Written Answers Nos. 178-197
182. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the likelihood of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive files falling to the Irish Presidency to progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45986/26]
View answerThe EU Commission intends to publish a proposal for a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and Tobacco Advertising Directive (TAD) in the fourth quarter of 2026. The preparatory work for this, including a public consultation, is currently underway. If the Commission publishes a proposal during the Irish Presidency, Ireland will be fully committed to progressing negotiations on this file.
183. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the progress made against each of the key performance indicators, as outlined on page 25 of the Framework for the Care and Support of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Cancer in Ireland 2021-2026; including what KPIs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45987/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
184. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of presentations at emergency departments with mental health crises in 2024 and 2025; the number admitted. and the number referred on the other services which are immediately available to them; and the number who leave the emergency department before being seen or discharged, in tabular form. [45989/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
185. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of public funding application for a medication (details supplied) when prescribed in the treatment of the chronic inflammatory condition eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45990/26]
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.
186. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the specific measures that are being taken to ensure that adequate educational, medical, therapeutic, and disability supports are provided for children with complex needs upon their admission to primary schools (details supplied). [45991/26]
View answerDeputy, this PQ should be directed to the Department of Education and Youth as the topic raised are under their remit.
187. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if an appointment will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45994/26]
View answerUnder 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.
188. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health whether the reimbursement of the drug skyclarys was included in the agenda for the June meeting of the HSE's Drugs Groups; if not, the rationale for its exclusion; to provide an update on the process of adjudicating whether the cost of skyclarys will be reimbursed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46002/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
189. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists as of 30 April 2026 for 0-18 primary care speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology in HSE Dublin and Midlands, by integrated healthcare area within the health region; the number waiting more than 12 months, more than two years, more than three years, more than four years, more than five years and more than six years in each discipline; the longest wait for each discipline in each integrated healthcare area, in tabular form. [46013/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
190. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists as of 30 April 2026 for 0-18 primary care speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology in HSE South-West, by integrated healthcare area within the health region; the number waiting more than 12 months, more than two years, more than three years, more than four years, more than five years and more than six years in each discipline; the longest wait for each discipline in each integrated healthcare area, in tabular form. [46014/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
191. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists as of 30 April 2026 for 0-18 primary care speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology in HSE Mid-West, by integrated healthcare area within the health region; the number waiting more than 12 months, more than two years, more than three years, more than four years, more than five years and more than six years in each discipline; the longest wait for each discipline in each integrated healthcare area, in tabular form. [46015/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
192. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists as of 30 April 2026 for 0-18 primary care speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology in HSE West and North-West, by integrated healthcare area within the health region; the number waiting more than 12 months, more than two years, more than three years, more than four years, more than five years and more than six years in each discipline; the longest wait for each discipline in each integrated healthcare area; and if the information will be provided, in tabular form [46016/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
193. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46047/26]
View answerThis government is committed to the progressive development of maternity services.
The Government introduced the Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC) on the 8th of March 2023.
This contract is a key step in the move towards universal, single-tier healthcare with public hospitals exclusively used for the treatment of public patients and where care is based on medical need, not on the ability to pay.
However, private maternity care is and will remain available in public hospitals via consultants who continue to work on older contracts issued prior to March 2023.
The National Maternity Strategy 2016 -2026 has delivered a new model of care with appropriate care pathways to ensure that mothers, babies, and families get the right care, at the right time, by the right team and in the right place.
Since the launch of the National Maternity Strategy in 2016, significant progress has been made in the development and improvement of public maternity services. €28 million has been invested in new development funding through the National Maternity Strategy, transforming our maternity services for women, infants and families. This investment is improving the infrastructure of our maternity services by providing additional home-from-home birthing suites, upgrades to theatres and wards, as well as additional training and supports for our maternity staff.
Women across the country now have access to a standardised Model of Care, with enhanced access to midwife-led care supported by Directors of Midwifery in every unit and hospital. All women on the Specialised Care Pathway (women who are at higher levels of risk) receive multidisciplinary care led by a named consultant in the public system.
Public hospitals are predominately funded by the taxpayer, and that funding must deliver the same high standard of care to every patient.
This Government will continue to drive improvements across our maternity services for all women, building on the significant progress and investment to date delivered through the National Maternity Strategy.
194. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health if it is intended to increase chronic disease hub services in County Galway, in particular to address the significant waiting lists for podiatry services and other associated chronic disease supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46058/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
195. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the specialist supports available to persons with eating disorders residing in County Clare; and the locations of those supports and the distance individuals may be required to travel for assessment and or treatment. [46062/26]
View answerThe 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.
My Department and the HSE are working to develop 22 dedicated adult beds to provide inpatient care for eating disorders, in addition to the existing 20 dedicated child and adolescent eating disorder beds.
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 PQ relates to an operational issue, it has been forwarded to the HSE for direct reply to you.
196. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the staffing budget allocation for University Hospital Limerick in each of the years of 2025 and 2026 to date, in tabular form. [46063/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
197. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to expedite the transfer of an elderly patient (details supplied) from Dingle Community Hospital to a more accessible location for the persons family such as Kenmare or Killarney, in order to ensure that their families can provide necessary support during recovery. [46075/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
