Parliamentary questions

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

589. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be offered to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17440/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Peadar Tóibín

590. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if a surgical procedure can be expedited, given the circumstances (details supplied). [17441/24]

General Practitioner Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

591. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that approximately 15 retired GPs over the age of 72 unhesitatingly responded to the pleas of the HSE to remain in their posts, given the critical shortage of family doctors in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17445/24]

General Practitioner Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

592. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the appreciation of the State for the doctors who deferred retirement, giving up a good portion of a well-earned retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17446/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Michael Fitzmaurice

593. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the extraordinary situation where it seems to be the case that the primary care reimbursement service, despite contractual obligations, failed to contribute towards these doctors' pensions the agreed 15% of the doctors' monthly capitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17447/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Michael Fitzmaurice

594. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he is familiar with the strict investment rules, which has resulted in this group of doctors being denied a retirement lump sum and a pension sine die unless/until this matter can be resolved; if he will commit to rectifying this situation without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17448/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Jim O'Callaghan

595. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when it will be possible to increase the COSS eye exam fee payable to contractors to ensure parity with that payable for a similar exam under the Department of Social Protection's treatment (optical) benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17466/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pa Daly

596. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive botox injections into lower lumbar region as the person has been waiting for same over three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17468/24]

Medical Internships

Peadar Tóibín

597. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will give equal status to medical graduates who received funding from the State to study in Northern Ireland when applying for an internship programme within the HSE who are currently classed as tier 2 applicants; if he will review the current process for internship placement allocation to enable such graduates to continue speciality training and serve local communities on their return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17471/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Pearse Doherty

598. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a HSE reimbursement application was refused for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17472/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

599. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a diabetes taskforce to develop a National Diabetes Strategy; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17481/24]

Hospital Services

Catherine Connolly

600. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of any analysis carried out or commissioned by his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department into the number of hospital-based diabetes clinics in Ireland that currently meet the recommended staffing levels of multidisciplinary diabetes team members, including consultant endocrinologists, advanced nurse practitioners, diabetes nurse specialists, dietitians, psychologists; the steps being taken to ensure that recommended multidisciplinary diabetes staffing levels are met in all paediatric and adult diabetes clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17482/24]

Health Strategies

Noel Grealish

601. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when he will set up a Diabetes Taskforce of relevant stakeholders to develop a National Diabetes Strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17483/24]

Hospital Services

Noel Grealish

602. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health to provide the recommended staffing levels of multidisciplinary diabetes team members (consultant endocrinologists, advanced nurse practitioners, diabetes nurse specialists, dietitians, psychologists) per 100 patients for a paediatric diabetes clinic and an adult diabetes clinic; to provide information on the number of hospital-based diabetes clinics that meet these standards; which hospital-based diabetes clinics meet these standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17484/24]

Primary Care Centres

Patrick Costello

603. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he or his officials will meet with local residents’ groups in Drimnagh to discuss the timeline for construction of the Drimnagh primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17487/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Richard Bruton

604. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the most common technology aids provided under the medical appliances scheme offered by the HSE; the number sanctioned in each of the past three years; if an evaluation has been carried out on the effectiveness of such technologies to keep people independent in their own homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17498/24]

Public Sector Pay

Willie O'Dea

605. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will sanction the pay award recommended to senior health managers when Report 42 was issued and approved by the Government in 2007 and which has also been before the WRC/Labour Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17504/24]

Health Services Staff

Louise O'Reilly

606. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the impact of the recruitment embargo on cardiac services; the number of positions that cannot be filled; if services will be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17508/24]

Health Services Staff

Louise O'Reilly

607. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the impact of the recruitment embargo on stroke services; the number of positions that cannot be filled; if services will be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17509/24]

Medical Cards

Brendan Griffin

608. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if GP visit and medical card holders with underlying conditions should be charged for blood tests by their GPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17531/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Niamh Smyth

609. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review the case of a person (details supplied) and expedite surgery urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17544/24]

Public Sector Pay

Kathleen Funchion

610. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the reason Caredoc staff in County Carlow have not been listed by the HSE / KOSI for payment of the Section 39 payrises, despite being informed that they are Section 39 employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17570/24]

Patient Transport

Robert Troy

611. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if measures can be put in place to assist nursing home patients to attend hospital appointments where they can only be transported by ambulance as currently families are being faced with costs of up to €1,000 to engage an ambulance in such cases. [17578/24]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

612. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when the eating disorder outpatient facility is due to open in Mount Carmel; the operational capacity of this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17608/24]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

613. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the increased bed capacity for the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders; the funding allocated for eating disorder beds in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17609/24]

Hospital Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

614. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant respiratory medicine and respiratory medicine registrars based at Beaumont Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17622/24]

