28085/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the Courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the Courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries with the Courts Service. 

The two reports below, provided by the Courts Service, one ranging from January 2021 to December 2021, and a second report ranging from January 2022 to March 2022 (the latest date for when figures are available), lay out the number of persons listed in Court (summonsed), the number of persons convicted and the number of persons fined by District Court area for the offence of driving without a licence.

For the Deputy's information, the Courts Service provides a dedicated email address for queries from Deputies - [e-mail] . 

Report 1:  Jan – Dec 2021

Court Area	No of Persons listed for Court	No of Persons   Convicted	No of Persons where Fines Imposed
ARKLOW	79	18	18
ATHLONE	189	32	30
BALLINASLOE	104	33	32
BANTRY	42	11	7
BRAY	227	55	54
CAVAN	150	13	12
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT	3,909	777	734
ENNIS	356	109	108
FERMOY	178	20	17
KENMARE	15	3	3
KILKENNY	187	44	42
KILLARNEY	93	18	14
LIMERICK	590	226	193
MACROOM	97	22	14
MANORHAMILTON	9	1	1
MEATH	450	60	59
MONAGHAN	53	5	5
NEWCASTLE WEST	234	61	60
ROSCOMMON	69	22	20
WEXFORD	221	17	16
YOUGHAL	55	15	8
ARDEE	41	2	2
ATHY	95	22	22
BALLINA	56	4	4
BANDON	91	23	9
BEAL AN MHUIRTHEAD	8	2	2
BALLAGHADERREEN	31	7	7
BALLYSHANNON	26	4	4
BUNCRANA	77	10	9
CAHIRCIVEEN	13	2	1
CARLOW	294	68	65
CASHEL	205	32	30
CASTLEBAR	111	15	15
CLIFDEN	13	4	1
CLONMEL	121	29	21
CLONAKILTY	40	11	5
CORK CITY	829	330	258
CARRICK ON SHANNON	68	8	8
CARRICKMACROSS	105	11	10
CARNDONAGH	43	11	9
CARRICK ON SUIR	45	8	7
CASTLEREA	38	13	10
AN DAINGEAN	10	3	2
DUNGARVAN	151	26	20
DONEGAL	18	3	3
DROGHEDA	126	4	3
DOIRE AN FHEICH	35	11	8
DUNDALK	140	5	4
AN CLOCHAN LIATH	17	3	3
AN FAL CARRACH	14
GALWAY	282	101	81
NA GLEANNTA	7	3	3
GORT	44	13	13
GOREY	245	20	18
KILLALOE	40	10	10
KILCOCK	2
KILLORGLIN	9	1	1
KILRUSH	30	8	8
LETTERKENNY	262	49	43
LISMORE	20	3	2
LISTOWEL	59	10	8
LONGFORD	279	49	39
LOUGHREA	139	42	40
MALLOW	234	45	40
MIDLETON	188	31	23
MULLINGAR	171	30	23
NAAS	781	188	180
NENAGH	138	14	12
PORTLAOISE	390	55	51
SKIBBEREEN	17	6	5
SLIGO	90	14	13
STROKESTOWN	27	8	7
THURLES	120	16	16
TIPPERARY	77	8	6
TRALEE	227	44	28
TUAM	79	26	21
TUBBERCURRY	31	2	2
TULLAMORE	304	42	41
VIRGINIA	124	10	10
WICKLOW	143	25	24
WATERFORD CITY	423	20	18
Total	15,150	3,126	2,775

Report 2:   Jan – Mar 2022

NAME	No of Persons listed for Court	No of Persons Convicted	No of Persons where Fines Imposed
ACAILL	3
ARKLOW	17	5	5
ATHLONE	27	4	3
BALLINASLOE	23	5	5
BANTRY	6	1
BRAY	62	15	15
CAVAN	62	16	16
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT	1,504	222	200
ENNIS	53	20	20
FERMOY	51	2	1
KENMARE	2
KILKENNY	48	5	5
KILLARNEY	16	3	2
LIMERICK	226	72	59
MACROOM	14	3	1
MANORHAMILTON	2
MEATH	139	22	19
MONAGHAN	35	10	10
NEWCASTLE WEST	72	22	22
ROSCOMMON	16	2	1
WEXFORD	53	1	1
YOUGHAL	9	2	2
ARDEE	25
ATHY	17
BALLINA	24	2	2
BANDON	12	2	1
BEAL AN MHUIRTHEAD	1
BALLAGHADERREEN	6	1	1
BALLYSHANNON	5	2	2
BUNCRANA	26	7	7
CAHIRCIVEEN	7	1	1
CARLOW	73	24	24
CASHEL	37	1	1
CASTLEBAR	34	4	4
CLONMEL	36	8	7
CLONAKILTY	8	2	1
CORK CITY	262	82	68
CARRICK ON SHANNON	14	3	3
CARRICKMACROSS	42	13	13
CARNDONAGH	11	4	4
CARRICK ON SUIR	7	1
CASTLEREA	10	4	4
AN DAINGEAN	1	1	1
DUNGARVAN	18	3	3
DONEGAL	3
DROGHEDA	50	1	1
DOIRE AN FHEICH	11	4	2
DUNDALK	41	2	1
AN CLOCHAN LIATH	5	2	2
AN FAL CARRACH	3
GALWAY	77	29	20
NA GLEANNTA	1
GORT	13	1	1
GOREY	64	3	2
KILLALOE	9	3	3
KILLORGLIN	4
KILRUSH	3	1	1
LETTERKENNY	59	12	9
LISMORE	5	1	1
LISTOWEL	8	2	2
LONGFORD	62	12	11
LOUGHREA	22	6	4
MALLOW	59	9	6
MIDLETON	32	3	3
MULLINGAR	35	10	10
NAAS	192	20	18
NENAGH	42	6	5
PORTLAOISE	76	16	16
SKIBBEREEN	1
SLIGO	34	2	1
STROKESTOWN	9	2	1
THURLES	26	4	4
TIPPERARY	27	5	5
TRALEE	66	21	13
TUAM	49	14	13
TUBBERCURRY	13	1	1
TULLAMORE	79	16	16
VIRGINIA	41	13	13
WICKLOW	44	8	8
WATERFORD CITY	103	4	4
Total	4,484	830	731

