Written Answers Nos. 257-278
257. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the CAMHS psychology waiting-list numbers and exact wait-times in months and years for young people in each integrated health area of the Dublin and South East Regional Health Area, in tabular form; the number of years waiting for young people waiting more than twelve months; and the longest wait-time in years and months, as of 1 April 2025. [21646/25]
View answerAs this is a service issue I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
258. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the current CAMHS psychology staffing levels by grade of psychologist and per population size served in each integrated health area of the Mid West Regional Health Area, as of 1 April 2025. [21647/25]
View answerAs this is a service issue I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
259. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the current CAMHS psychology staffing levels by grade of psychologist and per population size served in each integrated health area of the Dublin and South East Regional Health Area, as of 1 April 2025. [21648/25]
View answerAs this is a service issue I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
260. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the current CAMHS psychology staffing levels, by grade of psychologist and per population size served in each integrated health area of the Dublin and Midlands Regional Health Area, as of 1 April 2025. [21655/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
261. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the way in which she plans to address the shortcomings in oversight and monitoring of foster care placements for individuals with disabilities, as highlighted by the prolonged neglect experienced by Grace as outlined in the Farrelly Commission report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21660/25]
View answerThis is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and should be redirected to that Department.
262. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if her Department has conducted a review of the effectiveness and availability of community-based services for adults with eating disorders; and if so, to provide the findings and planned follow-up actions. [21661/25]
View answer265. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health her plans to expand adult-specific eating disorder treatment centres in regional areas outside of Dublin; the proposed timeline for such developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21664/25]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos 265 and 262 together.
Eating disorders are complex, individual, and can be one of the most serious mental health illnesses.
The National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders has progressed well with 14 of the 16 teams envisaged by the Model of Care now funded. Most teams are fully operational and seeing people with eating disorders every day; other teams are at different stages of recruitment or preparation for being operational. The most effective treatment setting for eating disorders is in the community, and the roll out of community teams under the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders continues apace; by the end of this year 14 teams out of the 16 envisaged in the Model of Care will be in place.
While a small number of people require inpatient treatment, research shows the most effective treatment setting for eating disorders is in the community. The HSE works hard to meet the needs of people with eating disorders in the setting most appropriate to their needs.
Access to services is increasing, with twice as many assessments conducted in 2023 compared to 2022 (449 vs 227). 2024 data for the Programme will be available in the coming weeks. Approximately 100 dedicated Eating Disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are working on teams across the country. Enhancement for specialist mental health services such as eating disorders is a key priority for the Minister, the Government as a whole, and the HSE.
With regard to adult inpatient services, adults who have an eating disorder diagnosis and require inpatient care can be referred to any of the HSE’s acute inpatient mental health approved centres around the country. The HSE also funds beds within private hospitals with dedicated eating disorder programmes for adults where recommended by an adult psychiatrist. One Adult Eating Disorder Team also provides care to its catchment area with 3 specialist eating disorder beds in St Vincent's University Hospital.
A review of bed capacity across all mental health facilities -including adult eating disorder beds - has taken place and is under consideration by the HSE. This is informing work by the NCP ED on a plan for expanded specialist adult inpatient capacity for eating disorders, and this will be provided to me in June.
Government also acknowledges the important work on advocacy, peer supports and other services that groups such as CARED and BodyWhys provide.
Following increased demand for services and the recent preliminary census 2022 data showing an overall increase in population, a review of the Model of Care is planned. The outcomes of this review will inform the further development of eating disorder services into the future.
263. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the number and location of inpatient beds currently available for adults with eating disorders; the average occupancy rate of each facility over the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21662/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
264. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the level of funding allocated to adult eating disorder services in each of the past five years; the amount of funding drawn down and spent in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21663/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
266. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase medical card income limits; and if she will consider adjusting the thresholds in line with increases in social welfare rates to prevent those with long-term chronic conditions from losing eligibility. [21665/25]
View answerEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons under 70 are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. Detailed guidelines are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/assessment/.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. The weekly gross medical card income thresholds for people aged 70 and over are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card - in particular, to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.
Where a person's sole income is derived from a social protection payment, even where this is more than the current means threshold, he/she will be awarded a medical card.
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
267. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health her plans to introduce a nationwide scheme to allow people return unused or out of date medication to pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21684/25]
View answerPharmacists play a crucial role delivering many important services to support the health of our communities, offering expert advice, ensuring the safe supply of medicines, and delivering vaccines to the public. They are also among the most accessible healthcare professionals nationwide.
There has been ongoing engagement between Department officials and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) regarding the potential to extend the scope of practice of community pharmacists and the enablers needed to implement that.
My Department has been carrying out a comprehensive review of the pharmacy fee structure in the context of this engagement and the intended expansion of the scope of pharmacy practice, following the recommendations of the Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy. The State invests a considerable amount of funding in community pharmacy each year.
Building on these strong foundations, I believe that pharmacists can do more for our health service and I want to see an expansion of the services offered by pharmacists. This ambition is reflected in the commitments and priorities set out in the new Programme for Government: Securing Ireland’s Future.
