Written Answers Nos. 429-446
429. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the actions that will be taken to ensure public patients receive safe and timely consultant review in the vascular unit of St. James’s Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54214/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
430. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be taken to ensure public patients are not forced into private practice simply to access the same consultant in the vascular unit of St. James’s Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54215/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
431. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the level of investment currently being made by her Department and the HSE in the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS); the specific services available to women with PMOS within the public health system; whether women diagnosed with PMOS are eligible for assessment and treatment through ambulatory gynaecology clinics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54216/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
432. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to urgently address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54221/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
433. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she has investigated if public-only consultants in laboratories in other public hospitals are engaged in private work on site (details supplied); if other public laboratories have service level agreements in place with private facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54258/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
434. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the average processing time for Garda vetting in Cork currently. [54259/26]
View answerUnder section 7(2)(a) of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, the Bureau is responsible for the "consideration and processing of applications". Section 22 of the same Act provides that the Chief Bureau Officer shall be appointed by the Garda Commissioner, and shall periodically report directly to the Garda Commissioner in relation to the performance and management of the functions of the Bureau. Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 provides that the Garda Commissioner is responsible to manage and control generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the performance and management of the functions of the Bureau. Furthermore, section 34 of the same Act provides that the Commissioner shall be independent in the performance of his functions. The Minister for Health has no role in managing the operational performance of the National Vetting Bureau or An Garda Siochana.
435. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update in relation to the developments relating to staff cuts and cancellation of English classes in GRETB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53814/26]
View answerThank you for raising the matter of provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB).
Firstly, I wish to advise that I am aware of the issues you have highlighted. However, it is important to provide some context, as well as details regarding the specific situation in GRETB.
As you know, the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) provide free ESOL classes for those who needs support in developing English language proficiency. Courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, as well as advanced or professional ESOL.
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, significant temporary funding was allocated to support ESOL provision for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. These temporary allocations enabled ETBs to meet urgent and exceptional levels of demand during the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians in Ireland.
While this temporary funding facilitated a rapid expansion of ESOL classes across the country, it was always intended to be time-bound. I wish to acknowledge the fact that ETBs and their staff showed significant commitment, flexibility and creativity in responding to this unprecedented demand, and their efforts supported thousands of newly arrived individuals in integrating into Irish communities.
In terms of temporary ESOL funding, in 2025, SOLAS provided €2 million to GRETB in relation to ESOL. GRETB advised that a total of €2.28 million was spent on ESOL during that year. This funding allocation allowed for 2,750 unique learners to avail of ESOL courses in 2025.
It is important to note that ESOL provision has not ceased. ESOL programmes continue to be delivered across all ETBs within their core allocations. GRETB, for example, forecasts that approximately 3,100 beneficiaries will access ESOL provision in 2026, according to its draft Annual Service Plan.
The cessation of the temporary funding for ESOL provision is not a cut to overall funding. This funding was explicitly non-core and time-limited, and its conclusion does not alter the core allocation. In line with Budget 2026 parameters, funding for ESOL has returned to its 2021 core allocation level of €4.2 million. However, SOLAS' overall funding allocation to GRETB has increased from €49.175 million in 2020 to €65.707 million in 2026.
SOLAS and Education and Training Boards Ireland have been engaging with ETBs in recent months to assess the impact of the cessation of temporary ESOL funding. SOLAS has advised my Department that it is continuing to work with ETBs to develop approaches to maximise ESOL provision within existing core funding allocations.
In terms of staffing, ESOL programmes are typically delivered by ETB staff employed under existing grades and terms, including tutor roles and the newly established Adult Educator grade. The FET sector operates with a degree of flexibility in staffing, including the use of fixed-term contracts, to enable responsiveness to changing local education and training needs. These arrangements are managed in line with employment law, including the Fixed-Term Work Act 2003. ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for these matters.
436. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of topics covered and the outcome of his discussions in Cork with Members of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53923/26]
View answerThe Presidency visit by the College of Commissioners took place in Cork on 2-3 July 2026 and represented the first collective engagement between the Government of Ireland and the European Commission during the Ireland’s Presidency term. The visit provided an important opportunity to establish a shared understanding of Ireland’s Presidency priorities.
During the programme, structured cluster discussions involving Ministers and Commissioners focused on industrial competitiveness and the single market; agriculture, climate, energy and economic transition; security, external relations, defence, preparedness, trade and economic security; and values, skills, social cohesion and housing.
I participated in a comprehensive discussion on industrial competitiveness and the single market, alongside Executive Vice Presidents Séjourné and Virkkunen and Commissioners Zaharieva, Albuquerque and Serafin, and other Ministers with relevant portfolios.
