Written Answers Nos. 560-578
560. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the proportion of emergency department clinical hours delivered by agency or locum staff, by staff category, in each acute public hospital, for each year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [3156/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
561. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department consultant posts vacant for more than six months and more than twelve months in each acute public hospital at the end of each year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [3157/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
562. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average and median staffing levels per emergency department shift, by staff category, in each acute public hospital; and the way in which these compare with recommended staffing levels, for each year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [3158/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
563. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure on agency and locum staffing in intensive care units in each acute public hospital, broken down by staff category, for each year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [3159/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
564. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the proportion of ICU nursing and medical shifts covered by agency or locum staff in each acute public hospital, for each year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [3160/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
565. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of intensive care beds that could not be opened or were temporarily closed due to staffing shortages in each acute public hospital, for each year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [3161/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
566. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the staffing ratios (staff per bed and staff per attendance where applicable) for emergency departments, trauma services and intensive care units in each acute public hospital; and the national average for each service, for each year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [3162/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
567. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the spend on permanent staffing and on temporary staffing (excluding agency), and on agency staffing for each hospital, and for each emergency department or trauma service, by region, by hospital, in tabular form. [3163/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
568. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of cancer patients on waiting lists for cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, by hospital, in tabular form. [3179/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
569. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the dental screening programme for primary school students; the level of uptake; to outline any regional variation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3190/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
570. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for access to an initial assessment for psychological therapy through primary care in Fingal east; the waiting times for access to psychological therapy interventions through primary care in Fingal east; the waiting times for access to secondary/tertiary services for psychological therapy in Fingal east for individuals deemed to have severe mental health conditions; the waiting times for access to CAMHs for residents of Fingal east; the waiting times for access to assessment of need for children in Fingal east; and the waiting time for access to occupational therapy and SLT through CDNT in Fingal east. [3222/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
571. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health to ensure that an organisation (details supplied) has adequate funding. [3224/26]
View answerFoetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable, neuro-developmental disorder. FASD is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and can lead to lifelong challenges with learning, behaviour, health, and social skills.
Children, young adults, and families living with FASD may need support from different services depending on their needs, including primary care, disability services, and mental health care. The Government remains committed to delivering the appropriate services for each person with FASD in line with their needs.
My Department does not currently fund this organisation. Funding for all service developments is considered in the first instance as part of the annual estimates process, in the context of overall prioritisation of available funding. This process seeks to balance available funding across all service areas to achieve the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritise areas of greatest need.
Initiatives are ongoing which focus on prevention and health promotion, helping to reduce alcohol use and limit harm to people, families, and communities. This includes alcohol labelling, national guidance, and training for healthcare staff.
572. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health if she will give consideration to providing a number of free sessions with registered therapists or counsellors, to improve mental health. [3225/26]
View answerEnhancement of supports for people experiencing mental health difficulties is a priority for myself as Minister, the Government , and the HSE. This includes the provision of counselling services for people requiring support with their mental health. Last year as Minister I announced €2 million in funding to provide access to a suite of new talk therapies and counselling supports specifically tailored for men. Access to the services began from 1 September 2025. This initiative is embedded within Ireland’s approach to mental health policy implementation. Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, and Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national strategy for suicide prevention, clearly state that talk therapies should be considered a first-line treatment option for most people who experience mental health difficulties. The funding is targeted at assisting with stigma reduction and to actively encourage men who otherwise would not usually avail of counselling to seek help with their mental health, to assist men in accessing mental health services, and to provide much-needed support for men experiencing a mental health crisis.
The supports are available via GPs and are being actively promoted through a national campaign targeting men. The initiative will provide over 15,000 free counselling sessions to men, through accessible supports over the phone and in-person, and the Department will be receiving regular updates on the uptake of the sessions. This recurring funding is allocated from Budget 2025 as part of an integrated series of initiatives to ensure people with mental health difficulties are able to access the appropriate range of supports, from mental health promotion and prevention, through to specialist services and clinical programmes. A summary of counselling provision for men during the period June to October 2025 is provided by the HSE below:
> 2,844 men have been referred to NCS services
> 1372 new male clients have been allocated to a counsellor
> 12,307 counselling sessions have been offered to men
of which 83% were attended.
> The majority of men availed of in person counselling (82%)
> 13% of men availed of counselling by phone, 5% attended online by video.
In addition, 301 clients received support calls from a counsellor while on the waiting list for counselling. They were provided with information about other mental health supports and services they can avail of while waiting for counselling with the NCSMore recently, as Minister I provided funding from Budget 2026 for a new talking therapies fund for providing Community Therapy Services.
573. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health when the Donabate Primary Care Centre tender will proceed, considering the massive population growth in Donabate; if she will confirm there are plans to expand the local GP service, dental service, chronic care for older persons or the service for CAMHS. [3226/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
