Thursday, 4 May 2023

Written Answers Nos. 208-222

Disability Services

Questions (208)

John McGuinness

Question:

208. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to previous Parliamentary Questions on the same issue, if a place will be approved for a child (details supplied); if the full range of services and supports required in this case have now been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20956/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Questions (209)

David Cullinane

Question:

209. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on disability service waiting lists for children’s disability networks teams, by CHO/CDNT at the end of quarter 1 2019-2023, inclusive, in tabular form; the average length of wait; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20895/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Questions (210)

David Cullinane

Question:

210. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people on disability service waiting lists for each service type, excluding children’s disability network teams, at the end of quarter 1 2019-2023, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20896/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

My Department has no direct function in relation to the provision of disability services to individuals. The Department is responsible for the formulation and development of policy in respect of the provision of specialist disability services; responsibility for the management and delivery of those services rests with the Health Service Executive (HSE).

In this regard, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Rights of People with Disabilities

Questions (211)

Ged Nash

Question:

211. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm that when making provision for the European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882), he will ensure that every ATM and point-of-sale credit card terminal is accessible to people who are blind and visually impaired, and that this will include provision for audio guides and tactile keyboards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20935/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I intend to fully transpose the European Accessibility Act in the manner required by the Directive.

Accessibility is a key facilitator for the meaningful inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in our society, including people who are blind or visually impaired.

The European Accessibility Act is an important EU Directive that will introduce mandatory minimum accessibility requirements for certain products and services across the European Union. These requirements will apply to both the public and private sectors.

The Directive covers a range of commonly used products and services including payment terminals and certain self-service terminals such as ATMs. It advocates for a universal design or ‘design for all’ approach to accessibility, which means ensuring access for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.

Under the terms of the Directive, products such as payment terminals and ATMs must be designed and produced in a way to maximize their use by people with disabilities.

This means that products must contain features and functions that allow people with disabilities to access, perceive, operate, understand and control the product. This includes providing access via more than one sensory channel and alternatives to vision, auditory, speech and tactile elements. Products will also have to be compatible with assistive devices.

In addition to product design and functionality, products will have to be accompanied by accessible information on their functioning and on their accessibility features.

The annexes of the Directive set out the technical accessibility requirements for relevant products and provide indicative examples to facilitate compliance, including measures designed to support blind or visually impaired people.

Ireland recognises the importance of the European Accessibility Act for advancing the rights of people with accessibility needs, including people who are blind or visually impaired. Extensive work is underway to transpose the accessibility requirements set out in the European Accessibility Act in the earliest possible course. Implementation of the Directive is required by 28 June 2025.

Equality Issues

Questions (212)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

212. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the progress to date on the development of a legal ban on the practice of conversion therapy; when he expects legislation to be ready for introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20974/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to ban conversion therapy. The National LGBTI Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 – 2021 contain commitments in relation to conversion therapy. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy provides for the prohibition of “the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland” and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy commits to investigating conversion therapy in Ireland and following up with appropriate counter measures.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned research into the issue of conversion therapy. The multi-phased mixed-methodology research was carried out by Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, and a report of the findings was published in February 2023. The research provides an insight into how conversion therapy practices operate in Ireland. It also includes an examination of the growing body of recent international research literature in the area. The findings of the research indicate that conversion therapy practices take place in Ireland, and has developed understanding of how these practices operate. It confirms the harm that is inflicted on those who experience such practices.

Given the potential complex and sensitive nature of the proposed legislation, the Government is carefully considering the underpinning policy matters to ensure that vulnerable members of society are protected from these harmful practices. Work on the plan to draft legislation is ongoing including the identification of the key legal issues, and is a priority for Government this year. It is planned that legislative proposals will be brought forward by the end of the year, informed by this research and international best practice.

