Written Answers Nos. 342-359
342. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health whether Specialist Crisis Assessment Nurse services are available on a 24-hour basis in each location; and if not, to detail the operating hours and out-of-hours arrangements for each hospital. [17783/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
343. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who presented to emergency departments in mental health crisis and received assessment, intervention, or support from specialist mental health services, including SCAN nurses and liaison mental health teams, in each of the past three years, broken down by hospital. [17784/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
344. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for patients presenting to emergency departments with mental health crises to receive assessment by a mental health specialist, broken down by hospital in a tabular form. [17785/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
345. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health whether each emergency department has a designated separate waiting area or appropriate safe assessment space for patients presenting in mental health crisis; and to identify the hospitals where such facilities are not currently available. [17786/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
346. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the number Model 4 hospitals that currently have specialist crisis nursing teams in place out-of-hours; and to provide a timeline for full implementation across all Model 4 hospitals. [17787/26]
View answerUnder funding which I allocated in Budget 2026, the HSE will establish specialist nursing teams in the emergency departments of all Model 4 hospitals out-of-hours, made up of Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to support people in crisis. By placing specialist nursing teams in our emergency departments out-of-hours, coupled with the expansion of community alternatives such as crisis resolution teams and crisis cafes, we are fundamentally changing how we respond to the needs of people in distress. I continue to work with the HSE and the Department of Health to progress this new initiative. In addition, as Minister, I have overseen the rollout of a range of other out of hours supports for people experiencing mental health difficulties as alternatives to Emergency Departments. Crisis Resolution Services. The model of care for Crisis Resolution Services was developed as a direct recommendation of Sharing the Vision, Ireland’s national mental health policy. It recognises that people who are experiencing a mental health crisis need specialist services to provide timely brief intensive supports to keep people safe.
• Crisis Resolution Teams: These comprise of teams of mental health professionals who work out of hours to meet people in a crisis and provide rapid assessment and intensive intervention. There are seven Crisis Resolution Teams currently operational in Galway, Sligo/Leitrim, Cork city (two teams), Waterford City and County, South Dublin/Wicklow, and Limerick.
• Crisis Cafés: Solace Cafes provide a welcoming, non-clinical safe environment in the style of a café where people can go at evenings and weekends. The Cafés provides a range of support for those who needed to use its services including crisis support, signposting, peer support, and community support. The Cafes are now open in Cork City, South Dublin, Sligo, Waterford and Limerick.
Additional funding has been provided for more Crisis Resolution Teams and Solace Cafes in Budget 2026, for Donegal, Kerry and the Midlands (Tullamore/Westmeath).
Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) Service. The Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) service is critically important safety net for people in suicidal crisis and the Minister fully supports the intention within the second Sharing the Vision implementation plan to expand these services to provide full coverage nationwide. These services provide a timely response to requests for assessment of patients in suicidal crisis from GPs, and the assessments often take place in primary care settings. The SCAN service was originally developed under the National Clinical Programme for Self-harm and Suicide-related Ideation (NCPSHI) which was introduced in Irish public hospital emergency departments in 2014. Primarily delivered by clinical nurse specialists with support from a consultant psychiatrist in each hospital area, the programme supports people presenting with suicidal ideation as well as self-harm. The model of care for the service envisages a dedicated mental health assessment room within hospitals to provide a more appropriate environment for assessments to take place. Even when the full network of alternative Crisis Resolution Services is in place, we know people in distress will still present to emergency departments for support. Given most acute mental health in-patient units are co-located with our acute hospital network, it’s important people in distress are assessed in clinically appropriate environments when they present for support. I have allocated funding for the recruitment of additional SCAN nurses in 2026. I will continue to work with the Department of Health and HSE will continue to advance initiatives that will improve the supports available to all those in Mental Health crisis, guided by policy.
347. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the interim arrangements in place in hospitals where specialist crisis nursing teams or SCAN services are not yet operational. [17788/26]
View answerUnder funding which I allocated in Budget 2026, the HSE will establish specialist nursing teams in the emergency departments of all Model 4 hospitals out-of-hours, made up of Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to support people in crisis. By placing specialist nursing teams in our emergency departments out-of-hours, coupled with the expansion of community alternatives such as crisis resolution teams and crisis cafes, we are fundamentally changing how we respond to the needs of people in distress. I will seek to roll out these teams to Model 3 hospitals in future estimates processes. I continue to work with the HSE and the Department of Health to progress this new initiative. In addition, as Minister, I have overseen the rollout of a range of other out of hours supports for people experiencing mental health difficulties as alternatives to Emergency Departments. Crisis Resolution Services. The model of care for Crisis Resolution Services was developed as a direct recommendation of Sharing the Vision, Ireland’s national mental health policy. It recognises that people who are experiencing a mental health crisis need specialist services to provide timely brief intensive supports to keep people safe.
