Written Answers Nos. 429-453
429. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to establishing a timeline for the roll-out of oral immunotherapy services for the treatment of children living with allergies (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73116/25]
View answerWhile CHI has advised that currently there is no timeline for the rollout of oral immunotherapy (OIT) services, Cork University Hospital (CUH) has launched an OIT programme for peanut and tree nut allergies. The current OIT service is for children under five years of age and is delivered as an integral component of CUH’s allergy service with more than 120 new patients in the programme since May 2025.
In addition, CUH are establishing outreach supra-regional clinics that will bring specialty allergy clinics closer to the homes of children within the HSE Southwest RHA, and to surrounding areas (including Limerick, Clonmel, and Kilkenny).
Due to the operational nature of the Deputy’s query, I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide a direct response, as soon as possible.
430. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health for an update on the progress of the initial participants in Cork University Hospital’s food oral immunotherapy programme; whether a timeline has been developed in respect of the development of new supra-regional specialty allergy clinics in Limerick and Clonmel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73117/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
431. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to address the issue of access to oral immunotherapy for children with nut allergies; for an update in respect of the HSE senior leadership team’s decision on the medicine in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73118/25]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
432. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will meet with a delegation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73120/25]
View answerThe Dept of Health recently attended the Joint Committee on Health to discuss the role of alcohol in the national drugs strategy. The meeting was also attended by the Coalition for Better Alcohol Policy. This provided an opportunity to have comprehensive engagement on the role of alcohol in the drugs strategy.
I recently received a draft of the national drugs strategy 2026-2029, which provides an integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug and harmful alcohol use.
I have decided that a public consultation will be undertaken to gather the views of the public on the draft strategy. The organisation referred to will have an opportunity to contribute to the consultation.
433. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a decision to refuse an NMBI registration can be reviewed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73125/25]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of nurses and midwives in Ireland rests with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The NMBI is an independent regulatory body established under the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2011. As the query raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), I have referred the question to the NMBI for its attention and direct response to the Deputy.
434. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the reason the RSV vaccination for children cannot be purchased privately by parents for children who are outside the age bracket for immunisation but who have underlying health conditions which has already resulted in hospitalisation when the child contracts RSV; if she will make the vaccine available to people who wish to purchase it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73153/25]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. Following on from the successful Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation pathfinder programme in 2024/2025, an expanded RSV Immunisation programme is in place throughout Winter 2025/2026. This immunisation offers protection ahead of the seasonal upsurge in infection with RSV.The risk of severe RSV infection is highest in the youngest infants, especially those born during the RSV season.The RSV Immunisation programme will offer immunisation to:
• babies born between 1 September 2025 and 28 February 2026;
• babies who are six months old or younger on 1 September;
• premature babies (born before 30 weeks gestation or less than 1.25kg at birth) and other higher risk infants (due to underlying medical conditions) born during RSV season.
The RSV Immunisation Programme is operated by the HSE, with immunisations being administered from 1 September 2025 in maternity hospitals to newborn babies. The catch-up aspect of the RSV infant immunisation programme has now ended.
A Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on RSV immunisation for infants and adults is currently being undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
The primary objective of this HTA is to provide advice to my Department to inform a policy decision on the most appropriate RSV immunisation strategy for infants and adults aged 65 and older. HIQA’s assessment will assess the clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and budget impact of alternative strategies for the immunisation of infants and adults aged 65 years and older against RSV. This HTA will also consider the organisational, resource, ethical, patient and social implications associated with these alternative strategies.
A draft report is currently available for public consultation and it is open for review and comment by the public until 20 January 2026.The outcome of the HTA will inform the development of any longer-term programme and future decision making on the matter of RSV immunisation in Ireland.
It is open to individuals with any queries to discuss their immunisation needs with their GP.
435. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the current status of a minor injuries unit for Merlin Park, Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73155/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
436. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of people on physiotherapy waiting lists in Kerry, by area and by length of time, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73156/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
437. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies that exist within CAMHS in County Kerry, by area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73157/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
438. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the administrative cost to the Health Service of a missed appointment; if the HSE has carried out any assessments or calculations on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73186/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
439. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if her Department has undertaken an assessment of potential risks or vulnerabilities which may be attached to future regulation or policymaking in the areas of public health or the care sector, for which future developments are planned, from possible cases taken against the Irish State under ISDS or ICS rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73246/25]
View answerThis is a matter for Department of Enterprise and should be redirected to that Department.
440. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Health the details of the indemnification of manufacturers of messenger RNA gene therapy supplied during the SARS Cov 2 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73256/25]
View answerIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland, through its participation in an EU led procurement process, gained access to a broad range of vaccines that it might not otherwise have had access to, and at a cost negotiated collectively by the EU.
As part of this procurement exercise, Ireland opted into Purchase Agreements with several pharmaceutical companies. The contents of the Purchase Agreements, including with regard to liability and indemnity, were negotiated with vaccine suppliers by the European Commission through its negotiation team, acting on behalf of Member States. Member States may have decided to opt in / opt out, but did not have scope to recast the provisions of any such Purchase Agreements.
441. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 960 of 25 November 2025, if assistance can be offered to a person (details supplied) with getting access to a statement of results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72702/25]
View answerFor former apprentices who wish to seek proof that they successfully completed their apprenticeship, SOLAS’s recommended course of action is to apply for a Record of Attainment. An individual seeking this should contact their local Education and Training Board (ETB) and Training Advisor, who will provide the application form and explain the application process. In this case, I note from the details supplied that the relevant ETB has provided this form, along with instructions for apprentices who completed an apprenticeship after the 31st of August 1986 in requesting their Record of Attainment.
442. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to establish a specific budget for capital works for community training centres to apply directly to, considering the budget constraints on ETBs across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72610/25]
View answerCommunity Training Centres, or CTC's, were established in 1977 as Community Training Workshops to support young, unemployed people aged between 16 and 25. Since 1988, they have been delivering the Youthreach programme. There are 31 CTC's throughout the country who are grant-funded by the Education and Training Boards (ETB's) to deliver the Youthreach programme. CTC's are non-profit companies with their own independent Boards of Directors who are responsible for governance and the employment of their staff.
CTC's operate from premises with a variety of ownership types including - owned by an ETB, a CTC Trust, or a private landlord. Where the premises is owned by an ETB, all capital funding programmes are open for use in CTC's. Where ownership is external to an ETB, some capital requirements can be considered by ETB's under the requirements pertaining to onward grantees under programme costs.
The relationships between ETB's and CTC's are managed within the parameters of the Department of Public Expenditure’s (DPER) Circular 13 of 2014 titled “Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds”. This circular guides the management, accountability, and reporting of public funds allocated through grants. It applies to all bodies receiving such grants, including agencies, charities, and other entities. My Department has no current plans to establish a specific budget for capital works for CTC's.
443. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to address employer concerns that the current funding model for culinary apprenticeships is not financially viable; whether the programme will be aligned with the support provided to other apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72661/25]
View answerAt the end of November 2025, the apprenticeship population included 190 Commis Chef apprentices, 17 Chef de Partie apprentices and three Sous Chef apprentices. These are all consortia-led, post-2016 programmes. In the cases of all consortia-led apprenticeship programmes, a consortium that is chaired by industry meets regularly to review the content and structure of programmes and ensure alignment with industry needs.An annual grant of €2,000 per apprentice was introduced for employers of apprentices completing consortia-led programmes.
Additionally, the Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme (TAIP) offers bursaries to both apprentices and their employers. Employers who employ apprentices who are travellers can avail of a grant of €2,000.Investing in Ireland's apprenticeship system is a priority for government - in Budget 2026 I secured an additional €79 million investment in apprenticeship delivery - the largest since the formation of my department.
The Government will publish a new national action plan for apprenticeship in 2026. My Department will be launching a public consultation shortly to seek the views of all stakeholders, including employers, on the apprenticeship system.
444. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department plans on reviewing a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72735/25]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.
The qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant in the 2025/2026 academic year as specified under the Student Grant Scheme 2025 is as follows:
1. Students must qualify for the standard rate of grant;
2. Total reckonable income (net of income disregards and Increase for Qualified Child) must not exceed €27,400 for undergraduate students, and
3. As at 31st December 2024, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.
If a student's circumstances change and they are awarded an eligible payment in the future they may request an internal review by emailing the SUSI Support Desk at support@susi.ie.
In terms of other supports available, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). Students can apply for the SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs, medical costs and books/class materials. This Fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis and assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners website: www.revenue.ie
Student Grant Schemes are reviewed on an annual basis and as part of this process the list of eligible long-term payments for the special rate of maintenance grant are also reviewed. Any expansion to a scheme would require consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The Deputy will appreciate that the funding allocation for student supports is determined in the context of the overall estimates and budgetary process undertaken by all Government Departments having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands.
445. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to encourage greater participation by Australian students in third level institutions and continuing educational opportunities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72837/25]
View answerCurrently, there are around 200 students from Australia enrolled in Ireland's publicly funded higher education institutions.My Department engages Enterprise Ireland for the marketing and promotion of the Education in Ireland brand overseas and the development, promotion and marketing of international higher education markets, in line with overall government strategies. My Department has been advised that Australia has not been assessed as a priority market for Education in Ireland.
The Government of Ireland Scholarship programme is provided to attract high calibre international scholars wishing to study at postgraduate level in Ireland, in line with the Global Citizens 2030 aim to make Ireland a first choice destination for international learners, researchers and innovators.
446. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the one legacy action due, as outlined in the Q1 2025 progress report (details supplied); to outline which actions they are; the reason for the delay; the state of the progress to date; and a timeline for completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72940/25]
View answerThe position as previously advised to the Deputy remains unchanged. While the action was delayed in 2024 it has been marked as complete since February 2025.The action refers to the process to establish new collaborative Research Centres to work across Ireland on subjects of national importance including Energy, Climate Action and Sustainability. This relates to the wider Research Ireland programme which funds Research Centres across a variety of key national priority areas.
The programme was recorded as delayed in the report referred to by the Deputy due to a longer than anticipated period being required to review applications and invite shortlisted candidates to make full applications, thereby resulting in that particular milestone being delayed. However, it has since been reached and marked as complete.
The table below, as requested, illustrates the above position:
|
Action |
Establish new collaborative Research Centres to work across Ireland on subjects of national importance including Energy, Climate Action and Sustainability |
|
Reason for delay |
Longer than anticipated period being required to review applications and invite shortlisted candidates to make full applications |
|
Progress to date |
The action is marked as completed since February 2025 |
|
Timeline for completion |
As above; marked as completed since February 2025. |
447. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if assistance can be provided in reaching a satisfactory solution to an issue in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73158/25]
View answerI am aware of the matter raised by a representative of fourth-year students in the Agricultural Engineering programmes at Munster Technological University (MTU) Kerry. I am sorry to learn that some students are dissatisfied that these programmes do not meet the criteria for eligibility for the Teagasc Green Certificate.
As the Deputy will appreciate, MTU, like all higher education institutions, is statutorily autonomous in the management of its academic and administrative affairs. Accordingly, neither I nor my department has the remit to intervene in matters of this nature. It is also important to note that the Teagasc Green Certificate is not a higher education award and does not form part of the National Framework of Qualifications under Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Nonetheless, officials in my department sought clarification from MTU regarding the situation and the steps being taken to address students’ concerns.
MTU has provided the following information: The Bachelor of Engineering in Agricultural Engineering and the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Agricultural Engineering programmes at MTU Kerry are long-standing, engineering-based courses. These programmes do not meet the criteria for eligibility for the Teagasc Green Certificate and have never been listed as eligible by Teagasc or advertised as such by MTU through official channels.
Students who enrolled in these programmes in 2019 and 2020 may have been aware that the then Institute of Technology Tralee was exploring the possibility of embedding the Green Certificate within these programmes. At that time, the institute had received indications from Teagasc that such an arrangement might be feasible. However, in 2020, it became clear that embedding the Green Certificate would not be possible.
As a once-off gesture of goodwill, MTU and Teagasc agreed to facilitate a “top-up” Green Certificate for those affected cohorts.Following this development, a number of science modules were removed from the programme in 2021/22 and replaced with traditional engineering modules, further reinforcing the engineering focus of the courses and further diverging for Green Certificate eligibility. MTU gave no commitment to students enrolling from 2021/22 onwards that the programmes would have Green Certificate equivalence. Agricultural Engineering students, currently in their fourth year, did not formally raise the issue of Green Certificate equivalence with MTU during the past three years. MTU management became aware of this expectation during a student engagement meeting on programme redevelopment held on 14 October 2025. Since then, MTU has been working to identify a satisfactory resolution to students’ concerns.
The university has contacted two approved Teagasc providers with a view to facilitating a bridging arrangement to the Green Certificate for current students. Any such arrangement would be at the discretion of the providers, as the MTU programmes differ significantly from the Green Certificate curriculum. However, MTU is reasonably confident that ongoing discussions may lead to a reduction in both time and cost for students seeking to obtain the Green Certificate.MTU has emphasised that these efforts are intended solely to assist students and do not arise from any failure on the university’s part to deliver a programme component that was previously committed.
