Pa Daly
Ceist:539. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for children GA waiting list for routine dental care in each hospital, in tabular form. [67395/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDental Services
Ceisteanna (539)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (540, 541)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:540. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient surgeries cancelled at University Hospital Limerick during the years 2020 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67424/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaurice Quinlivan
Ceist:541. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatient surgeries cancelled at University Hospital Limerick during the years 2020 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67425/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 541 together.
I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when hospital appointments are cancelled, particularly in the case of clinically urgent procedures.
While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased unscheduled care demand.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, hospitals follow HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
Cancelled hospital procedures/appointments are, where appropriate, rescheduled as early as possible with priority given to patients requiring time-sensitive and urgent treatment. Patients that are cancelled are rescheduled with the next available appointment based on their clinical prioritisation, with urgent patients prioritised for access.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 541 answered with Question No. 540.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (542)
Michael Murphy
Ceist:542. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of future plans for the former health centre located in Kilsheelan, County Tipperary; the reason the building has remained vacant for over twelve months; if she will engage with the local community regarding proposals for its reuse, including its potential development as a centre for circular economy initiatives or as a small-scale residential facility for older persons; and if she will ensure that this publicly owned asset is brought back into productive use for the benefit of the local community. [67438/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Artificial Intelligence
Ceisteanna (543)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:543. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the type of training provided to staff within her Department in the use of, or understanding of artificial intelligence; if a programme is planned for all staff on their obligations under the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67465/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department has an approved policy on the use of Gen AI, which is based on recommendations from the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Security Guidance for Public Sector Bodies and DPENDR’s Interim Guidelines for Use of AI in the Public Service.
Training on the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) has been provided to a small number of staff in the Department of Health, focusing on possible use cases such as improved efficiency and productivity. This training was part of a proof of concept and is intended to inform future decisions regarding the broader use of Gen AI within the Department.
The Institute of Public Administration - the central provider of training to Civil Service organisations – has made the following two on-demand eLearning courses available to all staff on the OneLearning platform in 2025:
• Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service; and
• Navigating the Guidelines for the Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service.
Energy Usage
Ceisteanna (544)
David Cullinane
Ceist:544. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.185 of 9 July 2025, the costs of electricity and gas for the same period for each hospital, in tabular form. [67486/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (545)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:545. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of children travelling to Britain for paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant surgery, by year, from 2015 to date in 2055. [67495/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand the Deputy is seeking information by year, from 2015 to date in 2025.
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
Ceisteanna (546, 547)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:546. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the cost to the State of sending a child to a British hospital for paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant surgery. [67496/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarie Sherlock
Ceist:547. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the supports which are available to families from the HSE having to travel to Britain for paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant surgery. [67497/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 547 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 547 answered with Question No. 546.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (548)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:548. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the actions her Department has taken to encourage CHI to adopt the findings and advice of the repatriation of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant services to Ireland: a Health Technology Assessment – February 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67498/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2023, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the repatriation of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant (allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)) services to Ireland. The HTA was undertaken following a request from the HSE and examined the choice of treatment location for children with certain rare, inherited conditions who require stem cell transplants.
A HTA systematically gathers evidence to assist a decision-maker, such as the HSE, in informing policy choices on adopting, funding, or disinvesting in a health technology. The conclusions and information in a HTA are advisory and form just one element informing the decision making. A HTA cannot, for example, determine if there is adequate budget available to fund a new technology.
As the HSE commissioned this HTA, and the implementation of recommendations is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (549)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:549. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to publish all correspondence between her Department and CHI relating to the implementation of the findings and advice of the repatriation of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant services to Ireland: a Health Technology Assessment – February 2023. [67499/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This question relates to correspondence between the Department of Health and Children's Health Ireland. Records such as this are not routinely retrieved and compiled for publication by my Department.
