Written Answers Nos. 1350-1375
1350. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children on HSE dental and orthodontic waiting lists at the end of each quarter for each year 2019 to 2024 and at end January 2025, broken down by standard waiting times, by area, in tabular form. [3523/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1351. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the spend by the HSE on agency staffing and on private recruitment firms for each year, 2019 to 2024, in tabular form; the amount paid to each individual firm; and the time period for payments to each firm. [3524/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1352. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the spend by each of the section 39 voluntary hospitals on agency staffing and on private recruitment firms for each year, 2019-2024, in tabular form; and the amount paid to each individual firm and the time period for payments to each firm. [3525/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1353. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the spend by the HSE on management consultants and external professional services, by type, for each year, 2019 to 2024, in tabular form; the amount paid to each individual firm; and the time period for payments to each firm. [3526/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1354. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the spend by each of the section 39 voluntary hospitals on management consultants and external professional services, by type, for each year, 2019-2024, in tabular form; and the amount paid to each individual firm and the time period for payments to each firm. [3527/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1355. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total cost of medical negligence litigation against the HSE and her Department in each of the years from 2014 to 2024, including awards made in the Courts, settlements made out of court to resolve disputes, and legal costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3529/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury and third-party property damage claims on behalf of State authorities.
The SCA has provided me with the information set out below and has informed me that the information contained within this report was extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and is correct as at the 31/01//2025.
The following table contains the transactional amounts paid (including VAT where applicable) under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme, that are associated with claims and a small number of incidents and inquests. This includes claims recorded by the SCA across hospitals, nursing homes, HSE locations including community healthcare locations, and COVID-19 response locations. It excludes claims recorded against other designated schemes. It includes payments between 01/01/2014 and 31/12/2024 and is correct as of 31/01/2025.
|
Transaction Reporting Year |
Amount paid |
|
2014 |
€101,718,721 |
|
2015 |
€190,265,065 |
|
2016 |
€189,094,645 |
|
2017 |
€242,024,417 |
|
2018 |
€262,308,969 |
|
2019 |
€313,455,916 |
|
2020 |
€319,774,952 |
|
2021 |
€353,798,356 |
|
2022 |
€359,608,434 |
|
2023 |
€352,360,476 |
|
2024 |
€305,372,361 |
|
Grand Total |
€2,989,782,311 |
1356. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of approved home care hours in CHO 5 that were not delivered during 2024 due to lack of available personnel, by county, in tabular form; the current number of home care vacancies in CHO 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3531/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1357. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the manner in which eligibility for a full medical card is reckoned for an applicant, who is an adult dependent on their spouse’s pension, when their spouse avails of medical care under the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3532/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility 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 aged 69 and under 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: https://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. 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. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme provides financial payments and health supports, in the form of an “enhanced medical card”, to eligible applicants in recognition of the circumstances they experienced while resident in a Mother and Baby or County Home institution. The enhanced medical card is provided on a lifelong basis and is not subject to ongoing means testing. The financial payments made to eligible applicants under the Payment Scheme are disregarded from the medical card assessment process, thereby ensuring that dependants of those eligible for the enhanced medical card can continue to avail of standard assessment when making an application for a medical card based on combined income.
1358. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if she and the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health will work together to advance the application for a Jigsaw youth mental health service in Waterford, given that the south-east is the only region not currently served by such a facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3533/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have requested the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1359. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the current number of vacancies in Waterford mental health services, Waterford CAMHS and UHW department of psychiatry, by type, location, and duration to date of the vacancy, in tabular form. [3534/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1360. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of negotiations with the Irish Dental Association regarding the dental services treatment scheme; when a new contract will be agreed; and if she is aware of the impact the delay in concluding the negotiations is having on patients in areas such as Dungarvan where it is exceptionally difficult for medical card holders to access dental care including emergency care. [3535/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides oral healthcare, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. On foot of a meeting between the Department and the Irish Dental Association (IDA) in November 2020, officials in my Department engaged with the IDA to discuss and agree a package of measures introduced from 1 May 2022, to expand the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) for adult medical card holders and increase the fees paid to contractors for most treatment items by 40-60%. These measures have improved access to care: payments for contractor claims in 2024 show 227,691 additional treatments were provided nationally under the DTSS, with over 44,208 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.
