Written Answers Nos. 449-468
450. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí injured while working in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44862/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no direct role.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí recorded as sustaining an occupational injury between 1 January 2018 and 9 September 2022.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2018 |
605 |
|
2019 |
580 |
|
2020 |
571 |
|
2021 |
573 |
|
2022* |
290 |
|
Total |
2619 |
*as of 9 September 2022
451. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a visa is likely to issue in the case of a person (details supplied) who was granted their work permit in June 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44936/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy created on-line Employment visa application on 3 June 2022. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were applied on 25 August 2022 in the Manila visa office. The application is currently awaiting comprehensive examination but the vast majority of applications of this nature are currently processed within 8 weeks.
The processing times for visa decisions are published on the visa pages of each Visa Office and the relevant Embassy website.
The processing time in each location is determined by a number of factors such as the volumes and complexity of applications, individual circumstances, peak application periods, seasonal factors, and the resources available. While every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary as a result.
Applicants are advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa.The person referred to by the Deputy will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
452. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the visa options that are available to persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44981/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny non-EEA national who comes to the State as a visitor is expected to leave Ireland before the expiry of their visitor permission. Any Extension of Visitor Conditions (EVIC) application would only be granted where the circumstances have changed from the time the person was granted the original visa or from when they entered the State if they are not from a visa required country.
If the person referred to by the Deputy requires an extension of their visitor permission, it is open to them to make an application. All applications are processed within two weeks of receipt. Any application should clearly state the reasons for the extension and provide all appropriate documentary evidence, for example medical reports, in support of the application.
The person concerned may provide their email address on their application and request that the decision issue via email. Further information on how to apply is available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/extension-of-visitor-permission/.
453. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for citizenship received by her Department from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022; the number of applications that were received in this period that have subsequently been granted; when it is expected to process these applications; the anticipated timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44989/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
The total number of applications received between 1 January 2022 and 31 March 2022 is 3,706.
Of these, 3 have been successful in their naturalisation application and received their Certificates of Naturalisation. A further 24 are currently in the final stage of processing.
Regrettably, the current average processing time for naturalisation applications is approximately 19 months, however this has recently been reduced from an average of 23 months.
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
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 assignment of additional staff to the citizenship team, last year, 11,512 citizenship decisions were made. This is the highest number of decisions made annually 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, including 1,005 decisions on minor applications. This exceeds the total number of minor decisions issued during the whole of last year; when 868 minor decisions were made.
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.
454. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the reason that all local TDs in County Tipperary were not invited to the meeting he convened with relevant local stakeholders and some local public representatives regarding the future of a home (details supplied) that took place on 29 July 2022. [42223/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to inform the Deputy that An Taoiseach Micheál Martin was asked by Deputy Michael Lowry during Leaders Questions on the 13th of July to meet with representatives of the local action group in relation to Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Unit. The Deputy also suggested that myself and Minister Donnelly be in attendance. The Taoiseach accepted the meeting on the basis of this request and myself, the Minister for Health, along with officials from the HSE and the Department of Health met with the representatives of the local action group in Government Buildings on Friday 29th July 2022.
455. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) following correspondence from the organisation. [44192/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters raised in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, relate to litigation that has been delegated to the State Claims Agency, by Government Order. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible for me to comment on matters that are sub-judice.
However, I am happy to inform the Deputy that I met with members of the organisation in February last and assured them of the Government’s commitment to provide them with the necessary health supports to meet their related needs.
Following that meeting, the designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive who liaises with Irish thalidomide survivors, commenced a process to develop recommendations for future planning and pathways of care for survivor’s health care needs now and into the future.
The recommendations will also inform the work already underway in the Department to provide these health and personal social supports on a statutory footing as committed to by the Government.
456. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the current position in relation to supports available to public health service employees who cannot return to work due to the ongoing effect of Covid-19; when a scheme to ensure continued support for such employees suffering from long-Covid will be put into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44359/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform introduced Special Leave with Pay (SLWP) for Covid at the start of the pandemic as a temporary measure to assist in the prevention of the onward spread of Covid in the workplace.
The most recent change to this introduced by DPER means that all of those currently out on SLWP who remain unwell, will have moved to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme from 1st July 2022.
Both the Government and I recognise that the staff of the public health service have gone beyond the call of duty, providing patient care in frontline Covid clinically exposed environments, treating Covid positive patients throughout the most challenging phases of the pandemic. Many of those frontline public health sector workers contracted Covid and continue to suffer from long-Covid and remain unfit to attend the workplace.
On this basis a scheme, specific to the public health service has been developed to provide for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection.
This Scheme will ensure that eligible public health sector employees who remain absent from the workplace re long-Covid, do not experience a ‘cliff edge’ in respect of the revision of SLWP provisions from the 1st July 2022.
The HSE have issued the full details of the Scheme to all public health service employers by circular, and eligible employees will have been notified by their employer that they are transferred to the new Scheme retrospectively from 1st July 2022.
In respect of occupational supports, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
457. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44361/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
458. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the date on which all of the eligible Section 39 workers (details supplied) will receive the Covid recognition payment. [44369/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention. Officials are continuing work to progress this large complex project, and further consideration is actively underway on how and where this would best be expedited.
