Holly Cairns
Question:732. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure an individual is supported in seeking specialist care in the UK (details supplied). [29841/23]
View answerHealth Services
Questions (732)
Written answers
I understand the Deputy may be seeking further information on the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS).
The HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled under EU Regulation 883/04. The TAS is a consultant led scheme and allows for an Ireland-based public consultant to refer a public patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in the public healthcare system of another EU member state, the UK or Switzerland. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved public treatments in another EU/EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland through the issue of form S2 (IE) where the treatment is:
• among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;
• not available in Ireland;
• not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease;
• medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
• a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or test treatment;
• provided in a recognised public hospital or other institution that will accept EU/EEA form S2 (IE) and;
• is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
The HSE provides further information for patients on the HSE TAS website:
www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/treatment-abroad-scheme/
Patients are advised to contact the HSE TAS office directly, for advice on making an application for treatment abroad, in advance of travelling abroad. Contact details are available on the TAS Website (www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/treatment-abroad-scheme/).
In relation to the details supplied, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (733)
Holly Cairns
Question:733. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide his response to an organisation’s (details supplied) call for a national eye-care programme for children aged 8-16 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29842/23]
View answerWritten answers
Sight testing, eye examinations and optical appliances are provided to medical card holders by ophthalmologists, optometrists and dispensing opticians through the Community Ophthalmic Services Schemes (COSS). Patients may access these services following a referral by a healthcare professional such as their general practitioner.
All children, including those not covered by a medical card, receive a vision screen while in national school from a Public Health Nurse. The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides optical services free of charge to preschool children and national school children referred from child health service and school health service examinations who are discovered to have sight problems. These children are referred to the appropriate consultant for treatment. In such circumstances, these services will continue to be provided until the child has reached the age of 16.
The HSE Primary Care Eye Services Review Group Report, published in June 2017, highlighted the limitations of the current model of service delivery and set out the way forward for a significant amount of eye services to be delivered in a primary care setting. The Report estimated that 60% of existing outpatient activity could be moved to primary care thus enabling hospital services to focus on patients who require more specialist diagnostics or treatments.
The National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology has developed a model of care which details how the realignment of eye services from the acute hospitals to the community will be undertaken. Included in current priorities is transferring the care of children aged 8+ years to the care of local private optometrists.
A project team with a wide-ranging membership was established in late 2019 / early 2020 to progress this initiative. The work of the team was paused due to the requirement to focus resources on the COVID 19 pandemic. However, the project team has been reconvened and is progressing matters in relation to this initiative.
As this also involves a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in regards to progress made, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (734)
Holly Cairns
Question:734. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that all equipment and aids, including specialist chairs, provided to individuals are non-flammable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29843/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (735)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:735. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if the significant vacancy in the post of paediatric neurology consultant at UHL has been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29850/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (736)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:736. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health to clarify the situation when a member of the public is unable to secure their own dentist; what he will do for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29854/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services are provided by dentists who have a contract with the HSE. Eligible patients who are experiencing difficulty in accessing a service may seek assistance from local HSE services who can provide lists of DTSS contractors and, in exceptional circumstances, assist patients to access emergency dental treatment by directly contacting private contractors or by arranging treatment to be provided by HSE-employed dentists.
An additional allocation of €15 million has been made in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services. This includes €5 million allocated on a once-off basis to support the HSE Public Dental Service to provide care this year, including through a HSE ‘safety-net’ service for adult medical card holders who are in need of emergency care and are having difficulty accessing a local dentist.
Technological Universities
Questions (737, 739)
Marc MacSharry
Question:737. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update with regard to the Technological University Development Fund, the proposed successor to the Technological University Transformation (TUT) Fund; if this fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the TUT Fund on 31 August 2023, specifically in relation to the position of IR facilitators, who are employed on a seconded basis under this fund (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29089/23]
View answer
Marian Harkin
Question:739. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can provide an update with regard to the Technological University Development Fund, the proposed successor to the Technological University Transformation (TUT) Fund; if he will advise, if this fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the TUT Fund on 31 August 2023, specifically in relation to the position of IR facilitators who are employed on a seconded basis under this fund (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29234/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 737 and 739 together.