• Crisis Resolution Teams: These comprise of teams of mental health professionals who work out of hours to meet people in a crisis and provide rapid assessment and intensive intervention. There are seven Crisis Resolution Teams currently operational in Galway, Sligo/Leitrim, Cork city (two teams), Waterford City and County, South Dublin/Wicklow, and Limerick.
• Crisis Cafés: Solace Cafes provide a welcoming, non-clinical safe environment in the style of a café where people can go at evenings and weekends. The Cafés provides a range of support for those who needed to use its services including crisis support, signposting, peer support, and community support. The Cafes are now open in Cork City, South Dublin, Sligo, Waterford and Limerick.
Additional funding has been provided for more Crisis Resolution Teams and Solace Cafes in Budget 2026, for Donegal, Kerry and the Midlands (Tullamore/Westmeath).
Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) Service
The Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) service is critically important safety net for people in suicidal crisis and the Minister fully supports the intention within the second Sharing the Vision implementation plan to expand these services to provide full coverage nationwide. These services provide a timely response to requests for assessment of patients in suicidal crisis from GPs, and the assessments often take place in primary care settings. The SCAN service was originally developed under the National Clinical Programme for Self-harm and Suicide-related Ideation (NCPSHI) which was introduced in Irish public hospital emergency departments in 2014. Primarily delivered by clinical nurse specialists with support from a consultant psychiatrist in each hospital area, the programme supports people presenting with suicidal ideation as well as self-harm. The model of care for the service envisages a dedicated mental health assessment room within hospitals to provide a more appropriate environment for assessments to take place. Even when the full network of alternative Crisis Resolution Services is in place, we know people in distress will still present to emergency departments for support. Given most acute mental health in-patient units are co-located with our acute hospital network, it’s important people in distress are assessed in clinically appropriate environments when they present for support. I have allocated funding for the recruitment of additional SCAN nurses in 2026 and will seek to fund more posts in future estimates processes. I will continue to work with the Department of Health and HSE will continue to advance initiatives that will improve the supports available to all those in Mental Health crisis, guided by policy. As interim arrangements are a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
348. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1079 of 27 January 2026, if she will review correspondence (details supplied); if she will answer the question referred to therein; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17789/26]
View answerAs the individual case referenced here is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
351. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to commit to further supporting the creation of access to apprenticeship programmes specifically targeting members of the Traveller community. [17249/26]
View answerA goal of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is inclusiveness. The Action Plan has led to specific initiatives being put in place to support underrepresented groups, such as the Traveller community. The Traveller Apprenticeship Initiative Programme (TAIP) provides financial and practical support to members of the Traveller Community to help them access, start and complete apprenticeships. The programme was launched in 2023 and is administered by the Irish Traveller Movement (ITM). The TAIP offers a €3,000 bursary, structured across three streams: for new apprentices, existing apprentices, and those attending pre-apprenticeship programmes.There are also €2,000 grants for employers who take on Travellers as apprentices. 83 individuals were funded through the TAIP in 2025, including 12 women. Three employer bursaries were availed of in 2025. Separately, a Traveller Pre-Apprenticeship programme was launched by Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board in July 2024 and is currently running in partnership with the Offaly Traveller Movement. The 12-week Access to Apprenticeship programme gives learners the opportunity to sample a range of apprenticeship occupations and training, prepare their CV and interview skills, undertake two weeks of work experience, and obtain Health & Safety and Safe Pass certificates. Participants in this programme are eligible to apply to SOLAS for a €3,000 bursary to support living costs including travel, accommodation and materials. The Access to Apprenticeship programme was initially delivered by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) at its Limerick and Athlone campuses, with 80 learners receiving the bursary in 2025. The programme has expanded in 2026. Delivery commenced in Technological University Dublin in January this year - 16 participants are currently enrolled there with a further intake expected in the second half of 2026. The Government remains committed to ensuring that apprenticeships are accessible to all. This will be a focus and consideration in the development of the new Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026-2030, which will be published later this year.
352. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to delays in processing and reporting of exam results in a third level university (details supplied); if he will engage with senior management to expedite this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17333/26]
View answer353. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to issues related to student registration delays in December 2025 in in a third level university (details supplied); the actions he will take to engage with senior management to avoid this situation occurring again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17334/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together.
I will respond to this question along with related PQ 17333/26.
I am aware of the challenges with the TU Dublin student records management System (SRMS) including issues in respect of student registration. TU Dublin is an autonomous higher education institution under the TU Act, 2018 and as such is responsible for the management of programmes and operations, including the systems it utilises.
