Written Answers Nos 112-126
Hospital Waiting Lists
112. Deputy Dessie Ellis   asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for corrective surgical procedures for scoliosis; the number that have been waiting for three, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months; the progress being made to ensure the necessary posts are filled to ensure these surgeries take place; if alternatives have been considered to ensure that these surgeries take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20930/16]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Scoliosis affects approximately 1% of children and adolescents in Ireland. The management of scoliosis is complex and is determined by the severity of the curvature and skeletal maturity. As of 30 June 2016, there were 189 patients aged 18 and under awaiting a procedure in hospitals in Ireland, specifically Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin (145), Children's University Hospital Temple Street (33), Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital (2) and Tallaght Hospital (9).
145 patients were waiting less than 12 months, of whom 42 were waiting under three months, 47 waiting between three and six months and 56 waiting between six and 12 months. 23 patients were waiting between 12 and 15 months and 21 patients were waiting longer than 15 months.
There are particular service pressures in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people. In order to address these pressures, additional funding of €1.042m was allocated under the 2015 Service Plan to increase capacity, and an additional orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist, and support staff are now in place with recruitment of a further additional orthopaedic surgeon underway. Capital funding was also provided for a new theatre on site to expand theatre capacity further, and this is currently being commissioned. The Children's Hospital Group is proactively working on nurse recruitment to support the opening of the new theatre.
In addition, significant external capacity for patients awaiting scoliosis procedures at OLCHC was sourced in 2015, and 66 patients have been treated in other hospitals including the Blackrock Clinic and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore. Further potential for external capacity to address waiting times is being examined. My Department will continue to work with the HSE and the relevant hospitals to ensure all options to improve access are explored.
Mental Health Services Data
113. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of the 17 mental health areas within the nine community health care organisations that provide a full weekend support. [20958/16]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Helen McEntee): As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Question No. 114 answered with Question No. 20.
Departmental Management Structures
115. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 28 of 2 June 2016, if the research being undertaken by the new policy, strategy and integration unit established within his Department will be available to the new joint Oireachtas committee that has been established to develop cross-party consensus on the future of the health service over ten years, as per the programme for Government and Government approval; if he will make available the research undertaken to date to the committee; if he will designate a liaison officer within his Department in order that members of this committee may direct queries specific to the committee's work to that person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20938/16]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The all-party Committee on the Future of Healthcare, which is a key commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, held its inaugural meeting on 23 June.
The resourcing of the Committee and how it discharges its functions are a matter for the Committee and the Houses of the Oireachtas Services. Senior officials in my Department have met with the Committee and my Department will continue to provide assistance and advice to the Committee, as appropriate. As part of that commitment, my Department is currently making arrangements for the secondment of an Assistant Principal Officer - Health Sector Policy Analyst - to the Houses of the Oireachtas Service Committees' secretariat to support the work of both the Joint Committee on Health and the Committee on the Future of Healthcare.
HSE Funding
116. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that public funds provided by his Department are not misused or misappropriated by voluntary and charitable bodies providing supporting services such as suicide prevention supports and bereavement counselling as in the case of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21002/16]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Helen McEntee): HSE funding is provided to suicide prevention charities through the National Office for Suicide Prevention. As part of HSE, the National Office for Suicide Prevention is subject to HSE Compliance regulations. For further details on this, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
In addition, the commencement of Part Four of the Charities Act 2009 will allow the Charities Regulator to carry out statutory investigations of charities and will allow greater investigative and enforcement powers for the charity regulator. These powers will take effect from 5 September to allow for extra staff to be recruited.
Hospital Investigations
117. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the composition of the current internal hospital review teams conducting internal investigations into all serious incidents in hospitals with particular reference to the lack of external independent persons being members of these review teams [20954/16]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
For the Deputy's information, the HSE's Serious Incident Management Policy (SIMP) outlines the processes for conducting investigations and properly allows this work to progress without Departmental involvement.
