Sorca Clarke
Ceist:304. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will act to excavate the site at Sean Ross Abbey; and fully investigate the burial grounds. [35143/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMother and Baby Homes
Ceisteanna (304)
Freagraí scríofa
I am very conscious of the pain caused by the deaths of children who were resident in the former Mother and Baby institution in Sean Ross Abbey.
The investigation of burial arrangements in Mother and Baby institutions, including the former institution at Sean Ross Abbey, was an important part of the work of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. At the request of the Commission, which had specific investigative powers, a forensic archaeological investigation was conducted at the children’s burial ground at Sean Ross Abbey. The report, which was commissioned on foot of concerns about the burial ground in Sean Ross Abbey, found that infant human burials were located across the Children’s Burial ground and these had not been impacted by any utilities or drainage works. The report notes that coffins, or evidence of coffins, were located with the majority of remains (84%).
As set out in the Final report, the Commission was satisfied that the forensic report provided clear evidence that the coffined remains of children under the age of one are buried in the designated burial ground. It noted that, without complete excavation, it was not possible to say conclusively that all of the children who died in Sean Ross were buried in the designated burial ground and that it did not consider that further investigation was warranted.
I understand that, following publication of the Commission’s final report, the then Minister engaged with a local group in relation to their concerns that a privately owned area beyond the acknowledged burial ground at Sean Ross Abbey may also contain graves. In 2023, funding was provided to the group to support them in undertaking a survey of the land in question, which was not subject to investigation by the Commission.
The group submitted a copy of the report of the survey to my Department, and, as there is no expertise in the Department to assess it, the Chief Archaeologist in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage was asked to review it. The Chief Archaeologist’s review, which has been shared with the group concerned, concludes that the survey report is inconclusive, with no clear evidence of burials. I understand, however, that the group continues to have concerns in this regard.
The Institutional Burials Act 2022 provides a legislative basis for an intervention whereby the remains of those who died in residential institutions, and who were buried in a manifestly inappropriate manner, may be recovered and re-interred in a respectful and appropriate way. Section 7 of the 2022 Act requires that Government must be satisfied that burials have taken place and must have evidence that those burials are manifestly inappropriate in order to establish an Office of Director of Authorised Intervention to undertake an excavation and recovery of remains at a site associated with a particular institution.
Given that the designated burial ground has been forensically investigated and there is no evidence of manifestly inappropriate burials, and there is also no evidence of manifestly inappropriate burials in the area outside the designated burial ground, it is not possible to bring forward a proposal to establish an Office of Director of Authorised Intervention to excavate the site at Sean Ross Abbey.
Departmental Inquiries
Ceisteanna (305)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:305. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will visit Sean Ross Abbey as a matter of urgency; if she will provide an update on her engagements with survivors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35144/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am committed to ongoing, open engagement with survivors and their representatives and any invitations received are given appropriate consideration.
Earlier this week I published four important reports as follows:
• The First Annual Report of the Special Advocate for Survivors
• The Third Annual Report on the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.
• The Report on Feedback from Survivors and Affected Persons on the National Centre for Research and Remembrance
• The Response by the Steering Group to the Survivor Feedback Report
The four documents are available on my Department’s website.
In particular, the Third Annual Report on the Action Plan sets out progress on the implementation of commitments made to survivors and engagements with survivors and affected people in relation to same.
Regular updates are also issued to a dedicated mailing list of over 1,200 subscribers. This includes detailed quarterly updates, as well as ad hoc updates to outline progress and developments in particular areas. Anyone who wishes to sign up in order to receive future updates on issues related to the Action Plan can email motherandbabyhomes@equality.gov.ie and request to be added to the mailing list.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (306)
Emer Currie
Ceist:306. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to report on her Department's engagement with the planning and building unit of the Department of Education and Youth, regarding the development of State-led childcare facilities in tandem with the school building programme; the number of meetings that have taken place; the dates when these meetings took place; the main findings of each of the meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35146/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government sets out the ambition to work with schools to host before and after-school childcare in school buildings as well as planning the development of State-led early learning and childcare facilities in tandem with the school building programme, specifically referencing Irish medium naíonraí.
Officials have met a number of times with officials from the Department of Education’s Planning and Building Unit with a view to sharing expertise and information between the Departments and identify opportunities for future developments.
A meeting took place on 4 March 2025 between senior officials in my Department and officials in the planning and building unit in the Department of Education and Youth. Matters discussed at this meeting included areas of shared interest, such as capital programme management, forward planning, and the current and future use of school buildings for early learning and childcare services.
