Parliamentary questions

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]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Martin Browne

366. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection if provision will be made to assess a family (details supplied) for carers allowance before their twin children return from hospital where their parents have been accompanying them since the birth of their children at great financial cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7553/24]

Emergency Departments

Martin Browne

525. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if an estimate has been carried out to determine the cost of reopening the emergency department at Nenagh Hospital; to produce any analysis of such a measure that may have been commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7428/24]

Health Services

Martin Browne

628. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.1368 of 7 November 2023, if details can be provided to the precise location of property being considered for purchase (details supplied); if he and the HSE will engage locally on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8044/24]

Hospital Facilities

Martin Browne

589. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the need to repurpose the nightingale beds at University Hospital Limerick to provide a more immediate increase in capacity at the hospital, rather than decommissioning them; to outline any engagements he has had on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6455/24]

Business Supports

Martin Browne

18. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on his engagement with the hospitality sector in 2024. [5673/24]

Export Controls

Martin Browne

58. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many dual-use licences were issued to exporters to trade in dual-use items with Israel since October 2023; if he has any concern that duel use items being traded with Israel are currently being used against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Israel-Hamas war; what actions his Department has taken under the Control of Exports Act 2008 to end this trade if these items are being used to target civilians and civilian infrastructure. [5674/24]

Hospital Services

Martin Browne

330. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of presentations to Cashel minor injuries unit each month in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of direct presentations initiated by the patient and the number of presentations based on referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5913/24]

Local Authorities

Martin Browne

46. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if the maintenance of roads on housing estates that have been taken in charge by local authorities are the responsibility of the local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme; his views on whether it is appropriate for local authorities to advise residents to apply for funding to repair those roads under the Community Involvement Scheme which involves contributions from the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53750/23]

Banking Sector

Martin Browne

109. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance the number of mortgage holders who have switched their mortgage from vulture funds to the mainstream mortgage market since 6 September 2023; and as a consequence, his assessment of the effectiveness of the switching eligibility criteria announced by the banking sector on that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4610/24]

Business Supports

Martin Browne

128. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is considering measures to support businesses with the increased cost of doing business through the taxation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4609/24]

International Protection

Martin Browne

485. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide the number of both IPAS applicants and Ukrainian refugees in Tipperary broken down per electoral district.
[4104/24]

International Protection

Martin Browne

503. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a clear account of the measures taken to ascertain the services available locally in Roscrea to facilitate the location of international protection applicants at the Racket Hall, Roscrea; the measures taken to bring those services in line with the availability needed; the engagement his Department had with Tipperary County Council on the matter; to provide a clear account of the level of engagement the department had with community groups, representatives or organisations regarding such plans in advance of decisions made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2400/24]

International Protection

Martin Browne

504. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a clear account of the measures that are taken by his Department to audit whether the services available in areas being considered to house international protection applicants have the capacity to deal with increased demand; to provide a clear account of how any deficiencies in those services is addressed to cater for an anticipated additional demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2401/24]

Departmental Properties

Martin Browne

622. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education to outline her Department’s responsibility for a building (details supplied) which was subject of a fire on 3 January 2024; the progress made to date; the status of plans to refurbish the building for other purposes; the estimated timeline to bring the property back into use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1341/24]

Housing Policy

Martin Browne

806. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to use modular housing to tackle the housing crisis, or to change the planning rules around this type of housing. [1214/24]

Agriculture Industry

Martin Browne

1233. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered the recent Bord Bia study “Market Potential for Irish Sheep Milk”; if he plans to act upon any of the recommendations contained within that report; if he acknowledges that there are opportunities available within the sheep milk sector if supported through many of the measures outlined; if he plans to pursue this opportunity, his next steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57174/23]

Substance Misuse

Martin Browne

1647. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE posts provided for the Substance Misuse Team in Clonmel, County Tipperary; the number of vacancies at the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1120/24]

Forestry Sector

Martin Browne

189. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the recommendations of the independent review group into his Department’s response to ash dieback disease are to be implemented; the progress made in assessing his Department’s response to these recommendations; when a decision is likely to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55670/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

308. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the criteria for the pandemic special recognition payment; and the grounds on which a distinction between home and residential care assistants in an organisation (details supplied) can be made. [54262/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Martin Browne

367. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for the carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) was rejected despite them providing full-time care to two older neighbours [53725/23]

Care Services

Martin Browne

594. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of people per county approved for homecare by the HSE but currently left without care due to the inability of the private providers to fulfil the hours; and his plans to address the lack of care assistants that is causing this shortage. [53724/23]