Written Answers Nos. 124-143
124. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost to increase the number of State residential care units for children in care by 33%. [50079/23]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
125. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of respite beds available for people with a disability in CHO7 in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [50080/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
126. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any plans to allow small early years services to furnish the Department with financial records from the previous year as a means to ease financial strain related to soliciting accountant services. [50089/23]
View answerCore Funding, which began in September 2022, is a grant to Early Learning and Care (ELC) and/or School Age Childcare (SAC) providers towards their operating costs. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
All Partner Services that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns.
Core Funding payments to providers must run on a programme year, September-August, in line with the school year, the operation of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector, and the payments made to providers under the other DCEDIY schemes. Therefore, the financial returns cover the period from 1st September 2022 to 31st August 2023 and must be submitted by an accountant from a registered practice or a registered professional body (ACA, ACAA, CPA, and CIMA), on behalf of each Partner Service. My Department is not requesting audited accounts.
To facilitate these reporting requirements, my Department has worked collaboratively with an external consultant to finalise the nominal codes for the Core Funding Chart of Accounts and develop the Core Funding Financial Reporting template and associated financial management tool.
My Department acknowledges the increase in administration for providers with the introduction of new schemes such as the NCS and Core Funding. I have allocated €32.13 million for administration under Core Funding in year two, and €35.34m for the third year of the scheme.
In addition a number of targeted supports are being considered by my Department to enable Core Funding Partner Services to comply with the financial reporting requirement.
In any instances where a service is experiencing financial difficulty, they can reach out to their local City/County Childcare Committee and avail of Case Management Supports. This can include operational supports as well as financial supports through Sustainability Funding if deemed appropriate.
127. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what measures he can take to prevent the closure and loss of an important resource (details supplied), or what alternative funding, if any, is available. [50093/23]
View answerIn 2023, the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund was oversubscribed and as a result the assessment process was very competitive. For this reason, unfortunately, my Department was only in a position to provide funding to 25 out of a total of 101 applicants.
In recognition of the highly competitive funding call, all applications received were assessed and scored in strict adherence with the assessment criteria set out in the published funding call guidelines. Applications were assessed by two separate assessors within the Department. For applications where there was a pertinent difference of opinion between the scores given by those two assessors, an external reviewer was asked to review the application to provide a final score.
Thirty three percent of Scheme A (€25,000 to €100,000) applicants were successful. Due to oversubscription of the fund, and our commitment to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible, successful Scheme A applicants were only awarded only 70% of the amount sought in their original application.
Nineteen percent of Scheme B applicants were successful. Successful Scheme B projects (€5,000 to €10,000) were awarded the full amount applied for as it is likely the projects would not be feasible if funding was reduced.
Should additional funding become available, the highest scoring unsuccessful organisation will be contacted.
Any organisation looking for feedback or who wishes to appeal the assessment team’s decision should contact lgbti@equality.gov.ie
The 2024 LGBTI+ Community Service
128. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm if officials from his Department or from the international protection service have engaged with Wicklow County Council or Arklow Municipal District Council regarding the potential use of a location for IP applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50098/23]
View answerIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, as part of the Whole of Government response the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked extensively to support approximately 100,000 people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland in fleeing, over 80% of whom have sought State supported accommodation.
My Department is focused on providing immediate, temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. This has involved entering into arrangements with over 980 providers including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, with additional capacity operated by voluntary bodies and local authority emergency facilities.
I am advised that my Department has not considered the property to which the Deputy refers.
129. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an appointment for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50107/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
130. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what organisations submitted applications for community services funding, including both strand A and strand B, for the past three rounds of funding. [50119/23]
View answerThe annual LGBTI+ Community services Funding Call has two different funding streams available for applicant organisations, Scheme A and Scheme B. Applicants can apply for €25,000 to €100,000 through Scheme A or €5,000 to €10,000 through Scheme B.
See below details of Scheme A and Scheme B for the previous three years as requested. I should note that I have only provided names of successful applicant organisations below as my Department generally does not publish the names of unsuccessful funding applicants.
