Written Answers Nos. 281-289
281. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are statistics available in relation to the number of patients admitted to hospital as a direct result of the effects of the use of e-cigarettes and vaping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22322/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when speech and language therapy might be made available to a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22350/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress in respect of the case of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22354/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate, notwithstanding the unsatisfactory reply to the previous Parliamentary Question, when a medical card might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22357/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
285. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) from County Leitrim will receive an appointment for surgery in Beaumont Hospital. [22362/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
286. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will assist in identifying funding support options available from his Department to a college (details supplied) to assist in the development of its campus and the construction of a new teaching block; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22242/23]
View answer287. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will assist in identifying funding support options available from his Department to a college (details supplied) to assist in the development of its campus and the construction of a new teaching block for retraining and upskilling services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22241/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together.
The college that the Deputy asks about is a private agricultural training institution which does not currently receive direct funding from my department, nor is there any direct oversight of their operations. My understanding is that the college provides training services, funded by both participants themselves and by Teagasc.
In the agricultural training space, my department provides funding to a range of Universities, Technical Universities that fall within the remit of the HEA and Further Education providers, under the remit of SOLAS. For example, Green Certificate courses are available throughout 10 Education and Training Boards, covering agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and equine studies. From enquiries made by my officials with SOLAS, I understand that there were some 600 participants on green certificate courses during 2021 and that there are no plans to significantly expand provision within the ETB (Educational Training Board) sector.
I understand that the main agency with responsibility for the Green Certificate and the substantive provider is Teagasc. The college should liaise with their usual funding providers and explore options for this major capital development.
288. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason Kerry ETB tutors have not received an increase in their pay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22290/23]
View answerThere are over 3,300 adult education tutors employed across the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
There is no specific public sector grade of adult education tutor and tutors are paid on an hourly rate basis, generally at the unqualified teacher rate, however some ETBs, including Kerry ETB, pay relevant staff the self-financing tutor rate. Those staff on the unqualified teacher rate have received pay increases in line with Building Momentum.
Following discussions between the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform a proposal in response to the recommendation of the Labour Court regarding adult education tutors was outlined to the unions in April and further meetings have taken place to discuss the details. The proposal is that a grade of Adult Educator will be formally established with a standardised payscale aligned with the Youthreach Resource Person Scale.
Where tutors are paid on other rates, such as the self-financing rates, they will be offered assimilation to the scale which will regularise pay across the ETBs.
The provision of a pay scale will allow for incremental progression and a career path for tutors in the further education and training sector.
Officials in my Department will follow up with the Deputy directly as the matter progresses.
289. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what the new model of training for nurses via an ETB means for current students finishing level 6 nursing studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22291/23]
View answerIn December I announced new programmes which will see students commence their third level experience in further education and complete the remainder in higher education institutions. The project will be jointly managed by the HEA and SOLAS through the new National Tertiary Office which is governed by a memorandum of understanding between both organisations. A Director for the National Tertiary Office has been appointedThe National Tertiary Office will lead on the development of the joint programmes this year. These programmes are still in development. The details of the courses, module specifications, organisation, progression principles, and how each programme will specifically link between individual ETBs and Higher Education Institutes is being devised on an individual, course by course basis by the institutions themselves with the guidance and co-operation of the National Tertiary Office. Further information on modules and course layout will be made available by the National Tertiary Office and the relevant Institutions in due course.
This will not impact on students already enrolled on programmes.
