Written Answers Nos. 161-180
161. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that nursing home residents on the fair deal scheme are also being charged for extras that often, especially for those on social welfare, are unaffordable; if he will ensure that all those on the fair deal scheme are not required to pay any extra charges above those set out in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7602/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;- Bed and board;- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living; and- Laundry service. Data from HSE indicates that, on average, NHSS residents cover around 30% of their cost of care, with the state covering the remaining 70%. This proportion is based on the assessment of residents' assets and income, rather than on the cost of providing their care, and has remained stable over recent years. Costs not covered by the NHSS include those individually incurred for items like social activities, newspapers and hairdressing. This may also include medical services such as therapies and some medical equipment. A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home. In determining the services covered by the NHSS it was considered very important that the care recipient and the taxpayer would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, medications and aids that are already prescribed for individuals under an existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the NHSS, as this would involve effectively paying twice for the same service. It is important to state that residents of nursing homes should enjoy the same levels of support and access to services for which they are eligible as when they lived in their own homes. It is acknowledged that the reason they require 24 hour levels of support is due to their level of dependency, which in turn may require access to clinical services including hospital and other outpatient appointments in the community. Although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, as set out above. In recognition of this, anyone in receipt of financial support under the NHSS retains at least 20% of their income. The minimum amount that is retained is the equivalent of 20% of the State Pension (Non-Contributory). The Department of Health does not currently hold data relating to additional charges in private nursing homes; these vary according to each individual nursing home depending on the services offered. It is important to note that it is private nursing homes who hold responsibility for delivering care to their residents in line with their terms of registration and the relevant regulations under the Health Act 2007. Nevertheless, the Department of Health is currently reviewing the available evidence and considering various policy options with relation to additional nursing home charges. It is clear that, under the terms of the NHSS Act 2009, private nursing homes should not levy additional charges on NHSS residents for services coming within scope of the Nursing Home Support Scheme. Part 7 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract in writing with each resident on their admission to the nursing home. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should never be charged fees which are not set out in the contract. The Department of Health and the HSE are not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home. Registered providers of nursing home care are obliged to provide an accessible and effective complaints procedure. Concerns about additional charges should in the first instance be taken up with the nursing home provider. Where an individual is not satisfied with the response they receive, they may wish to take their complaint further by seeking a review from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and, from 24 August 2015, complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaint’s procedure of the private nursing home concerned. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has published consumer protection guidelines for contracts of care in long-term residential care services for older people. The guidelines set out the obligations and responsibilities that providers must adhere to under consumer protection law and are aimed at providing greater transparency, clarity and certainty for consumers
162. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a public inquiry into the failings of the CAMHS service, to include historic funding decision making, failures by the Mental Health Commission to carry out inspections, clinical guidelines and prescribing rates, failures to provide alternative psychological, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and other therapies, the lack of inpatient CAMHS beds, and failure to include them in children's hospitals, including the new Children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7665/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of all aspects of mental health services, including CAMHS, is a priority under our Programme for Government and is being improved also in line with the widely agreed policy Sharing the Vision 2020-2030. This Government has increased mental health funding by some €200m - from €1 billion to a record €1.2 billion this year. The current CAMHS budget is around €137m, or approximately 11% of the overall HSE mental health budget. The new HSE Service Plan 2023 will underpin further improvements in CAMHS.
The Mental Health Commission is an independent regulator established under the Mental Health Act 2001. The Commission has statutory responsibility for supporting and assisting in the development and improvement of mental health services. The Department receives regular Inspect Reports from the Commission in relation to approved centres, as well as annual thematic reviews. The Commission published its Interim Report into CAMHS on 23 January last. My Department has regular Governance meetings with the Commission. I am unaware of any inspection failures by the Commission along the lines suggested by the Deputy, nor has such been brought to my attention or that of the Department.
There are acknowledged staffing recruitment and retention difficulties for the health service, including across mental health services and CAMHS. This is being addressed on an incremental basis by the HSE in light of the significant new development funding provided by Government over recent years. The HSE remains proactive in trying to address recruitment and retention challenges through investment in training courses, new posts, and recruitment nationally and internationally. Furthermore, Sharing the Vision has provided greater flexibility to provide mental health staff at local level appropriate to best meeting evolving service needs in light of increasing demand and case complexity.