However, I am aware that there are some towns with no or limited DTSS dentists that have sufficient capacity to accept new patients. In these areas, local HSE services can assist patients to access a dentist. In exceptional circumstances, where emergency treatment is required, the HSE can directly contact private contractors or arrange treatment to be provided by HSE-employed dentists.
In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming dental services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile Agus Sláinte and has included implementation of the Policy in the Programme for Government. The implementation plan for the first phase of policy implementation, to end-2027, is currently being finalised by my Department and the HSE, and includes reform of services for medical card holders as one of several priority actions. Targeted consultation was held with stakeholders, including the IDA, in Q3 2024. As part of ongoing engagement with the IDA, officials from my Department also met with IDA representatives in January 2024 to discuss policy implementation and in April 2024 to facilitate the IDA to present its position paper.
1361. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the provision she has made to ensure medical card holders can access timely dental care, including emergency care, in areas such as Dungarvan where there is extremely limited access to care under the dental services treatment scheme. [3536/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides oral healthcare, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, extractions, and a scale and polish. More complex care, such as dentures, additional fillings and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and high-risk patients, are available subject to the approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.
A package of measures was introduced in 2022 to expand the care available under the Scheme and significantly increase the fees paid to contractors. These measures have improved access to care: payments for contractor claims in 2024 show 227,691 additional treatments were provided nationally under the DTSS, with over 44,208 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.
However, I am aware that there are some towns with no or limited DTSS dentists that have sufficient capacity to accept new patients. In these areas, local HSE services can assist patients to access a dentist. In exceptional circumstances, where emergency treatment is required, the HSE can directly contact private contractors or arrange treatment to be provided by HSE-employed dentists.
In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming oral healthcare services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile Agus Sláinte. The new Programme for Government contains commitments to implement the National Oral Health Policy and to reform oral healthcare services for medical card holders.
The implementation plan for the first phase of policy implementation, to end-2027, is currently being finalised by my Department and the HSE, following targeted consultation in Q3 last year, and includes reform of services for medical card holders as one of several priority actions.
1362. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the shortage of GPs in the County Waterford area; the impact this is having on both medical card and non-medical card patients in accessing GP services; the steps her Department will take to increase the number of general practice capacity in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3537/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,539 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. As of the start of the January, there are no GMS vacancies in Co. Waterford.
Where a person who holds a medical card or GP visit card experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, that person, having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs there), can apply to the HSE Eligibility Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list in accordance with the GMS contract. People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with.
A number of measures have been taken in recent years to increase the number of GPs practising in the State and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients across the country.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by €211.6m. This provided for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees for additional services and increased practice supports. The GP Agreement 2023 further increased GP capitation fees, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a grant support for additional staff capacity as well a practice staff maternity leave support. These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors.
Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available from 2024. 346 new entrants commenced training last year, a 21% increase on the previous year’s intake of 286.
Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad commenced in 2023 under the joint HSE and ICGP International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. 114 IMG GPs were in practice as of October last and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland to the country this year.
1363. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when the proposed tribunal to deal with cases of people who have been injured as a result of taking the Covid vaccines will be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3555/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my department is working to develop a model for a vaccine damage scheme and officials in the department are working through related policy matters. The development of such a model needs detailed consideration to ensure that it is appropriately designed. Once the model is developed, I will bring it to Cabinet for discussion & consideration.
1364. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent vacancies across ophthalmology in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3581/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1365. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken to expand access to mental health services given the high rates of mental illness in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3582/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of mental health services is in the main a matter for the Health Service Executive and I have requested the executive to respond to the Deputy directly in this regard.
However from a policy and budgetary point of view the Deputy may also be interested to note the following progress in enhancing all aspects of our mental health services and supports. This remains a key priority for the new Government, building on the significant improvements in the delivery of our mental health services over the past number of years. Service improvement and development will continue throughout this year and into the future. I have outlined in my below response some of the key achievements in mental health in recent years.