A meeting took place on 28 April 2025 between relevant officials, which focussed on the Statutory Plan engagement process undertaken by the Department of Education and Youth.
In addition to these specific meetings, the relevant officials have also engaged a number of times on related matters, particularly through the Early Learning and Childcare Planning Matters Working Group and in relation to existing services' use of school buildings.
The potential for development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme will be considered as part of the wider capital plans to develop State-led services. The Programme for Government commits for the first time to provide capital investment to build or purchase state-owned early learning and childcare facilities, to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. State ownership of facilities is a very substantial and significant development and offers the potential for much greater scope to influence the nature and volume of provision available and to ensure better alignment with estimated demand.
This work forms part of my Department’s contribution to the review of the National Development Plan which will set out the capital allocation to underpin this work in the coming years. There has been a range of engagements at official and political level to inform the update National Development Plan between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. My officials and I are continuing to engage with colleagues across Government on the review.
The approach more widely to ensuring appropriate levels of early learning and childcare supply is being considered by my Department and will be further articulated in the context of the Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system that Government is committed to publishing.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (307, 308)
Emer Currie
Ceist:307. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the inception meeting held on 9 June 2025 concerning the review of the 2001 planning guidelines for local authorities on early learning and childcare settings; to summarise the key findings discussed; to outline when the next meeting is scheduled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35147/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmer Currie
Ceist:308. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the number of times the working group between her Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Education and Youth has met from 2024 to date in 2025; the dates when these meetings took place; when the next meeting will take place; to outline the number of times the working group is expected to meet in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35148/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 308 together.
The 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
The Guidelines are intended to ensure a consistent approach to the treatment of planning applications in respect to the land use planning aspects of early learning and childcare provision.
The Programme for Government commits to reviewing the 2001 Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities to ensure early learning and childcare spaces are provided and put into use.
The Early Learning and Childcare Planning Matters Working Group was established in 2024 and has met on the following occasions:
• 13 June 2024
• 15 October 2024
• 4 December 2024
• 10 February 2025
• 4 June 2025
In addition, a meeting was held by members of the group with officials from different local authorities who were nominated by the CCMA Planning and Land Use Committee on 9 June 2025.
At that meeting, background briefings were provided and there was a discussion of experiences of applying the guidelines. Issues for consideration included the need for planners to have more nuanced and detailed data to understand early learning and childcare needs at local area level; coordination between local authorities and city and county childcare committees; the potential for better coordination across developments; and determining the appropriate ratio of housing units to places to ensure sufficient provision of viable services.
Draft questions to seek further information about the experience of application of the guidelines from all local authorities are being finalised and will shortly be shared with the nominees for their feedback before wider circulation.
In addition, my officials have collated relevant information to share with local authorities to support their consideration of relevant planning applications.
A further meeting of the Working Group is being scheduled for July.
The approach more widely to ensuring appropriate levels of early learning and childcare supply is being considered by my Department and will be further articulated in the context of the Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system that Government is committed to publishing.
Question No. 308 answered with Question No. 307.
Departmental Inquiries
Ceisteanna (309, 310, 311)
James Geoghegan
Ceist:309. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 371 and 372 of 19 June 2025 and correspondence (details supplied) from the HSE to this deputy dated 17 June 2025, when in July the individual data per 93 CDNTs will be made available; the reason it will take a further month to furnish this information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35157/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraJames Geoghegan
Ceist:310. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 371 and 372 of 19 June 2025 and correspondence (details supplied) from the HSE to this deputy dated 17 June 2025, if the Minister will direct the HSE to explain how it can possibly be the case that, for example, the HSE itself or Enable Ireland have no record of the average tenure of individuals employed for each discipline in delivering occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy, when this data would exist even at a payroll or HR level; to clarify from the HSE that the HSE is in fact stating they have no way of knowing how long its own employees in these disciplines, on average, have remained employed in these disciplines within the specific CDNT team or in the S.38 or S.39 providers either; to confirm that there is no data collection on an individual CDNT team basis for how long people working within that specific CDNT team have remained within that team; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35158/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraJames Geoghegan
Ceist:311. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 371 and 372 of 19 June 2025 and correspondence (details supplied) from the HSE to this deputy dated 17 June 2025, if she will direct the HSE referable to Table 4 provided in the letter to answer the specificity of the original parliamentary question which sought for the HSE to identify the name of provider in each of the 93 CDNTs whereas the reply provided simply lists the name of the Employer and provider type does not identify which employer relates to which specific CDNT team [35159/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 309, 310 and 311 together.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 310 answered with Question No. 309.
