Written Answers Nos. 110-129
110. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 30 November 2022, the total amount paid to RTÉ in respect of advertising on its television and radio channels in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61255/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for confirming that her question relates to the amount paid to RTÉ in respect of advertising on its television and radio channels for the Department's Intimate Image Abuse campaign.
As stated in answer to the Deputy's previous question, this campaign is an important element of the preventative pillar of Zero Tolerance, our Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
There are two parts to the Department's TV advertising with RTÉ for this particular campaign.
The first part relates to the Department's standard TV booking strategy, where RTÉ is just one of the TV advertising booking houses that the Department books advertising space with. The Department also typically uses the Virgin Media TV Group, Sky Television, TG4 and the Channel 4 group.
Using this method, to date in 2022, the Department has spent a total of €34,203.85 on advertising with RTE, which is 23% of the total TV advertising spend in its standard TV media strategy for this campaign.
The second part of advertising with RTÉ, that the Department is doing as part of this particular campaign, relates to a special package that has been secured to show the campaign advertisement during RTE's World Cup coverage. This is to target the male audience, which typically makes up a large percentage of those who watch World Cup games, and is a specific target audience for this campaign's messaging.
The total amount paid for this targeted advertising to date is €115,235.01.
111. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the status of a visa for persons (details supplied). [61265/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf
Disability allowance payments are excluded from the requirement that the sponsor must not have been reliant on State benefits from the Irish State for a continuous period in excess of two years immediately prior to making the application. Therefore, people receiving a disability allowance are considered eligible sponsors, subject to meeting any other necessary requirements, including the financial requirements. It is also important to note that each application is examined by my Department on a case-by-case basis and any humanitarian factors will be taken into consideration in making a decision.
Financial capacity is, of course, also just one of the conditions to be satisfied for family reunification to take place. When considering the matter of family reunification it is important to look at this in the wider context of public policy. The State must strike a fair balance between the sometimes competing interests of the individual and of the community as a whole. Economic considerations are therefore a very necessary part of family reunification policy.
While it is not proposed that family reunification determinations should become purely financial assessments, the State cannot be regarded as having an obligation to subsidise the family concerned. The sponsor must be seen to fulfil their responsibility to provide for their family members if they are to be permitted to come to Ireland.
In relation to Syrian citizens specifically, in 2014 Ireland introduced a Syrian Humanitarian Admission Programme (SHAP). The SHAP offered naturalised Irish citizens of Syrian birth and Syrian nationals already legally resident in Ireland an opportunity to make an application for vulnerable close family members to join them in Ireland for up to two years under a sponsorship programme.
This Programme was an additional initiative in response to the crisis in Syria and was without prejudice to other existing avenues whereby by Syrian national might lawfully enter the State, such as family reunification for the family members of refugees and persons with subsidiary protection, and the UNHCR's resettlement programme.
112. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 312 of 1 December 2022, if a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to same will be clarified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61286/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of a Graduate Scheme Stamp 1G is to assist students in securing graduate level employment after their studies, for example attending job interviews or signing up with graduate employment agencies.
Where a graduate receives an award at Level 9 NFQ, they may qualify for a Stamp 1G for up to 24 months subject to the overall limit of 8 years on student conditions that applies.
In order for the Graduate on a Stamp 1G immigration permission to work in Ireland they must have an employment permit granted by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment details available here: enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/employment-permit-eligibility/employment-permit-eligibility.html
It is open to any prospective employer to make an application for a Critical Skills or General Employment permit to the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment for any graduate on a Stamp 1G immigration permission subject to the employment being not been on the list of ineligible employments details here enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/employment-permit-eligibility/ineligible-categories-of-employment/
Where that application is successful and on receipt of the employment permit the Graduate may register that permit at their local immigration office where they will be granted a Stamp 1 immigration permission.
113. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí within the Cavan-Monaghan division who successfully completed a van personnel carrier course in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61323/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, and will contact her again when this is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 7 December 2022 where you sought:
“The number of Gardaí within the Cavan-Monaghan division that successfully completed a van personnel carrier course in 2021 and to-date in 2022”.
As you will recall Minister Humphreys undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all matters related to personnel and training. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that no van/personnel carrier courses have taken place in the Cavan/Monaghan Division since January 2019. I am advised that the provision of courses was limited or not available due to the restrictions in place during the COVID pandemic.
I am further advised by the Garda authorities that 10 Garda members in the Cavan/Monaghan Division completed the van personnel carrier course in 2017 and 2018.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that no decision has been made to date with regard to any future scheduling of the van/personnel carrier course in the Cavan/Monaghan Division.
I hope that this information is of assistance.
114. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars and motorcycles attached to the Cavan-Monaghan roads policing unit as of 1 June 2021 and 30 November 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61324/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.
