Written Answers Nos. 554-572
554. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which she remains satisfied that An Garda Síochána has access to the most modern forensics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36252/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
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 the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions. Forensic services are available to An Garda Síochána through the Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB) and Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). GNTB provides national support to Divisional Crime Scene Investigation Units whereas FSI provide a scientific service to the Criminal Justice System by analysing samples submitted from crime scenes and providing expert evidence in criminal trials.
Teams from GNTB comprise experts in photography, ballistics, fingerprints and mapping. Using advanced equipment and techniques in the recovery and analysis of evidence, these highly skilled teams investigate major and complicated crime scenes throughout the State.
On an annual basis an independent and dedicated budget is made available through the Garda Vote for the purchase of forensic and crime scene investigation equipment. This budget serves the needs of both the GNTB and the Divisional Crime Scene Investigation Units. In recent years, this budget has facilitated the purchase of leading edge specialist equipment.
GNTB is the sole bureau within An Garda Síochána to be accredited to both ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 Quality Management Standards and, as such, the Bureau is subject to annual internal and external audits in relation to its management and laboratory standards. Included in such audits is the equipment available to the Bureau and the proficiency of its personnel in the use of such equipment. As such GNTB and its equipment operates to the highest international laboratory and management standards.
In December 2019, the responsibility for the Fingerprints and Documents and Handwriting services transferred from the Garda National Technical Bureau to FSI. This consolidates most laboratory-based forensic work under FSI.
FSI is an associated office of the Department of Justice. FSI works to deliver, to best international standards, comprehensive scientific analysis and independent expert opinion, advice and training to support the Irish Criminal Justice system.
Originally known as the Forensic Science Laboratory, FSI was established in 1975 to provide a scientific service to the Criminal Justice System by analysing samples submitted from crime scenes and providing expert evidence in criminal trials. In June 2014, the scope of FSI was extended under the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act 2014. Under the Act of 2014, FSI is named as the custodian of the DNA Database and was renamed from Forensic Science Laboratory to Forensic Science Ireland to recognise this broader remit.
FSI currently has over 200 staff, including seconded Garda members, scientists and analysts trained in forensic testing and reporting techniques, supported by administration professionals.
FSI is currently based in Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park. The need for a new purpose built forensic science laboratory appropriate to the State's requirements is long-standing and is one of the most critical capital projects in the Justice sector. Overseen by OPW, the construction of a new purpose-built forensic facility at the Backweston Campus in County Kildare commenced in March 2020 and is currently nearing completion.
FSI is a founding member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI), as well as the Association of Forensic Service Providers (AFSP). These organisations are focused on developing and sharing best international forensic practices and research within its members. Staff of FSI are active on all the relevant ENFSI and AFSP working groups. This international engagement is important in ensuring that expert evidence presented is grounded in the most recent scientific research and best international practice.
FSI is accredited according to ISO17025: 2017 and holds a Gold ‘Excellence Through People’ certification.
The budget provided by Government to Forensic Science Ireland has increased to unprecedented levels over the last number of years, with an allocation in excess of €30 million for 2023. More specifically, since 2016 FSI’s:
• Pay has increased from around €7 million to over €14 million.
• Non-pay has gone from just under €3 million to over 11 million.
This significant investment demonstrates the Government's commitment to supporting FSI whose work is often instrumental in assessing and confirming evidence to ensure that those who are guilty of crimes are brought to justice.
555. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which gun crime is increasing or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36253/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have all the necessary resources to tackle all forms of criminality that affects our communities and has allocated An Garda Síochána with an unprecedented budget of over €2 billion for 2022.
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, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimal use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am assured by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána are committed to tackling organised crime gangs and working towards making our communities safer.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of incidents of ‘Discharging a Firearm’ and ‘Possession of Firearms’ from 2018 to *2022.
|
Incident Type |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
*2022 |
|
Discharging a Firearm |
97 |
106 |
95 |
83 |
44 |
|
Possession of Firearms |
225 |
242 |
281 |
208 |
100 |
|
Total |
322 |
348 |
376 |
291 |
144 |
*Incidents reported up to and including 30 June2022
Figures quoted are taken from operational data from the Pulse system on 1 July 2022 and is liable to change.
556. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current total strength of An Garda Síochána, by gender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36254/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 14,347 Garda members nationwide.
For the Deputy's information the table below which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí by rank and gender at the end of May 2022.
|
Rank |
Male |
Female |
Total Strength |
|
Commissioner |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Deputy Commissioner |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Assistant Commissioner |
6 |
3 |
9 |
|
Chief Superintendent |
35 |
9 |
44 |
|
Superintendent |
145 |
23 |
168 |
|
Inspector |
317 |
73 |
390 |
|
Sergeant |
1,591 |
503 |
2,094 |
|
Garda |
8,233 |
3,406 |
11,639 |
|
Total |
10,328 |
4,019 |
14,347 |
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
In the interests of transparency, further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers can be found on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
557. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which ongoing protective measures are taken to ensure the maximum protection for An Garda Síochána while in the course of their duties and having regard to the number of gardaí who have been injured during the course of their work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36255/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that to ensure that Garda members can safely and effectively carry out their statutory and common-law duties, they are trained in arrest and restraint techniques. In addition, Gardaí are provided with the following personal protective equipment (PPE) and trained in its use:
- Ballistic stab vest
- Asp baton
- Incapacitant Spray
- Rigid handcuffs
In addition, while the criminal law in this area is being kept under ongoing review, there are a range of robust legislative provisions available to the Garda authorities in circumstances where threats or assaults are made against Gardaí.
Any assault causing harm on any person is an offence under section 3 of the Non–Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. A person convicted of such an offence would be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a maximum fine of €2,500 or both, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine, or to imprisonment, for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.
Furthermore, an assault on a member of An Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel, or a member of the Defence Forces would constitute an offence under section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. A person convicted of such an offence would be liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of €5,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both. A person convicted of such an offence on indictment would be liable to a fine, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years, or both.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the breakdown of occupational injuries to Garda members between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021.
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
Assault |
260 |
224 |
267 |
224 |
261 |
1,236 |
|
Non-assault |
396 |
381 |
315 |
347 |
309 |
1,748 |
559. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the total cost to the State of legal aid in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36257/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, there are two categories of legal aid; civil legal aid and criminal legal aid.
The provision of civil legal aid in the State is delivered by the independent Legal Aid Board pursuant to the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995, as amended, and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017. The Board also provides family mediation services and operates 30 full-time law centres and a number of part-time law centres in Ireland.
The majority of the Board's income consists of a grant received from my Department. This funding is used to provide the Board's services in all of its offices across the country, as well as to support services provided to law centres centrally from the Board's Head Office.
The funding provided to the Legal Aid Board by my Department for the years 2017-2022 is provided in the table below:
|
Year |
Funding |
|
2017 |
€39.7million |
|
2018 |
€40.3 million |
|
2019 |
€40.8 million |
|
2020 |
€42.2 million |
|
2021 |
€44.6 million |
|
2022 |
€47.9 million |
Regarding criminal legal aid, the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, which is the primary legislation covering the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. Under the Constitution, the State is obliged to provide an accused person with the means to obtain appropriate legal representation.
Expenditure on criminal legal aid in each of the years 2016 to 2021 is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2017 |
€58.1million |
|
2018 |
€64.8 million |
|
2019 |
€65.1 million |
|
2020 |
€62.2 million |
|
2021 |
€73.4 million |
|
2022 (1January to 31 May) |
€29.554 million |
560. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which the number of persons awaiting naturalisation is being addressed, with particular reference to those in this jurisdiction for more than five years and anxious to obtain employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36258/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA non-EEA national does not necessarily need to become a naturalised Irish citizen before they can access employment in the State. Any person, during the five years reckonable residence required for naturalisation, may have been able to seek employment having been granted an immigration permission from my Department that permits employment, or upon being granted an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
My Justice Plan 2022 commits to developing a fully digital, customer-centric immigration service and to enhance the efficiency of our immigration system. In line with these commitments, a number of actions have been taken to reduce the impact on immigration processing times, including the introduction of online applications, a new customer service helpdesk and a new customer-focused immigration website.
