Parliamentary questions

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

578. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant dermatologists in each hospital part of Ireland East Hospital Group that are dealing with public-only patients in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [21397/24]

Care of the Elderly

Sorca Clarke

579. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the locations where the community specialist teams for older persons have yet to be established; and the timeframe for when those teams will be established. [21398/24]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

580. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant spinal surgeons based at the Mater Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [21399/24]

Care Services

Sorca Clarke

617. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the case of a child (details supplied) who was allocated an additional four hours of care in 2022, funded by the HSE, and is still waiting to have these hours fulfilled two years later; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20759/24]

Care Services

Sorca Clarke

618. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health where a person (details supplied) is on the waiting list for additional hours of care. [20760/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

582. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time to see a consultant paediatric ophthalmologist at CHI Temple Street. [17409/24]

Hospital Facilities

Sorca Clarke

583. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the nature of refurbishment works that were carried out at Mullingar Regional Hospital in the years 2022 and 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17410/24]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

584. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health how the €1.4 million new development funding in 2024 for the expansion of the newborn bloodspot screening will be spent. [17411/24]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

585. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant urologists and urology registrars part of each hospital in the Ireland East Hospital Group in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17413/24]

Departmental Data

Sorca Clarke

586. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of births in the maternity unit of Mullingar Regional Hospital in the years 2022 and 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17414/24]

Disease Management

Sorca Clarke

631. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric diabetes services that closed to new pump patients in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [16002/24]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

688. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric diabetic clinics and the number of people availing of these services, respectively, by county in tabular form. [16220/24]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

696. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the national diabetes paediatric clinical audit. [16249/24]

Disability Services

Sorca Clarke

1221. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts, per CDNT, per post, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13672/24]

Disability Services

Sorca Clarke

1222. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of staff members who are on maternity leave, paternity leave and parental leave, expected to last longer than 4 weeks, per CDNT, in tabular form; and the action that is being taken by these teams to ensure established needs of children are met. [13673/24]

General Practitioner Services

Sorca Clarke

1223. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health what plans are in place to ensure GP cover, given the imminent closure for Coole medical centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13674/24]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

1556. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will take the necessary measures to ensure that the paediatric diabetes service in the Regional Hospital Mullingar will be kept open for those 145 children who avail of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15088/24]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

1557. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health what plans he has in place to address the staffing crisis impacting the paediatric diabetes service in Regional Hospital, Mullingar, thereby ensuring the children of the Midlands are afforded the option to receive the best care close to home and not put under unnecessary stress. [15089/24]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

1431. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE lactation consultants based in CHO8 in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [12603/24]

Healthcare Policy

Sorca Clarke

1432. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to develop a model of care for people with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder; and if there is a clinical lead within the HSE. [12604/24]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

1433. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE general practitioners based in the accident and emergency department in Mullingar Regional Hospital in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the hours and days of the week where the GP is on site within the accident and emergency department, in tabular form. [12605/24]

Legislative Measures

Sorca Clarke

1434. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current status of the health (amendment) (licensing of home support providers) Bill. [12606/24]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

1435. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies by job title at St. Joseph's Campus, Longford; and the estimated timeframe for which these vacancies are expected to be filled, in tabular form. [12607/24]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

1436. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE cleft nurse specialists at CHI Temple Street in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased in 2024. [12608/24]

Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

1457. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to explain in detail the decision to withdraw funding for the Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD Programme for 2024; if he will reconsider this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12755/24]

Medical Cards

Sorca Clarke

486. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the medical cards of persons (details supplied) are due to expire. [8673/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

636. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list, per area of need, for the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [8100/24]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

637. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current level of vacancies per department in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [8101/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

638. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list per hospital in tabular form, for gynaecology for both inpatient and outpatient appointments. [8102/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

639. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 16 who are currently waiting on dental surgery per hospital, in tabular form. [8103/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

640. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists in tabular form per county for dental treatment. [8104/24]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

520. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health how many speech and language therapists are currently working in each health district; how many positions are currently vacant; and how current number compare to each of the past five years. [5221/24]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

545. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available to people who are dealing with sudden and traumatic deaths of a friend or family member. [5436/24]

Period Poverty

Sorca Clarke

547. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the HSE period poverty scheme. [5462/24]

Period Poverty

Sorca Clarke

548. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the supports and funding available to those who are experiencing period poverty, particularly those who are homeless, those living with addiction, minorities including Travellers, Roma and refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5464/24]

Departmental Staff

Sorca Clarke

1707. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE nurses working in the accident and emergency department of Mullingar Regional Hospital as of 5 January 2024; and if he will provide same figures as of 5 January 2021, in tabular form. [1470/24]