Emergency Accommodation

Questions (213)

John Brady

Question:

213. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of the properties which his Department currently has lease arrangements for the provision of direct provision and other accommodation for those seeking asylum; if he will provide a corresponding list of the service providers in each of these properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20993/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The below list of properties for the provision of International Protection do not have lease agreements but instead have contracts or licence to use agreements. These include the following:

42 Permanent centres.

3 EROCs,

22 Emergency centres 1 (opened prior to 2022)

8 Pre Reception centres - (this includes some centres opened during Covid).

96 Emergency centres 2 - All centres opened in 2022 and to date in 2023.

To note (Croke Park and Synge Street have two entries as one is for rent and one is for Facilities Management).

Commercial
Number	County	Location	Management Company
1	Clare	Clare Lodge Hostel	Bridgestock Care Ltd
2	Clare	The King Thomond Hotel	James White & CO
3	Cork	Ashbourne House	Barlow Properties
4	Cork	Clonakilty Lodge	D & A Pizzas Ltd
5	Cork	Davis Lane Apartments	Millstreet Equestrian Services
6	Cork	Millstreet Accommodation Centre	Millstreet Equestrian Services
7	Cork	Glenvera Hostel	Bideau Ltd
8	Dublin	Balseskin Accommodation Centre	East Coast Catering
9	Dublin	The Central Inn	Codelix Ltd
10	Dublin	The Towers, Clondalkin	Fazyard
11	Dublin	8 Basin Road	Coolebridge Ltd
12	Dublin	Emmet Road	Coolebridge Ltd
13	Donegal	Port Road Apartments, Letterkenny	Bridgestock Care Ltd
14	Galway	Dominick St Apartments	Keldesso Ltd
15	Galway	Eglinton Hotel	Maplestar Ltd
16	Galway	Great Western House	Sidetracks Ltd
17	Kerry	Atlantic Lodge Guesthouse	Millstreet Equestrian Services
18	Kerry	Linden House	Millstreet Equestrian Services
19	Kildare	Eyre Powell Hotel	PeachPort Ltd
20	Kildare	The Hazel Hotel	Oscar Dawn Ltd
21	Laois	Hibernian Hotel	Flodale Ltd
22	Laois	The Montague Hotel	Fazyard Ltd
23	Leitrim	Carraig Accommodation Centre	Townbe ULC
24	Limerick	Griffin House	Double Ex Investments Ltd
25	Limerick	Hanratty’s Hotel	Birch Rentals Ltd
26	Longford	Richmond Court	Mint Horizon Ltd
27	Louth	Carroll Village, Dundalk	East Coast Catering Ltd
28	Mayo	The Old Convent, Ballyhaunis	Bridgestock Care Ltd
29	Meath	Mosney Accommodation Centre	Mosney
30	Monaghan	St Patricks Accommodation Centre	Tattonward
31	Offaly	Marian Hostel	Bridgestock Care Ltd
32	Sligo	Globe House	Bridgestock Care Ltd
33	Tipperary	Bridgewater House	Millstreet Equestrian Services
34	Tipperary	Riverside Apartments	Double M Investments Ltd
35	Waterford	Atlantic House	Atlantic Blue Ltd
36	Waterford	Birchwood House	Stompool Investments Ltd
37	Waterford	Ocean View	Ocean View Accommodation
38	Waterford	Viking House	Millstreet Equestrian Services
39	Wexford	Rosslare Port Lodge	Codelix Ltd
40	Wexford	Courtown Hotel	Blockford Ltd
41	Westmeath	Temple Accommodation Centre	Townbe ULC
42	Wicklow	The Grant Hotel, Wicklow Town	Vesta Hotels
EROCs
Number	County	Location	Management Company
1	Meath	Mosney Accommodation Centre	Mosney
2	Roscommon	Abbeyfield Hotel	Next Week & Co Ltd
3	Waterford	Clonea Strand Hotel	Clonea Strand Hotel Ltd
Emergency Accommodation Centres (1) - Opened prior to 2022