Technological University Dublin is currently transitioning to a new unified student records system as part of a significant systems upgrade designed to enhance and streamline student services. An issue that had been affecting some students has now been resolved, and the University has confirmed that the vast majority of students - over 28,000 - have successfully completed their registration. TU Dublin has confirmed to the HEA that the TU Dublin Governing Body continues to maintain oversight of work to fully resolve any issues.
Regarding exam results, I understand that TU Dublin has issued results to all students due to graduate in March 2026. Continuing students will begin receiving their provisional results this week. The University confirmed that this schedule aligns with its usual February–March examination results release period and will continue to provide updates to staff and students via its website and email.
TU Dublin have also advised that the University has invested significant effort to address this matter and to minimise the impact on students and is in communication with the TU Dublin Students' Union.
354. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that students at TU Dublin have not yet received their results this semester, when they are typically released by the second week of February; if he will investigate the reasons for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17391/26]
View answerAs the deputy is aware TU Dublin is an autonomous higher education institution under the TU Act, 2018 and as such is responsible for the management of programmes and operations, including the systems it utilises.
Technological University Dublin is currently transitioning to a new unified student records system as part of a significant systems upgrade designed to enhance and streamline student services; the Minister is aware of challenges with the System (SRMS) including issues in respect of student registration.
TUD has confirmed to the HEA that its Governing Authority continues to maintain oversight of work to fully resolve these issues. TU Dublin have also advised that the University has invested significant effort to address this matter and to minimise the impact on students and is in engagement with students impacted by the introduction of this new system.
The Department has been informed by TU Dublin that results have been issued to all students due to graduate in March 2026. Continuing students will begin receiving their provisional results this week. The University confirmed that this schedule aligns with its usual February–March examination results release period and will continue to provide updates to staff and students via its website and email.
355. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding supports for postgraduate study and specifically for a course (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17404/26]
View answer356. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to address concerns regarding the Tidy Towns competition and the apparent structural bias affecting rural communities and smaller settlements (details supplied). [17304/26]
View answerThe SuperValu TidyTowns annual competition is a nationwide initiative that encourages communities to enhance the appearance and sustainability of their local areas. It is a unique volunteer-led programme that makes a hugely positive contribution in communities across Ireland. My department encourages applications from communities across the country and, in 2025, 929 individual entries were received from participating towns. This is the highest number of entries ever received in the competition’s 68-year history. Entry to the Tidy Towns is based on the size of a town’s population based on CSO Census 2022 data as per Table 1 below. Entries are grouped under 4 categories being Ireland’s Tidiest Village, Small Town, Large Town and Large Urban Centre. By virtue of Ireland’s demographics, and the fact that there are many more smaller villages than large towns and large urban centres, the number of applications within the Village category is naturally significantly higher than for other categories in the competition.Table 1 - Tidy Towns competition categories
|
Population Category |
Population |
Competition category |
|
A B |
Under 200 201 - 1,000 |
Village |
|
C D |
1,001 - 2,500 2,501 - 5000 |
Small Town |
|
E F |
5,001 - 10,000 10,001 - 15,000 |
Large Town |
|
G H |
15,001 - 25,000 25,001 and over |
Large Urban Centre |
Within the competition, in order to provide fair recognition to applications, there is a very significant number and type of awards available. This includes the individual national award winners in each category, as well as an overall national winner chosen from the four category winners. In 2025, Carrick-on-Shannon was the overall national winner having initially emerged as winner of the ‘small-town’ category with a population of almost 4,800.
There are also awards for groups with the biggest improvement on the previous year’s score, as well as awards for first, second and third placed entrants in each county. The introduction of the gold, silver and bronze medals in 2000, with a monetary prize attached, was a measure to recognise and reward groups within a certain mark of the overall winning score, which is finalised by the adjudicators. There are also regional award winners, and separate ‘special awards’ in areas such as climate action, sustainable development and active travel. Full details of the 2025 award winners can be found on the tidy towns website at [www.tidytowns.ie] Each of these awards act as incentives for groups, from all areas, large and small, to continue to enter the competition.
The Department administers the Tidy Towns competition in conjunction with the long-time sponsors, SuperValu. Applications are judged by a skilled panel of independent adjudicators. The national panel of c. 40 adjudicators display a wide range of experiences and backgrounds in areas such as ecology, planning, horticulture, landscape architecture, community development, sustainability. The adjudication is undertaken anonymously which counteracts any potential or undue influence on the process. Scoring is based on the material provided by Tidy Towns Groups in their respective entry form and what is viewed on the day of adjudication.
The Department ensures transparency in the manner in which the adjudication processes is undertaken and publishes the competition marking structure each year. Each entry is judged independently and scored according to the marking structure set out in Table 2 below.
