Written Answers Nos. 1325-1344
1325. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE records the number of persons transitioning from post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to PrEP who experience delays in accessing ongoing public PrEP services. [39282/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1327. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE Sexual Health Programme has issued any internal guidance regarding management of excess demand or service rationing within public PrEP clinics. [39288/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1328. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any review has been undertaken into the operational sustainability of the current online appointment-release model used by certain PrEP clinics; and whether concerns have been raised regarding equitable access for patients. [39289/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1330. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to address issues in relation to student nurses (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39284/26]
View answerA key Government priority is to protect and support the education of all students, including student nurses and midwives. As a part of Budget 2026, a 20% increase to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Supports Fund has been secured – a dedicated funding stream provided by Government to support and enhance mental health services for students in publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This brings the total annual ringfenced allocation to €6 million per year; and complements existing supports delivered by HEIs through their core funding.
This funding will support the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and HEIs in progressing the implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework and the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework. All publicly funded HEIs are actively implementing these frameworks, reporting progress to the HEA, and have formally signed up to the Healthy Campus Charter since 2022.
In line with national policy priorities, institutions are using this funding to strengthen student-facing supports, including:
• Recruitment of additional student counsellors and assistant psychologists;
• Development of senior leadership roles, such as Heads of Service;
• Training for staff to enhance their capacity to support students and make appropriate referrals; and
• Initiatives to raise awareness of available mental health and wellbeing supports, including student outreach activities.
HEIs have reported positive impacts arising from this investment, including reduced waiting times for services and an increase in the number of counselling sessions available to students.
Practice placement forms a core part of nursing and midwifery education, accounting for approximately 50% of undergraduate programmes. These placements are integral to the student learning experience and are designed to support the achievement of the competencies and learning outcomes required for safe and effective professional practice.
Students undertaking practice placements are assigned in a supernumerary capacity, meaning they are present to learn under supervision. While they make a valuable contribution to patient care and the clinical environment, their primary role is educational in nature and, as such, these placements are not salaried.
An exception applies in the final year of study, where students undertake a structured internship. During this period, they are recognised as part of the workforce at 0.5 whole-time equivalent (WTE) and receive remuneration at 80% of the first point of the staff nurse salary scale, reflecting both their contribution to service delivery and their advanced stage of training.
The provision of travel and subsistence supports for student nurses and midwives, a placement-specific healthcare allowance, recognises the additional costs associated with undertaking mandatory clinical placements, particularly where these placements are located at a distance from a student’s usual residence or college. Eligible students may avail of travel and accommodation allowances in respect of certain practice placements, subject to agreed national criteria governed by the Department of Health Circular 4/2023: Payment of Clinical Placement Allowances to Undergraduate Supernumerary Nursing and Midwifery Students. These supports are administered locally in line with national guidelines agreed between key stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE and education providers.
More broadly, general student financial supports are the responsibility of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Eligibility for grants are determined based on standard criteria, including age and dependency status. As part of Budget 2026, further measures were introduced to alleviate financial pressures on students. Taken together, these measures are intended to reduce the financial burden on student nurses and midwives and support access to essential education.
1331. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when she expects to see an on-site pharmacy at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39302/26]
View answerHaywood Lodge is operated by the HSE. There is no existing application for registration of a retail pharmacy business at this facility with the PSI. Under the Health Act 2004, the day-to-day operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health services is a matter for HSE. This query has therefore been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1332. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of patients seen in Southdoc, Blackpool in the first four months of each of the years 2019, 2022 and 2026. [39309/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1333. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 917 of 6 May 2026, the reason individuals (details supplied) in County Sligo who attend day care centres are being charged a €4 daily fee for using HSE funded transport operated by the Local Link; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39326/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1334. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a capital project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39339/26]
View answerAs 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.
1335. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the completion of a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39340/26]
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.
1339. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed breakdown of home care waiting lists and waiting times across north Louth CHN; the measures being put in place to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39364/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1340. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed breakdown of home care waiting lists and waiting times across south Louth and Bettystown CHN; the measures being put in place to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39365/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1341. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed breakdown of home care waiting lists and waiting times across north Meath and Ardee CHN; the measures being put in place to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39366/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1342. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed breakdown of home care waiting lists and waiting times across central Meath CHN; the measures being put in place to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39367/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1343. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed breakdown of home care waiting lists and waiting times across east Meath CHN; the measures being put in place to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39368/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1344. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed breakdown of home care waiting lists and waiting times across southwest Meath CHN; the measures being put in place to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39369/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