Question No. 311 answered with Question No. 309.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (312)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:312. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason there is only one speech and language therapist (SLT) working in the early intervention services team in Nenagh, County Tipperary and if there are any plans to increase that number as that SLT has to cover all of the north Tipperary area. [35162/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Home Help Service
Ceisteanna (313)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:313. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to improve recruitment of the home care assistants to reduce the number waiting for an actual service in Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33913/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (314)
John Lahart
Ceist:314. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if the proposed vaccine damage compensation scheme will include retrospective eligibility for individuals who made submissions to the vaccine damage steering group prior to the scheme’s implementation, including cases dating back to the 1970s (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35005/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Significant work has been completed by my department to develop a model for a vaccine damage scheme. It is my intention to bring the model to Cabinet for discussion and consideration shortly. Until the model has been considered and approved by Government, it is not possible to provide any further information in relation to the scheme's implementation.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (315)
Albert Dolan
Ceist:315. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health her views on the HSE’s confirmation that it has not been in a position to meet the Government’s 15-day prompt payment target or to produce the quarterly compliance reports required under Government Decision S29296; the way in which this has been allowed to continue for over a decade, given that all other departments and public bodies have been publishing prompt payment reports since the policy was introduced in 2009; and if she was previously aware of this long-standing non-compliance by the State’s largest purchaser of goods and services. [34997/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter this PQ has been referred to HSE, kindly copy HSE response for this PQ to both
Finance_Business_Support_Unit@health.gov.ie and Accounts@health.gov.ie.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (316)
Martin Daly
Ceist:316. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given under the National Development Plan to the inclusion of Galway University Hospital as a designated Model 4 Hospital incorporating a regional cancer network to serve the north west region, in line with the objectives of balanced regional development and Sláintecare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27746/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Galway University Hospitals (GUH) comprises Merlin Park University Hospital and University Hospital Galway (UHG). UHG is the Model 4 hospital for the HSE West and Northwest region and is one of eight national designated cancer centres. Some localised cancer services operate out of smaller hospitals in the HSE West Northwest region and UHG also supports a satellite centre for breast cancer at Letterkenny.
In late 2023, Saolta convened a Capital Programme Oversight Board to develop a clinically led, holistic master planning approach for UHG. This master planning process has been informed by population health needs and clinical demand for the region and it is proposing a number of projects of significant scale on campus. When complete, UHG will provide state of the art Model 4 hospital facilities for the people of Galway and the HSE West and Northwest Region.
In order provide a clear plan for the sequencing and phased delivery of the much-needed new capacity and facilities, a Development Control Plan (DCP) for the campus has been completed. This DCP includes a new cancer centre among other facilities.
At the end of May 2025, my Department received a copy of the DCP and programme Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the proposals at UHG. These documents are currently being reviewed against the requirements of D/PENDR’s Infrastructure Guidelines and will be returned to the HSE with feedback, to be subsumed into the Preliminary Business Case (PBCs) for the first phases of the works which is under development. To deliver much needed new facilities at UHG a significant volume of enabling works will be required. The HSE has advised that initial enabling works on UHG campus to support this programme of works have begun.
The proposals for UHG, as well as the other significant ambitions we have for much-needed capital investment in our health system, form part of our ongoing engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform following Minister Chamber’s announcement of a review of the National Development Plan.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (317)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:317. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the outright ban of all single-use e-cigarette devices in this jurisdiction. [30313/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My current legislative priority, approved by Government on 10 September, is the further regulation of nicotine inhaling products. These proposals are now being drafted with the Office of the Attorney General. The General Scheme for a Bill contains a range of proposals to reduce youth use of nicotine inhaling products including a ban on disposable vapes.
Once drafting is completed, the draft measure will require notification at EU level under the Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU) as it entails the banning of a product.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (318)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:318. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the outright ban of flavoured and coloured e-cigarettes in this jurisdiction. [30314/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My current legislative priority on tobacco and related products, as approved by Government on 10 September, is the further regulation of nicotine inhaling products. These proposals are now being drafted with the Office of the Attorney General.
The General Scheme for a Nicotine Inhaling Products Bill contains a range of proposals to reduce youth use of nicotine inhaling products including:
- restrictions on the colours and imagery used on nicotine inhaling products and their packaging
- a ban on devices resembling toys or games
- restrictions on flavours, and
- a ban on disposable vapes.
