Written answers
Tuesday, 27 May 2025
- Departmental Correspondence
563. To ask the Minister for Health when he became aware that 2,260 families had been contacted as a result of the early recommendation from the audit into the unnecessary hip surgeries scandal.... - Health Services
564. To ask the Minister for Health to set out the accumulated deficits of each voluntary acute hospital in the country, as reported to her Department and-or the HSE, as of 1 January 2025, in... - Addiction Treatment Services
566. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff working in adolescent addiction services, per IHA, per speciality, per funded WTE post and per filled WTE post; and if she will make a... - Ambulance Service
567. To ask the Minister for Health the number of ambulances, rapid response vehicles and motorcycles on a 24-7 basis based at each ambulance station within Kildare, in 2024 and to date in 2025,... - Health Services
568. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing two additional "see and treat gynaecology clinics". [26698/25] - Departmental Data
569. To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant neonatologist based at Rotunda maternity hospital, in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [26699/25] - Health Services
570. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing two additional postnatal hubs. [26700/25] - Departmental Data
571. To ask the Minister for Health the number of psychiatric units and staff in each unit within the public health service, by CHO area, from the years 2018 to 2024, in tabular form; and if she... - Qualifications Recognition
572. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland recognise nursing qualifications, including psychiatric nursing qualifications attained through UK... - Health Services
574. To ask the Minister for Health if she will increase the number of breast screening locations, given that the wait time of some patients is over a year; and if she will make a statement on... - Health Strategies
575. To ask the Minister for Health if she will reduce the age of the BreastCheck screening programme from 50 to 40, given that the disease affects many people under the age of 50 each year; and... - Health Services
576. To ask the Minister for Health if she will increase the number of breast screening locations, given that the wait time of some patients is over a year; and if she will make a statement on... - Departmental Data
577. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the number of support hours delivered by HSE direct provision, and authorisation scheme providers, by CHO, for the year to date in... - Home Care Packages
579. To ask the Minister for Health the means by which the authorisation scheme charge out rate for overnights was arrived at a figure below that of a daytime rate; to explain how the HSE... - Health Services
581. To ask the Minister for Health the service available to service users in north Tipperary that suffer from trichiasis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26749/25] - Health Service Executive
583. To ask the Minister for Health the plans for a vacant/derelict HSE property (details supplied). [26757/25] - Tobacco Control Measures
584. To ask the Minister for Health if she will ban the use of hexahydrocannabinol vapes in Ireland; if she will outline her plan to regulate or ban vapes; and if she will make a statement on the... - Departmental Bodies
585. To ask the Minister for Health her views on a recent no confidence vote by an association (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26783/25] - Ambulance Service
586. To ask the Minister for Health her views on reports that ineffective leadership and governance presents risks to the governance of service delivery to patients, the management of staff... - Mental Health Policy
587. To ask the Minister for Health to clarify the situation regarding young adults, aged between 16 -17, presenting to A&E and being admitted as an inpatient, if they are treated as a... - Mental Health Services
588. To ask the Minister for Health if an out of hours psychology team is assigned to A&E services, during the hours of 5pm to 8am, and if she could provide the details of these for all... - Health Services
589. To ask the Minister for Health to examine the case of a person (details supplied) refused necessary treatments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26789/25] - Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
590. To ask the Minister for Health the locations within CHO9 where regional specialist memory clinics are located, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26794/25] - Health Services Staff
591. To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE public health nurses that are responsible for the Donaghmede area of Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26795/25] - Mental Health Services
592. To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE clinical psychologist attached to the Coolock/Kilbarrack CAMHS team; if funding will be approved to increase this number before end of 2025;... - Social Welfare Benefits
593. To ask the Minister for Health the number of people in receipt of carer’s allowance that are caring for someone under 18 years of age. [26802/25] - Medical Aids and Appliances
594. To ask the Minister for Health the policies in place to ensure timely access to orthopaedic shoes for individuals who require them for medical reasons; and whether there are plans to... - State Bodies
598. To ask the Minister for Health when an external investigation is commissioned by a service provider or state agency into the care and safety of vulnerable persons; the standard process for... - Legislative Programme
599. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a timeline for when she intends to introduce comprehensive adult safeguarding legislation, including a statutory regulatory framework for the... - Hospital Services
600. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the development of outpatient services at the Drogheda Department of psychiatry, Crosslanes, Drogheda, County Louth. [26826/25] - Hospital Deaths
602. To ask the Minister for Health the number of antepartum deaths recorded at 17–23 weeks’ gestation and at 24–34 weeks’ gestation, for each year from 2013 to date... - Mental Health Services
606. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of staffing all emergency departments with liaison psychiatrists for one year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the... - Mental Health Policy
624. To ask the Minister for Health if she will introduce a national triage timeframe target for CAMHS referrals, such as a maximum of 12 weeks from referral to assessment. [26866/25] - Mental Health Services
626. To ask the Minister for Health the current staffing levels in CAMHS west Cork, Dunmanway, including the number of funded but unfilled positions. [26868/25] - Mental Health Policy
628. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department has undertaken any assessment of the long-term developmental, educational, and economic impacts of prolonged delays in accessing CAMHS. [26872/25] - Mental Health Services
629. To ask the Minister for Health if she is satisfied that current mental health service provision for children is compliant with the State’s obligations under the UN Convention on the... - Mental Health Policy
631. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department has considered creating a statutory right to timely mental health care for children under 18. [26875/25] - Mental Health Services
634. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children currently on CAMHS waiting lists, by area; and the number who have been waiting longer than 12 months in each area. [26893/25] - Mental Health Policy
635. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department has assessed the comparative cost to the State of early CAMHS intervention versus crisis-driven responses including accident and emergency... - Mental Health Services
636. To ask the Minister for Health the average daily cost of a bed at CAMHS inpatient units, for example, Éist Linn, Linn Dara and Merlin Park; and the total cost per admission. [26895/25] - Mental Health Policy
638. To ask the Minister for Health if she will introduce a national triage timeframe target for CAMHS referrals, such as a maximum of 12 weeks from referral to assessment. [26897/25] - Mental Health Services
640. To ask the Minister for Health the current staffing levels in CAMHS west Cork Dunmanway, including the number of funded but unfilled positions. [26899/25] - Mental Health Policy
645. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department has considered creating a statutory right to timely mental health care for children under 18 years of age. [26906/25] - Mental Health Services
646. To ask the Minister for Health her response to recent data showing over 4,200 children on CAMHS waiting lists, with over 620 waiting longer than one year; and the policy changes that she... - Health Service Executive
647. To ask the Minister for Health the number of HSE employees on special leave with pay, by grade, in tabular form; her intentions regarding the scheme going forward; and if she will make a... - Health Services Staff
648. To ask the Minister for Health the number of people on any form of long term sick leave, by grade, in tabular form. [26920/25] - National Children's Hospital
649. To ask the Minister for Health the latest handover date for the new children's hospital; the completion date; the reason for the most recent delay in the timeline for handover; whether she... - Hospital Investigations
650. To ask the Minister for Health the status of each ongoing clinical investigation regarding maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital, in tabular form; the person(s) responsible; the subject... - Patient Safety
652. To ask the Minister for Health the status of each ongoing investigation regarding patient safety incidents in the west and north-west health area; the department or service division to which... - Departmental Bodies
654. To ask the Minister for Health the bodies that operate under the aegis of her Departments; those bodies which her Department funds on an annual recurring basis; those similarly funded by the... - Health Service Executive
655. To ask the Minister for Health the current uptake and utilisation metrics of the HSE app; the total number of unique users; the total number of MyGovID users; the number of new unique users... - Medical Aids and Appliances
656. To ask the Minister for Health if she will ensure that CHI is providing clarity, appropriate information and guidance to parents of patients attending CHI in respect of the medium- to... - Healthcare Policy
657. To ask the Minister for Health if she will outline the policy governing the Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) Family Forum, including the expected frequency of the meetings, whether... - Departmental Schemes
658. To ask the Minister for Health the average time from application to final decision for the nursing home support scheme; the number of applications made in 2024 and to date in 2025; and the... - Departmental Correspondence
659. To ask the Minister for Health her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26932/25] - Hospital Procedures
660. To ask the Minister for Health if the procedures (details supplied) are available after surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26935/25] - Hospital Appointments Status
661. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [26939/25] - Medicinal Products
663. To ask the Minister for Health if combivent/pulmicort is covered under the GMS Scheme; if not, the reason for its removal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26941/25] - Departmental Data
664. To ask the Minister for Health the number of drug related deaths involving homeless women and men in 2022, 2023 and 2024; the number of those that died that had a known history of mental... - Mental Health Services
665. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children under 17 years of age that attended adult emergency departments for self-harm and suicidal ideations in each of the years 2023, 2024 and... - Health Services Staff
666. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full-year costs to recruit two additional WTE clinical specialist podiatrists and two additional WTE senior podiatrists for public health... - Food Labelling
669. To ask the Minister for Health in light of ongoing speculation and the absence of any formal communication from the Department, to confirm whether the implementation of the alcohol labelling... - Social Isolation
672. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the HSE social prescribing programme which helps combat social isolation, if she will outline if this programme is still fully... - Food Labelling
674. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide clarification on whether importers and distributors will receive a dispensation for alcohol stock held prior to the implementation of... - Health Services Staff
675. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the State of hiring an additional 50, 100 and 250 clinical psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses, respectively; and if she... - Mental Health Services
676. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for CAMHS by community health organisation, age category, and time waiting, in tabular form; and if she will make a... - General Practitioner Services
678. To ask the Minister for Health the date on which the HSE gave formal approval for the amalgamation of Southdoc routine appointments to the Kinsale Road location. [26968/25] - Home Help Service
680. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the number of overnight home support hours that were delivered by HSE direction provision and authorisation scheme providers, by CHO,... - Medicinal Products
681. To ask the Minister for Health if she is aware of a shortage of Ipratropium Steri Neb (Ipramol), Salbutamol, and Atrovent; and if attempts have been made to address this, in light of the... - Legislative Process
682. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2061 of 29 April 2025, the status of each piece of required supporting legislation, guidelines, and relevant codes of... - Mental Health Services
683. To ask the Minister for Health whether she will establish standalone or emergency department adjacent urgent mental health care services; the number and details of any such existing... - Public Procurement Contracts
684. To ask the Minister for Health for each framework agreement that the Health Service Executive has accessed or called-off from in 2025, to state the factors in (details supplied). [27002/25] - Health Services
686. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 423 of 7 May 2025, the amount by which the business cases of the National Gender Service will shorten wait times if... - Departmental Reviews
687. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1444 of 22 January 2025, for an update on when the HSE is expected to complete its current review of the Cass review.;... - Departmental Policies
689. To ask the Minister for Health if she is aware of a recent review by the US Department of Health and Human Services on healthcare for trans youth (details supplied); and if the HSE's Gender... - Departmental Programmes
690. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 422 of 7 May 2025, the staff positions for the gender healthcare programme that have been filled and which remain... - Health Services
691. To ask the Minister for Health for a list of the names and specialties of the cross speciality clinical advisory group within the gender healthcare programme. [27010/25] - Departmental Projects
692. To ask the Minister for Health for details of the community pilot project to identify the needs of children and young people within the gender healthcare programme, including around ethical... - Public Procurement Contracts
693. To ask the Minister for Health if framework-based procurement is included in her Department’s reporting of “tendered” procurement in its annual accounts; if so, to... - Hospital Appointments Status
699. To ask the Minister for Health to review the case of a person (details supplied); to expedite an appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27081/25] - Departmental Websites
701. To ask the Minister for Health the changes which were applied to a webpage (details supplied); the basis of the change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27096/25] - Hospital Facilities
702. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the bed capacity on the ground floor east of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, prior to renovation works carried out in 2022; the current... - Ambulance Service
704. To ask the Minister for Health the number of ambulances based in County Roscommon that are available on a 24-7 basis, as of 1 June 2022, 1 June 2023, 1 June 2024 and 1 June 2025, in tabular... - Hospital Staff
705. To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE nurses working in Roscommon University hospital in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form; if this number will be further increased later... - Primary Care Centres
706. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27178/25] - Home Care Packages
707. To ask the Minister for Health when a home care package will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27198/25] - Mental Health Services
708. To ask the Minister for Health the status of regulation of psychologists and the protection of the title psychologist; to provide the timeframe for registration; and if she will make a... - Hospital Waiting Lists
713. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on wait lists at the supra-regional endometriosis specialist centres in Tallaght and Cork University Maternity Hospital and five regional... - Hospital Staff
714. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff positions funded at the supra-regional endometriosis specialist centres in Tallaght and Cork University Maternity Hospital and five... - Departmental Data
715. To ask the Minister for Health the average turnaround time from application to registration for registration with CORU by profession, both in total and separated for domestic and... - Health Services
716. To ask the Minister for Health if she will review the interim model of care for long Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27377/25] - Health Services Staff
721. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the basis for the recruitment embargo on physician associates; to provide an update on the review of this role; the timeline for competition of said... - Healthcare Policy
722. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department will establish a statutory child death review mechanism, as committed to in the Programme for Government; and the interim measures being... - Medical Cards
725. To ask the Minister for Health if prosthetic legs are included under the medical card scheme, a second prosthetic leg and replacement prosthetic when required; and if she will make a... - Vaccination Programme
726. To ask the Minister for Health to detail any plans currently under consideration, or actions taken to date, regarding the development of an all-island vaccination programme for both adults... - Hospital Procedures
727. To ask the Minister for Health to outline Children’s Health Ireland’s formal protocol for pre-operative assessment in relation to spinal fusion surgery in children; the... - Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
733. To ask the Minister for Health for an update for the An Saol Foundation's project Teach An Saol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27430/25] - Vaccination Programme
734. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the timeline of delivery for the implementation of the vaccine compensation programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27431/25] - Hospital Procedures
736. To ask the Minister for Health the pre-operative assessment protocols that are in place at Children's Health Ireland in advance of scheduled rod lengthening procedures for children with... - Hospital Services
744. To ask the Minister for Health if children with diagnosed or suspected connective tissue disorders are routinely referred to genetics, rheumatology, cardiology, or other relevant specialties... - Hospital Procedures
745. To ask the Minister for Health the post-operative protocols in place at Children's Health Ireland for monitoring children with connective tissue disorders who undergo spinal fusion or growth... - Hospital Investigations
746. To ask the Minister for Health if Children's Health Ireland has conducted any audit or review of surgical outcomes, complications, or readmissions among children with connective tissue... - Hospital Procedures
747. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide copies of all policies, protocols, and standard operating procedures relating specifically to the management of connective tissue disorders... - Hospital Staff
748. To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant geriatrician attached to the Wexford integrated care programme in the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form;... - Hospital Facilities
749. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been achieved in respect of the step down facilities across CHO5 since 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the... - Cancer Services
750. To ask the Minister for Health to list the hospitals with the national acute oncology nursing service to assist patients undergoing active cancer treatment in avoiding attending emergency... - Hospital Facilities
751. To ask the Minister for Health the number of resuscitation bays within the accident and emergency department of Wexford General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter.... - Hospital Staff
752. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full year costs to recruit three additional WTE senior genetic counsellors and three additional genetic counsellors; and if she will make a... - Departmental Data
753. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children that have been required to return to theatre due to post-operative infection following spinal fusion or growth rod procedures in... - Hospital Services
754. To ask the Minister for Health routinely tracks and review cases involving multiple re-operations due to infection following spinal fusion or growth rod procedures; if these cases are... - State Properties
757. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE will consider purchasing a site that is for sale (details supplied) in order to preserve access to St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire... - Insurance Industry
758. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 330 of 20 May 2025, in which the Minister for Finance clarified that provision and regulation of private health insurance... - Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
759. To ask the Minister for Health if there are any plans to extend the long-Covid scheme for public health workers impacted by long-Covid past June 2025; and if she will make a statement on the... - Hospital Procedures
760. To ask the Minister for Health the protocols in place in relation to the use of anaesthesia during the performance of cervical biopsies, considering accounts of women who were not... - Health Services
761. To ask the Minister for Health to provide information (details supplied) pertaining to Wexford women and BreastCheck, based on information available to 31 March 2025; and if she will make a... - Hospital Appointments Status
763. To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) can be expedited. [27535/25] - General Practitioner Services
