Dáil Debate

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Page 9 of 16

Vol. 621 No. 6   Written Answers.  -  Health Services. Thursday, 15 June 2006

[Ms Harney  ] Children in specific classes in national school, usually second, fourth and sixth class, are targeted for preventive measures under the school based approach; the children in these classes are screened and referred for treatment as necessary; the programme has been specifically designed to ensure that children are dentally fit before they leave national school. The screening provided in second, fourth and sixth classes ensures that follow up appointments for examination, treatment or orthodontic review are made, as necessary, with the Dental Surgeon in the clinic designated for the particular school(s). Children who have attended national school retain eligibility to dental treatment up to their 16th birthday. The Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2006, which was recently adopted by the Oireachtas, contains provision for the amendment of section 66 of the Health Act 1970 and the Health (Amendment) Act, 1994. The amendments provide for dental health examinations for all primary school children whether they are educated in national primary schools, private primary or Montessori schools or who are home taught. It is intended that the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2006, will be commenced in the near future.  Hospital Services.  5. Mr. P. McGrath    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   if there is a universal newborn hearing screening programme available in the paediatric and maternity department at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar and the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; if there is not such a programme, if she intends to introduce one; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23170/06] Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney):    The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. The report of the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Group commissioned by the former Health Boards was received in the Public Health Division of my Department on 3 April 2006 and is being assessed. My Department is also in discussion with the Health Service Executive in relation to its implementation.  Health Services.  6. Mr. P. McGrath    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   if there is a diagnostic attention deficit hyperactivity disorder centre located in County Westmeath and County Longford; if there are no such centres, if she intends to establish these centres; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23171/06] Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley):    The Deputy’s questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.  Medical Aids and Appliances.  7. Mr. P. McGrath    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   if defibrillators are available in every fire station in County Westmeath and County Longford; if not, if she intends to make this possible; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23172/06] Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power):    The Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death, whose report “Reducing the Risk: A Strategic Approach” was published in March 2006, recognises the need for early cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Overall responsibility for implementation of the report’s recommendations has been assigned to the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.  8. Mr. P. McGrath    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   if she will examine the possibility of making defibrillators available to second level schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23173/06] Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power):    The Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death, whose report “Reducing the Risk: A Strategic Approach” was published in March 2006, recognises the need for early cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Overall responsibility for implementation of the report’s recommendations has been assigned to the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.  Health Services.  9. Mr. Neville    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   when orthodontic treatment will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [23186/06] Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney):    The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.  Hospital Waiting Lists.  10. Mr. P. Breen    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with a bed in a hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23187/06] Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power):    The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.  Health Services.  11. Mr. Durkan    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   if home help can or will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23209/06] Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power):    The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.  Medical Cards.  12. Mr. Durkan    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   when a medical card will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23210/06]  13. Mr. Durkan    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   when optical benefit will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare on foot of a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23212/06] Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney):    I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together. The Deputy’s questions relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.  Health Services.  