Ensuring that students are fully informed about their course, qualification and likely career prospects is among my priorities as Minister. Officials in my department are engaged in a number of projects to improve information for learners.I would encourage any student who has doubts regarding their course to raise the matter with their university or college and seek out the supports available.
448. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on an application (details supplied) for the town and village renewal scheme for 2025; when his Department will announce the successful applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72593/25]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Almost €184 million has been allocated to over 1,800 projects since the launch of the scheme.
The 2025 Scheme was launched in March 2025 and places particular emphasis on projects that have a renewed focus on town centre economic and social recovery and regeneration.The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2025 Main Scheme and the Project Development Measure was Friday 25 July 2025. I can confirm that, in addition to a number of other applications, an application was submitted by Donegal County Council in respect of the proposal referred to by the Deputy. The Scheme is heavily subscribed, and all applications received will be assessed for suitability against scheme criteria and objectives. Other factors such as the geographical spread of projects, the quality of the proposed projects, and the available budget will also be considered to maximise the impact of this funding. The assessment process is nearing completion, and I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects shortly.
449. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to outline current funding for lakeside recreation projects such as slipways, walking routes, and greenway connections at Lough Ree, Lough Ennell and Lough Owel. [72651/25]
View answer450. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether additional funding will be made available to expand outdoor recreation infrastructure at lakes in Longford and Westmeath. [72652/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 449 and 450 together.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding under a number of measures for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the necessary repair, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland.
This includes outdoor recreation faculties at lakes. I was pleased to announce successful projects under all measures of the ORIS 2024/2025 scheme earlier this year and I hope to announce the next iteration of ORIS early next year. Since 2020 some €3.7 million has been approved for41 projects across Longford. This includes €1.18 million which was allocated to 10 Longford projects this year. In Westmeath, since 2020, over €2.8 million has been allocated to 43 projects including funding of €412,560 for 6 projects in 2025. This includes projects in the vicinity of both Lough Owel and Lough Ree in previous years.
Budget 2026 includes an allocation of €17m for ORIS, and I would encourage the Deputy to explore the potential for lake-based ORIS projects with the local authorities and local development companies in Meath and Longford for onward submission to my Department.
451. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will significantly increase the State grant for local improvement schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72680/25]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, the Government has provided almost €184 million to local authorities for the LIS. In August, I was delighted to announce €14 million in additional funding for the 2025 scheme. This brought the total amount invested in the LIS in 2025 to over €30 million.
The Programme for Government commits to the provision of additional funding for the LIS. €17 million in LIS funding was recently announced as part of Budget 2026. This represents an increase in the annual base allocation of funding to the Scheme. As has been the case over previous years, details of the 2026 scheme, including county allocations and the scheme outline, will be circulated to local authorities and published on the department's website in the new year.
452. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of WTE qualified architect and structural engineers employed by his Department in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [72773/25]
View answerI can confirm that the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht does not employ any architects or structural engineers. The Department does not have a requirement for these skillsets as it does not deliver capital works directly, with the majority of our schemes delivered through local authorities. The Department does, however, have a qualified quantity surveyor and a civil engineer who assist in oversight of project planning and delivery.
453. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of applications for the CLÁR funding under measures 1 and measure 2 in 2025, in each county; the number of successful applications under each measure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72774/25]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. It supports a wide range of community facilities and amenities under measure 1 and community vehicles under measure 2. Measure 3 relates to funding for island communities. In 2025 I was delighted to announce a record €14 million in CLÁR funding for 238 projects under all measures.
As requested by the Deputy, the following table shows the number of applications submitted for CLÁR 2025 under measures 1 and 2, in each county and the number of successful applications under those measures.
|
County |
Measure 1 No. of Projects Received |
Measure 1 No. of Projects Approved |
Measure 2 No. of Projects Received |
Measure 2 No. of Projects Approved |
|
Carlow |
6 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
15 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
15 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
|
Cork |
16 |
10 |
9 |
4 |
|
Donegal |
16 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
|
Galway |
16 |
10 |
4 |
2 |
|
Kerry |
16 |
10 |
6 |
4 |
|
Kilkenny |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois |
15 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
15 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
15 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
|
Longford |
10 |
9 |
2 |
1 |
|
Louth |
15 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
16 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
|
Meath |
8 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
15 |
9 |
4 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
10 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
15 |
9 |
4 |
2 |
|
Sligo |
16 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
15 |
9 |
2 |
2 |
|
Waterford |
7 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
15 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
8 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
301 |
198 |
53 |
32 |