Please be advised that  the Courts can only provide data in relation to where offence codes provided on the system were used by prosecutors. Prosecutors may have used uncoded free text offences and any such offences would not be included in the data provided.

In incidences where a Court Area is absent from the above reports, this should be read as a zero figure for the offence for that Court Area.

Traffic Fines

Ceisteanna (621)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

621. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the total number of fixed penalty notices issued to cyclists by year and to date since the commencement of the Road Traffic Act 2015, tabulated by the alleged offences for which these were issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28181/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, but I have not received this information in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 621 of 31 May 2022 where you asked for: “The total number of fixed penalty notices issued to cyclists by year and to date since the commencement of the Road Traffic Act 2015, tabulated by the alleged offences for which these were issued”.

As you will recall, I sought the information you requested and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.

As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána. I have no direct role in these matters.

The below table, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the total number of instances where a cyclist was issued with a Fixed Charge Notice since the commencement of the Road Traffic Act on 31/07/2015.

I am informed that, for data protection compliance, figures for groups with less than ten records have not been included; and that it is not possible to break down these statistics by offence type to prevent identification of individuals.

2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	Total Issued
588	631	1430	1507	1510	1267	932	458	8,323

I am advised that figures are based on incidents which occurred from 31/07/2015 to 26/05/2022, inclusive.

I am further advised that all information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the Fixed Charge Penalty System as was available on 27/05/2022 and is liable to change.

Traffic Fines

Ceisteanna (622)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

622. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 31 March 2022, the number and type of enforcements issued to motorists for exceeding the posted 30km per hour speed limit travelling the wrong way on the North Road one-way system and for travelling on the Upper Glen Road cul-de-sac (details supplied) [28187/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, unfortunately this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand. 

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 622 of 31 May 2022 where you asked:

‘the number and type of enforcements issued to motorists for exceeding the posted 30km per hour speed limit travelling the wrong way on the North Road one-way system and for travelling on the Upper Glen Road cul-de-sac.’

As you will recall, I sought the information you requested and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.

As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including all operational policing matters related to road traffic enforcement. As Minister I have no direct role in the prevention, detection or prosecution of criminal offences.

I am advised that to date, since the introduction of the 30KM/H speed zone and the one way system on a section of the North Road, Phoenix Park, no prosecutions have been commenced in respect of the offences and locations outlined in your Parliamentary Question.

An Garda Síochána continues to monitor the activity of drivers in the Phoenix Park with a view to ensuring compliance with all road traffic legislation.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (623)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

623. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an appointment with a consultant in order to be assessed for a torn cartilage at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork given the severity of their case and the length of time they have been waiting. [27221/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

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.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (624)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

624. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient admission to CAMHS by location in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27227/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (625)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

625. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children that are waiting on inpatient admission to CAMHS; the length of time that they are waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27228/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (626)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

626. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of operational inpatient beds that are currently available through CAMHS; the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27229/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (627)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

627. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will establish a residential house in Moyne for those with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27230/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (628, 629)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

628. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when the Sláintecare project on the development of a national diabetes register will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27231/22]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

629. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he accepts the need for a national diabetes register; the reason that there is no current register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27232/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 628 and 629 together.

The development of a national diabetes registry remains a priority. The National Diabetes Registry Demonstrator Project, funded through Sláintecare, was paused as key HSE staff were redeployed onto urgent on-going COVID-19 work. Following substantial increases in investment in eHealth, the national diabetes registry is now being considered as part of a wider review of Ireland’s health information strategy, and will operate as a “virtual” registry.

Government approval was given in April to prepare the General Scheme of a Health Information Bill. It is envisaged that the Bill will include a provision to enable the operation of disease-specific “virtual” registries, including a virtual national diabetes registry, where information on disease diagnoses and treatment from healthcare providers is efficiently collated, combined and quality-checked from administrative records to create a database akin to an active registry for each disease. This will greatly improve the potential to monitor rare-disease prevalence in Ireland.

Question No. 629 answered with Question No. 628.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (630)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

630. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the details of the current plans by HSE estates to provide accommodation provision for a perinatal mental health inpatient service at St Vincent’s University Hospital campus in CHO6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27241/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Eating Disorders

Ceisteanna (631)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

631. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the details of the current plans by HSE estates to provide accommodation provision for an adult eating disorder inpatient service at St Vincent’s University Hospital campus in CHO6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27242/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (632)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

632. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the details of the current plans to provide inpatient mental health services at St Vincent’s University Hospital campus in CHO6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27243/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

National Maternity Hospital

Ceisteanna (633)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

633. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the Elm Mount unit at St. Vincent’s University Hospital campus is fully-owned by the State including the land; if same is a leasehold; if the State can apply for a freehold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27244/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.