Barry Cowen
Question:595. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on a case (details supplied) and when the person concerned can expect an appointment. [6523/24]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (595)
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 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.
Nursing Homes
Questions (596)
Mick Barry
Question:596. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the status of a nursing home (details supplied) following HIQA's findings in respect of fire safety issues at the building; if alternative accommodation has been secured for the current residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6530/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ensuring that the welfare and safety of residents is secured when nursing homes close is of the utmost importance and work to alleviate the concerns of residents must continue.
It was confirmed on 17 January 2024 that HIQA served a section 51 of the Health Act 2007– written notice of proposed decision to cancel registration – with Sally Park, Firhouse. At that time, there were 35 residents in situ. The most recent update received states that there is 23 residents that remain in place.
Cancellation of the registration of a nursing home is not the same as closure. The decision to cancel the registration of a designated centre is taken very seriously and after much deliberation.
The Chief Inspector has been in close contact with the HSE since the notice of decision to cancel was issued.
A date of closure has been set for 21 February 2024 by the management of Sally Park. If at that point there are still residents in situ the HSE is required to take charge of the nursing home until such time as alternative homes are found for all residents and they are safely discharged.
My understanding of the situation is that there is sufficient capacity in the area to accommodate all the residents and, whilst the HSE has a function as provider of last resort, they have not been called upon in this instance to provide support or assistance to the residents and their families.
It is also my understanding that the management continues to work with families to help them find alternative accommodation and make the transition to a new facility as stress-free as possible.
Where problems finding suitable alternative accommodation arise, it is important to note that the HSE, in its capacity as statutory provider of last resort, will always step in where a resident’s needs are sufficiently complex that they are not able to be cared for elsewhere in the community.
The HSE needs to be equipped to deliver that kind of complex care. The HSE will support families in a situation where a private nursing home is no longer able or willing to provide care under Fair Deal to a loved one.
Nursing homeowners may choose to exit the market for a variety of reasons, for example due to retirement. However, it is essential that when nursing homes are intending to close or cease participating in the NHSS, that residents and their families must be consulted with, and given appropriate notice so that new homes can be found and residents can move in a safe, planned way.
There is a legal requirement that providers must give at least 6 months’ notice to HIQA if they intend to close. This provides residents, families and public health authorities appropriate time to respond effectively.
In the context of the nursing home sector, it is also important to note that nursing homes close on a regular basis. Several private nursing homes closed in 2022 and 2023. However, these closures must be put in context of new nursing homes opening. Four new centres opened in 2022 and ten new centres have opened in 2023.
As of the most recent HIQA report, overall, 2022 saw a net addition of 112 registered beds to total national capacity of private beds, whilst 2023 has seen an increase of 490. This is due to the relatively larger size of new nursing homes compared to closures and the addition of capacity in existing homes.
The Role of HIQA
All nursing homes, as registered providers with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), have well-established obligations under the legal framework in terms of the delivery of safe care to residents. HIQA is the statutory independent regulator for this sector and this responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising of Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and Quality Standards.
In discharging its duties, HIQA determines through examination of all information available to it, including site inspections, whether a nursing home meets the regulations in order to achieve and maintain its registration status.
In its capacity as the independent regulator of the nursing home sector the decision to carry out an inspection of a particular nursing home and the frequency with which inspections occur at that same facility, is a matter for HIQA to decide. Whilst HIQA has no legal role in examining individual complaints, the Authority does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections and this range of information informs a risk-based approach to regulation.
HIQA will always work closely with nursing homes providers to ensure compliance plans are in place to deal with the issues raised in their inspection reports.
I fully support HIQA and their capacity to visit any long-term residential care facility to ensure that the best practices are being implemented and the best supports are being provided to older people. I wish to reiterate that while I am Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People there will be no diminution of HIQA’s role vis-à-vis standards and regulations.
The Government will continue to prioritise the best interests of nursing home residents to ensure that their welfare, care and well-being is ensured whilst simultaneously ensuring that nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone. It is vitally important that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
Hospital Services
Questions (597)
Róisín Shortall
Question:597. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of public hospitals that have Wi-Fi, by location, in tabular form. [6534/24]
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.
