Written Answers Nos. 561-580
561. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an assessment of speech will be carried out (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41586/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service/operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
562. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a full review will take place of services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41587/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that engagement is ongoing between relevant stakeholders in relation to finalising the scoping of the relevant elements of a review of the CDNT model of service, with the review to be conducted by the National Disability Authority (NDA).
The NDA is the independent statutory body, providing evidence-based advice and research to Government on disability policy and practice and promoting Universal Design.
563. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the international events and engagements he has attended at which members of the media were also in attendance as part of the Government delegation, since the formation of the Government; the media organisation they represented; the cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41596/24]
View answerSince the formation of the Government, I have not attended any international events or engagements at which members of the media were also in attendance as part of the Government delegation. My Department has not arranged any international visits which included members of the media as part of the delegation in that time.
564. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of beneficiaries of temporary protection, and international protection applicants, currently residing in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare; the reason his Department continues to enter into accommodation contracts in this town when its local population has increased four-fold, but provision of supports in areas like education and healthcare have not increased on a pro-rata basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41616/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to supporting all those seeking international protection in Ireland, and to continuing to provide shelter and support to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Ireland currently provides accommodation to 32,000 people applying for international protection and has welcomed over 109,000 people from Ukraine since 2022.
International protection
At the moment, there are over 32,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole, compared with approximately 7,000 people at the end of August 2022.
Of those 32,000 people, approximately 9,000 are children. People are accommodated at over 300 locations, in every county in Ireland.
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country, and intensive efforts are underway to source suitable accommodation, in line with the Government's Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy.
Despite this, significant shortages of accommodation are being seen, and since last December 2023, over 2,700 people who have applied for international protection since December 2023 have not been offered accommodation.
IPAS provides accommodation as part of Irish and EU law and also under our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.
The Department does not collate data for international protection accommodation by individual town, but data can be provided by County or by Local Electoral Area (LEA).
Currently, there are 329 International Protection applicants residing in the Ennistymon LEA as a whole, and 1007 applicants residing in Co. Clare.
Due to the urgent obligation to provide safety and shelter to international protection applicants, the Department is not in a position to refuse offers of suitable accommodation, nor are we able to consider excluding offers of accommodation from any one county or area.
In terms of local services and integration of people into the community, any new facilities are supported by this Department’s Community Engagement Team, and this involves linking in with local state services, like the Local Authority, Education and Health Services, to support the process of welcoming new arrivals and supporting them to access services in the area.
The Government's Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for people seeking IP aims to address the current serious shortfall in accommodation and build a more sustainable system for the longer term. Accommodation in the new strategy is being delivered through the use of State land for prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties.
It will also involve design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS Centres. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection
My Department does not publicly detail information by town, in the manner requested by the Deputy, this is in the interest of the privacy and security of residents and providers.
Currently, there are 1897 people affected by the war in Ukraine, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, living in Co. Clare.
Due to continuing downward trends in Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) seeking accommodation from the State coupled with increases in BOTPs leaving State-provided accommodation to seek more independent living, vacancies have arisen in my Department’s portfolio of commercial BOTP accommodation. These vacancy numbers change daily in response to moves in and out of accommodation and while they can appear significant at times, not all of these vacancies can be used in the short term.
Where a provider has not committed to renewing a contract or where an issue has been raised with my Department such that the provider’s offering is under review, vacancies cannot be used until these matters have been resolved. In addition, where contracts will end in the short term, a certain proportion of the portfolio of vacancies must be maintained so as to facilitate the movement of resident BOTPs.
Notwithstanding these limitations, my Department has recently undertaken a priority review of capacity within the BOTP portfolio to identify any vacancies that can be used for International Protection (IPs) applicants in the short term and has begun engaging with providers in this regard. Up to 500 spaces have been identified and actions are now underway to move IPs into properties where BOTPs are and where vacancies exist with the agreement of the providers concerned.
Following the Government decision to implement a time limited accommodation offering for BOTPs seeking accommodation in the State, my Department has paused the procurement of commercial accommodation to accommodate BOTPs; providers visiting the offers portal are instead encouraged to consider accommodating IPs. Work has also begun to consolidate the wider BOTP portfolio so that it better aligns with future needs. Where contracts are being ended as part of this process, my Department will work to identify accommodation which could be suitable for use for IP. This is however a commercial decision to be made by the providers concerned and their agreement will be needed to make this happen.
While my Department is working to progress this as quickly as possible, this will be an ongoing process due to complexities of room configuration, contractual matters, and the requirement to move BOTPs to alternative accommodation.
