Wednesday, 24 Jan 2024

Written Answers Nos. 213-233

Mental Health Policy

Questions (213)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

213. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3286/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As 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. 

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (214)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

214. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if treatment will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in the Bons Secours Hospital in Kerry or in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3288/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. 

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 2023. 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. 

Departmental Inquiries

Questions (215, 216)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

215. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update regarding the appointment of an independent chairperson to the sodium valproate inquiry; when he expects the chairperson to be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3302/24]

Catherine Connolly

Question:

216. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the inquiry into the historical licencing and prescribing of sodium valproate; the timeline for the inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3303/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.

Government approval has been secured for the establishment of an inquiry which will examine the licensing and use of sodium valproate in women of child-bearing potential in the State. This inquiry will be designed to give a voice to patients and their families while looking at the use of sodium valproate in Ireland since it was first licensed.

There is more work to be done to establish the inquiry and it is important that enough time and resources are invested in completing this work. There are many factors to consider, and I want to ensure that the inquiry established delivers and allows those impacted to tell their story and my officials are working to ensure that this will be facilitated. My officials are engaging with the relevant patient groups.

It is my intention to ensure the establishment of the inquiry is progressed. Work is actively ongoing in my Department in relation to sourcing an appropriate person to Chair the inquiry, and the Deputy will appreciate that this is a sensitive matter. The Chair is an essential role that needs careful consideration. The role requires and experienced person who will run a fair and independent process, and who can give the inquiry the time and attention it deserves.

I will be glad to provide an update on this matter once this work is finalised.

Health Services

Questions (217)

Brendan Smith

Question:

217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that urgent consideration is given to a request of a healthcare facility and ensure that this ongoing issue is resolved satisfactorily without delay, which will be beneficial to patients in that catchment area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3304/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (218)

Steven Matthews

Question:

218. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 729 of 20 June 2023, the position regarding a review of the community ophthalmic services medical treatment scheme as referenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3322/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Community Ophthalmic Services Medical Treatment Scheme (COSMTS) was established in 2004 as a pilot project in response to an identified need. The Scheme engages four practices across seven locations to provide medical and minor surgical care to patients outside of the acute care setting. This allows hospitals and eye clinics to focus on treating more complex conditions. The treatments and the current fees payable under the Scheme were agreed in 2013.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) have advised that a detailed evaluation of the current operation of the COSMTS will need to be carried out before it is extended further. This review remains a priority for my Department in 2024. To date, my officials have engaged with the HSE to determine how such an evaluative review would best be conducted. My Department continues to pursue this issue with the HSE.

Disease Management

Questions (219)

Paul Murphy

Question:

219. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will secure investment for prostate cancer treatment available in Ireland through the HSE; if he will ensure that high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment is urgently made available through the HSE; if a person can avail of this treatment should it not be made available through the HSE using the treatment abroad scheme; and the HSE’s plans for improving prostate cancer treatment. [3325/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Successive National Cancer Strategies have delivered continuing improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients in terms of earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and improved rates of survival. Over 2021 and 2022, €40 million additional funding was allocated to national cancer services, and €30 million for cancer drugs. This funding has helped to reduce waiting times for patients to attend Rapid Access Clinics, and has supported cancer services nationally in treating more patients. It has also supported the introduction of new treatments and models of care.

In 2023, construction on a new €70m radiation oncology centre in University Hospital Galway was completed and I officially opened the facility in October. Patients will be fully transferred to the facility in early 2024.

In 2024, the National Cancer Control Programme will focus on how cancer services can be improved through the implementation of new models of care and better links between services to strengthen patient pathways. Work will continue on new clinical guidelines that incorporate new evidence and can result in cost-saving and better outcomes for patients, e.g. prostate cancer patients can be treated with 75% fewer radiation therapy sessions.

The HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for people entitled under EU Regulation 883/04. The TAS is a consultant led scheme and allows for an Ireland-based public consultant to refer a public patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in the public healthcare system of another EU member state, the UK or Switzerland. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved public treatments in another EU/EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland through the issue of form S2 (IE) where the treatment is:

• among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;

• not available in Ireland;

• not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease;

• medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;

• a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or test treatment;

• provided in a recognised public hospital or other institution that will accept EU/EEA form S2 (IE) and;

• is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.