Health Promotion
Questions (598)
Róisín Shortall
Question:598. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a media report (details supplied) on a recommendation by the HSE's national women and infants health programme that white flour should be fortified with folic acid; if he is considering initiating this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6535/24]
View answerWritten answers
Thank you for your query in relation to Folic Acid Supplementation. As indicated in a previous written response issued in October 2023, the recommendations of the 2019 DOH Folic Acid Supplementation Report remain under consideration by the Department.
Critically, it is recognised that as dietary intake of folate remains sub optimal In Ireland, all women considering pregnancy take a 400-microgram (mcg) supplement of folic acid per day when planning a pregnancy and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
One key recommendation given in the report was to consider the requirements for food fortification with folate, and this has been identified as an action in Phase 2 of the First 5 Strategy Implementation Plan 2023-2025. A range of issues such as food consumption patterns and preferences, supply chain issues, resources and timing involved need to be deliberated before any further consideration could be given to mandatory food fortification.
The issue is further complicated by the lack of any national mills in Ireland and reliance on the UK for up to seventy per cent of its flour supply. After undertaking a public consultation on the proposal to introduce mandatory fortification of UK flour with folic acid, the UK Government and devolved administrations decided to proceed with the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour and legislate on this basis in 2021. However, fortification has still not been implemented in the UK due to regulatory concerns with respect to meeting adequate nutrient levels for other vitamins and minerals in the flour supply.
Fortification of flour in Ireland is conducted on a voluntary basis. The voluntary addition of vitamins and minerals to foods is regulated by means of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006, which aims to ensure that fortified foods are safe, and to allow for the proper functioning of the internal market. This regulation permits the addition of folic acid to foods in compliance with its rules.
The ‘mandatory addition’ of vitamins and minerals for public health reasons, such as the fortification of staple foods with folic acid, is not covered by this regulation. The European Commission does not envisage the harmonisation of the mandatory addition of nutrients, such as folic acid, across the EU. It is up to Member States to decide if they wish to introduce alternative measures such as mandatory food fortification with folic acid.
In addition, the labelling of a compound food containing a fortified ingredient must comply with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, to ensure that it shall not be misleading for the consumer.
In the event of any proposal to revise existing legislation a regulatory impact analysis would need to be conducted. Before any policy position is finalised on folic acid fortification, stakeholder consultation would need to be carried out on a national basis. Once a policy position has been formed, the Department would need to notify the Commission via the Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS) system of Ireland’s intention to introduce fortification of flour with folic acid. Ireland would be required to demonstrate that evidence-based analysis, public stakeholder consultation and cross Government collaboration had taken place to justify why Ireland is considering mandatory fortification. To give an estimation of predicted timelines, the consultation process is still ongoing in the UK, two years post announcement of mandatory fortification.
With this in mind, in the short-term, other actions are needed to optimise both Folic Acid supplement use and dietary folate. It is recommended that all women considering pregnancy take a 400-microgram (mcg) supplement of folic acid per day when planning a pregnancy and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is described in The Nutrition in Pregnancy, national clinical guideline that was developed in 2019 to promote the link between good nutrition during pregnancy and a favourable pregnancy outcome.
Under the phase 2 of the First 5 strategy implementation plan, it has been identified that parents, families and communities will be supported to engage in and promote positive health behaviours among babies and young children, starting from the pre-conception period. Enhanced integration and communication of Folic Acid supplement advice will continue under several relevant programmes being operated by the Health and Wellbeing Division, Primary Care, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Sexual Health services.
All four recommendations in the Folic Acid report are being considered by the Department to improve intake of Folic acid in the reduction of neural tube defects in Ireland.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (599)
Róisín Shortall
Question:599. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide further details in relation to the dedicated paediatric spinal surgery unit that he asked Children's Health Ireland to establish; the indicative timeline for operationalising this unit; his plans regarding orthopaedic waiting lists for children following his instruction to the HSE to appoint a full-time project lead to work on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6536/24]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I want to acknowledge that waiting lists for scoliosis and spina bifida services are unacceptably long. I am acutely conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I have committed €19 million under the 2022 and 2023 Waiting List Action Plans to tackle these waiting lists. This funding has supported the recruitment of an additional 204 health care professionals across Temple Street, Crumlin, and Cappagh, and significant capacity improvements including a 5th theatre in Temple Street, an additional MRI in Crumlin, and additional beds.