The programme concluded with a plenary session, jointly chaired by the Taoiseach and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. This provided an opportunity for reflection on key themes which emerged during earlier discussions for the benefit of the wider College and Government. During the plenary session, I provided an overview of our discussions around competitiveness and the Single Market, with a particular focus on the One Europe, One Market Roadmap and its focus on simplifying rules, a more integrated single market, championing strong trade, the energy transition, and Digital/AI.
Overall, there was a high degree of alignment between the Government and the European Commission on the priorities and objectives for the work of the EU during the Irish Presidency term, together with a shared commitment to maintaining momentum across the Union’s legislative and policy agenda.
437. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 293 of 7 July 2026, the reason researchers in technological universities are prevented from accessing the single pension scheme; whether their equivalents in universities can access the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54030/26]
View answerThe Single Public Service Pension Scheme is a statutory Public Service Career-Average Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. To be eligible for membership of the Single Scheme, the employee must be a public servant in a public service body and the position must be a pensionable position. Where an individual is appointed to a non-pensionable position and/or where the individual is not a public servant, they will not be members of the Single Scheme.
Following the submission of a business case by my officials, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services Reform and Digitalisation is reviewing the pensionable status of researchers in technological universities to advise on their eligibility for membership of the scheme. As part of that business case, my officials highlighted that equivalent research staff in the non-technological university sector do have access to the single scheme.
The Deputy may wish to note that this matter is a standing item on the Technological Higher Education IR Forum for Academic Grades which is attended by officials from both Departments as well as staff representatives.
438. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students expected to enrol in Cork universities in September. [54165/26]
View answerMy Department does not currently produce specific projections regarding third level enrolments, by county or by Higher Education Institution. Further information regarding projections for higher education enrolment is available here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/projections/?referrer=http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/projections/projections-of-demand-for-full-time-third-level-education-2018-2040.pdf
The Higher Education Authority statistics section collects and publishes student enrolment data for the Higher Education Sector. The new entrant data for Universities MTU and UCC are in the table below, rounded to the nearest 5 (or multiple) as per the HEA data protection policy.
|
HEI |
2020/2021 |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
2023/2024 |
2024/2025 |
|
MTU |
2875 |
2820 |
2605 |
2775 |
2975 |
|
UCC |
3895 |
3840 |
3915 |
3880 |
3855 |
|
Total New Entrants |
6770 |
6660 |
6520 |
6655 |
6830 |
Trends in new entrant enrolments are influenced by a range of factors, including demographic growth in the traditional higher education age cohort, learner demand, and the availability of funded places. In recent years, the Government has made significant investments to expand higher education capacity, including the provision of additional places in priority healthcare disciplines such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, therapies and other health and social care professions.
Alongside these targeted healthcare expansions, investment has also supported the development and growth of National Tertiary Office (NTO) pathways, which provide alternative routes into higher education outside the traditional CAO system and create additional opportunities for learners to progress from further education to higher education. These measures are increasing participation opportunities across the higher education sector and have assisted institutions in accommodating growing demand for places.
439. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of purpose built student accommodation units available in Cork city in September. [54166/26]
View answerDelivering affordable, high-quality student accommodation is a key Government priority and is critical to ensuring that students can access and succeed in higher education. The National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026–2035, which I published in March 2026, sets out a long-term framework to increase accommodation supply, improve affordability and support the sustainable delivery of student accommodation nationwide.
The Higher Education Institutions Student Accommodation Programme (HSAP) is progressing, with higher education institutions preparing Preliminary Business Cases due for completion throughout 2026. Delivery will be phased, with an initial focus on Dublin, Cork and Galway.
In relation to Cork, the following figures represent the most up-to-date position available, with Cork City specific data provided where possible. The total number of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds in County Cork is 9,585 beds. This includes 8,051 private beds as well as the 1,534 public beds owned by University College Cork.
Since 2017, 3,684 student accommodation beds have been completed in Cork. Planning has been granted for 2,112 additional beds, while 206 beds at Victoria Cross Road are due for completion in September. Planning applications have also been submitted for a further 628 beds.
In addition, the latest figures for rent-a-room accommodation indicate that 93 beds are available through University College Cork and 932 beds through Munster Technological University. Building on previous successful campaigns, my Department will run a national Rent-a-Room promotional campaign to encourage greater participation in the scheme and increase the availability of student accommodation ahead of the 2026/27 academic year.
440. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the sums which remain in dormant accounts funding, if the fund is due to cease to exist, the plans for replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53945/26]
View answerThe main purpose of the Dormant Accounts Acts is to reunite account holders with their funds. Unclaimed funds are transferred to the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency. The beneficial owner of the funds has a right to reclaim their money at any time.
