Thursday, 28 May 2026

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (510)

Tony McCormack

Question:

510. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health when a person will receive an urgent appointment with an ENT specialist (details supplied). [40852/26]

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Written 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. The Minister for Health is prohibited 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.

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (511, 512, 513, 516, 722)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

511. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of vape retail outlets operating in the State in each year since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40861/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

512. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department maintains a national register or database of vape retail outlets operating within the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40862/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

513. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if a public health assessment has been undertaken regarding the concentration or proliferation of vape and smoke retail outlets in Irish cities, towns and villages over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40863/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

516. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to introducing a national licensing system for vape and smoke retail outlets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40866/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

722. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of retail premises licensed or registered to sell vaping products in Ireland as of the most recent data available; whether her Department has assessed the density of such premises relative to schools and youth facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41303/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 511, 512, 513, 516 and 722 together.

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 introduced a suite of measures to tackle the rise in youth vaping including the introduction of a licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products such as vapes. Previously, there was a once-off registration system for tobacco retailers, and no register for retailers of nicotine inhaling products.

The licensing system came into operation on the 2nd of February 2026, and businesses which were already selling nicotine inhaling products have 6 months to apply for a licence. It will give the HSE's National Environmental Health Service robust oversight of who is selling nicotine inhaling products. Those who wish to sell these products will have to apply for a licence, pay the required fee and renew that licence annually. The legislation allows for increased penalties for offences such as selling to minors, including revocation of a licence. In addition, licences will not be granted to temporary or moveable premises such as those at festivals, and the sale of these products at events aimed at children is also prohibited.

Question No. 512 answered with Question No. 511.

Question No. 513 answered with Question No. 511.

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (514, 517, 724)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

514. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if an assessment has been undertaken regarding youth exposure to nicotine-related advertising, branding or retail visibility arising from the increasing number of vape and smoke retail outlets operating in town and city centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40864/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

517. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if a review has been undertaken regarding the environmental and public health impact associated with disposable vaping products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40867/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

724. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department intends to introduce further restrictions on the advertising, display, or flavouring of vaping products in retail premises; the timeline for any such measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41305/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 514, 517 and 724 together.

A Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) was conducted in 2024 to inform the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025. The purpose of the RIA is to describe the policy context and objectives, before identifying possible ways to achieve the objectives and the impacts of such responses. The RIA assessed the impact of nicotine inhaling product retail display and advertising, packaging and appearance and flavours, as well as single-use vapes.

The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill will prohibit the sale of single-use vapes. It has completed all stages in Dáil Eireann and Second Stage in Seanad Eireann.

The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill has been notified under two separate European Union (EU) Directives. These notification procedures must be completed before the legislation can be enacted.

The Bill was notified under Article 24(3) of the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) on 15 December 2025. By 15 June, the European Commission will issue an Implementing Decision to either approve or reject the legislation.

The Bill was also notified under the Technical Standards or TRIS Directive ((EU) 2015/1535). This is not an approval procedure, but a process for Member States and the Commission to make comments on the draft legislation. The standstill period for this TRIS procedure will end on 19 June 2026.

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill will introduce further regulation of nicotine inhaling products in terms of flavours, packaging and appearance, and retail display and advertising. It will also introduce domestic regulation for all other current and future non-medicinal nicotine consumption products, in the form of a minimum age of sale of 18 and retail display and advertising restrictions. This Bill has completed Committee Stage in Dáil Eireann.

The draft legislation was also notified at EU level under the TRIS Directive on 2 April 2026. This incurs a standstill period of 3 months, with a further 3 month extension if the EU Commission or Member States issue a Detailed Opinion regarding the legislation. This notification procedure must be completed before the legislation can be enacted.

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (515, 723)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

515. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections, compliance checks, enforcement actions, fixed penalty notices and prosecutions relating to the sale of vaping or nicotine products to minors in each year since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40865/26]

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Ken O'Flynn

Question:

723. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections carried out by the Environmental Health Service on vape shops and retailers selling vaping products in 2024, in 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of compliance notices or enforcement actions that resulted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41304/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 723 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 516 answered with Question No. 511.

Question No. 517 answered with Question No. 514.

Primary Care Services

Questions (518)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

518. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for primary care occupational therapy services for young children pertaining to CHO5, in years; and the number of children waiting for each unit, in tabular form. [40882/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (519)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

519. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the pathways available to primary care children who require a mental health diagnosis but are under the threshold for CAMHS. [40883/26]

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Reply not sent by Department.