This investment has supported an increase in the number of spinal procedures undertaken in both 2022 and 2023, with 509 and 464 procedures carried out respectively, compared to 380 in 2019.
Progress is being made on the waiting lists for spinal procedures, despite the significant increase in demands and referrals compared to previous years. At the end of December 2023 there were 231 children on the waiting for spinal procedures (excluding suspensions), which is a 5% reduction compared to the end of 2022, and 78 active patients waiting over 4 months, which is a 13% reduction compared to the end of 2022.
The dedicated Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit has been established, and the Clinical Specialty Lead for Spinal Surgery commenced in post in January 2024.
I will continue to drive progress on Scoliosis and Spina Bifida services as priority areas under the Waiting List Action Plan 2024.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (600)
Róisín Shortall
Question:600. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timeline for completion and publication of the independent review into spinal surgeries at Temple Street Children's Hospital, following the identification of 17 additional cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6537/24]
View answerWritten answers
While concluding this review in a timely manner is important for all concerned, the review by Mr Nayagam is entirely independent. Therefore, a timeline for completion and publication of the independent review cannot be confirmed at this stage of the process.
Mr Nayagam has advised he deems it necessary to review cases from additional patient cohorts. This includes additional cases that have been identified as part of an internal clinical assurance process as potential “cases of concern”. These families have been informed. Other cases were selected at random by Mr Nayagam's Independent Review team. These families have also been informed.
Advocacy Groups have been advised that the Report will now be delayed, as well as of the necessity to review cases from additional patient cohorts.
Legislative Programme
Questions (601)
Róisín Shortall
Question:601. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timeline he is working towards in drafting and publishing the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023, listed for priority drafting in the Spring Government Legislative Programme; if it is his intention to begin second stage before the summer 2024 recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6550/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Mental Health Bill is being drafted generally in line with the published General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Mental Health Act 2001, and will replace the existing 2001 Act as the Act underpinning our mental health legislation.
It is a large Bill encompassing many separate, complex areas such as involuntary admission and detention, regulation of mental health services, establishment and governance of the Mental Health Commission, capacity and consent to treatment, and provisions related to children and young people in mental health services. It is expected that the Bill will have in excess of 130 sections.
Considering the length of the Bill and complexity of the issues contained therein, it has taken time for officials in my Department and officials working in the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) to prepare the legislation. Considerable resources have been allocated to drafting the Bill, with full time resources in the Department and four OPC drafters responsible for progressing the draft.
I am happy to say that the Bill is now in the final months of drafting. My officials will continue to work intensively to finalise the Bill and ready it for publication. The Bill is on the priority for drafting list for the current legislative session, as it was for all three sessions in 2023. It is my firm intention that the Bill will be published in the summer legislative session and I will seek its introduction to the Oireachtas as soon as possible following publication.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (602)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:602. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will list all medications that are needed for long-Covid sufferers that are not available on the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6552/24]
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.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (603)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:603. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a timeline for when the clinical review group will complete its work to determine if evidence exists to expand the scope of the medical cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6555/24]
View answerWritten answers
The HPRA, in their 2017 report "Cannabis for Medical Use - A Scientific Review" stated that if cannabis products that are not capable of being authorised as medicines, are made available through an access programme, patients and healthcare professionals must recognise the limitations of the programme in assuring the safety, quality and effectiveness, as compared with what would be expected for an authorised medicine. There appears to be a significant gap between the public perception of effectiveness and safety, and the regulatory requirement for scientific data which is mandatory to determine the role of cannabis as a medicine. Any proposal to circumvent the medicines regulatory system, established by law, would require careful consideration, so as to avoid unintended consequences, and lower standards of patient protection.
At that time it was recommended that an Access Programme be for the treatment of three stated conditions:
1. Refractory Epilepsy;
2. Spasticity as a result of Multiple Sclerosis; and
3. Nausea as a result of chemotherapy.
The MCAP was intended to be run on a 5 year pilot basis, subject to review. Given the passage of time since the initial recommendation the review was brought forward to ascertain if currently there is sufficient evidence to expand the scope of the programme.
It is anticipated that the work of the clinical review group will be completed in the second quarter of 2024.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (604, 605)
Niamh Smyth
Question:604. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will address the concerns outlined and provide an update on this matter. [6562/24]
View answerNiamh Smyth
Question:605. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will address concerns outlined and provide an update on this matter. [6563/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 605 together.
