Parliamentary questions

Nursing Homes

Gino Kenny

1. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a nursing home (details supplied) is facing closure; if he will instruct the HSE to take over operation of the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25784/24]

Hospital Equipment

Matt Carthy

2. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will commission an appraisal of the demand for CT and MRI scanners at Monaghan Hospital, with a view to ensuring that these services are made available in Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25552/24]

Home Help Service

Rose Conway-Walsh

3. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of home help workers employed directly by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25760/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

David Stanton

4. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he has given any consideration to funding continuous glucose-monitoring sensors for people with type 2 diabetes under the community drug scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25754/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Gino Kenny

5. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an organisation (details supplied) recently published the Irish national ICU audit annual report showing that an average 5.6 critical-care beds per 100,000 population were open in 2022, which is less than half the mean value of 12 for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25786/24]

Hospital Facilities

Duncan Smith

6. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health what actions his Department is taking to lower car parking charges at hospitals in circumstances where car parking charges are currently at unacceptable levels and waiting times in hospitals can mean that undertaking a CT scan can cost a patient €15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25065/24]

Hospital Overcrowding

Gino Kenny

7. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an organisation (details supplied) stated that over 604 patients were treated without a bed in Irish hospitals on the Wednesday after the June bank holiday and that this level of overcrowding, which is now consistent and continuing into the summer, at a time when winter respiratory infections are not circulating, indicates that the system of hospital avoidance is not effective and that, at a minimum, the HSE must significantly increase the number of acute hospital beds before year-end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25789/24]

Hospital Closures

Catherine Connolly

8. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 33 of 2 May 2024, to provide an update on the recruitment of the required staffing resources to ensure Clifden District Hospital can remain open on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25537/24]

Health Services Staff

Paul Murphy

9. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an organisation (details supplied) states that many funded nursing vacancies arising from staff retiring, leaving or going on maternity leave are remaining unfilled due to the recruitment freeze and that this happening when there is unprecedented demand on our health services, meaning that various departments and community services are short-staffed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25758/24]

Hospital Admissions

Violet-Anne Wynne

10. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his views on the increase in attendances at University Hospital Limerick, especially those who are in need of mental health support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25771/24]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Gino Kenny

11. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the review planned by his Department on the medical cannabis access programme has begun; if so, when he expects it to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25788/24]

Hospital Facilities

Violet-Anne Wynne

12. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the newly announced additional beds he plans to deliver for Ennis Hospital and the mid-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25770/24]

Primary Care Centres

Pádraig O'Sullivan

13. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the status of the primary care centre in Glanmire, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25702/24]

Departmental Funding

Duncan Smith

14. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to provide State funding to an organisation (details supplied) that is currently fully reliant on donations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25063/24]

Hospital Services

Pearse Doherty

15. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health what plans, if any, are in place to deal with the crisis in neurology services at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25767/24]

Ambulance Service

Duncan Smith

16. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to introduce a consultant-led helicopter emergency service that would bring lifesaving expertise to the scene of crashes rather than waiting for the injured to arrive at a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25062/24]

Health Services

Aindrias Moynihan

17. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health for the urgent reinstatement of podiatry services for a town in County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25737/24]

Medicinal Products

Louise O'Reilly

18. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health to outline Ireland's position in respect of the European Commission's revision of the general pharmaceutical legislation; if he is concerned about the impact of the proposals on the attractiveness of Ireland as a location for investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23116/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Catherine Connolly

19. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 38 of 2 May 2024, to provide an update on the SAR/PBC by the project team and the Galway University Hospital’s capital programme oversight board for the new emergency department, women and children’s block in UHG; the timeline for when it is expected to move to pre-tender stage; to provide an update on the master plan for the UGH campus; the timeline for when it is expected to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25538/24]

Self-Harm Prevention

Pádraig O'Sullivan

20. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to outline the supports available to teenagers at risk of self-harm and suicide-related ideation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25703/24]

Departmental Funding

Duncan Smith

21. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health what State funding provisions have been provided to an organisation (details supplied); if, in Budget 2025, these provisions are to be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25064/24]

Hospital Facilities

Matt Carthy

22. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health his proposals to ensure that the affected children can complete their orthodontal treatment in the orthodontal clinic in Louth County Hospital, following the resignation of their orthodontist. [25553/24]

Ambulance Service

James O'Connor

23. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a timeline for the provision of a new ambulance base in Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25769/24]

Hospital Services

Rose Conway-Walsh

24. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health what steps he is taking to increase productivity and health outcomes in Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25759/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Richard Bruton

25. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the waiting list activity of the NTPF to date in 2024; if it is on track to deliver its targets for the year; and if he envisages any extension of its remit in this sphere to meet other areas where waiting times can be a problem. [25751/24]

Dental Services

Ruairí Ó Murchú

26. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists across the State still treating medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25718/24]

Abortion Services

Patrick Costello

27. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health for an update on the review of abortion legislation taking place by his Department; and to provide a timeline for the completion of same. [23316/24]

Hospital Transfers

Patrick Costello

28. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with the families of individuals moved from Cherry Orchard Hospital. [23317/24]

Hospital Facilities

Pearse Doherty

29. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health what plans, if any, are in place to deal with the crisis in diabetes care at Letterkenny Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25768/24]

General Practitioner Services

Ruairí Ó Murchú

30. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to increase the number of GPs available to private patients in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25719/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

31. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the severe shortage of medical scientists working in hospitals; if he is aware of the impact this is having on patients nationwide; if he will consider an amendment to legislation that would allow CORU to accredit scientists in a single discipline to provide an instant boost in numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25061/24]

Health Strategies

Aindrias Moynihan

32. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position of a review and updating of the national carers' strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25386/24]

Emergency Departments

Bernard Durkan

33. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which his Department and the HSE continue to engage with the various hospitals throughout the country, with a view to improving the throughput at accident and emergency services in order to ensure early diagnosis/full triage in the quickest possible time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25745/24]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

34. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor, assess and remedy any shortcomings in the delivery of health services, whether in regard to access to homecare, general medical services and capacity requirements in whatever area, with a view to resolution in the short term in order to make the health services in this country a more attractive place to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25746/24]

Health Services Staff

David Stanton

35. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to outline the current situation with regard to the recruitment embargo on the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25743/24]

Care Services

Richard Bruton

36. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his Department has commenced work on the carer's guarantee which was an element of the Programme for Government; what range of services (fuel, emergency assistance, recuperation supports, and so on) are envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25412/24]

Hospital Facilities

Gino Kenny

37. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an organisation (details supplied) recently stated that it has yet to see any of 1,500 additional public hospital beds across 15 acute public hospital sites he announced in April 2023 and that it sought clarification as to how the 1,541 beds due by the end of 2028 and the 2,997 beds due by 2031 announced recently by himself differ from those already promised in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25785/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

126. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when the minor injury clinic will be operational in Carlow; the location and operating hours of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25793/24]

Departmental Funding

Richard Bruton

127. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his Department has developed funding templates to promote cross-agency and cross-Department collaboration, particularly in the context of positive ageing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19864/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25790/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

129. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will commence the process of upgrading Letterkenny University Hospital to a Model 4 hospital, considering the very large number of inpatients that the hospital caters for each year and the distances that patients from Donegal have to travel to avail of appointments and procedures that are only available from the nearest Model 4 hospitals, hundreds of miles away. [25795/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

130. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that an elective surgical hub is also located at Letterkenny, County Donegal, now that the HSE plans to locate one at Sligo, adjacent to another Model 3 hospital (Sligo University Hospital) with much lower number of inpatients per annum than Letterkenny University Hospital. [25796/24]

Trade Sanctions

Thomas Pringle

131. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if his Department has engaged with or offered support to the health services in Cuba in light of the severe impact of the embargo on its healthcare system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25797/24]

Medicinal Products

Pádraig O'Sullivan

132. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 22 May 2024, when the HSE executive management team will be in a position to approve or make a decision on the reimbursement application for dostarlimab (jemperli) indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or advance endometrial cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25807/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Darren O'Rourke

133. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Meath (details supplied) will get a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25811/24]

Health Services

Michael Lowry

134. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 567 of 8 May 2024, if he is aware that the person has not yet received a response and is not satisfied with the timelines or the delay in receiving a response; if he will seek further clarification from the HSE on this matter; when a response will be issued to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25813/24]

Addiction Treatment Services

Róisín Shortall

135. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to progress nurse prescribing of opioid substitution therapy; the status of the working group set up to examine this issue; the timeline that he is working towards for introduction of nurse prescribing of opioid substitution therapy; the reason for the delay in progressing this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25814/24]

Addiction Treatment Services

Thomas Gould

136. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the map of drug and alcohol services shows a gap in provision in large areas of the State; and his plans to remedy this. [25824/24]

Hospital Facilities

Thomas Gould

137. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the service transfer plan for the transfer of paediatric oncology services from MUH to CUH includes the potential use of adult beds, with no plan to replace these beds. [25825/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Maurice Quinlivan

138. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health to examine the case of a person (details supplied) who, having been referred to the ENT clinic at University Hospital Limerick 2.5 years ago to address gromets, has yet to receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25842/24]

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]