Barry Cowen
Question:196. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person can expect an appointment in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin. [54162/23]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (196)
Written answers
Under 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.
Parliamentary Questions
Questions (197)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:197. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on industrial action within the HSE which has halted a significant volume of written Parliamentary Questions in his Department from having their replies issued to the asking Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54164/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, Management and Administration staff in the HSE, represented by Fórsa, began a work-to-rule on the 6th of October 2023, in response to a HSE recruitment pause in their category of staff. This industrial action, in the form of a work-to-rule, has been rolled out in a number of phases over the past number of weeks. The work-to-rule instructions, which have been issued to members by Fórsa, includes an instruction to not respond to Parliamentary Questions. I understand that all Parliamentary Questions are being compiled and filed appropriately by HSE officials to be managed, if necessary, at such time as the work-to-rule is lifted.
When Fórsa's Management and Admin work-to-rule began, the recruitment pause applied only to this category of staff. Since then, as the Deputy is aware, the pause has been extended to include most staff categories, excluding Consultant appointments and Graduate Nurses and Midwives and Doctors in formal approved Training Programmes.
Recruitment across the HSE has been very strong in 2023. The Government funded the HSE to recruit to over 6000 new posts in 2023 to support the development of services. The HSE has reached that target before the end of the year, and this is why a temporary pause has been put in place. If this level of growth was allowed to continue uncontrolled, the HSE would be significantly over the targeted and budgeted recruitment figure by year end which will have financial implications for 2023 and following years, and adversely impact on the HSE’s ability to recruit essential patient facing clinical staff. There is agreement to recruit further 2,268 new posts in 2024.
A series of engagements have taken place in the Workplace Relations Commission between the HSE, the Department of Health and Fórsa in an effort to resolve the dispute. Health management remain open to engaging with Fórsa and I urge Fórsa to stand down their industrial action in the interests of the health service.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (198)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:198. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if funding is available for the person (details supplied). [54191/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to providing accessible and affordable health care.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances, free of charge to eligible persons following assessment by a relevant health professional.
The Department of Social Protection administer the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme and the Fuel Allowance, which may assist individuals in meeting the costs associated with operating medical devices. Further information on these can be found, respectively, at:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/d5554-supplementary-welfare-allowance/
www.gov.ie/en/service/00aa38-fuel-allowance/
In addition, energy suppliers are required to establish, maintain and regularly update a register of vulnerable customers. Vulnerable customers include:
• Those who are critically dependent on electrically powered equipment. This includes (but is not limited to) life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment, or
• Those who are particularly vulnerable to disconnection during winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health.
There are a range of additional protection measures in place for registered vulnerable customers. Energy suppliers are required to provide customers with a free and easy way to register as a vulnerable customer. Further information regarding this can be found at:
www.cru.ie/need-assistance/vulnerable-customers/
As announced in Budget 2023, every household in Ireland will receive three €200 energy credits, totalling €600, towards the costs of their electricity.
There are also a range of HSE administered schemes that assist individuals in meeting their medical costs.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) ensures that no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines who are not eligible for a medical card.
Finally, individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Third Level Education
Questions (199)
Joan Collins
Question:199. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of speech and language therapy courses and places that are currently in the third-level educational system; and what plans are in place to increase the number. [53983/23]
View answerWritten answers
Significant engagement is ongoing between my Department, the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Education to develop a joined-up approach to address system level demand in therapeutic disciplines and healthcare programmes.
This year 460 additional places were created in health care related programmes including therapy disciplines. This represents meaningful additionality within existing infrastructure, and includes an additional 20 Speech and Language Therapy places. Ulster University have also provided 80 places in therapy disciplines including 10 places in speech and language therapy, from this September to students in the Republic of Ireland.
As the Deputy may be aware the Higher Education Authority recently conducted and expressions of interest from higher education institutions interested in building capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary Medicine from academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26. Significant options for expansion were identified, and these options are being considered in the context of Budgetary Processes and the National Development Plan review. A further process will consider options to build capacity in priority therapy disciplines.
Speech and Language therapist is a regulated profession under EU Directive 2005/36, the regulator is CORU and their approved courses are outlined on their website here coru.ie/health-and-social-care-professionals/education/approved-qualifications/speech-and-language-therapists/
This list includes three undergraduate courses in Trinity College Dublin, University Galway and University College Cork and a postgraduate programme in University of Limerick.