The Technological Universities Transformation Fund (TUTF) is a 3-year fund totalling €90 million, for the period 2020 – 2023. It will officially end on 31 August 2023, with all €90 million allocated to the seven technological higher education institutions (ATU, DkIT, IADT, MTU, SETU, TU Dublin and TUS). The fund assists and supports the development, establishment, and progression of technological universities. This multi-annual managed fund was distributed based on a consultative iterative process involving engagement with relevant HEIs to assess their individual requirements and their stage in the TU trajectory. The key objectives of the TUTF are to ensure that TUs will be enabled in terms of sustainability and self-sufficiency, with a focus on quality and excellence and capacity building.
The HEA is engaging with institutions on progress with this funding ahead of the August 31st end date for the TUTF, which includes a process to facilitate a 12-month no-cost extension for institutions that require additional time to compete elements of their TUTF projects.
My Department is working with the Higher Education Authority in assessing the requirement for further support for the sector in the context of the current position regarding the progression and finalisation of projects being funded by the Transformation Fund, the recent OECD report, and the ongoing operational and developmental needs of the sector in line with the 2018 Act and national strategy for higher education and research. Any future TU funding will also complement the significant additional funding secured by Government for the progression of various elements of the TU agenda under the NRRP to 2024 and under the ERDF to 2027.
Third Level Education
Questions (738)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:738. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to end the current restrictions on recruitment in the higher education sector imposed under the Employment Control Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29194/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy has outlined, the higher education sector currently continues to operate under the terms of an Employment Control Framework (ECF). The system operates on a number-based control approach whereby an annual ceiling for core funded posts is agreed for the sector each year. Only posts within that ceiling can involve permanent contracts. The ceiling of core funded posts has been increased over recent years in line with increases to the annual recurrent funding allocation to the sector.
My Department has committed to reforming the current ECF, recognising the issues with regard to its current structure. Significant work has been undertaken internally to scope a new framework and my Department is currently working with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to scope out options for a revised agreement, framed within the strengthened governance framework as provided for in the HEA Act 2022. There has also been preliminary engagement with the sector and with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) in advance of finalising the comprehensive proposal for DPENDPR approval.
Question No. 739 answered with Question No. 737.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (740)
Ged Nash
Question:740. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of first-year apprentices in the system on 1 January 2023, broken down thematically across the individual wet trades; the total number of apprentices across all years in the system as it relates to the wet trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29395/23]
View answerWritten answers
Thank you Deputy for the question. The details are in the attached.
State Bodies
Questions (741)
Denis Naughten
Question:741. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the implementation of circular 25/2016 by each State body under the aegis of his Department; and if he will provide, in tabular form, by State agency the compliance with each of the standards and timelines set out in responding to Oireachtas Members’ queries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29476/23]
View answerWritten answers
The implementation of circular 25/2016 by each State body under the aegis of my department can be found in the attached table.
Student Accommodation
Questions (742)
Marian Harkin
Question:742. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what he plans to do to deal with the student accommodation crisis facing hundreds of students due to student accommodation being repurposed to house refugees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29617/23]
View answerWritten answers
Officials from the Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are engaging on this matter currently.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (743)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:743. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to develop and support further and higher education in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29672/23]
View answerWritten answers
Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) provides a broad range of further education and training (FET) options in County Louth as set out in the attached table which provides an overview of the planned FET provision to over 18,700 beneficiaries in the county in 2023.
FET provision in County Louth, as across the country, is being supported and expanded by the investment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy and Future FET: Transforming Learning, the FET strategy 2020-2024. Every ETB, including LMETB, has a Strategic Performance Agreement with SOLAS for the period of 2022-2024, which sets out each ETBs contribution to the 12 agreed national targets. In addition, each agreement is effectively an implementation framework for the above strategies, with commitments and actions included to support achievement of the overall Transforming Learning agenda. A copy of the LMETB Strategy Performance Agreement is available on the SOLAS website at www.solas.ie/f/70398/x/ec1b6cc5b5/lmetb-agreement.pdf
My Department has provided significant capital investment in Louth’s FET infrastructure in recent years. The Department’s greatest investment in FET capital to date is in the Advanced Manufacturing and Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk. Initial investment of circa €9m in premises allowed for the acquisition of the property, phase 1 enabling works and provision of state of the art equipment. The Phase 2 refurbishment works, at a cost of circa €11.9 million, are ongoing.
In addition, several smaller scale capital investments have also recently been made, including:
• an allocation of €507,500 for 2023 under the FET Devolved Capital Grant (DG) in April. The DG provides flexible capital funding to ETBs to support small-scale building works (including health and safety works, access works, refurbishment, energy upgrades etc.) and equipment purchase or renewal, including ICT;
• Funding under the Emergency Health and Safety Works (EHSW) for roof works for the FE Administration Offices in Dundalk, with works currently ongoing. An application for boiler works to this building is also being advanced;
• The Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund (SIUF) for the FET sector, announced in February 2022, supports ETB capital projects to upgrade existing FET infrastructure and provide a high quality teaching and learning environment, aligned with the principles of the FET College of the Future.
