Written Answers Nos. 124-142
124. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail exactly what measures have been taken by his Department to deal with the CDNT crisis in Donegal; what plans are in place to deal with said crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55811/23]
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.
125. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline his policy with respect to youth services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55808/23]
View answerMy Department is making a significant investment in youth services in 2024, building on the increases in recent years and securing the achievements into the future.
From 2020 to Budget 2024, current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes increased from €61.789 million to €77.95 million, a 26% increase overall.
My Department provides universal funding on an annual basis to 30 national and major regional voluntary organisations through the Youth Service Grant Scheme. This funding is intended to ensure the emergence, promotion, growth and development of youth organisations with distinctive philosophies and programmes aimed at the social education of young people. Over €14 million is being provided to YSGS funded organisations in 2024.
My Department’s UBU Your Place Your Space scheme is a single youth funding scheme that targets disadvantaged young people with evidence informed interventions and services that will secure good outcomes. UBU Your Place Your Space provides funding to over 250 targeted youth services across 16 Education and Training Boards. Funded organisations support young people who are marginalised, disadvantaged, or vulnerable. Over €47 million is being provided for UBU in 2024.
My Department is developing a new Action Plan for Youth Services in consultation with young people and the national youth organisations which is expected to be in place early next year. This plan includes effective outreach to those who may not even be aware of services, measures to ensure that youth workers and volunteers have the supports and skills they need to deliver inclusive approaches, and stronger measurement tools so that we can monitor participation of different cohorts in youth services and identify the best approaches to delivering the best outcomes for them.
Young Ireland: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028, was launched on 21 November 2023. Youth service actions being led by my Department include:
1. Develop and implement a Youth Services Action Plan to provide a strategic direction for the delivery of youth services over the lifetime of this Framework.
2. Support the provision of high-quality and inclusive youth opportunities, spaces and services, by providing funding, guidance and other supports to organisations who deliver youth services.
3. Implement a robust data collection and evaluation system so that young people’s participation in youth services, and in particular, the inclusion of young people who are marginalised, vulnerable or disadvantaged can be measured and enhanced.
4. Ensure that young people have a role in the development and delivery of youth services.
5. Continue to develop the UBU Your Place Your Space targeted services funding scheme, including by means of an external review ahead of the 2027 application cycle.
126. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is aware that an after-school service in County Cork (details supplied) is facing closure due to issues with the Core funding model; if his Department has engaged with the service provider regarding its concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55287/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for this query. While it would not be appropriate for me to discuss the individual circumstances of this service in this reply, I can outline the supports which are available to all services if they require them.
Investment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding for the first time reaching more than €1 billion in 2023 for early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector.
Core Funding is in operation since 15 September 2022 and has achieved very significant success in terms of the high levels of participation. With 95% participation in year 1 and to date, 94% or over 4,300 providers have signed up for Core Funding Year 2, with applications still open. There are officially more services contracted for Core Funding year 2 than there were at the peak of Core Funding year 1.
Participation in Core Funding is optional but it remains open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding.
Core Funding has increased by 11% to reach €287 million for year 2 of the scheme, providing a sustainable platform for investment with increases for all services.
Budget 2024 allocated an additional €37.4m to Core Funding. This increase on the 2023 allocation will support continued implementation of the scheme for the second programme year (September 2023 to August 2024) and into the third programme year from September 2024.
It is a matter for providers to decide whether they wish to withdraw from the Core Funding scheme, the significant financial supports it provides to providers and the certainty it provides to parents through the associated fee freeze.
My Department oversees a Case Management Process through which local City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to services experiencing difficulties.
This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. In this particular case, I can assure the Deputy that Pobal’s Integrated Case Management Team (ICM) have been in touch with the owner in question in recent days to offer these supports.
In addition, sustainability funding is available to Core Funding partner services, both community and private, who are experiencing financial difficulty. As with previous strands of the Sustainability Fund, it focuses on the provision of operational as well as short term financial supports where appropriate, and will assist services in managing their immediate financial difficulties, providing advice to support their long-term sustainability, while transitioning to a more sustainable model of service delivery.
Any service in difficulty is encouraged to engage with these supports. Contact details for local CCC can be found at: www.myccc.ie
127. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how the extra €20.5 million funding for disability residential services announced in budget 2024 will be spent; where exactly this funding will be channelled to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55527/23]
View answerIn Budget 2024, €20.5 million additional funding was allocated to further expand the provision of residential places for Adults and Children with a disability,
The precise level of delivery of services for people with disabilities, based on this funding provided in the Budget, will be set out in the HSE's National Service Plan for 2024.
128. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how his Department will improve engagement with the Department of Education, the National Council for Special Education and the National Educational Psychology Service to optimise health and integration as set out in the Roadmap to improve Children’s Disability Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55526/23]
View answerUnder the actions contained within the PDS Roadmap launched in October, there is a dedicated focus provided on the Education sector. A specific working group, comprising of key stakeholders, is tasked with optimising integration between health and education and supports for special schools for the benefit of children with disabilities.