14. Ms Shortall    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   if her attention has been drawn to the lack of information regarding entitlement to public nursing homes; if she will make this information available; the steps she will take to ensure that it is freely available to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23237/06] Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power):    Access to public nursing home care is based on the capacity of the Health Service Executive to deliver such care. This is itself subject to the resources available to the Executive having regard to all its responsibilities for the delivering of health services generally. Entitlement to public nursing home care is subject to resources and capacity. In regard to information to clients on public nursing homes this is an operational matter and relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.  Hospital Services.  15. Mr. Gormley    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   the reason for the delay in the introduction of hearing screening for all newborn babies, especially in view of the fact that this screening programme uses relatively cheap technology and would pay for itself in less than four years by reducing the future costs of deafness to the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23238/06] Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney):    The report of the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Group commissioned by the former Health Boards was received in the Public Health Division of my Department on 3 April 2006 and is being assessed. My Department is also in discussion with the Health Service Executive in relation to its implementation.  Patient Confidentiality.  16. Mr. J. Higgins    asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children   if her attention has been drawn to the practice at Bantry General Hospital whereby patients’ personal files are retrieved and moved by employees of an outside private security firm; and her views regarding the confidentiality and privacy of patients’ files. [23246/06] Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney):    The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.  Disabled Drivers.  17. Mr. Perry    asked the Minister for Finance   if he will ensure that a decision is made on the disabled drivers application for tax relief for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23193/06] Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen):    I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, that based on the information supplied they have been unable to trace any claim by the named person under the Disabled Drivers and the Disabled Passengers [Tax Concessions] Regulations 1994. It is a fundamental requirement for admission to the scheme that the person with the disability meets the specified medical criteria and is in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate to that effect issued by the Senior Area Medical Officer of the appropriate local Health Service Executive administrative area. Where an application is unsuccessful, this decision may be appealed to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, an independent body whose decision is final. It is regretted that the Revenue Commissioners are unable to consider an application for tax relief under the scheme without the issue of a Primary Medical Certificate. On receipt of an original Primary Medical Certificate, this certificate together with the completed original application form [DD1] should be submitted to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Disabled Drivers Section, Coolshannagh, Co. Monaghan, at which time a claim for relief of taxes under the above regulations will be processed. The Revenue Commissioners have forwarded to the named person an information booklet (VRT 7) which outlines the scope of the scheme, the reliefs available and the application procedures.  Aquaculture Industry.  18. Dr. Upton    asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources   the actions his Department made to prepare for the entry into force of the recommendation concerning farmed fish of the Council of Europe’s Standing Committee on the European Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes; the action he is taking now that said recommendation has entered into force to ensure that Ireland’s regulatory and enforcement environment is such that it is entirely consistent with the content of the recommendation; if he has identified the shortfalls in said environment vis-à-vis its consistency with the recommendation; and if so, the steps she will be taking to ensure the recommendation is honoured. [23150/06] Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Browne):    The Recommendation concerning farmed fish adopted by the Standing Committee of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes was adopted at the Council of Europe on 5 December 2005 and came into force on 5 June 2006. The Recommendation is general in nature and is due to be completed by detailed, technical appendices. We have not yet received notification of when these appendices will be produced, however, their consideration would include consultation with the aquaculture industry here to establish what implications there might be for fish farming practices. It may be noted that European Community is a contracting party to the Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes, and therefore it was the Community that voted in favour of the Convention on behalf of EU Member States. Concurrent with this Recommendation, a new EU Directive updating requirements for fish health has been brought forward and is now close to adoption. This Directive will be required to be implemented in