Table 2 - 2025 Tidy Towns competition marking structure
|
Competition Categories |
Marking Structure |
|
Community – Your Planning & Involvement |
80 |
|
Streetscape & Public Places |
80 |
|
Green Spaces & Landscaping |
80 |
|
Nature & Biodiversity in your Locality |
55 |
|
Sustainability – Doing more with less |
55 |
|
Tidiness & Litter Control |
90 |
|
Residential Streets & Housing Areas |
55 |
|
Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes |
55 |
|
TOTAL |
550 |
The parameters of the competition are reviewed on an annual basis. This includes an annual review of the scoring system with the panel of adjudicators. This is in an effort to ensure all entries continue to adjudicated in a fair and transparent manner. Any changes agreed are communicated to groups and the Department will continue to seek to administer the competition in an open, fair and transparent manner. The feedback to the competition continues to be very positive, as can be seen by the increasing volume of entries each year and positive public and community feedback.
While Tidy Towns is a competition with a long and rich history, the central emphasis has always been on participating and making progress - the very act of taking part brings benefits to the community, and the focus on long term progression continues to be central to the initiative. My department continues to engage with participant groups and the expert adjudicators to ensure that a fair and transparent system is in place which reflects the huge effort and time that is invested at local level all across the country.
357. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the percentage of rural regeneration and development fund schemes that have made it to completion, by county, since 2020. [17844/26]
View answer358. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on the rural regeneration and development fund schemes, by county, which did not make it to completion. [17846/26]
View answer359. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reasons rural regeneration and development schemes do not make it to completion; the percentage that make it only as far as phase 1; and the percentage that make it only as far as phase 2. [17848/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 357, 358 and 359 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural area. The focus of the Fund is on rural towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 people. The Lead Bodies for projects are deemed a Sponsoring Agency and are subject to the requirements related to Public Spending Code detailed in the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Deliver and Reform’s ‘Infrastructure Guidelines’. As such, the Sponsoring Agency has the responsibility for evaluating, planning and managing these public investment projects within the parameters of the Guidelines. This includes, for example, preparing the initial business case, project design and pre-tender works, procurement of a main contractor, monitoring and managing the implementation stage and managing and reviewing project delivery. RRDF funding is made available under two categories. Category 1 relates to large scale capital works projects with all necessary planning and consents in place and are ready to proceed. Category 2 providers funding for project development type works which are typically required before any large scale construction works. Funding here typically allows for project scoping and development and for the necessary works to secure statutory consents including planning permissions. This is with a view to the potential for further development to become ready for Category 1 status. Experience to date indicates that the typical lifecycle of RRDF Category 1 projects, as large-scale works, typically ranges between 3 and 5 years The three main stages of an Category 1 RRDF project once it has been approved in principle for an allocation of funding are detailed design (which tends to be the longest phase in the process), final tender (pre-tender approval) and approval to proceed to implementation/construction (post-tender approval). Of the 164 RRDF projects receiving approval since 2020, a total of 34 (or 21%) have now been completed. Per county details of the number of completed projects are provided in the table below. Of these 164 projects, 77 are Category 1 with associated construction works. These 77 projects were allocated funding on foot of separate calls for proposals under the Fund, with allocations being announced in April 2021, November 2022, and May 2024. 23 of these projects are at the initial detailed design stage, 11 have been approved to proceed to the tender for main works and 30 are at construction. I can confirm that 13 Category 1 projects under the tranches announced since 2020 have been completed. Separately, one RRDF Category 1 project originally approved has been decommitted, for which no RRDF expenditure was incurred. Of the 87 Category 2 projects approved from 2020 to date. To date, a total of 21 of these Category 2 projects have been completed, noting that 30 of these projects were only approved in late 2025, as part of the Fourth Call for Category 2 proposals.
|
County |
Number Completed |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
|
Clare |
2 |
|
Cork |
2 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Galway |
1 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Laois |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
|
Meath |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
|
Multi-County |
1 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
34 |
The significant majority of RRDF projects are delivered by our local authorities, though application to the RRDF is open to other non-commercial State bodies and local development companies. Details of all allocations made under RRDF, together with project information, can be found on the Department’s website. My department remains in ongoing engagement with local authorities and other delivery partners to ensure that capital projects funded by the Department continue to be delivered in a timely manner. In the Department’s role as Approving Authority, I can confirm my officials work on an ongoing basis with lead bodies on RRDF project across the country to ensure compliance with the Infrastructure Guidelines and manage capital budgets. In addition, my department provides funding to local authority Capital Deliver Teams to support timely and effective delivery. I am committed to ensuring that the RRDF can continue to support high quality and transformational projects across rural Ireland in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy.
