Ivana Bacik
Question:307. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of abolishing prescription charges for all medical card holders. [13436/24]
View answerPrescriptions Charges
Questions (307)
Written answers
Prescription charges were introduced in the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2010. On 1 November 2020, prescription charges were reduced as follows:
• For those aged over 70, €1 per item with a maximum charge of €10 per month.
• For those aged under 70, €1.50 per item with a maximum charge of €15 per month.
On the basis that the prescription charge income for 2023 was €91.8m, the abolition of prescription charges would be expected to cost in excess of that.
This costing does not take account of changes in demographics or in eligibility numbers (i.e., changes in the number of medical card holders). It also does not take account of how the abolition of prescription charges may impact on claimant behaviour.
Health Services
Questions (308)
Ivana Bacik
Question:308. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reducing the drugs payment scheme to a €60 threshold per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13437/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.
The DPS threshold was reduced twice in 2022:
• From €114 to €100 per month on 1 January 2022.
• From €100 to €80 per month on 1 March 2022.
Therefore, currently, under the DPS, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines/medical items. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
The estimated cost of reducing the DPS threshold to €60 per month is €39m per annum. This costing does not take account of demographic changes, changes in eligibility (e.g., loss of medical cards), or how the reduction in the threshold may impact claimant behaviour.
Health Promotion
Questions (309)
Ivana Bacik
Question:309. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the amount of annual funding budgeted for the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 to conduct its annual activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13438/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the HSE is leading on implementation of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026, this is a service matter and I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Action 1.4 of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 is to "Develop and deliver an annual SunSmart communications plan to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention behaviours". The SunSmart campaign has run in 2021, 2022, 2023 and planning is currently underway for 2024. This campaign is rolled out across social media, radio and digital audio. The Department, through Healthy Ireland, has co-funded this campaign with the HSE every year, and allocations are outlined in the table below.
|
Year |
Allocation |
|
2021 |
60K |
|
2022 |
60K |
|
2023 |
60K |
|
2024 |
75K |
Public Procurement Contracts
Questions (310)
John McGuinness
Question:310. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the minimum value for the supply of goods or services to the HSE that requires the HSE to seek tenders via a public procurement process; if he is satisfied that the HSE is compliant with all Government regulations and policy relative to procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13450/24]
View answerAwaiting reply from the Department.
Health Services
Questions (311)
Róisín Shortall
Question:311. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the amounts paid to each of the private diagnostics providers under the GP access to the community diagnostics scheme in each of the years since its launch in 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13465/24]
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 Waiting Lists
Questions (312)
Steven Matthews
Question:312. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to significant waiting lists for orthodontic treatment in the national maxillofacial unit in St. James's Hospital; if staffing levels are at the required level in all positions in this unit; what processes are in place to attempt to reduce wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13477/24]
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 Services
Questions (313)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:313. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a dedicated outpatient neurology service is provided by a consultant neurologist at Letterkenny University Hospital to avoid the need for neurology patients in Donegal to have to travel long distances for care. [13481/24]
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 (314)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:314. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13508/24]
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (315)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:315. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress update on the HSE recruitment freeze; when this recruitment freeze is likely to be lifted; if he will provide data, in tabular form, on waiting lists across adult mental health services compared to before the freeze was implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13512/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
Home Help Service
Questions (316)
Richard Bruton
Question:316. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the number of man hours allocated to provide home help and homecare services; and the number of persons receiving those services in 2000, 2010, 2020 and allocated for 2024. [13524/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Home Help Service
Questions (317)
Richard Bruton
Question:317. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the steps necessary to be taken to put in place a national statutory homecare scheme; and the date on which he hopes to reach each milestone. [13525/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government commits to "Introduce a statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes, which will provide equitable access to high quality, regulated home care".
In 2024, the Department of Health is focused on continuing the development of a regulatory framework for providers of home support services which aims to ensure that service users are provided with regulated care. Work is ongoing within the Department across four broad areas to progress this commitment: Regulation of home support providers; working with the HSE to develop a reformed model of service delivery for home support; the examination of future funding options for home-support services; Implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group.
Regulation of home support providers
Development of a General Scheme to regulate home support services is now at an advanced stage with the Heads of Bill currently being finalised in advance of submitting to Government.
The Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill is expected to be enacted in 2024 and will establish a licensing system for providers of home support services (public, private and not-for-profit). The regulations will set out the minimum requirements that a home support provider must meet to obtain a license and will confer on the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the authority to grant, amend and ultimately revoke a license if home support providers fail to meet minimum requirements set out in regulations and quality standards.