While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of resources, I am assured 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 advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of November 2022 there were 72 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet in Cavan/Monaghan Division, a breakdown of these vehicles is provided below.
|
Cavan/Monaghan Division |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Total |
|
Total |
49 |
12 |
4 |
7 |
72 |
I am further informed that the table below sets out the number of cars and motorcycles attached to Cavan/Monaghan Roads Policing Unit at 31 May 2021 and at 30 November 2022.
|
Roads Policing - Cavan/Monaghan |
Cars |
Motorcycles |
Total |
|
As at 30 November 2022 |
8 |
4 |
12 |
|
As on 31 May 2021 |
10 |
4 |
14 |
115. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will set up a community neuro-rehabilitation team in every CHO; and if such teams already exist, the details of the specific location of each. [61054/22]
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.
116. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason a terminally ill young child in the south east who has been battling stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma for almost two and a half years has been refused community paediatric palliative care services, therefore removing the right to die at home; if immediate steps can be taken to provide this vital care to the young child; the reason this palliative care in the home has been refused despite the support of the entire medical team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61061/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
117. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the details of each additional cost that has been submitted by the construction and project management companies that are building the national children’s hospital; the details on whether additional costs were accepted or refused in each case; the total financial cost to the State of all additional costs that have been paid out; the total value of additional costs that have still not been adjudicated on; and the person or body that gave instructions for each of the additional costs that have been paid by the State. [61067/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building, and equipping the new children's hospital. I have therefore referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
Due to the detailed nature of the information sought, it is likely that the NPHDB will require longer than the standard 10 working days for reply, to collate the information in an appropriate format.
118. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of dental practices in CHO 2 which have ceased providing medical card services to persons with disabilities in the past two years; the medical card dental services currently available to adult persons with disabilities; the provision in place for those whose local dentist withdraws from the provision of medical card services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61078/22]
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.
119. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the number of dentists leaving the dental treatment services scheme, DTSS; the services that are available to patients who cannot find a local dentist to avail of DTSS services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61079/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I recognise that there is a need to substantively review and reform the DTSS to align with best international evidence and practice, as outlined in the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte (2019).Work has begun on this review and officials in my Department are engaging with stakeholders. I expect significant further progress to be made in 2023 and have made an unprecedented additional allocation of €15 million in Budget 2023 to support this work and enhance the provision of oral healthcare services next year. This is additional to the €148 million that is already provided for oral healthcare each year across the DTSS, the HSE Public Dental Service and orthodontic services provided by the HSE. On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available in 2023 for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff to allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence. The implementation plan for Smile Agus Sláinte will prioritise the alleviation of access issues for oral healthcare.In recognition of the issues that have been experienced in some parts of the country in accessing oral healthcare, the €15m award includes €5 million to support the HSE to provide care to some of its patient cohorts in 2023, including adult medical card holders who are in need of emergency care and are still struggling to access a local dentist. This is intended to protect patient access to oral healthcare services while the transformative reform programme progresses.These further measures come on top of a package of measures introduced from 1 May 2022 to expand the Scheme and increase the fees paid to contractors. The numbers of patients being seen, the numbers of treatments being provided and the number of claims being submitted under the DTSS have all increased in recent months.
120. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of pay parity for section 39 workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61085/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector. They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.
While the Government does provide assistance, under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, to organisations that provide services similar or ancillary to services that the HSE may provide, it must be acknowledged that these organisations are privately owned and run and that their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between private sector employers and their employees. They were not and are not party to the Public Service Agreements and are therefore not covered by the pay restoration provided for in these Agreements, including Building Momentum.
An agreement was reached at the WRC in October 2018, in relation to a process of pay restoration for staff employed by 50 Section 39 agencies. Pay restoration commenced in April 2019 with an annual pay increase of up to €1,000. Any outstanding balance was paid in 2020 and 2021. A further WRC engagement followed in December 2020 in relation to a final phase of 250 organisations who were identified as part of the earlier agreement. A payment arrangement consisting of three phases was agreed with the first two payments to be made in 2021, and the third and final payment due to be made in 2023.
A process along these lines could play a useful role in providing solutions to the current pay related issues that Section 39 organisations have raised.
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if early intervention services will be urgently provided in the case of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61108/22]
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.
122. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the consultant child psychiatrist position for the south east has been filled; the current position with the recruitment campaign; if a new candidate has accepted the position; if so, when will the position be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61111/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
123. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [61115/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently implement the recommendations made in the McHugh report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61123/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4 November 2021, following the publication of Longer-Term Review of Matters relating to Student Nurses and Midwives, an independent review, conducted by Mr. Seán McHugh at my request (McHugh Report), I announced that the Government had approved my proposal to provide significant additional supports, worth €12m, for student nurses and midwives while attending their clinical placements. Among these temporary measures, I extended the Pandemic Placement Grant (PPG) of €100 per week to all eligible nursing and midwifery students on supernumerary placement to the end of the academic year 2021/22.
I also announced additional support to nursing and midwifery students who require overnight accommodation away from their normal place of residence in order to attend some of their clinical placements. I doubled the cap on the vouched accommodation allowance to €100 per week of placement. Student nurses and midwives (for Academic Year 2021/22) on paid internship placement received additional financial support (50% of the PPG: totalling to €1,800 for the academic year) for the duration of their internship, from 1 January 2022.
