Parliamentary questions

Dental Services

Michael Ring

453. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of the dentists in County Mayo providing services to medical card holders under the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23779/23]

Dental Services

Michael Ring

454. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists providing a service to medical card holders under the dental treatment services scheme as of 1 January and 1 March, in each of the past five years, by county, in tabular form; the steps his Department will take to ensure that services will continue to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23780/23]

General Practitioner Services

Róisín Shortall

455. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he was aware of this issue with professional services witholding tax faced by GPs working for an organisation; the steps he is taking to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23804/23]

Abortion Services

Bríd Smith

456. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he can clarify when legislation will be in place to ensure there are safe zones to protect women and medical staff in health settings facilities to ensure they can access or provide abortion services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23807/23]

Hospital Staff

Martin Browne

457. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of approved ICU staffing allocations in the ICU at University Hospital Limerick for each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the number of staffing vacancies in the ICU at University Hospital Limerick for the corresponding timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23811/23]

Home Care Packages

Martin Browne

458. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of people approved for the provision of homecare in CHO5; the number of those people who have received homecare provision; the number of those people who are waiting for the provision of homecare; if he will provide a breakdown of the length of time in two-month increments that those people who have not yet received homecare provision have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23812/23]

Home Care Packages

Martin Browne

459. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of people approved for the provision of homecare in CHO3; the number of those people who have received homecare provision; the number of those people who are waiting for the provision of homecare; if he will provide a breakdown of the length of time in two-month increments that those people who have not yet received homecare provision have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23813/23]

Home Care Packages

Martin Browne

460. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of homecare hours that have been approved in CHO5; the number of homecare hours approved but not yet provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23814/23]

Home Care Packages

Martin Browne

461. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of homecare hours that have been approved in CHO3; the number of homecare hours approved but not yet provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23815/23]

Home Care Packages

Martin Browne

462. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health when the tender process between the HSE and private homecare operators is due to conclude; when the process started; the number of homecare hours being sought from private operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23817/23]

Nursing Homes

Martin Browne

463. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the feasibility study concerning the potential acquisition of a nursing home (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23818/23]

Mental Health Services

Martin Browne

464. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if there are financial supports available to assist former voluntary providers of mental health supports and counselling which continue to be contacted by people in need. [23810/23]

Health Services

Joan Collins

465. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the further qualifications a person (details supplied) needs to enable them to work in the health service, nursing homes and so on; and the cost for same. [23893/23]

Departmental Policies

Darren O'Rourke

466. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 151 of 28 March 2023, the rationale for reducing the stillbirth registration criteria from 24 weeks to 23 weeks and 500 grammes to 400 grammes; the standards that guide this practice here and abroad; if consideration was given to the possibility of allowing all stillbirths to be registered should the parents wish to do so; the range of factors to be considered in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23896/23]

Health Service Executive

Michael Healy-Rae

467. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23901/23]

Departmental Data

Neasa Hourigan

468. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 604 of 25 April 2023, the number of people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties under the care of the Cobh/Glenville and Midleton/Youghal adult mental health teams who have been transferred to continuing care or high-support hostels outside those HSE catchments since June 2021; the number of people in this cohort of service-users within those HSE catchments who have been transferred in the same timeframe to nursing homes, either within those HSE catchments or outside them; the reason that this information was not provided in the response to Parliamentary Question No. 604 of 25 April 2023, given that the respondent could obtain the information with ease by requesting it from the consultant psychiatrists on the two mental health teams under whose care the service-users in questions would have been, and given that similar information on the transfer of East Cork service-users was provided in response to previous Parliamentary Questions, and given its relevance to the broader impact of the decision by the HSE to close the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton, without providing interim residential service provision locally beyond a three-bedroom property that is yet to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23917/23]

Primary Care Centres

Róisín Shortall

469. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the primary care centre for Finglas, Dublin 11; the status of stage one preliminary design; if the legal process to transfer the land has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23936/23]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

470. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if long-term illness card/full medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23997/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Griffin

205. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will reduce the average wait times for medical procedures in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23266/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pearse Doherty

206. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment; if they are on the urgent or routine list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23269/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pearse Doherty

207. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for inpatient and outpatient neurology appointments at each hospital across the seven hospital groups, in tabular form; if he will provide this information specifically regarding those waiting for three months, six months, nine months, 12 months or more than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23270/23]

Dental Services

Pearse Doherty

208. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children in County Donegal on the waiting list for HSE dental and orthodontic services at the end of each quarter 1 of each year 2019 to 2023, broken down by standard waiting times, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23271/23]

