Written Answers Nos. 2473-2495
2473. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a former piggery site in Grenagh, County Cork that was demolished before the discovery of asbestos (details supplied); if she will confirm that her Department will provide extra resources if needed to Cork County Council and the HAS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21230/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and should be redirected to that Department.
2474. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the issues surrounding the lack of GP services in Enfield, County Meath; the steps her Department is taking to resolve these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21245/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is aware that there is limited access to GP services in certain areas and that more GPs are needed to improve the availability of GP services.
GPs 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. As of 1 April, there are 2,557 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme and a further 623 GPs do not hold a GMS contract but hold at least one other contract with the HSE for the provision of health services.
A number of measures have been taken in recent years to increase the attractiveness of general practice in Ireland as a career and increase the number of GPs practicing here.
Significant increases in investment in general practice has been provided under the 2019 and 2023 GP Agreements. 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, including the introduction of a support for practices in urban areas of social deprivation.
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.
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. The number of GP graduates has increased in recent years and will continue to increase in the coming years as a result of the increased number of new entrant training places.
Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. 119 IMG GPs were in practice as of November last and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs to Ireland this year.
2475. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to introduce an automatic annual adjustment of medical card income thresholds in line with changes to core social welfare payment rates and or inflation. [21246/25]
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 under 70 are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. Detailed guidelines are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/assessment/).
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. The weekly gross medical card income thresholds for people aged 70 and over are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card - in particular, to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.
Where a person's sole income is derived from a social protection payment, even where this is more than the current means threshold, he/she will be awarded a medical card.
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
2476. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE radiographers, by grade, working in a hospital (details supplied) in the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; if this number will be further increased later this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21258/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the question relates to an operational matter, it has been referred to the HSE to respond directly to you.
2477. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the amount of capital funding allocated by the HSE to a hospice (details supplied) in the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21262/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
2478. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE psychiatry of later life teams within CHO9 in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21263/25]
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.
2479. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE secretaries working with each consultant neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21264/25]
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.
2480. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to expand community lymphoedema and lipoedema services at Beaumont Hospital Cancer Centre of Excellence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21265/25]
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.
2481. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if her Department has an estimated timeline for the completion of the new accident-and-emergency department and critical care unit for Beaumont Hospital, which is included in the HSE Capital Plan 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21267/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process for the Beaumont ED proposal is being managed through the HSE capital development process rather than requiring direct submission to the Department of Health or Government for consent.
This is in line with the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform’s updated Infrastructure Guidelines. As such, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2482. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of individuals granted a medical card or GP visit card in each of the years 2023 and 2024 who had to be assigned a GP by the HSE, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21270/25]
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.
2483. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take to address the shortfall of 175 regional inpatient neurorehabilitation beds across the country, highlighted in the Inpatient Rehabilitation Mapping report published by the HSE in September 2024; the steps that will be taken to address the shortage of 34 beds in the HSE south west region as Cork and Kerry continue to lack a dedicated neurorehabilitation unit, this is despite CUH being the second national neuroscience centre in the country, as well as a dedicated major trauma centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21303/25]
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.
2484. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address the issue of grade inflation when it comes to CAO offers this year; the steps he will take to ensure fairness for students who sat the Leaving Certificate in 2025 and those who sat it in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18553/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Leaving Certificate can be a stressful time for students and their families. This includes the decisions for students in determining their pathways into work or continued education through the Further Education and Training or Higher Education systems.
My Department has been working tirelessly with the higher education and further education sectors to provide increased opportunities and pathways, helping to reduce pressure and open doors to a bright future. I am committed to supporting students, as evidenced by the creation of additional places in high-demand courses such as medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and others. This year will see the commencement of new programmes in dentistry and pharmacy, as well as the further expansion of existing programmes in medicine, physiotherapy and pharmacy. Engagements are ongoing regarding further expansion for 2025 and beyond.
Additionally, new veterinary programmes are being established in Atlantic Technological University and South East Technological University. At full rollout, it is expected that these programmes will have an annual intake of 80 veterinary medicine students, nearly doubling the current intake. These programmes are expected to commence in September 2026.
I am also continuing to expand pathways into higher education through Tertiary Programmes, part-time supports and new apprenticeships. This will reduce the stress of the “points race” and CAO application process for thousands of students across the country.
My officials are continuing to engage with colleagues in the Department of Education and State Examinations Commission (SEC) on this matter. I am supportive of my Cabinet colleague Minister McEntee and her officials as they commence the phased and gradual return to normal Leaving Certificate outcomes that will begin in 2025. It is widely recognised that it is appropriate to return over time to normal arrangements for Leaving Certificate outcomes in line with the announcement made by the Minister for Education last year (17 April 2024), that the return to normal Leaving Certificate outcomes would begin in 2025.