These additional supports arose following the publication of the McHugh report which set out a number of recommendations, including an enhanced Travel and Subsistence scheme for students and matters related to uniforms while attending their supernumerary clinical placements. As this is a significant departure from the current position, I have committed to bringing a further proposal to Government setting out how to deal with this recommendation with effect from the start of the 2022/2023 academic year. Along with my Department I have considered a number of options in relation to this recommendation, so that an enhanced scheme can shortly be put in place that will provide a targeted and more equitable approach to supporting students in undertaking their supernumerary clinical placements.
125. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking to help mitigate against the increasing risk to the supply of off-patent medicines nationwide due to rising inflationary, energy and transport costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61151/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTwo new Framework Agreements on Pricing and Supply of Medicines 2021-2025 were signed in December 2021. These Agreements provide stability to the medicines reimbursement market for the State and for Industry, thus facilitating sustainable and affordable access to medicines for patients in Ireland over the next 4 years.
Negotiations towards these new Agreements with industry began in May 2021, against a backdrop of a growing annual drugs budget, up from €1.95bn in 2016 to almost €2.25bn by 2020.
The multiannual agreements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and Medicines for Ireland (MFI) represent an important step in reducing the cost of medicines and facilitating access to innovative new medicines for patients. The IPHA represent the originator and on-patent biopharmaceutical industry; MFI represent the non-originator, and off-patent biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland.
Specifically, the new deals will deliver:
- Improved access for patients to new and innovative medicines
- Reductions in the cost of existing medicines
- An easing of financial pressure on the health services into the future
Under the terms of the agreement, there is scope for the Department of Health, the HSE, and industry to continue to maintain their engagement throughout the lifetime of the agreement on all matters pertaining to the agreement.
On the question of medicine shortages, unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide. There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; or product recalls due to potential quality issues.
Medicine shortages can therefore originate at any point in the supply chain and can involve and impact on many different stakeholders. Accordingly, medicine shortages require a multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder response to ensure patient safety, continuity of care and protection of public health.
Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicine shortage framework in place, coordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), to prevent, wherever possible, and manage medicine shortages when they occur.
126. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, has expressed concern to him, his Department or the HSE regarding the number of current medicine shortages listed on the HPRA website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61152/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health his plans, if any, to reduce the number of medicines in short supply nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61153/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra128. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the actions taken by him and the Department to mitigate against future medicine shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61154/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 127 and 128 together.
Unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide. There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; or product recalls due to potential quality issues.
Medicine shortages can therefore originate at any point in the supply chain and can involve and impact on many different stakeholders. Accordingly, medicine shortages require a multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder response to ensure patient safety, continuity of care and protection of public health.
Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicine shortage framework in place, coordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), to prevent, wherever possible, and manage medicine shortages when they occur.
In many instances a shortage of a particular medicine is effectively addressed to ensure continuity of care for a patient including through the substitution for a generic version (in the case of a branded medicine short supply) or a generic version from a different manufacturer (in the case of a generic medicine in short supply). Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 medicines which are deemed to be interchangeable can be directly substituted for one another by a pharmacist.
Where an interchangeable product is not available in Ireland, a pharmacist, in consultation with the prescriber, can source a medicine containing the same active ingredient in order to ensure that continuity of patient care is maintained, wherever possible. Such medicines may be sourced in another European Member State, or by a specialist wholesaler in a third country, and are known as exempt medicinal products (EMPs). EMPs have not been granted a marketing authorisation in Ireland by the HPRA but are sourced in response to a bona fide unsolicited order in order to fulfil the special needs of a patient. These medicines will however have undergone an evaluation of their safety, quality, and efficacy for the granting of their marketing authorisation in another EU Member State or third country by the respective competent authority for medicines.
In other instances, where a medicine shortage occurs due to a more global issue affecting multiple countries, a patient may be directed to return to their clinician to consider prescribing an alternative medicine for the treatment of their condition.
The HSE maintains a reimbursement list of medicines that are provided under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS). These products are approved for the schemes by the HSE. In some cases, an alternative product sourced to maintain continuity of care in the event of a medicine shortage may be more expensive than the original medicine prescribed and will not ordinarily be included in the reimbursement list.
However, GMS medical card holders can apply to the local HSE health office to have these costs covered under the discretionary hardship arrangements. Under the DPS an individual or family will pay no more than €80 each calendar month for approved prescribed medicines. In certain cases, the cost of EMPs can be included in the total costs of medicines up to the threshold of €80. Patients are advised to consult with their pharmacist or clinician, who can make an application under the discretionary hardship arrangements on their behalf or to have the product covered by the relevant scheme.
Patients or their carers who have any concerns in relation to temporary alternative products provided because of medicine shortages are advised to speak with their pharmacist or other healthcare professional involved in their care.
129. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the way in which nappies for children with disabilities are allocated; if there is a limit on the amount allocated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61155/22]
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.
