Parliamentary questions

National Children's Hospital

Catherine Murphy

1563. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1288 of 25 July 2023, if he has been engaged with and-or consulted by Children's Health Ireland in respect of a branding process regarding the new children's hospital; the costs and third parties involved in the branding process; and if he has been supplied with any drafts of the branding concepts. [37514/23]

Health Services Staff

David Stanton

1564. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time permanent vacancies currently in speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy in each HSE community health organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37515/23]

Health Services Staff

David Stanton

1565. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to list in tabular form the number of persons who were interviewed for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy permanent positions in each HSE community healthcare organisation area in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the number of positions offered following interview; the number of positions taken up in each of these disciplines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37516/23]

Health Services Staff

David Stanton

1566. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to list in tabular form the number of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists in each community healthcare organisation area who have retired and who have resigned from full-time HSE positions in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37517/23]

Health Services Staff

David Stanton

1567. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists currently employed by the HSE in each community healthcare organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37518/23]

Medicinal Products

Sean Fleming

1568. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when romosozumab (Evenity) osteoporosis medication will be approved by the HSE and other relevant bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37527/23]

Primary Care Centres

Patrick Costello

1569. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health for an update in relation to the current status and timeline for completion of the Drimnagh primary health centre. [37535/23]

Healthcare Policy

Paul Murphy

1570. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Australia has banned the importation of non-prescription vaping products (details supplied); if he will outline his Department's plans for the future of vaping in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37577/23]

Mental Health Services

Matt Shanahan

1571. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of legal cases in progress, or pending, in relation to GDPR breaches with respect to the national CAMHS service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37579/23]

Mental Health Services

Matt Shanahan

1572. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health to provide an outline of the degree of integration between CAMHS services and the other HSE interfaces that exist across the HSE network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37580/23]

Mental Health Services

Matt Shanahan

1573. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health to outline his confidence in the ICT systems and networks that allow the national and satellite CAMHS units to carry out their patient communications and follow-up functions effectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37581/23]

Mental Health Services

Matt Shanahan

1574. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health what robustness he has been advised of in terms of national CAMHS ICT systems and the ability of same to provide accurate data reporting, including the revision process of patient data in terms of age and domicile residence and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37582/23]

Nursing Homes

Michael Healy-Rae

1575. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to financially helping private nursing homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37586/23]

Nursing Homes

Michael Healy-Rae

1576. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37587/23]

Dental Services

Michael Healy-Rae

1577. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) who is on the waiting list for wisdom teeth removal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37595/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Fergus O'Dowd

1578. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of the exorbitant prices being charged for hearing aids, which in many countries are reducing drastically; to outline his position on the matter; if the Government will review the overall situation with a view to reducing the price of hearing aids, notwithstanding the available supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37609/23]

Medicinal Products

Brian Stanley

1579. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his Department has made a decision on the approval of the drug, Evenity (manufacturer Amgen), for the treatment of osteoporosis, given that this has been approved at EU level. [37611/23]

Mental Health Services

Rose Conway-Walsh

1580. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health for a pathway for two children (details supplied) from separate families with intellectual disabilities who are self-injuring to access psychiatric services in County Mayo when there is currently no consultant child psychiatrist for intellectual disability services in the Mayo-Roscommon area. [37614/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Seán Haughey

1581. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to provide funding for the provision of the freestyle libre flash glucose monitoring system to people with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37615/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Seán Haughey

1582. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE medicines management programme (MMP) preferred blood glucose strips for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes evaluation, to fund the provision of the Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to people with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37616/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Seán Haughey

1583. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health how many applications for freestyle libre were submitted by individual hospitals for people with diabetes over 21 years of age; how many were approved; how many were refused in each of the years 2017-2021, in tabular form; if there are plans to remove the age restriction on freestyle libre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37617/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

1584. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37621/23]

Medicinal Products

Fergus O'Dowd

1585. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the national protocols in place for the administration of psychotropic drugs to patients in nursing homes and other institutions in which persons are in care; the system of monitoring and inspection in place to ensure persons are not administered these drugs improperly or illegally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37634/23]

Health Services Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

1586. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide clarification on the reason neurology services were not granted an allocation of ANP posts in 2022 and 2023, considering the pressing issue of waiting lists and its impact on patient care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37635/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Maurice Quinlivan