The number of enrolments for the last five years, sourced from the Student Records System in the HEA is in the table below.
|
Speech and Language Therapy |
HEI |
Course Name |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
|
Undergraduate Honours Degree |
University College Cork |
BSc (Speech and Language Therapy) |
120 |
120 |
115 |
115 |
115 |
|
Undergraduate Honours Degree |
Trinity College Dublin |
Clinical Speech and Language Studies |
135 |
140 |
145 |
140 |
140 |
|
Undergraduate Honours Degree |
University of Galway |
Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Therapy) |
110 |
110 |
105 |
105 |
105 |
|
Taught Masters |
University of Limerick |
Master of Science in Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) |
55 |
60 |
65 |
55 |
40 |
Language Schools
Questions (200, 206)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:200. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what efforts are made to ensure that English language students from abroad are protected from fraud in the English language education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54137/23]
View answerMarc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:206. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to regulate the English language education sector; what measures are being taken to ensure that Interim List of Eligible Programmes rules that state that escrow accounts must be used for all potential students paying for courses from outside of the EU are not being circumvented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54136/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 206 together.
The Government is taking further steps to strengthen the regulation of the English language education sector in Ireland. The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 contains provisions to provide for the establishment of a new national Learner Protection Fund and the International Education Mark (IEM).
The new national Learner Protection Fund will be established and administered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland's further and higher education system. The Fund will be used to ‘teach out’ a programme in the event that a provider fails to provide a programme. Should this not be possible, the Fund will be used to reimburse students for the most recent fees that have been paid.
The Learner Protection Fund will introduce a new single statutory learner protection scheme, which will provide protection equally for all learners enrolled with providers that are authorised to use the International Education Mark. The introduction of the Fund aims to represent a comprehensive, cost-effective, equitable and transparent approach to the protection of enrolled learners in the State.
The International Education Mark (IEM) is a key component of the Irish Government’s policy for the English language education sector and is intended to provide a quality framework for the provision of education to international learners. To obtain the IEM providers will have to demonstrate compliance with requirements on corporate fitness, quality assurance and the protection of enrolled learners, alongside key criteria and practices surrounding the recruitment and admission of international students, information provision, student welfare, cultural awareness and academic support provisions. In addition, the Codes of Practice that underpin the IEM contain provisions relating to the relationships between providers and recruitment agents.
Ultimately, the primary purpose of the IEM is to protect international students who come to Ireland to study. Education institutions that are authorised to use the IEM brand will constitute a group of state-endorsed providers who can be trusted to deliver a quality educational experience to international learners.
My Department is currently working with QQI to implement the key precursor measures that are necessary to facilitate the introduction of the Learner Protection Fund and the IEM. It is planned that the application process for the IEM will open in Q1 2024.
Grant Payments
Questions (201)
Róisín Shortall
Question:201. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to examine a matter in relation to a SUSI grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54024/23]
View answerWritten answers
The student referred to by the Deputy applied as an independent student to SUSI for the 2023/24 academic year and evidence of her independent residence for 2021 and 2022 was requested in a letter dated 7 July 2023.
No supporting documents were received within the timeframe stipulated on the letter requesting same and as per letter to the applicant dated 18 October 2023, her application was refused.
As of today’s date, no request for an Internal Review or Notice of Appeal has been received. The student can appeal the awarding authority's decision for the 2023/24 academic year up to the 17th December 2023 under exceptional circumstances.
Regarding the 2022/23 academic year, the student appealed to SUSI and the decision of the awarding authority was upheld. This was advised to the student on the 23rd March 2023. The student was advised in this letter that she could appeal to the Student Grant Appeals Board. The student submitted an appeal to the Student Grant Appeals Board on the 22nd June 2023 which was outside of the statutory timeline of 60 days.
Departmental Data
Questions (202)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:202. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail in tabular form the number of students from each county that have benefitted from the €1,000 reimbursement in the contribution fee for the 2023/2024 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54044/23]
View answerWritten answers
Budget 2024 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost of living. These cost of living measures include the provision of one off funding to reduce the student contribution fee payable by higher education students that are eligible for the free fees initiative (FFI), in academic year 2023/24, by €1,000.
Net of students that avail of a 100% student contribution support through SUSI, it is estimated that this additional level of support towards tuition fees in 2023/24 may benefit up to 94,000 students at a cost to the State of circa €91.9 million net.
The final number of beneficiaries will be dependent on the number of students eligible for the Free Fees Initiative and 100% student contribution support through SUSI during the academic year.
In terms of statistical breakdown by county, as the Deputy may be aware, free fees eligible students are a subset within overall full time undergraduate students. While the Higher Education Authority (HEA) collect data on the home county of full time undergraduate Irish students enrolling in higher education institutions, neither my Department nor the HEA, compile data on the home county of free fee eligible students within the undergraduate cohort. Details of the number of beneficiaries of the Budget 2024 measure under reference by county or region are therefore not available.