When drafting is finalised the proposed measures will require notification and assessment at EU level under the both the Technical Standards Directive (Directive 2015/1535) and the Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU) as they include the banning of a category of product.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (319)
Robert O'Donoghue
Ceist:319. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she will urgently review the case of a 48-year-old woman (details supplied) who has been waiting over two-and-a-half years for a complex hip revision procedure in Beaumont Hospital under the care of her orthopaedic consultant (details supplied); the supports available to patients with long-term, complex surgical needs who are in unrelenting pain and have exhausted all pain management options; if her Department will engage with the HSE and the hospital to ensure that this case is prioritised in light of the significant impact on the patient’s quality of life, physical mobility, and family caregiving responsibilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35013/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Qualifications Recognition
Ceisteanna (320)
Conor D McGuinness
Ceist:320. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to ensure social work qualifications from universities in EU member states are recognised by CORU; and if she is concerned that uncertainty is impacting on recruitment of qualified entrants to the profession. [32423/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession regulator for health and social care. Its primary role is to protect the public by regulating professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended). This includes setting the standards required for registration and maintaining professional registers for those who meet these standards.
The Deputy should note that there is no common standard for the Social Work profession in the EU/EEA. Common minimum standards apply for a number of professions including Doctors, Nurses, Midwives and more but not for Social Workers. Social Workers are therefore assessed under a General System for recognition set out in Directive 2005/36/EC.
CORU has developed a fast-track pathway for U.K. (including Northern Ireland) qualified Social Workers known as the Commonly Aligned Standards (CAS) pathway, whereby qualifications from U.K. universities have been recognised as aligned with Irish Standards. Therefore, there is no requirement for qualifications to be individually assessed, and Social Workers with a U.K qualification can progress straight to registration.
CORUs next steps for CAS is to expand to other countries where there is good alignment with the Irish standards. To date there has not been standard alignment with individual EU member states. However, the number of applications from EU member states is relatively few, compared to the number received from the U.K. and Northern Ireland.
As EU Social Workers do not have an established regulatory minimum global standard, applicants must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. CORU has received eight applications from EU Social Workers in 2025. Of these, four have been recognised. The other four are still in the application process as further information is required to proceed to assessment.
Mental Health Commission
Ceisteanna (321)
Barry Ward
Ceist:321. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the amount spent or incurred by the Mental Health Commission on consultants, advisers, or contracts related to communications, media, public relations, marketing, advertising or related activities in respect of the calendar year 2023, calendar year 2024 and 1 January 2025 to 31 May 2025, in tabular form, in each instance indicating the year and calendar month of the expenditure, as well as the directorate or division of the Mental Health Commission that was the intended primary beneficiary of those services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35027/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Mental Health Commission’s (MHC) Annual Financial Statements for 2023, which were audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) as per Section 47 of the Mental Health Act 2001 and the 2016 Code, provide detail on the questions raised and are published on the Commission's website at the following link: www.mhcirl.ie/sites/default/files/2024-08/MHC%20Annual%20Financial%20Statements%202023_FINAL%2027.06.2024.pdf. The unaudited MHC Annual Financial Statements for 2024 have recently been submitted to the C&AG and will be published on the MHC website as soon as they are available. Amounts spent or incurred from January 1 to May 31, 2025, can only be provided once they have been audited by the C&AG and published.
The communication and media activity in 2023 reflects the development and roll-out of a multichannel public information campaign which included advertisements on television, radio, press, online, social media as well as out-of-home, video on demand, and Irish language advertising. This public awareness programme was implemented in collaboration with the Health Service Executive and supported by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (322)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:322. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of any meetings she attended with health professional representative bodies, voluntary organisations, NGOs, lobby groups and other stakeholders (excluding the HSE) relating to or featuring issues regarding termination of pregnancy, from January 2025 to date, in tabular form, including dates, and organisations represented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35030/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health have been in communication with the HSE on several occasions in 2025 in relation to the status of operational improvements for termination of pregnancy services, no further meetings have been held to date.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (323)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:323. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that the reasons for unfilled posts in community hospitals in County Kerry are much more nuanced and complex than geographical location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35037/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (324)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:324. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the nurse to patient ratio in Ireland, broken down by hospital. [35042/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (325)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:325. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the doctor to patient ratio in Irish hospitals, broken down by hospital. [35043/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (326)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:326. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the consultant to patient ratio in Irish hospitals, broken down by hospital. [35044/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.