In terms of capacity and bed numbers, CAMHS in-patient bed capacity is 72 beds nationally but currently, due to a range of issues, there are 51 beds in operation. The waiting list nationally to access CAMHS units was 2 as of 7 February 2023. Further CAMHS beds are planned to come on-stream. For example, the new HSE National Forensic Mental Health Service complex at Portrane includes a 10 bed CAMHS unit – the first of its kind nationally. In addition, the new National Childrens Hospital will include a further 20 CAMHS beds.
As I have indicated on several occasions recently, I supported the Mental Health Commission in carrying out their annual thematic report into CAMHS, including offering any additional resources required for this. I therefore welcomed the recent Interim Report, including its focus around service quality and patient safety. The HSE has confirmed to the Department of Health that the issues raised in the Commission’s Interim Report are being proactively followed up at a national level, to mitigate against risk throughout the system as a whole and beyond the CHOs reviewed to date.
I and the Department have taken full and proper consideration of all issues of concern raised in the Mental Health Commission's Interim Report. We have taken account also, as reflected in recent Dail debates and elsewhere, of the views of relevant organisations in the mental health sector in relation to the Interim Report.
I await the Commission’s Final Report on CAMHS and, separately, the completion of the various audits now underway otherwise by the HSE arising from the Maskey report. More specifically, the HSE is undertaking key audits in relation to prescribing practice, adherence to CAMHS operational guidelines, and service user experience. Together, these reports will provide robust information to support the improvement of our specialist CAMHS service nationally.
In light of this focused and proactive approach to service improvement, it is not intended that a pubic inquiry of the nature suggested by the Deputy will be established.
163. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if any grant support is being considered to support community groups including a group (details supplied) to assist with providing transport for sick members to hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5550/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
164. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a further change to the fair deal guidelines on the family home to incentivise more homes to be rented out. [6615/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRental in NHSEffective from 1 November, the amount of rental income that nursing home residents can retain under the Fair Deal from renting their principle private residence increases from 20% to 60%.Prior to the change outlined above being implemented, participants in the Fair Deal scheme were able to rent out their homes or other assets, but rental income was subject to assessment at 80% like all other income (such as pension income).Recognising that this may act as a disincentive against renting out a property, the Government approved a policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme “Fair Deal”, to remove a disincentive for applicants to the Scheme to rent out their principal residence after they have entered long term residential care. The rate of assessment for rental income from a principal residence is reduced from 80% to 40%.
This will be reviewed after six months of operation, with the potential for further amendment after that point. It should be noted that rental income accrued from property that is not a principal private residence will continue to be assessed at 80%. This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing For All Action 19.8. The change was made through a Committee-Stage amendment to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 which is in operation as of 1 November. Further details are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/fair-deal-scheme/financial-assessment/#rental-income-for-your-home.
Operation of this scheme is currently under review.
In addition, under the provisions under the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, NHSS clients who are in receipt of Accommodation Recognition Payment are to have this payment disregarded from their financial assessment. This means that nursing home residents who make their principal private residence available to Ukrainian refugees can claim this payment without affecting their Fair Deal contribution to cost of their own care. The payment is paid through the Department of Social Protection. Further details regarding eligibility and how to apply are available at:https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/ukraine-emergency-supports/accommodation-recognition-payment/ These measures will allow residents in Fair Deal to keep more of their income and will also help address pressures on the rental market. It is important that residents who choose to rent out their homes do so in a safe and supported way. The wellbeing, safety and comfort of nursing home residents remains a priority for me.
165. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when day surgeries will resume at University Hospital Kerry. [6698/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
166. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in putting in place the dental treatment services scheme in County Offaly. [7742/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
167. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health when a full complement of therapists will be provided to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [4540/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
168. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the procedure for dealing with protected disclosures in relation to third party organisations funded by the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004; the procedure for initiating investigations when deemed necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7674/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
170. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant post vacancies in public hospitals across the country; the number of consultants that are currently being trained to fill this gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7521/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
172. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health progress has been made in the past six months on the reinstating the school dental scheme in County Laois. [7741/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
173. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of his plans to address the crisis in the provision of nursing home beds for the elderly; if he intends to increase the provision of public nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7625/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile it is the Government’s overarching policy to provide a greater level and volume of care in the community and to support older people to live at home for longer, it is recognised that nursing home care will continue to be an important part of the continuum of care into the future. In Ireland, long-term residential care is provided by the private, voluntary (not for profit) and public (HSE) sectors. As of January this year, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) reports 556 designated centres for older people with a maximum capacity of 31,650. 20% of these designated centres are publicly provided (HSE), 77% are provided by private providers, and 3% are provided by voluntary organisations (funded bodies under section 38 & 39 of the Health Act 2004).
The Government continues to invest in public nursing homes through the Community Nursing Unit Programme. The programme commenced in 2016 with the intention of ensuring that all public residential care units would comply with HIQA Regulations and Standards. As of December 2022, 43 projects have been completed, construction is underway on several more facilities, while the remainder are at various stages of appraisal, planning and/or design. In December 2022, I also announced the awarding of the contract to deliver seven Community Nursing Units under the HIQA compliance programme through Public Private Partnership. The CNU PPP Project will deliver 530 beds in residential care facilities for older persons at facilities across the country. In the private sector, there was also a net gain of 88 beds in 2022.
COVID-19 has highlighted the important need to move to new models of care for older people. This will involve short and long-term reform across Government in order to provide new housing models, new ‘home-first’ care models, and where long-term care is needed, ensure that it is provided with innovative designs that can meet infection prevention and control requirements and provide an appropriate home for those who need this type of care. This year, the HSE will be finalising the future operational model for Community Based Public Residential Services. This model will include a blueprint for future service delivery for long-term care and intermediate care across the full health service and the implementation plan will have the older person and their needs at its centre.
It is essential that all aspects of the nursing home sector are scrutinised over the coming years to ensure that service delivery and configuration meet the needs of service users in a sustainable and safe manner. For those who avail of long-term residential care, it is also critical that public investment in this infrastructure is maintained at a level that enables the appropriate standards to be met and that public residential care capacity is increased in the coming years.
174. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the supports that will be given to Jigsaw to have a uniform service across the State, given that there are waiting times of 30 weeks in Cork and 4 weeks in Wicklow; the engagement his Department is having with Jigsaw to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7647/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly with the Deputy as soon as possible.
175. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the way people can access the drug cariban used to relieve extreme nausea and vomiting experienced during pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7763/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, funding of €32.2 million was announced for Women’s Health Initiatives in 2023.
This included dedicated funding of €1.3m for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine) to help women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea and vomiting, during pregnancy. Hyperemesis gravidarum is expected to affect about 1% of the pregnant population.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Good s) Act 2013. Only licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) can be added to the formal reimbursement list.
Within the European Union (EU), the pricing and reimbursement of medicines is a national competence. As Member States operate different pharmaceutical reimbursement systems across the EU, a direct comparison of the reimbursement of products is not possible. The competent authority for pricing and reimbursement in Ireland is the HSE.
Cariban® is an Exempt Medicinal Product (EMP), i.e., it is not licensed in Ireland and, therefore, cannot be added to the formal reimbursement list.
However, following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, and to address the unmet need of patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, reimbursement support for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine), an unlicensed Exempt Medicinal Product, has now been made available under an exceptional arrangement for specific patients who meet the criteria and where Consultant Obstetrician initiated.
Under the community drug schemes, Exempt Medicinal Products must be Consultant initiated. The HSE advise that it has been a long-standing governance practice of such exceptional arrangements that unlicensed medicines are consultant initiated.
However, whilst the original prescriber of Cariban® must be a consultant and specialist in the relevant field, the HSE will accept a GP prescription subsequent to the initial hospital prescription for approved patients.
