Written Answers Nos. 1324-1339
1324. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a shortage of HRT medications in the country; the measures being put in place to alleviate this shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28566/23]
View answerBesins Healthcare Ireland Limited has advised of a shortage of Utrogestan Vaginal 200mg Vaginal Capsule, impacting multiple markets due to increased demand. The company anticipates resupply towards the end of June 2023. The company has stated that Exempt Medicinal Product (EMP*) is available to meet patient demand.
Laboratoires Besins International has also advised of a shortage of Imvaggis 0.03 mg Pessary, impacting multiple markets. The company stated the reason is manufacturing delays and supply is expected in early July. Alternatives are available. Many Hormone Replacement Therapies (HRT) are authorised for use in Ireland in various formulations (e.g., oral tablets, transdermal patches, gels, and sprays) and strengths. For the vast majority of HRT products authorised, including transdermal patches and gels, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has not received any notifications of current shortages. This includes all but two of the above mentioned authorised products outlined in the HSE’s clinical guidance for HRT.
www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/medicines-management/guidance-on-shortages/mmp-guidance-for-prescribers-on-hrt-shortages-september-2022.pdf
Unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide which have been exacerbated by recent worldwide events. There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; sudden unexpected increase in demand; or product recalls due to potential quality issues. Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicine shortage framework in place, coordinated by the HPRA, to prevent, wherever possible, and to manage medicine shortages when they occur. The Department of Health maintains regular contact with the HPRA regarding medicines shortages.
The HPRA publishes a list of medicines currently in short supply on its website at: www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/medicines-information/medicines-shortages, with the reason for the shortage and expected dates for the return of supply. The information is available to assist healthcare professionals in managing medicine shortages when they arise and reduce their impact on patients. The information relating to shortages on the HPRA website is dynamic and changes depending on the current information.
*Schedule 1 of the Medicinal Products (Control of Placing on the Market) Regulations includes an exemption which enables practitioners to prescribe a medicine as an exempt medicinal product (EMP) under that practitioners direct responsibility, in order to fulfil the special needs of that specific patient. If a valid prescription is issued for an EMP in line with the above Regulations, an appropriately authorised wholesaler can source that product from another market for supply to the patient via their pharmacy in line with that prescription.
As EMPs have not been granted a marketing authorisation in Ireland by the HPRA, they would not be assessed by the HPRA for quality, safety or efficacy. If sourced in response to a bona fide unsolicited order as a licensed product from another market these medicines will have undergone an evaluation of their safety, quality, and efficacy for the granting of their marketing authorisation in that country carried out by the respective competent authority for medicines in that state.
1325. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide his response to the request from an organisation (details supplied) for sustainable funding for national physiotherapy services for people with multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions totalling €880,000 per annum across all nine CHOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28591/23]
View answerThe Sláintecare Integration Fund formed part of the Sláintecare Action Plan 2019, which established the building blocks for a significant shift in the way in which health services are delivered in Ireland. Budget 2019 provided €20 million for the establishment of a ring-fenced Sláintecare Integration Fund or SIF, to support service delivery which focuses on prevention, community care and integration of care across all health and social care settings.
The SIF round 1 supported 123 HSE and NGO sector projects, to test and evaluate innovative models of care providing a ‘proof of concept’ with a view to mainstreaming and scaling of successful projects through the annual budget estimates process.
The selection criteria for funding were:
- To encourage innovations in the shift of care to the community or provide hospital avoidance measures;
- To scale and share examples of best practice and processes for chronic disease management and care of older people;
- To promote the engagement and empowerment of citizens in the care of their own health.
Successful SIIF projects were mainstreamed via NSP 2021 and 2022 at an estimated €24 million.
The MS Ireland “Active Neuro” project was mainstreamed with ring-fenced funding allocated in Budget 2022 to the HSE to continue the project in 2022, and this has continued in 2023.
Any consideration for whether, and how best, to expand this service within the HSE, would be matter for the HSE to consider and to make a business case to the Department of Health, as part of the annual Estimates process in advance of the Budget later in the year.
1326. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to deploy all healthcare professionals currently on panels in CHO4 to front-line roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28592/23]
View answerAs this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
1327. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reform the national treatment purchase fund/fair deal scheme to meet current healthcare costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28593/23]
View answerIt is essential that all future plans for the nursing home sector continue to prioritise the best interests of residents while seeking value for money for the Exchequer. The Government is committed to seeing greater public sector involvement in the residential care of older people in Ireland and to move over time towards a needs-based model of funding and pricing for the nursing home sector.