• A project for LMETB’s Drogheda Institute of Further Education was approved to proceed to the next stage in August 2022. The brief validation meeting, to firm up the scope for the project, took place on 22nd of May 2023;
• The Prism Building in Drogheda, a new facility that will focus on training electrical apprentices, is scheduled to open its doors to its first intake of 98 apprentices in July 2023. There are 8 electrical workshops in the facility that will train 280 electrical apprentices annually.
SOLAS is currently supporting nine capital projects being delivered by LMETB, in respect of maintenance and improvement of their FET accommodation. The estimated investment in these projects on a multi-annual basis is estimated at over €70million.
Turning to Higher Education in the region, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) is in receipt of Exchequer funding under the Technological Universities Transformation Fund and has previously received assistance from a Special Advisor in the Higher Education Authority, in support of its efforts to achieve TU status.
My Department remains supportive of DKIT's strategic goals, within the parameters of related policy and legislative provisions. However, it is a matter for the governing body of any higher education institution as to where it seeks to strategically position that institution on the higher education landscape. As an autonomous higher education institution, the progression of its strategic objectives and their attainment must be driven by the Institute itself in the first instance as led out by their recently appointed president and their governing body.
My Department has recently approved DKIT’s North Building Roof & Boiler project to proceed to tender stage with a view to the works in question being completed in Q1 2024.
The PJ Carroll’s Apprenticeship Expansion Project aims to expand the capacity of DKIT to deliver apprentice education in the Plumbing and Electrical trades and involves the refurbishment of existing vacant spaces within the DKIT PJ Carroll’s building to provide workshop, classroom and storage facilities. Work commenced on site in December 2022 and are on-going. Works are due for substantial completion in Q2 2023.
The Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF) was launched by my Department early last year to support additional capacity, upgrading and enhancement of current infrastructure, including research and innovation activity across the IOT and TU sector. A proposal put forward by DKIT was successful at the first stage of the assessment process and is currently being developed as part of the preliminary business case stage process in line with relevant public spending code requirements.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (744)
Paul Kehoe
Question:744. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any work has been done to analyse whether young people are opting to forgo apprenticeships to go straight to labour work, given current available wages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29712/23]
View answerWritten answers
We have seen significant investment in apprenticeships. 2022 saw 8,286 new apprenticeship registrations, an increase of 34% on the pre-Covid figure in 2019. At the end of 2022 there were over 26,000 people at various stages of their apprenticeship.
Apprentices are employees and all of the 67 apprenticeship programmes are undertaken under a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer, with the employer paying the apprentice during both on-the-job and off-the-job training elements. For the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, the minimum rates of pay applying under the employment contract are either agreed within the relevant sector, or are set out in legally binding Sectoral Employment Orders recommended by the Labour Court.
Whilst on that basis any review of rates is a matter for the appropriate industrial relations structures, the Department recognises that there is increasing pressure on workers as a result of inflation and other cost of living factors. Consequently, I signalled to Cabinet on 13th June that I may visit the matter of apprentice pay through the Construction Safety Licensing Bill, which is proceeding through the Dáil currently. Officials in the Department are working with colleagues in DETE on the matter and will be commissioning independent research to assess the landscape of apprentice pay overall and possible impacts of including apprentices in minimum wage legislation.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (745)
Robert Troy
Question:745. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to bring forward a new broadband connection point programme; and if she will consider Mount Temple hall, County Westmeath for inclusion on a new round of the scheme. [29261/23]
View answerWritten answers
Public Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) provide onsite connectivity for community use at publicly accessible premises, such as community centres and sports clubs. They are located in rural and isolated areas including on a number of off-shore islands and support remote working, digital skills training and a range of community initiatives.
In the coming months, in consultation with Public BCP stakeholders, my officials will finalise a development strategy for the Public BCP Network. This strategy will set out a number of ambitions and opportunities and will guide decisions on future supports, partnerships and the scope to improve and broaden services. Among the items for consideration will be the issue of inviting additional premises that have access to high-speed broadband into the Public BCP network.