Departmental Data
Questions (203)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:203. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail, in tabular form, the number of students from each county that will benefit from the Student Assistance Fund for the 2023/2024 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54045/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's office has clarified that the question is
To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail in tabular form the number of students from each HEI that benefitted from the Student Assistance Fund for the 2022/2023 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The number of students by HEI who benefitted from SAF for the academic year 2022/23 in tabular form is as follows.
|
Total number of SAF recipients by HEI, 2022/23 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
DCU |
1,360 |
|
MU |
1,529 |
|
University of Galway |
1,587 |
|
UCD |
2,545 |
|
TCD |
890 |
|
UCC |
1,608 |
|
UL |
1,029 |
|
MIC |
384 |
|
NCAD |
245 |
|
NCI |
186 |
|
St. Angela's |
212 |
|
TUS |
2,040 |
|
IADT |
196 |
|
DKIT |
499 |
|
ATU Donegal |
841 |
|
ATU Galway |
1,173 |
|
ATU Sligo |
509 |
|
TU Dublin |
2,000 |
|
MTU |
1,104 |
|
SETU |
1,247 |
|
Marino |
261 |
|
St Patrick's Pontifical University |
30 |
|
RCSI |
17 |
|
TOTAL |
21,492 |
Higher Education Institutions
Questions (204)
Carol Nolan
Question:204. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason bodies such as university foundations are exempt from having to prepare and submit annual statements of accounts to the Charities Regulator and are also exempt from the requirement to have their financial statements audited; the reason such foundations are not subject to statutory audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General; if he supports these exemptions remaining in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54128/23]
View answerWritten answers
The principal primary legislation governing the operation of charities in Ireland is the Charities Act 2009, which provides for a definition of charities, their operation and reporting requirements, and also the establishment of the Charities Regulatory Authority. Responsibility for governance of the Regulator is under the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are entitled to register as charities, as are third level foundations (philanthropic / fundraising agencies). However, third level foundations who obtain charitable status are not currently required to submit statements of accounts to the Regulator. Furthermore, third level foundations do not come under the remit of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General either. This issue was raised previously by the Public Accounts Committee.
Certain sections of the Charities Act do not currently apply to a charity that is an ‘education body’ and foundations are currently covered by paragraph (g) of that definition.
The Department of Rural and Community Development is currently progressing the ‘Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023’ and published a general scheme in May 2023. Under the explanatory note of ‘HEAD 3: Amendment of section 3 of the Act of 2009’ of the general scheme it notes:
At present bodies that raise funds for institutions of higher education are exempt from a number of key provisions of the Charities Act 2009 as they fall within the definition of “education body”. Funding bodies such as university foundations are exempt from having to prepare and submit annual statements of accounts to the Charities Regulator under section 48 and are also exempt from the requirement to have their financial statements audited under section 50. However, unlike institutions of higher education, such foundations are not subject to statutory audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The proposed deletion of paragraph (g) of the definition of “education body” provided for in Head 3(d) is intended to bring such funding bodies within the full remit of the Charities Act 2009 so that there is greater transparency and accountability in relation to their finances and activities.
Whilst this is a matter for the Oireachtas during the parliamentary stages of the Bill, I welcome both the Charities (Amendment) Bill 2022 and the provision contained within it to remove bodies established for the purposes of funding institutions of higher education from the definition of "education body". This is in accordance with good governance and accountability standards particularly given that there can be significant sums of money raised through these foundations and this funding should be subject to full governance and accounting oversight.
Research and Development
Questions (205)
Carol Nolan
Question:205. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of any body or agency under the aegis of his Department that is currently being funded to research pluripotent stem cells; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54129/23]
View answerWritten answers
Both Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council fund a number of research projects involving induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), which is common practice in life science research.
Question No. 206 answered with Question No. 200.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (207)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:207. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeship applications that are outstanding; the number of apprenticeship applications in the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54208/23]
View answerWritten answers
The overall apprentice population, i.e. those persons that have taken up apprenticeship programmes but have not yet qualified, to end of November 2023 is 27,332. This can be broken down into 22,990 in Craft and 4,342 in Consortia-led programmes.
In regard to the construction sector, there have been 5,409 apprenticeship registrations this year to the end of November. These are broken down on a monthly basis in the attached document.
In regard to the construction sector, there have been 5,409 construction and construction related apprenticeship registrations this year to the end of November. These are broken down on a monthly basis below.
