Written Answers Nos. 567-588
567. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the cost of installing bike shelters at a hospital (details supplied), including the date of installation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52999/25]
View answer568. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the cost of installing bike shelters at a hospital (details supplied), including the date of installation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53000/25]
View answer569. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the cost of installing bike shelters at a hospital (details supplied), including the date of installation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53001/25]
View answer571. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the cost of installing bike shelters at a hospital (details supplied), including the date of installation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53003/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 567 to 569, inclusive, and 571 together.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
570. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the cost of installing bike shelters at a hospital (details supplied), including the date of installation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53002/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
572. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the cost of installing bike shelters at a hospital (details supplied), including the date of installation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53004/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
573. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [53005/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
574. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health for an update on what section within the HSE is responsible for the purchase and evaluation of insulin delivery systems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53015/25]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
575. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health to outline the evaluation process for insulin delivery systems within the HSE to ensure the best possible product is made available to each patient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53016/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
576. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health for an update on a project (details supplied); what is the timeframe for finalising it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53017/25]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) Capital & Estates, in collaboration with the National Ambulance Service (NAS), have identified and agreed on a suitable facility for use as a NAS ambulance base, and are in the process of securing approval to purchase same, subject to planning approval being obtained.
This facility will require a Capital Investment to fit it out as a purpose-built Ambulance Base.
The NAS and HSE Capital and Estates have completed the necessary documentation to facilitate the progression of this project in Q4 2025.
The HSE is working to appoint a design team in Q4 2025, with the aim of developing and submitting a planning application in early 2026 to progress this project.
577. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting lists for paediatric hip surgeries at CHI in Crumlin over the past five years; the average waiting time for children waiting for paediatric hip surgeries at CHI in Crumlin over the past five years; the number of cancelled appointments paediatric hip surgeries at CHI in Crumlin over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53018/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
578. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health for an update on the status of Mullinavat Health Centre, County Kilkenny; to confirm the capital works that are in the pipeline for this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53027/25]
View answerWe have been advised by HSE that they currently carrying out some planned remedial works at Mullinavat Health Centre. These refurbishment works are being funded through minor capital and being managed by the Maintenance Department in University Hospital Waterford. These works include:
• Vinyl floor replacement.
• External windows and doors.
• Cavity wall insulation.
• Attic insulation.
• Fascia and soffit repairs.
• Internal painting and decorating.
These works are expected to be completed in Q4 2025.
579. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health if legislation is being considered, similar to that set to be introduced in the UK, that will create a smoke-free generation by banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53039/25]
View answerLast year the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2024 was enacted. Under this law, Ireland became the first country in the EU to raise its minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products to 21. The measure will come into effect on 1 February 2028.
Our national tobacco control policy, Tobacco Free Ireland,is currently being reviewed. One of the central goals will be to set out a pathway to end the epidemic of smoking-related harm in Ireland. All measures to fulfil these objectives will be considered, including a generational ban.
580. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health if the forthcoming Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine-Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill will prohibit all e-liquid flavours, bar tobacco, or will other flavours be permitted under the new legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53040/25]
View answerThe proposed Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill will introduce restrictions on the flavours and descriptors for nicotine inhaling products, by regulating the flavour names which can be used.
The General Scheme which set out the policy intentions for this Bill was approved by Government in September 2024. As per the General Scheme, the intention is that 'tobacco' will be the only flavour name which can be used.
The proposals include a review structure to monitor the impact of any restrictions on e-cigarette use and smoking among both young people and adults, as well as provisions to amend the list of allowed flavours as new evidence presents.
581. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if she will consider the matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53041/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
582. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will examine the case of a child (details supplied), with spina bifida and autism, whose occupational therapist recommended and fitted her for a specialised car seat to ensure her safety during travel, but whose application for HSE funding for this equipment has been refused; if she will outline the policy and criteria used by the HSE in respect of funding essential specialist equipment for children with complex needs; and if she will make provision in this case given the particular safety concerns and the family’s financial circumstances. [53042/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
583. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Health her plans to update the long-term illness scheme to include asthma or eosinophilic asthma; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53045/25]
View answer627. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if she will amend legislation so that the long-term illness scheme will include ME; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53321/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 583 and 627 together.
The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions to be covered by the Scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
The issue of granting medical card eligibility based on having a particular disability or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the DPS threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
584. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health for an urgent update on the business case that has been submitted for an optometrist in South Tipperary; to provide details on when this was submitted; the reason for the delay in approving this post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53048/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
585. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of candidates that applied for the consultant ophthalmologist post in South Tipperary; the number of candidates placed on a panel for this position; the reason a new recruitment campaign must now be completed; the reason the next candidate cannot be selected from the panel; if this recruitment campaign will be fast tracked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53049/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
586. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children from South Tipperary who have been given appointments with the ophthalmology services via the University Hospital Waterford ophthalmology department; the waiting times for children’s ophthalmology appointments in Waterford for patients from South Tipperary; the criteria used for patients from South Tipperary to be seen by the ophthalmology department in Waterford; if patients will be reimbursed for private eye care where they cannot access an appointment with ophthalmology services in south Tipperary and Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53050/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
587. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the training and recruiting of therapy assistants by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53058/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
588. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health when individuals on the HSE recruitment panel for chiropodist (podiatrist) staff grade, established following interviews held in July 2025, will be called for appointment. [53074/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
