Parliamentary questions

Hospital Services

David Cullinane

547. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if spinal surgeries will continue to be carried out in Tallaght University Hospital going forward; how many surgeons are currently undertaking spinal fusions and spinal surgery in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32020/23]

Hospital Services

David Cullinane

548. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the current adult services available for spinal patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32021/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Cullinane

549. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of adults waiting on spinal fusion in this State and the time waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32022/23]

Hospital Services

David Cullinane

550. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline what clinical pathways are available for those transitioning from children spinal service to adult spinal services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32023/23]

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

David Cullinane

602. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the current organisational structure of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; the number and grade of staff in each directorate, including permanent, contract, agency or other staff, in tabular form; the number of external staff supports contracted to provide services to each Directorate, for example, project management staff, educational assessors, call centre staff, registration external overseas file reviewers and others; and the overall whole-time equivalent staff numbers for each of the years 2016 to 2022 and to date in 2023. [32302/23]

Nursing Education

David Cullinane

607. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the implementation status of each of the recommendations of the Short-Term Review of Clinical Placement Allowances for Student Nurses and Midwives and the Longer-Term Review: Matters relating to Student Nurses and Midwives, in tabular form. [32321/23]

Nursing Education

David Cullinane

608. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the €500 subsistence grant for supernumerary student nurses and midwives in years 1 to 3, backdated to the start of the 2022-2023 academic year, will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32326/23]

Pharmacy Services

David Cullinane

732. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has or will conduct a review of pharmacy dispensing fees and the extent of service provision by community pharmacists; if he has or will engage with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter; the dates on which he has or will engage with the organisation; if he will establish a review which encompasses the scope of services provided or which could be provided by community pharmacy; and if he will include scoping of a minor ailments or minor illness scheme in community pharmacy in the terms of reference of the review. [31193/23]

Pharmacy Services

David Cullinane

748. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to increase fees paid to pharmacists for dispensing medicines to a flat fee of €5, €5.50, €6 and €6.50 per item, in tabular form. [31273/23]

Pharmacy Services

David Cullinane

749. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated first year and full cost of implementing a minor ailments and illness scheme in community pharmacy. [31274/23]

Local Authorities

David Cullinane

258. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline what supports, financial or otherwise, are available for a person with a disability elected to a local authority, either by his Department or the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30383/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

David Cullinane

310. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the total capital spend at each level 4 hospital from 2016 to 2022, broken down by year and by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30325/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

David Cullinane

311. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline all capital projects to be either partially or fully funded by the HSE for primary, community and acute health services for Waterford into the future, as in plans submitted; what stage the project is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30326/23]

Nursing Homes

David Cullinane

313. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes operating in this State, broken down by publicly run HSE facilities, community nursing units, not-for-profit organisations and private providers, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30328/23]

Nursing Homes

David Cullinane

314. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes operating in this State as of 1 May 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, broken down by publicly run HSE facilities, community nursing units, not-for-profit organisations and private providers, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30329/23]

Nursing Homes

David Cullinane

315. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of registered nursing home beds in this State in 2019 and to date, further broken down by categories, that is, publicly run HSE facilities, community nursing units, not-for-profit organisations and private providers, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30330/23]

Nursing Homes

David Cullinane

316. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing NTPF funding to private nursing homes under the fair deal and nursing home support scheme by 10%, by 20% and by 30%, excluding any increase in contributions by residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30331/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

319. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated completion date and cost estimate for the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30334/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

320. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline all meetings attended by him in 2022 and 2023 relating to the NCH, listing each meeting, the location and the date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30335/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

321. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline all meetings attended by the assistant secretary responsible for health infrastructure in his Department in 2022 and 2023 relating to the NCH, listing each meeting, the location and the date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30336/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

322. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of design changes made to the national children's hospital since the original design; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30337/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

323. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm if talks on settling claims arising from the NCH between the contractor and a company (details supplied) ended without agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30338/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

324. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the nature of works carried out by a company (details supplied) for the NPHDB; the cost of such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30339/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

325. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the nature of works carried out by a company (details supplied) for CHI on the NCH; the cost of such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30340/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

326. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the nature of the works carried out by a company (details supplied) regarding the NCH; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30341/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

327. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of change orders given to a company (details supplied) regarding the NCH; to outline the nature of the change order, where the instruction came from and the date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30342/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

328. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if any element of the NCH was found not to be in compliance with HTM standards; if so, the nature of the failure in standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30343/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

329. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline how many directions were issued to BAM under clause 4.4.1 -1(a); the nature of the direction; the date the direction was issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30344/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

330. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the nature of the work carried out by architects (details supplied) regarding the NCH; the cost of such works to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30345/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

331. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the nature of the work carried out by HAON re the NCH; the cost of such works to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30346/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

332. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the nature of the work carried out by Mercury re the NCH; the cost of such works to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30347/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

333. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the nature of the work carried out by a company (details supplied) re the NCH; the cost of such works to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30348/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

334. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the details of any correspondence between a company (details supplied) and BAM representatives in December 2022; the nature of the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30349/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

335. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of meetings held by the NPHDP from 2022 to date; the time and location of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30350/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

336. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of meetings of the Design Sub Committee (DSC) of the NPHDP from 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30351/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

337. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of meetings of the Design Sub Committee (DSC) of the NPHDP where reports from STS were discussed; the time, date and location of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30352/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

338. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of meetings of the Design Sub Committee (DSC) of the NPHDP where directions issued to BAM under clause 4.4.1 -1(a) were discussed; the time, date and location of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30353/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

339. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of claims made by BAM on behalf of other contractors employed by the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30354/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

340. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the current estimated capital investment requirement for the NPH project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30355/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

341. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the current cost savings not achieved regarding the NCH; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30356/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

342. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the current design team fees for the NCH; to further outline who the fees are payable to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30357/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

343. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of design engineers employed or contracted for the NCH; the names of the design engineers, as in the company; the amount paid to date to each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30358/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

344. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline all conditions attached to the guaranteed maximum price agreed between the NPHDB and BAM; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30359/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

345. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of quantity surveyors employed or contracted for the NCH; the names of the companies involved; the amount paid to date to each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30360/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

346. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline all costs as a consequence of underestimation re the NCH; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30361/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

347. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline all provisional sums made re the NCH; the total provisional sum amount, broken down individually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30362/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

348. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of claims made re the NCH that relate to schedule adherence or slippage against the agreed schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30363/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

349. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline if a project assurance strategy exists re the NCH; when it was put in place; the scope of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30364/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

350. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline any review made regarding the scope and responsibilities of the advisory firms that constitute the design team of the NCH; the nature of the reviews; the dates the reviews were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30365/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

David Cullinane

351. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the full revenue and capital cost of the last community nursing unit built and completed; the date it was opened, the number of beds, the number of staff employed in the unit; the length of time it took from design to completion; the revenue and capital funding allocated each year to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30366/23]

Community Care

David Cullinane

352. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average weekly cost of contracting a community step-down or recovery bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30367/23]

Community Care

David Cullinane

353. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the different types of community beds contracted by the HSE, broken down by bed type, the number of beds contracted by bed type, the average weekly cost by type, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30368/23]

Hospital Admissions

David Cullinane

354. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is considering a centralised referral system for patients referred into acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30369/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Cullinane

355. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children with scoliosis waiting for surgery on 1 May 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30370/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Cullinane

356. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children with spina bifida waiting for surgery on 1 May 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30371/23]

Health Services Staff

David Cullinane

357. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will consider hiring directly employed GPs, the work that has been carried out in his Department to progress this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30372/23]

Health Services Staff

David Cullinane

358. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of salaried or directly hired GPs working for the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30373/23]

Health Services Staff

David Cullinane

359. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of salaried or directly hired GPs hired by the HSE from 2014 to date, broken down by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30374/23]

Medical Cards

David Cullinane

360. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline what additional funds were made available to GPs in budget 2023 to assist in delivering additional GP-only cards; how that money was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30375/23]

Medical Cards

David Cullinane

361. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the promised extension of GP-only cards, as announced in budget 2023, will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30376/23]

Departmental Budgets

David Cullinane

362. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline any cost-saving measures identified in health in budgets from 2016 to date; the amount of money saved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30377/23]

Medical Cards

David Cullinane

363. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline all secondary non-health benefits associated with having a full medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30378/23]

Nursing Homes

David Cullinane

364. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline, in tabular form, the cost of increasing funding to the NTPF to ensure a 10%, 20% and 30% increase in the fair deal and nursing home support scheme above current funding, broken down by public, private and voluntary providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30379/23]

Nursing Homes

David Cullinane

365. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline how the pricing mechanism works to determine the fair deal rate for nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30380/23]

Nursing Homes

David Cullinane

366. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline, in tabular form, the average weekly cost of care in HSE nursing homes; the average weekly cost of care in private or voluntary nursing homes; the percentage differential between the average weekly cost of public versus private-voluntary homes, further broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30381/23]

Nursing Homes

David Cullinane

367. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of public, private or voluntary nursing homes that have closed since 2016; the number of beds per home lost, further broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30382/23]

Medicinal Products

David Cullinane

368. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health who is responsible for tracking availability of medicines, issuing warnings if there are shortages and monitoring supply of medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30384/23]

Medicinal Products

David Cullinane

369. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health who reports to him regarding medicine shortages; what reports of shortages he received in 2022 and to date in 2023; to outline the nature and date of the reporting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30385/23]

Medicinal Products

David Cullinane

370. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is considering the introduction of a serious shortage protocol regarding medicine supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30386/23]

Public Sector Pay

David Cullinane

371. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is considering increasing fees for pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30387/23]

