Written Answers Nos. 208-227
208. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on why the service statement for a person (details supplied) contradicts the assessment of needs for that person; why that contradiction persisted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14463/25]
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.
209. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to identify where appropriate clinical support should be provided for a person (details supplied); why ambiguity exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14464/25]
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.
210. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 773 of 25 February 2025, when a substantive response will issue from the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14468/25]
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.
211. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 774 of 7 February 2025, when a substantive response will issue from the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14469/25]
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.
212. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 775 of 25 February 2025, when a substantive response will issue from the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14470/25]
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.
213. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 777 of 25 February 2025, when a substantive response will issue from the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14471/25]
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.
214. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 778 of 25 February 2025, when a substantive response will issue from the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14472/25]
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.
215. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 779 of 25 February 2025, when a substantive response will issue from the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14473/25]
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.
216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if additional funding is being provided to her Department this year due to additional expenditure arising following storm Éowyn; if additional funding is provided, the programmes and schemes that will benefit from this additional expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14563/25]
View answerThis information is not immediately available. My Department is preparing a response and will contact the Deputy as soon as possible with the requested information.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order
See attached
217. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount paid to a company (details supplied) for a temporary accommodation centre; the initial length of the contract provided for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14595/25]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.
The property to which the Deputy refers was contracted by my Department from March 2024 to March 2025 to provide emergency temporary accommodation to BOTPs.
The amount paid in respect of the accommodation centre to which the Deputy refers is €28,485,621.76.
218. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts being made to re-accommodate Ukrainian families following the closure of the temporary accommodation centre at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14596/25]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.
Since 14th March 2024 people fleeing Ukraine who have chosen to come to Ireland and then sought access to State-contracted accommodation can only remain there for 90 days.
As part of the 90-day policy, those arriving are accommodated at Designated Accommodation Centres (DACs). Any person availing of State-contracted accommodation for this period is also provided with intensive supports to assist them source independent accommodation.
The property to which the Deputy refers has been operating as one of these 90-day DACs and it is scheduled to close before Friday, 28th March.
While I cannot publicly detail the locations of BOTP accommodation centres, including regarding follow-on accommodation, in the interest of the privacy and security of residents and providers, I can assure the Deputy that my Department makes every effort to keep people as local as possible, given the scale involved this is not always possible. I am advised by my officials that it is expected that all of the BOTPs currently resident at this location will be relocated a short distance away from their current accommodation.
BOTPs are entitled to make their own private arrangements, including by availing of State-supported programmes. BOTPs may also explore private rented accommodation either through their own means or with the assistance of Rent Supplement, if eligible. Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment administered by the Department of Social Protection to help meet the cost of private rented accommodation. Their local Department of Social Protection office may be able to provide further information relating to Rent Supplement. Contact details for the local offices can be found on gov.ie (Intreo centres and local branch offices).
219. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason given by a company (details supplied) for not extending its contract with her Department for a temporary accommodation centre at a location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14597/25]
View answerThe property to which the Deputy refers has been providing accommodation for newly arrived beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) for a maximum stay of 90 days, in line with Government policy. My Department's contract with this location is ending on 28 March 2025.
My Department does not comment on individual properties or contractual arrangements due to the commercially sensitive nature of such details. Once a contract has ended, the future use of the property is a commercial decision for the accommodation provider.
220. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria for the establishment of a temporary accommodation centre in any given area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14598/25]
View answerBeneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs)
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department is not currently accepting offers of accommodation from new or current providers in respect of the provision of accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs).
When the portal for offers of commercial accommodation for BOTPs was open, providers were asked to self-assess the validity of their accommodation offer against my Department’s criteria. These guidelines are available at gov - Revised guidelines for Temporary Accommodation in Existing Buildings for those fleeing the war in Ukraine (www.gov.ie)
International Protection applicants
Given the rapid increase in demand over recent years, my Department has been working hard to source suitable accommodation for international protection applicants, both through development of capacity on State-owned lands, planning the purchase of suitable sites, and an immediate to medium term sourcing of commercial accommodation to meet need.
The contracting of properties as emergency centres is partly dependent on the receipt of offers from external providers, and my Department cannot predetermine their geographical location. In meeting our obligation to provide material reception conditions to people seeking international protection, my Department can consider offers of accommodation from a tax-compliant company, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and minimum standards. Given the need at this time, we have not been in a position to refuse offers of suitable accommodation that meet our requirements.
Once an offer is received with respect to accommodation for international protection applicants, it is assessed for suitability. This includes a range of factors such as previous use of the property, accommodation suitability, rates, room sizes, capacity and amenities, information on the building's safety and fitness for occupancy, and various other criteria such as Wi-Fi, security provision and staffing.
The current focus is on developing State-owned accommodation from a range of sources, building a sustainable system and reducing reliance on commercial providers over time. My Department also aims to gain far greater control over dispersal patterns and to further enhance engagement with local communities and planning authorities. In the interim, there will remain a need to continue to develop emergency accommodation solutions to meet urgent demand and ensure people are provided with shelter and support.
221. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans for the site at a location (details supplied) after the termination of a temporary accommodation centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14604/25]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.
Once a contract has ended, the future use of the property is a commercial decision for the accommodation provider and my Department has no role in this matter.
222. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the actions that will be taken in regard to the recent downgrade in the quality and size of pull-ups provided by the HSE for children with toileting needs (details supplied) which is causing huge stress to families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14606/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
223. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if, in light of the correspondence between an organisation (details supplied) and the HSE regarding a service level agreement application submitted on 8 July 2024, as well as subsequent communications, she will provide an update on the status of the application; the steps her Department and or the HSE has taken on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14238/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
224. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health the process by which a GP can apply to establish a new private practice in a town or community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14240/25]
View answer234. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health the process by which a community can make a request that a new private GP practice be established within their community where they are experiencing a gap in service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14264/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 234 together.
GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community. GPs are not required to apply to the Department of Health or the HSE to a establish a new practice.
As self-employed practitioners, most GPs hold contracts with the HSE for the provision of health services, such as under the GMS contract for the provision of GP services without charge to the medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs may undertake a GMS contract with the HSE, provided they meet the criteria.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE put a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care for the area concerned. As of the start of the February, there are 22 GMS vacancies across the country, less than 1 percent of the total number of GMS panels.
It is worth noting that some GP practices operate from HSE Primary Care Centres (PCCs). PCCs are modern, purpose-designed buildings that provide a single location for a primary care team to work from. Where there is provision to accommodate a GP practice within a PCC, the HSE engages with local GPs who are interested in locating to the premises.
225. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if there is support available to those who face significant travel expenses in order to attend hospital appointments in another county (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14241/25]
View answerThis is not a matter for Department of Health and was offered to Department of Social Protection on transfer who failed to respond. Please redirect this question to the Department of Social Protection.
226. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the new 50-bed community nursing home in Nenagh will open fully this October; and if not, when. [14242/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
227. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health to consider implementing a system whereby patients who present with emergency mental health crisis do not have to go through the regular A&E; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14245/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