Further break downs of the information gathered, including a per county breakdown is available on the below links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/07027-ipas-statistics/.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/9ac7b-accommodation-of-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protection-botps/
Further information with respect to BOTPs is published by the CSO on an anonymised basis as part of its Arrivals from the Ukraine series www.cso.ie/en/statistics/population/arrivalsfromukraineinireland/.
565. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the international protection accommodation office or any official in his Department has received complaints or requests for assistance from persons housing beneficiaries of temporary protection or international protection applicants regarding subletting of property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41626/24]
View answerIn relation to the provision of access to temporary accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs), my Department has procured a broad range of accommodation types, including hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
My Department has been made aware of some instances where it became apparent that the service provider or potential service provider for temporary accommodation to BOTPs was not the outright owner of the property and had not obtained permission from the owner before making an offer to my Department. In one such circumstance, the contract was not signed by my Department. In another instance, where a service provider had already been providing accommodation services before my Department was made aware that they had not obtained permission from the owner and the own sought the return of the property, the contract was terminated.
Any complaint or request for assistance to my Department from persons providing accommodation for BOTPs is reviewed by officials in my Department. It should be noted that my Department is not currently contracting additional accommodation for BOTPs from new or existing provider.
In relation to accommodation for people applying for International Protection, IPAS accommodation centres are located at over 320 locations around the country and are primarily group accommodation sites, with centre management, staffing and central services provided directly to residents. Accommodation centres are of varying types, some permanent centres and some emergency centres contracted to the Department to provide accommodation.
IPAS regularly engages with centres to ensure compliance with contracts and standards with particular focus on the wellbeing of international protection applications. A small number of compliance issues have arisen across IPAS’s property portfolio of 320 centres. These issues are actively addressed with service providers as they arise and are followed up in terms of any regulatory issues, or welfare issues for residents.
When an external offer of accommodation for international protection applicants is received, the International Protection Procurement Service sends a proposal template to the prospective provider that they are required to complete and return. The proposal template seeks to gather as much information as is reasonably practicable to facilitate an objective assessment of the suitability of the premises to accommodate people seeking IP, and the right of the proposer to make the offer.
The provider must ensure that the property is of an adequate standard and that the provider will provide the services in accordance with good industry practice and comply with all applicable laws including but not limited to all obligations in the field of health and safety, environmental, social, child protection, and labour law that apply at the place where the services are provided.
If a property is contracted and it is later brought to the attention of my Department that a provider might be in contravention of their contractual obligations, my Department will take the appropriate steps to ensure an accommodation provider rectifies these matters in compliance with the relevant legislation.
566. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the international protection accommodation office or any official in his Department is aware of instances of beneficiaries of temporary protection or international protection applicants subletting property used to accommodate them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41627/24]
View answerIn relation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, in the circumstance where my Department is made aware of cases where a current or potential service provider is not the outright owner of the property where Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) are residing, or has not obtained permission from the owner before entering a contract with my Department, the case is reviewed by a dedicated team in my Department.
Officials have advised that my Department has been made aware of such cases in the past, and in each instance the contract was terminated after full review. It should be noted that my Department is not currently contracting additional accommodation for BOTPs from new or existing providers. This situation will be kept under review.
In relation to accommodation for people applying for International Protection, IPAS accommodation centres are located at over 320 locations around the country and are primarily group accommodation sites, with centre management, staffing and central services provided directly to residents.
We are currently accommodating over 32,000 people, of whom 9,000 are children with their families.
A small number of compliance issues have arisen across IPAS’s property portfolio of 320 centres. These issues are actively addressed with service providers as they arise and are followed up in terms of any regulatory issues, or welfare issues for residents.
Accommodation centres are of varying types, some permanent centres and some emergency centres contracted to the Department to provide accommodation.
IPAS regularly engages with centres to ensure compliance with contracts and standards with particular focus on the wellbeing of international protection applications.
When an external offer of accommodation for international protection applicants is received, the International Protection Procurement Service sends a proposal template to the prospective provider that they are required to complete and return. The proposal template seeks to gather as much information as is reasonably practicable to facilitate an objective assessment of the suitability of the premises to accommodate people seeking IP, and the right of the proposer to make the offer.
The provider must ensure that the property is of an adequate standard and that the provider will provide the services in accordance with good industry practice and comply with all applicable laws including but not limited to all obligations in the field of health and safety, environmental, social, child protection, and labour law that apply at the place where the services are provided.
If a property is contracted and it is later brought to the attention of the Department that a provider might be in contravention of their contractual obligations, the Department will take the appropriate steps to ensure an accommodation provider rectifies these matters in compliance with the relevant legislation.