I look forward to working closely with the sector in 2025, including advancing engagements between my Department and the HSE with the IPU, as the representative body for community pharmacists, in relation to the community pharmacy contract and associated enablers.
It is my intention as part of these engagements with the pharmacy sector that the implementation of a national Disposal of Unused Medicines Properly (DUMP) programme will be discussed. Previous DUMP campaigns have been successfully run locally by the HSE and facilitated by local community pharmacists. I want to take the lessons learned from these and implement a national DUMP programme.
In addition to the collection of unused or expired medicines, there is also a need to raise greater patient awareness to ensure the appropriate use of medicines prescribed and to reduce the instances of medicine wastage, with all the environmental risks associated with such.
I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community pharmacists to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services, and provide better value for money.
268. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the role of adult educator in Youthreach as outlined in his speech at the recent conference in Wexford (details supplied); if the adult educator grade proposed is to replace the established grade of Youthreach resource person, who have their pre-existing terms and conditions (CL12/03); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21342/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this question. My Department recognises and appreciates the work and commitment of adult educators and Youthreach resource persons.
I would like to clarify that the new grade of adult educator will not replace the established grade of Youthreach resource person or affect their current terms and conditions set out in Circular 12/2003.
The pay scale for the new adult educator grade is aligned to the pay scale for a Youthreach resource person for pay and incremental purposes only.
269. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that anyone applying for the SUSI over the age of 23, still residing with their parents is automatically classed as a mature dependent student and means-tested according to the household income; if he is aware that the assumption of family support for adults living in their parental home who are not, themselves, legal dependents for the purpose of the SUSI grant means-test, leads to hardship and creates significant barriers to upskilling through third and higher level education; if he will consider abolishing the SUSI Grant's household means test for adults living in their parental home who are not legal dependents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21415/25]
View answer270. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that adults over 23 applying for the SUSI grant who are living in the parental home but are not, themselves, legal adult dependents, are classed as mature dependent students and subject to a means-test of the entire household income; if he is aware of the hardship that results from the assumption of family support for adults living in their parental home who are not legal adult dependents; if he is aware of the barriers to upskilling through third- and higher-level education this means-test and category of 'mature dependent student' creates for adults who are not legal adult dependents living in the parental home; if he will abolish the household means-test for adults over 23 who are living in the parental home but are not legal adult dependents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21438/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students who are dependent on parents/legal guardian, mature dependent students, or independent students.
If a student has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course, and is not ordinarily resident with their parents from the previous 1st October, they may be assessed as an independent student (i.e. assessed without reference to parental income). If a student is over the age 23 on 1st January of the year of their point of entry into an approved course and is residing with their parent/legal guardians they will be assessed as a mature dependent student (i.e. assessed with reference to parental income).
A student’s status for grant purposes is defined at their first point of entry to an approved further or higher education course or at their point of re-entry to an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years, and continues to apply for the duration of their studies.
Applicants who do not meet the criteria to be assessed as an independent student for grant purposes, or who cannot supply the necessary documentation to establish independent living for the required period, may still apply to SUSI to have their grant eligibility assessed as a dependent student. The relevant information, including details of parental income, would be required by SUSI to determine grant eligibility as a dependent student.
Further information regarding class of applicant (independent, dependent, and mature dependent) and the types of documentation accepted as evidence of living independently from parents is available from SUSI’s website: www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/applicant-class/
The Deputy will appreciate that the funding allocation for the Student Grant Scheme is determined in the context of the overall estimates and budgetary process undertaken by all Government Departments. All proposals made in relation to SUSI grant expenditure can only be considered in the context of the budgetary allocation, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.
271. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of the capital budget allocation for his Department that was spent in the first four months of 2025; If he will provide the same figures for the corresponding period in the years of 2024 and 2023, in tabular form. [21462/25]
View answerI outline below the percentage of the capital budget allocation for my Department that was spent in the first four months for each year requested.
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
19.3% |
18.9% |
22.4% |
272. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of clinical psychologist courses and places that are currently in the third level educational system; and what plans are in place to increase this number. [21499/25]
View answerEnsuring a pipeline of qualified graduates to meet the mental health needs of adults and children is a priority for this Government. There are three main disciplines of Psychology; Clinical, Counselling and Educational, all of which require a level 10 PhD to meet professional standards to practice. Five Universities in Ireland provide Clinical Psychology programmes at level 10 with approximately 55 graduates per year.
As part of Budget 2023 the Department of Health secured funding to provide sponsorship for Clinical and Counselling trainee Psychologist PhD programmes. This arrangement is a matter for the Department of Health and the HSE, as the employer. The Department of Education are also engaging in increased student intake for Educational Psychology programmes, providing their own sponsorship programme via the National Educational Psychology Service (NEPS).
Enhancing student capacity in a sustainable manner to meet projected workforce demand is a critical consideration of workforce planning and is key to enabling further expansion on these programmes. Practice education placements are essential to support clinical skills development and the application of theory to patient care and attainment of regulatory required standards of proficiency where applicable.
