Written Answers Nos. 1190-1214
1190. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of test purchase inspections of the sale of tobacco and vaping products carried out in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2835/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1191. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health her plans to expand the age cohorts included under the free contraception scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2837/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe free contraception scheme was launched in September 2022, initially for those aged 17-25. It has been gradually expanded and now includes women aged 17-35 from July 1st, 2024. The scheme is open to women, girls and other people identifying as transgender or non-binary, who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and for whom prescription contraception is deemed suitable by their doctors.
The scheme covers the cost of consultations with GPs, primary care, student health and family planning centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Re-Imbursement List, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs: injections, intra-uterine devices and systems (coils) and implants) and emergency contraception in addition to the contraceptive Pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and check-ups are also free of charge under the scheme.
Women who have had coils, IUDs, IUSs or implants inserted while eligible under the scheme remain eligible for subsequent checks and free removal of any devices inserted prior to reaching the eligibility limit (currently their 36th birthday), to ensure continuity of care. Approximately 2,400 GPs and 2,050 pharmacies have signed up to provide services and products under the scheme to date.
The Programme for Government, 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, commits to continuing to extend access to free contraception. The Department is working on the development of the necessary implementation enablers for contraceptive prescribing by pharmacists to extend or continue a prescription for contraception as part of the work of the Community Pharmacy Expansion Implementation Oversight Group. More information about the group can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/431ce-community-pharmacy-expansion-implementation-oversight-group/
It is important to note that prescription contraception, while being very effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy, does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The National Condom Distribution Scheme supports both STI prevention and accessible contraception. Free condoms can be accessed through the national network of STI clinics, participating charities and NGO partners and on participating 3rd level campuses. Since 2023, free condoms have also been supplied with orders for free home STI testing kits.
The Second National Sexual Health Strategy is in advanced drafting stage and will contain significantly more detail on future plans for free contraception.
1192. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists based in Cork north central that have left the dental treatment service scheme since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2838/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1193. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists based in Cork north central that have joined the dental treatment service scheme since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2839/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1194. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the actions her Department is taking to recruit more dentists to join the dental treatment service scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2840/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1195. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists currently working in primary care centres in Cork north central; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2841/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1196. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the assessments her Department has taken to determine whether the dental treatment service scheme is an effective scheme for medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2842/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides oral healthcare, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, extractions, and a scale and polish. More complex care, such as dentures, additional fillings and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and high-risk patients, are available subject to the approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.
A package of measures was introduced in 2022 to expand the care available under the Scheme and significantly increase the fees paid to contractors. These measures have improved access to care: payments for contractor claims in 2024 show 227,691 additional treatments were provided nationally under the DTSS, with over 44,208 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.
In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming oral healthcare services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile Agus Sláinte. This Government policy aims to radically transform our current oral healthcare service - recognising that we need an entirely new approach to oral healthcare to meet the needs of our population into the future. The policy was informed by considerable evidence inputs including supported by an Oral Health Policy Academic Reference Group, consultations with key stakeholders, considerable feedback from a number of consultations with frontline workers including dentists and auxiliary dental workers, and a comprehensive qualitative research project.
The policy provides a framework to comprehensively reform oral healthcare services, supported by accompanying reforms to legislation, strategic workforce planning and education and training. The new Programme for Government contains commitments to implement the National Oral Health Policy and to reform oral healthcare services for medical card holders. The implementation plan for the first phase of policy implementation, to end-2027, is currently being finalised by my Department and the HSE, following targeted consultation in Q3 last year, and includes reform of services for medical card holders as one of several priority actions.
1197. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of dual diagnosis teams across the State; the number that are operational; the catchment areas they serve; the number that are fully staffed; and the number of vacancies otherwise, in tabular form. [2845/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1198. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health his views on the status of progress in development of a primary care centre in Douglas, Cork. [2851/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
1199. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health his views on the current status of the former HSE health centre and future plans for the building in Passage West, County Cork. [2852/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
1200. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health his views on the availability of beds for the provision of detox services for alcohol and drug addiction in County Cork. [2853/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1201. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE psychologists based at Ennis Mental Health Day Hospital in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2856/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1202. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the additional measures to be implemented to improve the mental health service in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2857/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1203. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE medical social workers based in Ennis General Hospital, in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2858/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1204. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres currently in use at Limerick Maternity Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2859/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1205. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether any independent research has been undertaken into the impact and effect of telemedicine abortion in Ireland since its introduction in the spring of 2020. [2863/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September 2021, my Department requested the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) to undertake a review of the operation of the revised Model of Care for Termination of Pregnancy Services, from a clinical and patient safety perspective. The purpose of the review was to consider whether the revised Model of Care should be retained.
This review was completed at the end of 2021 and submitted to my Department. The review stated that there were no serious adverse events reported to the HSE related to remote consultations for termination of pregnancy.
Overall, this review concluded that including remote consultation as part of the termination of pregnancy service is safe, effective and acceptable to both service users and providers. The outcome of this review was reflected in the decision to confirm the revised Model of Care as the enduring Model of Care.
There is also published international literature concluding that medical abortion using telemedicine is safe, acceptable and improves access to care.
1206. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, for a new primary care facility in Dungloe, County Donegal; if her attention has been drawn to the urgent need for one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2864/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
1207. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE midwives based in each of the three maternity hospitals within Dublin as of 28 January 2025; and if she will provide the corresponding figures as of 28 January 2022, in tabular form. [2889/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1208. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant WTE stop smoking advisors employed by the HSE currently within CHO9; the length of time each of those posts has been vacant since; and the estimated timeframe in which those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [2890/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2902/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1210. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) diagnosed with functional neurologic disorder (FND) can be funded in these exceptional circumstances by the HSE to attend a private FND specialist in Dublin, as this is the only treatment available for FND in Ireland and no other hospital in Ireland can treat this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2911/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1211. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to address the chronic situation that exists at University Hospital Kerry accident and emergency department by providing a new 96 bed block in addition to the 39 beds already in train there and take into consideration the fact that the hospital has seen an 18% increase in emergency department presentations during 2024 on 2023 numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2930/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1212. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to provide as a matter of priority a permanent oncology-haematology build at University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2931/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
1213. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to provide as a matter of extreme urgency a new maternity unit at University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2932/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
1214. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to provide an ambulatory care block, to include endoscopy, surgical and medical day units, outpatient department and radiology, at University Hospital Kerry as a matter of priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2933/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
