Michael Cahill
Question:491. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the steps have that been taken to address physical abuse of senior citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46551/26]
View answerDepartmental Policies
Questions (491)
Written answers
Safeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse is a key objective of my Department, every statutory body under its aegis and every relevant service that interacts with such adults. Currently, there are various structures and processes in place within the health and social care sector, to protect against abuse and ensure prompt action.
There are Safeguarding and Protection Teams in place in each Health Region. Concerns about an adult at risk of abuse (including older people) can be reported to the local Team. Contact details for these Teams are available at: []https://www2.hse.ie/complaints-feedback/report-a-concern-about-a-vulnerable-adult/.
Concerns can also be raised through the HSE’s Adult Safeguarding online portal at: https://adultsafeguardingportal.hse.ie/web/portal/pages/home.
If it is believed that someone is in immediate danger or that a crime has occurred, contact should be made with An Garda Síochána.
In order to expand and strengthen the existing supports and protections for adults at risk of abuse in the health and social care sector, on 9 December 2025, Cabinet approved Ireland’s first ever National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding in the Health and Social Care sector. Publication of the policy is a commitment in the Programme for Government.
The policy framework will apply across all public, private and voluntary health and social care services. Included are a range of both legislative and non-legislative commitments that will significantly expand and strengthen existing supports and protections for adults at risk of harm across the health and social care sector. The Government has also approved the development of legislation to underpin these commitments.
A number of actions have already been progressed to support implementation of the Policy Framework:
• The Department is actively working on preparing a General Scheme of an Adult Safeguarding Bill and it is expected to be published this year.
• The Health Service Executive's (HSE’s) Chief Social Worker is leading the development of an implementation plan for the policy framework to be approved by the Department of Health.
• A Implementation Oversight Group has been established by the Chief Social Worker has been established to support the development of the implementation plan and to coordinate, monitor and drive delivery of the implementation plan.
• The Department of Health has established a Stakeholder Forum to bring together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss and engage on the implementation of the Policy Framework. The first meeting of the Stakeholder Forum took place on 3 June.
Health Services
Questions (492)
Michael Cahill
Question:492. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to urgently address the issue in County Kerry of patients requiring mid to long-term care being located in the furthest away community hospitals and nursing homes from their family following discharge from hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46552/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (493)
Michael Cahill
Question:493. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to issue a discretionary medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46554/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (494)
Michael Cahill
Question:494. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) initially received a message stating that their medical card was being extended and subsequently received a request for additional information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46560/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (495)
Michael Murphy
Question:495. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current number of patients awaiting ophthalmology assessment and treatment in South Tipperary; the numbers waiting over six, 12, 18 and 24 months respectively; the numbers awaiting treatment broken down by age category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46607/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (496)
Michael Murphy
Question:496. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide a detailed update on the recruitment process for the consultant ophthalmologist post serving South Tipperary; the number of recruitment campaigns undertaken since October 2024; the number of applicants received under each campaign; whether interviews have been conducted; whether a fourth recruitment campaign has commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46608/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (497)
Michael Murphy
Question:497. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the interim arrangements currently in place to provide ophthalmology services in south Tipperary pending the recruitment of a consultant ophthalmologist; the number of patients treated through such measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46609/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question Heading for question(s) 498
Questions (498)
Michael Murphy
Question:498. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting ophthalmology assessment in south Tipperary; the number waiting longer than 12, 18 and 24 months; the longest waiting time currently recorded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46610/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (499)
Michael Murphy
Question:499. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has undertaken a risk assessment or patient safety review arising from the absence of a consultant ophthalmologist in south Tipperary since October 2024; whether concerns have been raised regarding delayed diagnosis or treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46611/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (500)
Michael Murphy
Question:500. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the ophthalmology waiting list validation exercise and targeted clinic initiatives currently being undertaken in south Tipperary; the number of patients reviewed to date; the number removed from waiting lists; the number treated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46612/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (501)
Michael Murphy
Question:501. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason no waiting list reduction targets have been established for orthodontic services in South Tipperary for 2026 or 2027; whether she considers it acceptable that no numerical targets are in place despite children waiting up to 82 months for treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46613/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (502)
Michael Murphy
Question:502. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that the HSE has advised that the orthodontic waiting list in South Tipperary is expected to continue growing throughout 2026 and 2027; the projected size of the waiting list at the end of each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46614/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (503)
Michael Murphy
Question:503. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the additional consultant orthodontist, specialist orthodontist, dental nursing and administrative staffing resources would be required to eliminate the current orthodontic treatment waiting list in South Tipperary within two years and within three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46615/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (504)
Michael Murphy
Question:504. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reasons specialist orthodontist vacancies dating from 2021 and 2023 remain unfilled; the number of recruitment campaigns undertaken for each vacancy; the number of applicants received; the number shortlisted; the number interviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46616/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (505)
Michael Murphy
Question:505. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether a formal clinical risk assessment has been undertaken regarding children waiting up to 82 months for orthodontic treatment in South Tipperary; whether delayed treatment has resulted in patients exceeding optimal treatment windows; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46617/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Dental Services
Questions (506)
Michael Murphy
Question:506. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on orthodontic waiting lists in South Tipperary who are expected to reach 16 years of age before receiving treatment based on current waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46618/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (507)
Michael Murphy
Question:507. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on outsourced or privately contracted orthodontic treatment for patients from South Tipperary in each of the past five years; the number of patients treated under such arrangements annually; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46619/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (508)
Michael Murphy
Question:508. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a specific recovery plan exists for orthodontic services in South Tipperary; the targets, milestones and timelines contained within such a plan; the expected reduction in waiting times arising from it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46620/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (509)
Michael Murphy
Question:509. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the regional oral health group established to review orthodontic services in the South East; the membership of the group; the terms of reference; the dates on which it has met; the recommendations made to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46621/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (510)
Michael Murphy
Question:510. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the specific funding allocated to orthodontic services in South Tipperary in 2025, 2026 and 2027 respectively; the additional funding sought by the HSE to address waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46622/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.