The Government’s clear commitment to enhancing mental health services, is shown by significant mental health funding increases in recent years. I am pleased to have secured an unprecedented level of funding, and the total allocation for mental health services for 2025 is almost €1.5bn, a record funding level. Mental health funding has increased by over 44% since I took office in 2020.
This investment will continue to support the implementation of our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, and Connecting for Life, our national suicide reduction strategy, across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, through to specialist mental health services.
Investment this year focuses on child and youth mental health, including targeted initiatives that support children and young people as they transition from child to adult mental health services, to ensure that they can continue to access the supports that they need.
This increase in funding for mental health services represents a significant investment which will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. StV is Ireland’s 10-year ambitious, multifaceted national mental health policy to enhance the provision of mental health services. The policy recognises the need for a whole-of-population, whole-of-government approach to the delivery of mental health services. It builds on the achievements of A Vision for Change, with a focus on a wider, cross-sectoral service provision appropriate to whole population needs.
In line with Sláintecare, the policy aims to provide “the right care in the right place at the right time”. Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum, from mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.
The latest Implementation Status Report (November 2024) provides an overview of progress against the StV Implementation Plan 2022-2024 across the entire policy. Prepared by the joint NIMC Steering Committee and HIG secretariats, it is the thirteenth status report and serves as the end of term report for the first three years of policy implementation.
The Department of Health and HSE are in the process of developing the next Implementation Plan to guide delivery of the policy, which will cover the period from 2025-2027.
Connecting for Life (CfL) is Ireland’s national suicide prevention strategy. The Strategy focuses on the primary and secondary prevention of suicidal behaviour and addresses a broad range of risk and protective factors. CfL has been running for 9 years, and an evaluation of its implementation is currently nearing completion. The Department of Health and HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention are actively developing a successor strategy, which will be completed by year-end 2025.
The Connecting for Life implementation structures remain in place until the successor strategy is complete. Examples of continuing work in this area includes the launch this month of Preventing suicide in public places, a toolkit/framework to guide public sector agencies on effective measures that can prevent deaths by suicide in public places.
In addition, the Government remains committed to developing all aspects of mental health services nationally, including those for children and young people. Approximately €159 million is provided to the specialist CAMHS annually. Over €110 million was provided to community-based mental health organisations last year, with a significant proportion of this dedicated to supporting children and young people.
The HSE has over recent years invested in ‘upstream’ youth mental health services, including Jigsaw and other agencies who are provide enhanced services for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties who do not need to access specialist care such as CAMHS.
Under the HSE National Service Plan 2025, CAMHS expects to receive approximately 24,100 referrals this year, of which approximately 13,500 of these referrals are expected to be seen by CAMHS in line with operational guidelines.
Under Budget 2025, €2.9 million was allocated for CAMHS service developments, including the expansion of CAMHS hubs, additional CAMHS ED liaison supports, additional staffing for CAMHS teams, and funding to enhance the FRC Counselling Therapeutic Framework, the expansion of the Single Point of Access for community paediatric services, including CAMHS.
Funding allocated to mental health services in recent years has allowed for the continued investment in the mental health national clinical programmes and models of care, which has led to significant service improvements, including the aim to develop high-quality, person-centred, integrated care through a clinician-led, evidence-based approach to service reform, including the on-going expansion of specialist mental health teams for eating disorders, ADHD in adults, and Early Intervention.
Psychosis is a condition that affects the way the brain processes information, covering a range of symptoms where a person’s beliefs, thoughts, feelings, perceptions, or behaviours are affected. A person with psychosis can find it difficult to distinguish what is real, and onset is typically in late teens/early twenties. Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) is an evidenced-based approach that can transform the experience and outcomes of young people facing psychosis, and 5 multi-disciplinary teams are now operational. Two additional EIP teams will be developed this year based on funding I secured in Budget 2025.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality and morbidity within mental health, and early intervention, evidence-based care, and consistent support make a profound difference to the clinical and personal recovery of people who are affected by eating disorders. The Model of Care envisages a national network of community based mutli-disciplinary teams to diagnose and treat people with eating disorders – 8 teams for children and 8 for adult. Currently, there are 5 CAMHS ED teams and 6 Adult teams either operational or at an advanced stage of development; and Budget 2025 has additionally funded one Adult team and one CAMHS ED team.
