Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 1 of 26
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Health Services Staff
Martin Browne
485. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the staffing numbers for the Cashel minor injuries unit for the years 2020 to 2023, inclusive, and to date in 2024, broken down by profession; to confirm whether the recruitment ban is resulting in departing staff not being replaced; if all departing staff are being replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20113/24]
Wed, 8 May 2024
written
Health Services
Martin Browne
597. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to provide a detailed account of the work to be undertaken by the support team recently announced to address the current pressures on health services in the mid-west region; to provide any terms of reference under which they operate; to outline how their role relates to UHL, Ennis Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Nenagh Hospital individually; if the team is examining the role and the current circumstances relating to community health care provision and the nature of the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20683/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Eating Disorders
Martin Browne
60. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to outline the approach that parents of children with ARFID can take to secure the services needed to address the condition; how parents of children with ARFID are advised to secure the services needed in the absence of the condition not being included in the NICE guidelines for Eating Disorders (2017 or 2020 update); if he plans to identify and develop specific pathways for the treatment of children with ARFID in the context of the HSE’s assertion that management of children with ARFID in Ireland requires a collaborative working between professionals and would involve working between the acute hospital sector and HSE community healthcare divisions such as primary care, disability and mental health; how that management process can work efficiently in light of a lack of dietitians across primary care, outpatient paediatrics and community mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19809/24]
Thu, 2 May 2024
written
Eating Disorders
Martin Browne
65. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the difficulties of families of children with ARFID including a person (details supplied) to access a dietician and other relevant staff in areas where community teams lack such staff; the impact this and overall staff shortages has on the management of children with eating and feeding disorders; the difficulties that the families of such children experience in securing the services of a paediatric consultant to work with CDNTs when a child has immediate needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19810/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Passport Services
Martin Browne
66. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to a passport application (details supplied) given that the required documentation as requested by the Department has been submitted. [19590/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Invasive Species Policy
Martin Browne
208. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on calls for the suspension of log imports from Scotland, in light of the most recent detection of the bark beetle; to outline the possibility that arises that the bark beetle may have been introduced here from produce imported from Scotland’s pest-free area; the biosecurity measures in place to prevent the introduction of alien species to Ireland and how they compare to best international standards, if such standards are taken into account; the measures that will be employed to prevent any further instances in which the bark beetle is identified here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19623/24]
Wed, 1 May 2024
written
Invasive Species Policy
Martin Browne
209. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details on the volume of spruce with bark present imported from Scotland in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19624/24]
Thu, 25 Apr 2024
written
Derelict Sites
Martin Browne
218. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide an update on the extension of the local authority home loan to include derelict properties. [18656/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Disabilities Assessments
Martin Browne
1062. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total amount spent by the Health Service Executive on the regional assessment of need hubs in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13690/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Disabilities Assessments
Martin Browne
1063. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of needs accepted by the regional assessment of need hubs in 2023; and the number of assessments completed by the regional hubs in 2023. [13691/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Disabilities Assessments
Martin Browne
1064. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of need outsourced in 2023; the total cost of these outsourced assessments of need in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13692/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Disability Services
Martin Browne
1107. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current children's disability network team, CDNT, whole-time equivalent, WTE, vacancies across each of the teams in CHO 5; the number of administrative posts vacant; the number of approved posts in each of the teams; and the actions that are being taken to address those vacancies, in tabular form. [14258/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Hospital Services
Martin Browne
1225. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he was aware of the reported removal of five patients at UHL to other healthcare facilities locally in order to free up space during high presentations during March; if he can confirm the veracity of those reports and if such instances were confined to five patients; whether those patients were removed during night-time hours; if he can confirm whether those patients and their families were given adequate notice and information concerning the move; if the relocation of these patients in the manner concerned conforms with best clinical practice; if the matter is being investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13683/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Mental Health Services
Martin Browne
1226. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the current WTE filled and vacant in each South Tipperary CAMHS team, broken down by discipline, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13686/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Mental Health Services