Important strands of reform to the nursing home sector are being, or have been, brought forward. The Government remains committed to delivering on the 86 recommendations of COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel, especially those recommendations related to long-term sectoral reform, the nine recommendations of the Value for Money Review on Nursing Home Costs, the four recommendations of the NTPF Review of Pricing System for Long Term Residential Care Facilities and the 16 recommendations of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on Home Carers and Nursing Home Health Care Assistants. Work continues within the Department of Health to deliver on all of these recommendations, as well as analysing the outcomes of the Skills Mix and Safe Staffing pilots which will inform future policy.
Fair Deal was designed to protect and support vulnerable older people, to ensure equal access to nursing home care based on what they could afford. This gives certainty to people and families. Government funding for Fair Deal is to support vulnerable older people at a time in their lives where full time care is essential.
Overall, €1.4 billion of the total Health Budget was allocated last year to support over 22,700 people under Fair Deal. This will increase to nearly €1.5 billion for 2023, and I am cognisant that the budget has to support all residents under the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) for the full calendar year.
The Government is conscious of the financial challenges faced by the nursing home sector, especially smaller and voluntary nursing homes that may not have access to the same economies of scale as larger homes or groups. The Government has provided substantial support to the private and voluntary nursing home sector over the course of the pandemic. Over €149 million of financial support has been provided to private and voluntary nursing homes through the COVID-19 Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) and the provision of free PPE and oxygen to private nursing homes continues, costing approximately €75 million to date.
A new €10 million scheme (TIPS) was established last year to support private and voluntary nursing homes with increases in energy costs, covering 75% of year-on-year cost increases up to a monthly cap of €5,250 per nursing home. This scheme was extended to March 2023 and is now under review for a second extension to end of June 2023.
In addition, other options to support nursing homes are also being explored, such as to help with the often costly nature of compliance for nursing homes under necessary HIQA regulations.
Overall, 425 private nursing homes negotiate with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). The Department of Health and I have regular interaction with the NTPF and met them recently to discuss ways to support the sector, where necessary and appropriate, to complement the normal process of negotiating rate increases when contracts are renewed. Nursing homes which had a scheduled renegotiation of their Deed of Agreement with the NTPF this year have seen a significant uplift.
Budget 2023 saw an over €40 million in additional funding for the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) which will provide for an uplift in the maximum prices chargeable by private and voluntary nursing homes, as negotiated.
The NTPF carry out this role independently under the NHSS Act 2009. The NTPF has statutory independence, and neither the Minister for Health nor I have any role in NHSS price negotiations. Nevertheless, it should also be noted that the Department continues to work with the NTPF to take forward the recommended actions that emerged from the review of the NTPF pricing system published in June 2021.
It is important to note that the HSE is statutory provider of last resort and will always step in where a resident’s needs are sufficiently complex that they are not able to be cared for elsewhere in the community. The HSE needs to be equipped to deliver that kind of complex care.
Given the size, complexity and cost of the NHSS, implementation is complex and any changes in policy direction need to be carefully assessed and kept under review. The Department of Health is consistently seeking to identify improvements and introduce enhancements to the scheme, where feasible, which aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is sustainable, accessible and affordable for everyone and that people continue to be cared for in the most appropriate settings.
1328. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking in relation to a nursing home (details supplied) that will exit the fair deal scheme at the end of May if the National Treatment Purchase Fund does not increase payments to it. [28594/23]
View answerFair Deal was designed to protect and support vulnerable older people, to ensure equal access to nursing home care based on what they could afford. This gives certainty to people and families. Government funding for Fair Deal is to support vulnerable older people at a time in their lives where full time care is essential. This is a very difficult decision for people and their families and it often takes place at a time of crisis.
Beaumont Residential Care has decided to withdraw from the Fair Deal scheme and I understand the level of stress and worry this must have caused residents and their families.
This is a commercial decision that has been made by the nursing home provider to withdraw from the Fair Deal scheme. The only mechanism for funding from the public purse for nursing home residents is Fair Deal and it is really important that private and voluntary providers continue to engage in the process as set out in the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009.
I understand that the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) continues to meet with Beaumont Residential Care. Both parties need to be given space and time to go through the agreed process. Engagement between the nursing home provider and the NTPF is the only way to resolve this issue.
