Written Answers Nos. 227-250
227. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22264/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdvance payments to organic farmers commenced on 7th December 2023. To date, approximately 98% of Organic Farming Scheme participants have received advance payments.
My Department is working to finalise payments for the remaining 2% of participants in the coming weeks. In respect of this case, payment will be processed this week.
228. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a document will issue in respect of an animal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22279/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for Horse Sport Ireland.
I am informed by the named organisation that a processing error resulted in the named organisation's systems failing to capture an issue relating to DNA analysis notification of the passport application. I am further informed that this processing error led to a delay in finalising the application and that the named organisation has contacted the applicant to update them on the position. It is expected that the DNA analysis results will be completed within 6-12 working days and that the passport will be issued on receipt of these, provided results are as expected.
229. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the draft strategic plan submitted to his office in November 2023 by Rásaíocht Con Éireann (details supplied); when he expects this plan to be published; his views on whether it is reasonable to publicly fund a body that has failed to produce a strategic plan since its last one expired a year and a half ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22300/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The preparation and adoption of a strategic plan is the responsibility of the RCÉ Board and this will be a statutory matter for the board to fully consider. Following the appointment of the new CEO at the end of 2023, my Department has been engaging with Rásaíocht Con Éireann as they finalise their strategic plan. RCÉ has informed my Department that the stakeholder consultation process has now concluded and the finalised strategic plan is being reviewed by the Board. It is expected that the strategic plan will be forwarded to my Department in due course.
230. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in accordance with the implementation plan for the neurorehabilitation strategy, and the commitment given by the HSE CEO that a community neurorehabilitation team would be provided for CHO 5, if funding will be provided for this team in the immediate future; if it is his intention that this service will be in place in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22162/24]
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.
231. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason no social worker is employed in the Clondalkin community disability network team; when this position will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22166/24]
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.
232. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made in developing a procurement framework for disability home support; if he is still on target to develop and agree this by quarter of 2024, as per the HSE National Service Plan 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22154/24]
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.
233. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of community disability network teams in the Dublin mid-west area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22164/24]
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.
234. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the staffing levels in the Clondalkin community disability network team; the vacant positions; if they have been advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22165/24]
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.
235. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures his Department is undertaking to assist families waiting on assessment of need appointments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22170/24]
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.
236. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the options currently available to the family of a young child seeking crèche support in Galway city when they are currently on long waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22185/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe availability of high-quality Early Learning and Care (ELC) is a key Government priority. My Department monitors ELC capacity on an ongoing basis, with a particular focus on responding to the unmet ELC needs of families.
My Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs), which provide support and assist families and providers with ELC matters. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their ELC needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for Galway CCC may be found on www.galwaychildcare.com
My Department is progressing a broad range of actions to ensure the supply of ELC and School-Aged Childcare meets demand.
Core Funding, the funding scheme introduced in 2022, allocates funding for providers based on the cost of delivery. Under Core Funding, providers delivering ELC for babies and toddlers attract higher levels of funding, given the higher staffing requirements determined by the regulatory ratios for these children. Though only in operation since September 2022, initial analysis shows that this new funding scheme has given rise to a growth in capacity for these young cohorts. Budget 2023 allocated funding to secure a 3% growth in capacity for year 2 of the scheme, which has already materialised. Budget 2024 also secured funding to invest in a further 3% capacity growth from September 2024.
A new Supply Management Unit has been established within my Department to lead on this important work. The development of this function is akin to the Department of Education’s Forward Planning Unit. The Supply Management Unit is overseeing the allocation of new capital investment. €69 million was allocated to my Department over the period 2023-2025 under the National Development Plan to enable capital investment in the ELC sector. In February, I announced an €18 million capital grant scheme for the sector. The grant will provide for an immediate increase in affordable ELC places in 2024, and will be specifically targeted in areas in where they are needed most. It will be the first of two significant capital investment schemes, to be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
Under the National Action Plan for Childminding, there is a commitment to open up access to the National Childcare Scheme to parents who use childminders following the extension of regulation to childminders.
237. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the policy and procedures extant to guarantee continuity of service and care in the time when a child leaves primary care services and moves to within the remit of the children's disability network team, in order that this is as seamless as possible without closure of discharge involving services; if there is no such policy, if he will introduce one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22208/24]
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.
238. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria that would enable parents of children in need of autism assessments to secure funding to avail of a private practitioner; the funding streams available to parents of children in need of a range of therapies that cannot be assessed through CDNT teams due to staffing shortages or lengthy waiting lists, to alternatively avail of the services of a private practitioner; if additional access to the private sector in these situations is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22215/24]
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.
239. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to support a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) in order to allow new mothers who fall ill while pregnant to take sick leave and defer their maternity leave; if so, to provide an update on work conducted to date on this legislation; the timeline for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22223/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave. All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children.
In October I announced plans to introduce legislation to allow women undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses postpone their maternity leave.
