Written Answers Nos. 284-293
284. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the development of National Standards for Home Support Services; the expected timeframe of the public consultation on these standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37167/24]
View answerEnsuring that all home support users are provided with high quality care is a priority for my Department and the Government as a whole. As such, considerable work has gone into developing a regulatory framework for home support providers. This work comprises of primary legislation for the licensing of home support providers, regulations for home support services which will set out the minimum requirements that a provider must meet to obtain a licence, and HIQA national standards.
Under the Health Act of 2007, HIQA has a remit to set standards for Ireland’s health and social care services, and to monitor services against these standards. Amendments included in the [Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill General Scheme will amend the Health Act of 2007 requiring HIQA to set standards on safety and quality for home support services and monitor compliance with these standards.
In preparation for this change, HIQA have been developing draft National Standards for Home Support Services in line with their standards development process. The draft standards have been informed by an evidence review, and a public scoping consultation, both of which have been published at www.hiqa.ie. HIQA has advised the Department that it plans to commence a public consultation on the draft standards in Q4 2024. Following this, standards will be finalised and approved by the HIQA Board before being submitted for Ministerial approval.
285. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that an appointment will be made without delay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37170/24]
View answerAs recruitment and staffing is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
286. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total cost of his visits in 2024 to the United States of America regarding treatment abroad for children; the details of his flights, accommodation, and other expenses; the names and roles of those who travelled; the accommodation at which he and his officials stayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37192/24]
View answerI made one visit to the United States of America in July. Accommodation was sourced through the Department of Foreign Affairs and normal travel & subsistence arrangements applied. Costs for these have not yet been submitted to my Department.
All flights were booked economy class and the attached tables outline accommodation and travel details.
287. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total cost of flying medical specialists from the United States of America to Dublin for a clinic on 6 September in Crumlin Children's Hospital regarding treatment abroad for children; the details of these flights, accommodation, and other expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37193/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
288. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out in detail his proposals for a comprehensive independent inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland; when the terms of reference will be finalised and published; the consultation he has undertaken in preparation for this inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37207/24]
View answerThis is a matter for Department of Taoiseach and was answered by the Department of Taoiseach on the 9th of September 2024 (PQ35897/24).
289. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an urgent dental appointment for surgery will be issued to a person (details supplied) in the Dublin Dental Hospital, given their exceptional medical circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37215/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
290. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when issues will be resolved in relation to contracts for education providers (details supplied) as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37137/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, a new grade of Adult Educator with a standardised pay scale, aligned to the Youthreach Resource Personnel Scale, was formally established earlier this year. Existing tutors were given the option of moving to the new incremental pay scale with effect from 1st April 2023 or remaining on their current terms and conditions.
The Education and Training Boards were notified of the implementation arrangements in April 2024 and are currently overseeing the process of offering the choice to existing tutors with a view to new contracts being in place within the current academic year.
I understand that the Deputy is referring to Cavan and Monaghan ETB (CMETB) in this context. CMETB have advised my officials that they are still working through this process and have taken the decision to postpone the roll out of new Adult Educator contracts until January 2025. CMETB advised Adult Educators of this position on 3rd September and that their existing terms and conditions would continue to apply until the Adult Educator implementation process is complete. Classes have not been deferred because of this process.
291. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the universities or third level colleges that are under investigation for any matters of concern, including investigations relating to financial irregularities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37195/24]
View answerHigher education institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Under the terms of these Acts, the governance and performance of these institutions are matters for which the Governing Bodies and the management of the relevant institutions are responsible. Presidents of higher education institutions, as the Accountable Person for the institutions, are accountable to the Oireachtas in respect of the expenditure of their funding.
Under Section 64 of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 (HEA Act 2022), the CEO of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) may, if there are significant concerns about governance, performance of functions, or compliance by a designated institution with its obligations, request the governing body of a designated institution of higher education to undertake a review.
Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) and the University of Limerick (UL) are currently subject to ongoing statutory processes under Section 64 of the HEA Act 2022. The final reports from both institutions are expected in the coming weeks. I am in ongoing communication with the HEA regarding these reviews and I await the outcome of the review processes.
Earlier in 2024, University College Cork (UCC) was subject to a section 64 review. Following a determination by the CEO of the HEA under section 66 of the HEA Act 2022, UCC’s governing board is now implementing an agreed action plan to address the identified issues.
It is important to note that the HEA and my Department maintain ongoing, robust oversight of the higher education institutions. Any investigations are carried out in accordance with established procedures, and the HEA and the Department work to ensure transparency and accountability within the higher education sector.
292. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will approve a community centre investment fund application (details supplied). [37071/24]
View answerUnder the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland. In April, I approved funding of €30 million for the construction of 12 new community centres across nine counties.
In June this year, I was delighted to announce a further round of funding to support community groups to upgrade and refurbish the community facilities in their areas. The Community Centre Investment Fund 2024 will provide funding of between €10,000 and €100,000 towards capital costs for the refurbishment of existing community centres.
The scheme closed for applications on Thursday 5th September. I understand that the application referred to by the Deputy has been received and will now be appraised alongside all of the other applications. I hope to begin announcing the successful applicants in the coming months.
293. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider making it mandatory for all public swimming pools, including hotel pools, to have lifeguards during opening hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37211/24]
View answerIt is my understanding that under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, every employer is currently required to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that individuals at the place of work, including non employees, are not exposed to risks to their safety, health or welfare. Furthermore, it should be noted that the employment of lifeguards for pools in hotels and other premises is a matter for the operator of the swimming pool.
Notwithstanding this clear onus on the operator to ensure the safety of staff and visitors, Water Safety Ireland (WSI) - an agency under the aegis of my Department - in conjunction with Swim Ireland and Ireland Active, published the third edition of the Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines in 2021.
Ireland Active is the national association for the leisure, health and fitness sector, including operators of both private and publicly owned pools. Water Safety Ireland’s role is to train lifeguards to ensure that they meet national standards, and to provide education and information regarding water safety. WSI is not a statutory regulator.
The Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines describe the minimum requirements that a pool facility should possess in order to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to ensure a happy and safe experience for all in the water.