In 2023, Scheme A had a total of 42 applicants and Scheme B had a total of 59 applicants. See successful applicants listed below:
|
LGBTI+ Community Services Fund 2023 - Scheme A |
|
|
Organisation Name |
Amount Awarded |
|
AMACH! LGBT Galway clg |
€70,000.00 |
|
BeLonG To Youth Services |
€70,000.00 |
|
Dublin AIDS Alliance T/A HIV Ireland |
€62,076.70 |
|
Dublin Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Pride CLG |
€59,500.00 |
|
Free Legal Advice Centres |
€57,936.35 |
|
GOSHH Ireland CLG |
€70,000.00 |
|
LGBT Support and Advocacy Network Ireland CLG |
€70,000.00 |
|
Listowel Family Resource Centre |
€69,993.70 |
|
National Youth Federation t/a Youth Work Ireland |
€68,177.20 |
|
Outhouse Limited |
€65,049.18 |
|
ShoutOut |
€62,060.60 |
|
The Gay Health Network |
€60,114.95 |
|
The Sexual Health Centre Ltd |
€37,991.42 |
|
Transgender Equality Network Ireland |
€59,718.42 |
|
LGBTI+ Community Services Fund 2023 - Scheme B |
|
|
Organisation Name |
Amount Awarded |
|
ACTING OUT |
€5,360.00 |
|
All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care |
€9,950.00 |
|
Children's Books Ireland |
€10,000.00 |
|
Dublin Front Runners |
€10,000.00 |
|
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
€9,574.00 |
|
Mullingar Pride |
€10,000.00 |
|
Outcomers Drogheda |
€6,980.00 |
|
Pieta House |
€10,000.00 |
|
QuareClare |
€10,000.00 |
|
Sing Ireland |
€10,000.00 |
|
Sporting Pride |
€10,000.00 |
In 2022, Scheme A had a total of 35 applicants and Scheme B had a total of 38 applicants. See successful applicants listed below:
|
LGBTI+ Community Services Fund 2022 - Scheme A |
|
|
Organisation Name |
Amount Awarded |
|
AMACH! LGBT Galway Company Limited by Guarantee |
€100,000.00 |
|
Belong To |
€100,000.00 |
|
Dublin AIDS Alliance CLG |
€69,677.00 |
|
Free Legal Advice Centres |
€68,000.00 |
|
Gay Switchboard Ireland |
€37,000.00 |
|
GOSHH Ireland CLG |
€100,000.00 |
|
Laois Youth Services CLG trading as Youth Work Ireland Laois |
€98,156.72 |
|
LGBT Support and Advocacy Network Ireland CLG |
€98,475.00 |
|
LINC - Advocating for Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Ireland |
€58,900.00 |
|
Listowel Family Resource Centre CLG |
€94,874.63 |
|
Outcomers |
€60,000.00 |
|
OutWest |
€30,000.00 |
|
ShoutOut |
€88,660.00 |
|
Transgender Equality Network of Ireland |
€93,615.00 |
|
LGBTI+ Community Services Fund 2022 - Scheme B |
|
|
Organisation Name |
Amount Awarded |
|
ACTING OUT |
€7,700.00 |
|
Bray Youth Service (Crosscare) |
€10,000.00 |
|
Crooked House Theatre Company |
€10,000.00 |
|
Drogheda LGBTQI Support Group |
€6,000.00 |
|
Dublin Lesbian Line |
€8,620.00 |
|
Galway Traveller Movement |
€5,648.00 |
|
Gay Health Network (GHN) |
€10,000.00 |
|
Gort Resource Centre CLG |
€10,000.00 |
|
Lus Na Greine |
€10,000.00 |
|
Meath LGBTQ Support Group |
€5,000.00 |
|
Sporting Pride CLG |
€10,000.00 |
|
The Open Doors Initiative |
€10,000.00 |
|
Youthwork Ireland - North Connaught /Smily LGBTI+ Youth Project |
€9,506.00 |
In 2021, Scheme A had a total of 31 applicants and Scheme B had a total of 30 applicants. See successful applicants listed below:
|
LGBTI+ Community Services Fund 2021 - Scheme A |
|
|
Organisation Name |
Amount Awarded |
|
AMACH! LGBT+ Galway CLG |
€84,666.80 |
|
Amen Support Services CLG |
€31,450.00 |
|
Ballinrobe Family Resource Centre CLG |
€34,331.50 |
|
BeLonG To Youth Services Ltd. |
€51,145.35 |
|
Candle Community Trust |
€28,492.00 |
|
Centre for Independent Living CLG |
€29,750.00 |
|
Cumann na Daoine |
€36,031.50 |
|
Donegal Women's Centre |
€73,681.40 |
|
Dublin AIDS Alliance CLG T/A HIV Ireland |
€64,122.30 |
|
Dublin Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Pride CLG |
€42,500.00 |
|
Foróige |
€79,679.00 |
|
Free Legal Advice Centres |
€42,500.00 |
|
Gay Project CLG |
€73,100.00 |
|
GOSHH Ireland CLG |
€85,000.00 |
|
Laois Youth Services CLG trading as Youth Work Ireland Laois |
€46,474.60 |
|
LGBT Support and Advocacy Network Ireland CLG |
€51,007.65 |
|
LINC |
€69,912.50 |
|
Listowel Family Resource Centre CLG |
€72,619.75 |
|
Meath Youth Federation CLG |
€21,420.00 |
|
National Lesbian and Gay Federation Ltd T/A GCN |
€56,940.65 |
|
Outcomers |
€34,000.00 |
|
ShoutOut |
€40,800.00 |
|
Skibbereen Community and Family Resource Centre |
€66,300.00 |
|
Southill Area Centre CLG |
€31,209.45 |
|
Spiritan Asylum Services Initiative |
€30,977.40 |
|
The Sexual Health Centre Ltd. |
€23,465.10 |
|
Tribli CLG |
€68,457.30 |
|
Twilight Community Group CLG |
€40,800.00 |
|
Waterford and South Tipperary Community Youth Service CLG |
€39,797.00 |
|
LGBTI+ Community Services Fund 2021 - Scheme B |
|
|
Organisation Name |
Amount Awarded |
|
Donegal Youth Service |
€8,432.85 |
|
Dublin Lesbian Line |
€8,075.00 |
|
Empower |
€8,415.00 |
|
Gaisce - The President's Award |
€8,500.00 |
|
Galway Autism Partnership |
€5,865.00 |
|
Gorey Youth Needs Group CLG |
€4,250.00 |
|
Mayo Pride |
€8,500.00 |
|
National Women ‘s Council of Ireland |
€8,495.75 |
|
OutWest |
€6,375.00 |
|
Sligo Pride |
€7,735.00 |
|
Sporting Pride |
€8,500.00 |
|
The Switchboard |
€5,312.50 |
|
Youth Work Ireland Tipperary |
€5,118.70 |
131. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 28 June 2023; to provide an update on the work engaged in by his Department with the Department of Justice to review the findings and recommendations of the scoping report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50120/23]
View answerPrior to the publication of the UCD SERP report, DCEDIY and Tusla established a Working Group looking at institutional and organisational abuse. DCEDIY has requested that the working group considers the UCD SERP report. The working group is currently in the process of commissioning external research funded jointly by the Departmemt and by Tusla and this external research will consider the scoping study by UCD as part of its work.
