Written Answers Nos. 294-305
294. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has any plans to acquire a property in County Clare (details supplied) for use as accommodation for international protection applicants. [2261/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for his question. A response will issue directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
295. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if all refugee children have the same access to State services as children who are Irish citizens, that is NEPS, CAMHS, dental services, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2292/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the case of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, beneficiaries are granted refugee status prior to arrival in Ireland. A child with refugee status has the same access to health, education services and other public services as that of an Irish Citizen child.
Those seeking asylum in Ireland must make an application for international protection. While that claim is being examined by the International Protection Office, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation and related services to IP applicants who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State.
IP applicants and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) have access to mainstream services, including public health and education. Specific supports and signposting for IP applicants are generally provided through the IPAS Vulnerability Assessment process, which identifies vulnerable persons who have special reception conditions as defined under S.I. No. 230/2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018.
296. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on wording of proposed referenda in to take place in 2024 [1837/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has approved Bills for two referendums which will:
- amend Article 41 the Constitution to provide for a wider concept of Family; and
- delete Article 41.2 of the Constitution to remove text on the role of women in the home, and to insert a new Article 42B to recognise family care.
The Referendum Bills have now passed all Stages in Dáil Éireann.
Following the passage of the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Electoral Commission, will prepare a statement or statements containing a general explanation of the subject matter of the proposals for the referendums and of the text thereof in the relevant Bills and any other information relating to those matters that the Commission considers appropriate. It shall also be the function of the Electoral Commission to promote public awareness of referendums and to encourage people to vote.
The referendums will be held on 8 March 2024.
297. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons in direct provision centres in County Laois as of 1 January 2024; the number of such centres; the location of such centres within the county; and the number of persons in each centre. [2413/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for his question. A response will issue directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
298. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of the number of life-threatening calls that ambulance services attended within 19 minutes, and the time it took to attend all other life-threatening calls in County Leitrim during 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2164/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra307. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will request that the HSE provide additional ambulances and paramedic crews for County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2161/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra308. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of the number of critical calls that ambulance services attended within 19 minutes and the time it took to attend all critical calls in County Leitrim during 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2166/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 298, 307 and 308 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
299. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on plans to introduce a statutory right to home care, as committed to in the Programme for Government; the timeline he is working towards in publishing the necessary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2280/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to "Introduce a statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes, which will provide equitable access to high quality, regulated home care".
In 2024, the Department of Health is focused on developing the regulatory framework for providers of home support services. It aims to ensure that all service users are provided with high quality, regulated care. It will consist of primary legislation, regulations and HIQA national standards. This work is at an advanced stage, with ongoing engagement with key stakeholders and legal advisors.
The primary legislation provides for the licensing of home support providers. Transitional timelines are being finalised for the registration of home support providers under this framework. Further details will be available following the expected publication of the General Scheme in Q1 2024.
The regulations will set out the minimum requirements that a home support provider must meet to obtain a license. Final revisions are being made to the draft regulations, informed by a public consultation.
Finally, the draft HIQA standards for home support will go out for public consultation in 2024.
300. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric dermatologists in CHO2; the efforts being made to recruit maternity covers in the paediatric dermatology department as well as replacements for retirees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2110/24]
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.
301. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health to report on progress of the HSE's climate action strategy; how much has been drawn down to date; when updated cost estimates will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2020/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAwaiting reply from Department
302. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health what measures his Department is taking to address the impact of solid fuel burning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2021/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAwaiting reply from Department
303. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment to have his grommets dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2127/24]
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
304. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an appointment with the ENT clinic will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2129/24]
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
305. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, to develop a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2130/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. Due to this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