1587. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if he can intervene and get a single wipe-down medical bed due to incontinence issues for a boy (details supplied) who has severe autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37636/23]

Health Services Staff

Mark Ward

1588. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health to outline the reason no allocation of advanced nurse practitioners were allocated to neurology services in 2022 and 2023; if there are plans to allocate advanced nurse practitioners to neurology services going froward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37638/23]

Pharmacy Services

Michael Healy-Rae

1589. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding to a sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37641/23]

Pharmacy Services

Michael Healy-Rae

1590. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he agrees that additional funding should be available to the HSE primary reimbursement service to compensate pharmacies for the ongoing increase in administration requirements for administrating the community drug schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37642/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Paul Kehoe

1591. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to increase the numbers of children receiving diagnostic assessments from the primary care autism assessment team in Wexford, which is currently assessing ten to 12 children per month (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37643/23]

Pharmacy Services

Michael Healy-Rae

1592. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the introduction of a community pharmacy, triage-based service, to include a minor ailment scheme and facilitating women with a choice of accessing contraception through a pharmacy on foot of a structured consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37645/23]

Pharmacy Services

Michael Healy-Rae

1593. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to sanction the immediate recruitment of a chief pharmaceutical officer within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37646/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

1594. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to request a review into the decision to exclude certain workers (details supplied) from the pandemic recognition payment despite the staff working in Covid-positive conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37647/23]

Health Services Staff

Michael Healy-Rae

1595. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification on the reason neurology services were not included in the allocation of ANP posts in 2022 and 2023, considering the pressing issue of waiting lists and its impact on patient care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37650/23]

Mental Health Services

Holly Cairns

1596. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of adults waiting for primary care psychology services in Cork and Kerry for over 52 weeks, by number of years, in tabular form. [37656/23]

Mental Health Services

Holly Cairns

1597. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for primary care psychology services in Cork and Kerry for over 52 weeks, by number of years, in tabular form. [37657/23]

Mental Health Services

Holly Cairns

1598. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to detail how Cork and Kerry primary care services respond to the needs of young people who are at risk of 'ageing out' of eligibility for assessment or intervention by the time they are due to be seen by a psychologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37658/23]

Home Care Packages

Fergus O'Dowd

1599. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to urgently review the decision by the HSE to recommend that home care givers (details supplied) cease taking clients for much-needed walks as part of the service provided in CHO 8, considering that in many cases these walks are essential for people with no other way of getting out for exercise or fresh air and the obvious knock-on well-being impact, in particular for clients who are elderly or have limited mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37659/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pa Daly

1600. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a staff nurse (details supplied) who was employed in a healthcare facility during the pandemic and had to go on sick leave for a breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent annual leave can expect their pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37660/23]

Dental Services

Mairéad Farrell

1601. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the actions taken by his Department to try to reach a resolution for orthodontic patients at a practice (details supplied) in Oranmore, County Galway, who were left without treatment suddenly; if patients will be able to get refunds; if there any further steps his Department can take to ensure a fair outcome for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37661/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1602. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of radiographers required to ensure BreastCheck screenings take place every two years for those who are eligible; how many radiographers currently work for BreastCheck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37663/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1603. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health whether it is possible for the BreastCheck programme to provide screening to the eligible population every two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37664/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1604. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people who were eligible for participation in the BreastCheck screening programme in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form, even if they did not respond to an invitation for screening. [37665/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1605. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people who were invited for screening; the number of people who attended screening; and the number of people who were referred for further examination as a result of their screening appointment in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37666/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1606. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the cost per person participating in the BreastCheck screening programme in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37667/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1607. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the cost per person participating in BreastCheck for an individual person referred for further examination as a result of their screening appointment in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37668/23]

Hospital Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1608. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of filled genetic counsellor posts in the cancer genetics department in St. James's Hospital; how this compares with international standards; whether any recruitment challenges exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37669/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Neasa Hourigan

1609. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current grants being paid to medical card holders for wigs and hairpieces, broken down by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37670/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Neasa Hourigan

1610. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current prosthesis and bra entitlements for those who have had breast cancer surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37671/23]