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.
Question No. 605 answered with Question No. 604.
Departmental Reports
Questions (606)
Ged Nash
Question:606. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of recommendation No. 7 of the Report of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on Home Carers and Nursing Home Healthcare Assistants; if he will consider establishing a joint labour committee to cover the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6581/24]
View answerWritten answers
Addressing the shortage of care workers in Ireland is an urgent priority. In March 2022, I established the cross-departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on Home Carers and Nursing Home Health Care Assistants. It set out to examine the challenges in frontline carer roles in the home support and long-term residential care sectors.
The report was published on 15 October 2022: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/492bc-report-of-the-strategic-workforce-advisory-group-on-home-carers-and-nursing-home-health-care-assistants/I.
Implementation of the 16 recommendations is underway and overseen by a cross-departmental group, chaired by the Department of Health. The group meets quarterly and publishes progress reports thereafter. The group met on 1 February 2024 and a progress report will be published shortly. The most recent progress report was published in October 2023 which can be viewed at: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/275876/c0889fbf-3f9c-4235-9e79-e1240790fac7.pdf#page=null.
Internal engagement within the Department of Health has been undertaken regarding recommendation 7: An appropriate mechanism to reach agreement in the private and voluntary sector in respect of pay and pensions for home support workers and healthcare assistants shall be investigated and reported on by an Expert Working Group.
This recommendation cannot be progressed further until the process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations has concluded. A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations is underway. Officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; the Department of Health; the HSE; and Tusla, were invited to attend a Workplace Relations Commission process (16 October 2023) following similar engagements with trade unions representing section 39 and section 56 bodies over recent months. The process culminated in an offer being made to the trade unions. The Departments have committed to a significant increase of investment in the sector relating to pay amounting to an 8% increase, phased as:
• 3% from 1 April 2023
• Additional 2% from 1 November 2023
• And further 3% from 1 March 2024.
Departments have committed to return to the WRC for further talks when the new Public Service pay agreement has been ratified. The ballot is to take place in March. As this is an ongoing industrial relations issue it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.
The Departments are currently working closely with the HSE to ensure funding for organisations is made as soon as possible and provision has been made for this funding for both retrospective pay for 2023 and for 2024.
While the Government has committed to a process, it is worth noting that organisations receiving service arrangement funding under section 39 are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
Health Services Staff
Questions (607)
Alan Kelly
Question:607. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent, WTE, adult ADHD specialists working in community healthcare organisations, CHO 3 and CHO 5, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form.. [6606/24]
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.
Health Services
Questions (608)
Alan Kelly
Question:608. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of heart transplant procedures that have been performed to date in 2024. [6607/24]
View answerWritten answers
Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland are the organisation within the HSE responsible for organising national transplant services, and have provided the following statistics. Heart transplants are performed by the Heart and Lung Transplant Department in the Mater Hospital.
To the end of January 2024, 3 such transplants have been performed.
Hospital Staff
Questions (609)
Alan Kelly
Question:609. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent, WTE, consultant gastroenterologist and gastroenterologist registrars attached to University Hospital Limerick in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6608/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 expected 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 (610)
Chris Andrews
Question:610. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if urgent action will be taken to prioritise the reform of the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6611/24]
View answerWritten answers
I firmly support the regulation of all mental health services, including community CAMHS, and I have been progressing priority legislation to underpin this regulation.
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring all mental health services, both inpatient and community, and both adult and child and adolescent, are fully registered, regulated, and inspected by the Mental Health Commission in its role as the independent regulator of mental health services.
Under the Mental Health Act 2001, the Mental Health Commission registers, inspects, and regulates all inpatient mental health services, including inpatient CAMHS. The current Mental Health Act 2001 does not include any provisions for the registration or regulation of community mental health services and therefore, it is not considered that the Act provides the necessary legal basis to expand the Commission’s regulatory remit.
The expansion of the Mental Health Commission’s role into regulating all community mental health services, including community CAMHS, is being addressed in the forthcoming Mental Health Bill. This new Bill is a complex and lengthy piece of legislation. It will provide the necessary legal underpinning to ensure that the Mental Health Commission can regulate all community services. Additionally, the Bill will overhaul the involuntary admission and detention process, modernise provisions related to consent to treatment, provide enhanced safeguards for people accessing inpatient treatment, and provide a new, discrete Part that relates exclusively to the care and treatment of children and young people.
