Written Answers Nos. 548-571
548. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any guidance, circulars or directives have been issued to the HSE regarding the provision of non-medically indicated circumcision in public hospitals, and if she will publish those documents. [67008/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
549. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm the number of voluntary hospitals that have raised concerns with the HSE or her Department regarding IFMS integration, the nature of those concerns, and the actions taken to address them. [67009/25]
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.
550. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of governance, audit or compliance reports relating to voluntary hospitals that her Department has requested, received or reviewed in the past three years, and the outcome of that review. [67010/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe governance and oversight of voluntary hospitals is a matter for the HSE; these hospitals operate under Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with the HSE, which set out governance and compliance requirements. The Department does not directly engage in the governance of these hospitals; the Department sets policy, determines investment, and engages with the HSE through the Performance and Accountability Framework. This framework places responsibility on the HSE to ensure robust governance and compliance arrangements for funded providers.
551. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of IFMS programme risks currently recorded as high or critical within the HSE's internal risk register, and whether her Department has independently assessed these risks as part of its oversight responsibilities. [67011/25]
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.
552. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of legacy financial-management systems still in operation within voluntary hospitals, the projected timeline for full IFMS adoption, and the expected cost implications should delays continue. [67012/25]
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.
554. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the procedures, documentation and verification steps undertaken by her Department before certifying payments to non-statutory bodies that receive public health funding directly from her Department, including any risk-rating or escalation criteria applied prior to payment approval. [67014/25]
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.
555. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has recorded any instances of non-compliance, late reporting, governance deficiencies or financial irregularities among non-statutory bodies funded directly by her Department in each of the past three years, and if so, if she will detail the issues identified and the actions taken in response. [67015/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously referenced in response to PQ 66983 on non-statutory bodies, no bodies reported that there were any compliance issues, audit flags or irregularities recorded during the past three years.
556. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a copy of the monitoring framework, internal guidelines or Departmental protocols governing the oversight of non-statutory bodies that receive direct funding from the Department of Health, including the standards to which funded bodies are held and how compliance with these standards is assessed. [67016/25]
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.
557. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to clarify the oversight responsibilities retained by her Department in respect of non-statutory bodies receiving direct Departmental funding, including the extent to which oversight is delegated to the HSE, and the mechanisms in place within the Department to assess whether delegated oversight is adequate. [67017/25]
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.
558. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the financial reporting requirements imposed on non-statutory bodies that receive public funding directly from her Department, including required frequency of reporting, documentation obligations, and any penalties or sanctions that apply where reporting is incomplete or delayed. [67018/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides very limited direct funding to non-statutory bodies, less than 0.01% of total vote spend is to non-statutory bodies. In light of the materiality of such spending my Department does not require non-statutory bodies to provide their financial statements or other documentary reporting on their overall activities.
Reporting requirements are related to the use of any funding provided. As funding is provided at irregular intervals, there is no required frequency of reporting or related penalties or sanctions levied by my Department.
559. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 976 and 977 of 12 November 2025, if she is satisfied that her Department and the HSE do not collect centrally the number and cost of standard lipid profile tests ordered from primary care, in view of the acknowledgement that this information is not held in a national dataset; the way in which she assesses value-for-money in primary care laboratory testing in the absence of this information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67020/25]
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.
560. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will direct the HSE to establish a national dataset for primary care laboratory testing, including standard lipid profile tests, with data recorded by CHO area, care setting and quarter, as recommended in the HSE Strategic Plan for Laboratory Services 2026-2035; the timeline for implementation of such a system; the governance arrangements that will apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67021/25]
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.
561. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the specific actions taken to date by her Department to implement the HSE Strategic Plan for Laboratory Services 2026-2035, with particular reference to the recommendation for consistent and transparent systems for the collection of data and workload metrics; the funding and staffing allocated in 2025 and 2026 for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67022/25]
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.
562. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 976 and 977 of 12 November 2025, the estimated annual percentage growth in standard lipid profile test volumes across the health service since 2021, in view of the statement that test volumes from all areas, including primary care, have increased by between 10 and 15 percent per year; the way in which this trend has informed capacity planning for laboratory services, workforce, and equipment under the HSE Strategic Plan for Laboratory Services 2026-2035; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67023/25]
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.
563. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual expenditure on standard lipid profile tests ordered from primary care for each year since 2019, based on available data, including the current estimated average cost range per test where precise figures are not available; the reasons for variation in cost per test between regions or providers; and her plans to reduce unwarranted variation and secure better value for money; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67024/25]
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.
564. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the progress in emission reduction targets in areas that are the responsibility of her Department; which measures are particularly successful and which measures are underperforming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67051/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe actions which drive Ireland's whole-of-Government approach to reducing its emissions are set out in the 2024 Climate Action Plan. The Department of Health has no specific emission reduction targets. However, it supports public sector efforts associated with achieving a reduction of 51% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and of achieving a 50% improvement in energy efficiency over that timeframe.
565. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason for the significant delays in opening the new Killarney Community Hospital; when exactly this new community hospital will be opened for the people of Killarney, east, west, north and south Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67061/25]
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.
566. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health her plans to staff the new Killarney Community Hospital given the serious issues that exist in attracting staff to existing community hospitals in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67062/25]
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.
567. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the total cost of building the new Killarney Community Hospital; the initial cost of this new community hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67063/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of the public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
568. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the total running cost of the new Killarney Community Hospital; the amount this new community hospital cost since works were completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67064/25]
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.
569. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the contract for the new Killarney Community Hospital; the details of what is covered in the contract for this new community hospital; when the contract commenced; when it will expire; the total cost of the contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67065/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
570. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the supports available to holders of long-term illness cards, in particular incontinence pads; and if the provision of these supports is uniform across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67080/25]
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.
571. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the total rent paid annually by the HSE to a shopping centre (details supplied); the breakdown of the fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67081/25]
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.