Dental Services

Pearse Doherty

209. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that all necessary equipment required for orthodontic assessments, including x-ray equipment, is available and in working order at the dental department, St. Conal’s Hospital, Letterkenny, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23272/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pearse Doherty

210. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for surgery in Beaumont Hospital; if they are on the urgent or routine waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23273/23]

Homeless Persons Supports

Jennifer Whitmore

211. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the spend on homeless services by his Department and agencies under his remit for each year since 2013; the estimated projected spend for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23284/23]

Cybersecurity Policy

Robert Troy

212. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the progress being made on implementing the recommendations of a report (details supplied). [23294/23]

Health Services

Robert Troy

213. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his views on establishing a digital health agency to drive the digital change in Ireland's health service. [23295/23]

Health Services

Robert Troy

214. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the money expended on private consultants in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23296/23]

Suicide Prevention

Robert Troy

215. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the engagement he has had to date with an organisation (details supplied); and the financial supports his Department is providing it. [23297/23]

Legislative Measures

Catherine Connolly

216. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of legislation on safe access zones; the timeline for this legislation to come before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23306/23]

National Development Plan

Holly Cairns

217. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on all current National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects under his Department being progressed in Cork South West, including the current status of each project and the planned completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23310/23]

Health Services

Holly Cairns

218. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that heel-prick screening includes testing for spinal muscular atrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23311/23]

Health Services

Holly Cairns

219. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE proposals to limit homebirth services for women and pregnant people living within 30 minutes of a maternity hospital. [23312/23]

Legislative Process

Holly Cairns

220. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the date he is working towards for the second-stage discussion of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022. [23313/23]

Health Services

Holly Cairns

221. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that workers in Section 39 (Health Act 2004) organisations receive the same annual leave entitlements as workers in Section 38 organisations. [23315/23]

General Practitioner Services

Holly Cairns

222. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify when free GP care for under seven-year-olds will come into effect. [23318/23]

Health Services

Mark Ward

223. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on plans for peer remuneration within an organisation (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the progress of the setting-up of the Steering Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23319/23]

Health Services

Mark Ward

224. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there is a review underway for peer remuneration within the health service; if he will provide an update on this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23320/23]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

225. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further details on his Department’s request to HIQA to carry out two health technology assessments, one examining the cost-benefits of an enhanced vaccine for the 50–64-year-olds and the other on the >65 years cohort; if the health technology assessment into the >65 cohort will be commenced shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23349/23]

Medicinal Products

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

226. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the options available to the family of a young person who has been prescribed and had been taking Ozempic, until earlier this year when supplies dried up, and with their hepatology team stressing the importance for their getting back on the drug for their health; if, given that the person has now spent many months without Ozempic, the person or his Department can try and source this abroad with their prescription; if such a purchase could be included in a person’s tax rebate claim at the end of year; the measures he or the EU Council of Health Ministers are taking to end this shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23351/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

227. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health how the National Gender Service implements operational standards and guidance in fulfilling its remit under the Health Act 2004: Your Service, Your Say on dealing with complaints and feedback; if there is work ongoing in that implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23362/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

228. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline any interventions, memorandums of understanding or guidance provided to the National Gender Service from national oversight bodies such as the Mental Health Commission or the Patient Advocacy Service on improving the service and patient experience in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23363/23]

Nursing Homes

Seán Sherlock

229. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will address an issue with the fair deal scheme (details supplied). [23379/23]

Home Care Packages

Claire Kerrane

230. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the new home care tender; if he has engaged with representative organisations to ensure there are no delays to the 2023 tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23380/23]

Departmental Contracts

Catherine Murphy

231. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to his Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23409/23]

Hospital Procedures

Catherine Murphy

232. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of vascular surgeries performed in St. James's Hospital in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23421/23]

Hospital Staff

Catherine Murphy

233. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant neurologists attached to the Mater Hospital in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23422/23]

Emergency Departments

Catherine Murphy

234. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that presented at the accident and emergency department of Naas General Hospital in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23423/23]

Hospital Staff

Catherine Murphy

235. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant consultant posts, by speciality, at St. Vincent's University Hospital; and when each of these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [23424/23]

Hospital Equipment

Catherine Murphy

236. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of heart/lung machines in use in Beaumont Hospital. [23425/23]

Emergency Departments

Catherine Murphy

237. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE staff vacancies, by job title, currently in the accident and emergency department at Connolly Hospital; and when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [23426/23]