The HSE provides further information for patients on the HSE TAS website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/treatment-abroad-scheme/

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is currently not available in Ireland as a treatment for prostate cancer. I am advised that alternative options are available for low-risk prostate cancer, including close surveillance, treatment such as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), and brachytherapy. Brachytherapy is available in all three public Radiotherapy centres and Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is available in Dublin, with the delivery of this service in Cork and Galway currently in development. Some Irish patients have been referred through the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) to trial centres for HIFU treatment.

Hospital Services

Questions (220)

Emer Higgins

Question:

220. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the closure of the endoscopy unit in Connolly Hospital and the postponement of the BowelScreen Programme; if his Department plans to mitigate the growing waiting lists as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3327/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible

Mental Health Services

Questions (221)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

221. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his spending plans for an additional €10 million investment to support the development of mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3354/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2024, including that for Mental Health. Further details on how the additional investment will further develop mental health services will be available in due course.

Health Services

Questions (222)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

222. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the review into maternity services with specific reference to homebirth being unavailable to those who live more than 30 minutes away from their nearest maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3355/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, 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. 

Irish Sign Language

Questions (223)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

223. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the percentage of social media videos posted on his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, inclusive.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3366/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

Please see below for a table outlining the requested information for 1 January 2023 - 31 December 2023:

Platform	Number of videos	% Subtitled/Captioned	% ISL Translated
YouTube	62	66%	0%
Facebook	124	98%	0%
Instagram	119	100%	0%
X (formally Twitter)	93	100%	0%
LinkedIn	64	98%	0%

The Department of Health is committed to ensuring important messages are accessible and use the National Disability Authority Communication Toolkit for Public Service as a guide on best practice.

Links shared by the Department of Health on social media direct to the Department's website, gov.ie/health, which is consistently managed to ensure a high level of content available in both English and Irish. 

As this question also relates directly to the Health Service Executive, I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.

Information in respect of the other bodies under the aegis of the Department is an operational matter for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.

Third Level Fees

Questions (224)

Steven Matthews

Question:

224. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to third level students who are unable to draw down the €1,000 one off support towards third level fees (details supplied); if this is under review within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3137/24]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The Deputy will be aware that 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.

In relation to the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students, the reduction applies to full time undergraduate students who are eligible for the free fees initiative (FFI).

Where students are not eligible for free fees then, the student contribution arrangements under the FFI do not apply and students pay the applicable tuition fee to the higher education institution attended.

A key principle of the design of the free fees initiative is to encourage progression of first time higher education students, that is, to support students in progressing through a chosen course of study from year to year. As a result, students are not typically supported for a repeat period of study or for a different course at the same level. The once off student contribution support of €1,000 therefore does not apply to students undertaking a repeat period of study if that period of study is not eligible for the free fees scheme in this academic year.

As part of the wider cost of living package, the Deputy may wish to note that I have recently announced details of an additional €1.476m for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF), bringing the total amount available for the 2023/24 up to €19m. This Fund assists both full-time and part-time students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the institution attended.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (225)

Ged Nash

Question:

225. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in his Department who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in his Department work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if they will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3239/24]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Simon Harris)

My Department’s Blended Working Policy was launched in 2023 and applications for blended working which have been received from staff are still being processed.  Therefore, at this point, the department is not in a position to provide exact numbers as the data is not yet fully captured.  Under my Department's Blended Working Policy, the majority of staff can apply to work from home up to three days per week. 

Departmental Staff

Questions (226)

Ged Nash

Question:

226. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in agencies and bodies directly under his aegis who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in relevant agencies and bodies work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if he will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3257/24]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Name of Body	Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireacthas	Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members
Higher Education Authority	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Irish Research Council( Note 1)	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Grangegorman Development Agency	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
SOLAS	[e-mail]	Maria Walsh [e-mail]
Skillnets Ltd	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Quality and Qualifications Ireland	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Science Foundation Ireland	[e-mail]	Ciara Cotter

Note 1 – In regard to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) as the IRC operates under the auspices of the HEA. Mr Mellett will address Oireachtas queries for both the HEA and IRC. Please use [e-mail] and [e-mail] respectively to contact Mr Mellett.