Public Sector Pay

David Cullinane

372. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is considering a new contract for optometrists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30388/23]

Health Strategies

David Cullinane

373. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will develop a population-wide strategy for ear and hearing care in the Irish population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30389/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

David Cullinane

374. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health in tabular form, the capital funding allocated to each level 3 and level 4 hospital from 2016 to date, broken down by year, by hospital, and by hospital group; if he will itemise each capital allocation provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30390/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

David Cullinane

375. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the changes that have been introduced to speed up delivery of capital projects in healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30391/23]

Departmental Expenditure

David Cullinane

376. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to provide, in tabular form, the amounts spent by the HSE and-or each individual hospital and his Department and management consultancy for the years 2016 to date, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30392/23]

Health Strategies

David Cullinane

377. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline, in tabular form, all health strategies in place; the total funding provided to each strategy from 2016 to date, broken down by each strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30393/23]

Disability Services

David Cullinane

162. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hours, per discipline, required by the caseload in respect to children with disabilities, including neurodivergent children, under care or awaiting diagnosis from primary care in CHO 4. [29956/23]

Medical Qualifications

David Cullinane

188. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the regulation of athletic therapists with CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29954/23]

Hospital Staff

David Cullinane

189. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-term equivalent tracheotomy nurses in paediatric orthopaedics in Cork University Hospital; and the number of tracheotomy nurses available in CUH. [29955/23]

Ambulance Service

David Cullinane

190. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average response time for an ambulance from each base in County Sligo in 2022 and for the first four months of 2023, in tabular form. [29957/23]

Care Services

David Cullinane

191. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a home support waiting list for funding and for a carer in CHO 6, in tabular form. [29958/23]

Emergency Departments

David Cullinane

192. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who presented at the emergency department at Mercy University Hospital in the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [29959/23]

Emergency Departments

David Cullinane

193. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of resuscitation suites in the emergency department of Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29960/23]

Care Services

David Cullinane

194. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when day care services will resume in west Sligo and at the day care centre in Easkey; if there are plans to resume a five-day service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29964/23]

Hospital Staff

David Cullinane

195. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE respiratory nurses working in Galway University Hospital in the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [29965/23]

Hospital Staff

David Cullinane

196. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE speech and language therapists and occupational therapists working out of University Hospital Kerry in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [29966/23]

Hospital Staff

David Cullinane

197. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ENT surgeons at Tullamore regional hospital in the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [29967/23]

Hospital Staff

David Cullinane

198. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant orthopaedic surgeons and orthopaedic registrars working in Roscommon University Hospital in the years 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [29968/23]

Medicinal Products

David Cullinane

199. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has explored the possibility of recognising a product (details supplied) as medical treatment under the drugs payment scheme, instead of a food supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29969/23]

Health Service Executive

David Cullinane

1157. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has not published a Performance Profile or Management Data Report since its September 2022 publications; if he can provide both the Performance Profile and Management Data Report for the most recently available quarterly and monthly periods respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27482/23]

Departmental Data

David Cullinane

1158. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and details of all approved consultant posts by discipline, speciality, and clinical site grouped and totalled by Hospital Group/CHO respectively providing the numbers filled listed on each of the following basis as permanent, temporary, locum or agency basis; the total number of vacant consultant posts (including those vacant and newly created and currently under recruitment) similarly grouped as above, in tabular form; the length of time the vacant posts have remained vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27483/23]

Living Wage

David Cullinane

1179. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of delivering a living wage for home care workers; and the estimated cost of providing for mileage expenses. [27690/23]

Health Services Staff

David Cullinane

1181. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a company (details supplied) has submitted a claim for its employees providing cleaning and support services at University Hospital Waterford, as the employees are unable to get a definitive reply from the employer. [27717/23]

Vaccination Programme

David Cullinane

1234. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the progress made to establish if a vaccine compensation scheme will be established in view of the urgent recommendations made in the Expert Group Report to Review the Law of Torts and the Current Systems for the Management of Clinical Negligence Claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28089/23]

Health Services

David Cullinane

1. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to enable seven-day rostering across the health service; his plans to address the workforce requirements to enable this while achieving safe staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26968/23]

Emergency Departments

David Cullinane

3. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when he will publish a multi-annual plan to resolve the crisis in emergency departments; when he will publish full details of all elective centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26973/23]

Health Strategies

David Cullinane

54. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a national hearing strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26720/23]

National Children's Hospital

David Cullinane

63. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the commencement of services at the new National Children's Hospital; the estimated costs and target completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26721/23]

Health Services Staff

David Cullinane

64. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when CORU will complete the regulation of allied health and social care professions, such as, but not limited to, psychologists, in line with its statutory obligations. [26722/23]

Dental Services

David Cullinane

68. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to bring forward new professional regulations for the dental profession in line with the requests of their representative body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26719/23]