Drafting of this Bill has been prioritised and it is now in its final months of drafting. It will be introduced to the Oireachtas in the summer legislative session, which begins in April.
Work also continues to improve CAMHS at service level. Year-on-year funding for mental health services increased by €74 million from €1.221 billion in Budget 2023 to nearly €1.3 billion in 2024, and with a strong focus on investing in child and youth mental health. This is the fourth consecutive year of an increase for mental health services, and highlights in real terms the importance this Government places on the mental health of those living in Ireland.
CAMHS receives €146.5 million in dedicated funding annually. In addition to this, approximately €110 million in funding is provided by the Government to community-based mental health organisations/NGOs each year to deliver supports and services. A significant proportion of this is dedicated to supporting young people. I recently announced a further €10 million in funding for mental health to support the delivery of clinical programmes and youth mental health. This again highlights the Government’s recognition of mental health as a central component to overall health, in line with our policies Sharing the Vision and Connecting for Life.
There continues to be growing demand for CAMHS across the country with over 22,000 referrals last year. Between 2020 and 2021, referral rates into CAMHS increased by 33%, while the number of new cases seen increased by 21%.
It is a priority for Government, and for the HSE ,to improve access to CAMHS and to address CAMHS waiting lists. The new dedicated HSE National Office for Child and Youth Mental Health will focus on improved service delivery. This includes taking account of the recent Maskey and Mental Health Commission reports on CAMHS. The National Office is currently finalising the Youth Mental Health Service Improvement Plan which will set out agreed actions for focused service improvement through identified, timely, and measurable actions.
There are now 75 CAMHS teams and 4 in-patient units nationally. Staffing in community CAMHS has increased in recent years, with an increase of 500 full time equivalent posts between 2011 and 2024. I secured funding for additional new posts under Budget 2024, with a focus on child and youth mental health posts.
The Deputy can rest assured that I, and the Government, remain fully committed to the development of all aspects of mental health services nationally.
Question No. 611 answered with Question No 562.
Third Level Fees
Questions (612, 613)
Richard Bruton
Question:612. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 57 of 31 January 2024, the reason SUSI is refusing to accept child benefit as proof of residence for a home-schooled Irish born child of a resident Irish citizen, despite the fact that under statute such payments can only be made on Irish residency. [6057/24]
View answer
Denis Naughten
Question:613. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 57 of 31 January 2024, the reason SUSI is refusing to accept child benefit as proof of residence for a home-schooled Irish born child of a resident Irish citizen, despite the fact that under statute such payments can only be made on Irish residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6059/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 612 and 613 together.
Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
In the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's grant application form and the accompanying supporting documentation, it would not be possible to say whether or not a student should qualify for grant assistance. This is a matter in the first instance for SUSI to determine.
However, in an effort to assist with your query, the below general information can be provided. SUSI must confirm that an applicant has been a resident in Ireland, the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland for 3 of the last 5 years. If an applicant has been resident in Ireland for this period, they may be eligible for a maintenance and fee grant. If they have been resident in the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland for this period, they may be eligible for a fee grant only.
In some cases, Child Benefit can be paid to a parent who is residing in Ireland in respect of child who is residing outside the state. For this reason, SUSI cannot determine the residency of an applicant based on a parent’s Child Benefit payment.
Here are examples of evidence that SUSI may accept for the purposes of proving residency:
• Evidence of an applicant sitting the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate exams in Ireland or equivalent exams in the EU, UK, EEA or Switzerland if it was in the past five years.
• A letter from the Child and Family Agency confirming the applicant was registered as home educated in Ireland and the dates between which they were registered.
• Statements or other correspondence from bank/building society/credit union including eStatements with activity in the country outlined in their application.
• Other official correspondence from an Irish state agency e.g. government departments; HSE; Register of Electors/polling card; CAO; An Garda Síochána; public / private hospitals, Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) or third level college, secondary school/training agency, NCT reports or reminders, An Post, TV Licence, National Government Health Screening Programme(s) and/or; Correspondence from an insurance company regarding an active policy (home or car insurance policy only).