Engagement is ongoing between officials in my Department and officials in the Department of Health, as well as the HSE, CORU and the higher education sector. Work is underway on the oversight and infrastructure for clinical placements to enable further expansion.
273. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the second annual Impact 2030 progress report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21668/25]
View answerImpact 2030 is Ireland's National Research and Innovation Strategy. The first Impact 2030 Progress Report was published in July 2023. The intention of the Impact 2030 Progress Report is to assess the extent to which the multiannual work programmes are being delivered, thereby providing ongoing insight into how Ireland's research-funding Departments and Agencies are working together to implement Impact 2030.
My officials have worked with research funding and performing Departments and State Agencies to prepare the second annual Impact 2030 Progress Report. The report is currently being finalised and I am advised that it will be made available via publication on my Department's official website by mid-year.
274. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will meet with higher and further education institutions that are not defined as a designated institution under the Higher Education Authority Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21711/25]
View answerWhen the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 was commenced, sixteen higher education institutions were automatically designated. These higher education institutions are the seven traditional universities, the technological universities, the institutes of technology, the National College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 also provides for a designation by order process which allows other higher education institutions to apply for designation. However, these provisions have not yet been commenced. I wish to advise that work has commenced on developing the designation by order process, including initial consideration of the conditions for designation.
This is a complex process, involving liaison with the Higher Education Authority, Quality and Qualifications Ireland and other stakeholders to ensure that the new designation process fits seamlessly within the higher education system. It is envisaged that this consultation process will include meetings with Higher Education Institutions and their representative bodies.
It is planned to make considerable progress on the development of the designation by order process and regulations during 2025, with a view to commencing the process in 2026.
Please note that the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 does not cover Further Education providers and therefore its designation process is limited to the recognition of 'designated institutions of higher education'.
275. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects in County Meath that received funding under the CLAR Programme; and the amount of funding received for the years 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [21328/25]
View answerThe CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme that provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. Since 2017, almost €1.6 million has been awarded in County Meath for some 43 CLÁR projects .
The attached table outlines the projects approved and the amount of CLÁR funding awarded to those projects in Co Meath from 2023 to date.
|
Year |
Project |
Project Description |
Amount Allocated |
|
2023 |
Ballinlough GFC |
Installation of a wheelchair platform lift in community centre and children's play area |
€49,625 |
|
2023 |
Moylagh GAA |
Creation of a biodiversity corridor along the perimeter of Moylagh GAA grounds |
€50,000 |
|
2023 |
Carnaross GFC |
Surface upgrading of existing walking track and erection of safety fencing |
€49,500 |
|
2023 |
Kilskyre Pride of Place |
Additional public lighting, resurfacing of the carpark and maintenance to boundary wall. |
€40,649 |
|
2023 |
Newcastle Development Committee |
Second phase of the refurbishment of the community hall |
€50,000 |
|
2024 |
Ballinacree Community Association |
Construction of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) along with all associated site works. |
€50,000 |
|
2024 |
St Brigid’s GFC |
Upgrade pedestrian walkway. Replacement of fence surrounding car park |
€47,786 |
|
2024 |
Carnaross GFC |
Upgrading of car park |
€50,000 |
|
2024 |
Moylagh GAA Club |
Provision of additional hard stand car park spaces. |
€50,000 |
|
2024 |
Newcastle Community Development |
Resurface car park and hall access areas, reline car park, landscape and lighting. |
€50,000 |
276. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding allocated to the LIS scheme each year over the past ten years. [21098/25]
View answer278. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will increase funding to the LIS scheme substantially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21100/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 278 together.
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, almost €170 million has been provided by the Government to local authorities for LIS.
While the Department provides funding for LIS, the scheme is administered by local authorities responsible for selecting and prioritising roads. Applications are received directly by local authorities, who engage with scheme beneficiaries.
Regarding annual funding allocations to LIS, department officials review the scheme ahead of any new funding announcements to ensure our local authorities make allocations as fairly and efficiently as possible. My Department officials also work closely with local authorities to ensure funding is fully utilised. As has been the case in recent years, I will continue to monitor capital expenditure across my Department as the year progresses, with the potential to utilise any savings that may arise elsewhere for schemes such as the LIS. I will also be engaging with the upcoming review of the National Development Plan to seek increased capital expenditure allocations across the investment schemes operated by my Department.
The attached tabular statement provides details of the funding amount allocated to each local authority for the years 2017 - 2025
277. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding allocated to each Local Authority each year over the past ten years, in tabular form. [21099/25]
View answerMy Department provides the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG) with the amounts paid to each local authority in each year, for inclusion in their Report on the Accounts of the Public Services. As my Department was established in 2017, I have provided the information for 2017 to 2024 inclusive. I would note that the 2024 figures remain provisional until the OCAG report referred to is published. My Department also publishes funding allocations made for all schemes, with allocations announced in one year often being paid out across a number of years. This information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development/collections/funding-allocated-by-the-department/
