Written Answers Nos. 977-997
977. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of providers that have been paid AIM funding for 2024; and the number awaiting payment, by county, in tabular form. [45113/24]
View answerThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of high quality early learning and care.
The main supports are grouped into universal or targeted supports. Universal supports are designed to create a more inclusive culture in Early Learning and Care settings, through training courses and qualifications for staff. Where universal supports are not enough to meet the needs of an individual child, targeted supports are available to ensure the child can meaningfully participate in pre-school.
The AIM targeted supports are AIM Level 5 and AIM Level 7. AIM Level 5 provides specialised equipment, appliances or capital grants towards minor building alterations to ensure a child’s meaningful participation in pre-school. AIM level 7 provides additional funding to pre-schools who have a child requiring extra support. Providers can use this funding either to reduce the child-to-adult ratio in the pre-school room or to fund an extra staff member as a shared resource with other children in the ECCE setting.
Below are the statistics by county for the number of providers who were approved for AIM targeted supports and have to be paid. The reasons as to why payments have not issued can vary but may include tax clearance issues, companies registration issues or invoice issues.
The data in the table below relates to calendar year 2024 (01 Jan – 31 Oct) covering both 2024/25 and 2023/24 calls.
Payments listed for Level 5 relate to Level 5 alterations only because Level 5 equipment payments are made directly to the equipment supplier.
|
Level 5 County |
Services with Approved Applications (2024 Calendar Year) |
No. Services approved and yet to be paid (2023/24 & 2024/25 Calls) |
|
Carlow |
4 |
1 |
|
Cavan |
13 |
0 |
|
Clare |
23 |
1 |
|
Cork |
52 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
11 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
62 |
0 |
|
Galway |
18 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
21 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
16 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
0 |
|
Laois |
8 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
14 |
0 |
|
Longford |
4 |
0 |
|
Louth |
12 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
16 |
0 |
|
Meath |
20 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
8 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
8 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
16 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
7 |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
14 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
12 |
0 |
|
Grand Total |
388 |
5 |
|
Level 7 County |
Services with Approved Applications (2024 Calendar Year) |
Services approved and yet to be paid (2023/24 & 2024/25 Calls) |
|
Carlow |
33 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
46 |
1 |
|
Clare |
82 |
2 |
|
Cork |
327 |
4 |
|
Donegal |
101 |
1 |
|
Dublin |
668 |
10 |
|
Galway |
168 |
2 |
|
Kerry |
96 |
1 |
|
Kildare |
139 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
71 |
0 |
|
Laois |
64 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
23 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
125 |
2 |
|
Longford |
21 |
4 |
|
Louth |
81 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
98 |
5 |
|
Meath |
155 |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
44 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
60 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
43 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
34 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
132 |
3 |
|
Waterford |
65 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
53 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
93 |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
112 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
2,934 |
62 |
978. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address specific issues raised in respect of the provision of services to a child with ASD in County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45147/24]
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.
979. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE solicitors employed by his Department in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45186/24]
View answerI am advised by HR Unit that there is one WTE solicitor employed by my Department to act as a temporary solicitor for The Farrelly Commission of Investigation.
|
Year |
Number of solicitors employed |
|
2023 |
1 |
|
To date in 2024 |
1 |
980. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child with additional needs in County Cork (details supplied) will receive services; where the child stands on the waiting list currently for access to various services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45207/24]
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.
981. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people aged under 65 residing in nursing homes in each of the years since 2020. [45263/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
982. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will report on the case of a person with cerebral palsy (details supplied) who cannot receive their full personal assistant hours as allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45296/24]
View answer983. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a patient (details supplied) that was receiving physiotherapy with charitable organisations as a minor is expected, now in their mid-thirties, to leave this system and organise their own physiotherapy; his views on whether his Department it is doing enough to vindicate the right of people with disabilities to have access to physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45297/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 982 and 983 together.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
984. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the review of the eligibility criteria for the ECCE scheme; if that review will look at the lower age limit with a view to reducing the age limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45298/24]
View answerAs mentioned by the Deputy, an independent review of the ECCE Programme has recently been completed. Among other issues, it examined the issues of ratios for children participating in the ECCE Programme and possible flexibility with ECCE age eligibility. The findings from the review are being considered by my Department and will inform any potential changes to the Programme in the future.