Number	County	Location	Management Company
1	Cavan	Dun a Ri House Hotel	Brimwood Ltd
2	Cork	Riverside Park Hotel	Next Week & Co Ltd
3	Cork	Travelodge Cork	Travelodge Ireland Ltd
4	Dublin	Airport Manor Hotel	Brimwood Ltd
5	Dublin	Bolton Street	T/A Deerpark Ltd
6	Dublin	Cornerpark Lodge	Cornerpark Lodge
8	Dublin	Moate Lodge	Moate Lodge B&B
9	Galway	Travelodge Galway	Travelodge Ireland	Supposed to close end of April 2023
10	Laois	Commercial Inn	Flodale Ltd
11	Louth	Carnbeg	Brimwood Ltd
12	Louth	Alverno House	Brimwood Ltd
13	Louth	San Giovanni House	Brimwood Ltd
14	Louth	Setanta	Brimwood Ltd
15	Meath	The Lodge	Lerrigh Support Services
16	Monaghan	Lisanisk House Hotel	Brimwood Ltd
17	Monaghan	Treacy’s Hotel	Brimwood Ltd
18	Offaly	Shannon Lodge Hotel	Shannon Lodge Hotel
19	Tipperary	The White House	Praemonitus Ltd
21	Wicklow	Rathmore Country Holiday Village	E&B Hotels Ltd
22	Wicklow	The Esplanade Hotel, Bray	Parmont Ltd
Pre Reception Centres
1	Dublin	Holiday Inn Dublin Airport Clonshaugh	Skyline Ltd.
2	Dublin	Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport	Tifco Limited
3	Dublin	Travelodge Dublin Airport Ballymun	Travelodge Ireland
4	Dublin	Travelodge Phoenix Park	Travelodge Ireland
5	Dublin	Travelodge Swords	Travelodge Ireland
6	Dublin	Travelodge Townsend Street	Pumpkinspice Limited
7	Dublin	Crowne Plaza Hotel Blanchardstown	Tifco Limited
8	Dublin	Crowne Plaza Hotel Northwood Dublin Airport	Tifco Limited
Emergency Accommodation Centres (2) - Opened in 2022 and to date in 2023
Number	County	Location	Management Company
1	Carlow	Bank House	Opus Facility Management Limited
2	Cavan	Castlehill Units, Belturbet	Eoin McGuigan
3	Cavan	Coleman Court	Rossblue Ltd.
4	Cavan	Copper Kettle	Secure Accommodation Management Ltd.
5	Cork	Mallow Harbour Accommodation Centre	Kyraview Limited
6	Cork	St. Joseph's Convent Fermoy	Digiquarter Limited
7	Donegal	Cnocardmor, Letterkenny	Oakgate Ltd.
8	Donegal	Convoy Town Parks	Convoy Town Park Ltd.
9	Donegal	County Kitchen, Letterkenny	Brimwood Ltd
10	Donegal	Deeside	Transboil Ltd.
11	Donegal	Drumbrick House	Martin Friel
12	Donegal	Finn View House, Castlefinn	Transboil Ltd.
13	Donegal	Market House, Letterkenny	Brimwood Ltd
14	Donegal	Metro Guest Accommodation	MCT Property Ltd
15	Donegal	Milltown Guesthouse	Transboil Ltd.
16	Donegal	Robinsons Hall, Letterkenny	Brimwood Ltd
17	Donegal	Rosemount, Letterkenny	Brimwood Ltd
18	Donegal	Sailors Rest, Buncrana	Flanagans Online ltd
19	Donegal	Sparkburn House, Letterkenny	Brimwood Ltd
20	Donegal	Westside Apartments, Letterkenny	JMA Ventures Ltd.
21	Dublin	Inns Quay	Forbairt Órga Teoranta
22	Dublin	2 Gateway, East Wall	Gateway Integration Ltd
23	Dublin	48/49 Lower Leeson Street	Brother Baghin Ltd
24	Dublin	7-10 Gardiner Street	Gardiner Street Projects DAC
25	Dublin	Address Connolly	B C Mcgettigan Ltd.
26	Dublin	Artane Place, Kilmore Road	Chantori Limited
27	Dublin	Atlas Residence	Atlas Language School
28	Dublin	Aungier Street	Townbe ULC
29	Dublin	Avenue B&B,	Longfield Ventures Ltd
30	Dublin	Beechwood Road Ranelagh	Coolebridge Ltd
31	Dublin	Belvedere Guesthouse	Longfield Ventures Ltd
32	Dublin	CityWest Aparthotel Limited	Cape Wrath Hotel Unlimited
33	Dublin	Clifton Court Hotel	Forbairt Órga Teoranta
34	Dublin	Cookstown	Parkview Residential Developments Limited
35	Dublin	Dublin City Dorms	Dublin City Dorms Ltd.
36	Dublin	Durban House, Gardiner Street	Coolebridge Ltd
