Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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317. To ask the Minister for Health when his Department will pay the increased public sector pay and arrears to Section 38 workers, in line with other public sector employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25886/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am keen that all pay adjustments due under the new Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026 are paid to HSE and Section 38 staff as soon as possible, with retrospective application to the appropriate date.

As the Deputy is aware, all public servants including HSE staff and Section 38 staff are entitled to pay adjustments due under the PSA. I can confirm that my Department has issued the consolidated salary scales for the first pay adjustment due under the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, for retrospective application.

Due to the large size of the health sector workforce, the complex nature of adjustments being made, along with complexities with local payroll systems, the HSE have had some difficulties in processing payments to health sector staff. The Department of Health has been assured by the HSE that every attempt will be made to ensure that the outstanding pay rise of 2.25% or €1,125, whichever is greater, due from 1 January 2024, will be paid to all public sector healthcare workers by the end of June 2024. Regardless of when the adjustment is applied, all eligible staff will receive pay retrospection to the original date of the adjustment, which is 1 January 2024.

The circular giving sanction to the payment of the second pay increase due under the PSA will issue from the Department of Health shortly.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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318. To ask the Minister for Health to address concerns about the absence of endometriosis specialists in Ireland; if he is aware that this shortage is causing acute distress to the many thousands of women who suffer from the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25888/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Investment in National Endometriosis Framework commenced over the course of 2021 and 2022. This enabled the establishment of two supra-regional complex endometriosis services in Tallaght and Cork, along with five endometriosis hubs, made up of interdisciplinary teams to support the holistic treatment of endometriosis in each of the maternity networks. These five hubs are located at the Rotunda, the Coombe, National Maternity Hospital, Limerick and Galway.

Additional funding is being provided this year through the Women’s Health Taskforce, to ensure the National Endometriosis Framework is fully funded. This will provide a further 18.1 WTEs across the two supra regional specialist centres and five endometriosis hubs.

The HSE has advised that all hubs and supra-regional sites are operational and that the 2024 funding will ensure that the Framework is fully funded. As recruitment of endometriosis specialists is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible regarding the recruitment status.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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319. To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant dermatologists based in Mullingar Regional Hospital in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [25902/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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320. To ask the Minister for Health how many international qualifications for physiotherapists were recognised by CORU in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [25903/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Officials in my Department have been in touch with CORU and have asked that a response to the question raised be communicated directly to the Deputy.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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321. To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE child and adolescent psychiatrists employed at CAMHS mental health intellectual disability services within CHO8 in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [25904/24]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.