Transitional timelines are currently being finalised for the registration of home support providers under this framework. Additionally, HIQA is currently developing standards for home support providers which are planned to go out for public consultation in 2024.
Reformed Model of Service Delivery
The DoH is working in partnership with the HSE and others on the continuing reform of the model of service delivery for home support. Funding has been provided for establishment of a National Home Support Office and the Head of Service, and a number of other posts have been recruited. Work is ongoing regarding the development of an IT system which will enhance the quality and efficiency of service delivery.
The HSE will prioritise implementation of interRAI care needs assessment as the single assessment tool for home support services and have included 18,100 interRAI assessments in the 2024 HSE Service Plan. The testing of interRAI in 4 pilot sites provided learning regarding operational aspects of home support services. The Centre for Effective Services evaluation report May 2023 included a list of recommendations to support interRAI rollout nationally. The Department of Health are monitoring implementation plans in order that a single assessment tool will underpin person centred services and appropriate, equitable and timely resource allocation.
Funding
The Department of Health is currently examining a range of funding options for home support. The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) undertook a programme of work on behalf of the Department of Health on the potential demand for, and cost of, home support.
www.esri.ie/publications/home-support-services-in-ireland-exchequer-and-distributional-impacts-of-funding
www.esri.ie/publications/demand-for-the-statutory-home-care-scheme.
A rapid response from the European Observatory on Health Systems was commissioned and published in March 2023. It is titled: “Improving Home Care Sustainability in Ireland. Are user charges a promising option?”
eurohealthobservatory.who.int/publications/i/improving-home-care-sustainability-in-ireland-are-user-charges-a-promising-option.
Further research is currently underway to enhance the evidence base.
Workforce
Delivering this enhanced capacity requires substantial recruitment and strategic workforce challenges are in evidence in the sector. The Government has started implementing the 16 recommendations of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group set up to examine these challenges in the sector.
Implementation of the 16 recommendations is underway by a cross departmental group, chaired by the Department of Health. The group meets quarterly and publishes progress reports thereafter. A meeting was held on 1st February 2024 with updates to be published shortly. The most recent progress report was published in October 2023. which can be viewed below:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/66dd1-strategic-workforce-advisory-group-on-home-carers-and-nursing-home-healthcare-assistants/.
Home Help Service
Questions (318)
Richard Bruton
Question:318. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has carried out an audit of the assistive technology that is now available to support care in the home; if he has assessed the feasibility in each case of supporting their use to better manage care in the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13526/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provide an extensive range of aids and appliances to individuals living with a wide variety of different medical conditions. These support individuals to continue living within their communities and to enjoy a greater quality of life than would otherwise be the case. The Community Funded Schemes is the collective name for the provision of these products and services.
The overall ambition of the Community Funded Schemes is to utilise technology to its fullest extent to support people living in their communities and in their homes where they may require healthcare assistance.
The HSE established a National Service Improvement Programme for the Community Funded Schemes. This Programme has been working on the development of standard operating procedures and guidelines with the aim of ensuring value for money, equity of access, and a management system that ensures compliance with those guidelines. The scale of this Programme is enormous given that many thousands of items are provided from community-based services across the country.
The Programme has produced a national list of aids and appliances and associated prescribing criteria. This is available at:
www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/primarycare/community-funded-schemes/aids-and-appliances/.
This should improve the equity of access to appropriate aids and appliances, following assessment, for all eligible persons, including those requiring care in their homes.
My Department will continue to examine both the expenditure and activity under the Community Funded Schemes.
Health Services
Questions (319)
Richard Bruton
Question:319. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the estimated proportion of consultations with GPs, with medical consultants, with nurse practitioners and with therapists which were conducted at their peak during Covid; the extent to which this has been sustained as practices have returned to normal; if he has undertaken a review to see whether such approaches should take a more prominent position in future care; and the barriers which may need to be overcome to achieve that. [13527/24]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Health Services
Questions (320)
Richard Bruton
Question:320. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has conducted any census of carers to identify the circumstances of their care, their access to information and support, their age profile, and their capacity to continue; if he will indicate where the findings may be obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13528/24]
View answerWritten answers
Carers are key enablers for Government policy to support people to live with dignity and independence in homes and communities of their choosing for as long as possible by providing vital care to some of our most vulnerable citizens, including children and adults with disabilities, older people, people living with chronic illnesses or with palliative care needs, mental ill-health, or addiction.