The Group, as part of the overall development of the HSE Roadmap, will also review and monitor supports for children and young people with disabilities in special classes and special school and progress the recommendations as set out in the Framework for Collaborative Working between Education and Health.
129. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline his plans to increase childcare places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55580/23]
View answerThe availability of high quality early learning and childcare is a key Government priority. My Department monitors early learning and childcare capacity on an ongoing basis, with a particular focus on responding to the unmet early learning and childcare needs of families. My Department is progressing a range of actions to ensure the supply of Early Learning and Childcare meets demand.
Some €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:
Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;
Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and
Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
Under the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, €9 million was allocated earlier this year in grants for energy upgrades and retrofit projects.
Last week, I was pleased to announce Pillar 2 - the Building Blocks – Capacity Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, €45m will be made available over 2024 and 2025 to deliver additional early learning and childcare places. The primary focus of the scheme is to increase capacity in the 1-3 age range for full day or part-time care.
The Capacity Grant Scheme will be open to Core Funding partner services. The award of grants under the Capacity Grant Scheme will be informed by the results of a detailed needs analysis, which is underway, and which will identify capacity gaps and areas and categories of need.
In addition, Budget 2024 provides funding to allow for the extension of regulation and supports to childminders and the inclusion of childminders in the National Childcare Scheme from September 2024 – widening access to State funded early learning and childcare and school age childcare places and offering choice for parents.
In line with a commitment in First 5, my Department is working with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), to progress the updating of the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings. These Guidelines provide the current framework to guide both local authorities, developers and providers in formulating and considering development proposals. Arising from my Department’s engagement on this work, the Department has been included in the updated list of prescribed bodies that need to be notified on certain planning matters, including the formulation of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans.
The ongoing development of Core Funding has also given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. As announced in Budget 2024, the allocation for Core Funding in Year 3 will be increased by 15%, which will allow for a 3% increase in capacity in the sector, driven both by new services joining the sector and existing services offering more places and/or longer hours to families.
130. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees who are now in the State; the projected number of refugees from Ukraine expected to come to the State over the next 12 months; the plans that are in place to deal with the additional people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54571/23]
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 my Department has worked extensively to support approximately 101,800 people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland in fleeing the war in Ukraine, over 80% of whom have sought State supported accommodation.
I also wish to draw attention to the wide ranging analysis produced by the CSO on a regular basis as part of its ‘Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland Series. See: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/population/arrivalsfromukraineinireland
Matters relating to the number of Ukrainian refugees who are now in the State and the projected number of refugees from Ukraine expected to come to the State over the next 12 months are appropriate to the Department of Justice, who is also assisting those fleeing the war in Ukraine as part of the whole of Government response.
The Temporary Protection Directive was recently extended to 4 March 2025 and will be in place for a longer timeframe than originally envisaged at the time of the decision to activate it in March 2022.
Following extensive discussions, the Government has decided to bring Ireland more into line with other European countries in how we assist those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Under the revised approach, newly arriving Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine who seek State accommodation will be provided with accommodation for a maximum of 90 days, during which time they will also receive reduced social protection payments.
The situation in relation to the availability of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) arriving in Ireland remains challenging. My Department continually analyses the level of offers being made, the numbers which are contracted following due diligence checks and projected BOTP arrivals in the coming months.
My Department has been engaged in contingency planning in the last number of months and this will continue.
132. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current capacity of respite care in counties Cavan and Monaghan for children with disabilities; the number of children provided with respite care each week in these counties; and his proposals to increase this capacity. [55508/23]
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.
133. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on dealings with residents of Kilbride IPAS centre, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55720/23]
View answer142. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on his dealings with the management of Kilbride IPAS centre, County Wicklow, in relation to facilities at the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55721/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 142 together.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) Customer Service team has been engaging with residents on a regular basis in relation to issues raised and continuously communicates with them in relation to the ongoing accommodation crisis.
A joint clinic with the Resident Welfare Team was conducted on 7th November 2023 and a further Customer Service clinic was held on 23rd November 2023. The Customer Service team has also committed to conduct another clinic before the end of 2023 and will continue to attend the centre as often as practicable.
The IPAS Centre Management Team has been actively engaging with the service provider in relation to the issues raised at welfare clinics in order to improve the overall level of service and accommodation being provided to our residents in Kilbride.
IPAS is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team.
