Parliamentary questions

Medicinal Products

Fergus O'Dowd

139. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to outline his Department's response and proposed actions in relation to a report (details supplied) published on 6 June 2024 into xylitol as prothrombotic and associated with cardiovascular risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25845/24]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25862/24]

Mental Health Services

Bernard Durkan

141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which it is expected to improve the mental health facilities available in CHO 7 for each category of patient over the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25873/24]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which backlogs in school health examinations are being addressed, including dental and ophthalmic; the extent of progress in addressing these backlogs over the past twelve months to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25874/24]

General Practitioner Services

Bernard Durkan

143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which plans are in hand to ensure an adequate GP service throughout County Kildare, an area of expanding population; if all efforts can be made to ensure seamless access to quick service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25875/24]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he and his Department continue to accelerate the programme of assessment for children with or without special needs who may be in need of counselling, psychiatric or medical attention; if he will ensure a rapid processing of such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25876/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health by how much it is intended to reduce the numbers on hospital waiting lists by whatever means over the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25877/24]

Dental Services

Bernard Durkan

146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which dental patients can have their requirements met and progressed as quickly as possible, with particular reference to medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25878/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health how many applications for medical cards were granted in the past 12 months to date; the number who were refused or who are under investigation in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25879/24]

Health Services Staff

Bernard Durkan

148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress made in the last twelve months in countering ongoing difficulties of obtaining and retaining professional staff throughout the health services; the plans to increase staffing in the health service over the next 12 months to adequately address backlogs for service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25880/24]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which women’s health specifically remains central to the provision and delivery of a reliable level and quality of health services in all areas throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25881/24]

Disease Management

Bernard Durkan

150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the efforts that are being made to meet the challenges of rare diseases, early diagnosis; the requirement for rare/orphan disease drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25882/24]

Disability Services

Violet-Anne Wynne

127. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm whether dialectical behaviour therapy can now be accessed by persons in Clare; to confirm if it is a pilot scheme; how many places will be available for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25774/24]

Hospital Staff

Michael Healy-Rae

128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of job vacancies in Kerry University Hospital as a result of the HSE recruitment freeze (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25620/24]

Home Help Service

Michael Healy-Rae

129. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a home help application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25629/24]

Disease Management

Róisín Shortall

130. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to expanding access to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to those with type 2 diabetes under the long-term illness scheme, given that they can help prevent the deterioration of the condition, support nutrition and influence lifestyle behaviours; the reason a request by the national clinical programme for diabetes for a health technology assessment for CGM for people with type 2 diabetes was refused by HIQA; if the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics is considering making CGM available to all based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25633/24]

Health Service Executive

Pádraig O'Sullivan

131. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his Department will engage with a group (details supplied) regarding the use of a building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25639/24]

Dental Services

Róisín Shortall

132. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the consideration been given to alternative pathways to registration for non-EAA dentists on Stamp 4 permits (details supplied); the consideration been given to a new process for recognition of qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25642/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Michael Healy-Rae

133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the recommended equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25643/24]

Health Services Staff

Seán Crowe

134. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if they are aware of the lack of dietitians in the CHO7 area; if they will make allowances under the ongoing recruitment embargo to fill specialist posts such as this, particularly where there are no posts filled; the alternatives available to individuals who require diagnosis and treatment by a dietitian in the CHO7 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25649/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

135. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25672/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

136. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if his Department and each body and agency under the remit of his Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25690/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

137. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a person (details supplied) will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25704/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

138. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a person (details supplied) will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25705/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

139. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a person (details supplied) will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25709/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Denis Naughten

140. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25732/24]

Medicinal Products

Patricia Ryan

141. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health when the 1,500 people living with lupus in Ireland can expect to be given access to belimumab and anifrolumab for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus when the 1,500 people living with lupus in Ireland can expect to be given access to belimumab and anifrolumab for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25738/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

142. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to address the delay in issuing an appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25755/24]

Health Service Executive

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

143. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will recognise plantar fasciitis as an occupational injury (details supplied). [25756/24]