The National Carers' Strategy 2012 is designed around a core vision which recognises and respects carers as key care partners who are supported to maintain their own health and well-being, care with confidence and participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.
One of the Strategy's goals was to establish tools to identify the circumstances of their care, their access to information and support, their age profile, and their capacity to continue their valuable work. My Department cooperates with many stakeholders, like the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), to achieve it.
As a result, starting from the 2016 census there is a detailed profile of carers and cared for persons published on the CSO website, www.cso.ie. A module on carers and social reports was also included as part of the Irish Health Survey 2019, conducted by the CSO. Another source of dedicated reports compiled in cooperation with my Department can be found on the TILDA website, www.tilda.tcd.ie.
On 4 March 2024, the HSE published its final evaluation report of the Family Carer Needs Assessment pilot carried out in CHO2. This pilot programme examined the use of the InterRAI Family Carer Needs Assessment (FCNA) from September 2021-September 2023. The purpose of the pilot was to test the implementation of the FCNA tool, to assess carers’ needs including differences in needs between care groups and at two different time points six months apart, to provide supports and services in response to reported needs where feasible, to examine outcomes with a repeat assessment, and to assess the use and appropriateness of the tool from the perspective of health professionals. My Department is currently examining the findings of the evaluation report.
Health Services
Questions (321)
Richard Bruton
Question:321. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the performance reports which he receives on the HSE's enhanced community care initiatives and its component elements to illustrate its reach, its intensity and its impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13529/24]
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.
Health Promotion
Questions (322)
Richard Bruton
Question:322. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health whether he has received reports on the evolution of the indicators in the Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework instituted in 2018 to date; and whether the impact of Covid and the return to more normal conditions illustrates challenges for public policy in this area. [13530/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework underpins and collates data for key wellbeing indicators. These indicators form a core evidence base that informs implementation of the Healthy Ireland Framework 2013-2025, and the subsequent Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan, 2021-2025.
The Outcomes Framework is based on a conceptual model for health and wellbeing which incorporates health status, health outcomes and determinants of health and wellbeing across the life course. It acknowledges the interdependencies between what we are trying to achieve in health and other policy areas, such as education, employment, transport, environment, planning and social protection, where there are significant shared agendas.
The range of indicators work together to create an overall picture of national and societal health and wellbeing, and to inform ongoing policy in this area.
The original Outcomes Framework was published in late 2018; the initial indicator set was later augmented with an additional set of indicators which were published as part of the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan in 2021. The first Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework report was published in late 2022 and can be viewed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/030396-healthy-ireland-outcomes-framework/.
The Department will commence work on another Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework report this year; this will be published in due course. The Healthy Ireland team are also working with colleagues across the Department to support and inform the Health System Performance Assessment Framework, which is available online and provides a wide range of health metrics. www.hspa.gov.ie/.
We are represented on the inter-Departmental Group, overseeing the Government Well-Being Framework, which is led by the Departments of the Taoiseach and Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The Well-being Framework for Ireland is available at the following link; www.gov.ie/en/publication/b2e0f-understanding-life-in-ireland-the-well-being-framework-2023/ .
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been captured to some extent by the first Outcomes Framework Report. There are also more detailed data sources available; for example, the Healthy Ireland Survey, which is published annually. Healthy Ireland also supports the Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children Study.
The 2021-2023 Healthy Ireland Survey reports are available on the Healthy Ireland website and capture many of the main impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2022 Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children Report will be published on April 10th, 2024.
Future content of the Healthy Ireland Survey is revised each year, and a new Questionnaire developed, by an expert Advisory Group. Some of the possible impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and other significant events, such as the cost-of-living crisis, have been captured by recent Surveys, following input to the Advisory Group and Questionnaire by policy experts.
The indicator suite for the Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework is kept under regular review; consideration will be given to extending and revising this as part of forthcoming work, over the next 2 years or so, to renew the Healthy Ireland Framework and Strategic Action Plan. This will commence within the next year.
Health Services
Questions (323)
Richard Bruton
Question:323. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the scale of the social prescribing initiative undertaken by the HSE in terms of resources deployed, people reached and impact of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13531/24]
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.
