Tom Brabazon
Question:814. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health when she expects the new surgical hub planned for north Dublin to be operational. [14001/25]
View answerHealthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (814)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Questions (815)
Tom Brabazon
Question:815. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE nurses, by grade, working in Raheny community nursing unit, Dublin 5, in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [14002/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Questions (816)
Tom Brabazon
Question:816. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE HSE staff, by job title, working in Coolock, Kilbarrack and Tonlegee Road primary care centres, Dublin 5, as of 19 March 2025, in tabular form. [14003/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Charges
Questions (817)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:817. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health her plans to fulfil the Programme for Government committee to explore further ways to reduce hospital car parking charges. [14005/25]
View answerWritten answers
Hospitals that charge car parking fees are very aware of the financial implications of those costs for patients and their families.
Consequently, the majority of hospitals have some form of exemption or concession in place, such as the option of flexible day passes or multi-trip entry passes for regular hospital attenders, or concessions based on the type of inpatient. Furthermore, all hospitals that charge for parking have a fixed maximum daily rate in place.
The Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future, makes a commitment to explore further ways to reduce hospital car parking charges. This is a reflection of the Government’s appreciation of the financial challenge that can be faced by people in meeting these expenses, in particular where they are frequent users of hospital services. Accordingly, my Department and the HSE are currently examining the issue.
Abortion Services
Questions (818)
Michael Collins
Question:818. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health for an update on the work to date of the National Termination of Pregnancy Service Improvement Group; how many times the group has met since its establishment; full details of membership of the group and their qualifications; the minutes of meetings of the group to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14029/25]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, we have referred it to the HSE for direct reply.
Mental Health Services
Questions (819)
Sorca Clarke
Question:819. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health why the primary care services psychology referral list for children is not collated by specific learning disability; and if her Department will consider doing so. [14031/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Questions (820)
Sorca Clarke
Question:820. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the last five years under the age of 50. [14036/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Cancer Services
Questions (821)
Sorca Clarke
Question:821. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if she will consider lowering the age whereby women can get a free breast scan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14037/25]
View answerWritten answers
I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme, currently invites women aged 50 to 69 years at regular periods to have a mammogram. The current Programme for Government also commits to further extend the BreastCheck programme.
I am intent on advancing cancer screening commitments outlined in the Programme for Government, which will be facilitated through established protocols. The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that considers proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes. NSAC assesses the evidence in a robust and transparent manner and against internationally accepted criteria, before making recommendations to myself as Minister for Health. The rigorous processes utilised by NSAC are critical to ensure that our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
In this regard, I am pleased to report that NSAC is progressing work to consider the further expansion of our cancer screening programmes and has submitted a request to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), which has a section dedicated to undertaking evidence synthesises on behalf of NSAC, to consider the evidence for a further expansion of the age range eligibility for the BreastCheck programme.
HIQA is currently focused on two Health Technology Assessment (HTA) processes underway to examine the expansion of the BowelScreen programme and the potential development of a population-based screening programme for Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA). Reports are expected to be submitted to NSAC for consideration later this year and I will receive a recommendation from the Committee shortly afterwards. The evidence review for the expansion of the BreastCheck programme remains a key priority for NSAC and is expected to commence once the ongoing HTAs have concluded.
HTAs facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multi-disciplinary assessment of the clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology. They are time intensive and rigorous processes.
Significant investment continues to be made in our national screening programmes. This includes allocating an additional €2.9 million in full-year costs to BreastCheck for 2025. This funding will help to future-proof the programme, allowing for increased capacity and enabling service developments to meet women's evolving needs and ensure equitable access across the entire population.
Finally, I would like to emphasise that population-based screening programmes are for people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact a medical professional.
Home Care Packages
Questions (822)
Pádraig Rice
Question:822. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for home support in each CHO for longer than one month, three months, longer six months and twelve months, in tabular form. [14038/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Social Media
Questions (823)
Gary Gannon
Question:823. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the percentage of social media video accessible, such as providing the information or activities posted on each of her Department’s social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under its remit, including closed captioning and subtitling and Irish Sign Language translations, between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, inclusive. [14054/25]
View answerWritten answers
Please see below for a table outlining the requested information for 1 January 2024 - 31 December 2024.
|
Platform |
Number of videos |
% Subtitled/Captioned |
% ISL Translated |
|
YouTube |
42 |
79% |
0% |
|
|
137 |
100% |
0% |
|
|
137 |
100% |
0% |
|
X (formally Twitter) |
110 |
100% |
0% |
|
|
137 |
100% |
0% |
The Department of Health is committed to maximising the accessibility of all content in order to inform all members of the public about health policy and how it impacts them. The Department uses the National Disability Authority Communication Toolkit for Public Service as a guide on best practice.
Links shared by the Department of Health on social media direct to the Department's website, gov.ie/health, which is consistently updated, with reliable, useful information available in both English and Irish.
Information in respect of the other bodies under the aegis of the Department, including the Health Service Executive (HSE), is an operational matter for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (824)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:824. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health why it is taking so long for a person (details supplied) to get an endoscopy appointment to offer a diagnose for her condition. [14066/25]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (825)
David Cullinane
Question:825. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health 1159. how many physicians associates are currently employed in public and private hospitals across the State. [14068/25]
View answerWritten answers
This PQ has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as it relates to an operational matter.
Hospital Staff
Questions (826)
David Cullinane
Question:826. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health how many physicians associates were employed in public and private hospitals annually since 2019. [14069/25]
View answerWritten answers
This PQ has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as it relates to an operational matter.
Medical Qualifications
Questions (827)
David Cullinane
Question:827. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health how many HSE scholarships / bursaries were granted to students to undertake a physicians associate studies programme annually since 2017. [14070/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
Hospital Staff
Questions (828)
David Cullinane
Question:828. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the HSE recruitment embargo applies to the recruitment of physicians associates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14071/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (829)
David Cullinane
Question:829. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the independent assessment of the physicians associate role, as referred to in the HSE National Service Plan 2025, has commenced; if the independent assessor has been appointed; who the independent assessor is if they have been appointed; how long she anticipates the review to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14072/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (830)
Claire Kerrane
Question:830. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she intends to remove maintenance payments from the assessment of means for a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14074/25]
View answerWritten answers
Eligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. Detailed guidelines are available at: Assessment for a medical card - HSE.ie.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. The weekly gross medical card income thresholds for people aged 70 and over are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department keeps medical card issues under review in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs. Over the course of 2025, we will review the existing eligibility framework to clearly assess what is working well and to inform future policy proposals regarding the eligibility framework based on robust evidence. This is an important step towards delivering on universal healthcare in Ireland.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (831)
Niamh Smyth
Question:831. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a surgery appointment can be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14083/25]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Burial Grounds
Questions (832)
Colm Burke
Question:832. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if an audit has been carried out by her Department and the HSE to identify all of the burial grounds which are in the ownership or under their control, and which said grounds were used for the burial of persons from mental health facilities, mother and baby homes, industrial schools, and other institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14084/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Burial Grounds
Questions (833)
Colm Burke
Question:833. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the burial grounds which are under the control of her Department and the HSE, by county and which were previously managed by the local health authorities or the health boards, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14085/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Burial Grounds
Questions (834)
Colm Burke
Question:834. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the details of the process in place throughout each of the HSE areas in respect of the management and maintenance of burial grounds which are in their ownership or under their control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14086/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.