Parliamentary questions

Hospital Services

Frankie Feighan

1431. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Health if he will approve funding for the upgrade of audiology services at Sligo University Hospital which are in urgent need of funding for new equipment and the upgrade of clinic rooms (details supplied). [14549/24]

Hospital Closures

Mark Ward

1432. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if any additional units within Cherry Orchard Hospital will be closing over the next 12 months, given that the willow, sycamore and lisbrí units are closing; the plans for the remaining open units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14563/24]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

1433. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in respect of multidisciplinary meetings at St. James’s Hospital, how the oversight of the National Clinical Guidelines No. 19 August 2019 on oesophageal cancer is conducted; if any independent review is conducted; and if so, if this review is published. [14566/24]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

1434. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health in respect of multidisciplinary meetings at St. James’s Hospital with those deemed unfit over 70 years to undergo treatment through radiotherapy or chemotherapy how is this assessed; how this is communicated to the patient; and if protocols are in place to regulate how patients are informed they are unfit for treatment due to age, from each of the conferences held at St. James’s Hospital. [14567/24]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

1435. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health in respect of multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) at S.t James’s Hospital how oversight is ensured for the application of the ethical treatment of the elderly in census decisions; if there is any independent review; and if there are any publications to demonstrate analyses of ethical treatment for the elderly by MDMs in decision making. [14568/24]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

1436. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health in respect of multidisciplinary meetings at St. James’s Hospital, if it is normal procedure to inform patients their cancer cannot be treated and need palliative care by letter; and what specific protocols are in place to prevent this from occurring. [14569/24]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

1437. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health in respect of multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) at St. James’s Hospital and the gastrointestinal conference and a census decision on a patient, how dissenting opinions or views are acknowledged; and if patients are informed of these opinions. [14570/24]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

1438. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health in respect of multidisciplinary meetings at St. James’s Hospital, how the oversight is conducted of the ethical guidelines of the Medical Council; and how is this reported. [14571/24]

Health Services Staff

Pearse Doherty

1439. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available to provide for a dedicated consultant neurologist at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14574/24]

Ambulance Service

Peadar Tóibín

1440. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if there will be a recruitment process within the National Ambulance Service this year for paramedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14577/24]

Health Service Executive

Michael Healy-Rae

1441. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14587/24]

Mental Health Services

Michael Healy-Rae

1442. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to CAMHS in south Kerry, the scheme is going to be expanded to ensure all children in Kerry who receive apologies for deficits in care, will be entitled to join the south Kerry compensation scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14591/24]

Departmental Reviews

Michael Healy-Rae

1443. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will review the files of all patients that came under the care of the consultant in north Kerry under the CAMHS review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14592/24]

Departmental Reviews

Michael Healy-Rae

1444. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a review (details supplied) will be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14593/24]

Departmental Reviews

Michael Healy-Rae

1445. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health how many files are expected to be reviewed in phase 2 of the north Kerry CAMHS lookback review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14594/24]

Departmental Reviews

Michael Healy-Rae

1446. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the decision is made to review all north Kerry files since the consultant began treating patients; if the review will be in the form of the extensive Maskey review; if not, if it will be carried out in blocks of 300 files; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14597/24]

Departmental Reviews

Michael Healy-Rae

1447. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the review of the north Kerry CAMHS taking so long; when it is expected to be concluded (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14598/24]

Departmental Reviews

Michael Healy-Rae

1448. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) was asked to undertake the north Kerry CAMHS review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14599/24]

Departmental Data

Carol Nolan

1449. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health how many payments of the initial €150 were made in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, by termination of pregnancy provider; how many payments of the final €300 were made in these years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14600/24]

National Children's Hospital

Catherine Murphy

1450. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number issues identified in the non-conforming report close out plan for the new national children’s hospital; the costs associated in full, with each issue identified; the status of same as of 26 March 2024; and if any issues have been disputed by the contractor (details supplied). [14602/24]

Domestic Violence

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1451. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health what discussion his Department has had with the HSE and Carlow County Council and the Minister for Justice regarding the provision of a building or a site for a women's refuge in Carlow; if the provision of a safe house has been secured in an interim measure; if his Department is aware of how many safe houses are available in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14608/24]

Departmental Data

Mattie McGrath

1452. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current primary care waitlists for children under 18 years in CHO5, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14633/24]

Hospital Facilities

Rose Conway-Walsh

1453. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to expediting the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14634/24]

Medical Internships

Niamh Smyth

1454. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review further correspondence from a doctor (details supplied) on an issue; if he will address the points outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14640/24]

Home Help Service

Willie O'Dea

1455. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if extra home help hours will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14648/24]