Health Strategies
Questions (324)
Richard Bruton
Question:324. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the actions outlined in the Positive Ageing Strategy of 2013 were achieved; the areas where achievement fell short of expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13532/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to supporting positive ageing across the life course as well as to ensuring that older people can continue to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This commitment is enshrined in the National Positive Ageing Strategy, which provides a blueprint for promoting older people’s engagement in economic, social, cultural and community life and for fostering inter-generational solidarity.Recognising the need for a whole-of-society approach to supporting positive ageing, the Strategy’s implementation is a whole-of-government endeavour. This has been advanced through a wide range of initiatives developed and delivered in partnership with the community and voluntary sector.My Department’s Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI) was initiated in 2015 to support the monitoring of the Strategy’s implementation through the collation and analysis of indicators on older persons’ health and wellbeing. In addition, three annual stakeholder fora were held in 2017, 2018 and 2019 to support engagement in the areas of participation, health, and security (2017); living well in the community, health education and literacy, and older people and transport (2018); and older people and transport; living well in the community; and HaPAI (2019) respectively.However, despite this good progress, we recognise that there remain significant challenges, which the COVID-19 pandemic has set in relief and which will be exacerbated as our population ages. It is within this context that, on 3rd October 2023, the Government approved the proposal, which the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and I brought forward, for the establishment of an independent Commission on Care for Older People. €1.243 million was allocated in Budget 2024 to support the Commission’s work.The Commission will examine the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and make recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a Cross-Departmental Group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports.On 14th December 2023 the Minister for Health and I announced the appointment of Professor Alan Barrett (Chief Executive Officer, Economic and Social Research Institute) as the Chairman of the Commission. On 29th February 2024 we announced the appointment of the other members of the Commission, all of whom are also independent experts.The inaugural meeting of the Commission is scheduled to be convened on 21st March 2024.
Care Services
Questions (325)
Richard Bruton
Question:325. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has undertaken a manpower review of current and upcoming needs for care assistants who could support nursing home care or homecare; the predicted needs over the next ten years; the capacity to meet those needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13554/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Legislative Measures
Questions (326)
Richard Bruton
Question:326. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has considered amending health insurance legislation to encourage more insurers into the support of preventative health measures and improved management of continuing health vulnerabilities among their members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13555/24]
View answerWritten answers
In Ireland private health insurance is focused on inpatient coverage and operates under four key principles – community rating, open enrolment, lifetime cover and minimum benefits.
In a community rated voluntary private health insurance market, everyone pays the same price for a particular health insurance policy. This is long established government policy and ensures that health insurance policies are affordable and available to consumers.
The Health Insurance Act, 1994 (Minimum Benefit) Regulations 1996, requires insurers to offer a minimum benefit to in every insurance policy. The key purpose of the Regulations is to ensure the continued availability of the type of broad hospital cover traditionally held as a minimum by the insured population and to ensure that individuals do not significantly under insure. This approach is designed to be equitable and fair, by ensuring that all consumers obtain an appropriate minimum level of health insurance cover regardless of what plan they purchase.
Services and products provided outside of minimum benefits, are provided on the basis of commercial decisions made by Private Health Insurers. The Minister for Health does not have a role in the commercial decision making of any private health insurer.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (327)
Róisín Shortall
Question:327. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 304 of 29 February 2024, in relation to the vaccine damage scheme, if he will give an assurance that the two-year statute of limitations rule will not adversely impact those who will likely have a claim under this scheme, due to delays in the introduction of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13557/24]
View answerWritten answers
As I previously advised, work is ongoing to design a proposed model for a vaccine damage scheme and officials in my department are working through related policy matters. The development of the model will take into consideration how best to address the needs of all stakeholders including those persons who may fall outside of the two year statute of limitations. Once the model is developed I will bring it to Cabinet for approval.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (328)
Ged Nash
Question:328. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the work of his Department on the provisions of the National Minimum Wage (Inclusion of Apprentices) Bill 2023 and based on the Government’s decision on a timed amendment to second stage of the Bill in the debate on the Bill in Seanad Éireann on 3 May 2023; if he will set out the next stage in the process of the Government’s consideration of the measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13420/24]
View answerWritten answers
In 2023, Government sought a timed amendment for a Private Members Bill to explore bringing apprentices within the scope of the National Minimum Wage Acts.
Following this, the Department for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science has commissioned research regarding apprenticeship pay, and further analysis will be commissioned by the National Apprenticeship Office in coming months.
The Department will engage and consult with social partners and other stakeholders on the results of the commissioned research and analysis.