Departmental Schemes

Sorca Clarke

1735. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will extend eligibility for the long-term illness scheme for reimbursement of blood glucose test strips (insulin and metformin) to all women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy; if he agrees with the decision to remove them from the scheme; if he will reverse that decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1619/24]

Departmental Records

Sorca Clarke

1736. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of women who developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy in each of the years 2018 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1620/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

455. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a lower limb prosthesis in the public health service. [50539/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

456. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric endocrinologists at CHI Crumlin in 2022 and to-date in 2023; and if this number will be further increased during 2024. [50540/23]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

457. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated for the provision of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme in each of the years 2021 to 2023, in tabular form. [50541/23]

Departmental Data

Sorca Clarke

1188. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently attending the paediatric diabetes service in the Regional Hospital Mullingar. [47872/23]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

1189. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list, per age, for community psychology in Mullingar primary care centre, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47873/23]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

1190. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current staffing number of the community psychology team in Mullingar primary care centre. [47874/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

1191. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current vacancies that exist in Mullingar Regional Hospital, per post; and the length of time each has been vacant for. [47876/23]

Employment Rights

Sorca Clarke

1192. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 in relation to fertility treatment and miscarriage leave. [47879/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

1193. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of women awaiting gynaecology appointments, by hospital, in tabular form. [47880/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

1194. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 579 of 17 October 2023, when the document approved by the National Trauma Programme Steering Group in December 2022 which states "TU's should have the availability of at least one paediatric nurse per shift" and "recommends one WTE nurse per paediatric attendance annually" was updated and this recommendation removed. [47889/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

1195. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current staffing of the paediatric diabetes service in the Regional Hospital Mullingar; the current vacancies within that service; and how long each post has been vacant for. [47890/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Sorca Clarke

1208. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be issued to a person (details supplied) regarding their confirmed urgent referral to the urology clinic in UCG Hospital in Dec 2022. [47961/23]

Care Services

Sorca Clarke

1296. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the proposed and announced refurbishments, developments and funding for St. Josephs care centre in Longford town, given the first refurbishment was due to be completed in 2021. [48507/23]

Care Services

Sorca Clarke

1297. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health following the announcement in September 2023 of a ward-closure in St. Joseph's care centre in Longford, due to an issue with a roof, to provide an update on works carried out and works that remain to be completed; and the timeline for completion, in relation to this issue given the level of demand that exists for this centre. [48508/23]

Budget 2024

Sorca Clarke

263. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health what funding his Department will allocate to the National Educational Psychological Service as part of Budget 2024. [45499/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

578. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of approved nursing posts in the paediatric emergency department in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [45123/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

579. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the recommended number of paediatric nursing posts in an accident and emergency department seeing more than 12,000 children a year. [45124/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

580. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of posts currently filled on a permanent basis by paediatric-qualified staff. [45125/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

581. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical nurse manager posts for the paediatric emergency department in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [45126/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

582. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department staff in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar currently trained in the Irish childhood triage system. [45127/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

583. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health given the level of actual, compared to recommended staffing in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar if he feels that his Department is staffed to a safe level [45128/23]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

590. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health in light of the current situation in Temple Street and Cappagh Orthopaedic service, the arrangements that have been put in place for children with non-spinal surgical needs to have their ongoing therapy continue. [44210/23]

Hospital Procedures

Sorca Clarke

591. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children with hip dysplasia who have had treatment, x-rays or assessments cancelled or delayed because of the current ongoing investigations and reviews at Childrens Health Ireland. [44211/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

592. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have their cancelled x-ray and proposed surgery before school age following ongoing treatment for hip dysplasia. [44219/23]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

593. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current situation with staffing in relation to the paediatric diabetes service in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; the number of children currently attending; and the number of children awaiting an appointment. [44221/23]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

343. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant radiologists attached to Mullingar Regional Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [43360/23]

Legislative Programme

Sorca Clarke

344. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023; and when this Bill will move to the next stage. [43361/23]

Hospital Facilities

Sorca Clarke

345. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current number of ICU beds in place; how many beds are funded; the all-in costs for a new ICU bed, support services and staffing; and the projected cost for 20 additional ICU beds. [43362/23]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

346. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing the HPV vaccine free to adults who have not received it yet but want to access it through their GP. [43363/23]

Eating Disorders

Sorca Clarke

689. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health what services are available in County Longford for adults living with eating disorders. [32750/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

716. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the current average waiting times for urgent and routine paediatric dermatology appointments in each of the seven hospital groups. [31094/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

717. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of times that the HSE has advertised for the post of consultant otolaryngologist since January 2022. [31095/23]

