Written Answers Nos. 605-624
605. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether counselling will be provided to those who witnessed or were affected by the stabbing attack on Parnell Street on 23 November 2023; and if so, how they should request it. [53759/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst of all, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to those that were injured in this tragic event, and to their families, and wish them for a full recovery. I would also like to express my thanks to all who came to the victims' assistance. I fully realise the effect that this event must have had on those who witnessed this horrific tragedy.
The HSE have advised that HSE Community Healthcare Dublin North City and County (CHO DNCC) are participating in the supports available to the school community affected by the events of Thursday 23 November 2023 and that their thoughts are also with the families and community affected. CHO DNCC are continuing to work to support the community as part of a collaborative, integrated partnership underway with community, education, voluntary and statutory agencies.
This involves regular planning meetings with local community, education, voluntary and statutory organisations to ensure appropriate supports are in place, as well as providing access to HSE community-based services.
A number of actions underway directly by HSE CHO DNCC include:
• Direct support to the childcare facility
• Direct support in partnership with National Educational Psychology Service (NEPS) to the school community, which involves two HSE psychologists providing dedicated supports
• HSE CHO DNCC drop-in psychology support clinics are provided for the wider community and information on these has been shared with community, education, voluntary and statutory partners
The HSE has advised my Department that, in relation to information for emergency support, the ISPCC are taking a lead role in providing emergency support for parents, children and anyone in the wider community. Advice and contact details are available at www.childline.ie or call on their crisis line: 1800 400 100.
606. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when the updated Novavax Covid-19 vaccine will be available to the public; the specific reasons for the delay in the roll-out of the updated vaccine to the public following stock being received and EMA approval on 31 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53766/23]
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
607. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health how the fair deal scheme applies in the case of joint tenancy of a farm of land; if the annual cap can be applied to the land when it is owned in joint tenancy and where the surviving joint tenant cannot be considered as a ‘successor’ when they will not strictly be inheriting the land, but rather assuming full ownership through the principles of joint tenancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53773/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law by President Higgins on 22 July 2021 and became fully operational from 20 October the same year. The goal of this amendment is to assist in protecting the viability and sustainability of family farms and family-run businesses.A condition of receiving the financial relief offered under the Act is that a family successor commits to working the productive asset for a substantial part of their working time for a period of 6 years. In line with the policy objective to ensure the viability of family farms and businesses the Act clearly defines who can be a family successor.The principal amendment introduced under the Act extended the three-year cap on contributions based on farm and business assets where an appointed family successor commits to working the productive asset for a period of 6 years. To be considered for the 3-year cap, the legislation requires that an asset owned by an applicant for the Scheme, or recently transferred to a family member, is a productive family asset that has been actively worked by a family member for a significant period of time in advance of the person entering care.Once a family successor has been appointed on an asset, time already spent in care is taken into account when applying the three-year cap. This means that, if someone has already been in care for more than three years, and successfully appoints a family successor under the Act, they can immediately benefit from the 3-year cap on their contributions from the particular asset. However, the amendment does not provide for any retrospective relief or refunds on contributions to care made before the family successor is appointed. This means that reliefs offered under the Amendment will apply from the date the family successor is appointed.The exact wording of this legislation can be found at the following link: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/act/27/enacted/en/print#sec2It is important to note that when developing the legislation, significant consideration was given to the question of land that is subject to a lease agreement and the method of assessing income from productive assets that are leased. Following careful consideration, it was decided that the Scheme will not extend to include assets that are subject to lease agreements. The policy intent of this amendment is to protect family farms and businesses that will remain within the family as a source of employment and income into the future. This policy would not be advanced if income from leasing arrangements was included in the proposed cap on financial contributions to the cost of care.However, I would recommend that specific questions about whether certain land uses would be allowable within the requirements on the family successor under the scheme be made with the HSE Nursing Home Support Scheme Office.
608. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to detail the total number of vacant posts, by grade, for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53777/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
609. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health as part of Government’s response to drug intimidation, if the full-time recommended role for the drug-related intimidation and violence engagement programme has been progressed, and if it has been affected by the recent moratorium announced within the Health Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53781/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDRIVE is a national interagency initiative which sets out a model including national and linked community structures and systems to support communities to respond to drug related intimidation.
The Department of Health has allocated €250,000 to support the development of DRIVE. €200k of that funding was used to resource a national project team comprising of a DRIVE Data and Research coordinator, a DRIVE Coordinator and part time Project officer, and also for a national awareness campaign and the roll out of national training.
€50k is allocated specifically to support the recruitment of a DRIVE lead to coordinate the work in Drogheda and surrounding area in response to the Guerin report.
Your query will be referred to the HSE for an update on the recruitment of the post.
610. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health for an update on the site plan at the St. Mary's hospital in Drogheda, including more detailed plans of the proposed enhanced community care facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53782/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
611. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE-referred parliamentary questions or TD rep queries yet to be answered as of 29 November 2023, in tabular form. [53787/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the HSE that (as at 27/11/23) a total of 1,055 Parliamentary Questions and 1,144 representations have been impacted and are yet to be answered. Please note that these figures includes questions asked directly to the HSE, the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
612. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the most recent information and a specific timeline for implementation of recommendations contained within the McHugh report in supporting student nurses and midwives; if he can clarify the disbursement of enhanced allowances promised to student nurses and midwives, both for 2023 and for the previous year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53790/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, following approval by Government on 13th December 2022, I was pleased to announce €9 million in additional supports for student nurses and midwives, €5.4m of which has been allocated to the HSE to introduce an enhanced Travel and Subsistence Scheme for eligible students while attending their supernumerary clinical practice placements. These revised arrangements are to take effect from the beginning of the academic year 2022/2023.
The HSE confirmed they issued a circular to give effect to the payments on 6th September 2023 and a further memo providing clarifications to queries raised by Student Allocation Liaison Officers issued on 1st November 2023. Payment of allowances to eligible students is a priority for me and my Department continue to engage regularly with the HSE on this matter. I am pleased to note that the HSE have now informed me that payments have commenced in a number of areas.
My Department has written to the HSE requesting and update on the status of the payments and the first status report is due in the coming weeks.
613. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53802/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of the Health has not placed paid advertisements with X (formerly Twitter) in 2023. We continue to consider all methods of communication with the public on an ongoing basis with a focus on providing accessible and effective public communications.
Please see below for the figures requested on advertising spend with X for the period of 2019-2022
|
Year |
Spend in EUR € |
|
2019 |
€4,110 |
|
2020 |
€12,243 |
|
2021 |
€14,667 |
|
2022 |
€68,794 |
It is important to note that the figures laid out above include the period with expenditure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department's COVID-19 pandemic communications included a comprehensive advertising campaign across both traditional and online media channels to ensure information reached the widest public audience possible ensuring the public were informed of the latest public health guidance.
The Department's response to the pandemic also included Healthy Ireland communications focused on promoting the Health and Well-being of the public both during the pandemic and on an ongoing basis. Healthy Ireland communications includes comprehensive advertising campaigns across both traditional and online media channels to ensure information reaches the widest public audience possible aimed at raising public awareness of the benefits of healthy eating, increasing physical activity, and sustaining mental well-being. This included an obesity prevention campaign aimed at younger adults outlining the benefits of healthy eating, physical activity, better sleep and managing stress.
The Department’s communications also included included the first Irish national Menopause Awareness campaign which guided people towards gov.ie/menopause, which provides trusted information for anyone impacted by menopause in Ireland.
614. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health why Baggot Street hospital which is owned by the HSE and is left idle is not being used to house refugees. [53826/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE
615. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will address, immediately, the situation whereby nursing students have just been informed that the INMO are reportedly to change the students’ travel allowance entitlement, from a flat weekly rate, to one that is receipts-based, leaving those students currently finishing a six-week placement bloc at an immediate financial disadvantage since they did not know receipts would be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53833/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, following approval by Government on 13th December 2022, I was pleased to announce €9 million in additional supports for student nurses and midwives, €5.4m of which has been allocated to the HSE to introduce an enhanced Travel and Subsistence Scheme for eligible students while attending their supernumerary clinical practice placements.