In the interest of the existing Fair Deal residents in the nursing home, the NTPF has offered an extension to the current contract for one month to allow further time for negotiations to continue. This contract extension has been agreed.
The HSE is statutory provider of last resort and will always step in where a resident’s needs are sufficiently complex that they are not able to be cared for elsewhere in the community. The HSE needs to be equipped to deliver that kind of complex care.
The HSE will support families in a situation where a private nursing home is no longer able or willing to provide care under Fair Deal to a loved one.
Overall, €1.4 billion of the total Health Budget was allocated last year to support over 22,700 people under Fair Deal. This will increase to nearly €1.5 billion for 2023, and I am cognisant that the budget must support all residents under the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) for the full calendar year.
Budget 2023 saw over €40 million in additional funding for the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) which will provide for an uplift in the maximum prices chargeable by private and voluntary nursing homes, as negotiated.
It is important that nursing homes manage potential cost pressures in line with their regulatory and contractual responsibilities, maintaining their quality of care so that residents’ lived experience and comfort is not affected.
Should services close, residents must either be catered for within the existing system, with its reduced capacity, or, ultimately, the HSE will step in as the statutory provider of last resort.
The Government is conscious of the financial challenges faced by the nursing home sector, especially smaller and voluntary nursing homes that may not have access to the same economies of scale as larger homes or groups. The Government has provided substantial support to the private and voluntary nursing home sector over the course of the pandemic. Over €149 million of financial support has been provided to private and voluntary nursing homes through the COVID-19 Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) and the provision of free PPE and oxygen to private nursing homes continues, costing approximately €75 million to date. A new €10 million scheme (TIPS) was established last year to support private and voluntary nursing homes with increases in energy costs, covering 75% of year-on-year cost increases up to a monthly cap of €5,250 per nursing home. This scheme is now under review for a second extension to end of June 2023.
The long-established statutory mechanism through which private and voluntary nursing homes are funded was established by the Oireachtas under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. This legislation outlines the process for private and voluntary providers to negotiate the prices for their services with the designated State agency, the NTPF.
Maximum prices for individual nursing homes are agreed with the NTPF following these negotiations and are based on the NTPF’s cost criteria, such as costs reasonably incurred by the nursing home, local market prices, historic prices and overall budgetary capacity.
The NTPF has statutory independence, and there is no role for Ministers or the Department of Health in negotiations with individual nursing homes.
The Department of Health and I have regular interaction with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). I recently met the NTPF to discuss ways to support the sector, where necessary and appropriate, to complement the normal process of negotiating rate increases when contracts are renewed.
Anyone who has had a scheduled renegotiation of their Deed of Agreement this year with the NTPF has seen a significant uplift.
In addition, other options to support nursing homes are also being explored, such as to help with the often costly nature of compliance for nursing homes under necessary HIQA regulations.
I am conscious of private and voluntary nursing homes that are not scheduled to renegotiate their Deed of Agreement in 2023 and other options are being considered. One of the options under consideration is for nursing home providers to agree to a shorter contract duration with the NTPF.
It is essential that when nursing homes are intending to close or cease participating in the Nursing Home Support Scheme, that residents and their families must be consulted with and given appropriate notice so that new homes can be found and they can be moved in a safe, planned way.
1329. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to queries raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28601/23]
View answerAs the question relates to the HSE's employment eligibility criteria I am referring it to the HSE to respond directly.
1331. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a child (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment for admission. [28604/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1332. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made with the provision of a new ambulance base (details supplied); the reason for the delay with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28608/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.
1333. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the security protections in place for remote workers within civil and public service organisations to safeguard against personal information of members of the public in audio, text and electronic form being inadvertently exposed to unauthorised third parties within the remote setting; if he can provide a copy of the remote working best practice guidelines for civil and public service workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28643/23]
View answerMy Department expects all users of official devices to exercise appropriate discretion in their use. Staff are advised that in using relevant communications services they must do so in line with appropriate usage policies, the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviours and the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations, while working in the office or while working remotely.
1334. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the policy initiatives his Department supports to protect academic freedom in third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27069/23]
View answerThe principle of academic freedom is a cornerstone of high-quality higher education and research throughout the world.