The current focus of the Public BCP project is to complete the roll-out of the 300 sites which are already within the project plan. When completed, the Public BCP network will have a presence in every county in the State and in many of our most rural and isolated communities, including many off-shore islands. As the site connection rate grows, my Department will work with local authorities and the committees that manage the Public BCPs to improve services and drive demand for use of the sites.
There are a number of pilot programmes currently underway, or recently completed, that explore the potential for Public BCPs to provide additional public benefit. Among these are programmes related to remote working, arts and culture, eHealth and education and training. A number of these programmes have been provided with additional support to ensure they continue past the pilot stage, including coding for primary school children, painting classes and eHealth pods offering remote access to medical appointments.
State Bodies
Questions (746)
Denis Naughten
Question:746. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline the implementation of circular 25/2016 by each State body under the aegis of her Department; and if she will provide, in tabular form, by State agency, the compliance with each of the standards and timelines set out in responding to Oireachtas Members’ queries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29481/23]
View answerWritten answers
There are four agencies under my Department’s remit: the Western Development Commission, POBAL, Irish Water Safety, and the Charities Regulator.
In respect of these bodies, they are all independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs in compliance with their statutory obligations.
The details of the Oireachtas contact point for each of the agencies, who would be in a position to provide the Deputy with information in relation to compliance with Circular 25/2016, are set out in the table below:
|
Agency |
Contact details |
|
Pobal |
oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie |
|
Charities Regulator |
oireachtas@charitiesregulator.ie |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
oireachtas@wsi.ie |
|
Western Development Commission |
oireachtas@wdc.ie |
Grant Payments
Questions (747)
Robert Troy
Question:747. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on community enhancement grants for County Westmeath. [29691/23]
View answerWritten answers
Last November, I was delighted to launch the 2022 Community Support Fund (CSF) under the Community Enhancement Programme, with funding of €10 million to assist local community and voluntary groups across the country with a multitude of costs including energy and utility bills, other operating costs, minor upgrade works and small capital purchases.
The funding is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. The CSF is now closed to applicants, and my officials are currently assessing details of the successful applicants recently submitted by Westmeath County Council.
Details of successful projects will be published on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd in the coming weeks.
Rural Schemes
Questions (748, 750)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:748. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the contact her Department has had in the past six months with the owners of land on a mountain (details supplied) which is part of the pilot mountain access scheme; whether the terms of a possible indemnity scheme, indemnifying them against claims by hill walkers, have been discussed with them and draft insurance policies shown to them; the progress made in discussions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29751/23]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:750. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the contact her Department has had in the past six months with the owners of land on a mountain (details supplied) which is part of the pilot mountain access scheme; whether the terms of a possible indemnity scheme, indemnifying them against claims by hill walkers, have been discussed with them and draft insurance policies shown to them; the progress made in discussions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29763/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 748 and 750 together.
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy. It reflects the views of stakeholders, the public and the whole of Government and it sets the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.
Embracing Ireland's Outdoors has committed to enhancing access to outdoor recreation amenities including expanding the Mountain Access Project to other uplands areas. My Department has, for some time, been examining how best to introduce a scheme to indemnify private land owners in upland areas who allow access to their lands for recreational purposes. This is a complex issue and my Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as has been proposed would require legislative provision and that a number of separate pieces of legislation might need to be amended.
In light of the complexities involved, my Department has been considering alternative pilot approaches, including an insurance solution, to address the matter on an interim basis. Through this process, a public liability insurance policy was secured by my Department for the two existing Mountain Access Project areas, the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Kerry and Binn Sléibhe/Mount Gable in Galway, and this came in to effect in 2021.
This pilot solution was developed in consultation with Comhairle na Tuaithe and representatives from the two pilot areas. It is being implemented on a trial basis, with a possibility for extension pending the expansion of the Mountain Access Project. The policy represents a substantial step forward on this matter for landowners in the Mountain Access Project areas.
My Department has been working with the representatives of the Mountain Access Project in both pilot areas. I understand that public meetings were held in both areas by the MAP representatives to discuss the insurance policy.
Last month my Department was made aware of a number of issues arising in relation to the Mountain Access Project referred to by the Deputy. Officials from my Department met with representatives from the area and agreed to immediately provide funding for an Engagement Officer to liaise with the landowners. My officials have also been in contact with Forum Connemara to discuss how the Galway Rural Recreation Officer can also support this engagement. In addition, my Department have asked the Irish Farmers' Association to assist at a local level.
The issue of indemnity is also being addressed through the proposed changes to the Occupiers' Liability Act which are currently being progressed through the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022.