In addition, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is currently developing Standards to support the management of Patient Safety incidents in collaboration with the Mental Health Commission.
Ministerial Hospital Visits
118. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if he has met with Saolta and-or the management of Galway University Hospital on health issues (details supplied) and the planning for a new hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20604/16]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): There are no plans for a new hospital to be built in Co. Galway.
University Hospitals Galway comprises Galway University Hospital and Merlin Park University Hospital, which are located in the city of Galway. The close proximity of these Hospitals and the joint organisational structure enable cross-development of GUH and Merlin Park to ensure the best use of both hospital sites.
There has been, and continues to be, significant development of the GUH site. Developments completed include the Clinical Research Facility, the upgrade to the Maternity Unit and the CF Out-Patient Department. In early 2016, 30 additional beds opened at the Hospital as part of the Winter Additional Capacity Initiative.
Also, construction work is ongoing on the new 75 bed ward block which will provide single room in-patient accommodation. A new acute mental health department is under way and is expected to be completed early in 2017. Following the transfer of mental health services to the new acute department, work will begin on the construction of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology project for which the HSE has already obtained planning permission.
Furthermore, the Programme for a Partnership Government has committed to providing a new ED for GUH. Given the ongoing investment that has been, made at the GUH site, it would not represent value for money to develop a new hospital in the region. I am due to meet with the Chair and CEO of the Saolta University Healthcare Group on 14 July, 2016, as part of a process of engagement with the Chairs and CEOs of all Hospital Groups.
Mental Health Services Provision
119. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the current problems being caused in mental health services by the failure to provide adequate care to persons in mental health distress who have a history of or a continuing substance abuse problem; his plans to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21001/16]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Helen McEntee): As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
120. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the expenditure of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI, for each of the past five years on legal fees; if this will be broken down in terms of legal representation for NMBI in taking fitness to practice cases, legal advice to the NMBI board, legal advice to NMBI staff and the number of fitness-to-practise cases taken by the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20925/16]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.
Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the NMBI. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply.
If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Hospital Waiting Lists
121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason for the substantial increase between December 2015 and May 2016 in the number of outpatients waiting more than a year for a consultation in Cavan General Hospital. [20978/16]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): A key challenge for our health system is ensuring timely access to health services. This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required, with a particular focus on those waiting longest.
While waiting list numbers nationally have increased in the first half of the year, this must be seen in the context of increased demand for care in our health system. There has been a 4% increase in inpatient and day-case activity in acute hospitals and an almost 6% increase in attendances at EDs in comparison with last year. The key issue for patients is how long they wait. Approximately 60% of patients wait less than 6 months for a required outpatient appointment or inpatient/day-case procedure.
Regarding 2016, my Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE in finalising a dedicated waiting list initiative focussed on endoscopy. In addition, my Department has asked the HSE to implement an action plan addressing waiting times with hospitals and Hospital Groups. This will focus on improving chronological scheduling, clinical and administrative validation of lists and optimising existing capacity.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to €15m funding for the NTPF in 2017 to address waiting lists for those waiting longest, as part of a continued investment of €50m per year to reduce waiting times. My Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to deliver on the Programme's waiting list commitments.
In relation to waiting lists in Cavan General Hospital, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
National Carers Strategy Implementation
122. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the progress being made on implementing the recommendations of the national carers strategy; when he will publish and fund phase 2 of the strategy between 2016 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18803/16]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Helen McEntee): The National Carers’ Strategy was published in July 2012 and sets the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers.
It sets out a Vision to work towards and an ambitious set of National Goals and Objectives to guide policy development and service delivery to ensure that carers feel valued and supported to manage their caring responsibilities with confidence and are empowered to have a life of their own outside of caring.
A progress report on the implementation of the Strategy is produced on a periodic basis over the lifetime of the Strategy and presented to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. The last such Report covered the period from September 2014 to September 2015, and I am furnishing a copy to the Deputy. This Report is also available on my Department’s website.