The Navigator app, a dynamic web-based signposting tool for young people aged 16-34 years, has been commissioned by Spunout and the HSE to facilitate help-seeking behaviour and enhance access to support. It is expected to go live in April 2025.
Following the Programme for Government commitment, the interdepartmental High-Level Taskforce was established to progress the Government’s commitment to ensure the critical mental health needs and dual diagnosis treatments for people while imprisoned and primary care support on release, in order to ensure the safety of the public and better outcomes for the people themselves.
In relation to the health sector, good progress has been made overall in progressing key objectives of the HLTF Report. A focus has been to bring about new and real options around Diversion, including more person-centred and integrated care by all relevant health services for this small but highly vulnerable group. The opening of the new Central Mental Hospital at Portrane in 2022 has, for example, made a significant difference to modernising the HSE National Forensic Mental Health Service.
There has been very good cooperation by relevant health and justice agencies to improve interagency planning and delivery of services. These include, for the health sector, progressing initiatives relating to Suicide, ADHD, Crisis Resolution teams, as well as an update of the Mental Health Act 2001.
Important progress has also been made in updating Mental Health legislation. In July 2024, the Government published the Mental Health Bill 2024, which passed Second Stage in the Dáil before its dissolution. If passed by the Oireachtas, this Bill will repeal the existing Mental Health Acts 2001–2022 and update the process and criteria for involuntary admission and detention for people with severe mental health difficulties.
As the question also concerns operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1366. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the expected timeline to reduce the waiting list for children requiring urgent scoliosis surgeries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3583/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to ensuring ongoing improvements in paediatric orthopaedic services to ensure that children with scoliosis and spina bifida are treated quickly and safely.
There has been significant additional investment to help tackle waiting lists for spinal procedures. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of spinal procedures carried out in recent years. In 2024, 513 spinal procedures were completed including national and international outsourcing. This level of activity represents a 10% increase compared to 2023, and a 35% increase compared to 2019.
Several initiatives are underway to support improvements in paediatric spinal services and reduce the time that children are waiting for spinal procedures. A dedicated Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit was established last year to focus on delivering improvements to the spinal waiting lists. This Unit is working on improving capacity within CHI, expanding national outsourcing, and looking to maximise the international support. International outsourcing arrangements are in place with Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Families are fully supported in accessing these pathways if it is the right option for their children.
As a result of these initiatives, in 2024, there was a 31% reduction in the number of patients waiting over 4 months on the active waiting list, from 78 in December 2023 to 54 in December 2024.
Spinal services will remain a priority for the Minister for Health under the Waiting List Action Plan in 2025.
1367. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be allocated to Beaumont Hospital, St. Francis Hospice, and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Raheny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3584/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for the Health Service Executive is as approved by the Oireachtas as part of the annual Budget and Estimates process. This funding is then allocated by the HSE to relevant service areas, including to individual hospitals, based on available funding and operational needs.
The HSE's National Service Plan for 2025 provides funding for Acute Operations of €9.84 billion. This represents a substantial increase of €1.79bn (22%) on the budget of €8.05 billion allocated in NSP 2024. The HSE is currently in the process of finalising the allocation of this increased budget for 2025 to specific hospitals.
1368. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3608/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1369. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of requests to his Department that have granted for various matters (details supplied); the number of such requests that have been refused; and the grounds on which they have been refused. [2499/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received only one request in 2024 from a staff member for special leave to accompany their spouse on EU Leave and this was granted.
1370. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when contact was made with the European Commission seeking assistance through the European Social Fund to help deal with difficulties arising from storm Éowyn; the outcome of such discussions, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3540/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, in December 2024 the European Council adopted a set of regulations aimed at helping member states affected by natural disasters. These measures are a direct response to the devastating floods and wildfires that ravaged Central, Eastern and Southern Europe last autumn. The regulation on Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (RESTORE) will ensure that EU cohesion policy funds can rapidly and flexibly be mobilised to assist the affected member states in post-disasters recovery and rebuilding efforts though the ESF+ and ERDF programmes. (Regulation (EU) 2024/3236)
The RESTORE regulation amends the regulation governing the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund, and the regulation establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) for the 2021-2027 programming period, to enable member states to re-programme funds for RESTORE priorities. It offers additional assistance (within existing funding allocations) for member states affected by natural disasters occurring in 2024 and 2025, covering measures such as repairing damaged infrastructure and equipment, and providing food and basic material assistance and social and healthcare support.