Healthcare Policy

Paul Murphy

1456. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if one parent or guardian objects to therapy for a child, if this means that the child is not permitted to see a therapist; if so, if the Minister will consider issuing a guideline similar to the UK's National Health Service, NHS, that is where the consent of only one parent is necessary (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14658/24]

Healthcare Policy

John Lahart

1457. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to the regulation and registration of counsellor and psychotherapy professionals, he will outline the latest position and development, which has been ongoing for many years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14670/24]

Hospital Staff

Alan Dillon

1458. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health what steps are being taken to expedite the appointment of six shift leaders at the intensive care unit of Mayo University Hospital, in line with the HSE's national clinical programme for adult critical care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14671/24]

Hospital Staff

Alan Dillon

1459. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the reason Mayo University Hospital currently does not have approval to recruit ICU shift leads, despite the critical role they play in ensuring patient safety, quality of care and safe staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14672/24]

Hospital Staff

Alan Dillon

1460. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to ensure that Mayo University Hospital is not an outlier compared with hospitals in Sligo, Letterkenny, and Galway, which have shift lead staff in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14673/24]

Hospital Staff

Alan Dillon

1461. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the timeline for resolving the issue relating to the appointment of six shift leaders at the intensive care unit of Mayo University Hospital and ensuring the safe running of its ICU department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14674/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Michael Ring

1462. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE will not provide specialised footwear to a person (details supplied), in view of the fact that they will be 70 years old in October and the provision of insoles is completely inadequate in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14690/24]

Disease Management

Bríd Smith

1463. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the long waiting lists to access the HIV preventative drug PrEP for those who cannot afford to obtain it privately or via the drug payment scheme; if there are plans to improve public access; if so, if he will outline these plans and provide a timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14691/24]

Health Services

Niamh Smyth

1464. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review a case (details supplied); if he will provide an update on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14698/24]

Health Services Staff

Holly Cairns

1465. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the appointment of a consultant neurologist in Bantry Hospital; and if so, the estimated timeline for this appointment. [14701/24]

Hospital Services

Holly Cairns

1466. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issues faced by Bantry Hospital in regard to its neurological services (details supplied); and to outline the measures he and his Department are taking to ensure reliable neurological services are provided to West Cork. [14702/24]

Health Service Executive

Rose Conway-Walsh

1467. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will publish its 2024 capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14704/24]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Richard Bruton

1468. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the NTPF has set out an activity plan for 2024 setting out the outpatient appointments, inpatient procedures and diagnostic evaluations and scopes that will be carried out in the course of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14708/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Mark Ward

1469. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason a person who was previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but is now diagnosed with type 1 diabetes cannot receive a continuous glucose monitor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14710/24]

Departmental Funding

Neasa Hourigan

1470. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the additional development funding allocated to each of the national clinical programmes in mental health in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14743/24]

Mental Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

1471. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the mother-and-baby inpatient perinatal mental health unit will be in place in quarter 4 of 2024, as outlined in Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan; when it is expected to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14744/24]

Departmental Funding

Neasa Hourigan

1472. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline an itemised list of funding allocated to mental health services in the voluntary and community sector, both section 38 and section 39 organisations, in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14745/24]

Health Strategies

Neasa Hourigan

1473. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the status of the Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan; which of the 100 recommendations are delayed and the reasons for those delays, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14746/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Maurice Quinlivan

1474. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a child (details supplied) who, having been referred by his or her GP in February 2023 to the paediatric clinic at University Hospital Limerick, is yet to receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14747/24]

Abortion Services

Carol Nolan

1475. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE collects data on the incidence rate at national or CHO area level of women who obtained a medical abortion and who were subsequently found to have had an ectopic pregnancy; if so, will he seek to provide that data for the years 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14749/24]

Disability Services

Niamh Smyth

1476. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence (details supplied); the status of this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14755/24]

Health Services

Niamh Smyth

1477. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (detail supplied) will be reviewed; if advice will be provided regarding the person's condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14756/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Jennifer Whitmore

1478. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the long wait times for transgender adults wishing to access gender-affirming healthcare through the National Gender Service at Loughlinstown; if increased funding and resources have been allocated to clear the current ten-year backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14759/24]

Medical Cards

Michael Lowry

1479. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reason the English version of the medical card application form is currently not available for download from the Health Service Executive (HSE) website and checked on 24, 25. 26 and 27 March 2024; the reason these forms were unavailable on these dates (details supplied); the measures that are being taken to ensure the availability of these forms in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14766/24]

Medical Cards

Michael Lowry

1480. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the process for online applications for medical cards (details supplied); if the HSE will make arrangements to provide an option to have these documents printed by the HSE and then have them posted to the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14767/24]