Martin Browne
1227. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals received by each CAMHS team in south Tipperary in 2023; the number of those referrals that were accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13687/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Mental Health Services
Martin Browne
1228. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the numbers of referrals to the South East CAMHS-ID team in 2023; and the number of those referrals accepted. [13688/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Mental Health Services
Martin Browne
1229. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the WTE posts currently allocated and the number of those posts vacant, in the South East CAMHS-ID team, broken down by discipline, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13689/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Home Help Service
Martin Browne
1332. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to increasing the travel allowance for home care support workers given the increased cost of fuel has not been matched with an increase in the travelling allowance; his views on the situation at present regarding the impact of this shortfall on workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14217/24]
Wed, 20 Mar 2024
written
Hospital Overcrowding
Martin Browne
1340. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the suspension of planned surgeries, procedures and appointments at the UL Hospitals Group to facilitate surge capacity at the constituent hospitals in the mid-west; the measures to be introduced to perform those procedures at the earliest date possible; to provide data on the number of and type of cancelled surgeries and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12121/24]
Wed, 20 Mar 2024
written
Health Services
Martin Browne
1363. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason neuro physiotherapy services are not available in the mid-west (details supplied). [12293/24]
Wed, 20 Mar 2024
written
Health Services
Martin Browne
1445. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 330 of 8 February 2024, in light of the increased number of people attending Cashel minor injuries unit, if projections are being formulated to forecast possible number for future years to ensure sufficient services and staff are allocated to deal with the increased numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12649/24]
Wed, 20 Mar 2024
written
Health Services
Martin Browne
1502. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the nature of the plans being considered to use the new community nursing unit in Nenagh to act as a step-down facility for certain patients at University Hospital Limerick; the engagement that the HSE has had with management and staff at St. Conlon’s community nursing unit in relation to the impact this will have upon them; the projected impacts this decision will have for the availability and number of community nursing unit beds in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13011/24]
Wed, 20 Mar 2024
written
Hospital Facilities
Martin Browne
1514. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress made in discussions concerning the potential acquisition of a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13087/24]
Wed, 20 Mar 2024
written
Nursing Homes
Martin Browne
1515. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the options being considered regarding long stay beds at a nursing home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13088/24]
Wed, 6 Mar 2024
written
Disability Services
Martin Browne
190. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if provision can be made to provide a family (details supplied) with some respite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11026/24]
Wed, 6 Mar 2024
written
Health Service Executive
Martin Browne
200. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress made by the HSE in their discussions with an organisation (details supplied) concerning a partnership to provide a service in the south Tipperary area; if the business plan on the same proposal submitted to the HSE by the organisation has been considered; to provide an update on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10880/24]
Tue, 5 Mar 2024
written
Bus Services
Martin Browne
312. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to raise the retirement age for Bus Éireann school bus drivers to bring it into line with Local Link and other providers' policies, and to allow those who want to keep working to do so. [10523/24]
Tue, 5 Mar 2024
written
Bus Services
Martin Browne
313. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education her plans to address the shortage of school bus drivers, and the impact this is having on students and their families each year. [10524/24]
Tue, 5 Mar 2024
written
Special Educational Needs
Martin Browne
330. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education , further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 20 February 2024, the number of post-primary schools that are currently without special classes; the number currently with fewer than four special classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10705/24]
Tue, 5 Mar 2024
written
International Protection
Martin Browne
591. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to address a shortfall of communication between CDNTs and families; if he is aware of dissatisfaction with the level of communication from the services to families in the south-east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10594/24]
Tue, 5 Mar 2024
written
Medicinal Products
Martin Browne
637. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if there is limited availability of the medicine betnesol; if access to the medication is possible for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10026/24]
Tue, 5 Mar 2024
written
Hospital Equipment
Martin Browne
712. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to address the impact the removal of the private MRI scanner at Tipperary University Hospital will have on public waiting lists; to provide details of the number of people waiting for MRI scans at TUH and the length of time they have been waiting on a three-monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10321/24]
Wed, 28 Feb 2024
written
Community Care
Martin Browne
153. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if assurances can be given that a full discharge plan and community care plan will be put in place to immediately provide transitional services for a family (details supplied) upon the discharge of their children from hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9494/24]