Health Services Staff

Violet-Anne Wynne

144. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health to confirm if the recruitment process for the MW dual diagnosis team has been completed; if all refurbishments have been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25777/24]

Health Services Staff

Francis Noel Duffy

671. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the HSE recruitment embargo impacting the speech therapy unit in school (details supplied) which will result in children waiting 12 months for necessary services; if he is aware of the detrimental impact this will have on early intervention supports; if his Department will seek recruitment of the speech therapists as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25025/24]

Departmental Funding

Mary Lou McDonald

672. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health to confirm that the operational funding for the critical and much-needed development (details supplied) for adults who find themselves with complex needs and who want to transition out of homelessness, as committed to by Cabinet in February 2019 supported by the Taoiseach himself as Minister for Health, and agreed to by the Departments of Housing and Health, will be in place prior to the expected opening of the facility in June 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25504/24]

Addiction Treatment Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

673. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown, he is aware of reports that the hospital’s MRI machine has broken and has not yet been replaced; when he expects the machine to be replaced so the hospital can resume its full suite of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24581/24]

Addiction Treatment Services

Patrick Costello

674. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will give a formal commitment to an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the Usher's Island development that there will be a commitment to multiannual funding agreements, that a commitment for operational costs for 100 beds per annum is secured and that an increase in health and addiction care services beyond the existing €1.8 million core funding is secured. [24587/24]

Health Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

675. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to a non-habitual Irish citizen who has returned to Ireland for health reasons in order to avail of their family’s support, considering the habitual residence requirement for the medical card and supports where the individual is seriously ill, unable to work, and does not have savings, he will outline what payments, grants, supports and loans are available for application for non-habitual citizens in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24590/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

James Lawless

676. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine an issue (details supplied). [24607/24]

Medical Cards

Duncan Smith

677. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made in respect of an appeal against a decision to remove a medical card from a person (details supplied), given there was just a €5 increase in income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24634/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Lawless

678. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if a case (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24636/24]

Hospital Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

679. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the procedures used for the allocation of beds in the cancer care centre at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24638/24]

Hospital Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

680. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to urgently remediate the systemic problem at the cancer care centre at University Hospital Galway, where patients are regularly experiencing delays in cancer treatment, to fulfil its mandate to operate as a centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24639/24]

General Practitioner Services

Martin Browne

681. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to increase the availability of the GP in Cappawhite, County Tipperary, from three days a week to five days a week, in light of demand and the difficulty some people experience in accessing the GP in Doon, County Limerick, on the days the Cappawhite service is closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24642/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Stanton

682. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to outline the entitlement to the Covid-19 pandemic recognition payment for the staff of a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24643/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brian Stanley

683. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the nurses who worked during Covid with frontline community intervention teams and with CareDoc (Section 39) will receive the €1,000 Covid pandemic bonus. [24644/24]

Health Services Staff

Róisín Shortall

684. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the impact of the HSE recruitment freeze on the National Ambulance Service; when candidates on the recruitment panel can expect further engagement or offers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24646/24]

Health Services Staff

Róisín Shortall

685. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of people on the National Ambulance Service primary and supplementary recruitment panels; and the number of offers issued to those on these panel since September 2023, by month and role. [24647/24]

Health Services

Róisín Shortall

686. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board; the timeline for opening the register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24648/24]

Health Services

Róisín Shortall

687. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the engagements he has had with the Minister for Finance in respect of VAT exemption for counsellors and psychotherapists; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24649/24]

Primary Care Centres

Fergus O'Dowd

688. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of primary care centres operating within the counties of Louth and Meath, in tabular form, by location, itemised services, and the areas that they serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24653/24]

Medicinal Products

Mark Ward

689. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if brincidofovir can be used alongside a bone marrow transplant treatment; how patients can apply for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24656/24]

Hospital Services

Paul Murphy

690. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of first-time spinal appointments that have taken place in CHI over the past three years, broken down by month, in tabular form. [24657/24]