Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Ó Murchú raised the issue of the transfer of the disability section from the Department of Health to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The transfer is ongoing but I hope we can bring it to a conclusion very quickly. It has not stopped the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Rabbitte, from being very proactive on disability issues more generally. I pay tribute to her in that regard. However, I accept the issue needs to be brought to a conclusion. I have spoken to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the detail of issues that have to be ironed out with regard to the transfer of a fairly significant level of services with attendant resources from one Department to another. It is not a simple black-and-white issue but my understanding is we will be in a position to bring it to a conclusion. As I said earlier, the focus has to be on the provision of therapies, for children and young people in particular, through the HSE. That level of integration with the HSE with regard to clinical need will still have to continue. The provision of services, notwithstanding the policy aspect, will be located in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The view, historically, given the enormity of health and all the areas with which it has to deal, was that the idea of separating out disability and giving it a stronger focus from a Government perspective would be beneficial in the longer term. That view came from disability service providers and the Oireachtas generally.

Deputy Paul Murphy raised the issue of judicial reform. New systems have been put in place for the disciplining of judges and maintaining of high standards. The systems are not retrospective with regard to judges who have retired. We cannot interfere with the operational decisions of An Garda Síochána at this level. It has to make its judgment in any given situation presented to it. I know the case the Deputy has raised. He legitimately raises the case, which is not satisfactory in any shape or form, but it seems from what the Deputy is saying that the Garda has taken its decision. We cannot interfere in that operationally. However, I hope the new structures that have been put in place will make sure there is a very clear pathway for people to seek to have complaints raised with the Judicial Council and for them to be adjudicated upon in a timely and effective manner.

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan raised the issue of district heating systems. They did not fit neatly into the schemes that were developed, such as the scheme for energy credits. Some people may benefit, depending on their circumstances, from a range of payments we have made through the social protection system which have been quite substantial. I will speak to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications again on whether something can be done in respect of the costs being incurred by those using district heating and the degree to which they cannot benefit from the schemes we have introduced. I will follow through on that. I am not clear whether regulations can be easily signed with regard to existing legislation or whether it is appropriate to deal with that.

Deputy Barry raised the advocacy of Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan with regard to the elective hospital in Cork. I think Deputy Barry would be the first to acknowledge the proactive work of Deputy O'Sullivan in advancing the cause of an elective hospital and its location in Glanmire. The Government will take a decision next week when the memo comes to the Cabinet. I have been a strong advocate for this. We have taken very strong measures to make sure this project is progressed because it has been hanging around for too long.

There was an announcement of a second hospital five or six years ago but little happened. I am taking this by the scruff of the neck and saying that we want elective hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin. Subsequently, we need one in Limerick too. It has to be subject to the public spending code, which has progressed by now. We will be in a position to sign off on this next week.

Deputy Bacik raised the thalidomide survivors. We had a constructive meeting last week. We agreed to set up a process with an independent chair to discuss a range of issues and to deal with healthcare needs, independent living and other issues. We should engage and allow that process to take its course so that we can get real outcomes.

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