Tusla have also established an anti-trafficking working group in readiness for the Department of Justice's National Action Plan for Human Trafficking which includes the area of child sexual exploitation. This work is on going.
132. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason monthly prescriptions are not given out to patients based on the number of days in each month, rather than the notional month of 28 days, of which there is only one, namely February (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50030/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
133. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health given the protective notice that the staff at a Clondalkin-based support centre for drugs and alcohol intervention programme have been issued (details supplied), when funding will be made available to the project next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50031/23]
View answerAs this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
134. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in making a permanent appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50033/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if support will be provided to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50037/23]
View answerUnder the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. The General Practitioner (GP) Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme commenced in 2020 and has been rolled out on a phased basis to adult GMS (Medical Card and GP Visit Card) patients over a 4-year period. The specified chronic conditions included in the Programme are Type 2 Diabetes; Asthma; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Cardiovascular Disease (including Heart Failure, Ischaemic Heart Disease, Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), Atrial Fibrillation).
The CDM programme represents a new approach in Ireland to working with patients to manage their healthcare. It has brought the care for chronic disease further into the community and closer to the patient, and over time is expected to reduce hospital attendance by patients with one or more of the specified conditions. Further expansion of the scheme would require rigorous clinical assessment, engagement with stakeholders including GPs, and would depend on the availability of the necessary resources.
With respect to the specific care for Chronic Kidney Disease, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
136. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive a date for surgery; the reason for the delay in adding her to the waiting list; the reason for the delay in receiving a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50039/23]
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, there may be a delay in the Deputy receiving a response from the HSE.
137. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be considered for an earlier appointment or be added to a cancellation list for an outpatient appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50040/23]
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
138. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to outline the waiting times for DEXA bone scans in Tipperary University Hospital and across all hospitals in the country; the numbers waiting for such scans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50050/23]
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, there may be a delay in the Deputy receiving a response from the HSE.
139. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on primary healthcare nurse staffing levels in Rathcoole, County Dublin; how parents can access their child's three-month primary healthcare nurse check-up in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50058/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
140. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health what advice is being provided to a person (details supplied) whose family do not possess a medical card but have approached eight different GPs in their local area, only to be informed by all these GP practices they are not accepting new patients due to their GMS books being closed; what alternatives are available to individuals in such circumstances who do not hold a medical card and cannot obtain a GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50068/23]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a contract with the HSE for the provision of health services. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders.
For GMS patients unable to locate a GP themselves, the HSE may assign an eligible person to be included on a medical practitioner's GMS list where that person has unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in their area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area), in accordance with the GMS contract. Information on the eligibility criteria for a medical card or GP visit card, and how to apply for same, is available from the HSE website.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Neither my Department nor the HSE have any role in assigning patients who do not hold a medical card or a GP visit card to a GP's patient list.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and is working to ensure that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for. In addition, the enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was increased by 10%.
The recent GP Agreement 2023 announced in July, which provides for the expansions of GP care without charges to those who earn up to the median household income and to children aged 6 & 7, includes additional capacity supports to enable the expansion and retention of staffing within general practice. It includes additional supports for GP Out of Hours services also.
These measures help make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country. Figures recently released by the ICGP show that 1,311 medical graduates have applied for GP training in 2024, a notable increase on last year and higher than any previous years.
The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased in recent years, with 286 new entrants for this year and 350 places for new entrants planned for next year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% since 2015. Furthermore, the joint HSE and ICGP programme underway to bring up to 100 non-EU GPs to Ireland in 2023 will help to quickly improve access to GP services, particularly in areas with limited access. It is planned to bring to Ireland up to 250 more non-EU GPs by the end of 2024.
Lastly, my Department and the HSE have commenced a Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice, including issues related to GP capacity, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.
141. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting to see each of the consultant paediatric neurologists at CHI, Temple Street. [50074/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
142. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE HSE staff, by grade, working in the HSE national medical card unit. [50075/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
143. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2024 to provide an additional 20,000 intensive homecare packages. [50076/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