The relevant HSE circular regarding the exceptional arrangement for Cariban® is available at:
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/circulars/pharmacy/pharmacy-circular-001-23-cariban.pdf.
In order to obtain reimbursement support for Cariban® under this exceptional arrangement, the prescribing consultant must confirm whether the following apply:
- The individual has nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) which requires systemic treatment.
- The individual has been assessed using the pregnancy unique quantification of emesis and nausea (PUQE) assessment tool and the appropriate treatment algorithm has been followed.
- The individual has not responded to conservative management.
The consultant must also make an Unlicensed Product Declaration and submit the completed application form by email to the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS).
Once reviewed by the PCRS, the prescriber and dispensing pharmacy are emailed (via secure email) with the reimbursement decision. The community pharmacy then dispenses the product under the specific patient’s community drug schemes eligibility and submits the claim using the relevant administrative code in their monthly submission to PCRS.
While reimbursement support is offered on the basis of the patient’s eligibility under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), Cariban® is not on the formal reimbursement list.
This exceptional arrangement has been put in place to ensure that those patients suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum have access to Cariban®. The dedicated funding that has been allocated is based on 1% of the pregnant population requiring treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum. The number of approved applications to date is in line with expectations and indicates that the budget allocated will be used in 2023. As of 10th February 2023, the number of applications received by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) stands at 384.
There are three other products containing doxylamine/pyridoxine, which are licensed in Ireland:
- Xonvea® gastro-resistant tablets.
- Navalem® modified-release hard capsules.
- Exeltis® gastro-resistant tablets.
The market authorisation holder of Xonvea® has not progressed the pricing and reimbursement application further with the HSE at this stage. The market authorisation holders for Exeltis® and Navalem® have not submitted pricing and reimbursement applications to the HSE.
The HSE therefore encourages clinicians, along with the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Clinical Programme for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, other healthcare professionals, and relevant representative bodies to encourage the market authorisation holders of the licensed medicinal products (Xonvea®, Exeltis® and Navalem®) to progress with the formal pricing and reimbursement process in Ireland.
Finally, the HSE provides general advice on treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum at:
www2.hse.ie/conditions/hyperemesis-gravidarum/treatment/.
176. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a visit has taken place to a location (details supplied) in the past twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7869/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland has weekly engagement with client companies and key stakeholders in County Mayo. In the West Region there are 126 IDA supported companies, employing 31,490 people in total. There are 17 IDA supported companies in Mayo employing 5,525 in total. There has been a 34% increase in employment in IDA Ireland supported companies in County Mayo between 2012 and 2022. There was one in-person site visit in Mayo in 2022.
The provision of property solutions is a key element in IDA’s marketing of Mayo and the West Region. In that regard IDA, as part of the Regional Property Programme, has delivered an advance technology building to Castlebar, which has been occupied by Meissner Filtration Products, with a second advance building solution due to be delivered. Moreover, IDA Ireland works in partnership with Local Authorities, other key stakeholders, and the private sector, on the provision of both lands and buildings to support both the IDA Ireland, MNCs and Enterprise Ireland client company requirements.
In relation to the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport Knock, IDA Ireland has visited and met with key stakeholders over recent years. While IDA Ireland has not had any company site visits to the SDZ, IDA Ireland continues to engage with the relevant stakeholders on the Ireland West Airport Knock SDZ, through the West Regional Enterprise Plan which include specific objectives aligned to the SDZ.
More generally, the West Region has a significant ecosystem of well-established Life Sciences companies, which has helped drive strong cluster development. The number of people employed in software engineering, technical support, global business services and R&D in the Region has also grown considerably in recent years. Furthermore, the city of Galway is a crucial part of the West’s attractiveness to FDI aligned with Project Ireland 2040 which includes Galway as one of four cities with ambitious population growth targets to 2040.
Finally, in 2023, IDA Ireland will continue to market Mayo and the West through its overseas offices to target mobile FDI opportunities. IDA Ireland will be targeting Lifesciences, Medical Devices, Financial Services and Technology sectors for investment opportunities in RD&I, advanced manufacturing, global business services and technology development.
177. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the land that has been purchased (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7871/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland works in partnership with Local Authorities, other key stakeholders, and the private sector on the provision of both lands and buildings to support both the IDA Ireland, MNCs and Enterprise Ireland client company requirements. In this regard, the provision of property solutions is a key element in IDA’s marketing of Mayo and the West Region. IDA Ireland keeps its land holding nationally under constant review and in 2022, IDA Ireland completed the strategic land acquisition of c.42 hectares of land in County Galway, however, IDA Ireland did not complete the acquisition of any lands in County Mayo in 2022.
IDA Ireland have publicly committed to build a new, second, Advance Technology Building in Castlebar to support the winning of new investment and job creation. The site selection process for the new building is well underway. On conclusion of site selection, the design and planning phases will commence. The specific dates for commencement of construction are wholly dependent on, and subject to, the successful outcome of these processes. I can assure the Deputy that IDA will use its best endeavours to deliver the building in a timely manner. Moreover, IDA Ireland has engaged regularly with Mayo County Council on its plans.
IDA Ireland has frequent engagement with client companies and stakeholders in County Mayo. In the West Region there are 126 IDA supported companies, employing 31,490 people in total. There has been a 46% increase in employment in IDA Ireland supported client companies in the West Region during the period 2012-2022. In Mayo, there are 17 IDA supported companies employing 5,525 in total. There has been a 34% increase in employment in IDA Ireland supported companies in County Mayo between 2012 and 2022.
In 2023, IDA Ireland will continue to market Mayo and the West through its overseas offices to target mobile FDI opportunities. IDA Ireland will be targeting Lifesciences, Medical Devices, Financial Services and Technology sectors for investment opportunities in RD&I, advanced manufacturing, global business services and technology development.
The city of Galway is a crucial part of the West’s attractiveness to FDI aligned with Project Ireland 2040 which includes Galway as one of four cities with ambitious population growth targets to 2040. IDA Ireland is also fully conscious that the Strategic Economic Corridor to the East of Galway City has been included in successive Galway County Development Plans, as this location is a strategically important area which is highly accessible and has easy access and a high concentration of established and valuable infrastructure.
Overall, the West Region has a significant ecosystem of well-established Life Sciences companies, which has helped drive strong cluster development. The number of people employed in software engineering, technical support, global business services and R&D in the Region has also grown considerably in recent years, and will remain a key objective for IDA Ireland.
179. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has received a request from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to identify properties under the control of his Department or under the control of agencies under the remit of his Department for the purposes of providing accommodation to international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection; if he has identified potential properties and their locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7933/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn his request dated 2nd February 2023, my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and his Department, has asked Departments for any assistance specific from their sector for any vacant buildings that could immediately house a minimum of 50+ people. Such accommodation must have suitable facilities such as showers, toilets and in locations with appropriate fire, health and safety standards and certification.
My Department, which includes the Companies Registration Office, the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, the Labour Court and the Workplace Relations Commission, does not own any property. The Department and its Offices are tenants in ten buildings provided to it across the country by the Office of Public Works (OPW) who manage the public property portfolio on behalf of Government Departments. In all bar one of these buildings, my Department shares with other tenants, be they other Government Departments, public bodies and private sector tenants.
Since last autumn my Department has been engaging with the OPW and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) as to the feasibility of part of the Department’s office accommodation being re-purposed in support of Ireland’s humanitarian response to international protection applicants. To date, no accommodation has been considered feasible for re-purposing by the OPW.
In relation to the Agencies under the remit of my Department, the IDA Ireland has a property portfolio, which is a combination of industrial units and land sites which are zoned for industrial usage. No IDA property currently possess the prerequisites as set out by the DCEDIY in terms of the necessary sanitation, health and safety, fire and buildings standards certification to satisfactorily and immediately house international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection. Nonetheless, IDA will keep the issue under review.
180. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the name of all external legal companies engaged by Inland isheries Ireland in the past three years to date; and the cost associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7875/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe procurement of legal services by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is an operational matter for IFI, in which neither I nor my Department have any role.
IFI has established a specific e-mail address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
