Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:367. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his confidence or otherwise in the CEO of the UL Hospitals Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3631/24]
View answerHealth Service Executive
Questions (367, 368)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:368. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his confidence or otherwise in the senior/executive management team at the UL Hospitals Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3632/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together.
Under the Health Act (2004) and the subsequent Health Service Executive Governance Act (2013 and 2019), the HSE is accountable to the Minister for Health. Pursuant to the Health Act (2004), it is the responsibility of the HSE to manage and deliver health services, and in doing so appoint persons to be its employees and determine their duties. This includes the CEO and management of the University of Limerick Hospital Group.
The HSE is currently implementing the reorganisation of service delivery into six new health regions that will provide a structured support to the integrated solutions needed to deliver health services to the public. The Midwest Regional Executive Officer, responsible for the Midwest region (incorporating the University of Limerick Hospital Group), was appointed by the HSE in December 2023.
My Department continues to work with the HSE to ensure improvement of services for all patients in the Midwest region.
Question No. 368 answered with Question No. 367.
Industrial Disputes
Questions (369)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:369. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the total number of Parliamentary Question replies embargoed as a result of industrial action by an organisation (details supplied) in the HSE, by member, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3633/24]
View answerWritten answers
The total number of Parliamentary Questions remaining to be answered since the commencement of the Forsa industrial action on the 6th October 2023 to the end of December 2023 is 1,390.
The number of Parliamentary Questions due for reply for Deputy Wynne to end December 2023 is 18.
Hospital Services
Questions (370)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:370. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on the lack of step-down beds throughout the UL Hospitals Group; what measures he will implement to increase set-down capacity across the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3639/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (371)
Bernard Durkan
Question:371. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card might be approved in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3664/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October.
As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes.
As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Medical Cards
Questions (372)
Bernard Durkan
Question:372. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3666/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October.
As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes.
As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (373)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:373. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of pipe fitting apprentices who registered their four-year apprenticeships in 2019; how many have completed same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3442/24]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by Deputy Healy-Rae is presently being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (374)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprenticeship registrations are taking so long (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3443/24]
View answerWritten answers
Like many other areas of our economy, apprenticeship continues to grow despite the aftermath of the pandemic and training delays for phase 2 craft apprentices. From January 2024, a transformation training plan is being delivered, coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Office in close partnership with SOLAS, HEA, and training providers across further and higher education.
The goal in 2024 is to continue to accelerate apprenticeship growth and eliminate training delays. In 2024 Government has allocated almost €300m to support growth and transformation in the apprenticeship system. This will enable 9,800 phase 2 training places to be provided in 2024, almost double the number provided in 2023.
It is acknowledged that pipefitting apprentices have been delayed longer than other apprentice groups. Delays for this group are being tackled by tripling the number of training places in 2024 and providing an accelerated training approach.
It is my understanding that this dedicated response has had a positive impact in the case in point and I am pleased to advise the Deputy of this.
Third Level Education
Questions (375)
Brendan Griffin
Question:375. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3531/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is the pharmacy regulator. It is responsible for setting the standards of education and training for pharmacists qualifying in Ireland. This includes developing standards and carrying out the accreditation of pharmacy degree programmes.
In August 2014, the Minister for Health approved changes to the education and training of pharmacists. This change in pharmacy education came about because the PSI determined that graduates would be required to complete a Level 9 masters degree (MPharm) programme before entering the PSI Register and practising as a Pharmacist.
From September 2015, students commencing a pharmacy degree have to complete a five-year fully integrated pharmacy degree programme, leading to a Level 9 masters degree. Prior to this change, pharmacy students completed a four-year bachelor degree programme followed by a one-year Internship Programme.
Under the Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the State pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible first time undergraduate students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses. Funding under the FFI is available for undergraduate awards only i.e. up to and including level 8. In practice, this means that only the undergraduate portion of an integrated masters programme is eligible for free fees funding with students paying a tuition fee in respect of the postgraduate portion of their degree.
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the determination of postgraduate tuition fees. The total level of fees to be charged for the postgraduate element of an integrated masters course is therefore solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.
The Deputy will be aware that there are supports available to students undertaking postgraduate study. In Budget 2024, the Government announced a once off increase in the SUSI postgraduate fee grant support of €1,000, bringing the grant support up to €5,000. From this month, we have also reintroduced SUSI maintenance grant supports for qualifying postgraduate students. Qualifying postgraduate students will receive a pro rata maintenance grant for the remainder of the 2023/24 academic year with a full year maintenance grant paid for the 2024/25 academic year. Details of these postgraduate grant supports are available at: www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/postgraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/
The Deputy may also 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.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (376)
Pauline Tully
Question:376. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average time it took from phase 1 to completion to complete each apprenticeship by trade in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2023, in tabular form. [3581/24]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by Deputy Tully is presently being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Community Development Projects
Questions (377)
Brendan Smith
Question:377. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next call for projects under the Community Recognition Fund will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3597/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Community Recognition Fund recognises the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Funding of €50 million for some 900 projects is supporting towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries.
The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is important to note that this is separate from other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of new arrivals into Ireland.
Through this initiative, communities are being assisted to develop projects such as large-scale multipurpose sports facilities, walkways, cycle paths, playgrounds, equipment for sports clubs and community festivals. Vehicles have also been funded to address transport needs in communities.
A key priority for me now is to ensure that the range of projects approved across the country are delivered in a timely manner.
The Government is again looking at how we can further support impacted towns and villages across a range of different public services and any decision in respect of a further round of funding under the Community Recognition Fund will be considered in the context of those deliberations.