As a result of the introduction of the temporary statutory declaration process in January 2021, and the additional staff assigned to the citizenship team, last year, 11,512 citizenship decisions were delivered. This is the highest number of decisions since 2015 and reflects positively the significant changes undertaken to date. For the first six months of 2022, almost 7,900 citizenship decisions have been issued.
Since 1 January 2022, 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 is also freeing up valuable staff that up to now have been engaged in returning passports to applicants and will also help to reduce processing times.
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.
561. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which organised crime is expanding in the context of the number of criminal gangs; the degree to which they remain active or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36259/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that tackling organised crime activity is a key ongoing priority for both the Government and An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána tackles organised criminal activity through a range of targeted measures designed to disrupt and dismantle the operations of criminal organisations. To the greatest extent possible, these measures include the use of advanced analytical and intelligence methodologies.
The additional resources allocated to AGS in recent years have enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime, including the Armed Support Unit, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).
An Garda Síochána uses multi-disciplinary approaches to ensure the activities of individuals and groups involved in criminal enterprise are effectively targeted. Such approaches also include the use of money-laundering legislation and the powers available to CAB under the proceeds of crime legislation. Other measures taken to tackle organised crime include the strengthening of legislation where required, the establishment of a second Special Criminal Court in 2016, and the establishment of Garda Armed Response Units in all Garda regions which are available to support all divisions countrywide.
I wish to acknowledge the work of the Gardaí in harnessing an international coalition of support to tackle the criminality associated with the Kinahan Organised Crime Group. The enforcement of sanctions demonstrates the tremendous value and power of international co-operation in tackling organised crime and the actions taken recently send a very clear message to those involved in the gang, or associated with the gang, that criminality will not go unnoticed or unpunished.
While we should not underestimate the difficulties which the Garda authorities face in tackling organised crime activity, we continue to see the significant results of their efforts in the arrests made and persons being brought before the Courts, as well as the ongoing drugs and firearms seizures made.
Given the fluid nature of such criminal groupings it is extremely difficult to quantify the number of criminal gangs operating at a particular time. Splinter groups and new gangs can form overnight. Organised Crime is constantly evolving and new innovations in crime are continuously emerging.
However, criminal legislation has been updated in recent years, with a view to ensuring that it provides a comprehensive range of provisions for the prosecution and punishment of crime, in particular the activities of those involved in organised crime.
562. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which educational and rehabilitation facilities remain available in all the prisons throughout the country; the extent to which first-time offenders have access to such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36260/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of educational and rehabilitation facilities to those in custody that aim to offer purposeful activity to prisoners while serving their sentences and encourage them to lead law abiding lives on release. All prisoners are eligible and allowed to use the services, including those who are first-time offenders. There is no application process and the Service does not collect data on the number of first time offenders who availed of these services.
The Irish Prison Service Strategic Plan 2019 - 2022 commits to further develop the integration of prisoner care and support services to deliver more effective rehabilitation to prisoners. It aims to enhance sentence planning through Integrated Sentence Management to maximise the potential engagement of prisoners in constructive and structured activities during their time in custody. The Service actively encourages all prisoners to participate in constructive and rehabilitative opportunities available by providing rewards under an Incentivised Regimes Policy.
The Joint Irish Prison Service/ETBI Education Strategy 2019 – 2022 commits to the provision of broad based education. The Department of Education and Skills provides an allocation of 220 whole time teacher equivalents. The focus is on providing education which is quality assured, student centred and which facilitates lifelong learning.
As well as seeking to draw on best practice in adult and further education in the community, curriculum development that is specific to prison circumstances has taken place, such as courses on addiction, health issues and offending behaviour. Other areas where there have been significant progress in prison education are in physical education, in the provision for higher education, in the arts, in preparing prisoners for release and supporting their transition to life, and often to education on the outside.