37	Dublin	Essex House, Templebar	Corduff Ltd.
38	Dublin	IBIS Redcow	Propiteer Ibis Red Coww Operations Ltd.
39	Dublin	Meaghers, Eden Quay	Eden Quay Taverns
40	Dublin	Mount St Mary's Dundrum - Facilities management	Allpro Security Services Limited	Facilities Management Co.
41	Dublin	Parnell West Guesthouse	Fernbora ltd.
42	Dublin	Rathmines Road Lower	Coolebridge Ltd
43	Dublin	Redbank Guesthouse, Skerries	Tenzing Ltd.
44	Dublin	Sentinel Building, Ballymun	Maplestar Ltd
45	Dublin	Sinclair Guesthouse	Grangelough Ltd.
46	Dublin	Synge street, Dublin 2	Allpro Security Services Limited	Facilities Management Co.
47	Dublin	Synge street, Dublin 2 - rent	Christian Brothers European Province	Rent
48	Dublin	Croke Park rental	Mercury Investments Limited	Rent
49	Dublin	Croke Park	IGO CAFE T/A Igoemergencymanagementservices	Facilities Management Co.
50	Galway	Caislean Ri (6 Houses), Athenry	Keldesso Ltd
51	Galway	Mill Court Apartments Gort	Keldesso Ltd
52	Galway	Ocean Crest	McG McGrath Investments
53	Galway	The Continental, Galway	Realt Na Mara Hospitality ltd
54	Galway	The White House	McG McGrath Investments
55	Kerry	Cluain Mor House, Tralee	Onsite Facilities Management Ltd.
56	Kildare	Celbridge Manor	Country Manor Hotels
57	Kildare	Cluain Lara, Maynooth	DHMG Properties Ltd
58	Kildare	Ryevale House, Leixlip	Me Liberer Limited
59	Kildare	The Forge Guesthouse, Saggart	Streamland ltd.
60	Kildare	Wellgrove Property, Newbridge	Next Week & Co. Ltd.
61	Kilkenny	Kilkenny Inn	Auburn Ventures Ltd.
62	Laois	Didean - various properties	Didean
63	Laois	East End	Nera Investments Ltd.
64	Limerick	1-8 & 12-18 Abbey Grove	Homeland NSC Ltd.
65	Louth	Crowne Plaza Dundalk	Tifco Ltd.
66	Louth	Townpark, Dundalk	Rathkeeragh Ltd.
67	Louth	Trinity Street, Drogheda	Forbairt Órga Teoranta
68	Louth	Triple house, Termonfeckin	Secure Accommodation Management Ltd.
69	Mayo	Abbey Street, Ballinrobe	Forbairt Órga Teoranta
70	Mayo	Breaffy Arena, Castlebar	Tirawley ltd.
71	Mayo	Burkes, Ballycastle	DHMG Properties Ltd
72	Mayo	Hopper, Swinford	DHMG Properties Ltd
73	Mayo	The Connaught Inn, Castlebar	Shakeview Ltd
74	Mayo	The Old Deanery, Killala	DHMG Properties Ltd
75	Mayo	Unit 12, N5 Retail Park, Castlebar	Primbrook Investments Ltd.
76	Meath	Athlumney House , Navan	Streamland ltd.
77	Meath	The Old Forge, Ashbourne	Forbairt Órga Teoranta
78	Monaghan	Lakeview House, Ballytrain	Brimwood Ltd,
79	Monaghan	Marian House, Clones	Brimwood Ltd,
80	Roscommon	Doyles Apartments, Boyle	Transboil Ltd.
81	Roscommon	Riveroaks, Kilcolman, Ballaghaderreen	Double Property Services Limited
82	Sligo	Eagle House	Rupopado Limited
83	Sligo	San Antone Accommodation	Brimwood Ltd
84	Tipperary	Corville House, Roscrea	Praemonitus Ltd
85	Waterford	Lismore,	MCHT LTD
86	Waterford	Portree House	Cramur Holdings Ltd
87	Westmeath	Columba Barracks	Allpro Security Services Limited	Facilities Management Co.
88	Westmeath	Dalys Apartments Athlone	Cloudview Properties Ltd.
89	Westmeath	Harrys	Sicuro Holdings Ltd	Paid by UKR unit
90	Westmeath	Kilmacoo Apartments	Cloudview Properties Ltd.
91	Wicklow	Bray Manor	Barravore Limited
92	Wicklow	Ferrybank Arklow	Chantori Limited
93	Wicklow	Kippure, Blessington	Seefin Events Limited
94	Wicklow	Slaney Court, Baltinglass,	Double Property Services Limited
95	Wicklow	The Royal Hotel, Bray	Powertique Limited
96	Wicklow	Kilbride Barracks	IGO CAFE T/A Igoemergencymanagementservices	Facilities Management Co.