I trust this information is helpful.
567. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 461 of 8 October 2024, if he can provide clarity on whether, and how, his Department, as per Budget 2025, will support the expansion of initiatives to enable children and young people to participate in decision making within the framework of the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-Making Action Plan 2023-2028; the funding that is being made available to this as per the Budget 2025 announcement and through which structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41630/24]
View answerFurther to my response to the Deputy’s previous question on this matter, I secured funding of €3.1m (current funding) in Budget 2025 to support my department’s remit for the participation of children and young people.
This funding will enable my department to implement, inter alia, the ambitious Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-making Action Plan 2024-2028. The implementation of this action plan will ensure that:
• The right of children and young people to participate in decisions that affect their lives is more widely recognised and implemented.
• Our local level (the Comhairle na nÓg local youth council network) and national (the National Youth Assembly of Ireland ,Daíl na nÓg and the National Executive of Comhairle) participation structures operate and develop to realise the right of all children and young people to have a say in important decisions that will impact their lives.
• The participation of seldom-heard and vulnerable children and young people in decision-making is strengthened by identifying and establishing mechanisms and pathways for their participation.
• Capacity building training to equip those working with and for children and young people to undertake meaningful consultations with children and young people is developed and rolled out.
The funding secured in Budget 2025 will also ensure that my department can fund and oversee the National Participation Office and Hub na nÓg, providing expert advice and guidance on child and youth participation, and continue to meet the demand for participation support from across government departments and the public sector in an ethical and effective way.
568. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the options available to a family (details supplied) in relation to access to supports and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41664/24]
View answerThe Government has made significant changes in terms of providing suitable but sustainable support to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs). It has agreed Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in designated state-provided serviced accommodation should receive the same level of payment regardless of when they arrived.
With effect from Monday 9 September, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in designated state-provided serviced accommodation are not entitled to social assistance payments but continue to have an entitlement to Child Benefit and to Additional Needs Payments, subject to the normal eligibility criteria. BOTPs residing in Designated Accommodation Centres (DACs) may also still qualify for a Free Travel Pass subject to satisfying the following qualifying conditions: they are aged 66 or older; or they are medically certified as not fit to drive for a period of 12 months or longer; or are blind or visually impaired and meet the medical conditions for Blind Pension.
BOTPs resident in DACs are entitled to a net weekly payment of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child, subject to an income test. The Department of Social Protection administers this payment on behalf of my Department.
When a BOTP leaves a DAC or makes their own accommodation arrangements, they are entitled to apply for standard social protection assistance, subject to meeting the standard eligibility conditions.
The Department of Social Protection’s Public Employment Service offers practical, tailored employment services and supports for people seeking work, and for employers.
Employment Services information sessions tailored to the specific entitlements and needs of BOTPs residing in DACs are being delivered on-site in DACs. The Public Employment Service is also available without an appointment at Intreo Centres to all people who wish to avail of it. BOTPs may be invited to attend further appointments with Employment Personal Advisors and Job Coaches to progress their job search and provide any further employment support they might require.
I am advised that the person concerned has already engaged with Employment Services and has been referred to EmployAbility, a service which supports people with disabilities into employment.
569. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of any funding for those working and living in Gaeltacht areas wishing to study the certificate in nurse and midwife prescribing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41202/24]
View answerI am wholly committed to supporting education opportunities for nurses and midwives in Ireland.
The HSE provides nurses and midwives with a range of options and resources to support continuing professional development. This includes funding for nurses and midwives who wish to apply to undertake a Certificate in Nursing / Professional Diploma Nurse and Midwife Prescribing Education Programme.
This funding is available to nurses and midwives employed by the HSE and HSE funded agencies (Section 38) and registered nurses employed by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) who meet the entry criteria.
The education programme is provided by a number of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
To apply for funding nurses and midwives be registered on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland Register. Further eligibility criteria can be found online at healthservice.hse.ie/about-us/onmsd/onmsd/specific-programmes/nurse-midwife-medicinal-product-prescribing.html.
Further queries regarding funding can be sent via email to: Fundingnursemidwife.prescribing@hse.ie.
570. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a contribution towards the cost of a treatment for a person (details supplied) will be provided. [40932/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
571. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to outline the reasons HSE Grade 3 clerical staff who are on a panel for Grade 4 positions are not being appointed; and the reason agency staff are being recruited into these positions. [40935/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
572. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to adding a medication to the long-term illness scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40937/24]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list. Only medicines with licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority can be added to the reimbursement list.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
Melatonin (Slenyto®) is licensed for the treatment of insomnia in children and adolescents aged 2-18 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and / or Smith-Magenis syndrome, where sleep hygiene measures have been insufficient. The HSE advise that it is undergoing a pricing and reimbursement application process at the moment and that reimbursement support under the community drug schemes or any arrangement cannot be provided in advance of the conclusion of the formal processes.