National minimum wage policy and the National Minimum Wage Acts is the under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (329)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:329. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if option 1 (details supplied) was used for calculating the amount due for those in receipt of the award of no maintenance 50% SUSI contribution; if so, the reason option 2 was not considered which would have had a greater reduction in the net amount due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13462/24]
View answerWritten answers
In Budget 2024, as part of one off funded cost of living measures, I was pleased to secure a reduction of up to €1,000 in the student contribution payable by free fees eligible undergraduate students for academic year 2023/24.
Through this measure the Government reduced the amount payable by free fees eligible students to their institution from €3,000 to €2,000 in academic year 2023/24. This reduction was achieved by the provision of up to €1,000, for each free fees eligible student, to the Higher Education Institutions.
The appropriate revisions to the student contribution supports available under the student grant scheme, as administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), were based on the revised student contribution rate of €2,000 as follows:
50% Student Contribution Grant
• Under the Budget 2024 measure the State provided a once off payment of €1,000 to the HEI (reducing the student contribution to €2,000).
• SUSI paid €1,000 to the HEI on behalf of the student in line with the 50% grant (50% of €2,000).
• The balance of the student contribution to be paid was €1,000.
100% Student Contribution Grant:
• Under the Budget 2024 measure the State provided a once off payment of €1,000 to the HEI (reducing the contribution to €2,000).
• SUSI paid €2,000 to the HEI (100% of €2,000)
• The balance of the student contribution to be paid was €0, no change to original position.
€500 student contribution grant:
• Under the Budget 2024 measure the State provided a once off payment of €1,000 to the HEI (reducing the contribution to €2,000).
• SUSI paid €500 to the HEI.
• The balance of the student contribution to be paid was €1,500.
International Students
Questions (330)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:330. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the restriction for international students becoming a sabbatical officer in a Union or as a society's auditor students due to Stamp 2 visas' terms of employment and engagement in business or trade, and if he has any plans to change this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13371/24]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with the conditions set out by the Department of Justice relating to Stamp 2 visas, international students are granted permission to engage in casual employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during academic term and 40 hours per week during holidays, and must not engage in any other business or trade while residing in Ireland.
Matters relating to visa conditions and restrictions are the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and her Department. I am not aware of any proposals to make changes to these conditions.
Education and Training Boards
Questions (331)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:331. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science can he provide in tabular form the full list of ETBs broken down by county, and an email address for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13372/24]
View answerWritten answers
The details requested are set out in the attached table.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (332)
Brendan Smith
Question:332. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposals, if any, there are to increase capacity and availability of courses in digital forensics, in view of the threats to society posed by the proliferation of misinformation through social media platforms and the need to tackle such abuses; if his Department is funding research into such issues; if so, the type of research; if it is in collaboration with other agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13483/24]
View answerWritten answers
At present there are 13 courses across the HE system which include digital forensics as a key focus, with an average of c. 300 graduates in the discipline per annum. I have not received a proposal in relation to increasing provision in Digital Forensics. However, my Department is committed to engaging with all Departments and industry representative bodies to support them in their workforce planning needs.
My officials meet regularly with colleagues in other Government Departments on workforce planning.
This collaboration is vital – and my Department stands ready to help others articulate the workforce needs, and establish whether increased provision is required. The establishment of mechanisms allowing for consistent engagement in relation to workforce planning needs for the public sector has been one of my priorities as Minister.
Ireland’s whole-of-Government approach to our digital agenda, including at EU and international level, ensures coherent and impactful delivery. The Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment drives the implementation of Harnessing Digital, supported by a Senior Officials Group on Digital Issues, and other sub-groups. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders plays a central part, including regular industry engagement via the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, as well as with regulators through the Digital Regulators Group. My Department engages closely in this work.
Ireland takes its role in enforcing digital regulation seriously, and through Harnessing Digital the Government is re-enforcing Ireland’s commitment to a cohesive, well-resourced regulatory framework so as to effectively oversee and enforce regulations. This includes our commitment to ensuring the provision of necessary resources and legislation, as, for example, with the Digital Services Act. Through the DSA and Harnessing Digital my Department supports the work of An Coimisiún na Meán in enforcing the rules set in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill on misinformation.
As such, combating the proliferation of misinformation is a key focus on a whole of government basis in 2024.
Several projects have been funded via the SFI Discover Education and Public Engagement programme over the last five years that investigate these themes, in HEIs such as TCD, MTU, UL, DCU and TUS, in particular engaging with young people on topics such as:
• Digital Well-being and teenage social media engagement
• AI_InMyLife: AI, Ethics & Privacy Transition Year Workshops
• Cyber Skills Careers
Further and Higher Education
Questions (333)
Brendan Smith
Question:333. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current position regarding a proposed building project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13484/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Cavan Monaghan ETB (CMETB) were supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Cavan town under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
CMETB submitted their business case for their FET College of the Future major project to SOLAS in January of this year, and as part of this business case, CMETB have undertaken significant work in developing a proposal that outlines the infrastructure needs for their region.