It is planned to bring this forward together with a number of amendments arising out of my Department’s review of Ireland’s equality legislation. My officials are finalising these proposals and I intend to bring them to Cabinet for approval in the coming weeks.
240. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding is available for a community nurse to cover care that may fall outside of regular business hours to enable a disabled person to live independently. [22225/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra241. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if community nurses are available to cover care that may fall outside of regular business hours to enable a disabled person to live independently. [22226/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
242. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to review the rates paid to providers under the ECCE scheme in light of the significant increase in operational costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22227/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds private early learning and care service providers to provide the ECCE programme at a standard rate of €69 per week per child attending the ECCE programme. This ECCE funding is designed to cover the cost of the ECCE place, not to contribute to operational costs of the service. The Core Funding Scheme, which has been in operation since 2022 is specifically designed to contribute to the operating costs and sustainability of early learning and childcare services. Core Funding is tailored to the individual service, making it a more flexible platform for investment towards the operating costs of services.
Since the addition of the Core Funding Scheme, greater levels of capitation is available to services providing the ECCE programme. Services providing ECCE who are also signed up to Core Funding receive a minimum of €79.20 per child per week in capitation. This figure can rise to a maximum of €95.85 with additional funding for graduate lead educators and graduate managers for sessional services.
Core Funding in Year 1 – with an overall allocation of €259 million contributed to services’ sustainability and significantly increased income for the overwhelming majority of services while providing greater funding stability. For the small number of services, approximately 60 of the over 4,000 signed up, who saw no increase in their income through Core Funding, a funding guarantee applied. For Year 2 of Core Funding, the budget has increased by 11% to reach €287m, providing a sustainable platform for investment with increases for all services. This increase in funding allowed for the introduction of new targeted measures from September 2023 which are aimed at improving the sustainability of smaller and sessional services. These include a flat rate allocation of €4,075 for all sessional-only services, and a minimum base rate allocation of €8,150, which will benefit small, part time and school-age services.
The allocation will increase again by €44 million or 15% in September 2024, reaching €331 million for Year 3 of Core Funding.
Services that are experiencing difficulty and who would like support are encouraged to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. This case management process through the CCCs is the route to access additional sustainability funding if required.
Regarding a review of the rates paid to ECCE services, I would note that I have commissioned an independent review of the ECCE programme. The aim of the review was to explore whether the ECCE Programme is meeting its core objectives and identify any changes or improvements that can be made to the Programme. The Final report is now complete and will be published in the coming weeks, once the report is released I will consider any policy changes which may need to be made to the programme.
243. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide this Deputy with a soft copy of an opinion paper (details supplied) in respect of a property in Leixlip, County Kildare. [22272/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn this case the described report cannot be provided to the Deputy. The report is of a commercially sensitive nature as it is part of the negotiation of a contract.
244. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the fees paid to optometrists providing eyecare under the HSE adult eyecare schemes are inadequate, do no not reflect the cost of providing a modern eye examination and have not been increased in more than 20 years; if he is further aware that the Department of Health has made submissions for funding to his Department and is awaiting approval; the steps being taken to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22293/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS) is a national fee-per-item scheme which was introduced in 1979. Under the COSS, medical card holders aged over 16 years can be seen by ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic physicians, optometrists or dispensing opticians.
Eligible patients can receive an eye examination and be provided with prescribed optical appliances in accordance with a national schedule of approved optical appliances.
The Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians) Regulations 2013 (SI 274 of 2013) sets the fees for optometrists and dispensing opticians under the Community Optometric Services, Community Spectacle Dispensing Services and Health Amendment Act Card Schemes.
Increasing the fee payable to contractors for a standard eye examination under the COSS (to ensure parity with that payable for the same exam under the Department of Social Protection’s Treatment Benefit Scheme) is a priority for my Department, and work with stakeholders is ongoing in this regard.
The Department has also been meeting with Optometry Ireland to discuss the contribution that optometrists provide to our healthcare service and how this contribution could be further expanded.
There will be engagement between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform during the Estimates 2025 process in regard to the funding needed to progress healthcare priorities.
I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community optometrists, and with other healthcare providers, to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. Of course, any publicly funded ophthalmic service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs and improve access to public health services while ensuring value for money.
245. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the waiting list for home support for each month in 2024, in each CHO and LHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22151/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra246. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time in CHO 2 for those approved for home support and waiting for services to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22152/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra247. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of people in CHO 2 currently waiting for home support for longer than three months; the number of people waiting for longer than six, longer than 12 and longer than 24 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22153/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 245 to 247, inclusive, together.
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
248. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure Wexford General Hospital has access to consultant neurology services; the reason Wexford General Hospital is the only model 3 hospital in the south east without outreach neurology clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22161/24]
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.
249. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if in the determination of health service provision, levels of social deprivation are taken into account by the HSE and his Department; the level of specific extra funding made available to areas with vulnerable populations above the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22163/24]
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
250. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a GP will be employed in the primary care centre on the Boot Road, Clondalkin; when this will be in place; when they will take on new patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22167/24]
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.
