Niamh Smyth
Ceist:381. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review correspondence (details supplied); if she will address the concerns raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49552/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (381)
Freagraí 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 Correspondence
Ceisteanna (382)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:382. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review correspondence (details supplied) and address the concerns raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49553/25]
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.
Middle East
Ceisteanna (383)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:383. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on medical evacuations to Ireland, of children who are paediatric patients from Gaza to which Government approval was secured in September 2024; and when the agreed intake of 30-children will be complete. [49570/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that Ireland continues a strong tradition of providing humanitarian assistance including through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Irish Aid humanitarian and development assistance programme, and the HSE Global Health Programme.
In September 2024, a Government decision was made that Ireland would evacuate up to 30 paediatric patients from Gaza (under 17 years of age) and their carers out of Egypt, in response to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) request to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) to assist in addressing the Gaza healthcare needs through medical evacuation.
On 15 July 2025, the Government amended the scope of the Gaza Medevac Initiative to allow for family members of paediatric patients that are parents, minor siblings or adult dependent siblings of the patient, on grant of visas, permission to enter the State. This decision not only applies to future medical evacuation operations but also to the families already here under the Medevac Initiative who have qualifying family members still in Gaza.
To date, 12 paediatric patients, their carers and a further 21 family members have been medically evacuated out of Egypt to Ireland in two medevac operations in December 2024 and May 2025. My Department remains committed to facilitating the medical evacuation of 18 further child patients and their accompanying carers and family members.
My Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Department of Justice Home Affairs and Migration, Irish Red Cross, the HSE, CHI and international organisations are working closely towards medical evacuation out of Egypt and out of Gaza via Jordan. This is subject to all permissions and logistics being put in place. It should be noted that medevac operations from Gaza are highly complex and many determining factors are subject to challenging and shifting external circumstances.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (384)
Rory Hearne
Ceist:384. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the case of a patient (details supplied); if the therapy in question will be provided to address the patient’s urgent care needs; if not, the alternative options available to urgently treat them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49571/25]
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.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (385)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:385. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the reason for the disruption to the authorisation of newly qualified paramedics and advanced paramedics within the National Ambulance Service; to outline the rationale for not conducting any consultation or providing an explanation for the disruption; the persons responsible for issuing the necessary letters of authorisation; the date at which these graduates will be formally authorised to practice (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49575/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received from Department.
Student Accommodation
Ceisteanna (386)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:386. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of student accommodation units available in Cork city, Blarney, Mallow and Glanmire, as of September 2025; the number of units currently under construction or with approved planning; and the projected shortfall against third-level enrolments for the 2025-2026 academic year. [49410/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am acutely conscious of the challenges facing students, including availability of student accommodation, and am focused on delivering targeted and effective interventions which support learners.
Supply data indicates there are:
|
- |
Purpose Built Student Accommodation beds in Cork – as of end of August 2025 |
|
Planning applications under consideration |
170 |
|
No of beds under construction |
206 |
|
No of beds with planning approved |
2,312 |
|
No of complete beds |
9,585 |
Source: (Building Information Ireland report provided to HEA/DFHERIS August 2025).
Our HEI’s also report on the number of Dig’s style student accommodation beds available in their area and based on the latest available data from MTU (September 2025) 461 homes are registered with them to offer accommodation to students spread across the city. Some of these properties would have more than one student bed available. Currently UCC report 46 beds available respectively.
There were 35,580 third-level enrolments (full and part-time) for publicly funded HEI’s in Cork for the academic year of 2023/24.Data regarding the academic year of 2024/25 is not currently available. Given that not all students want or require student accommodation it is difficult to give an accurate figure for a shortfall.
However, the 2024 HEA Student Survey (issued to HEA funded Higher Education Institutions) provides an insight into students’ term time accommodation. 36% of students indicated that they were living at home, with just 1% saying they were living at home while looking for accommodation 12% were living in Digs accommodation and 18% of students surveyed were living in private rented accommodation and the remaining 33% were living in purpose-built student accommodation.
