Paul Murphy
Question:202. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide a detailed copy of all financial audits on additional funding to private and voluntary care facilities since 2020. [28502/24]
View answerNursing Homes
Questions (202)
Written answers
“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
Nursing Homes
Questions (203)
Paul Murphy
Question:203. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to address the rights of the residents of a nursing home (details supplied). [28503/24]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE was notified on Thursday 16th May 2024 by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), that HIQA had cancelled the registration of Lucan Lodge Nursing Home with the agreement of the Directors of Passage Healthcare International (Ireland) Limited, who was the registered provider of Lucan Lodge Nursing Home. Since 10am on Friday 17th May, the HSE, in accordance with its statutory requirement under Section 64 of the Health Act 2007, is required to take charge of the nursing home and carry on its business as if it were still registered, pending alternative arrangements.
As part of its ongoing assessment, the HSE assessed the nursing home and has engaged with all relevant parties to explore all options as it relates to Lucan Lodge. This assessment has generated a number of significant issues of concern.
Several fire safety concerns have been identified within the existing infrastructure. In line with its obligations, the HSE have put mitigation measures in place to address immediate risks.
As part of the HSE’s responsibilities, routine water quality sampling was undertaken in Lucan Lodge. Positive Legionella results were returned across the site at very high levels.
In consultation with Public Health, a Water Quality Committee meeting was convened on the 21st June 2024 and an immediate plan was put in place to urgently address the situation including the implementation of immediate control measures noting that further permanent water and heating works are required.
Unfortunately, these measures can only address the immediate risk and will not support the safe provision of ongoing care in Lucan Lodge. Extensive infrastructural works are required to remedy both the fire and the water safety concerns. The necessary work could not be done while people remain in the building.
Due to these issues, the HSE plan is to support residents to relocate from Lucan Lodge with immediate effect with the aim of relocation of all residents to be achieved over the next 4 weeks. There are currently 47 residents in situ. Over recent weeks, with assistance from the HSE, 20 residents have transferred of their own choice to 12 other nursing homes.
I am deeply concerned to learn of the challenges facing Lucan Lodge and understand how upsetting this information may be for residents and family members. The HSE team on site in Lucan Lodge are committed to working closely with residents and family members to explore options regarding a move to a new nursing home. The HSE will work with residents and family members to ensure the transition to new nursing homes respects their will and preference.
The HSE team will be available onsite to residents and family members over the coming weeks to answer any questions. Please be assured residents’ safety and ongoing care always remains the highest priority.
I would like to thank residents, families, and staff for their continuing co-operation at this difficult time.
Care of the Elderly
Questions (204)
Paul Murphy
Question:204. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the processes that are in place to assess the impact of transfer trauma for older people in care in Ireland. [28504/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Questions (205)
Ged Nash
Question:205. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of the 39 advanced nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist inflammatory bowel disease related posts that were to be appointed by approximately July 2023 who have been formally recruited and have commenced their employment; the number who have been empanelled and are awaiting formal offers of employment; the number of successful candidates who have been informed that their post is lost and will not proceed; when posts still on offer will be filled, by each CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28518/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this PQ relates to staffing and service delivery with regard to inflammatory bowel disease, I have referred it to the HSE for direct response.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (206)
Seán Sherlock
Question:206. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if a location and funding will be provided for a primary care centre in Ballyvolane, Cork. [28531/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Strategies
Questions (207)
Patricia Ryan
Question:207. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health to clarify if there has been any updating/extension to the positive aging strategy (2013-2017); and if so, to provide details of same. [28584/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to supporting positive ageing across the life course as well as to ensuring that older people can continue to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This commitment is enshrined in the National Positive Ageing Strategy, which provides a blueprint for promoting older people’s engagement in economic, social, cultural and community life and for fostering inter-generational solidarity.
Recognising the need for a whole-of-society approach to supporting positive ageing, the Strategy’s implementation is a whole-of-government endeavour. This has been advanced through a wide range of initiatives developed and delivered in partnership with the community and voluntary sector.
However, we recognise the challenges we will face in a range of areas in the coming years as our population ages. As the Deputy will be aware, in fulfilment of the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government has established an independent Commission on Care for Older People, which is being supported by a secretariat from my Department. The Commission, which met for the first time on 21st March 2024, is chaired by Professor Alan Barrett (Chief Executive Officer, Economic and Social Research Institute) and is comprised of independent experts.
The Commission is charged with examining the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and with making recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a cross-departmental group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports.
Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders is a central component of the work of the Commission. To support the work of the Commission, a Reference Group of non-governmental and civil society organisations and other key stakeholders working in the area, including those with lived experience has been formed. The Reference Group will engage in an advisory capacity with the Commission and subsequently with the cross-departmental group. The inaugural meeting of the Reference Group took place on 18 June 2024.
Emergency Services
Questions (208)
Patricia Ryan
Question:208. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to providing funding for voluntary first responder groups, and if so, to provide details. [28589/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (209)
Patricia Ryan
Question:209. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason behind the lack of acute beds in the mental health system, specifically for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28590/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Tobacco Control Measures
Questions (210)
John Paul Phelan
Question:210. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned that the decision not to raise the minimum excise duty on cigarettes in Budget 2024 has rendered this ineffective as a policy tool to support public policy objectives, allowing tobacco manufacturers to absorb the 75c general excise increase, rather than pass it on to consumers as intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28609/24]
View answerWritten answers
Decisions on excise duty and the mechanisms for implementation are ultimately a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance. Raising taxes on tobacco is one of the measures recommended by the World Health Organisation in its MPOWER suite of measure to implement the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. I will continue to seek taxation increases each year in order to further reduce demand for tobacco products.
Ambulance Service
Questions (211)
Pauline Tully
Question:211. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if the new contract model for private ambulance providers is awarded on a sole provider basis; if so, if these contracts contain a requirement for a minimum number of vehicles; and the checks in place to ensure ambulance cover in the event that the company which has been awarded the contract runs out of ambulance availability. [28627/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Ambulance Service
Questions (212)
Pauline Tully
Question:212. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the private ambulance providers that have been awarded contracts by the HSE; the hospitals these providers are contracted to serve; and the number of ambulances that each of these providers operate, in tabular form. [28628/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (213)
Brendan Griffin
Question:213. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will put in place a permanent funding model contract to adequately fund a meals on wheels programme in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28644/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (214)
Paul Murphy
Question:214. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the options available to international protection applicants who wish to enter third level education in Ireland (details supplied). [28446/24]
View answerWritten answers
Any person seeking to continue their studies on the basis of prior learning should engage with the Admissions Team in the institutions best suited to their prior education experience.
There are two schemes in place to support students to access further and higher education that may be relevant in this case.
• Student Grant Scheme, and
• International Protection Student Scheme
Further information is available on the SUSI website (www.susi.ie ).
I am also aware that a number of Irish Universities are responding to individual requests for support as part of the Scholars at Risk programme and University Sanctuary Programmes.
Rural Schemes
Questions (215)
Michael Creed
Question:215. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware of the study by Fáilte Ireland regarding the Beara Breifne walkway, estimating that it will take up to €22 million to bring the trail up to a world-class standard; if her Department is in a position to work with community groups and development companies on the Beara Breifne Way and local authorities to deliver the walkway improvements required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28383/24]
View answerWritten answers
Since becoming Minister for Rural & Community Development, I have provided a number of supports for the further development of the Beara Breifne Way walking trail, a long distance walking route which Fáilte Ireland believes could have the potential to compete with walking trails of a similar nature internationally.
Under my Department's Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), funding of €300,000 was provided to develop a trail plan for the Beara Breifne Way which included a trail audit, trail design, an interpretation framework, waymarking and orientation strategies, and environmental assessments to bring the project to a pre-planning stage. This trail plan outlined indicative costs to develop the existing trail to a world class walking standard.
I understand that Fáilte Ireland is establishing a working group, to include key representatives from the main stakeholders, with a view to bringing this project forward. I expect that this group will, as part of that process, consider the level of works required, the costs associated with such works and the potential sources of funding.
In addition to the funding provided under RRDF, my Department's Walks Scheme also supports the 12 existing national waymarked trails which make up the Beara Breifne Way. Under the Walks Scheme, the private landholders on these routes are contracted to undertake maintenance work on the sections of the trails that traverse their lands.
I have also supported a number of projects along different sections of the Beara Brefine Way through my Department's Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). For example, in 2021, €196,490 was allocated to extend the Beara bridleway and walking trail from Urhan to Ardgroom village and complete a loop in Teernahillane between Castletownbere and Allihies. In 2022, €30,000 was allocated to re-route part of the trail off-road near Tuosist in County Kerry.
I will continue to support the development of the Beara Breifne Way and other trails through my Department's investment programmes, and particularly through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. I know the local Rural Recreation Officers, who are funded by my Department, will also continue to support development in this vital area.