Ireland has among the highest statutory protections in its sectorial legislation for academic freedom in Europe. Academic freedom is provided for in section 14 of the Universities Act, 1997 section 10 of the Technological Universities Act, 2018 and section 5A of the Institutes of Technology Act 1992 to 2006. The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 also includes the following Object of the HEA: “to respect the academic freedom of higher education providers and academic staff in those providers;”
These legislative provisions ensure there is a statutory basis for the academic freedom of universities, technological universities and institutes of technology in the conduct of their affairs and the academic freedom of the academic staff in those institutions. Each university, technological university and institute of technology has an academic council which governs the academic affairs of the higher education institution including the curriculum of and instruction and education provided by the university.
1335. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the measures his Department is taking to support students experiencing sexual, verbal or physical harassment at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27070/23]
View answerTackling sexual violence and harassment has been and will continue to a particular policy priority for me and my Department. In fact, one of the very first actions I took after my appointment as Minister in 2020 was to write to all publicly funded higher education institutions outlining my commitment to tackling sexual violence and harassment in higher education and requesting that institutions take a number of actions in this area, including the development of institutional action plans on tackling sexual violence and harassment. All publicly-funded institutions now have such action plans in place.
Significant progress has been made regarding the Framework for Consent in Higher Education, since it was first launched in 2019. The Framework aims to ensure the creation of an institutional campus culture which is safe, respectful and supportive. As part of monitoring requirements moving forward, the HEA requires that institutions, in respect of both staff and students, report progress annually on implementation of the Framework for Consent.
My Department has provided support for a number of consent awareness raising and training initiatives in the HEIs, including the:
NUIG Active* Consent Programme;
UCC Bystander Training;
Speak Out report and support online platform; and
The ESHTE Toolkit and It Stops Now Campaign led by the NWC in conjunction with USI.
My Department is also partnering with the Department of Justice and the NUIG Active* Consent programme to support the development of an online hub that will provide, for the first time, an integrated, publicly available resource on sexual consent awareness and learning, which will be an important resource for our further and higher education institutions and the wider community.
My Department continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in this key policy area and has provided a number of actions for inclusion in the Third Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategy which my colleague Minister McEntee published last June.
I fully support the core principle underpinning the new strategy that we must take a zero tolerance approach. Everyone is entitled to a safe environment to study and work free from violence and harassment, and that informs the policy approaches and interventions that have been adopted across the sector.
The Deputy will be aware that there is a Programme for Government (PfG) commitment to ensure that every “Higher Education Institution commissions a survey for all staff and students on harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying, with a view to informing their equality, diversity and inclusion action plans.” The survey reports of staff and students’ experiences of sexual violence and harassment in Irish higher education institutions were published in January 2022
Last October, I launched a new Implementation Plan 2022-2024 to address issues regarding sexual violence and harassment in higher education institutions (HEIs). The Implementation Plan 2022-2024 responds directly to the recommendations, which emerged from the national surveys.
I have also secured an additional €1.5 million to support the appointment of 17 Sexual Violence and Harassment (SVH) Prevention and Response Managers in our HEIs in 2023. These new posts, which are expected to be in place for the start of the next academic year, will further enhance the implementation of measures aimed at eradicating issues of sexual violence and harassment in our HEIs.
With regard to issues of bullying, I published the report on the national survey of staff experiences of bullying in Irish HEIs last August. I intend to publish a report on the national survey of students’ experiences of bullying in Irish higher education institutions in the coming weeks.
The creation of an institutional campus culture in each of our higher education institutions which is safe, respectful and supportive, is a key priority for me. I will continue to lead the way on institutional change, championing the changes required to achieve a cultural norm where bullying and sexual harassment are not tolerated.
1336. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 940 of 23 May 2023, if he will provide the full-and first-year cost to the Exchequer from the one-off reduction in the student contribution fee that was enacted in the academic year 2022/2023 as part of the cost-of-living response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27076/23]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023, in recognition of the cost of living financial challenges facing full time third level students funded through my Department, I secured a significant cost of living package for third level students. This included a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes in academic year 2022/23.
When the measure under reference was introduced, it was estimated that over 149,000 Irish and EU full time undergraduate students may be eligible for free fees. This means that, in addition to the SUSI eligible students receiving a student contribution support, an estimated 94,000 free fees eligible students may have benefited from this measure alone at a cost of c.€95.6million in 2022.
Higher Education Institutions received initial funding to allow the provision of refunds based on estimated student numbers. Final student numbers eligible for free fees in 2022/23 and a reconciliation of the funding provided to each HEI will be completed over the summer in line with the normal grant in lieu of tuition fees claim process.