Apart from the reports referred to above, each Department is responsible for updating and reporting on items of the Strategy within its own remit including in a Parliamentary context. I accordingly include herewith an update on items that fall within the remits of the Department of Health and the HSE. Other updates can be requested from the relevant Departments or agency as the Deputy sees fit.
The Goals and Objectives set out in the Strategy are not time limited but will remain valid into the future, and if their implementation can be meaningfully advanced we can make concrete and positive differences to the lives of carers and those they care for. It is for this reason that we have recommitted in the Programme for a Partnership Government to Implementing the Carers Strategy in full. My priority therefore, is to drive and support the effective mechanisms that have been put in place for engagement of stakeholders with the relevant agencies. It is this engagement, rather than trying to rewrite what is already a valid Strategy, that can best promote progressive improvements in the supports and services available for Carers.
However, the existing Strategy provides ample scope for stakeholders to update their priorities and to seek more specific commitments from relevant Departments and agencies in that context, and I will be happy to facilitate this.
APPENDIX
Since the 2014-2015 Annual Progress Report (September 2015) there has been good progress in a number of Key Actions in the past year and in particular:-
1. Specific Carers website on the HSE website
Strategy Actions covered by this action include: 3.1., 3.2.1, 3.1.3
The HSE recognised the gap in the information available to carers on its HSE website. Acknowledging the valuable contribution of carers in supporting their family members, relatives and friends, the site was developed to support carers‘information needs.
The site acts as a ‘one stop’ shop for carers, providing information, signposting them to relevant services across the HSE website and, providing links to statutory and voluntary organisations who support carers such as the Family Carers of Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and Citizens Information. The site also offers practical tips for carers on looking after their own health and well-being.
The information on the site was developed by the HSE’s National Carer Strategy Group in consultation with Family Carers Ireland, the Care Alliance, and HSE staff, while a number of carers reviewed the content and provided positive feedback.
The HSE launched the Carers site on the HSE website www.hse.ie/carers to coincide with National Carer’s week 13 to 19 June 2016.
2. Carers Need Assessment - HSE
Strategy Action covered by this action is: 2.1.3
Work on the Carers Needs Assessment continues being developed by the Single Assessment Tool (SAT) national project team in conjunction with the interRAI organisation – an international not for profit organisation that produces assessment systems for a wide range of sectors e.g. older people, mental health, disability, acute care etc. Ireland is leading the development of a specific assessment for Carers.
Significant work has been conducted to date with a draft questionnaire produced and an scoping exercise to test the draft completed with the assistance of Irish carers and their clients in 2015. A 2 day workshop has just been completed in May with interRAI international Committee, Irish Carer organisations representation and the SAT national project team. This resulted in an updated Carers Needs Assessment draft which was based on Irish and Belgian feedback. A new draft is to be produced by interRAI for international piloting, of which Ireland will be part of. This international Pilot Field study will have up to 11 country sites participating. Data from each country will be analysed to produce the final Assessment which will focus on the health and care needs of Carers.
The international pilot is expecting to begin summer 2016 and run for 6-8 months with data analysis planned for summer 2017. The final tool is expected to be available in Ireland (and internationally in over 30 countries currently using interRAI assessment systems) from 2018.
3. Respite Review Group - HSE
Strategy Actions covered by this action are: 4.1.2 & 4.1.3
The HSE is preparing to establish a Respite Review Group to review the respite service provided through all the service Divisions. Membership will include nominations from the Community Health Offices and the Divisions.
4. 2015-2016 Annual Progress Report -HSE
The HSE National Carer Strategy Group held a consultative meeting with representatives from the Community Health Offices in preparation for the next HSE Progress report due in the autumn 2016. Information requests for the next progress report will commence shortly through the Chief Officers in the 9 Community Health Offices.