Health Services Staff

Questions (520)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

520. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the whole-time equivalent and headcount figures for personnel employed within the HSE, categorised strictly as middle management grades V to grades Vlll and senior executives general manager grade up to and including national director and chief executive level; the specific percentage increase in personnel within both of these categories over the past ten years; the average number of direct employee that report these distinct tiers; and if bonuses or incremental scales are tied into headcount of the staff under their remit. [40884/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (521)

Martin Kenny

Question:

521. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of young people within HSE west and north-west diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or other eating disorders who transitioned from CAMHS to Adult Mental Health services in each of the past five years; the average waiting time for such transition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40897/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (522)

Martin Kenny

Question:

522. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the specialist eating disorder services, including inpatient and outpatient services, which are available within HSE west and north-west for persons aged 16-25 years; whether dedicated eating disorder teams operate in the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40898/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (523)

Martin Kenny

Question:

523. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the waiting times within HSE west and north-west for access to specialist eating disorder assessment, psychotherapy and multidisciplinary treatment for persons with anorexia nervosa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40899/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (524)

Martin Kenny

Question:

524. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the specialist supports available to persons with eating disorders residing in County Roscommon; the distance individuals may be required to travel for assessment or treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40900/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (525, 526, 528, 529, 530, 532)

Martin Kenny

Question:

525. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the protocols in place to ensure continuity of care for young people with anorexia nervosa who age out of CAMHS; whether gaps in service provision between CAMHS and Adult Mental Health services have been identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40901/26]

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Martin Kenny

Question:

526. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the age at which young people receiving treatment for eating disorders are discharged from CAMHS; the pathway into Adult Mental Health services thereafter; the supports available during this transition period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40902/26]

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Martin Kenny

Question:

528. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if there are dedicated multidisciplinary eating disorder teams serving County Roscommon and the wider HSE west and north-west region; and if she will make a statement on current staffing levels. [40904/26]

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Martin Kenny

Question:

529. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for young adults aged 18-25 years to access specialist mental health supports following referral for anorexia nervosa or other eating disorders within HSE west and north-west. [40905/26]

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Martin Kenny

Question:

530. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the emergency or crisis intervention pathways available for individuals experiencing severe deterioration due to anorexia nervosa in County Roscommon and surrounding counties. [40906/26]

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Martin Kenny

Question:

532. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if a review has been undertaken of eating disorder service provision and transition arrangements between CAMHS and Adult Mental Health services in rural counties including Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40908/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 525, 526, 528, 529, 530 and 532 together.

The National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders has progressed well with the total number of 16 eating disorder teams under the Model of Care now funded. This includes 11 teams now operational and a further 5 teams in recruitment and development, as per the Model of Care. The HSE spends over €14 million on eating disorders services annually.

Over 110 dedicated eating disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are now working on the teams across the country, treating people with eating disorders every day. Enhancement for specialist mental health services including eating disorders is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole, and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

HSE data from the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders for 2025 shows increases in activity across referrals, assessments, diagnoses and access to treatment. In 2025, over 900 referrals were received, 600 assessments were completed, with a 13% increase in the number of people starting treatment for an eating disorder. 75% of patients were assessed within eight weeks.

Our current focus is on completing and implementing the existing Model of Care and supporting the rollout of additional teams. Once this is complete, an evaluation will be undertaken, after which the Model of Care will be reviewed by the HSE.

The HSE report on inpatient bed capacity required for eating disorders was forwarded to my Department for consideration in July 2025. Accordingly, the recommendations for enhanced bed capacity for eating disorders have now been included in the National Development Plan.

In addition, as Minister I secured funding from Budget 2026 for two new eating disorder teams, a CAMHS team to serve the South east, and an Adult team to serve counties Galway and Roscommon. This will assist more people with an eating disorder requiring access to specialist eating disorder mental health services.

As your questions relate to operational issues, they have been forwarded to the HSE for direct reply to you.

Question No. 526 answered with Question No. 525.

Mental Health Services

Questions (527)

Martin Kenny

Question:

527. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient beds specifically designated for eating disorder treatment available to patients in HSE west and north-west; the occupancy levels of these beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40903/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 528 answered with Question No. 525.

Question No. 529 answered with Question No. 525.