Parliamentary questions

Ombudsman for Children

Martin Browne

54. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the actions she plans to take following comments by the Ombudsman for Children at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Petitions that in assessing school places for children with special educational needs, local knowledge appears not to fit into a national plan to allow every area to get the funding they require from within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23893/24]

Departmental Funding

Martin Browne

406. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on additional funding sources to enable the office of the Ombudsman for Children to contribute to the working of the new strategy combatting domestic and gender-based violence; the reason for the delay in providing the funding; if consideration is being given to reach an arrangement with the Ombudsman for Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23918/24]

Nursing Homes

Martin Browne

454. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the status of plans for a community nursing unit in Cashel; to provide an update on the status of investigations into a site (details supplied); if progress has been made; when a decision is expected to be arrived at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23767/24]

Departmental Data

Martin Browne

493. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing posts approved at Tipperary University Hospital, by discipline; the number of nursing posts filled; the number of vacant nursing posts, by discipline; the number of posts that have been left vacant since the introduction of the recruitment ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24064/24]

Departmental Data

Martin Browne

494. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the 70 nursing vacancies at Tipperary University Hospital, as revealed by an organisation (details supplied); his views on how this affects the framework of safe nurse staffing in medical and surgical wards at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24065/24]

School Staff

Martin Browne

286. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if she will consider sanctioning the additional AP1 and AP2 positions for a school (details supplied) from September 2024 rather than September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22458/24]

Ombudsman for Children

Martin Browne

424. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on additional funding sources to enable the office of the Ombudsman for Children to contribute to the working of the new strategy combatting domestic and gender-based violence; the reason for the delay in providing the funding despite assurances that it would be given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22460/24]

International Protection

Martin Browne

503. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the stage at which the assessment of a facility (details supplied) as a potential site for IPAS applicants is currently at; the engagement his Department has had with Tipperary County Council, the HSE, local representatives and service providers to ascertain adequacy of services in the area to cope with additional demand; if a process of public engagement is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22503/24]

Road Projects

Martin Browne

81. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for the delay in providing the funding needed to allow for the continuation of work on designing the upgrade to the Cahir to Limerick Junction section of the N24 road project; if he is aware that the funding received for the project to date is diminishing and the remaining funding is needed immediately to quell concerns that, otherwise, this section of the project may stall; when the funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22069/24]

Road Projects

Martin Browne

92. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for not providing an allocation to progress the N24 Waterford to Cahir transportation scheme, for which Tipperary County Council requires €2.53 million for 2024 to continue progress, and a further €5.4 million to complete the design and bring the project through An Bord Pleanála; his views on the fact seven homes are in planning limbo as long as the project remains suspended; his views on how the non-provision of funding will affect the poor road safety record of the N24 in its current state; his further views on how the non-provision of funding reflects on the €5.07 million spent to date on the current scheme; if he will reconsider the decision to withhold funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22070/24]

Business Supports

Martin Browne

100. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the funding assistance available to develop business projects on bogs by the owners of these sites in light of their discontinued use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22206/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Martin Browne

238. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria that would enable parents of children in need of autism assessments to secure funding to avail of a private practitioner; the funding streams available to parents of children in need of a range of therapies that cannot be assessed through CDNT teams due to staffing shortages or lengthy waiting lists, to alternatively avail of the services of a private practitioner; if additional access to the private sector in these situations is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22215/24]

Citizenship Applications

Martin Browne

470. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the status and progress being made in respect of a citizenship application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21783/24]

Health Services Staff

Martin Browne

485. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the staffing numbers for the Cashel minor injuries unit for the years 2020 to 2023, inclusive, and to date in 2024, broken down by profession; to confirm whether the recruitment ban is resulting in departing staff not being replaced; if all departing staff are being replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20113/24]

Health Services

Martin Browne

597. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to provide a detailed account of the work to be undertaken by the support team recently announced to address the current pressures on health services in the mid-west region; to provide any terms of reference under which they operate; to outline how their role relates to UHL, Ennis Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Nenagh Hospital individually; if the team is examining the role and the current circumstances relating to community health care provision and the nature of the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20683/24]

Eating Disorders

Martin Browne

60. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to outline the approach that parents of children with ARFID can take to secure the services needed to address the condition; how parents of children with ARFID are advised to secure the services needed in the absence of the condition not being included in the NICE guidelines for Eating Disorders (2017 or 2020 update); if he plans to identify and develop specific pathways for the treatment of children with ARFID in the context of the HSE’s assertion that management of children with ARFID in Ireland requires a collaborative working between professionals and would involve working between the acute hospital sector and HSE community healthcare divisions such as primary care, disability and mental health; how that management process can work efficiently in light of a lack of dietitians across primary care, outpatient paediatrics and community mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19809/24]

Eating Disorders

Martin Browne

65. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the difficulties of families of children with ARFID including a person (details supplied) to access a dietician and other relevant staff in areas where community teams lack such staff; the impact this and overall staff shortages has on the management of children with eating and feeding disorders; the difficulties that the families of such children experience in securing the services of a paediatric consultant to work with CDNTs when a child has immediate needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19810/24]

Passport Services

Martin Browne

66. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to a passport application (details supplied) given that the required documentation as requested by the Department has been submitted. [19590/24]

Invasive Species Policy

Martin Browne

208. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on calls for the suspension of log imports from Scotland, in light of the most recent detection of the bark beetle; to outline the possibility that arises that the bark beetle may have been introduced here from produce imported from Scotland’s pest-free area; the biosecurity measures in place to prevent the introduction of alien species to Ireland and how they compare to best international standards, if such standards are taken into account; the measures that will be employed to prevent any further instances in which the bark beetle is identified here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19623/24]

Invasive Species Policy

Martin Browne

209. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details on the volume of spruce with bark present imported from Scotland in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19624/24]