The prisons' Work and Training service make available work, work-training and other purposeful activities to all those in custody. Work Training Officers have been appointed and assigned to areas such as catering, laundry, industrial cleaning and industrial skills.
The "Working to Change Social Enterprise and Employment Strategy - 2021-2023" sets out my Department’s direction for supporting employment options for people with convictions by simultaneously working to remove systemic barriers so that people can make sustainable changes. It builds upon a solid foundation of employment supports already in place across the criminal justice sector and is a collaboration between the Prison and Probation Service and my Department.
The Prison Psychology Service provide assessment and intervention for all individuals in custody and operates a ‘proactive’ referral service for particular cohorts of people in custody. The Psychology Service proactively engages with the following groups of people
- 18 – 24 year olds who are committed to custody with a sentence of one year or more, without Post Release Supervision with the Probation Service;
- People committed to custody with a sentence of two years or more for a violent offence, without Post Release Supervision with the Probation Service;
- People convicted of sexual violence;
- People sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Probation Service have joined this initiative by engaging in assessments with those 18-24 year olds who have post release supervision orders. This multi-agency approach to offender management and rehabilitation is in place in order to reduce re-offending and improve prisoner outcomes.
Since 2020, due to the pandemic, every effort is made to ensure the delivery of services continued in so far as possible, with course materials and books delivered to people in cells if, for example, they were in quarantine. A TV Information Channel was also developed and a Covid Communications Group consisting of Red Cross, Healthcare, Psychology, Education, Chaplains, Resettlement member produced regular Prisoner Newsletters (also translated into the main languages) which were delivered to people in custody, to ensure they were kept up-to-date with information and any changes regarding rehabilitation, including educational and library services.
563. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which members of An Garda Síochána, injured or traumatised in the course of their duty have access to appropriate counselling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36263/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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, which includes Garda HR matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
However, I am pleased to note that the Garda Employee Assistance Service provides a proactive response to support and assist all Garda personnel in managing and resolving work and personal difficulties at an early stage, and in an effort to maintain their health and wellbeing.
The service provides a confidential, professional, support and assistance service to:
- Serving members and their families.
- Garda Trainees and Probationers.
- Retired members and their families.
- Reserve Gardaí.
- Garda Staff and their families.
- Retired Members of external police services resident in the State.
I am informed that as of 8 June 2022, the service is supported by over 912 peer supporters within An Garda Síochána, located in each District/Division. Peer Supporters are colleagues who are appropriately trained to provide support to personnel who have been exposed to or experience a traumatic event in the workplace.
Peer Supporters are activated following a traumatic incident in the workplace and very often the immediate activation and response from a peer supporter has a huge impact in assisting colleagues in the aftermath of such occurrences.
I welcome the information that since 24 June 2016, a 24/7, 365 Independent Helpline and Counselling Service is available to all staff within An Garda Síochána with the service available for both work and personal difficulties.
I am also informed that all Garda personnel may avail of six (6) free sessions of counselling per year, an additional two (2) will be provided if clinically approved with all appointments and consultants are arranged directly between the Service Provider and the staff member.
564. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the precise proposals in relation to those properties that are operating under the fair deal scheme, specifically with reference to residents who have been forced by circumstance to move to a nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35576/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has approved a policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme “Fair Deal”, to incentivise applicants to the Scheme to rent out their principal residence after they have entered long term residential care. The rate of assessment for rental properties will be reduced from 80% to 40% for income from all principal residences. This will be reviewed after six months of operation, with the potential for further amendment after that point. This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing For All Action 19.8.
The change will be made through Committee-Stage amendment to the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022. The Bill was approved by the Oireachtas on 30th June.
565. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if the European health insurance card is still available to Irish citizens in Northern Ireland post-Brexit; if so, the way that a person can apply for a card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35634/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK provides for a continuation of healthcare rights when on a temporary stay in a State covered by the Agreement. Under the agreement a person’s competent State will issue them with ‘an entitlement document’, in the case of the UK a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), to allow them to access these healthcare rights. The State which issues the relevant GHIC\EHIC is the State in which a person makes their social security contribution or receives a social security contributory payment.
Furthermore, under the Agreement, residents of the UK, including Northern Ireland, can continue to use their current UK EHIC to access necessary care while on a temporary stay in an EU Member State, until the card reaches its expiry date. At that point, residents of Northern Ireland may obtain a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), issued by the UK Government. Further information can be found on the NHS website, on how residents of Northern Ireland can apply for a new GHIC.
Also, in certain circumstances, persons who are frontier workers will be entitled to an EHIC under the terms of the EU UK Withdrawal Agreement.
566. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if people employed by Rehab Care are entitled to the Covid bonus payment; if he will provide details on the persons entitled to the payment and those that are excluded. [35837/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html . Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Redeployed members of the Defence Forces to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
The Government is mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
567. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that cleaners in the accident and emergency department and Covid wards of Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan during the pandemic were not eligible for the Covid bonus given to healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35838/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html . Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Redeployed members of the Defence Forces to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
The Government is mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
568. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to developmental checks by public health nurses not being offered to families in Lucan, Co. Dublin; the action that he proposes to take to ensure that babies receive these checks to ensure early intervention where required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36025/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic Health nurses fulfil a valuable role within the Community Health system.
There are staff shortages in the Public Health Nursing (PHN) Service across CHO7 Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow. This is having an impact on delivering routine, non-priority developmental screening assessments. This means that the service can no longer carry out Developmental Assessments for 3 month, 9-11months, 21-24 months and 46-48 months in vacant PHN caseloads.
The Dublin West team have implemented a system which enables them to prioritise the screening services and address those needs while the staffing issue is being addressed. There are a number of reasons for the staff shortages:
The Public Health Nursing Sponsorship Programme is currently the only route for recruitment into Public Health Nursing. The PHN Department supports the sponsorship of approx. 6- 8 standard PHNs annually however as per the National PHN Transfer Agreement (2015) PHNs who train apply for a transfer post their 18 months sponsorship.
Since 2015 40 PHNs have transferred. Despite 3 recent cRGN recruitment campaigns the service has been unsuccessful in attracting candidates to the area. Staff retirement and staff moving to take up promotional opportunities have also reduced the number of PHNs in the area.
From 2021 to 2022, 5 PHNs transferred and 5 PHNs commenced working as ADPHNs. This year the PHN Department has applied for standard PHNs and every effort is being made to recruit nurses. There are 4 PHNs due to qualify in 2022 and these will be assigned to fill vacant PHN areas.
The HSE have confirmed that they will continue to use transfer panels and recruit for Public Health Nurses across the area. The situation is expected to improve in coming months when student PHNs are allocated to the area.
In Budget 2022, the Minister secured annual investment of €195m to enable the continued delivery of the Enhanced Community Care Programme. This investment is supporting a programmatic and integrated approach to the development of the primary and community care sector. The ECC programme represents a significant expansion in primary care capacity, and will see some 3,500 additional staff recruited overall, with a particular focus on nursing and health and social care professionals.
569. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the number of former civil servants who are currently serving on State boards under his remit; the number of former county managers and chief executive officers of local authorities who are currently on each of the State boards under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33855/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department.
The nomination and appointment processes for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation. PAS campaigns for board members set out the skills and criteria required for positions on boards and are not based on the current or former occupation of applicants, except where certain skills or experience are defined in legislation as requirements. None of the boards under the aegis of my Department require that nominees have experience in the roles set out by the Deputy.
570. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on the process and length of time that it will take for a young child (details supplied) to obtain a much-needed speech and language referral; the steps that are being taken to address this unacceptable waiting period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35251/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra571. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the steps that can be taken to assist a young child (details supplied) with special needs in order that he can continue to attend his créche; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35252/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 570 and 571 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
572. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a home support matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35283/22]
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.