Such measures will benefit from an increased maximum co-financing rate of 95%, along with an additional pre-financing rate of 25% to help ease the budgetary pressure on the impacted member states.
The overall resources available for reprogramming under RESTORE are capped at 10% of the initial total national allocation for the ERDF (infrastructure and equipment) and ESF+ (food and basic material assistance and social and healthcare support).
The EU Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002, Article 2.2 provides
"A ‘major disaster’ within the meaning of this Regulation means any disaster resulting, in at least one of the States concerned, in damage estimated either at over EUR 3 billion in 2002 prices, or more than 0,6 % of its GNI. By way of exception, a neighbouring Member State or country involved in accession negotiations with the European Union, which has been affected by the same disaster can also benefit from assistance from the Fund. However, under exceptional circumstances, even when the quantitative criteria laid down in the first subparagraph are not met, a region could also benefit from assistance from the Fund, where that region has been affected by an extraordinary disaster, mainly a natural one, affecting the major part of its population, with serious and lasting repercussions on living conditions and the economic stability of the region. Total annual assistance under this subparagraph shall be limited to no more than 7,5 % of the annual amount available to the Fund. Particular focus will be on remote or isolated regions, such as the insular and outermost regions as defined in Article 299(2) of the Treaty. The Commission shall examine with the utmost rigour any requests which are submitted to it under this subparagraph."
The European Social Fund+ Managing Authority (ESF+ MA) in my Department is responsible for the ESF+ 2021-27 programme in Ireland. This Programme was developed following an extensive period of preparation and consultation with other Government Departments and Agencies, civil society partners and the European Commission. This programme is known as EIST (Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training).
ESF+ Funding is allocated over a 7 year programming period aligned to the EU’s Multi-Annual Financial Framework. Ireland’s ESF+ allocation for 2021-27 is €508m. ESF+ is a co-financed programme, meaning that this EU allocation must be matched by national funding.
In Ireland, all ESF+ actions are funded up front via the exchequer or the National Training Fund. The EU portion of funding is then reimbursed to the relevant Departmental vote/NTF upon submission of certified claims to the Commission.
As such, all Departments/Agencies implementing actions under ESF+ must have secured up front funding for their action in order to be included in programme.
While Ireland's ESF+ allocation has been fully allocated, the Irish ESF+ MA and the Monitoring Committee maintain an ongoing overview of the funding allocations under the EIST and may re-allocate funding as required, in accordance with the EU Regulations.
The ESF+ MA, and the Monitoring Committee, are happy to consider any proposals from Government Departments for inclusion in the EIST Programme that may comply with the requirement of the RESTORE amendment.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has overall responsibility for ERDF in Ireland.
1371. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to urgently address the shortfall in student accommodation countrywide and ensure that all available student accommodation is being used for that purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2336/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new student accommodation strategy is in development following Government approval of the long-term policy in 2024. The policy aims to increase supply of state supported student accommodation, reduce the cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and an examination of vacancy, while supporting balanced regional development through the Technological University (TU) feasibility study.
The TU feasibility study is progressing in tandem with the standardised design study for student accommodation, to enable a viable design model for state supported student accommodation based on regional needs and feasibility assessments.
The outcomes of these studies will provide a framework of delivery models and funding options to inform the new strategy.
In 2023, following extensive engagement, my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) agreed a protocol on the use of student accommodation for International Protection and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. I am aware of the complexity of the accommodation demands across the two policy areas, however, it is imperative that student accommodation is retained and made available for student use during the academic year. My Department and I will continue to engage and work alongside the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in relation to this matter.
1372. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to allow for mortgage repayments to be disregarded when assessing the income threshold for the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2337/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), provides grant assistance to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The assessment of means under the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally. In the case of both employed and self-employed applicants, gross income, before deduction of income tax or universal social charge, is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded.