764. To ask the Minister for Health to detail the methods through which a general practitioner can issue a prescription to a patient; if a patient can insist the prescription is issued in written... - Health Service Executive
765. To ask the Minister for Health if a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27545/25] - Assisted Human Reproduction
766. To ask the Minister for Health the eligibility criteria for accessing publicly funded IVF treatment in cases where a woman seeks to use the preserved sperm of her deceased husband, where... - Medicinal Products
767. To ask the Minister for Health if urgent approval will be granted for vyloy (zolbetuximab) which is used for certain types of gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers (details... - General Practitioner Services
768. To ask the Minister for Health if any assurances can be provided that the Lettermacaward Health Centre in County Donegal will not go without GP cover until the new GP takes up their... - Medicinal Products
769. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider for reimbursement the new treatment VYLOY (zolbetuximab), which is used for certain types of gastric and gastroesophageal junction... - Assisted Human Reproduction
770. To ask the Minister for Health when the Budget 2025 announcement relating to the expansion of the publicly-funded IVF scheme will take effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter.... - Health Strategies
773. To ask the Minister for Health when her Department intends to begin the development of the next national cancer strategy, given that the current strategy is due to expire at the end of 2026;... - Hospital Services
774. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to providing dedicated parking spaces at major hospitals in the State for vehicles transporting cancer patients; and if she will... - Healthcare Policy
775. To ask the Minister for Health when there will be equal access for spinraza treatment for adults with spinal muscular atrophy treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27614/25] - Health Service Executive
776. To ask the Minister for Health when spinal muscular atrophy will be added to the newborn screening programme which was initially programmed for 2020; and if she will make a statement on the... - Disease Management
778. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to the accuracy of testing or Lyme disease; if there is a team within her Department that is focused on the... - Healthcare Policy
781. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider including reference to breastfeeding in the Women’s Health Action Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27641/25] - Health Strategies
782. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the European Union; her plans to address this; and if... - Healthcare Policy
783. To ask the Minister for Health if she will implement a plan to encourage the establishment of mothers’ talking groups outside of existing services to provide a forum for new mothers... - Hospital Services
784. To ask the Minister for Health if she will examine whether post-natal care within maternity hospitals is sufficiently mother focused in conjunction with focusing on the baby; her views on... - Healthcare Policy
785. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider putting in place a set of supports and educational regimes for related to matrescence, specifically for expectant first-time mothers to... - Health Services
786. To ask the Minister for Health her views on whether there are adequate prenatal physiotherapy services available within the health system; if she will commit to increasing funding and... - Hospital Services
791. To ask the Minister for Health if she will set out the services available in the National Pelvic Floor Centre in St. Michael’s Hospital in Dún Laoghaire; her views on whether... - Departmental Policies
792. To ask the Minister for Health her views on whether baby changing facilities should be mandatory for all publicly accessible building that have toilet facilities; and if she will make a... - Healthcare Policy
793. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding any plan to standardise the advice on breastfeeding given to new mothers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27653/25] - Ambulance Service
794. To ask the Minister for Health if the National Ambulance Service plans to make a submission for capital for a new NAS Education Centre in Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if she will make a... - Hospice Services
797. To ask the Minister for Health the reasoning for closing two hospice units without prior consultation with a hospital (details supplied); if she will reverse this decision without delay... - Hospital Appointments Status
798. To ask the Minister for Health to accelerate, as a matter of urgency, an appointment for a person (details supplied) at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin. [27666/25] - Eating Disorders
799. To ask the Minister for Health to urgently address the dire situation of eating disorder treatment services in Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.... - Ambulance Service
801. To ask the Minister for Health to respond to a recent poll into the attitudes of front-line ambulance staff towards the leadership of the National Ambulance Service (details supplied); if... - Hospital Appointments Status
803. To ask the Minister for Health if an urgent surgery appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [27693/25] - Hospice Services
804. To ask the Minister for Health if she has any plans to reinstate the two hospice units in St. Anne’s Community Hospital in Caherciveen (details supplied); and if she will make a... - Medicinal Products
806. To ask the Minister for Health for greater clarity and urgency in addressing access to approved cancer medications in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27704/25]
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