At this point, the Department is not in a position to assess or comment on individual cases. Please be assured that work on rolling out payment to non-HSE/Section 38 organisations is being prioritised and once information on which organisations shall be paid is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
I want to reassure you that the Government is prioritising this payment and remains extremely appreciative for all our healthcare workers’ efforts in the fight against Covid-19.
459. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if further details will be published regarding the announcement of 136 new therapist appointments; if those details will be communicated to families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44375/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
460. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when all health workers, including agency workers who are entitled to the €1,000 recognition payment for their work during the Covid pandemic will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44386/22]
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.
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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 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. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention. Once this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
461. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44388/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
462. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030 in line with a report (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44389/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE established a National Hepatitis C Treatment Programme (NHCTP) in 2015 and began the process of providing treatment for Hepatitis C using Directly Acting Antivirals to patients prioritised according to clinical need. The NHCTP goal is to make Hepatitis C a rare disease in Ireland by 2026, and in accordance with the WHO target, to eliminate it in Ireland by 2030. The NHCTP works in partnership with the Irish Prison Service nationally, and with Hospital and community teams, to provide outreach to all prisoners that require treatment for Hepatitis C. Since its inception in 2015, the NHCTP has treated over 6,600 patients with Hepatitis C virus.
The NHCTP’s Community Prescribing Project will expand in the future to be available for people not on the opioid substitution treatment scheme. An online home testing option, available later this year, will expand the testing and treatment to people who are currently undiagnosed. The NHCTP will utilise all possible treatment options and the medical needs of individuals identified will dictate which care pathway is best. Treatment will remain free to people regardless of where the service is delivered. The NHCTP will develop a communication plan to support the rollout of the home testing service. This communication plan will also aim to destigmatise the testing and treatment associated with Hepatitis C.
In collaboration with the Health Information and Quality Authority, the NHCTP is currently carrying out a national sero-prevalence study to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus infection among people in Ireland born between 1965 and 1985.
The NHCTP reports that it is very much still on track to eliminate the Hepatitis C virus in Ireland by 2030.
463. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the details of all Irish hospitals that currently provide a childcare facility for staff; the hours that each childcare facility is operational in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
464. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when eligible agency staff and non-HSE health care professionals can expect to receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44397/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 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. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention. Once this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
I assure you that it is the intention of the Department to have all eligible healthcare workers paid without delay, and all possible efforts are being made to achieve this. I want to reassure you that the Government is prioritising this payment and remains extremely appreciative for all our healthcare workers’ efforts in the fight against Covid-19.
465. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when legislation will be published dealing with international surrogacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44398/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 (AHR Bill) passed Second Stage in the Dáil on March 23rd 2022 and has been referred to the Select Committee on Health for Third Stage.
The focus of this Bill is on the regulation, for the first time in this country, of a wide range of assisted human reproduction (AHR) undertaken in this jurisdiction exclusively, and particularly those carried out by the private fertility clinics operating here. I wish to progress this much-needed and long-awaited piece of historic legislation as quickly as possible to ensure that a robust regulatory framework for AHR is in place.
The published Bill does not contain provisions to regulate surrogacy arrangements undertaken in other jurisdictions. International surrogacy raises complex ethical questions concerning areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments and require detailed examination. The issues which arise from Irish people engaging in cross-border surrogacy primarily relate to parentage, guardianship, citizenship and, potentially, adoption.
Following the publication of the Special Oireachtas Joint Committee on International Surrogacy's report the Department of Justice, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and my Department are reviewing its recommendations along with other relevant matters with a view to determining an appropriate policy position. This detailed consideration is ongoing. It is important that the relevant Departments complete a robust and thorough examination of the issues, including those in the Committee’s report, given the range of complexities involved and the rights of the various parties involved in surrogacy arrangements.
466. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if income received by those who avail of the rent-a-room relief allowing up to €14,000 per year to be earned tax-free if a person rents out a room in their home to private tenants, will be disregarded in the assessment of an applicant’s income threshold for those applying for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44399/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for a medical card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.People aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account, e.g. mortgage payments, which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card.People aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. It should be noted that in November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1,050 for a couple. This increase ensures that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over now qualify for a medical card.I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues, including the current medical card income thresholds, under review and any proposed changes are considered in the context of Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and other issues which may be relevant.
467. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the services that a child (details supplied) is entitled to; and the community support that they can avail of.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44402/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
468. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if all persons entitled to the pandemic bonus payment have now received it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44403/22]
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. As of Friday, 02 September, 85,012 eligible HSE staff have received payment around the country. This number excludes Section 38 agencies which are estimated to have paid 36,475 staff to date thereby bringing the total number of employees paid to 121,487.
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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 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. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention. Officials are continuing work to progress this large complex project, and further consideration is actively underway on how and where this would best be expedited.
I assure you that it is the intention of the Department to have all eligible healthcare workers paid without delay, and all possible efforts are being made to achieve this. I want to reassure you that the Government is prioritising this payment and remains extremely appreciative for all our healthcare workers’ efforts in the fight against Covid-19.
