Ken O'Flynn

1080. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the indicative 30% agency premium referenced by the HSE is formally incorporated into workforce planning, budget allocations, or recruitment strategy; and if not, why not. [32679/26]

1081. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the proportion of agency staff engaged under framework agreements versus off-framework arrangements, and the cost differential between these categories. [32680/26]

1082. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total estimated additional annual cost to the Exchequer arising from the use of agency staff, based on the HSE's stated average premium of 30%, and the total agency spend for each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026. [32681/26]

1083. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE maintains any grade-specific cost comparison between agency and directly employed staff, including nursing, medical and allied health grades; if so, to provide same; if not, the reason such analysis is not undertaken. [32682/26]

1084. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether workforce planning decisions within the HSE are informed by a quantified comparison of agency versus direct employment costs; and if no such model exists, whether one will be developed. [32683/26]

1085. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the proportion of agency staff engaged under framework agreements versus off-framework arrangements for each of the years 2023 to 2026, and the average cost differential associated with each. [32684/26]

1086. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any internal audit, external audit, or review by the Comptroller and Auditor General has examined the cost-effectiveness of agency staffing within the HSE since 2020; if so, to provide details and findings. [32685/26]

1087. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any analysis has been undertaken by the HSE or individual hospitals, including South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, on the effectiveness of international recruitment channels, including online advertising and publications such as the British Medical Journal; if so, to provide the number of applications received, interviews conducted, and appointments made arising from such channels in 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32686/26]

1088. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has a formal international recruitment strategy targeting specific jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom for nursing, medical and health and social care professional roles; if so, to outline the strategy, targets and outcomes; and if not, whether such a strategy will be developed. [32687/26]

1089. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total number of applicants for positions at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by country of origin; the number of those applicants who progressed to interview and appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32688/26]

1090. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a national policy exists requiring that a transition plan for housing and care supports be developed for persons with an intellectual disability before reaching adulthood; if so, the details of this policy; and if not, whether such a policy is under consideration. [32691/26]

1091. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a policy commitment exists to achieve pay parity between staff employed in Section 38 and Section 39 organisations and those employed directly by the HSE in disability services; and the timeline, if any, for achieving such parity. [32695/26]

1092. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a formal interdepartmental framework exists between her Department, the Department of Housing and the HSE for the planning and delivery of housing and care supports for adults with an intellectual disability; and the governance structure underpinning such coordination. [32697/26]

1093. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a detailed breakdown of the €10.69 million projected cost of the fire safety and refurbishment works at Heather House Community Nursing Unit, including the original approved budget, the current projected outturn cost, the value of all additional works identified during construction, and the total cost variance arising to date. [32705/26]

1094. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the original planned completion dates for each phase of the refurbishment works at Heather House Community Nursing Unit, the revised completion dates, the total duration of any delays incurred, and the specific causes of such delays. [32706/26]

1095. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the procurement process for the works at Heather House Community Nursing Unit, including the number of tenderers, the contract award value, the successful contractor, and whether any post-award variations have altered the contract value. [32707/26]

1096. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the governance and oversight arrangements in place for the capital works at Heather House Community Nursing Unit, including reporting structures, risk management processes, and whether any issues identified during construction were escalated to the Department. [32708/26]

1097. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to specify the exact nature of the issues identified during the refurbishment works at Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit which led to the extension of the project timeline; whether these issues relate to structural defects, fire compliance, asbestos, design deficiencies, or contractor performance; and if she will provide a detailed breakdown of each issue identified. [32709/26]

1098. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the original approved project budget for the fire safety works at Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit; the current projected final cost; the value of any additional works identified; and whether contingency funding has been utilised. [32710/26]

1099. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what interim fire safety measures and risk mitigation protocols are in place for residents and staff during the ongoing works at Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit; and whether any risk assessments have identified elevated safety concerns during the construction period. [32711/26]

1100. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the delay in completion of fire safety works at Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit is expected to impact bed capacity, admissions, or service delivery; and if so, the extent of such impact. [32712/26]

1101. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the fire risk assessment report completed in October 2024 in respect of the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit classified the identified fire safety risks by severity level; if so, the classification assigned; and whether the unit was deemed compliant with applicable fire safety regulations at that time. [32719/26]

1102. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what decision-making process led to the closure of the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit in February 2025 following a fire risk assessment completed in October 2024; the dates on which the findings were reviewed; the level within the HSE or Department at which the decision to close was approved; and whether alternative mitigation measures short of closure were formally considered. [32720/26]

1103. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the findings of the October 2024 fire risk assessment relating to the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit were formally notified to the relevant fire authority or to HIQA; if so, the dates of such notifications; and whether any compliance directions or recommendations were issued by those bodies. [32721/26]

1104. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether residents continued to occupy the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit in the period between the completion of the fire risk assessment in October 2024 and its closure in February 2025; and if so, the fire safety or risk mitigation measures that were put in place during that period. [32722/26]