Abortion Services

John Lahart

1611. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has established an implementation group to progress the operational recommendations made in the Report of the Independent Review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the chair and membership of the group and its relationship with the Clinical Advisory Forum on termination of pregnancy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37675/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Matt Shanahan

1612. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he plans to provide funding in budget 2024 to fund the provision of the glucose monitoring device Dexcom G7 to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37681/23]

Health Services

Michael Healy-Rae

1613. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and rectify the lack of ambulance and GP services in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37684/23]

Climate Action Plan

Emer Higgins

1614. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health how he will ensure the HSE delivers on its commitment in line with Climate Action Plan 2023 and legally binding commitments under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015-2021. [37691/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Niamh Smyth

1615. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting on a hospital appointment in the Mater hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37693/23]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Paul Kehoe

1616. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the reason State-funded IVF treatment is not being offered to same-sex couples or single people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37694/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Niamh Smyth

1617. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting on a cataract operation in the Mater hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37696/23]

Medicinal Products

Chris Andrews

1618. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if he will address the anomaly (details supplied) in the regulations capping expenditure on outpatient medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37698/23]

Dental Services

Sean Fleming

1619. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health how many dentists in County Laois will take medical card payments in view of the fact many people, especially children and elderly people, do not have access to or cannot get to the facility in Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37699/23]

Mental Health Services

Maurice Quinlivan

1620. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who following a referral to the child and adolescent mental health service, CAMHS, in Limerick, has yet to receive any correspondence on an appointment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37703/23]

Mental Health Services

Claire Kerrane

1621. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 265 of 12 July 2023, if he will advise if consideration has been given to extending the 30-minute visitation timeframe; if this could be considered on a case-by-case basis where appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37706/23]

Departmental Reports

Fergus O'Dowd

1622. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will seek a full update from the HSE in respect of all of the health-related recommendations made in the Drogheda Implementation Plan which have been completed to date and yet to be completed, in tabular form, with reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37725/23]

Disability Services

Michael Healy-Rae

1623. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied) receiving a placement in a special school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37731/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

1624. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37732/23]

Medical Qualifications

Pauline Tully

1625. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1436 on 25 July 2023, the engagements between his Department and the Department of Health both North and South, Queen's University and Ulster University, including any discussion on the introduction of additional modules to courses (details supplied), so as to satisfy and speed up the process of applying for the recognition of qualifications received outside the State and registration with CORU. [37737/23]

Health Services Staff

Pauline Tully

1626. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the optimal level of staffing required for medical scientists to fully staff HSE laboratories nationwide; and the current number of medical scientists employed in HSE laboratories nationwide. [37741/23]

Dental Services

Pauline Tully

1627. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 773 of 13 July 2023, the number of staff working in the HSE orthodontic service in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the grade of the staff working in these regional services; and the staff vacancies in each of these regional services, in tabular form. [37743/23]

Medical Cards

Peadar Tóibín

1628. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will consider providing polio survivors with a discretionary medical card (details supplied). [37753/23]

Health Services Staff

John Lahart

1629. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his views on the plea from persons with disabilities in relation to section 39 organisations providing services to people with disabilities, namely, that Government action is needed to bring the section 39 issue to resolution (details supplied). [37754/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mick Barry

1630. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health to report on his response to the latest wave of Covid-19; if he will support a renewal of the vaccine programme and PCR testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37784/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Michael Healy-Rae

1631. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an urgent request by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37798/23]

Hospital Admissions

Michael Healy-Rae

1632. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital bed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37799/23]

Legislative Measures

Michael Lowry

1633. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health for an update on the patient safety (licensing) Bill; if this Bill will introduce a licensing requirement for individuals practising aesthetic medicine in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37800/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Michael Healy-Rae

1634. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding grants and funding for people who have purchased a mobility scooter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37804/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Niamh Smyth

1635. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting on their operation in Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37806/23]

Medicinal Products

Matt Shanahan

1636. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if his Department is currently considering including Saxenda (which is now recognised as a valuable medication in the treatment of obesity) to the drugs payment scheme for non-diabetic patients; if there are currently any plans to widen the prescription basis of Saxenda to medical card holders with a BMI over 35 as a preventative medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37811/23]