5. Transport Support Scheme - DoH
Strategy Actions covered by this action are: 1.1.1
The Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Scheme. Monthly payments continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to the 4,700 people who were in receipt of the mobility Allowance at the time the scheme closed. Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme.
6. Ensure that carers' needs are considered in the development of any policies that might affect them - DoH
Strategy Actions covered by this action are: 1.1.2
Six Working Groups have been established to support the implementation of a multi-year project to reform disability services, in line with the recommendations in the report of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services in Ireland. One of these Working Groups, People with Disabilities and Community Involvement, aims to strengthen existing national and local consultative processes to build a Participation Framework. This Framework will be designed to meet the changing needs of service users with the purpose of enabling persons with disabilities, carers, families and the wider community to have a meaningful role and voice in service design and delivery.
Among the tasks of the Working Group are;
- establish a reference group to devise a national participation framework for service users with a disability;
- complete the development of a participation network which describes how to engage and enable persons with disabilities, carers and families and the wider community to have a meaningful role and voice in service design and delivery;
- develop a plan for national consultation and engagement with relevant stakeholders
7. Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme - DoH
Strategy Actions covered by this action are: 2.1.6
The review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was published in July 2015 and included a general examination of the Scheme, as well as the balance between residential care and care in the community.
An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the review. These recommendations include the implementation of administrative reforms to the Scheme, and a review by the National Treatment Purchase Fund of the pricing system for long-term residential care facilities. This Working Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners, and the National Treatment Purchase Fund where relevant.
The Working Group is due to present a first annual report to the Cabinet Committee in 2016 to include details, in particular, of the progress achieved in improving the assessment of income and assets, including home ownership, and the validation of associated declarations by applicants.
8. Implementation of National Standards for home support services, which will be subject to inspection by the Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA)
Strategy Actions covered by this action are: 2.1.7
The Health Research Board has been asked to carry out evidence review to examine the regulation and funding of home care services in three or four countries or jurisdictions and to use this information, alongside other inputs, to arrive at an informed position regarding regulation and funding of home care services in Ireland.
Orthodontic Services
123. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of suitably qualified staff that have been part of the initiative undertaken by the HSE to train and upskill to become orthodontic therapists; the details of the pilot scheme and the number of patients who are under treatment; the progress being made to expand this initiative to other regional orthodontic departments; and if he will make a statement to the matter. [20932/16]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Unemployment Data
124. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach the unemployment rate in the south east region broken down by city and county, and by age, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20510/16]
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Regina Doherty): The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment (ILO) in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q1 2016.
Estimates of unemployment are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. The NUTS 3 South-East region includes counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford City and County and Wexford. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable city and county estimates from the QNHS.
The following table shows the unemployment rate of persons aged 15-74 years classified by NUTS3 South-East region and age group in Q1 2016.
Table 1 Unemployment (ILO) rate of persons aged 15-74 years classified by NUTS3 South-East region and age group, Q1 2016
% | Age Group | Q1 16 |
|---|
| 15-19 years | 34.6 | | 20-24 years | 19.7 | | 15-24 years (Youth) | 23.6 | | 25-34 years | 17.3 | | 35-44 years | 9.6 | | 45-54 years | 9.7 | | 55-59 years | 11.2 | | 60-64 years | 8.3 | | 65-74 years | 1.4 | | All | 12.5 |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.';
Data may be subject to future revision;
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change;
Reference period: Q1=January-March
Labour Activation Measures
125. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach the number of persons currently engaged in activation and employment support schemes; the number of persons engaged in such schemes in 2015 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20564/16]
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Regina Doherty): Details of the number of persons availing of a range of programmes targeted primarily at the long-term unemployed (over 12 months) and other welfare recipients are provided for January 2015 to May 2016 in the following tables.
The most recent data available are for May 2016.
Persons on activation programmes are not counted as part of the monthly Live Register.