Departmental Data

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

615. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of public patients aged 40 years and younger diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17623/24]

Hospital Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

616. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant paediatric ENT surgeons working in the public health service; his plans to expand this number; the international recommended best practice ratio for paediatric ENT surgeons to population and current ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17624/24]

Hospital Staff

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

617. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant plastic surgeons based at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17625/24]

Health Services

Brian Stanley

618. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the provision of a hospice for the midlands region; to outline the level of funding available; and the approximate timeline for provision of the facility. [17633/24]

Cancer Services

Catherine Connolly

619. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of the promised new cancer care centre in Galway University Hospital; the timeline for the construction of the new centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17637/24]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

620. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Ireland currently screens newborn babies for fewer diseases than 75% of EU member states; if he is aware that only one new test has been delivered in the intervening years since the establishment of the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee in 2019; if he will agree to a comprehensive newborn screening programme that is adequately resourced and ensures that babies born in Ireland are screened for the EU average of 18 conditions at a minimum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17638/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Claire Kerrane

621. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology and the waiting times under primary care in counties Roscommon and Galway. [17654/24]

Mental Health Services

Claire Kerrane

622. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of services and supports currently available in a service (details supplied) for young people and for older people under psychiatry of later life; the operating days and times of these services; and the number of people being supported to date in all services.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17655/24]

Mental Health Services

Claire Kerrane

623. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if there are vacancies in a service (details supplied); if so, the length of time the vacancy has been there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17656/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Aindrias Moynihan

624. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health to outline what engagement has taken place with other Departments to discuss supports that can be made available to healthcare workers with long- Covid who are unable to return to employment; if discussion has taken place with the Department of Public Expenditure National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to extend the special scheme while new supports can be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17670/24]

Home Help Service

Louise O'Reilly

625. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of concerns raised by HSE home support service workers who fear the recruitment freeze in the health service is accelerating the privatisation of home support services; the steps he is taking to protect and grow HSE home support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17682/24]

Home Help Service

Louise O'Reilly

626. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that HSE home support service is not listed on hospital discharge forms, but private care companies are included as an option; the reason this is the case; and if he will ensure that the HSE home support service is listed. [17683/24]

Medical Cards

Seán Sherlock

627. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if a person in receipt of a medical card should be paying for Vitamin B12 injections in their local GP service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17685/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

628. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a new comprehensive newborn screening programme that is adequately resourced and ensures that babies born in Ireland are screened for the European average of 18 conditions at a minimum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17692/24]

Health Strategies

Mairéad Farrell

629. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to set up a diabetes taskforce of relevant stakeholders to develop a national diabetes strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17695/24]

Hospital Services

Mairéad Farrell

630. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health when he plans to provide the recommended staffing levels of multidisciplinary diabetes team members (consultant endocrinologists, advanced nurse practitioners, diabetes nurse specialists, dietitians, psychologists) per 100 patients for a paediatric diabetes clinic and an adult diabetes clinic; to provide details of the number of hospital-based diabetes clinics that meet these standards; the hospital-based diabetes clinics that meet these standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17696/24]

Health Strategies

Éamon Ó Cuív

631. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a “Diabetes Taskforce” of relevant stakeholders will be set up to develop a National Diabetes Strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17731/24]

Hospital Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

632. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when multidisciplinary diabetes team members consisting of consultant endocrinologists, advanced nurse practitioners, diabetes nurse specialists, dietitians, psychologists for both a paediatric diabetes clinic, and an adult diabetes clinic will be set up in each region as recommended; the number of hospital-based diabetes clinics that meet these standards at present and their location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17732/24]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Pearse Doherty

633. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Donegal (details supplied) will get sanctioned for funding from the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17739/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

634. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for vestibular physiotherapy at Tallaght University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17741/24]

Health Services

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

635. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the process for a disabled person to apply for a personal assistant through the HSE; if it is the same process in all CHO areas; what is the process for allocating hours to a person once a decision is made that a person qualifies for a personal assistant; if he will provide, in tabular form, a guide to the number of hours that can be allocated to a person based on their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17742/24]

Primary Care Services

Seán Canney

636. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the status of the audiology clinic in Tuam primary care centre, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17758/24]

Hospital Services

Thomas Pringle

637. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will agree to a request via email dated 15 April 2024 for a meeting from the Donegal branch of an organisation (details supplied) to discuss diabetes care at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17809/24]

Meals-on-Wheels Services

Joan Collins

638. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the funding provided by HSE to meals on wheels service providers in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17816/24]

Health Services Staff

Joan Collins

639. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time and part-time healthcare assistants employed by the HSE working in each health centre and primary care centre within CHO7 in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17818/24]