Healthcare Policy

Mick Barry

1637. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health given the complications and risks of aesthetic medicine, the steps he will take to establish a regulatory framework for aesthetic medicine practitioners that can establish licensing and qualification requirements, oversight of practitioners and promote public awareness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37812/23]

Medicinal Products

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1638. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the consideration his Department is giving to the inclusion of the drug Saxenda in the treatment of obesity in the drugs payment scheme for non-diabetic patients; if he plans to widen the prescription of Saxenda to medical card holders with a BMI of greater than 35 as a preventative medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37840/23]

Health Strategies

Mark Ward

1639. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the development of an implementation plan to deliver on the objectives of tackling loneliness and isolation; when this will be published; if funding will be provided for same in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37842/23]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

1640. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of dedicated acute mental health beds for older people per CHO; the staffing levels of mental health services for older people for the previous from 2018 to date per CHO; if there will be an increase in funding for both in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37843/23]

Departmental Data

David Stanton

1641. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the number of women who were estimated to have developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy each year from 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37851/23]

Medical Records

Paul Murphy

1642. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps that can be taken to help two persons (details supplied) obtain their medical records. [37857/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Niamh Smyth

1643. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting for an appointment in the Mater hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37858/23]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Bríd Smith

1644. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify following the roll-out of the pilot medical cannabis access programme the number of patients who have gained access to medical cannabis through the programme; the number who have been reimbursed; the number who have been prescribed Epidyolex; the number who have gained access to medical cannabis during the same period via the ministerial licence route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37885/23]

Public Procurement Contracts

David Stanton

1645. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the policy of his Department to ensure Irish-based businesses, and SMEs in particular, are not prevented from tendering for Government and State business; the measures he has put in place to ensure Irish businesses are supported in tendering for Government or State business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37898/23]

Health Service Executive

David Stanton

1646. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to outline Government policy with respect to the management and-or disposal of HSE property that is surplus to requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37907/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

1647. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37910/23]

Healthcare Policy

David Stanton

1648. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the current situation with respect to the regulation of the athletic therapy profession in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37919/23]

Primary Care Centres

Eoin Ó Broin

1649. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if the primary care centre at Boot Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 is still on course for delivery in quarter 3 of 2023; and if he will indicate a date for the commencement of services at the centre. [37921/23]

Hospital Procedures

Catherine Murphy

1650. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of orthopantomography X-rays carried out in the maxillofacial unit in St. James's Hospital in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [37935/23]

Emergency Departments

Catherine Murphy

1651. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of treatment bays in the accident and emergency department in both CHI Temple Street and CHI Crumlin. [37936/23]

Health Services

Catherine Murphy

1652. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current state of feeding eating-drinking-swallowing impairments pathways for assessment and treatment in CHO 7 and CHO 9. [37937/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Catherine Murphy

1653. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the details of the annual funding for aids and appliances for persons who are blind or vision impaired in CHO 7 in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [37938/23]

Emergency Departments

Catherine Murphy

1654. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current average wait time for the emergency department at St. Vincent's University Hospital. [37939/23]

Health Services Staff

Holly Cairns

1655. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare professionals currently on panels in CHO 4, by grade and occupation, in tabular form. [37955/23]

Health Services Staff

Holly Cairns

1656. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number and detail of roles filled by healthcare professionals on panels in CHO 4, by grade and occupation, from 2021 to date, in tabular form. [37956/23]

Health Services Staff

David Cullinane

1657. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the terms of the recent pay agreement for catering and general support staff between the HSE and SIPTU; the reason certain workers received significant lump sums and others did not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37962/23]

Nursing Homes

Carol Nolan

1658. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns of the private and voluntary nursing home sector with respect to the payments available to them to cover staff and operational costs under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37963/23]

Nursing Homes

Carol Nolan

1659. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he has had engagement with representatives from the nursing home sector, private and voluntary, with respect to any difficulties that are arising in relation to the operation of the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37964/23]

Abortion Services

Carol Nolan

1660. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide the total number of first initial consultations for a termination of pregnancy made in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37965/23]

Emergency Departments

Duncan Smith

1661. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who presented at the accident and emergency department at South Tipperary General Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [37970/23]

Hospital Procedures

Duncan Smith

1662. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of ophthalmology surgeries carried out at Galway University Hospital in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [37971/23]