Legislation governing Dormant Accounts established an administrative framework within which Departments could apply for funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund. Since 2017 the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has held responsibility for this function; delegated to the Minister of State. Under this framework a three year, high level, Disbursement Scheme is put in place, which indicates the broad areas for support.
Annual Action Plans are developed each year which approve funding for specific measures or projects. The 2026 Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan was published in November 2025. It outlines funding across 10 Departments, with total funding of €47 million supporting 56 high level measures. The programmes and projects in the Action Plan target social, economic and educational disadvantage, and people with a disability, in line with the legislation.
With regard to the current status of the Dormant Accounts Fund, at the end of 2025 there was €246.6 million in the Dormant Accounts Fund, with €136.6 million of that held in reserve for those reclaiming their funds. This left €110 million available for disbursement, with approximately €62 million of that already committed to measures and projects under the 2026 and prior Action Plans.
The future value of the fund depends on the level inflows from dormant accounts, the level of funds reclaimed, and the funds disbursed to measures approved for funding under the annual action plans. Ensuring a sustainable use of funding is central to the work of my Department in this area. A review of the Disbursement Scheme is completed every three years and this review includes consideration of the sustainable level of approvals for the next three years. While the level of inflows and reclaimed funds are uncertain, this regular review seeks to ensure the use of the fund remains sustainable over time.
Further information on the Dormant Accounts Fund, including all published Action Plans and Annual Reports, is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/dormant-accounts-fund-annual-action-plans-and-reports/
441. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on funding for men's sheds (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53949/26]
View answerI recognise the important work carried out by Men’s Sheds and remain committed to supporting their valuable work in communities across the country.
My department provides funding to Men’s Sheds under various funding supports, including:
• The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP);
• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024-2028; and
• The LEADER programme.
Men’s Sheds can apply individually for all of these schemes.
In addition to these schemes, last May, I announced details of the individual Men’s Sheds who received funding from my department provided through the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA), to assist with their running costs.
Officials in my department have confirmed that they are currently reviewing a proposal received from the IMSA for further funding in 2026. It will be considered by my department in the context of the overall resources available for Men's Sheds.
My department also provides funding directly to the IMSA under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). The SSNO provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations. The current iteration of the SSNO commenced on 1 July 2026, with funding of €297,766 over the three-years and 6 month period being provided to the IMSA.
I would encourage all Men's Sheds to check my department’s website, www.gov.ie/drcdg.
and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN), to ensure they are aware of relevant funding opportunities as they become available.
442. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when town centres first applications will reopen; the amount of funding provided, by town under the scheme; and his views on whether the scheme is having the desired impact. [54083/26]
View answerThe Town Centre First (TCF) Policy, published in February 2022, is a cross-Government initiative that sets out a framework to facilitate and resource the regeneration of Irish towns to ensure that they are vibrant, viable and attractive places to live, work, invest in and visit.
The details and locations of all Town Teams Town Teams, including those which have now published a Town Centre First Plan, can be found on the Town Centre First Website. A community or town interested in establishing a Town Team can do so and should contact their local authority for advice and support.
Town Regeneration Officers (TROs) funded by my Department act as a key link between the local authority, towns and villages and their communities. Based in 26 local authorities across the country, they provide vital support to the Town Teams in the preparation of TCF Town Plans. They also provide information and assistance to enable access to various funding streams to support TCF plan implementation at a local level.
Rather than being a funding stream in its own right, the significance of TCF is that it is a policy document that provides an integrated policy approach for the development of Irish towns which is underpinned by funding streams across Government. This includes a range of measures funded by my Department, such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS). The RRDF is currently open for applications, while I expect to open a further round for applications under TVRS later this year.
It is important to stress that, subject to the standard eligibility criteria, Departmental and wider Government capital schemes may be accessed to support towns and villages nationally irrespective of whether those towns and villages have formal Town Teams in place.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who holds joint responsibility for the policy, also implements a suite of schemes to support town regeneration including the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, and THRIVE.
My department remains committed to the success of the TCF policy and will continue to work closely with local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to work on the next phase of implementation, in order to deliver on our goal of revitalising rural towns and villages.
443. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the CLÁR application for club (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53813/26]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. Last year over €14 million was announced for 238 projects under the programme, with funding being provided for community facilities and amenities, community vehicles and specific support for island communities.
The 2026 CLÁR programme was launched on March 10th this year, and I can confirm that an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy was submitted for consideration under Measure 1 of the scheme. These applications will be assessed in due course and the successful projects will be announced later in the year.
444. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the range of topics covered and the outcome of his discussions in Cork with Members of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53921/26]
View answerThe traditional Presidency visit by the College of Commissioners took place in Cork on 2-3 July 2026 and represented the first collective engagement between the Government of Ireland and the European Commission during the Ireland’s Presidency term. The visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen political relationships, establish a shared understanding of Ireland’s Presidency priorities and discuss how we will work with the Commission though our term to ensure we can deliver effectively on our policy objectives to the benefit of citizens in Ireland and across Europe.
During the programme, structured cluster discussions involving Ministers and Commissioners focused on industrial competitiveness and the single market; agriculture, climate, energy and economic transition; security, external relations, defence, preparedness, trade and economic security; and values, skills, social cohesion and housing.
As part of these structured cluster discussions, I co-chaired a comprehensive discussion on values, skills, social cohesion and housing, alongside Commissioner Michael McGrath, with other Ministers and Commissioners with relevant portfolios participating. Our discussion examined the Presidency’s priorities across employment, skills, housing, health, equality, democracy and the rule of law. A consistent theme across the meeting was that Europe’s competitiveness depends upon a strong social model, with participants emphasising inclusion, opportunity and citizen wellbeing as integral elements of the Union’s long-term resilience.
In line with this Presidency being the first during which Irish holds full working language status across all EU institutions, I delivered my opening remarks to this discussion in Irish, helping to demonstrate the language's role in Irish and European affairs. This is in line with a Government wide commitment to embrace the EU Presidency as an opportunity to use and celebrate our language - and built on extensive use of the Irish language during the recent Employment and Social Affairs (EPSCO) Informal Council meeting in Ballina.
The programme concluded with a plenary session, jointly chaired by the Taoiseach and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. This provided an opportunity for reflection on key themes which emerged during earlier discussions for the benefit of the wider College and Government. The plenary also provided an opportunity for Ministers and Commissioners to exchange views on the opportunities and challenges that will arise during the Irish Presidency term.
Overall, there was a high degree of alignment between the Government and the European Commission on the priorities and objectives for the work of the EU during the Irish Presidency term, together with a shared commitment to maintaining momentum across the Union’s legislative and policy agenda.
445. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for a list of the projects approved and funding allocated under LEADER in Dublin for Lucan north and Castleknock since 2020. [54019/26]
View answerThe LEADER programme is co-funded by the European Union, with allocations provided on a multi-annual, rather than an annual basis. The total amount of funding allocated to LEADER for the period of 2021-2027 is €250 million, made up of €70 million for the Transitional LEADER programme for the years 2021 and 2022, and €180 million for the 2023-2027 LEADER programme.
Funding is allocated to Local Action Groups at the start of the programming period so that they have flexibility to select and approve projects, with €6.6 million allocated to the Dublin Rural area for the period 2021-2027.
Projects are selected and approved by LEADER Local Action Groups, and projects approved since 2020 with an address in the areas referenced by the Deputy are outlined below.
The Deputy may also wish to refer to the full list of approved projects in each LEADER area which is available on Gov.ie/LEADER.
|
Year Project Approved |
Project Name |
Area |
LEADER Allocation |
|
2022 |
Castleknock Hurling and Football Club |
Castleknock |
€25,078.77 |
|
2025 |
Fort Lucan Water Slide |
Lucan |
€75,000.00 |
|
2026 |
Castleknock Greening of Somerton |
Castleknock |
€9,738.92 |
446. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to review and give consideration to funding in Budget 2027 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54849/26]
View answerSince I was appointed Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht at the beginning of last year – the first senior Minister for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht in some years – my Department has undertaken significant work to promote and maintain the Irish language and to support groups supporting and promoting use of Irish.
I have set ambitious targets for the next few years and I am confident that this work will make a real difference to the Irish-speaking community. These targets cannot be achieved without the participation of a wide range of people, groups and organisations: the language planning community, the other Government Departments, Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the lead organisations, the local authorities and state organisations in general.
My Department is investing €160m in the sector this year, following the biggest ever increase for the Gaeltacht and Islands in Budget 2026 – a 30% increase on the €123m allocation in 2025. Between this investment, the impact of the Irish Language Public Services Action Plan published a few months ago and the impact of the Language Standards to be introduced this year, I am very confident that the use of the language will be significantly enhanced in the period ahead – in the Gaeltacht, around the country, and internationally.
As is the norm, my Department’s overall allocation and the specific allocation for the Gaeltacht and the Islands for 2027 will be considered in the coming months as part of the Estimates process for Budget 2027.