The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending patterns in different households if outgoings were also to be assessed.
My Department reviews policy on an ongoing basis, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.
The Deputy will be aware that students may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie/.
1373. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to allow for students on apprenticeships to do the college segments of their programme in the nearest college to their home as possible (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2340/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeships are national programmes. As far as possible, SOLAS schedule apprentices as soon as possible to their off the job training and at the nearest available training location relative to their home location. If a placement is not available near an apprentice’s home location, they will be called to the next nearest available location.
A craft apprentice may decline a scheduled placement up to three times, after which they are returned to the National Waiting List for future scheduling. An apprentice can arrange this by contacting their designated Training Advisor.
It is important to note that it is not possible for all apprenticeship programmes to be available in every ETB or Technical University. Apprentices are made aware during their induction period that there is potential for them to be called to other counties for training. Once registered in their Employer Region, apprentices are assigned a Training Advisor at that region's Education and Training Board (ETB). The Training Advisor remains their point of guidance and support, throughout their apprenticeship.
The Rent A Room Relief Scheme can provide full or part-time students (including apprentices) with accommodation during their college segments of their programme. The scheme permits shorter term residential accommodation including accommodation for full or part-time student and those availing of four day-a-week “digs” accommodation. Householders participating in the scheme can earn up to €14,000 per annum without incurring a tax liability.
Where a craft apprentice is travelling out of their home region, an accommodation allowance is made available to them. Craft apprentices are also entitled to supplementary allowances for travel and meals. Either an accommodation allowance or a travel allowance is payable, but not both.
1374. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the students included in the €1,000 one-off reduction for the student contribution fee will also include those students that complete online study on a full-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2473/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2025 included a package of measures to support households with the cost of higher education. These measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students that are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative (FFI).
As the Deputy will be aware, the student contribution only applies in circumstances where a student is eligible for free fees; it is the student’s contribution towards their tuition fee within the terms of the FFI. Where a course is not part of the FFI, including any flexible, part-time or online courses offered outside the scheme, the student contribution towards free fees does not apply and instead students pay the applicable tuition fee to the higher education institution attended.
Students experiencing exceptional financial need may be eligible to apply for supports under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) which has been supplemented by a further €10m under the cost of education supports in Budget 2025. Students in need of support, can apply to the Access Office in their higher education institution. This Fund assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.
1375. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline, given his sponsorship of the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Bill 2018, the plans he has to introduce legislation to amend the Research and Innovation Act 2024 in accordance with his stated views on the inadequacy of funding of oriented basic research in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2665/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Research and Innovation Act 2024 provided for the establishment of Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland as Ireland’s new research and innovation funding agency, with the new body coming into being from 1 August 2024.
The new agency has been established to oversee competitive research funding across all disciplines, ranging from the arts, humanities and social sciences through to science, technology, engineering and maths, across the full spectrum of research stages from basic and curiosity - driven approaches to applied research, which is focused on more immediate, practical purposes. The expanded remit of the agency supports the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches we will need to respond to existing challenges and maximise future opportunities. The Act also provides that funding for the Arts, Humanities and the Social Sciences has now been placed on a statutory footing for the first time.
Research Ireland is also a key enabler for realising the objectives of Impact 2030, Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy. Impact 2030’s objectives include the promotion and support of excellence in research and innovation across all disciplines, and at all career stages of research activity.
The new Board of the agency has been appointed following a public appointments process. The Board members have a range and balance of both research and governance knowledge and competencies, with membership drawn from a variety of experiences and backgrounds including academia, the public sector and the commercial world, in line with the requirements of the new agency.
Research Ireland will be engaging in extensive consultation with stakeholders and research bodies to discuss the optimal approach to programme design, and to identify how the agency can best support a cohesive national research and innovation ecosystem. Future agency planning and programme design, including examining approaches to funding oriented basic research within the portfolio of agency funding programmes, will be informed by this process.
Given the very significant reforms introduced through this Bill, which was passed by the Oireachtas less than 12 months ago, and the fact that it addresses many of the issues which had previously been identified both in my earlier interventions as well as by others, I do not propose to seek amendments to this Act.