A new student accommodation strategy is in development and is due for completion later this year. The strategy will aim to enable viability measures to increase the supply of student accommodation and to provide affordability supports to students facing the greatest socioeconomic challenges.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (387)
Emer Currie
Ceist:387. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 589 of 7 May and 2693 of 8 September 2025, if the total number of places for ICT and digital training on Springboard+ courses has decreased from 2,183 in 2024 to 1,471 in 2025; and the reason there have been decreases in the number of places on courses relating to cloud computing, cybersecurity, general/traditional ICT and software development. [49375/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Springboard+ is operated by the Higher Education Authority on the basis of a multi-annual call process and funding cycle. The previous cycle covered the period 2022-2024, with a new call for Proposals held in early 2025.
ICT courses are a key component of the Springboard+ offering. ICT courses make up approximately one-fifth of the places funded under Springboard+ 2025, which is a higher proportion than any other skills area.
However, while continuing to emphasise the key strategic importance of ICT and digital skills courses, the 2025 call placed a different emphasis on the type and duration of courses to be funded. In the consultation process with stakeholders prior to the launch of the Springboard+ 2025 call, the advice from the Regional Skills Fora managers was that certain ICT courses, such as data analytics, were not in as high demand as in previous years and that this should be considered in the ICT-related courses recommended for funding. A broader mix of ICT skills areas would be required to meet the needs of industry, both regionally and nationally.
In addition, two-year ICT skills conversion courses were not included in the 2025 Call. HEA analysis of previous years’ completion rates highlighted that these courses were not popular with applicants in the first instance when compared to other skills areas or shorter one-year full-time and part-time courses. The completion rates were also lower for those who did participate, when compared to other skills areas. Given available funding, along with the introduction of funding for microcredentials, these courses were not included in the call.
Furthermore, in submitting applications for funding under Springboard+, higher education providers are asked to rank their proposals. As this is a strategic decision for each provider to make given their regional priorities, ICT courses were not always ranked highest. Given available funding, including the fact that on average ICT courses are 9% more expensive to operate than during the previous call in 2022, in some cases ICT courses were not funded as a result of a low ranking by a higher education provider.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Ceisteanna (388)
Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:388. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to give urgent consideration to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49394/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government secured a significant investment of €77.4m into the apprenticeship system in Budget 2025. This is the single largest investment in core apprenticeship funding since the formation of the department in 2020. Current investment in apprenticeship has more than doubled since 2020. It has increased by 139%, from €142m in 2019 to over €339m in 2025.
This investment has supported the growth of craft apprenticeships, with annual registrations increasing by 35% since 2019 from 5,271 in 2019 to 7,113 in 2024. The number of craft apprentices reached 24,974 at the end of 2024, up from 16,142 in 2019.
This growth is both welcome and necessary, given the vital role apprentices play in supporting the construction sector and delivering on key Government priorities such as housing, retrofitting, and infrastructure development.
Regarding wait times for calls to training, an apprenticeship programme is a mixture of both on-the-job and off-the-job training phases, of which each phase requires a minimum period before becoming eligible for scheduling for the next off-the-job training phase.
The minimum duration of Phase 1 of a craft programme is three months. As three months is the minimum duration, this phase can last longer than three months. While an apprentice is waiting for a scheduling call they may complete some months beyond the minimum period, and this counts towards the minimum programme duration of 208 weeks. This does not necessarily indicate that the apprentice is delayed.
Craft programmes require a minimum of four years (208 weeks) to complete before an apprentice becomes eligible for craft certification. This means that an apprentice will not become eligible for certification until they have completed both a minimum of 208 weeks and have successfully completed all 7 phases of training.
The apprenticeship system operates on a continuous intake basis and a pipeline of apprentices ready for training is required to ensure full workshops and classes. Education and Training Boards schedule apprenticeship classes on a rolling basis over the course of the year.