Irish Sign Language

Questions (227)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

227. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of social media videos posted on his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, inclusive. [3365/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Animal Welfare

Questions (228, 229)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

228. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of animals held in pounds at year end for each of the past seven years and per local authority area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3181/24]

Ivana Bacik

Question:

229. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of animals euthanised by pounds in each of the past seven years and per local authority area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3182/24]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.

My Department has overall policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. This legislation makes provision for dog licensing arrangements and the functions of dog wardens. Local Authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Control of Dogs Acts.

Each year my Department collects and collates statistics from local authorities in relation to dog control services. These statistics include, but are not limited to, the number of dogs entering and exiting pounds; the number that are re-homed and reclaimed; and the number that are euthanised.

The numbers of dogs held in pounds, and the numbers euthanised each year are provided in tabular form in the attached table. Statistics relating to dog control since 2010 are published and available on: www.gov.ie/en/collection/879d4c-dog-control-statistics/

The 2023 dog control statistics, including statistics on dog licenses, will be collated in the coming months and, when checked and verified, will be published on www.gov.ie .

							Number of dogs on-hand in pound on 31 December							Numbers of dogs euthanised
Local Authority Area	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
Carlow		3	0	1	0	5	2		1	0	0	1	3	2
Cavan		13	6	6	4	3	7		0	0	1	2	4	0
Clare		3	3	1	8	9	5		24	15	13	15	18	19
Cork City		29	7	10	30	36	7		16	3	5	27	18	43
Cork County		0	0	0	0	0	0		66	25	27	53	68	82
Donegal		3	4	1	6	8	2		10	6	8	17	28	21
Dublin City		21	15	5	1	2	2		5	2	5	17	9	14
Dún Laoghaire/ Rathdown		1	2	12	0	0	0		1	0	3	5	6	20
Fingal		12	2	3	1	1	0		2	0	4	3	19	17
Galway City		0	5	0	0	0	0		7	4	0	0	5	7
Galway County		0	0	0	0	1	2		28	8	10	17	27	22
Kerry		6	0	1	6	6	7		2	3	2	2	125	124
Kildare		3	1	1	5	2	4		3	1	3	5	15	11
Kilkenny		11	0	1	3	7	2		1	0	2	3	2	6
Laois		6	5	4	6	6	3		4	0	0	0	13	0
Leitrim		66	18	23	19	27	17		6	6	1	5	4	6
Limerick City & County		0	0	0	0	0	0		5	0	3	2	23	80
Longford		7	0	5	5	5	8		13	4	0	7	13	6
Louth		2	2	3	5	3	1		7	8	10	23	35	38
Mayo		8	1	1	0	1	0		19	7	5	15	7	24
Meath		6	2	0	1	0	0		7	4	1	4	2	2
Monaghan		0	1	1	7	6	7		3	2	5	3	7	9
Offaly		27	3	1	4	2	16		0	1	0	1	11	12
Roscommon		0	1	0	0	0	1		5	3	0	1	0	5
Sligo		4	5	0	0	17	0		3	0	0	5	3	3
South Dublin		17	9	4	13	16	61		13	10	20	21	52	61
Tipperary		24	4	15	23	34	13		23	12	3	48	74	120
Waterford City & County		10	7	0	6	8	9		0	5	3	7	4	9
Westmeath		5	0	0	0	0	0		14	7	5	6	25	25
Wexford		20	18	15	17	33	12		51	29	32	77	100	121
Wicklow		2	0	0	5	5	4		1	2	0	6	5	7
Totals	Will be published on Gov.ie once available	309	121	114	175	243	192	Will be published on Gov.ie once available	340	167	171	398	725	916

Question No. 229 answered with Question No. 228.

Road Projects

Questions (230)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

230. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her attention has been brought to the fact that the local improvement scheme offered by Galway County Council will not be taking applications for a third year in 2024, leaving the condition of roads not taken in charge by the County Council to further deteriorate; if she intends to make additional funding available to address this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3133/24]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future.