Construction:
|
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Total |
|
465 |
416 |
423 |
321 |
346 |
273 |
308 |
347 |
515 |
608 |
579 |
4,601 |
Construction Related:
|
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Total |
|
93 |
120 |
107 |
82 |
51 |
68 |
75 |
45 |
48 |
52 |
67 |
808 |
The construction and construction related live apprenticeship population is 20,072 at the end of November.
Departmental Funding
Questions (208)
Imelda Munster
Question:208. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how much funding was given to the LEADER programme in 2022 and 2023; and how much is expected to be allocated in 2024. [53969/23]
View answerWritten answers
The LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department, which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future. It forms part of Ireland's €10bn Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan.
Funding for the LEADER Programme is provided for the duration of the programme rather than on an annual basis to allow more flexibility to the Local Action Groups to manage the programme budget in their areas of operation.
€250m has been made available for LEADER for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional programme for the period from 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027. This level of funding is evidence of the Government’s continued support for the LEADER programme, and matches the €250m provided for LEADER in the corresponding 7 year period from 2014-2020.
LEADER is a multi-annual programme and payments in respect of projects which are approved in any given year are generally not drawn down until subsequent years, as projects are completed and payment claims are submitted. Therefore, costs related to projects approved and completed are met from the provision in my Department’s Vote on an annual basis.
Tourism Funding
Questions (209)
Imelda Munster
Question:209. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how much LEADER funding has been allocated to rural tourism in 2022 and 2023. [53970/23]
View answerWritten answers
The LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department which helps to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future.
The LEADER programme is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development.
The programme includes specific funding themes to support rural economic development, enterprise development and job creation, social inclusion, and the rural environment. Community groups and rural-based businesses can apply for funding under these themes and associated sub-themes. Over 5,700 projects have been approved to date for in excess of €242 million since the 2014-2020 LEADER programme became operational.
With regard to rural tourism, in excess of 1,200 projects have been approved under this sub-theme for funding of over €41.3 million. Of that, 153 projects were approved for €6.3 million in funding in 2022, with a further 23 approvals in 2023 for over €615,000.
While the current programme is concluding, with over 97% of the available funding having been allocated, approved projects will continue to draw down their funding into 2024 as works are completed and claims are submitted for payment.
Preparations are also progressing for the commencement of the 2023-2027 LEADER programme in January 2024, which will continue to fund the ongoing development of Ireland’s rural communities.
Library Projects
Questions (210)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:210. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the progress which has been made with regard to the purchase of the old Bank of Ireland building in Dunleer to house a new library for the growing area; when she expects the works to be completed at the site; when the new library is expected to open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54028/23]
View answerWritten answers
The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the purchase of the former Bank of Ireland building in Dunleer, and the plans to house a new library in it, are matters for Louth County Council. The purchase of this building was part-funded under the Building Acquisition Measure under my department's Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Louth County Council has advised my department that the Council has decided to progress the development of a new public library at that location, which will be funded from within its own budget. Louth County Council have purchased the building and construction works are due to commence in Quarter 1 2024. The Council have advised that it is estimated that the project will be substantially completed in the latter half of Quarter 2 2024 and the library is expected to open in Quarter 2 or Quarter 3 2024.
Library Projects
Questions (211)
Claire Kerrane
Question:211. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on works (details supplied), and the proposed opening of a temporary service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54039/23]
View answerWritten answers
The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, progress on the works in Ballaghaderreen Library, and the timeline for completing the project are, first and foremost, a matter for Roscommon County Council.
In response to Parliamentary Question 46223/23 of 24 October last, I stated that I had been advised that Roscommon County Council would publish the invitation to tender before Christmas. Roscommon County Council has advised that this will issue on 13 December 2023. I also understand that the tender will stipulate that the contractor must be ready to commence no later than March 2024, and the proposed works are scheduled as requiring 32 weeks to complete. It is expected that the library will re-open in Quarter 4 2024.
As also advised in my reply to the most recent Parliamentary Question, Roscommon County Council has entered into an agreement to lease the former Tusla office in Ballaghaderreen to operate as a temporary library, until the reopening of the library at Dillon House. I am advised that a planning application under Part 8 of the Planning process has been made by Roscommon County Council in respect of the temporary premises. Roscommon County Council have confirmed that library services will be available in the former Tusla office, immediately after planning permission is granted.
In the meantime, Roscommon County Council continue to provide a weekly mobile library service in Ballaghaderreen, alongside services to local schools and preschools and attendance at community events. Once the temporary library is operating, the weekly mobile service will no longer be provided in Ballaghaderreen and this will enable the mobile library to return to providing mobile library services, including more visits to schools in its overall operational area.
My department continues to engage with the Council to ensure that library services are maintained as far as possible in Ballaghaderreen and surrounding areas.