Tue, 27 Feb 2024
written
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Martin Browne
491. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if a financial assessment of the costs of repurposing a hospital (details supplied) has been carried out or considered; if an estimate is available or can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8713/24]
Wed, 21 Feb 2024
written
Death Certificates
Martin Browne
31. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will engage with the South African Embassy concerning a death certificate application (detail supplied) submitted in 2018. where the applicant has yet to receive the death certificate more than four years afterwards. [8225/24]
Tue, 20 Feb 2024
written
Departmental Data
Martin Browne
276. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education to outline in detail the precise statistical data used by her Department when planning for future special class placements; the specific data collection process; the date on which the allocations of special classes will be announced in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7587/24]
Tue, 20 Feb 2024
written
School Transport
Martin Browne
315. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if the difficulties being experienced by students (details supplied) in securing school bus services can be addressed. [8031/24]
Tue, 20 Feb 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Martin Browne
366. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection if provision will be made to assess a family (details supplied) for carers allowance before their twin children return from hospital where their parents have been accompanying them since the birth of their children at great financial cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7553/24]
Tue, 20 Feb 2024
written
Emergency Departments
Martin Browne
525. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if an estimate has been carried out to determine the cost of reopening the emergency department at Nenagh Hospital; to produce any analysis of such a measure that may have been commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7428/24]
Tue, 20 Feb 2024
written
Health Services
Martin Browne
628. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.1368 of 7 November 2023, if details can be provided to the precise location of property being considered for purchase (details supplied); if he and the HSE will engage locally on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8044/24]
Tue, 13 Feb 2024
written
Hospital Facilities
Martin Browne
589. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the need to repurpose the nightingale beds at University Hospital Limerick to provide a more immediate increase in capacity at the hospital, rather than decommissioning them; to outline any engagements he has had on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6455/24]
Thu, 8 Feb 2024
written
Business Supports
Martin Browne
18. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on his engagement with the hospitality sector in 2024. [5673/24]
Thu, 8 Feb 2024
written
Export Controls
Martin Browne
58. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many dual-use licences were issued to exporters to trade in dual-use items with Israel since October 2023; if he has any concern that duel use items being traded with Israel are currently being used against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Israel-Hamas war; what actions his Department has taken under the Control of Exports Act 2008 to end this trade if these items are being used to target civilians and civilian infrastructure. [5674/24]
Thu, 8 Feb 2024
written
Hospital Services
Martin Browne
330. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of presentations to Cashel minor injuries unit each month in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of direct presentations initiated by the patient and the number of presentations based on referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5913/24]
Thu, 1 Feb 2024
written
Local Authorities
Martin Browne
46. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if the maintenance of roads on housing estates that have been taken in charge by local authorities are the responsibility of the local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme; his views on whether it is appropriate for local authorities to advise residents to apply for funding to repair those roads under the Community Involvement Scheme which involves contributions from the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53750/23]
Thu, 1 Feb 2024
written
Banking Sector
Martin Browne
109. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance the number of mortgage holders who have switched their mortgage from vulture funds to the mainstream mortgage market since 6 September 2023; and as a consequence, his assessment of the effectiveness of the switching eligibility criteria announced by the banking sector on that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4610/24]
Thu, 1 Feb 2024
written
Business Supports
Martin Browne
128. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is considering measures to support businesses with the increased cost of doing business through the taxation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4609/24]
Tue, 30 Jan 2024
written
International Protection
Martin Browne
485. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide the number of both IPAS applicants and Ukrainian refugees in Tipperary broken down per electoral district.
[4104/24]
Tue, 23 Jan 2024
written
International Protection
Martin Browne
503. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a clear account of the measures taken to ascertain the services available locally in Roscrea to facilitate the location of international protection applicants at the Racket Hall, Roscrea; the measures taken to bring those services in line with the availability needed; the engagement his Department had with Tipperary County Council on the matter; to provide a clear account of the level of engagement the department had with community groups, representatives or organisations regarding such plans in advance of decisions made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2400/24]
Tue, 23 Jan 2024
written
International Protection
Martin Browne
504. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a clear account of the measures that are taken by his Department to audit whether the services available in areas being considered to house international protection applicants have the capacity to deal with increased demand; to provide a clear account of how any deficiencies in those services is addressed to cater for an anticipated additional demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2401/24]