The current ECCE eligibility criteria were set based on a number of considerations. The ECCE programme is a pre-school programme based on the National Practice Frameworks - Aistear and Síolta. 2 years and 8 months is considered the youngest age where a child has the capacity for this programme.
Additionally, the lower age range was set based on Tusla regulations for minimum adult to child ratios for children in early learning and childcare settings. These regulations take account of the needs and developmental stages of children such as toilet training and sleeping arrangements. The review of the ECCE programme found that the younger age range in pre-school might struggle with the ratios which is commonly 2 adults to 22 children in ECCE rooms.
Finally, the current arrangements also ensure that all children have the same entitlement of 2 years of ECCE regardless of their birth date whereas with previous arrangements this was not always the case.
The Department is currently considered the findings including the age eligibility issues having regard to original rationale and the feedback from the review.
985. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the rationale behind the delay in an assessment of needs for a child (details supplied); how much longer the child is expected to wait; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45299/24]
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.
986. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of vacancies in the CDNT services, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45304/24]
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.
987. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children waiting longer than six months for AON assessment in Clare; how long they are waiting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45306/24]
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.
988. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that patients from Mayo are forced to travel to Galway University Hospital to see access optometry services required as a consequence of diabetes (details supplied); if these services can be offered in Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44350/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
989. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health for an update on the provision of dietetic services to child and adolescent mental health services nationally; and for a breakdown of which services have access to a dietician on a regular or full-time basis. [45285/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
990. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health for an update on the provision of dietetics service to Cork south and west child and adolescent mental health service teams; if there is a plan to provide access to a dietetics team on a full-time basis; and if so, when this will be put in place. [45286/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
991. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of patients awaiting initial CAMHS appointments after referral in Clare; how long they are waiting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45305/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
992. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43905/24]
View answer“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
993. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to add food allergies to the long-term illness scheme due to the costs of adrenaline pens, antihistamines and doctors' visits.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43916/24]
View answerThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions covered by the Scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
This Government has put a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services, advancing substantial policy, legislation and investment to deliver expanded eligibility. This includes reductions in the Drug Payment Scheme threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.
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. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
994. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for registration made to the Irish Medical Council (details supplied) will be expedited and approved; the timeframe for such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43921/24]
View answerDoctors whose qualifications do not entitle them to automatic recognition under the EU Directive 2005/36/EC, must pass or be exempt from the pre-registration exam, the PRES, if applying for General registration. Exemptions from the PRES can be granted to applicants who have undertaken an internship which the Council recognises to be the equivalent of an Irish internship (COE route) or who hold a higher qualification which is recognised by the Council for the purpose of granting an exemption.
With regards to the specific individual concerned, I am advised that the doctor applied for registration as a non-EU qualified doctor via the COE route in July 2024. The COE route receives the highest volume of applications and has seen an increase of over 20% in the past 12 months which has impacted on the turnaround times. The current assessment times for the COE route are approximately 37 weeks, to bring an application to an “eligible for registration” status. The Medical Council continuously reviews its processes to identify efficiencies and every effort is being made to reduce these timeframes.
It is appreciated that this is a considerable timeframe and in order to expedite applications for doctors who have an offer of employment, the Medical Council, in collaboration with the HSE, has established an Urgent Application Corridor (UAC). An application can be considered through the UAC once the HSE confirms the offer of employment and for correctly presented applications (i.e. all supporting documentation provided) the turnaround times are 3-4 weeks. The Medical Council has also implemented the roll-out of the UAC on a pilot basis with private hospitals.
995. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE patient transport service, and how a patient can avail of this service to attend hospital appointments using a taxi or ambulance, depending on their physical needs. [43922/24]
View answer“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
996. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will address the lack of payment for clinical placement in fields such as general nursing, mental health nursing, early childhood education, medicine, social care and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43928/24]
View answerThe HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
997. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a mobility scooter can be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43929/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