Rural Schemes
Questions (216, 217)
Michael Creed
Question:216. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware of the concerns being expressed by community groups regarding proposed changes to the funding arrangements under the walks scheme; if she accepts that funding allocated to these community groups for walks improvement carries no overhead or administrative costs and consequently delivers better value for money; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28388/24]
View answerMichael Creed
Question:217. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the changes she is initiating regarding funding to development companies and community groups, respectively, with regard to maintenance works and payment to landowners under the walks scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28389/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.
My Department invests heavily in trails throughout the country through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) and the Walks Scheme.
ORIS provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, water-based recreation sites and mountain trails. Since the launch of the scheme in 2016, funding of over €129 million has supported 1,775 projects across the country.
My Department's Walks Scheme was launched in 2008 and is aimed at private landholders. It supports the development, enhancement and maintenance of walking trails which are approved by Sport Ireland and are listed on the National Trails Register. Under the Walks Scheme, funding is provided to farmers and other landholders to maintain the trails that cross their land.
As part of the Walks Scheme, a ‘materials budget’ is supplied to participating local development companies to cover the cost of purchasing everyday materials for the landholder participants to undertake the works needed on their portion of the trails. Funding is also provided for once-off costs associated with small capital projects on Walks Scheme trails under the Walks Scheme Development Funding. In April, I approved funding of over €400,000 for such works on 43 trails.
I have no immediate plans to change funding arrangements under the Walks Scheme, or to change payments for maintenance works and payments to landowners.
I am aware that a small number of community trail management groups have expressed some concerns regarding the contents of a voluntary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was developed to clarify the respective roles and responsibilities of community groups and local development companies managing the walks scheme. This was developed in response to a recommendation in an independent review of the Walks Scheme Review and in line with a key action in Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the national outdoor recreation strategy.
This MOU, which is voluntary, was developed by a stakeholder group that included representatives from my Department, Fáilte Ireland, Sport Ireland, community groups, farming organisations and local development companies.
My officials have met collectively with the groups that have expressed concerns with this MoU. They have also agreed to meet each group individually in the coming months alongside their respective Local Development Company with a view to further exploring their concerns.
I acknowledge and appreciate the work of all the community trail management groups developing and maintaining walking trails all over the country. That is why, in addition to all of the supports already referenced, I announced almost €1m in grant funding in 2022 to further support the trail management groups. I will continue to keep their needs and the supports for walking trails under review.
Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 216.
Forbairt Calaí agus Céanna
Questions (218)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:218. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén dul chun cinn atá déanta chun comhairleoirí a cheapadh le staidéar a dhéanamh ar riachtanais maidir le cúrsaí calaidh in Inis Meáin sa todhchaí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [28570/24]
View answerWritten answers
Mar is eol don Teachta, is é Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe atá freagrach as cothabháil agus forbairt na gcéanna ar na hOileáin Árann, Inis Meáin san áireamh.
Bíonn cruinnithe rialta idir feidhmeannaigh na Roinne agus Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe chun plé agus monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fhorbairt céanna ar Inis Oírr agus Inis Meáin. Reáchtáladh an cruinniú ba dheireanaí ar an 18ú Meitheamh agus beidh an chéad cheann eile ar an 16ú Iúil.
Tá beannacht mo Roinne tugtha do Chomhairle Contae na Gaillmhe próiseas tairisceana a reáchtáil chun innealtóirí comhairleacha a cheapadh le Réamhchás Gnó a fhorbairt - le Measúnú Stráitéiseach san áireamh - agus breathnú ar gach aon rogha a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ann chun áiseanna sábháilte cuain a chur ar fáil ar Inis Meáin. Pléadh an dréachtcháipéis tairisceana a d’ullmhaigh Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe ag an gcruinniú ar an 18ú Meitheamh agus táthar ag súil go bhfoilseofar é ar eTenders níos déanaí sa mhí seo.
Aontaíonn mo Roinn agus Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe go gcaithfear deiseanna rannpháirtíochta a thabhairt do phobal Inis Meáin leis na comhairleoirí neamhspleácha a bheidh le ceapadh, chun cinntiú go mbeidh ionchur ag an bpobal uile sa phróiseas.
Leanfaidh mo Roinn ag comhoibriú le Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe ar mhaithe leis an bpróiseas sin a thabhairt chun críche agus comhairleoirí a cheapadh chomh luath agus is féidir.