The HSE advise that Melatonin (Circadin®), which is indicated for the short-term treatment of primary insomnia, has never been available under the Community Drug Schemes. Melatonin (Circadin®) underwent a review in 2008 and reimbursement was not recommended by the NCPE (see http://www.ncpe.ie/drugs/melatonin-circadin/).
However, the HSE further advise that an application for Melatonin (Circadin®) can be made on an exceptional basis under Discretionary Hardship Arrangements for medical card holders. All applications under these arrangements are reviewed on an individual patient basis. The HSE must be satisfied that the patient requires the item for clinical reasons, and that there is no item on the reimbursement list which is a suitable alternative for that patient.
The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in the 1970s prescribing 16 conditions covered by the Scheme. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. Further information regarding the LTI Scheme, including the conditions covered, can be found at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lti/. There are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions.
Those not eligible for the LTI Scheme, may be able to obtain a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE and is primarily based on an assessment of means. In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. Further information regarding medical cards can be found at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/.
573. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40938/24]
View answerFoetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is often an invisible disability and is associated with lifelong physical, mental, educational, social, and behavioural difficulties, but it is preventable by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy.
This is one of the reasons why in May 2023, I signed into law the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023 and the remaining provisions of Section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act. The law provides that the labels of alcohol products warn about the risk of consuming alcohol when pregnant.
The HSE’s Making Every Contact Count (MECC) in Maternity Training Programme provides health service management and staff with a training programme that enables those who complete it to be equipped to deliver brief interventions with women. The training programme covers the main lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease namely tobacco, alcohol and drug use, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating.
A request for a meeting was received from the organisation referred to by the Deputy. As I was not in a position to meet with the organisation in this instance, regrets were issued. While I make every effort to meet with as many stakeholders as possible, it is not always possible to commit to every meeting request due to work pressures and the sheer volume of meeting requests that my office receives.
574. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card application submitted by a person (details supplied) was closed in view of the fact that the requested documentation was submitted to the PCRS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40955/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
575. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of HSE-owned buildings that are vacant or not running at full capacity in a town (details supplied); if there is a HSE building in said town that would have capacity for a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40960/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
576. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health to advise regarding a HSE site (details supplied); the total size of the site (acres); the current buildings in use by the HSE; the current area (acres) unused which could be developed; and if anything is in train (plans) for any further development on site currently (aside from one project). [40961/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
577. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the measures the HSE has put in place to address the chronic shortfall in HSE physiotherapy services in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40969/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
578. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the shortage of a non-MRNA Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); the engagements he has had with the European Medicines Agency in respect of authorisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41006/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
579. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to implementing recommendation eight of the National Radiation Therapist Review report (details supplied); if not, to outline his rationale; the engagements he has had with third level institutions in respect of this recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41007/24]
View answerThe Minister for Health fully supports the need to train more radiation therapists. There are radiation therapist vacancies across radiation oncology centres and it is necessary to ensure that we train enough graduates with the skills to support the delivery of health and social care, including Radiation Therapy services.
The independent review of the Radiation Therapist profession has been finalised. This strategic review considered important issues such as organisation structure, career development in line with Health and Social Care Professional Frameworks, strategic workforce planning and recruitment and retention strategies. This review has published 16 recommendations which aim to help and support the Radiation Therapy profession into the future. As the terms of reference for the review state, the implementation of any recommendations from the review will remain subject to the approval from the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform.
With regard to Recommendation 8 and clinical practice supports, I am committed to working with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure the delivery of expansion of student training places in Radiation Therapy and ensuring there are clinical learning support hours funded at each of the five public radiotherapy facilities at Galway University Hospital, Cork University Hospital and three sites in Dublin through the St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network (SLRON). There are currently 1.5 WTE Radiation Therapy practice tutors funded through the Higher Education Authority.
Engagement with third level institutions is led by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Department of Health officials are working with officials in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Science with regard to the expansion in student training places and the associated clinical placement hours required.
My Department will work with the Health Service Executive with regard to establishing clinical learning supports aligned with clinical placement provision on each of the five sites.
580. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of collisions requiring ambulance dispatch in Kildare for 2023 and 2024; and the average time of dispatch, in tabular form. [41024/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