The Deputy may request access to these records under the Freedom of Information Act. The FOI process ensures that proper consideration is given to the public interest and the right of the public to access information, before a determination is made as to whether a record should be released.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (550, 551)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:550. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the financial supports and logistical supports which are available to families upon the death of a child family member at a health facility abroad, for whom that child had been referred to treatment by health services in Ireland. [67500/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarie Sherlock
Ceist:551. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the financial supports and logistical supports which are available to families upon the death of an adult family member at a health facility abroad, for whom that adult had been referred to treatment by health services in Ireland. [67501/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 550 and 551 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 551 answered with Question No. 550.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (552)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:552. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the precise process following the publication of a HIQA health technology assessment report that makes specific findings and advice to the HSE and her Department, relating to the consideration and implementation or otherwise, of those findings and advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67502/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An HTA systematically gathers evidence to assist a decision-maker, generally the Department of Health, or a body such as the HSE, in informing policy choices on adopting, funding, or disinvesting in a health technology. The report provides evidence-based recommendations on the clinical effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact of the assessed technology. In general, once HIQA completes and publishes an HTA report, it is formally submitted to the Department of Health or the relevant commissioning body, for example, the HSE, as decision maker.
The process following the publication of a HIQA health technology assessment (HTA) report will be dependent on the specific technology being assessed. The conclusions and information in an HTA are advisory and form just one element informing the decision making. An HTA cannot, for example, determine if there is adequate budget available to fund a new technology. However, by including the budget impact and cost effectiveness in the HTA, the decision-maker can then assess funding options.
When the Department receives an HTA report, the advice it provides is considered in the context of a range of metrics including budget, clinical need, outcomes for patients, alternative technologies and impact of displacement of funding for existing technologies, amongst others. Decisions on policies relating to specific technologies are only made after all relevant advice and information is fully considered, including that provided by HIQA in an HTA.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (553)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:553. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will have her full home care hours re-instated as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67512/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (554)
Ann Graves
Ceist:554. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant orthopaedic surgeons with a special interest in knee and replacement surgery at Beaumont Hospital in 2024 and to-date in 2025 that are only dealing in the treatment of public patients; and the average waiting time to see a consultant orthopaedic surgeon for the first time as an outpatient at the hospital, in tabular form. [67528/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (555)
Ann Graves
Ceist:555. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE clinical specialist radiographers posts that were filled at CHI Temple Street in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [67529/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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
Ceisteanna (556)
Ann Graves
Ceist:556. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the number of children who were scheduled for scoliosis treatment or surgery in either Britain or the US for the period of January 2025 to November 2025; and the number who are scheduled for such treatment or surgery in either Britain or the US over the next three months. [67530/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Infectious Diseases
Ceisteanna (557)
Ann Graves
Ceist:557. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health if her Department has provided any resourcing or staffing to HSE to support expanded infectious disease screening at ports of entry. [67531/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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
Ceisteanna (558)
Ann Graves
Ceist:558. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE secretaries filled working within the neurology department of Beaumont Hospital in the years of 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [67532/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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
Ceisteanna (559)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:559. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health for an update on case of child (details supplied); and if CAMHS services will engage with the child’s parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67533/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (560)
Keira Keogh
Ceist:560. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the results of a pilot project (details supplied); if her Department has further plans to extend this pilot in other areas across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67545/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response
Health Services
Ceisteanna (561)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:561. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be transferred to a suitable facility in Cork city closer to family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67554/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (562)
Conor Sheehan
Ceist:562. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the status of an application to the Dental Council (details supplied); the reason for the delay in processing same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67556/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Dentists Act 1985 establishes the Dental Council as the regulatory body for the dental profession in Ireland. As such, issues concerning the registration of dentists are a matter for the Dental Council to consider.
The Dental Council recommends that applicants allow for the registration process to take three months. While it aims to finalise applications as quickly as possible, delays can occur due to incomplete applications or if additional information is required.
As the matters you have raised relate to operational Dental Council matters, the correspondence has been forwarded to the Dental Council who will respond to your directly.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (563)
Barry Heneghan
Ceist:563. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the oversight her Department has of the approach taken by a hospital (details supplied) in allocating patients for treatment based on teaching and training availability; the measures which are in place to ensure that patient access to accident and emergency care, secondary care and specialist dental services is maintained in line with service demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67580/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Youth Services
Ceisteanna (564)
Colm Burke
Ceist:564. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide confirmation on the proposed reorganisation of a youth services facility in Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67581/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This is a matter for Department of Disabilities Children and Equality and should be redirected to that Department.
Cancer Services
Ceisteanna (565)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:565. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if she will address concerns that women are still waiting an average of six months for a mammogram at the BreastCheck Eccles Unit, Dublin 7; if she is aware that the majority of women seeking to access this service either have or had breast cancer; if she will clarify whether the results of mammogram testing at this location are generally shared with local HSE health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67582/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.