If they wish to request IPAS accommodation they may contact the IPAS helpdesk to seek advice. The IPAS helpdesk can be contacted by email: ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie
In the event of a resident not feeling comfortable with contacting the Department directly or the centre management, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) operate a confidential support helpline for all residents being accommodated by IPAS. The Freephone helpline is operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). If a resident wishes, a complaint made through this service may be passed, in confidence, to IPAS for investigation and resolution. All residents have access to this independent support helpline. IPAS is working to facilitate clinics at centres, in line with public health restrictions. The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) helpline contact number is 1800 929 00 or email: info@jrs.ie
135. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 7 November 2023, when the mother and baby institutions redress scheme will be open for applications; the timeline for when payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55649/23]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will be the largest scheme of its type in the history of the State with an anticipated 34,000 people eligible under its terms. Given its scale and significance the Scheme has been placed on a statutory footing as enabling legislation was signed into law in July this year.
Before and since the passing of the legislation a comprehensive body of work has been underway to develop the substantial administrative framework required to deliver a Scheme of this size. This work includes:
• the making of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening;
• making arrangements for the staffing necessary to deliver the Scheme;
• Developing a comprehensive training programme for all staff involved in the Scheme;
• Developing hard copy and online application systems;
• Developing the case management IT infrastructure for the Scheme;
• Preparing for a substantive public awareness campaign to be delivered in Ireland and overseas. To this end, my officials are currently assessing feedback on draft information materials received from a large number of survivors who answered my recent call to join a Stakeholder Reference Group.
Opening the Scheme as soon as possible is an absolute priority for me and my Department and the Scheme will open in Q1 next year.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is one element of a comprehensive package of support measures agreed by the Government as part of the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. Other important measures contained in the Action Plan response include access to birth information provided through the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, the intervention at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Institution and the establishment of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street.
136. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm what his Department’s plans are to recruit and retain childcare workers in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55729/23]
View answerI acknowledge that many early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services report staffing challenges in relation to recruitment and retention.
In general, staffing pressures in the sector are caused not by insufficient supply of qualified personnel, but by high levels of staff turnover.
Providers of ELC and SAC are private businesses. As the State does not employ staff in ELC and SAC services, neither I nor my Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.
However, there is now, through the independent Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate terms and conditions of employment including minimum pay rates for different roles in ELC and SAC services. In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the JLC is independent in its functions, and I do not have a role in its statutory processes. It is my understanding that the JLC is continuing to meet to discuss possible changes to Employment Regulation Orders first introduced in 2022.
I am also committed to addressing other issues which may impact on recruitment and retention. In December 2021, I launched Nurturing Skills: the Workforce Plan for ELC and SAC 2022-2028. Nurturing Skills includes specific actions for moving to a graduate-led ELC workforce by 2028, establishing a career framework for staff working in the ELC and SAC sector, including role profiles and qualification requirements, and the strengthening of career pathways. Nurturing Skills includes actions to support recruitment and retention of staff with the necessary qualifications, and ongoing staff training and development, to create a workforce which feels valued and is motivated to deliver the best possible service to children.??
I have recently established a sub-group of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum to discuss issues of recruitment and retention with stakeholders in the sector. The first meeting of the sub-group took place on 13 December.
137. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the success or otherwise of the rapid build programme undertaken by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55826/23]
View answerAs part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the government has developed a rapid build housing programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation up to 2,800 Ukrainians at several sites across Ireland. While rapid build units will initially be used to temporarily house people fleeing Ukraine, they have the potential to be utilised to address other accommodation challenges, including social housing and student accommodation.
This project – the first of its kind – is an important one as it will provide a blueprint for future developments. As each phase has brought new challenges, these challenges will provide important future learnings. The emphasis in this programme is on delivery of quality homes which will enhance local environments and this has been a priority.
Each site will have roads, footpaths, street lighting, community facilities, including green spaces, fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The homes will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60 year lifespan and the development of the sites will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area. Construction disruption is limited as the units are manufactured off site.
Work has been completed on the first seven sites (Mahon Cork, Farnham Road Cavan, Doorly Park Sligo, Thurles Tipperary, Claremorris Mayo, Clonminch Offaly and Rathdowney Laois). Residents have moved into six of the sites with the seventh site being occupied this week. By the end of this week 310 homes with a capacity to house 1240 will have been delivered and occupied. The remaining 390 homes will be delivered in 2024.
The completion timelines are subject to any technical issues arising during construction. There were a number of such issues that arose over the past few months relating to site conditions, remedial works, boundaries, ESB connections, etc. that delayed earlier forecasted dates of completion on sites included in the programme.
It is important to note that the identification of available and suitable sites is against a backdrop of pressure on housing supply. While local authorities, in particular, have some sites in their ownership, many of these are earmarked for future housing development and were not readily available for this programme. Rather, sites which are at an earlier stage of development have been used. This has required significantly more groundworks and services work.
138. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update regarding the legislative proposals arising from the review of the Equality Acts (Equal Status Acts 2000 and Employment Equality Acts 1998); when it can be expected that these proposals will be brought forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55701/23]
View answerMy Department is currently reviewing the Equality Acts (Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015). This review examines the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality.