Table 1 Number of persons availing of Activation Programmes, January to June 2015 | | January 2015 | February 2015 | March 2015 | April 2015 | May 2015 | June 2015 |
|---|
| Back to Work Schemes | | | | | | | | Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand | 11,180 | 11,260 | 11,372 | 11,490 | 11,523 | 11,621 | | Short-term Enterprise Allowance2 | 440 | 447 | 465 | 461 | 486 | 490 | | Total Back to Work payments | 11,622 | 11,709 | 11,838 | 11,951 | 12,009 | 12,111 | | | | | | | | | | Other Activation Programmes | | | | | | | | DSP Part-time Job Incentive | 397 | 397 | 397 | 401 | 399 | 378 | | TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011) | 7,865 | 7,877 | 7,841 | 7,979 | 7,943 | 8,001 | | JobBridge (2011) | 6,220 | 6,140 | 6,015 | 5,895 | 5,778 | 5,338 | | Gateway (2013)3 | 1,770 | 1,856 | 1,990 | 2,082 | 2,160 | 2,208 | | Total Other Activation Programmes | 16,252 | 16,270 | 16,243 | 16,357 | 16,280 | 15,925 | | | | | | | | | | Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors) | 22,927 | 23,034 | 24,478 | 22,999 | 24,563 | 23,112 | | | | | | | | | | FAS (Solas) Full Time Training for Unemployed People4 | 7,552 | 7,739 | 8,002 | 7,997 | 7,882 | 7,502 | | | | | | | | | | Back to Education Courses | | | | | | | | Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | | Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6 | 23,497 | 23,873 | 24,143 | 24,094 | 15,154 | 6,418 | | Total Back to Education Courses | 28,497 | 28,873 | 29,143 | 29,094 | 20,154 | 11,418 | | | | | | | | | | Total Activation Programmes | 86,850 | 87,625 | 89,704 | 88,398 | 80,888 | 70,068 |
Table 2 Number of persons availing of Activation Programmes, July to December 2015 | | July 2015 | August 2015 | September 2015 | October 2015 | November 2015 | December 2015 |
|---|
| Back to Work Schemes | | | | | | | | Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand | 11,739 | 11,738 | 11,825 | 11,814 | 11,861 | 11,881 | | Short-term Enterprise Allowance2 | 486 | 472 | 469 | 451 | 430 | 396 | | Total Back to Work payments | 12,225 | 12,210 | 12,294 | 12,265 | 12,291 | 12,277 | | | | | | | | | | Other Activation Programmes | | | | | | | | DSP Part-time Job Incentive | 358 | 369 | 411 | 423 | 448 | 421 | | TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011) | 8,014 | 7,881 | 7,827 | 7,843 | 7,859 | 7,939 | | JobBridge (2011) | 4,969 | 4,640 | 4,693 | 4,866 | 4,844 | 4,683 | | Gateway (2013)3 | 2,258 | 2,315 | 2,342 | 2,354 | 2,370 | 2,350 | | Total Other Activation Programmes | 15,599 | 15,205 | 15,273 | 15,486 | 15,521 | 15,393 | | | | | | | | | | Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors) | 22,913 | 22,839 | 22,692 | 22,488 | 22,723 | 22,813 | | | | | | | | | | FAS (Solas) Full Time Training for Unemployed People4 | 6,533 | 5,843 | 6,478 | 7,290 | 7,304 | 7,481 | | | | | | | | | | Back to Education Courses | | | | | | | | Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | | Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6 | 4,976 | 4,519 | 12,537 | 18,047 | 18,459 | 18,345 | | Total Back to Education Courses | 9,976 | 9,519 | 17,537 | 23,047 | 23,459 | 23,345 | | | | | | | | | | Total Activation Programmes | 67,246 | 65,616 | 74,274 | 80,576 | 81,298 | 81,309 |
Table 3 Number of persons availing of Activation Programmes, January to May 2016 | | January 2016 | February 2016 | March 2016 | April 2016 | May 2016 |
|---|
