Written Answers Nos. 314-334
314. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the average waiting list timeframe for knee replacement surgery in a hospital (details supplied) by persons waiting six months, 12 months, 18 months and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48254/26]
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.
315. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently on a waiting list for a pacemaker at the Regional Hospital Mullingar; the average waiting time for the procedure; the number of patients waiting longer than 3, 6,12 and 18 months respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48328/26]
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.
316. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently on a waiting list for a pacemaker at each public hospital; the average waiting time for the procedure at each hospital; the number of patients waiting longer than 3, 6,12 and 18 months respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48329/26]
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.
317. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health which was changed during Covid to one paramedic and an EMT and has never been changed back (details supplied); if she will ensure the previous standards are reinstated; her views that the current requirement constitutes a reduction in the level of care; if she will ensure that no new deal with unions will include the continuation of the current requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48331/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPHECC have advised my Department that the current PHECC minimum crewing model for an emergency ambulance is two PHECC-registered practitioners, one of whom must be at the level of Paramedic or higher.
Whilst a temporary crewing model was in place to respond to the particular circumstances of COVID-19, the minimum crewing model in place today is unchanged from that which pertained prior to COVID-19.
I welcome the decision by SIPTU and UNITE to recommend acceptance of the recent Labour Court recommendation to their members. This is a positive step forward, and I look forward to working with all parties to bring this matter to a successful conclusion.
318. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the delivery of supports to patients with long-Covid and/or associated conditions; the analysis that has taken place to differentiate long-Covid from possible gene therapy adverse events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48338/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Taoiseach met with health unions on Thursday, 30 April. Following that engagement, the Taoiseach has asked the HSE to ensure that management discretion under the Critical Illness Protocol is actively and compassionately applied in cases involving long COVID, so that staff continue to be supported while Government considers what further longer-term measures may be appropriate.
This matter remains under active consideration across Government, including by the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Social Protection, with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Social Protection having met in recent weeks to discuss ongoing supports; they welcomed the progress to date, noting that a significant number of staff have been supported in returning to work, with others continuing to receive support through the public service sick leave scheme.
319. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the plans to establish an ambulance base in Kilmallock, County Limerick; her plans to enhance the base in Newcastle West Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48339/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
320. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a vascular surgery appointment for a person (details supplied). [48340/26]
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. The Minister for Health is prohibited 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.
321. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Health when her Department will respond to a representation (details supplied) received by her Department on 10 April 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48342/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that a reply has issued to the representation referred to by the Deputy.
322. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to develop a structured transition pathway for patients with neurofibromatosis moving from paediatric to adult services; whether consideration is being given to establishing a dedicated multidisciplinary adult neurofibromatosis service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48343/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
323. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children to access the specialist NF1 clinic at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin; the number of children currently awaiting assessment and follow-up; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48344/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
324. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to support the development of a fully operational multidisciplinary neurofibromatosis service, including the provision of adequate staffing and specialist supports to work alongside the neurofibromatosis clinical nurse specialist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48345/26]
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.
325. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in implementing the HSE-recognised National Rare Disease Care Pathway for Paediatric Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1); the resources that have been allocated to support its delivery nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48346/26]
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.
326. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for an assessment at the fertility hub at the Coombe Hospital; the steps being taken to address said waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48347/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
327. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the capital funding allocated to each technological university in each of the years from the date of their establishment to date in 2026, in tabular form. [47928/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has disbursed over €236m in capital funding to the Technological University Sector since 2020 under a number of capital programmes including the Higher Education Strategic and Infrastructural Fund (HESIF), the Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Fund (IURF), the Energy Efficiency Decarbonisation Pathway Programme (EEDPP), the Devolved Capital Grant, the Apprenticeship Programme Grant and the Higher Education Research Equipment Grant (HEREG) etc.
Details of amounts disbursed to each Technological University since its establishment (with various establishment dates between 01/01/2020 and 01/05/2022) to date in 2026 are provided in the attached table.
In addition, significant capital investment is ongoing in relation to operational Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects delivered for Technological University Dublin at Grangegorman, the National Maritime College of Ireland, and Cork School of Music at Munster Technological University.
Under Bundle 1 of the Higher Education PPP programme, TU Dublin Blanchardstown Teaching Building, TU Dublin Tallaght Culinary Arts, Engineering & Science building, TUS Athlone STEM Facility and MTU Cork Learning Resource Centre and MTU Kerry STEM Facility commenced service in 2025. Under Bundle 2 of the Higher Education PPP programme, the construction of five new buildings across multiple TU campuses is underway.
The new buildings once completed will be located in the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway and Letterkenny Campuses, South East Technological University (SETU) Waterford and Carlow Campuses and in the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Limerick Campus.
Payments for PPP’s are not included in the attached return and are made by my Department by way of, for example, milestone payments and a monthly unitary charge directly to the PPP companies over the 25 year operational period.
328. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has considered the position of international students elected to full-time sabbatical officer roles within recognised students' unions, particularly in relation to immigration permissions and employment eligibility. [48005/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether the Department recognises the significant role played by the international student cohort in Irish higher education, including their participation in institutional governance and representative structures. [48007/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether consideration has been given to issuing specific guidance or policy clarification for higher education institutions and students' unions in respect of elected student officers whose ability to serve may be affected by changes in immigration status during their term of office. [48009/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 328, 330 and 331 together.
I appreciate the significant role international students play within Ireland's higher and further education sector and commend their engagement in student life, including their participation in students’ union activities and representative bodies.
The issues raised relate primarily to the conditions attached to immigration permissions and the associated entitlement to undertake employment or other remunerated roles while residing in the State. Responsibility for immigration policy, including the administration and operation of student immigration and the associated rights to work in the State rests with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Accordingly, these specific matters fall outside the remit of my Department and would be more appropriately addressed to the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
My Department remains committed to supporting student engagement and representation across the tertiary education sector and works closely with higher education institutions and student representative bodies on matters relating to the student experience.
329. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether it is the Government's position that all registered students, including international students, should have an unrestricted right to seek election to represent their peers in students' union structures, subject only to institutional democratic rules. [48006/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions (HEIs), including universities and technological universities, are autonomous within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. As autonomous bodies with academic and administrative freedom, each institution is responsible for its own internal governance arrangements and related decision-making.
Students’ unions operate as independent, democratic organisations within higher education institutions. As universities and technological universities are autonomous bodies established under statute, it is a matter for each individual institution and its associated student representative structures to determine the rules governing the operation of students’ unions.
332. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he is aware of a specific date that either his Department or SETU formally advised the senior management a college (details supplied) that its staff and programs would not be transferring into SETU. [48010/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra333. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when and the way in which the Minister notify a college (details supplied) following the due diligence process; and at what point was senior management advised to engage with staff. [48011/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra334. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether formal notice given to the CAO that a college (details supplied) would not be in a position to accept students for the coming academic year (2026/27); and if so, when. [48012/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether an independent valuation was conducted on a college's (details supplied) land and buildings; and the exact terms of the agreement transferring this multi-million-euro asset to SETU [48013/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra336. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason and when did his Department decide that Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) did not apply to a college (details supplied) given that prior press releases strongly implied employees would transfer. [48014/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his exact understanding was of the original merger plan between SETU and a college (details supplied); and the reason he permitted a total pivot from an active integration to an outright asset liquidation. [48015/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra338. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether a college (details supplied) senior management actively requested that students and staff transfer directly to SETU for the duration of the two-year teach-out phase to guarantee employment and academic security. [48016/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra339. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department will commit to full transparency and cooperation with the Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted by union representatives regarding the undisclosed MOU (details supplied) [48017/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338 and 339 together.
I thank the Deputy for his questions on this matter. To set my responses in their full context, I propose to take them together.
As the Deputy will be aware, Carlow College, St. Patrick’s is and has always been a private, autonomous institution outside the publicly funded higher education system. Despite being a private institution, the College has to date received significant support to date by way of a grant in lieu of tuition fees for approved programmes. My department has provided over €3.1 million in student fee supports to Carlow College, which includes an approved uplift in fee supports of €750,000 per annum since 2022.
Following repeated requests for Government assistance, an independent review in 2024 brought to light an increasingly unsustainable financial situation at the College, and it was clear that, without Government intervention, the College was facing the imminent prospect of ceasing operations entirely. The consequences for staff, students, and higher education in the region would have been, I am sure the Deputy will agree, extremely serious.
To avert the disorderly closure of Carlow College, in 2025 the South East Technological University (SETU), in consultation with the Department and as the anchor institution in the region, undertook to engage with the College. An independent mediator was appointed for this purpose. The extensive process of engagement which followed led to detailed due diligence reporting which was finalised and submitted to the two institutions at the start of 2026. This formed the basis for further consultation by the senior management teams with their respective governing bodies.
It is important to recognise, therefore, that the framework agreed has been put forward jointly by the institutions themselves and is the product of extensive and detailed engagement between the parties. Carlow College has been fully involved at all stages of the process.
Mindful of the range of possible outcomes under consideration and the potential impacts for Carlow College staff, I and my officials have consistently emphasised the need for senior management at Carlow College to engage proactively and transparently with staff to ensure that they are fully appraised of the process underway. For example, this was underlined in December 2025, when I wrote directly to the President of Carlow College requesting that he advance engagement with staff as a matter of priority in the month of January, which my department was given to understand was happening.
In my consideration of the proposal put forward, I have at all times prioritised arrangements which provide the best available means of protecting the interests of Carlow College and which create conditions for Carlow College to carry out a fair and transparent process with the staff in their employment.
With regard to the transfer of the College’s land and buildings at the conclusion of current academic programmes in August 2028, which the Deputy has asked about, a significant level of State funding will be provided through the Department to Carlow College in consideration of the transfer of its campus to SETU. This considerable sum, which will be on the basis of an independent valuation, is fully expected to play a central role in the restructuring process, particularly in addressing matters relating to staff. These issues will be progressed appropriately through representative bodies and trade unions.
The Deputy has also asked about the particulars of communications between the CAO and Carlow College with regard to future applications. I must remind the Deputy that until such time as the winding-down of activity is concluded in 2028, Carlow College remains an autonomous institution outside of the public higher education system. During this time the College retains responsibility for academic activities, which includes communication surrounding the availability of academic programmes.
Respect for the autonomy of both Carlow College and SETU has been a consistent principle throughout this engagement process. Both institutions have provided significant resources to analysing and considering a range of options including the potential for integration. The framework agreed however does not make any provision for the absorption of Carlow College or its staff as a private institution into the public system; it is, rather, to support Carlow College through an orderly winding down of its activities over a two-year period. As I have mentioned already, this framework is the direct result of extensive engagement between both parties and was jointly proposed following the consultation of both senior management teams and their governing bodies.
I am of course acutely conscious of the concern this situation has caused to staff, and despite Carlow College being outside my remit as Minister, I have taken steps to engage in as open and transparent a manner as possible. I believe the agreed framework promotes and enables the fair treatment of staff, as well as protecting the interests of students and securing the future use of the campus as an educational facility. I have been advised that formal discussions with staff and staff representatives have been commenced by Carlow College, and that a detailed plan is being progressed, and I fully intend to monitor developments closely as the matter progresses. I can also unreservedly assure the Deputy of my full commitment and that of my department to transparency, including with regard to the FOI request referenced.