It is my understanding that this is being done gradually in line with the commitment that there would be no “cliff edge” in overall results so as to minimise, in so far as possible, the impact on students. I am aware that the SEC will again apply a post-marking adjustment after all marking is complete, which, this year, will bring results in the aggregate to a point broadly midway between 2020 and 2021 levels. The Department of Education and SEC will review the process for the following year. The examinations and assessment adjustments that have applied in recent years continue to apply for students in 2025.
2485. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on an application by a university (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20938/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has received a number of proposals from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including a proposal for increased provision on the MTU Kerry campus, under the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme.
All proposals are being considered in the context of each HEIs overall capital development plan and sectoral investment requirements.
The HEA, following the recent receipt of revised apprenticeship projection data from my Department, are engaging with HEIs in order to conclude the evaluation process under this Programme.
2486. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of CAO applicants for third level places in September 2025 that are people that sat their Leaving Certificate in the years 2020-2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21204/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Applications Office (CAO) is a not-for-profit company created by the Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It processes applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on behalf of HEIs.
I am unable to provide you with the information requested as neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO, and queries on applications are a matter for the CAO.
Further, it is my understanding that it is not yet possible to provide a complete figure for the number of applications to CAO 2025 presenting a prior year's Leaving Certificate. I understand that late CAO applications can be made up to 1st May, and applicants are still making amendments to the information that they have supplied on their CAO application.
2487. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address the issue of grade inflation when it comes to CAO offers this year; the steps he will take to ensure fairness for students who sat the Leaving Certificate in 2025 and those who sat it in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18553/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra2488. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider extending SUSI student contribution fees to undergraduate students studying abroad in the UK/EU; if further consideration could be given in this regard to the fact that many of these students wish to return to Ireland and enter employment upon completion of their studies abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18595/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible 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.
Under the scheme students may be eligible for a grant towards the costs of the student contribution payable by Free Fees Initiative eligible students attending an approved free fees course in the State.
In considering the matters raised it is important to note that Free Fees Initiative does not apply to any courses outside the State.
Student contribution grants under the Student Grant Scheme exist exclusively to assist students in paying the student contribution that applies under the Free Fees Initiative. In this regard it is not possible for student contribution grants, available under the Student Grant Scheme, to apply where students are not eligible for the Free Fees Initiative.
2489. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of financial supports for third-level students from Ukraine has been completed; and if so, the outcome or when the review is expected to be completed. [18641/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that a review of supports for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection has now been completed and approved by Government.
These revised arrangements are better aligned with existing schemes of support which are available to Irish and other EU citizens, such as the Free Fees Scheme and the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI.
Supports for entrants to a new course whose initial Temporary Protection was granted more than three years before the start of the 2025/26 Academic year will be via the Free Fees Scheme and/or the Student Grant Scheme. Prospective students must meet the relevant eligibility criteria of those schemes to avail of supports.
However, in recognition of the fact that a proportion of Leaving Certificate students currently preparing for their examinations, and certain other students in equivalent circumstances, will not meet criteria to avail of existing State schemes, temporary supports will continue to be available for relevant cohorts for the 2025/26 academic year.
Those who are continuing with a further or higher education course in September 2025, having started in a previous academic year, will receive modified levels of financial support better aligned with Irish students.
Applicants starting a new course from the 2026/27 Academic Year onwards will need to meet the eligibility requirements of existing State schemes, such as SUSI and the Free Fees scheme, to avail of supports. This is the same position which pertains to Irish and other EU nationals.
Decisions on temporary supports for existing students continuing their course in the 2026/27 academic year will be made in light of any review of Section 60 permission status which will expire in March 2026.
Full details of revised supports have been published in a Technical Notice on the Gov.ie website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-research-innovation-and-science/publications/supports-to-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protection-for-academic-year-2025-2026/.
2490. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the possibility of encouraging greater flexibility for part-time options in higher education courses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18675/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018. As such they are autonomous in relation to their administrative and academic affairs, and the courses offered by any institution, and whether they are offered on a part-time basis, are a matter for the individual institutions to determine.
It is a priority of my Department to increase access to higher education through flexible and diverse pathways. €2m of support was secured for part-time provision in Budget 2024. This marked the first time that supports were being made available for students studying on part-time courses under the Student Grant Scheme.
