Parliamentary questions

Export Controls

Martin Browne

58. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many dual-use licences were issued to exporters to trade in dual-use items with Israel since October 2023; if he has any concern that duel use items being traded with Israel are currently being used against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Israel-Hamas war; what actions his Department has taken under the Control of Exports Act 2008 to end this trade if these items are being used to target civilians and civilian infrastructure. [5674/24]

Hospital Services

Martin Browne

330. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of presentations to Cashel minor injuries unit each month in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of direct presentations initiated by the patient and the number of presentations based on referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5913/24]

Local Authorities

Martin Browne

46. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if the maintenance of roads on housing estates that have been taken in charge by local authorities are the responsibility of the local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme; his views on whether it is appropriate for local authorities to advise residents to apply for funding to repair those roads under the Community Involvement Scheme which involves contributions from the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53750/23]

Banking Sector

Martin Browne

109. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance the number of mortgage holders who have switched their mortgage from vulture funds to the mainstream mortgage market since 6 September 2023; and as a consequence, his assessment of the effectiveness of the switching eligibility criteria announced by the banking sector on that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4610/24]

Business Supports

Martin Browne

128. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is considering measures to support businesses with the increased cost of doing business through the taxation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4609/24]

International Protection

Martin Browne

485. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide the number of both IPAS applicants and Ukrainian refugees in Tipperary broken down per electoral district.
[4104/24]

International Protection

Martin Browne

503. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a clear account of the measures taken to ascertain the services available locally in Roscrea to facilitate the location of international protection applicants at the Racket Hall, Roscrea; the measures taken to bring those services in line with the availability needed; the engagement his Department had with Tipperary County Council on the matter; to provide a clear account of the level of engagement the department had with community groups, representatives or organisations regarding such plans in advance of decisions made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2400/24]

International Protection

Martin Browne

504. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a clear account of the measures that are taken by his Department to audit whether the services available in areas being considered to house international protection applicants have the capacity to deal with increased demand; to provide a clear account of how any deficiencies in those services is addressed to cater for an anticipated additional demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2401/24]

Departmental Properties

Martin Browne

622. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education to outline her Department’s responsibility for a building (details supplied) which was subject of a fire on 3 January 2024; the progress made to date; the status of plans to refurbish the building for other purposes; the estimated timeline to bring the property back into use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1341/24]

Housing Policy

Martin Browne

806. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to use modular housing to tackle the housing crisis, or to change the planning rules around this type of housing. [1214/24]

Agriculture Industry

Martin Browne

1233. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered the recent Bord Bia study “Market Potential for Irish Sheep Milk”; if he plans to act upon any of the recommendations contained within that report; if he acknowledges that there are opportunities available within the sheep milk sector if supported through many of the measures outlined; if he plans to pursue this opportunity, his next steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57174/23]

Substance Misuse

Martin Browne

1647. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE posts provided for the Substance Misuse Team in Clonmel, County Tipperary; the number of vacancies at the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1120/24]

Forestry Sector

Martin Browne

189. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the recommendations of the independent review group into his Department’s response to ash dieback disease are to be implemented; the progress made in assessing his Department’s response to these recommendations; when a decision is likely to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55670/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Martin Browne

308. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the criteria for the pandemic special recognition payment; and the grounds on which a distinction between home and residential care assistants in an organisation (details supplied) can be made. [54262/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Martin Browne

367. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for the carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) was rejected despite them providing full-time care to two older neighbours [53725/23]

Care Services

Martin Browne

594. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of people per county approved for homecare by the HSE but currently left without care due to the inability of the private providers to fulfil the hours; and his plans to address the lack of care assistants that is causing this shortage. [53724/23]

Childcare Services

Martin Browne

130. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that childcare providers are being asked to produce separate sets of accounts to meet the requirements of Tusla and Pobal as set out in legislation; and if he plans to simplify the process for providers. [52667/23]

Road Projects

Martin Browne

170. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the role that the Ryder Cup has played in securing his support for progressing the Adare bypass road with more urgency; if he is comfortable that commercial interests such as this should play such a role in progressing such projects; if projects such as the N24 project and the bypass of Tipperary town are at a disadvantage, given this approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52302/23]

Septic Tanks

Martin Browne

340. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration is being given to enabling homeowners to apply for grants or other financial supports to assist in repairing or replacing malfunctioning septic tanks; if consideration is being given to households requesting a local authority for an inspection of systems where there is concern at their effectiveness; if consideration has been given to this in the past and the reasons for the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52504/23]

Septic Tanks

Martin Browne

341. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of septic tank inspections that have been carried out on a national basis by county in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the targets for inspection, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52505/23]

An Garda Síochána

Martin Browne

429. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda recruits who passed through Templemore Garda Training College in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52506/23]

An Garda Síochána

Martin Browne

430. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice if there is an optimum number of gardaí per 1,000 inhabitants; if so, the number, by rank; the ratios currently in place, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52507/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Martin Browne

448. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the requirement within ACRES that plants provided to farmers must be of Irish origin or Irish provenance is sustainable, given the small number of retailers and nurseries and so on, that can provide for this across the range of plants in question; if he is satisfied that this narrow requirement does not exclude many traders who are not in a position to provide a full range of plants with such provenance; if he is satisfied that this will not favour unscrupulous traders over genuine ones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52202/23]

Invasive Species Policy

Martin Browne

461. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is considering restricting the importation of certain raw wood products such as unsawn timber from areas where the bark beetle Ips typographus has been identified; the measures that are in place or are being considered to prevent the arrival of the bark beetle into Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52486/23]

