Written Answers Nos. 877-884
877. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent ophthalmology registrars employed at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital as of 28 April 2026, in tabular form. [32121/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
878. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of all HSE substance misuse teams operating within Community Healthcare Organisation 4 (CHO4); the location of each team; the number of whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff assigned to each team, broken down by job title, in tabular form. [32122/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
879. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent dentists, by grade, and dental nurses, by grade, employed at Cork University Dental School and Hospital in each of the years 2024 and 2025, and as of 28 April 2026, in tabular form. [32123/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
880. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the issue of HIV prevention will be on her agenda for the EU presidency, particularly on work towards ending transmission across Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32131/26]
View answerSexual health is a priority for the Department of Health. The National Sexual Health Strategy, 2025-2035 (NSHS) and National Sexual Health Action Plan, 2025-2038 (NSHAP), commit to developing Models of Care for sexual health and for HIV, to develop an HIV Action Plan and to expand community options for the delivery of PrEP, including widening access through primary care and exploring digital options.
The NSHS and NSHAP (included in one document) can be accessed at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/policy-information/national-sexual-health-strategy-2025-2035/.
Governance arrangements for the Strategy are laid out in its final chapter; the Implementation Group and various sub-groups and working groups have commenced work. Significant progress has been made in implementing some Actions already.
Within sexual health, HIV testing, early diagnosis, treatment and supports for people living with HIV, as well as the prevention of stigma, are priorities. Work on the HIV Action Plan has commenced, following a stakeholder consultation exercise. It is currently envisaged that the HIV Action Plan and Model of Care for Sexual Health will be published at some point between late 2026 and mid 2027.
With respect to Ireland's forthcoming EU presidency and HIV prevention, diagnosis and care, my Department have been liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs and we understand that the formal launch of Ireland’s EU Presidency priorities and meetings programme is scheduled in mid-June 2026.
881. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the measures that are in place to address the service gap for people with disabilities who require therapeutic input after the age of 65, but who are no longer eligible to access physical and sensory disability teams due to their age; if there is a plan to increase primary care team staffing quotas to address this gap in service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32135/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
882. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence (details supplied) with a view to this family receiving a GP in their area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32152/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
883. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the steps the Minister of State at her Department with responsibility for public health, wellbeing and drugs intends to take, in the context of the forthcoming National Drug Strategy and the proposed integration of drug and alcohol task forces into new HSE structures, to ensure that the existing functions of these task forces, including interagency coordination, community engagement and data informed planning, are preserved and effectively aligned within the new governance framework; the measures that will be put in place to maintain their operational independence and responsiveness to local need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32195/26]
View answer884. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether, in the context of the Draft National Drug Strategy, if consideration has been given by the Minister of State at her Department with responsibility for public health, wellbeing and drugs to placing drug and alcohol task forces at Tier 2 level of the proposed governance structure in recognition of their strategic coordination role; the rationale for their current placement at Tier 3 alongside community services; and the steps that will be taken to ensure governance arrangements support effective reporting into national structures and accountability to local communities, while safeguarding the community voice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32196/26]
View answer