Departmental Funding

Sorca Clarke

718. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to each hospital part of Ireland East Hospital Group in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [31096/23]

Hospital Facilities

Sorca Clarke

719. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres in use at Mullingar Regional Hospital. [31097/23]

Pharmacy Services

Sorca Clarke

619. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the review of community pharmacies services. [29175/23]

Pharmacy Services

Sorca Clarke

620. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the representative bodies he and his Department have engaged with as part of the review of community pharmacies services, the representative bodies that remain to be engaged with, and the timeline for such engagement. [29176/23]

Pharmacy Services

Sorca Clarke

621. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his and his Departments engagement to date with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to an increase in dispensing fees for community pharmacies to €6.50 per medicine. [29177/23]

Pharmacy Services

Sorca Clarke

622. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of increasing dispensing fees of community pharmacies, to a flat fee model of care being reimbursed at €6.50 per medicine. [29178/23]

Medicinal Products

Sorca Clarke

1122. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the drug, Ozempic, used to treat obesity as a consequence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) will be available to medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27210/23]

Nursing Homes

Sorca Clarke

1184. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the nursing homes that have already exited the fair deal scheme and the nursing homes that have applied to exit the fair deal scheme, per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27729/23]

Nursing Homes

Sorca Clarke

1185. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the engagement his Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund in relation to the fair deal scheme as it applies to nursing homes. [27730/23]

Nursing Homes

Sorca Clarke

1186. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that have exited the fair deal scheme and ceased operating in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, per county, in tabular form. [27731/23]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

1221. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the engagement his Department has had with the INMO in relation to the latest figures outlining the number of patients on trolleys awaiting a hospital bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27952/23]

Medical Cards

Sorca Clarke

667. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the increase in income limits for those under 70 years applying for a medical card will be applied. [25707/23]

Departmental Data

Sorca Clarke

782. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the staffing budget allocation for Mullingar Regional Hospital in the years of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [26347/23]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

783. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder services and support will be in place in County Longford. [26348/23]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

743. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of hospitals not accepting referrals for patients who availed of the cross-border initiative for treatment, despite HSE guidelines which assure patients that should complications arise they have the right "to access the Irish health care system to put it right"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24197/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Sorca Clarke

643. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with employment agencies to ensure the €1,000 Covid bonus payment has been paid to all those workers who are entitled to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22619/23]

Civil Registration Service

Sorca Clarke

603. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to provide the HSE civil registration service at the primary care centre, Athlone, County Westmeath as it had been. [21301/23]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

480. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the addiction service for those under 18 years in the midlands counties, which was delivered by the Midlands Regional Drug and Alcohol Taskforce in counties Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, is now fully staffed and operational. [20760/23]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

505. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current vacancies in Mullingar Regional Hospital per department and speciality; and the length of time each post has been vacant, in tabular form. [18938/23]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

1421. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health in relation to the mobile breast screening units that will not return to Mullingar and Athlone until the end of 2023, the number of women who were scheduled to attend these units for screening who will now have to make the trip to Tullamore to avail of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16658/23]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

1471. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that healthcare assistants who are qualified above QQI level 5 do not need to repeat or obtain a QQI level 5 qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16825/23]

Dental Services

Sorca Clarke

1472. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists who provide services under the general medical card scheme, by county, in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [16826/23]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

714. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for 8-16 year olds in CHO8, per test centre, age, and the length of time on the list, in tabular form. [15237/23]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

1457. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the mobile BreastCheck unit last operated in Mullingar; the reason it will not return to this highly populated area until late in 2023, given that the journey to Tullamore is a 40km roundtrip with irregular and infrequent transport links. [13577/23]

Medicinal Products

Sorca Clarke

220. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current status of ampligen for treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME; and the engagement he has had with the European Medicines Agency, EMA, on the issue of authorisation. [11745/23]

Medicinal Products

Sorca Clarke

221. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions, per year, that the drug ampligen has been applied for, denied access or approved via the exempt medicines scheme, in tabular form. [11749/23]

Dental Services

Sorca Clarke

649. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged between eight to 12 years inclusive, 13 to 15 inclusive, and 16 to 18 inclusive, who have been referred to the National Treatment Purchase Fund for dental treatment in each of the years 2020 to 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [11440/23]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

553. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health If he will provide details of all autism-specific services available for adults in County Westmeath; the types of services available; and the waiting list for each service for each appointment type. [9581/23]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

554. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE ophthalmologist registrars working in Mullingar Regional Hospital in 2021, 2022, and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [9582/23]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

555. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies by job title at St. Joseph's Campus, Longford; and when each vacancy will be filled, in tabular form. [9583/23]