accordance with Regulation (EC) 882 of 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules. In addition, the Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, has been involved in facilitating an initiative led by the Irish aquaculture industry to develop a Code of Best Practice for the farming of finfish, highlighting the international standards to be adhered to with regard to the welfare of farmed fish.  19. Mr. J. O’Keeffe    asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources   if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been seeking an aquaculture licence since 2004 to cultivate blue mussels at a site at Ardgroom Harbour; and if this application will be completed and the licence granted. [23168/06] Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Browne):    The application was received in November 2004 and was assessed in the normal way. It was decided that, pending the resolution of compliance issues relating to density, configuration and maintenance of existing licensed areas within the harbour, the application could not be progressed further. In January 2005 the applicant was advised that until the situation at Ardgroom had been resolved his application could not be determined. Efforts to resolve the overall situation are ongoing.  Harbours and Piers.  20. Mr. J. Breen    asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources   if he will provide further funding towards the redevelopment of Doonbeg pier which is expected to cost €1 million, three quarters of which has to be raised locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23195/06] Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Browne):    Doonbeg Pier is owned by Clare County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance. The Department, on behalf of the County Council, is currently undertaking a study to evaluate options for the development of Doonbeg Pier. The report is substantially complete and will be available in the near future. Initial indications are that the development will cost in the region of €1 million. This proposal comes under the Fishery Harbour Development Programme and funding under this measure is provided on a 75% grant aid with a 25% contribution from the Local Authority. The question of providing funding for the proposed development of Doonbeg Pier will be considered in the context of the amount of Exchequer funding available for works at fishery harbours generally and overall national priorities.  Fishing Industry Development.  21. Mr. Broughan    asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources   if he will make a statement on the sea fisheries output including the tonnage and the main species caught for each of the years 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 for harbours (details supplied). [23196/06] Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Browne):    The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and will be transmitted directly to him at an early date.  22. Mr. Broughan    asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources   the percentage of the European catch Ireland’s TACs for demersal, pelagic and shellfish represent from 2001 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23197/06] Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Browne):    Details of the EU Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Ireland’s quota as a % of this TAC for the years 2001-2005 are provided in the following table. 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Common Name Area EC TAC IRL Quota IRL % of TAC EC TAC IRL Quota IRL % of TAC EC TAC IRL Quota IRL % of TAC EC TAC IRL Quota IRL % of TAC EC TAC IRL Quota IRL % of TAC % % % % % Anglerfish Vb (1), VI, XII, XIV 8,000 800 10 4,770 477 10 3,180 318 10 3,180 318 10 4,686 469 10 Anglerfish VII 23,000 1,740 8 18,600 1,410 8 15,810 1,198 8 20,902 1,584 8 25,082 1,901 8 Blue whiting Vb (1), VI, VII, XII, XIV 163,000 26,080 16 107,281 17,165 16 433,000 17,165 4 209,653 62,174 30 474,333 75,893 16 Cod I, II 16,150 242 1 16,355 245 1 16,353 245 1 19,800 293 1 19,499 292 1 Cod Vb (1), VI, XII, XIV 3,700 833 23 4,600 1,035 23 1,808 407 23 848 191 23 721 162 22 Cod VIIa 2,100 1,385 66 3,200 2,017 63 1,950 1,284 66 2,150 1,416 66 2,150 1,416 66 Cod VIIb-k, VIII, IX, X 10,500 1,070 10 8,700 977 11 6,700 875 13 5,700 824 14 6,200 849 14 Haddock Vb (1), VI, XII, XIV 19,000 1,730 9 14,100 1,535 11 Haddock VIa, 7,973 1,214 15 6,503 1,010 16 7,600 598 8 Haddock Vib 702 107 15 702 55 8 702 55 8 Haddock VII, VIII, IX, X 13,200 2,930 22 9,300 2,067 22 8,185 1,819 22 9,600 2,133 22 11,520 2,560 22 Hake Vb (1), VI, VII, XII, XIV 23,600 1,300 6 15,118 834 6 16,823 1,114 7 21,926 1,209 6 23,888 1,318 6 Herring I, II 73,840 6,670 9 73,840 6,670 9 48,493 4,377 9 72,804 6,458 9 89,537 7,942 9 Herring Vb (1), VIaN, VIb 35,700 5,390 15 35,700 5,393 15 29,340 4,432 15 29,340 4,432 15 29,440 4,447 15 Herring VIaS, VIIbc 13,900 12,640 91 14,000 12,727 91 14,000 12,727 91 14,000 12,727 91 14,000 12,727 91 Herring VIIa 6,900 1,800 26 4,800 1,250 26 4,800 1,250 26 4,800 1,250 26 4,800 1,250 26 Herring VIIghjk 20,000 17,290 86 8,000 6,914 86 13,000 11,235 86 13,000 11,235 86 13,000 11,236 86 Horse mackerel IIa (1), North Sea (1) 49,400 1,950 4 49,400 1,950 4 41,667 1,641 4 46,788 1,846 4 40,616 1,599 4 Horse mackerel Vb (1), VI, VII, VIII, XII, XIV 233,000 55,010 24 143,000 33,763 24 130,000 30,693 24 131,879 31,137 24 133,223 31,454 24 Mackerel II, Vb (1), VI, VII, VIII, XII, XIV 329,410 70,270 21 345,012 73,597 21 317,869 67,807 21 296,349 63,216 21 217,477 46,149 21 Megrims Vb (1), VI, XII, XIV 4,840 630 13 4,360 565 13 4,360 565 13 3,600 466 13 2,880 373 13 Megrims VII 17,920 2,970 17 13,350 2,210 17 14,336 2,373 17 18,099 2,996 17 19,263 3,189 17