Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:293. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the annual salary of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8543/24]
View answerHospital Staff
Questions (293)
Written answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Care Services
Questions (294)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:294. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the HSE's plans for the care of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8571/24]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (295)
Bernard Durkan
Question:295. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when provision can be made for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8574/24]
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.
Medical Cards
Questions (296)
Bernard Durkan
Question:296. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be extended for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8576/24]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (297)
Bernard Durkan
Question:297. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the HSE can support and fund mental health service carers in the future, with particular reference to services provided by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8578/24]
View answer
Awaiting reply from Department.
Medical Cards
Questions (298)
Bernard Durkan
Question:298. 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. [8582/24]
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.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (299)
Brendan Smith
Question:299. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a health service will be restored to its former level (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8617/24]
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, 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.
Grant Payments
Questions (300)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:300. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8420/24]
View answerWritten answers
The HEA devolves responsibility for the application, selection, and award processes for the 1916 Bursary Fund to the regional clusters of Higher Education Institutions. I have therefore forwarded your query directly to the institution you referred to and they have confirmed that they have responded to you directly in respect of this question.
I would encourage any student who is experiencing financial difficulty to contact the Access office of the college they are attending to see what supports may be available.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (301)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:301. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has plans to introduce an apprenticeship for tiling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8459/24]
View answerWritten answers
In the pre-2016 model, tiling registration numbers were too low to consider a specialised apprentice programme to be viable. However, I intend to meet the Tiling Association of Ireland shortly who are exploring the possibility of developing a new tiling apprenticeship under the consortium-led model.
Student Accommodation
Questions (302)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:302. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the availability of student accommodation in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8546/24]
View answerWritten answers
Last month, I received Government approval for my Department's long-term student accommodation policy approach. The long term vision is to ensure that availability of student accommodation and digs do not act as a barrier to accessing higher education. This policy aims to enable options to mitigate demand for accommodation given the increased accessibility of HEIs across the regions through the TU's and the role enhanced transport links can play.
Investment is being provided, through the HEA, to undertake a feasibility study for student accommodation in key regional areas, including County Clare. The objective of the feasibility study is to:
• establish an accurate “as is” account of available student accommodation supply available in private rented units, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and rent a room schemes;
• project future supply and demand for accommodation in both PSBA and private rented on a national and regional level and within each Technological University (TU) catchment area;
• and to progress proposals to meet the future demand for student accommodation through either new-build PSBA, leasing, acquisition or refurbishing/redevelopment of existing sites.
To date, the study has involved extensive data-gathering across all TUs, Universities and Colleges, comprising a data collection framework, 1-to-1 meetings with HEI representatives, and a centralised student survey on student accommodation. Phase two of the feasibility study commenced this month to design and assess a frame work for student accommodation for the TU sector and mechanisms for delivery of accommodation.
I also understand that all higher education institutions continue to support their students to find suitable accommodation. All institutions, including the Technological University of the Shannon, maintain online databases or private accommodation lists where students can search for accommodation, advertisements for room rentals can be placed and advice on sample rental agreements provided. Institutions are actively promoting this option in their localities. You can access TUS's listings here: tussu.ie/current-listings/
Community Development Projects
Questions (303)
Niall Collins
Question:303. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she can help a community project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8501/24]
View answerWritten answers
The project referred to by the Deputy received a funding allocation under the Community Recognition Fund. This fund supports towns and villages nationwide that have shown such generosity in welcoming people from Ukraine and other countries.
The Community Recognition Fund is administered locally by each local authority. A funding proposal, comprising projects selected and prioritised locally, was submitted to my Department by each local authority for final approval.
Proposals were required to be developed locally following direct engagement with impacted communities and consultation with the Municipal Districts, Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and the local Community Response Fora.
The project referred to by the Deputy was selected by the relevant local authority. In most authorities, the level of funding sought far exceeded the available budget and each local authority sought to prioritise projects based on identified priorities and gaps in local infrastructure.
The project referred to, which relates to community childcare services, requested funding of €350,000 and a decision was made at local authority level to propose funding of €149,485. I understand that the project costs have risen further in the interim. There is no provision for additional funding to be provided for individual projects under this fund over and above their original allocation. I would encourage the group referred to by the Deputy to engage with their local authority to explore the impact of the increased costs on project delivery.
I also understand that the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the funding of school age childcare services.
Rural Schemes
Questions (304)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:304. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when funding for the local improvement scheme will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8537/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not usually 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 makes an essential contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland. I am also committed to improving connectivity for rural residents – whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities.
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 over 20,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.
From 2017 to 2023, a total of €10.1 million has been allocated to Cork County Council to fund works carried out on over 200 roads. This is the third-highest allocation nationally. In 2023, over €2.7m was allocated to Cork for repair and maintenance works on 47 roads.
Last year alone, almost €30 million in funding was allocated to local authorities across the country - a record investment under the Scheme. A total of €13.55 million has been allocated to LIS in 2024, an increase of €1 million from the initial funding last year. My Department is currently finalising the scheme details for the coming year and I expect to be in a position to announce it shortly.
I will closely monitor the expenditure patterns in my Department, and should savings emerge, I will consider allocating additional funding to the scheme.