In addition to the measure under reference, I was pleased to secure, for academic year 2023/24, a permanent new rate of student contribution support through SUSI. For students whose families have incomes between €62,000 and €100,000, there will be a new grant of €500 towards the undergraduate student contribution payable by free fees eligible undergraduate students. I also increased the income limit for students to avail of the 50% student contribution grant. These measures mean that 42,500 to 50,000 extra students may be eligible for additional help towards paying the undergraduate student contribution.
1337. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of the gap that was closed via Budget 2023, following his Future Funding in Higher Education report published in June 2022, in which a core funding gap of €307 million was identified and it stated that this would be closed with "additional investment over a number of budgets"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27096/23]
View answerOn May 4th 2022, the Government published Funding the Future, as part of the policy response to the independent report “Increasing the Sustainability of Higher and Further Education in Ireland”, a comprehensive economic evaluation of the various funding options presented in the Cassells Expert Group Report (2016).
Funding the Future confirmed that a mixed funding model would be adopted to ensure the sustainable funding of higher education into the future. This comprises a mix of Exchequer investment, employer contributions through the National Training Fund and student contributions.
As the Deputy outlines, Funding the Future identified a figure of €307 million, agreed between DFHERIS and DPENDPR, as representing the quantum of increase in core funding required to deliver enhanced performance, strategic reforms and strengthened quality of outcomes.
Budget 2023 delivered €40 million additional funding, aligned to Funding the Future, as an initial step with the intention that over a number of years, further additional core funding will be prioritised through the Estimates process, while taking account of the Government’s budgetary and fiscal stance.
It should be noted that the figure of €307 million was calculated relative to a particular point in time and does not include funding required for future requirements such as pay agreements or demographics-related expansion, with additional funding also provided by my Department in 2023 to also address those specific areas.
Work is ongoing through the Funding the Future implementation structures to identify and measure the reform impact of increased core investment against the background of an evolving higher education system.
1338. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 722 of 9 May 2023, the total number of craft and consortia apprenticeships currently in the system, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27100/23]
View answerThe total population of craft and consortia apprentices as per 31st May 2023, in tabular form is attached.
1339. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 19 May 2022, the number of on-campus student accommodation places or places in accommodation owned by institutes of higher education that have been added to the system in the past year; the steps being taken to increase the number of on-campus, institution-owned accommodation places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27114/23]
View answerThe difficulties faced by students in accessing affordable student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively pursuing. This issue is heightened by the shortage of accommodation in the wider private rental market. Government is committed to addressing supply of affordable student accommodation attending publicly funded higher education institutions in Ireland.
Through "Housing for All", the Government has approved a policy and funding for State supported purpose built student accommodation so as to ensure increased supply of student accommodation. At the heart of the new policy is a commitment to deliver student accommodation to those most in need, and to provide it at affordable rates.
This policy has resulted in the State directly supporting the construction of over 1,100 new student accommodation units in the short term. In addition, my officials are continuing to assess a number of other projects with planning permission for delivery of additional supply.
The table below outlines the number of beds currently available per HEI, in addition to outlining the number we are progressing through the short term activation programme and also the additionality to be available for the 2023/24 academic year. As reported on in May 2022 there were 929 bed spaces with work underway. 255 of these for delivery in UCC have been completed, with the remaining 674 in UG progressing for delivery for the upcoming academic year.
|
Bed Numbers |
DCU |
TCD |
UCC |
UCD |
UL |
UG |
MU |
Total |
|
Existing |
1,455 |
2,482* |
1,281 |
4,147 |
2,842 |
1,217 |
1,146 |
14,825 |
|
Short Term Activation Programme |
405 |
309 |
242 |
116 |
1,072 |
|||
|
Due for completion 2023/24 academic year |
255 |
674 |
929 |
|||||
|
Total |
1,860 |
2,482 |
1,536 |
4,147 |
3,151 |
2,133 |
1,262 |
16,826 |
* includes nomination agreements for 639 beds
Supply figures sourced from HEA data as of April 2023 indicate that since 2016 12,929 purpose built student beds have been built in a combination of privately and HEI owned. Total Level of stock is 46,794.
Government has approved funding of €1m to support the Technological Universities in the development of student accommodation strategies and feasibility studies and to determine demand and supply levels on a regional and national basis.
Department officials are also examining the development of a specific Capital Devolved Grant to provide assistance for the development of or refurbishment of suitable properties for use as student accommodation.