Meals-on-Wheels Services

Joan Collins

640. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of requests made to the HSE for a meals on wheels service for individuals via the public health nurse in 2023; and the percentage of those requests that were approved, in tabular form. [17819/24]

Hospital Services

Joan Collins

641. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant gastroenterologists and WTE gastroenterologist registrars based in St. James's Hospital in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17820/24]

Human Trafficking

Joan Collins

642. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff that have training in relation to human trafficking awareness or human trafficking indicators; the level to which this training has been provided; and if this training is provided on a regular basis. [17821/24]

Mental Health Services

Joan Collins

643. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE child and adolescent psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, social workers and nurses employed by CAMHS mental health intellectual disability within CHO7 in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17822/24]

Care Services

Joan Collins

644. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the capacity of each HSE-funded day care centre within CHO 7 as of 10 April 2024, in tabular form. [17823/24]

Care Services

Joan Collins

645. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the capacity of each HSE-funded respite centre within CHO7 as of 10 April 2024, in tabular form. [17824/24]

Hospital Admissions

Joan Collins

646. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of patients that have been admitted to CHI Crumlin and have been in the hospital for 28 or more continuous days in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [17825/24]

Childcare Services

Michael Healy-Rae

647. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17856/24]

Local Elections

Bríd Smith

648. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if a HSE worker who is currently employed at the grade of general dental surgeon: 1597, is eligible to run for local election; if there is a list of specific grades which are ‘designated by order of the Minister for Health and Children’; if so, to outline what they are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17857/24]

Law Reform Commission

Fergus O'Dowd

649. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to the recommendations made in the recent report by the Law Reform Commission on the need for the Government to establish a regulatory framework for adult safeguarding and to introduce the recommended necessary legislation and other fundamental changes necessary to protect vulnerable adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17865/24]

Health Services Staff

Danny Healy-Rae

650. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there are plans in place to have a specialist nurse in Kerry for the many people who have Parkinson's disease and at the very least need to have access to a nurse in their own county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17871/24]

Health Services Staff

Thomas Gould

651. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason subsistence payments to nursing students working under the Cope Foundation have not been paid. [17878/24]

Health Services Staff

Paul Murphy

652. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1408 of 20 March 2024, if the staff census is using all the CHO numbers, HSE employees only or non-HSE employees (details supplied). [17884/24]

Health Services Staff

Paul Murphy

653. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1408 of 20 March 2024, with the new breakdown, if he will instruct the HSE to clarify the reason the numbers are still not matching up; what parameters the staff census uses, i.e. CDNT exclusive or if they include hospitals and-or complex needs schools as well; if so, if the HSE will provide percentages for which portion is for CDNTs, and which portion is dedicated to each additional area (details supplied). [17885/24]

Health Services Staff

Paul Murphy

654. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1408 of 20 March 2024, the methodology the HSE used to come up with the figures they arrived at in the staff census for the different categories (details supplied). [17886/24]

Primary Care Centres

Michael Ring

655. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when the HSE became aware that construction work on the development of Ballyhaunis primary care centre was to come to a halt in 2021; the reasons cited for stopping works at that time; who communicated that information; how that information was relayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17889/24]

Primary Care Centres

Michael Ring

656. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the various completion dates for Ballyhaunis primary care centre that have been cited or provided to the HSE over the course of its development; when those dates were provided; who communicated that information; how that information was communicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17890/24]

Primary Care Centres

Michael Ring

657. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health what contractors the HSE has been in contact with or engaged with concerning the development of Ballyhaunis primary care centre; the details of those contacts and engagements; the dates of those contacts and engagements; the nature of those contacts and engagements; the details covered in those contacts and engagements; if the information could be provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17891/24]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Richard Boyd Barrett

658. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the services purchased by St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, under the national treatment purchase plan for the years 2021-2024; the breakdown of services purchased; the cost of these services, broken down by year and month, in tabular form. [17892/24]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Richard Boyd Barrett

659. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the services purchased by St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, under the national treatment purchase plan for the years 2021-2024; the breakdown of services purchased, the cost of these services, broken down by year and month, in tabular form. [17893/24]

Public Sector Pay

Danny Healy-Rae

660. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will give urgent attention to a serious issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17895/24]

Health Services

James Lawless

661. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17903/24]

Hospital Staff

Danny Healy-Rae

662. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17919/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

663. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a hospital procedure will be scheduled for a person (details supplied) who has been waiting for a number of years for same.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17929/24]

Substance Misuse

Pat Buckley

664. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 22 February 2024, if hexahydrocannabinol is defined as a psychoactive drug under existing legislation and relating schedules; if not, the steps he has taken to regulate the sale of the drug for human consumption, especially in circumstances where it may be purchased by minors or without any information regarding potential risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17930/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Michael Healy-Rae

665. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a battery pack for a wheelchair will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17934/24]

Regulatory Bodies

Steven Matthews

666. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health , further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 18 April 2024, if his attention has been drawn to delays in the establishment of a register of counsellors and psychotherapists by a group (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure this process is expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17937/24]

Departmental Data

Peadar Tóibín

667. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the incidence rate of shingles for those aged under 50 and over 50 years, respectively, for each of the past five years to date. [17942/24]

Meals-on-Wheels Services

John McGuinness

668. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of the meals-on-wheels service operated by the HSE in Kilmoganny, County Kilkenny; if each recipient of the service has been consulted on the changes being considered; if alternative arrangements are being made to accommodate those that need the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17945/24]

Health Services

Réada Cronin

669. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that, currently, Ireland screens newborn babies for fewer diseases than 75% of EU countries; if he is also aware that since the establishment of the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee in 2019, only one new test has been delivered in the intervening years; if he will agree to a comprehensive newborn screening programme that is adequately resourced and ensures that babies born here are screened for the EU average of 18 conditions at a minimum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17952/24]

Medicinal Products

David Cullinane

670. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason reimbursement support for Ozempic® (Semaglutide)  is only available to those with eligibility under the general medical services scheme or the long-term illness scheme, and is not available on the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17966/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Joe McHugh

671. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health the reason dermatology services at Letterkenny University Hospital and Sligo University Hospital have not been included as priority areas of focus in the national waiting list action plan, given the high proportion of patients waiting over 18 months, per the National Treatment Purchase Fund, for dermatology services in both hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17967/24]

Hospital Services

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

672. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with type 1 diabetes attending the adult diabetes service in Letterkenny University Hospital; the number waiting fewer than 12, between 12 and 24 and waiting more than 24 months for an endocrinology appointment; and the longest waiting time for an appointment. [17970/24]

Medicinal Products

Robert Troy

673. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the approval of fenfluramine for the treatment of dravet syndrome (details supplied). [17972/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bernard Durkan

674. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health whether any interim payment is available in the case of a person (details supplied) who is a HSE worker who contracted Covid on the frontline during the pandemic but has suffered with ill health ever since and currently has no income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17974/24]

Health Services

Róisín Shortall

675. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) regarding the lack of community rehabilitation and support services for stroke and heart failure patients; his plans to address the deficit in services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17978/24]

Medical Register

Róisín Shortall

676. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of radiation therapists registered by CORU in each of the years since 2017, in tabular form. [17979/24]

Medical Register

Róisín Shortall

677. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of people who applied to CORU for registration as a radiation therapist in each of the years since 2017, in tabular form; and the number whose applications were refused. [17980/24]

Medical Register

Róisín Shortall

678. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for registration as a radiation therapist currently with CORU; and the average wait time for a decision on applications. [17981/24]

Hospital Services

Thomas Pringle

679. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with type 2 diabetes who attend the adult diabetes service in Letterkenny University Hospital; the number of those who are waiting less than 12 months for an appointment; waiting between 12 and 24 months for an appointment; waiting more than 24 months for an appointment; the longest waiting time for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17983/24]

Medicinal Products

Robert Troy

680. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the funding of a fenfluramine for a child (details supplied) on compassionate grounds. [17985/24]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

681. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work of the myalgic encephalomyelitis working group established by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18001/24]

Patient Transport

Thomas Pringle

682. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of cuts to a vital service which is affecting patients with ongoing sight issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18003/24]

Care of the Elderly

Pauline Tully

683. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 610 of 29 November 2022, to provide an update regarding the boarding out scheme; and if his Department has considered this model of care in the context of its overall commitment to enhancing opportunities for older people to stay in their homes and communities for longer. [18005/24]

Nursing Homes

Alan Kelly

684. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when and how did the HSE contact HIQA to inform them they were not going to be applying for registration of the new Nenagh community nursing home in 2024. [18016/24]

Health Promotion

Cathal Crowe

685. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the reason there is currently no funding plan for a Healthy Food Made Easy programme in County Clare; the reason no facilitator is in place for the delivery of this programme in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18029/24]

Health Promotion

Cathal Crowe

686. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a social prescribers programme is operating in Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18030/24]

Hospital Staff

Aindrias Moynihan

687. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he can provide details of the current levels of staffing for Cork University Hospital's paediatric epilepsy services; the number of positions which are currently vacant; the number of recruitment processes which are underway (if any) to fill these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18031/24]

Dental Services

Cathal Crowe

688. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will outline plans his Department has to recruit dentists into the HSE dental service so that the huge backlog of children awaiting dental treatment in CHO3 can be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18032/24]