In July of this year I published a report on submissions to a public consultation on this Review. This report is available at: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/cafb4-minister-ogorman-publishes-report-on-the-submissions-to-the-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-the-equality-acts/
Submissions were invited on a range of issues, including:
• the effectiveness of the Acts,
• whether there are obstacles to taking an action under the Acts,
• the scope of the current equality grounds, and whether new grounds should be added, such as the ground of socio-economic discrimination.
My officials are now finalising policy and legislative proposals and I plan to bring them to Government for approval in the new year.
139. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many parents and guardians will benefit from childcare measures announced in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55728/23]
View answerIn 2024, the allocation for early learning and childcare will be €1.109 billion, a €83 million (8%) increase on last year’s allocation.
In 22/23 there were approximately 213,000 children in centre based early learning and childcare. This equates to approximately 150,000 families.
All children in early learning and childcare supported by this Department will benefit from some or all of measures supported by this €1.1 billion allocation. Either through affordability measures or through the various quality, access and inclusion measures. The funding in 2024 for the early learning and childcare sector provides for:
• The continuation of the ECCE programme that will benefit more than 103,000 children in 2024.
• The continuation of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) to ensure children with a disability can access and meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme. Funding will provide for an increasing cohort of children with a disability availing of targeted AIM supports – approximately 7,000 - as well as the expansion of these supports beyond time spent in the ECCE programme, in term and out of term.
• The continuation of the NCS, and the introduction of enhancements to the Scheme with more than 150,000 unique children to benefit from changes to the minimum subsidy rate and the sponsorship rate.
• The continuation of Core Funding, with enhancements to the Scheme in year 3.
• The introduction of the Equal Participation Model (EPM), whereby services will be provided with a proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing their services who are experiencing disadvantage.
• The delivery of a range of regulatory and quality supports for the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding; Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan, and the ongoing development of the registration and inspection system as well as policy development commitments set out in First 5 and the Programme for Government.
140. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the adequacy of engagements that occurred with disability organisations and disabled persons' representative organisations in relation to the national disability strategy and the Green Paper on Disability Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55758/23]
View answerRegarding the next National Disability Strategy, my Department is leading discussions at a whole-of-government level for the development and delivery of a new Strategy in early 2024. As part of this work, and in line with obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an extensive and robust stakeholder consultation process is underway, to ensure that the voices and perspectives of persons with disabilities are captured and represented in the Strategy.
In line with the imperative for consultation with Disabled Persons Representative Organisations as established in the UNCRPD, my officials are engaging on an ongoing basis with the DPO Network, the Disability Participation and Consultation Network and the Disability Stakeholder Group, along with other groups on a bilateral and multilateral basis. These meetings began at the start of the year and have intensified as the year went on.
The National Disability Authority is also supporting my department in the development of the strategy by assisting with a full public consultation programme.
DCEDIY and the NDA are holding a series of Town Hall-style in person meetings, which included a launch event on 7th December in the Marker Hotel. I attended this event and was grateful to hear the wide range of opinions from our stakeholders, which will inform the process for further consultation as well as well as the development of the Strategy itself. This event was also attended by officials from other Departments – demonstrating the dedication across government to the development of this new strategy.
Additionally, the NDA is leading on a series of focus groups, with a focus on seldom heard groups. Focus group topics include carers, older persons, transport, cost of disability, employment and training, housing and independent living, disability health and social care services and supports, education, and women and disability. A national questionnaire to inform the Strategy will launch in the coming weeks and will be operated through the UNCRPD webpage on gov.ie.
As part of the consultation we will also be accepting written submissions and video submissions, to provide additional avenues for input from those who use ISL or have low literacy.
Finally, engagement is ongoing across Government to ensure the collaborative development of what will be a whole-of-Government strategy to support persons with disabilities to live full lives of their choosing in our communities.
Alongside this programme of robust consultation, I am keen that the work undertaken as part of the strategy, and the structures that will underpin it, will provide a framework for the ongoing purposeful partnership with persons with disabilities and key stakeholders during the life of the strategy and beyond.
In relation to the Green Paper, I am aware that the Department of Social Protection has commenced a public consultation process on the proposals contained in same. The Green Paper proposes the reform and restructuring of disability payments in response to key public policy commitments under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, Pathways to Work and the Make Work Pay report.
I have been briefed on the Green Paper and my officials have attended some of the events held during consultation events on it. The Department of Social Protection has also attended consultation events on the National Disability Strategy.
My Department was not involved in the production of the Green Paper or the consultations on same, which are matters for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
141. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the long waiting lists for an assessment of need as a result of the 11 March 2022 High Court judgment (details supplied); how his Department is tackling this growing waiting list in light of the ruling; the projected increase in the waiting list in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55517/23]
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.
