Written Answers Nos. 123-142
124. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if planning permission in the business name of a sole trader farmer in County Kerry (details supplied) will be accepted for a TAMS grant application for a new shed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15694/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning permission or a declaration of exemption is required for a number of eligible investments under the TAMS scheme. Planning permission relates to the construction of the building, so for TAMS grant purposes, it does not matter in whose name the planning permission is issued.
I would advise the person named to submit an application under TAMS. The application will then be examined to ensure that it complies with all the terms and conditions of the scheme.
125. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if confirmation that all 2023 direct farm payments were made to a person in County Kerry (details supplied) will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15710/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for participation in the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and ECO schemes was received from the above named applicant on 11 May 2023.
The advance BISS and CRISS payments issued in October 2023 and the balance issued in December 2023. The Eco-Scheme advance payments issued on 07 November 2023 and the balancing payment issued on 11 December 2023.
126. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if force majeure will be accepted for a late 2023 Brexit inshore business model adjustment scheme application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15722/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy has previously been advised, the Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme 2023 aimed to provide assistance to inshore fishers in adjusting their business operations as a result of the impacts of Brexit. The scheme had a budget of some €3.5 million and was administered by an Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) under the oversight of my Department. Applications under the scheme closed on 13 July 2023, and BIM was required to process all applications under this scheme in 2023.
The provisions of the EU Regulation governing the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) require that applications for funding are submitted by 31 December 2023 if the relevant measures are to be eligible for funding under the BAR. This scheme is fully closed. Applications cannot be accepted or considered in 2024, under this or any other scheme funded under the BAR.
127. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 531 of 13 February 2024, on what dates the inspection of Baggot Street Hospital was carried out; and by whom in his Department. [15515/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was not involved in any inspections of the premises to which the Deputy refers.
As outlined in the letter to the Deputy dated 12 March 2024 further to his question on 13th February, the property in question was previously assessed under the auspices of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage (DHLGH) refurbishment programme. As part of the refurbishment programme, DHLGH works closely with the local authorities to assess and progress viable State and private commercial offers of accommodation in line with the Guidelines for Temporary Accommodation.
128. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost of the five largest refurbishments to date of public buildings carried out by his Department to cater for Ukrainian refugees and/or international protection applicants, by location, in tabular form. [15517/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI cannot provide the information sought by the Deputy. As part of the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme, costs related to the refurbishment of public buildings are met from the Vote of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Once the works are completed the accommodation is made available to accommodate beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP) fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Officials in my Department have stated that IPPS does not have the capacity or expertise to carry out significant conversion/refurbishment work, and has not done so to date in respect of the accommodation of applicants for International Protection.
129. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a list of all buildings that have asbestos that are providing accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and/or international protection applicants, by location, in tabular form. [15518/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) carefully appraises each property that is offered for use as accommodation for international protection (IP) applicants before contracts are issued, and properties are also subject to pre-occupancy inspections to ensure they are adhering to the requisite standards.
With all new properties contracted by the Department to provide accommodation for International Protection (IP) applicants, the Local Authority have a regulatory role in verifying that properties meet the required building, planning and fire safety regulations. Once all documentation is received, the Department continues to engage with the appropriate fire certification authorities to ensure fire certification is up to date and once evidence of sign-off is received from the relevant authorities and provided to the Department, a contract is signed for the use of the property.
Where the Department becomes aware of potential issues with a provider or where a specific concern is raised by residents, which might include a reference to the presence of asbestos, officials will request an inspection by an independent inspections company. Where appropriate, inspections are unannounced. The inspector will provide a report and any confirmed breaches of requirements are followed up with the accommodation providers. Failure to address contractual breaches may impact on payments to a provider or, in severe cases, could lead to the termination of contracts. We have no records of reports on the presence of asbestos.
When an offer is made to the Department to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP), the onus is on the provider to ensure that the property is of an adequate standard and that the provider will provide the services in accordance with good industry practice and comply with all applicable laws including but not limited to all obligations in the field of health and safety, environmental, social, child protection, and labour law that apply at the place where the services are provided.
130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of high-support disability residential placements available in County Wicklow in 2022 and 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [15561/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs.
131. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding streams and training options available to assist parents in caring for children with disabilities who require tube feeding. [15562/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
132. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the WTE vacancies, by job title, currently within the community neuro-rehabilitation team within CHO7; and when each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [15563/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
133. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what assistance can be offered to a child (details supplied) who urgently requires access to services offered through North Tipperary CDNT; when it is envisaged that the CDNT will be able to offer their family an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15599/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
134. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will overturn a decision to refuse permission to travel to two children (details supplied) who need to sit an exam; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15614/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that in relation to the specific case to which the Deputy refers, my officials have no record of an application being made through the UkraineTempAccom@equality.gov.ie email address, which is the only avenue for providers to request such permission for BOTPs in their property. If the person involved would like to contact my Department directly through that email address, my officials will be able to assist them further.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, over 105,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and over 83,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State. All accommodation contracted by this Department is temporary in nature, and BOTPs are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation.
As part of the suite of levers used by my Department to manage bed vacancies, an absence protocol exists to set the criteria by which the State will hold and pay for a bed while a BOTP is absent. The current absence protocol for BOTPs living in State supported temporary accommodation was introduced in October 2023 and is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/absencepolicyen. Absences from accommodation for exceptional circumstances are possible but require pre-approval from my Department in advance. A very clear process in this regard has been communicated to BOTPs and accommodation providers.
135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to resolve the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15525/24]
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. 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.
136. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1,462 of 20 March 2024, if his attention has been drawn to a recent response from the HSE that indicates there are no current plans to expand the provision of local neurology services, including access to a consultant neurologist in Wexford General Hospital (details supplied); if he is concerned about the gap in service provision this entails for this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15526/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planning and management of future health services is considered as part of the annual estimates and budgetary process which seeks to balance available funding across all service areas, to achieve the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritise areas of greatest need. As the issues raised by the Deputy relate to an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
137. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount generated through sales at the public restaurants at the Mater Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [15554/24]
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.
138. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if funding will be approved for the recruitment of two additional WTE clinical nurse specialists for children with Down's syndrome to be based at CHI Tallaght. [15555/24]
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.
139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of day and night shift leaders in the ICU departments of St. James's Hospital and Tallaght Hospital. [15556/24]
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.
140. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant otolaryngologists attached to Naas General Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [15557/24]
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.
141. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15578/24]
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.
142. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to increasing the income threshold for qualification for a medical card for under-70s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15583/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. The weekly gross medical card income thresholds for people aged 70 and over are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple.
Persons under 70 are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. For people under 70, the thresholds range from €184 per week for a single person living alone aged under 66, to €298 per week for married, cohabiting couple or a single parent family aged over 66 (with additional amount for each child dependant). Detailed guidelines are available at: Assessment for a medical card - HSE.ie.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card - in particular, to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.
• Medical cards issued to patients who are terminally ill with a prognosis of 24 months or less do not require subsequent means assessment and are not reviewed.
Furthermore, the expansion of GP visit card eligibility to all people who earn up to the median household income has resulted in increase in the qualifying weekly financial thresholds for a GP visit card. Over 400,000 additional persons, who otherwise would have attended their GP on a private basis, are expected to become eligible for free GP care under this expansion.
To ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