If an applicant is unable to provide one of the listed accepted documents and their application is refused, they have the right to appeal this decision in the first instance to SUSI and if unsuccessful they can further appeal to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
If the Deputy wishes to contact SUSI directly, there is a dedicated number for Oireachtas members at (01) 524 0015 or via the email address: oireachtas@susi.ie.
Question No. 613 answered with Question No. 612.
Third Level Fees
Questions (614)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:614. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the scenario in which a college student changes course or repeats a year due to adverse personal circumstances and subsequently has to pay higher fees, and is doubly disadvantaged by not being able to avail of the €1,000 Government credit as announced by Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6096/24]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (615)
Pearse Doherty
Question:615. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1814 and 1813 of 17 January 2024, when full responses will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6327/24]
View answerWritten answers
My officials engaged with Donegal ETB and I understand that, following a review in 2018, the ETB adopted an approach to award increments to casual instructors employed at Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre on the basis of one increment for every complete 238 days worked. Prior to the 2018 review, the ETB awarded increments for every 52 weeks employment.
As part of the review the ETB identified a very small number of employees being paid at a higher point on the scale to what they were entitled under the new arrangements. These employees will remain on their existing salary scale points until such as they will be entitled to progress to be paid at the next highest point. The ETB is engaging with the employees concerned to outline their individual entitlements.
Student Accommodation
Questions (616)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:616. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that have been taken to combat the practice of compulsory lease lengths imposed on students by private student accommodation providers in Dublin and Cork including a company (details supplied). [6354/24]
View answerWritten answers
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and I have asked our officials to engage on the decision of private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases. While there may be a market for 51 week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of the student population. We have asked our officials to establish the circumstances of the 51 week leases and consider what action may follow.
Student Accommodation
Questions (617)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:617. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how his Department will ensure the enforceability of the definition for student accommodation as provided for in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended by the Residential Tenancies Act 2019 (details supplied) for the purpose of ensuring that licence agreements and other measures designated for student specific accommodation is not used by providers that place their properties outside the scope of the said definition through imposing a lease length that is longer than the academic term. [6355/24]
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Minister O’Brien and I have asked our officials to engage on the decision of private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases. While there may be a market for 51 week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of the student population. We have asked our officials to establish the circumstances of the 51 week leases and consider what action may follow.
I have no function in the operational matters of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) which is an independent quasi-judicial body.
Technological Universities
Questions (618)
Matt Shanahan
Question:618. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the Government's position on approving the PPP engineering building at SETU campus Waterford and agreeing contracts to immediate construction understanding that this project was separated from a batch one proposal in 2020 which are now completed, understanding that this project was first planning approved in 2011 with present planning permission to expire in coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5917/24]
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The Government through my Department remains fully committed to the delivery of the Engineering, Computing and General Teaching building at the South East Technological University (SETU) campus at Waterford. The project in Waterford is the largest in the Higher Education PPP Programme and will be transformative for SETU. It will consist of undergraduate and postgraduate laboratories, general and specialised teaching space, learning resource space, administration space and ancillary space. Student numbers catered for by the new building will be c. 3,443 students.
This commitment to the PPP programme has been carried through into the current National Development Plan 2018-2027.
There are eleven projects being progressed through the PPP programme. Bundle 1, consisting of six projects is currently under construction with separate completion dates expected between Q4 2024 to Q2 2025.
There are five projects in Bundle 2, two of which are for SETU – one at the Waterford campus and one at the Carlow campus.
The Bundle 2 procurement process is currently at tender stage and awaiting final tender.
Third Level Fees
Questions (619)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:619. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work that has been undertaken to include payments incurred by families under the fair deal scheme for care in the consideration of eligibility for the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6450/24]
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The assessment of means under the Student Grant Scheme is carried out by SUSI and is based on reckonable income, which is gross income from all sources in the previous financial year (1 Jan to 31 Dec), before the deduction of income tax or the universal social charge. There is no allowable deduction for payments made under the Fair Deal Scheme.
The Fair Deal scheme is operated by the HSE (Health Service Executive). As part of the financial assessment process for the Fair Deal Scheme, the HSE considers all of the persons income and assets and makes reasonable deductions in relation to a dependent child in full time education. Assessment takes place once when people apply to the scheme and again after they have been in care for 3 years, and a person can request a reassessment of their own contributions up to once a year.
More detailed information in relation to the financial assessment under the Fair Deal Scheme should be directed to the HSE who will be in a position to respond directly.