Derelict Sites

Martin Browne

218. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide an update on the extension of the local authority home loan to include derelict properties. [18656/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Martin Browne

1062. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total amount spent by the Health Service Executive on the regional assessment of need hubs in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13690/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Martin Browne

1063. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of needs accepted by the regional assessment of need hubs in 2023; and the number of assessments completed by the regional hubs in 2023. [13691/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Martin Browne

1064. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of need outsourced in 2023; the total cost of these outsourced assessments of need in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13692/24]

Disability Services

Martin Browne

1107. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current children's disability network team, CDNT, whole-time equivalent, WTE, vacancies across each of the teams in CHO 5; the number of administrative posts vacant; the number of approved posts in each of the teams; and the actions that are being taken to address those vacancies, in tabular form. [14258/24]

Hospital Services

Martin Browne

1225. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he was aware of the reported removal of five patients at UHL to other healthcare facilities locally in order to free up space during high presentations during March; if he can confirm the veracity of those reports and if such instances were confined to five patients; whether those patients were removed during night-time hours; if he can confirm whether those patients and their families were given adequate notice and information concerning the move; if the relocation of these patients in the manner concerned conforms with best clinical practice; if the matter is being investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13683/24]

Mental Health Services

Martin Browne

1226. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the current WTE filled and vacant in each South Tipperary CAMHS team, broken down by discipline, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13686/24]

Mental Health Services

Martin Browne

1227. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals received by each CAMHS team in south Tipperary in 2023; the number of those referrals that were accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13687/24]

Mental Health Services

Martin Browne

1228. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the numbers of referrals to the South East CAMHS-ID team in 2023; and the number of those referrals accepted. [13688/24]

Mental Health Services

Martin Browne

1229. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the WTE posts currently allocated and the number of those posts vacant, in the South East CAMHS-ID team, broken down by discipline, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13689/24]

Home Help Service

Martin Browne

1332. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to increasing the travel allowance for home care support workers given the increased cost of fuel has not been matched with an increase in the travelling allowance; his views on the situation at present regarding the impact of this shortfall on workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14217/24]

Hospital Overcrowding

Martin Browne

1340. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the suspension of planned surgeries, procedures and appointments at the UL Hospitals Group to facilitate surge capacity at the constituent hospitals in the mid-west; the measures to be introduced to perform those procedures at the earliest date possible; to provide data on the number of and type of cancelled surgeries and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12121/24]

Health Services

Martin Browne

1363. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason neuro physiotherapy services are not available in the mid-west (details supplied). [12293/24]

Health Services

Martin Browne

1445. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 330 of 8 February 2024, in light of the increased number of people attending Cashel minor injuries unit, if projections are being formulated to forecast possible number for future years to ensure sufficient services and staff are allocated to deal with the increased numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12649/24]

Health Services

Martin Browne

1502. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the nature of the plans being considered to use the new community nursing unit in Nenagh to act as a step-down facility for certain patients at University Hospital Limerick; the engagement that the HSE has had with management and staff at St. Conlon’s community nursing unit in relation to the impact this will have upon them; the projected impacts this decision will have for the availability and number of community nursing unit beds in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13011/24]

Hospital Facilities

Martin Browne

1514. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress made in discussions concerning the potential acquisition of a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13087/24]

Nursing Homes

Martin Browne

1515. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the options being considered regarding long stay beds at a nursing home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13088/24]

Disability Services

Martin Browne

190. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if provision can be made to provide a family (details supplied) with some respite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11026/24]

Health Service Executive

Martin Browne

200. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress made by the HSE in their discussions with an organisation (details supplied) concerning a partnership to provide a service in the south Tipperary area; if the business plan on the same proposal submitted to the HSE by the organisation has been considered; to provide an update on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10880/24]

Bus Services

Martin Browne

312. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to raise the retirement age for Bus Éireann school bus drivers to bring it into line with Local Link and other providers' policies, and to allow those who want to keep working to do so. [10523/24]

Bus Services

Martin Browne

313. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education her plans to address the shortage of school bus drivers, and the impact this is having on students and their families each year. [10524/24]

Special Educational Needs

Martin Browne

330. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education , further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 20 February 2024, the number of post-primary schools that are currently without special classes; the number currently with fewer than four special classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10705/24]

International Protection

Martin Browne

591. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to address a shortfall of communication between CDNTs and families; if he is aware of dissatisfaction with the level of communication from the services to families in the south-east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10594/24]

Medicinal Products

Martin Browne

637. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if there is limited availability of the medicine betnesol; if access to the medication is possible for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10026/24]

Hospital Equipment

Martin Browne

712. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to address the impact the removal of the private MRI scanner at Tipperary University Hospital will have on public waiting lists; to provide details of the number of people waiting for MRI scans at TUH and the length of time they have been waiting on a three-monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10321/24]

Community Care

Martin Browne

153. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if assurances can be given that a full discharge plan and community care plan will be put in place to immediately provide transitional services for a family (details supplied) upon the discharge of their children from hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9494/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Martin Browne

491. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if a financial assessment of the costs of repurposing a hospital (details supplied) has been carried out or considered; if an estimate is available or can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8713/24]

Death Certificates

Martin Browne

31. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will engage with the South African Embassy concerning a death certificate application (detail supplied) submitted in 2018. where the applicant has yet to receive the death certificate more than four years afterwards. [8225/24]

Departmental Data

Martin Browne

276. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education to outline in detail the precise statistical data used by her Department when planning for future special class placements; the specific data collection process; the date on which the allocations of special classes will be announced in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7587/24]

School Transport

Martin Browne

315. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if the difficulties being experienced by students (details supplied) in securing school bus services can be addressed. [8031/24]