Forestry Sector

Martin Browne

462. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if information on how to identify trees that have ash dieback and need to be removed for public safety has been issued to landowners; if not, whether there are plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52487/23]

Disability Services

Martin Browne

467. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a mechanism for private providers to indicate their willingness to participate in the provision of services for children post-assessment of needs in situations where the health service is unable to do so in an adequate timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52456/23]

Mental Health Services

Martin Browne

652. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to provide an account of developments in mental health services in County Tipperary in 2023 in comparison with the existing services in 2022; the planned developments for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52508/23]

Housing Policy

Martin Browne

94. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are provisions within the local authority housing system to enable a separated person accessing the housing list if they have a stake in a former family home which they cannot access as a result of their separation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51281/23]

An Garda Síochána

Martin Browne

113. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí operating out of Cashel town Garda station; the opening hours of the station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51279/23]

Emergency Accommodation

Martin Browne

142. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of when his Department was first notified that a facility (details supplied) was being used for the purposes of providing emergency accommodation to people experiencing homelessness; if he has engaged with Tipperary County Council that now, as a result of a contract being entered into with the owner, the subsequent termination of that agreement, can no longer provide emergency accommodation at that location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51278/23]

Direct Provision System

Martin Browne

143. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people currently in the direct provision system in accommodation across County Tipperary, by location; to list the type of accommodation IPAs are being housed in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51280/23]

Hospital Staff

Martin Browne

170. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of the memorandums CEO ref 09954 and 10166 of 2023 by grade for University Hospital Limerick, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts and the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence/leave cover. [51270/23]

Hospital Staff

Martin Browne

171. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of the memorandums CEO ref 09954 and 10166 of 2023 by grade for Tipperary University Hospital, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; and the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts and the number which were related to absence/leave cover. [51271/23]

Health Services Staff

Martin Browne

172. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of the memorandums CEO ref 09954 and 10166 of 2023 by grade for CHO5, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; and the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts and the number which were related to absence/leave cover. [51272/23]

Health Services Staff

Martin Browne

173. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of the memorandums CEO ref 09954 and 10166 of 2023 by grade for CHO3, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; and the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts and the number which were related to absence/leave cover [51273/23]

Hospital Staff

Martin Browne

174. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers which have been withdrawn as a result of the memorandums CEO ref 09954 and 10166 of 2023, by grade for University Hospital Limerick, in tabular form; and the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate. [51274/23]

Hospital Staff

Martin Browne

175. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers which have been withdrawn as a result of the memorandums CEO ref 09954 and 10166 of 2023 by grade for Tipperary University Hospital, in tabular form; and the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate. [51275/23]

Health Services Staff

Martin Browne

176. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers which have been withdrawn as a result of the memorandums CEO ref 09954 and 10166 of 2023, by grade for CHO5, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate. [51276/23]

Health Services Staff

Martin Browne

177. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers which have been withdrawn as a result of the memorandums CEO ref 09954 and 10166 of 2023 by grade for CHO3, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate. [51277/23]

Hospital Services

Martin Browne

206. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to opening medical assessment units at Nenagh, Ennis and St John's hospitals on a 24-hour basis in light of the continued high number of presentations at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51415/23]

Road Projects

Martin Browne

105. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport his views on the delay in announcing the preferred route for the upgrade of the N24; his views on the impact this will have for those along the route corridor whose lands and projects are uncertain as long as the decision remains unknown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49597/23]

Direct Provision System

Martin Browne

472. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people currently in the direct provision system; to list the type of accommodation IPAs are being housed in; the length of time spent by IPAs in these accommodation types; to provide those figures in increments of three months and based on accommodation types; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49971/23]

General Practitioner Services

Martin Browne

525. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health what plans his Department has to increase GP capacity in Tipperary, as many people are unable to get a GP to take them on in Tipperary due to a lack of capacity. [49659/23]

General Practitioner Services

Martin Browne

526. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his Department currently measures the number of people unable to access GP services in their area; and if so, if he will provide the figures, in tabular form. [49660/23]

Hospital Services

Martin Browne

16. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carry-over and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to Tipperary University Hospital for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49064/23]

Health Services

Martin Browne

52. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to the Nenagh medical assessment unit for 2024 to increase capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49065/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Martin Browne

596. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the impact that the slow progress being made in the taking in charge of housing estates is having upon the environment in situations whereby the developer-provided infrastructure, including wastewater treatment plants, are malfunctioning; if his Department has communicated with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on the consequences for local water sources and public safety that may result from delays in resolving the transfer of responsibility for developer-provided infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47297/23]

Health Services Staff

Martin Browne

975. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has any plans to provide alternative appointments for children whose physiotherapy appointments in Cashel have been cancelled due to staffing issues; if additional staff cannot be provided in Cashel, if the HSE will be able to temporarily provide appointments in neighbouring areas until the staffing issue in Cashel is resolved. [47323/23]

Health Services

Martin Browne

1368. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress made in assessing the suitability of sites at Palmers Hill, Cashel and land to the rear of St. Patrick's for the community nursing unit, originally planned for St. Patrick's, Cashel. [48808/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Martin Browne

263. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for excluding childminders who provide the ECCE curriculum from the core funding flat-rate allocation that crèches providing the same care can avail of; and if his Department has plans to make any other funding available to childminders who provide the ECCE curriculum. [47179/23]