John Gormley

100. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children when the request for a treatment centre and after care service for the greater Drogheda area made by the Drogheda Community Drugs and Alcohol Forum will be granted; her views on whether a treatment centre such as the one requested is vital and essential, in view of the alarming increase in drug and alcohol abuse in the community in general and the increase in population in the greater Drogheda area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32449/06]

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Mr. Gormley: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the major cut in funding for St Michael’s House, which currently has the longest waiting list for those awaiting residential care, the need for the Minister for Health and Children to recognise the outstanding work being carried out by St Michael’s House for those with intellectual disability and to reverse these so-called value for money cuts immediately.

An Ceann Comhairle: Having considered the matters raised they are not in order under Standing Order 31.

Mr. Gormley: The Taoiseach told us this morning that the Government had not buckled in the face of pressure from the tobacco industry. However, is it not fair to say that it has kowtowed to the alcohol industry by removing the alcohol products Bill from the legislative programme?

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765. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the discovery of a venomous snake in Kerry in August; the facilities that are in place in this country to deal with snake bites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29680/06]

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109. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the background of companies involved in public private partnerships; and if she has satisfied herself that the Irish taxpayer will receive value for money from the co-location projects. [30010/06]

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164. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the PPARS project, the cost to date, what has been delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29556/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney): The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of the 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 Health Service Executive to have the matter investigated and to provide the details requested directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

164. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the PPARS project, the cost to date, what has been delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29556/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney): The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of the 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 Health Service Executive to have the matter investigated and to provide the details requested directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

702. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of physiotherapists qualifying here in 2005 and 2006 who are employed in the Irish health service; the number of vacancies for newly qualified physiotherapists in the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29000/06]

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629. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the action which has been taken to create public awareness of osteoporosis; the further action which has been taken to lessen the burden of osteoporosis on the Irish taxpayer; the action which has been taken to help the Irish Osteoporosis Society to continue its operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28483/06]

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Mr. Gormley: This morning the Tánaiste said the Progressive Democrats believes in accountability, though he refused to answer two of my questions regarding payments received by the Taoiseach from sources in Manchester. Had his privacy legislation been in place, the recent stories relating to payments to the Taoiseach would not have emerged. The purpose of that legislation is to protect the most powerful and wealthy people in society. I believe this is the function of the neo-conservative Progressive Democrats. There is very little accountability.

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