Nursing Homes

Colm Burke

238. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify as to the reason the HSE has not allocated additional nursing support in order that children with complex medical issues can attend school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23434/23]

Disability Services

Mairéad Farrell

239. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the provision of residential care service for adults with disabilities; the number of persons currently waiting for this service, by county, in tabular form; if his Department is looking at opportunities for developing new residential facilities for adults with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23436/23]

Health Service Executive

Noel Grealish

240. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he intends to instruct the HSE national estates to appoint one design team to deliver the model 4 hospital to UHG, to include the ED department, maternity unit, paediatric unit, cancer care centre and bedroom block; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23466/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Michael Healy-Rae

241. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a new wheelchair will be supplied to a person (details supplied) with many medical needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23488/23]

Medical Cards

Michael Healy-Rae

242. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason people with life-long disabilities are asked to submit reviews for their medical cards (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23503/23]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

243. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of people on CAMHS waiting lists by CHO and length of wait for April, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23533/23]

Health Services

Paul Kehoe

244. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health given a report (details supplied) which outlined that over 37% of 15-to-24-year-olds have an alcohol use disorder, the plans in place to combat this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23538/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Ring

245. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23555/23]

Departmental Funding

Catherine Murphy

246. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by his Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23584/23]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

247. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of patients referred from emergency departments to community mental health teams in the past 12 months per hospital, and the average wait time for an appointment with the community mental health teams, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23596/23]

Mental Health Services

Pa Daly

248. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason there is not a day care health facility in County Kerry for those who have mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23598/23]

Hospital Facilities

Martin Browne

249. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the timeline involved in delivering the capital project to be financed from the recent €75 million funding allocation for Tipperary University Hospital; if he will provide a breakdown of how this funding will be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23620/23]

Hospital Facilities

Róisín Shortall

250. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the Mater Misericordia University Hospital, Dublin 7, has or intends to close any old buildings on site; if so, the total loss of beds which this would entail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23621/23]

Home Care Packages

Róisín Shortall

251. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the rate of €28.50 per hour that has reportedly been offered for homecare services under a prospective new authorisation scheme is sufficient to implement all of the recommendations of the cross-departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group; if the HSE had sought a higher hourly rate from his Department; if so, the reason this was not accepted by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23623/23]

Health Services

Michael Ring

252. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a service (details supplied) will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23631/23]

Mental Health Services

Patricia Ryan

253. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health further to your reply to my previous question confirming there are no mental health services for lorry drivers whose mental health has been badly affected by other drivers committing suicide by crashing into them, if he envisages any future grants or resources being put in place to assist the Irish Road Haulage Association in helping their members who have been so affected to safeguard and promote their mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23689/23]

Home Care Packages

Patricia Ryan

254. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the expected date for completion of the homecare tender 2023 process; the reason behind the delay in its publication to date; whether or not it contains provisions for funding a new rate to account for the increased costs of care , and to allow homecare providers to provide living wages to their employees, taking into consideration travel time and fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23692/23]

Medical Cards

Patricia Ryan

255. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he can investigate the refusal of a medical card and mobility aids to a person (details supplied). [23693/23]

Health Services

Darren O'Rourke

598. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the criteria applied to the long-term illness scheme; if Addison's disease will be included in the scheme; if the scheme or other schemes will be extended to support people with the financial cost of coping with life-long chronic conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22363/23]

Hospital Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

599. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant gastroenterologist based at University Hospital Waterford in each of the years 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [22376/23]

Hospital Procedures

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

600. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of pacemaker procedures carried out in each of the years 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; and the hospitals in which these procedures are carried out, in tabular form. [22377/23]

Hospital Procedures

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

601. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of births that took place in the maternity unit at St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny in each of the years 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [22378/23]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

602. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of rapid response vehicles allocated to each HSE ambulance basis and that are available to attend emergency incidents on a 24-7 basis, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22379/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Niamh Smyth

603. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is still waiting for an operation in Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22391/23]

Hospital Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

604. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health to advise the reason the podiatry service in the diabetes centre in Loughlinstown Hospital has been removed; whether there are plans to replace it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22393/23]

Health Services Staff

Pearse Doherty

605. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if any plans are being made to address the fact that staff in an organisation (details supplied) have not had a pay rise for fourteen years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22394/23]

Healthcare Policy

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

606. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to get reimbursed from the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22397/23]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

607. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to an organisation (details supplied) in each of the years 2017 to 2022 and to date in 2023; if funding for 2023 has been reduced; if so, the rationale for this; how this will affect the low-cost mental health counselling provided by the service; the alternative funding options available to the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22415/23]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

608. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 649 of 31 January 2023, if he will provide an update on the five pilot locations for out-of-hours CAMH services; where these five locations are; the breakdown of funding and staff per location; when these pilots will be in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22418/23]

Hospital Overcrowding

Pearse Doherty

609. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the overcrowding at Letterkenny University Hospital last week; if any plans are in place to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22422/23]

Qualifications Recognition

Róisín Shortall

610. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 179 of 26 April 2023, if nursing degrees obtained in India will meet the criteria for renewal of the general employment permit for healthcare assistants, given that the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland accepts these degrees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22430/23]

Qualifications Recognition

Róisín Shortall

611. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1769 of 18 April 2023, the date on which the nursing and midwifery policy unit will meet with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss concerns regarding the overseas aptitude test for general nursing; if he will attend this meeting or meet with the organisation separately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22431/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

612. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are still frontline workers who have not received the pandemic payment; the action a frontline healthcare worker should take if they believe they have not received a payment they were entitled to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22465/23]

Home Care Packages

Matt Carthy

613. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be provided with the home help support, already allocated, so that he can return home from nursing home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22502/23]

Healthcare Policy

Michael McNamara

614. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if mask-wearing in health facilities such as hospitals reduces transmission of Covid-19 and/or RSV; if he will outline any evidential basis for same; and if he will outline the rationale for the recent decision to no longer require the wearing of facemasks in such settings. [22523/23]

Patient Files

Niall Collins

615. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on patients’ access to genetic testing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22524/23]

Nursing Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

616. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the rate of payment made to private nursing homes, under the nursing home subvention scheme (fair deal), broken down by health region, in tabular form; the reason for the disparity in payments in each region, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22525/23]

Nursing Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

617. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the rate of payment made to HSE nursing homes under the nursing home subvention scheme, broken down by health region, in tabular form; the reason for the disparity in payments in each region, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22526/23]

Nursing Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

618. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a court challenge has been taken against the HSE, his Department, him or all three in relation to differentiated payments between private and HSE nursing homes under the nursing home subvention scheme (fair deal); if so, the stage this case is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22527/23]

Healthcare Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

619. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether there are discussions taking place about a new WHO international agreement that would oblige Ireland to follow a course set out by WHO in the event of another pandemic; whether it is intended to place any such agreement before Dáil Éireann for debate and ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22528/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

620. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to appoint a project team to manage the development of the three major proposed health projects on the Newcastle Road site of GUH, namely the emergency department, women and children project, the replacement laboratories project and the cancer care centre, to ensure a co-ordinated development of the site; whether it is intended to progress with these three projects as speedily as possible in view of the urgent requirement that all three proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22533/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Neasa Hourigan

621. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 170 of 9 February 2022, if the HSE is continuing with plans to relocate acute mental health care for the north Cork HSE catchment from unit 4 in St. Stephen’s Hospital to the Mercy University Hospital; if so, if he will provide a timeframe on this proposal; the clinical rationale for this, given that the Mercy Hospital is a longer distance from north Cork and will therefore involve additional challenges for visiting families; if there has been consultation with ground-level clinicians and family and service-user groups from north Cork on these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22537/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Neasa Hourigan

622. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 599 of 25 April 2023, the reason an initial €4 million costing of a rebuild of the Carraig Mór mental health facility in Cork, announced in May 2021, has since increased to €14 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22538/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Neasa Hourigan

623. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will consider establishing community mental health residences in Cobh and Youghal, as well as Midleton, to bring the combined Midleton/Youghal and Cobh/Glenville HSE sectors up to the recommended allocation of 30 residential placements per 100,000 population as set out in A Vision for Change and to bring east Cork in line with the north Cork HSE catchment which currently has 42 community residential placements spread across the towns of Fermoy, Mallow and Kanturk, serving a very similar population size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22539/23]

Nursing Homes

Rose Conway-Walsh

624. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of high-dependency places in the public nursing home sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22544/23]

Departmental Schemes

Seán Canney

625. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a person who has entered long-term care and who has agreed to rent out their home is assessed on the double for this income by having the rental income assessed and also the notional income by having the value of the house assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22550/23]

Health Services Staff

Michael Healy-Rae

626. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason there have been difficulties experienced by home support workers with the pay and expense system (details supplied); when the matters will be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22556/23]

Medical Cards

Duncan Smith

627. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the scheme for GP-only cards for households earning under €46,000 per year will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22577/23]

Mental Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

628. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the mental health supports available to those hoarding and support for decluttering, either through his Department or through the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22581/23]