In 2024 a new Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses was introduced to provide fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. This included specified in person and blended/hybrid courses that provide between 30 ECTS and 50 ECTS, and its aim was to provide additional flexibility in respect of course provision to students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged.
The Part-Time scheme is aimed at supporting socioeconomically disadvantaged students and it is hoped that the scheme will open access to higher education to many under-represented groups who cannot participate in full-time programmes.
The Scheme for 2025 has now been published and a list of approved courses is available on the SUSI website: www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/approved-courses/undergraduate-students-approved-institutions---part-time-courses/.
This year the number of courses included have nearly doubled, going from 62 in 2024 to 111 in 2025. It is my hope that this new initiative will encourage higher education institutions to offer more courses on a part-time basis, and provide educational opportunities to those for whom full-time education is not a suitable option.
2491. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider increasing the parental income threshold for SUSI grant applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18707/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll income threshold limits for Student Grants increased in Budget 2025, and the following improvements will come into effect from September 2025:
• The special rate of maintenance threshold will increase from €26,200 to €27,400 in line with Social Welfare increases.
• All other maintenance and student contribution grant thresholds will increase by 15%.
• The postgraduate fee contribution threshold and the part-time scheme threshold will increase to match the new 100% Student Contribution threshold which will now be €64,315.
It is important to also point out that by making these improvements around 41,000 existing students who are expected to be eligible for Maintenance Bands 2-4 and/or fee grants this year may also benefit by these measures. If a student and/or their families income has grown these measures may mean they will not be disadvantaged in the coming academic year by a lower rate, or if their income remains static they may benefit by a higher rate.
This is the largest increase to maintenance thresholds since the creation of SUSI and underlines the Government’s commitment to inclusion. This measure will ensure students in need of financial assistance are not disadvantaged by recent rising income growth. It will also ensure continued supports to students including students who are under-represented in Higher Education.
I continue to proactively monitor and consider the cost of college and recently held a cost of education event with Stakeholders. I am engaging with the sector with a view to publishing an options paper to help frame the challenges and allow informed decisions during the budgetary process later this year.
2492. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of applications made to SUSI for the 2024-2025 academic year that were rejected on the grounds of household income exceeding the limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18708/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudent grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period including income from a student’s employment. For the 2024/25 academic year, student grant applications are assessed based on gross income from all sources for the reference period, 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.
To answer the Deputy’s question, in the academic year 2024/2025, 5,284 applications were refused as the household income was calculated to be in excess of the relevant income threshold for grant funding. It is estimated that c 17,500 students may have been eligible to apply, however, applications were not received.
This figure from SUSI is correct as of 4 April 2025, however, this figure is likely to change as processing in still ongoing for academic year 2024/25.
The Deputy will be aware, that, in Budget 2025, all income threshold limits for Student Grants were increased.
From September 2025:
• I am increasing the special rate of maintenance threshold from €26,200 to €27,400 in line with Social Welfare increases.
• I am increasing all other maintenance and student contribution grant thresholds by 15%.
• I am also increasing the postgraduate fee contribution threshold and the part-time scheme threshold to match the new 100% Student Contribution threshold which will now be €64,315.
By increasing income thresholds including the €500 Student Contribution Grant from €100k to €115k, it is estimated that around 3,000-4,000 students who previously did not qualify for student support may now be eligible for the first time.
2493. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can provide data on the number of second level students from DEIS schools who have proceeded to an approved PLC, or undergraduate or post graduate course during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18709/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not readily hold this information. However, the Deputy may be aware that the Department of Education publishes the Education Indicators for Ireland reports which are available on the Education statistics pages on gov.ie and these reports provide the transition rate from both DEIS and non-DEIS schools to further education and training and higher education. The most recent report for 2023 was published in March 2024.
2494. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student attending a school (details supplied) qualifies to apply to the CAO as a Gaeltacht applicant, in light of previous indications that students at boarding schools may not be eligible for this status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18787/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Applications Office (CAO) is a not-for-profit company created by the Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It processes applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on the behalf of HEIs. My Department does not have a role in the operation of the CAO, and queries related to CAO applications can be best answered by the organisation itself. The CAO can be contacted via the portal on its website: www.cao.ie.
2495. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of WTE senior mechanical engineer and senior quantity surveyor employed by his Department as of 2 April 2025, in tabular form. [18847/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department currently employs one Engineer Grade 1 and one Quantity Surveyor Grade 1 as of 2 April 2025 set out in the table below.
|
Grade |
Number of Posts |
|
Engineer Grade 1 |
1 |
|
Quantity Surveyor Grade 1 |
1 |
