Written Answers Nos. 272-289
273. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to urgently review the decision to embargo the hiring of new genomic resource associate roles as previously committed to in the implementation of the National Genetics and Genomics Strategy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47117/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
274. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the crisis in home help provision (details supplied); what measures are being put in place to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47119/23]
View answerAddressing the shortage of care workers in Ireland is an urgent priority for the Government. To this end, the cross departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group was established in March 2022 to examine, and formulate recommendations to address, the challenges in frontline carer roles in the home support and long-term residential care sectors.
The Group was chaired by the Department of Health and comprised representatives from seven government departments (Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Health; Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Justice; Public Expenditure and Reform; and Social Protection), the HSE, HIQA and SOLAS.
The Report was published on 15 October 2022. Providing an overview of the work of the Group and its key findings, the report presents a suite of 16 recommendations spanning the areas of recruitment, pay and conditions of employment, barriers to employment, training and professional development and sectoral reform.
Implementation of the 16 recommendations is being overseen by a cross departmental Implementation Group, chaired by the Department of Health. The Department is actively engaging with recommendation owners to progress the implementation plan. The implementation group meets quarterly and will publish progress reports thereafter.
Recommendation 9 has already been implemented. The Statutory instrument authorising the issuance of 1,000 employment permits for homecare workers was signed on 16 December 2022. Work is underway on all recommendations, with a further four at an advanced stage.
Older people who wish to continue living in their homes for as long as possible are helped and supported every day through our community services.
The delivery of home support hours is increasing year on year. In 2024 we expect to deliver 22 million hours of home support. This is more than has ever been delivered before, with an additional €2.8 million being allocated to meet inflationary pressures.
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
275. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of staff (details supplied) employed in whole-time equivalent terms in certain categories in each individual public and voluntary hospital in September 2023, in tabular form. [47133/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
276. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital beds currently provided in each public and voluntary hospital as of 20 October 2023 or the latest date available, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47135/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
277. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacant consultant and registrars posts, by speciality, currently at the Mater hospital; and when each of these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [47149/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
278. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to each of the three maternity hospitals within Dublin in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [47150/23]
View answerDetails of the allocated budgets for 2021 and 2022 are set out in the table. The final allocated budget for 2023 has been requested from the HSE.
|
FULL YEAR BUDGET |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Hospital Name |
€000s |
€000s |
|
Rotunda Hospital |
75,138 |
82,692 |
|
Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital |
83,457 |
88,057 |
|
National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street |
72,821 |
80,375 |
279. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on the waiting list to see each consultant neurologist at Beaumont Hospital. [47151/23]
View answerIn 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.
280. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of CT and MRI scanners in use at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [47152/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
281. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health what plans are in place to secure the future of a centre (details supplied) that has announced it is to close due to inadequate annual funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47166/23]
View answer282. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health regarding the announced closure of a centre (details supplied) due to inadequate annual funding from his Department, if he will intervene and ensure the centre remains operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47167/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
283. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when extra home help hours can be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47168/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
284. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot get a primary care certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47176/23]
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 Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of the departmental allocation of €708 million for the existing level of service in budget 2024, for example, demographics, PSP deal and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47181/23]
View answerFollowing the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I will shortly be issuing a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of non-core expenditure will be available.
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a home care provision or nursing home support scheme will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47203/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which ongoing inspections of food and food products for export continues to ensure the highest possible standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47255/23]
View answerEnsuring the highest possible standards is one of the main focuses of ongoing inspections of food and food products conducted by a range of State Bodies under service contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI.)
The FSAI is responsible for enforcing all food legislation, including export legislative requirements, in Ireland and carries out this enforcement function through Service Contracts with official agencies.
Official control inspections in food businesses are carried out by a range of State bodies (‘official agencies’), which include the HSE, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Local Authorities, Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and National Standards Authority of Ireland; each official agency has responsibility for official controls in specific sectors of the food supply chain. These service contracts outline an agreed level and standard of food safety activity that the agencies perform as agents of the Authority.
The FSAI provides, through its oversight of activities, an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the Irish official control system. Official control tasks are generally conducted to verify that food business operators carry out their activities (e.g. production, distribution, retail, etc.) in compliance with the requirements of food law.
288. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what funding supports are available for apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47075/23]
View answerThere are a broad range of measures intended to support and facilitate apprentice progression to a successful conclusion. These are broad measures available to all, as well as some targeted interventions intended to provide additional support to groups who may experience particular barriers and challenges in accessing and completing their apprenticeship programmes.
While attending off-the-job training, craft apprentices are paid a training allowance appropriate to their training phase. In addition to training allowances, craft apprentices attending phases of off-the-job training in an Education and Training Board (ETB) training centre, Institute of Technology, or a Technological University are entitled to make an application for either travel or accommodation allowances for the duration of the period of off-the-job training.
The Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme is funded under the Dormant Accounts Fund scheme. The programme is aimed at both increased uptake of and retention on apprenticeships. It is run through the Irish Traveller Movement, and is supported by Pavee Point, the National Apprenticeship Alliance sub-committee on Access & Inclusion, and by the National Apprenticeship Office.
The Programme is structured across three streams:
• Stream 1 - €3,000 bursary each for 20 Travellers who are employed as new apprentices and €2,000 incentive payment each for their employers.
• Stream 2 - €3,000 bursary each for 20 existing Traveller apprentices.
• Stream 3 - €3,000 bursary each for 20 Travellers to access pre-apprenticeship and Access to Apprenticeship programmes.
Regarding support for apprentices with disabilities, information is sought at the point of registration on any additional supports that may be needed. Education and training providers offer learning and other supports to apprentices during their training and many employers also provide accommodations in the workplace to apprentices with disabilities. Approximately 3% of the apprentice population have declared one or more disabilities, and are receiving additional supports. A majority of these identified themselves as having dyslexia or other disabilities related to learning.
Through Budget 2024, I am providing increased funding of €400,000 for a bursary for apprentices from under-represented groups. It is proposed that the funding will support apprenticeship learners in all ETBs and at TUS Limerick and Athlone, MTU, ATU Galway and TU Dublin.
More broadly, I recognise the impact that the cost of living is having on our apprentices. This is why I am particularly targeting funding of €3.8m to enable a one-third reduction in the Apprenticeship Student Contribution Fee for those attending higher education institutions in the 2023/24 academic year. This is targeted at relieving the immediate pressure associated with making this payment. It is anticipated that circa 11,000 apprentices in higher education will benefit from this measure.
As employees, apprentices who find themselves in difficulty are correspondingly entitled to access general employment supports through the social welfare system. I would also advise any apprentice to discuss the matter with their Authorised Officer who may be in a position to provide guidance.
I am satisfied that these measures and the implementation process for the Action Plan for Apprenticeship overall will have a significant impact in ensuring greater diversity in the apprenticeship population as a whole.
289. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the 2022 and 2023 capital budget allocation for his Department; and the expected capital allocation for his Department in 2024, in tabular form. [47162/23]
View answerThe capital allocations for my Department for the years 2022, 2023 and the expected allocation for 2024 are provided in the attached document.
These are based on the revised National Development Plan (NDP) which was published on 4 October 2021. This confirms the capital ceilings for all Government Departments for the five year period 2021 - 2025.
In addition to higher education infrastructure, the funding available to my Department will support both research and innovation and further education infrastructure.
Table of Capital Allocation from 2022 to 2024
|
- |
2022[1] |
2023 |
2024 |
|
HE Capital |
166 |
179 |
216 |
|
HEA Capital |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
HE PPPs |
43 |
40 |
39 |
|
HE Infrastructure Total |
210 |
220 |
256 |
|
FET Capital |
48 |
60 |
66 |
|
R&I |
278 |
297 |
296 |
|
Corporate |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
TOTAL (per NDP[2]) |
537 |
578 |
619 |
|
[1] Carryover amounts from 2021 into 2022 are excluded from this table but are incorporated into expenditure plans as follows: HE capital: €22.2m, HE PPPs: €3m, R&I: €6m |
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|
[2] For avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that these totals are €1m lower each year than the published NDP figures as it was subsequently agreed that €1m would transfer to SFI recurrent costs |
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|
[3] The NDP HE Capital allocation of €179m differs from the Rev 2023 HE Capital allocation of €158.4m. The difference of €20.6m is made up of: €19m HEANet/Educampus and €1.6m PhD Stipend. |
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