The scheme was re-introduced in 2017 following several years with no dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2023, my Department has allocated almost €130 million towards improvement works on over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes. These works have benefitted almost 20,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.

Last year alone, my Department invested almost €30 million in LIS funding, representing the highest ever amount invested in the scheme. My officials liaise closely with each local authority to ensure that funds are utilised fully and to ensure as many roads as possible are completed each year.

The selection of roads to be funded under the scheme is a matter for each local authority based on the priority or condition of particular roads in their county. The local authority may rely on existing lists of eligible roads and/or advertise for new applicant roads. There is, however, a backlog of roads awaiting repair under the scheme and my priority is to support local authorities to address this backlog.

In 2023 alone, over €2 million in funding was granted to Galway County Council which included funding for the repair of eligible roads on offshore islands. This brings the total amount allocated to Galway under LIS since 2017 to €10.3 million.

A total of €13 million has been allocated to LIS in 2024 and my Department is currently finalising the details of the scheme for the coming year which I will be announcing shortly.

Departmental Staff

Questions (231)

Ged Nash

Question:

231. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in her Department who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in her Department work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if they will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3244/24]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The details as requested by the Deputy are outlined in the following table. The Department's Blended Working Policy was derived from the Civil Service Blended Working Framework. It is a blended arrangement of a minimum of 2 days in the office per week, and 3 days at home (where staff have sought to work remotely).

Year	No. of remote workers	% staff who work from home at least 1 day per week	Average home working hours per week	Gender breakdown of remote workers
2022*	164	96%	21hrs (net) – 3 days	101– Female63 – Male
2023**	179	96%	21hrs (net) – 3 days	110 – Female69 – Male

* As at the end of Dec 2022

** As at the end of Dec 2023

Departmental Staff

Questions (232)

Ged Nash

Question:

232. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in agencies and bodies directly under her aegis who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in relevant agencies and bodies work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if she will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3262/24]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The information requested by the Deputy is set in the tables below in respect of the agencies under the direct remit of the Department.

Western Development Commission

Year	No. of remote workers	% staff who work from home at least 1 day per week	Average home working hours per week	Gender breakdown of remote workers
2022*	27	100%	28hrs (net)	17 – Female10 - Male
2023**	27	100%	29hrs (net)	20 – Female7 – Male

* As at the end of Dec 2022

** As at the end of Dec 2023

Charities Regulatory Authority

Year	No. of remote workers	% staff who work from home at least 1 day per week	Average home working hours per week	Gender breakdown of remote workers
2022*	41	94%	14hrs (net)	21 – Female20 - Male
2023**	42	94%	14hrs (net)	21 – Female21 – Male

* As at the end of Dec 2022

** As at the end of Dec 2023

Water Safety Ireland

Year	No. of remote workers	% staff who work from home at least 1 day per week	Average home working hours per week	Gender breakdown of remote workers
2022*	11	100%	21hrs (net) – 3 days	7– Female4 - Male
2023**	12	100%	21hrs (net)- 3 days	7– Female5– Male

* As at the end of Dec 2022

** As at the end of Dec 2023

In respect of Pobal, as the organisation is not wholly funded by DRCD, all staffing matters including remote working are a matter for Pobal to respond to directly.

Irish Sign Language

Questions (233)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

233. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the percentage of social media videos posted on her Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, inclusive. [3370/24]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

For the period in question, 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023, 95% of all videos posted on my Department’s social media accounts included closed captioning/subtitling. None of the videos included Irish sign language (ISL) translations.

There are four agencies under my Department’s remit: the Western Development Commission, POBAL, Water Safety Ireland, and the Charities Regulator. They are all independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs in compliance with their statutory obligations.

The details of the Oireachtas contact point for each of the agencies, who would be in a position to provide the Deputy with the requested information in respect of their organisation, are set out in the table below:

Pobal	[e-mail]
Charities Regulator	[e-mail]
Water Safety Ireland	[e-mail]
Western Development Commission	[e-mail]