Education and Training Boards
Ceisteanna (389)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:389. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when ETB employees who accepted adult educator contracts will be moved to the appropriate point on the salary scale; when all back pay owing to these employees will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49484/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
By way of background, in 2024, the new grade of adult educator was established, in agreement with SIPTU and TUI. This followed many years of work by my Department, with the Department of Education, the Department of Public Expenditure, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), and SIPTU and TUI.
This grade was established in response to a claim by tutors and the subsequent Labour Court recommendation. The recommendation specified that any new grade could not align with teachers due to differences in the roles, qualifications and regulatory frameworks for tutors and teachers.
It is open to tutors whether they convert to the grade or remain on their current terms.
Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are currently overseeing the implementation process for the new grade, within the parameters of an Information Note (ESR ETB 001/2024) circulated by the Department of Education and Youth in March 2024. This Information Note details, among other things, the point on the new scale at which an adult educator should be moved to.
The implementation process is complex. In May, my officials issued an email to ETB CEOs noting my concern about the delays and instructing them to complete as soon as possible. ETBI have confirmed that all ETBs are continuing to work on the implementation process as a matter of priority. Officials, with SOLAS, ETBI and the ETBs are currently working together to clarify issues as they arise so that the implementation process can be completed as soon as possible.
Individual ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for staffing matters with Ministerial consents and approvals as may be determined from time to time. Each ETB will complete the process and award the back pay at different times. Following a sectoral survey, ETBI recently informed my officials that it is anticipated that nine ETBs will have paid arrears this year while the remainder will pay them next year.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (390)
Robert Troy
Ceist:390. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure that a local improvement grant, change of use request, is approved for a group (details supplied). [49531/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 provided funding of €7 million to assist thousands of community groups across the country by providing capital and current supports.
The LEP is administered locally on behalf of my Department by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their local authority. The relevant LCDC is allocated funding each year, they then receive and appraise applications, making determinations on how the funding can best support their communities.
Details of successful projects under LEP 2025 were announced in 13th June this year can be found on the Departments website, www.gov.ie/drcdg.
The Department understands that in some instances projects approved under the fund may not be able to proceed as expected and a change of scope process is available in these cases. Any changes to projects have to be notified to and agreed with the Department in advance of works taking place. I can confirm that a change of scope request was received from Westmeath LCDC in relation to the group you refer to, and officials in my Department have reviewed it and a response has issued to the LCDC.
The group should receive an update from their LCDC in the coming days.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (391)
John Clendennen
Ceist:391. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for a list of projects in Offaly allocated funding by his Department in each of the years 2020 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49535/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to supporting thriving communities across the country through a range of funding initiatives. My Department has allocated in the region of €51 million in funding to County Offaly from 2020 to 2024.
My Department’s funding programmes have delivered significant capital investment in County Offaly over the years referenced. Examples include:
• Over €12 million in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) for the redevelopment of a derelict site in Edenderry to provide a new Community Library and Arts Base, pedestrian and cycle connections, improved public realm and parking. This project aims to regenerate the town, enhancing its vibrancy and enabling people to live and work in a high-quality environment.
• Under the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), over €1 million in funding was allocated to build a new Community Centre in Moneygall.
• Under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), €500,000 was allocated for the refurbishment of Fiesta Hall in Kilcormac into a multipurpose space which is low carbon and energy efficient.
• €500,000 was allocated under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) to Kinnitty for the development of a ‘route to the trails’ pedestrian and cycle path between Kinnitty Village and the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trails; the development of a 2 kilometre novice-level loop mountain bike trail called ‘Kinnitty Woods Loop’ and a project to rediscover Castle Bernard Demesne’s Historic Bridges.
Details of the thousands of funding allocations my Department has provided each year, across the country, including County Offaly, are available on my Department’s website, in tabular form at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/funding-allocated-by-the-department/.