Written Answers Nos. 183-189
183. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he has the power to terminate the contract of a Hospital Group CEO; what steps he can take up to that point to discipline a Hospital Group CEO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15748/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is policy and practice across all Departments that CEOs of Non-Commercial State Bodies, in line with senior management positions across the public service, are appointed on a fixed-term basis. In general, CEOs, including Hospital Group CEOs, are appointed for one five year fixed-term contract. In exceptional circumstances, a case may be made to the parent Department for the re-appointment of a CEO for a second final five-year fixed term contract, up to a maximum of 10 years in total.
The Health Act outlines that, while responsibility for recruitment resides with the HSE, the Minister for Health, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, has a role in approving the appointment, and / or re-appointment, of such senior management roles having received a recommendation from the HSE Board.
Provisions relating to disciplinary procedures or early termination are set out in the individual contract of employment and are a matter for the employer.
184. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of attendances per month since 1 January 2023 to Ennis injury unit to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15749/24]
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.
185. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of attendances per month since 1 January 2023 to the acute medical assessment unit at Ennis Hospital to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15750/24]
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.
186. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 401 of 15 February 2024, the conditions that the 319 Ministerial licences were granted to treat, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15751/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Ministerial Licence issued pursuant to Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, entitles the clinician licence holder to prescribe, import, supply, possess and administer a Schedule 1 controlled drug in the treatment of their patient.
The treatment of their patient by a licensed Doctor is a clinical matter and the disclosure of any confidential information, such as the condition being treated, is not considered appropriate.
187. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he is next scheduled to meet the CEO of the Higher Education Authority. [15545/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA meeting occurred between the former Minister and the CEO of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the 5th March 2024.
I will schedule a meeting with the HEA in due course as I meet with key agencies and Departmental stakeholders in my new role.
188. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on an expression of interest in the town and village renewal scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15645/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland.
As committed under Our Rural Future, Ireland's rural development policy, and in line with the Town Centre First Policy, scheme priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities and to respond to changing needs and opportunities.
The 2023 Scheme has a renewed focus on town centre economic and social vibrancy which includes the development of recreational spaces/amenities in town centres to make them vibrant hubs for community enjoyment and to increase footfall for local businesses.
The 2023 Scheme is now closed and the competitive assessment process is nearing completion. I can confirm that an application has been received in relation to the project referred to. However, I would like to emphasise that the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is heavily subscribed, and funding will be allocated based on the quality of the proposed projects, alignment with the priorities of the scheme, the geographical spread of projects and the available budget. I expect to announce the successful projects shortly.
189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a grant will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15534/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It supports a broad range of activities which aim to respond to the diversity of the local needs of our rural areas.
The LEADER Food Initiative was launched by my Department and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine in May 2018 with an allocation of €15 million. This Initiative was designed to support the further development of food and beverage businesses. A limited call for proposals under this initiative issued in August 2023 to utilise unallocated funds with a condition that all works must be complete by March 2024.
My Department received an Expression of Interest in respect of the project referenced by the Deputy. However the project did not progress to application stage and was not approved for funding due to the scale of the project and the limited budget available nationally to fund proposals under the call.
The new LEADER programme for the period 2023-2027 will shortly be available in the Kerry area and I would advise the promoter to contact the Local Action Group which administers LEADER funding in their area to discuss the possibility of progressing the project in question under the new programme.