The Department of Health Circular 4/2023 to the HSE on February 27th setting out revised arrangements to apply regarding accommodation allowance, the continuation of the travel allowance and the introduction of a subsistence allowance in the form of a €500 meals allowance. This circular followed on from the Department of Health Circular 9/2004.
As outlined in Circular 9/2004, “A student on the pre-registration nursing degree programme is entitled to a refund of the cost of transport on the basis of receipts certified by the student and the allocations officer in the health service.”.
As outlined in Circular 4/2023, “A supernumerary student on the undergraduate nursing/midwifery programme continues to be entitled to claim for payment of travel expenses necessarily incurred while attending placements, on the basis of receipts provided by the student and certified by the SALO in the clinical partner site.”
Travel allowance for eligible undergraduate students on supernumerary clinical practice placements has always and continues to be on a vouched receipt basis. My Department are not aware of any recent instructions that contradicts this.
616. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) who, as part of a class that was on an orthodontic test scheme, was placed on routine fixed waiting list in 2019, will receive treatment under this scheme, given that it is over four years since they were placed on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53837/23]
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. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
617. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when he proposes to on open all the beds in Kenmare community nursing unit, Kenmare, County Kerry. [53891/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
618. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health when, applicants (details supplied) will have their applications processed to finality by CORU, given the need for health and social care professionals in the health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53900/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have been in touch with CORU on this matter and I understand that CORU will contact you on the issues raised and will also liaise directly with the applicants concerned.
619. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 237 of 4 October 2023, if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of apprentices currently waiting for off-the-job training at levels 2, 4 and 6, in the months of October and November 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53214/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn summary, at the end of November this year, 4,132 craft apprentices were waiting over 6 months to access off-the-job training: 4,081 for Phase 2 and 51 for Phases 4 and 6
This compares to the end of October figures, which saw 5,514 craft apprentices waiting longer than six months for off the job training: 5,319 at phase 2 and 195 at phases 4 & 6.
My Department continues to work closely with the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO), SOLAS and ETB and staff representatives, most particularly through the Department-chaired Apprenticeship Capacity Oversight Group, to increase training capacity.
The NAO and SOLAS are leading on measures being delivered to reduce the backlog. The overall aim is to right-size capacity within the system so that it can respond to demand for skills across the economy, and most especially in priority housing and climate- action areas.
The following actions, supported by a record €67m of additional investment in the system, will reduce the backlog in 2024:
- increasing the capacity of the ETBs to provide significantly enhanced phase 2 places, including through a third intake of apprentices.
- temporary provision of phase 2 places through higher education institutions and two colleges in Northern Ireland, on an emergency basis in 2024.
- partnership with employers who have in-house training facilities that can be utilised on a temporary, emergency basis.
- a national recruitment campaign for phase 2 instructors is in train, with prior approval of the posts being advertise, to speed up recruitment.
Delivery of these options will be driven by new forecasting, oversight and monitoring arrangements being put in place, supported by the Apprenticeship Capacity Oversight Group.
Waiting list for off-the-job training
|
31 October |
30 November |
|
|
Waiting longer than 6mths |
5,514 |
4,937 |
|
Of which: |
||
|
Ph2 >6mths |
5,319 |
4,729 |
|
Ph4&6 >6mths |
195 |
208 |
620. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the third level fees rebate will be made available for Irish students studying in Belfast; what supports are available to Irish students studying in the North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53257/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that Budget 2024 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost of living. These cost of living measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students that are eligible for the free fees initiative (FFI), a scheme which operates within the State.
The student contribution only applies in circumstances where a student is eligible for free fees; it is the student’s contribution towards their tuition fee within the terms of the FFI.
Courses provided in Northern Ireland are not approved courses under the FFI as the student contribution arrangements do not apply outside of the State. Therefore, it is not possible for students undertaking study in Northern Ireland to benefit from this measure.