| Back to Work Schemes | | | | | | | Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand | 11,795 | 11,747 | 11,586 | 11,601 | 11,550 | | Short-term Enterprise Allowance2 | 382 | 380 | 386 | 395 | 424 | | Total Back to Work payments | 12,177 | 12,127 | 11,972 | 11,996 | 11,974 | | | | | | | | | Other Activation Programmes | | | | | | | DSP Part-time Job Incentive | 405 | 412 | 410 | 443 | 439 | | TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011) | 7,880 | 7,922 | 7,952 | 7,977 | 7,948 | | JobBridge (2011) | 4,323 | 4,185 | 4,015 | 4,015 | 3,836 | | Gateway (2013)3 | 2,311 | 2,252 | 2,198 | 2,073 | 1,967 | | Total Other Activation Programmes | 14,919 | 14,771 | 14,575 | 14,508 | 14,190 | | | | | | | | | Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors) | 22,706 | 22,730 | 22,785 | 22,938 | 22,844 | | | | | | | | | FAS (Solas) Full Time Training for Unemployed People4 | 7,165 | 7,190 | 7,327 | 7,033 | 6,687 | | | | | | | | | Back to Education Courses | | | | | | | Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | | Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6 | 18,263 | 17,794 | 18,247 | 16,641 | 9,345 | | Total Back to Education Courses | 23,263 | 22,794 | 23,247 | 21,641 | 14,345 | | | | | | | | | Total Activation Programmes | 80,230 | 79,612 | 79,906 | 78,116 | 70,040 |
1 This scheme was closed to new applications from 1 May 2009.
2 This scheme was introduced from 1 May 2009. It provides immediate support for someone in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit who wants to start a business.
3 Gateway Scheme included from December 2013.
4 Specific Skills Training/Local Training initiative/Traineeship/Return to Work.
5 VTOS figures are estimated at 5,000 each year.
6 BTEA figures include all schemes but participants from JA and JB are not entitled to BTEA during the summer holidays.
Migration Data
126. Deputy John Deasy asked the Taoiseach the number of Irish nationals who emigrated each year from 2006 to 2015, inclusive; and the number of Irish nationals which have returned to live here since the start of 2011. [20707/16]
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Regina Doherty): Statistics on migration are included in the CSO's annual Population and Migration Estimates release. The principal source of information for the estimation of annual migration flows published by the Central Statistics Office, incorporating both emigration and immigration, is the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS); the published estimates are classified by sex, broad age group, origin and destination, and nationality. The latest release was published in August 2015 and includes data for the years ending April 2011 – April 2015 inclusive.
Table 1 shows the number of Irish migrants for each year 2006-2015 inclusive.
It is estimated that there were 304,800 Irish emigrants for the period 2006-2015 inclusive. It is estimated that there were 79,600 Irish immigrants over the period 2011-2015 inclusive.
Table 1 - Estimated Irish migrants (persons), 2006 - 2015 1 | Year ending April | Irish Immigrants | Irish Emigrants | Net Migration |
|---|
| 2006 | 18,900 | 15,300 | 3,600 | | 2007 | 30,700 | 12,900 | 17,800 | | 2008 | 23,800 | 13,100 | 10,700 | | 2009 | 23,000 | 19,200 | 3,800 | | 2010 | 17,900 | 28,900 | -11,000 | | 2011 | 19,600 | 42,000 | -22,400 | | 2012 | 20,600 | 46,500 | -25,900 | | 2013 | 15,700 | 50,900 | -35,200 | | 2014 | 11,600 | 40,700 | -29,100 | | 2015 | 12,100 | 35,300 | -23,200 |
1 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are preliminary and are subject to revision following publication of final data from Census 2016.
Source: Population and Migration Estimates, Central Statistics Office.'; |
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