Health Services Staff

Questions (214)

Paul Murphy

Question:

214. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that those currently completing a doctorate in counselling psychology at Trinity College, Dublin will now be the only trainee psychologists without any funding; if he will assure that this issue is rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20939/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy is aware, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training.

I am focussed on supporting counselling psychology students in an equitable way and that delivers value for money. The structure of this funding is currently being finalised by officials in the Department. The approach will be based on best practice and knowledge gained from other health and social care funded training models.

Further detailed discussions are now taking place between the Department and HSE to progress this. I hope to be in a position to announce the details shortly for academic year 2023-2024.

Abortion Services

Questions (215)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

215. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of 'The Independent Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, when the 'providers' research' as referenced in the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20842/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2019 was published along with the service providers research and the public consultation report.

All three reports can be accessed by following the link below:

gov.ie - The Independent Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (www.gov.ie)

Ambulance Service

Questions (216)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

216. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will review the arrangement for the Ambulance Service overnight emergency vehicle in (details supplied) in Trim, County Meath which would effectively leave the Trim area with no overnight emergency vehicle; and if he will ensure that the 30% sick leave rate will remain in place to maintain an essential overnight emergency service for the Trim area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20846/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Home Care Packages

Questions (217)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

217. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if home care will be increased for a person (details supplied) as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20848/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

In the absence of clarification from the Deputy ,unfortunately we have been unable to progress this question any further.

Medical Cards

Questions (218)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

218. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of over 70's medical cards in circulation at the end of April for each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, for each local health area, in tabular form. [20849/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (219)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

219. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health when he intends to meet with an organisation (details supplied) as requested by the organisation. [20850/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the Nursing and Midwifery Policy Unit in my Department to meet the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I expect this meeting will take place in the next few weeks and I look forward to being briefed following this.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (220)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

220. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of critical care beds currently provided in each public/voluntary hospital, in tabular form. [20851/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (221)

Ciarán Cannon

Question:

221. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding the payment of the Covid-19 pandemic recognition payment for Section 39 workers; and when this payment is expected to be made to all staff who are eligible. [20852/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (222)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

222. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital beds, excluding critical care beds, currently provided in each public/voluntary hospital, in tabular form. [20853/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.