In terms of supports that may be available for students attending courses in Northern Ireland, the main support available to assist students with the cost of higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. The Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI, provides grant assistance to students pursuing an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. Students attending courses in Northern Ireland can determine their eligibility for available supports at susi.ie/eligibility/income/. Supports may also be available from the institution attended.
621. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline every further education course available in County Clare accredited and supported by his Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53603/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraLimerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) offers a wide range of full and part-time Further Education and Training courses in County Clare. These FET courses are provided at levels one to six on the National Framework of Qualifications. The online resource, www.fetchcourses.ie was developed by SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, in partnership with the Education and Training Boards Ireland, provides a comprehensive tabular listing of over 400 FET courses which are available in County Clare through LCETB.There are also a range of options available on www.ecollege.ie, the national online learning service for FET. Funded and coordinated by SOLAS, it provides flexible, certified, tutor-supported online learning opportunities for skills development, with a range of courses in digital skills, project management and business skills.
622. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department operates an X account (formerly Twitter) or any other social media account, and if such accounts are verified through a subscription fee; the policy in place that guides when any of these accounts can ‘like’, endorse or support a posting on X or other social media platforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53656/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is committed to keeping the public informed about what we do on issues concerning further and higher education, research, innovation and science. One of the key ways we seek to accomplish this is through the use of social media.
The Department has five social media accounts: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. None are verified through a subscription fee.
It is the policy of the Department to only follow accounts which are pertinent to the work carried out by the Department.
Similarly, the Department only "likes" or endorses posts it feels will add value and information to the public on issues concerning the areas under its remit.
623. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53801/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past three years, since the establishment of the Department, the sum of €3,874.11 has been spent on X/twitter for campaigns such as COVID advice for students, SUSI supports and the launch of the Right Course website.
As the below table confirms, no money was spent on advertising on the platform in 2023.
The Department continues to keep all channels of communication with the public on review on an ongoing basis.
|
Year |
Amount |
Subject |
|
2021 |
€2,091.11 |
The Right Course website |
|
2021 |
€1,150.50 |
COVID awareness for students |
|
2022 |
€632.50 |
SUSI changes |
|
2023 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Total |
€3,874.11 |
624. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the current role of community training centres within our education system. [53815/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra625. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how community training centres remain relevant to the needs of young people and employers in an ever-changing job market and educational landscape. [53816/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra626. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how community training centres align with the broader national further and higher educational and workforce development goals. [53817/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra627. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to enhance funding and support for community training centres; or if there are plans to withdraw funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53818/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 624, 625, 626 and 627 together.
Community Training Centres (CTCs) are non-profit making companies with Boards that are broadly representative of the community. Since 1977, CTCs have been involved in innovative training for marginalised groups and since the introduction of the Youthreach programme in 1989, their focus has been on Early School Leavers. Funded by SOLAS through the local Education and Training Boards, there are 31 Community Training Centres across the country. In 2022, over 2,000 Youthreach learners, aged 16-21 years of age, attended CTCs and the total ETB grant allocations amounted to €29.5m. The ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019 found that the Youthreach programmes had significant value in re-engaging a vulnerable group of young people with learning, providing courses and approaches tailored to their needs and embedding education and training provision within a broader network of supports. It found clear and distinct value in the provision provided in both the Youthreach centre and CTC contexts. In its response to the evaluation, SOLAS advocated the continued provision in both Youthreach centre and CTC settings while acknowledging the need for more coordinated and effective planning across all youth education and training at ETB level.
It also identified the need to more closely link youthreach to pathways within FET and beyond, and to ensure that it continues to evolve to meet the changing and more complex needs of its learners. The majority of the recommendations in the SOLAS response, continue to be implemented through the national FET Strategy 2020–24 under the Creating Pathways and Inclusion workstreams while other specific recommendations, directly relating to the Youthreach Evaluation are being implemented by SOLAS, as part of the Strategic Performance Agreement process in conjunction with individual Education and Training Boards. CTCs provide a vital service for learners across the country, helping them to further their education, upskill, build their confidence and self-esteem and move towards employment.