The Cavan town proposal is one of twelve FET College of the Future major project proposals that are now being considered by SOLAS and my Department under criteria such as value for money, affordability, strategic policy and priority alignment. These business cases will also need to be evaluated in line with the requirements of the infrastructure guidelines.
SOLAS will continue to work closely with relevant ETBs including CMETB in progressing their FET College of the Future Major Project fund proposals to achieve the development of required infrastructure that meet the needs of their FET learners.
The Deputy will be aware that in order to address interim accommodation needs, I approved the acquisition and fit out of a substantial modular unit for CMETB at a cost of €5.8m. This facilitated the opening of the new Education and Training Facility for Cavan Institute at CMETB FET Campus in 2023. This facility gives 300 students access to a range of PLC programmes and will allow for the further growth of Cavan Institute to offer state of the art facilities for students and staff.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Questions (334)
Brendan Smith
Question:334. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress to date in intensifying co-operation on a cross-Border and all-Ireland basis in further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13485/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to the development of deep and meaningful North-South collaborations across the tertiary education system.
For example, I was delighted that an all-island Accounting Technologist Apprenticeship Programme was validated for delivery in Northern Ireland in 2023 and the National Apprenticeship Office is supporting development of the programme in Ireland by an all-island Industry Consortium Steering Group.
Furthermore, I am excited about the opportunities for cross-border collaboration under the EU PEACEPLUS programme. The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has recently issued a call for proposals to address skills development, and this will provide further opportunity to strengthen collaboration. The results of the process will be available later this year, and I am confident that education and training providers will respond positively to this call.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (335)
Brendan Smith
Question:335. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional places proposed to be in place for the next academic year in medicine, nursing and other healthcare professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13486/24]
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Ensuring an expanded number of third level places in healthcare programmes is a priority for my Department. It is important to note that Higher Education Institutions are autonomous and the Department does not place a cap on the number of places. This is decided by the relevant Higher Education Institution in line with their capacity.
In February 2024, along with Minister Donnelly, I announced an agreement reached with Queen's University Belfast, for the funding of twenty five (25) additional medical places for qualifying students from Ireland or Northern Ireland in Queen's from September 2024. These places will be co-funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Health. Students who take up one of these places will commit to applying and accepting, if offered, a position in the HSE as an intern at the end of their studies.
Last September also saw an increase of 460 places on healthcare programmes, this included an additional 60 places in Medicine. These places are permanent additions to our system. In relation to nursing, 255 places were added to the system in September 2023, on top of 135 additional nursing places added in 2022. One hundred and forty seven places (147) were also added across a range of prioritised allied health disciplines including Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Clinical Measurement Science and Medical Science. This was on top of 126 places in 2022.
Nursing is also now available as a tertiary programme through ATU with the first intake of students on this programme commencing in September 2023 with 20 places available in each of the ATU’s campuses at ATU Donegal, St Angela’s in Sligo and ATU in Mayo. Tertiary programmes enable students to begin their programmes in further education colleges, and continue to complete their degree in a higher education institution.
I was also pleased to recently announce a range of additional healthcare programmes to be offered as tertiary programmes from September 2024 including a Bachelor of Science in Applied Health and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Health Promotion through SETU and KWETB. A Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing and General Nursing will also be offered via Cork ETB, Kerry ETB and MTU Kerry.
Further information on all of these programmes is available on the NTO website at National Tertiary Office (hea.ie)
In July 2022, Minister Donnelly and I announced an agreement with the Irish Medical Schools which saw the addition of 200 places for EU students in our medical schools. These places are being introduced on a phased basis up to 2026, with 60 places added in September 2022, 60 places in September 2023, 40 places in September 2024 and 20 places in both September 2025 and September 2026.
With the ongoing expansion in places across the six medical schools here, and the places at Queen’s University Belfast, by September 2024 an increase of 25% in medicine places for students will have been delivered relative to September 2021.
A number of institutions have put forward proposals outlining options for the expansion of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry and Veterinary programmes but also for the development of entirely new programme following last year’s Higher Education Authority Expression of Interest process. Engagements are now underway with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital investment to enable this expansion. I will continue to work with my colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to the options identified.