Sorca Clarke
Ceist:539. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in Longford waiting for an assessment of need. [71278/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Data
Ceisteanna (539)
Freagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (540)
John Brady
Ceist:540. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the status of section 39 pay restoration for organisations funded by her Department; the reason workers in a team (details supplied) funded by her Department have received only one round of restoration while HSE-funded colleagues have received full restoration and scheduled increases; her plans to ensure full parity of pay and eliminate the resulting disparity among staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70918/25]
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.
Food Safety
Ceisteanna (541)
Martin Kenny
Ceist:541. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that here are high levels of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in Irish foods mainly in cereals; if her Department monitors this; if there are health concerns for the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70922/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware of recent discussions regarding Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in cereal-based foods, including the report “Unseen and Unregulated: TFA, the ‘forever chemical’ in Europe’s Cereals”, which presents findings across 16 European countries. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has advised that it will review this report and, as part of that process, will engage as necessary with EU counterparts, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA published a draft statement in 2025 on consumer health-based guidance values for TFA, and the final EFSA risk assessment is expected in 2026.
TFA can be present in the environment from multiple sources, including the atmospheric transformation of certain refrigerant gases and the use of some pesticide substances. Pesticides that could potentially give rise to TFA are already included in the European regulatory review programme established under Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. The scientific review is managed by EFSA and includes input from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) where appropriate. EFSA and ECHA are currently completing a body of work regarding toxicological reference values for TFA and on the formation of TFA from pesticide use in the environment. It is important that all relevant information is considered in detail so that harmonised, coordinated action can be taken by European Member States regarding pesticide regulation. Ireland will continue to be guided by the scientific opinions and conclusions of EFSA and ECHA. Protection of human health is always the foremost concern
With respect to monitoring, foods are routinely tested for the presence of certain contaminants under Regulation (EU) 2023/915. TFA is not currently included among those regulated chemical contaminants. In parallel, FSAI is assessing whether targeted national testing for TFA is practical and scientifically warranted at this time, taking into consideration available national or international research, current laboratory capacity, and the absence (pending EFSA’s final opinion) of an established health-based guidance value.
Regarding public health concerns, EFSA has been formally mandated by the European Commission to define a health-based guidance value for TFA for use in assessing potential risks for consumers via dietary intake. EFSA published a provisional value in July 2025, based on a detailed analysis of technical data from a wide range of sources, and will finalise its scientific opinion in 2026 following public consultation. Based on EFSA’s published information—which is the most reliable scientific information currently available—the levels of TFA reported in some cereal-based foods do not indicate a health risk for children.
In addition to EFSA’s work, the European Commission has formally requested further scientific advice from ECHA and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to inform a harmonised EU approach and assist Member States in implementing coordinated measures. The outcomes of these processes will guide my Department.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (542)
Martin Daly
Ceist:542. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently awaiting a first-time occupational therapy assessments in each county of the HSE west and north-west region; the number waiting over 12 months; the proportion this represents of the total waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70944/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (543)
Martin Daly
Ceist:543. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the longest current waiting time for an occupational therapy assessment in the HSE west and north-west; and the actions being taken to reduce excessive delays. [70945/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (544)
Martin Daly
Ceist:544. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for paediatric occupational therapy assessments in Roscommon and Galway; and the measures being prioritised to improve timely access. [70946/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (545)
Martin Daly
Ceist:545. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapy posts currently vacant in each CHO area; the number of posts temporarily or permanently unfilled due to the pay and numbers strategy; and her plans to reinstate these posts. [70947/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (546)
Martin Daly
Ceist:546. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapy posts frozen or not permitted to be recruited due to the HSE pay and numbers strategy in 2023 and 2024. [70948/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Strategies
Ceisteanna (547)
Martin Daly
Ceist:547. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health if she has assessed the impact of the pay and numbers strategy on waiting lists for occupational therapy nationally and specifically in the West and North West regions; and if she will publish any such assessment. [70949/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE’s annual Pay and Numbers Strategy simply sets out the staffing limits and pay budget available to meet service commitments as set out in the HSE’s National Service Plan for the same year. Provided recruitment is in line with staffing limits and pay budget, the 2025 Pay and Numbers Strategy does not place restrictions on the recruitment of staff.
Staffing levels and pay costs are constantly monitored by Department officials, but only to confirm that they conform with workforce commitments outlined in the annual National Service Plans.
Departmental Reviews
Ceisteanna (548)
Martin Daly
Ceist:548. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health if her Department has reviewed the findings of the health and social care professions workforce survey, which reported high levels of stress, burnout, and vacancy rates among occupational therapy; and the actions that will be taken to address these issues. [70951/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (549)
Martin Daly
Ceist:549. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health if she will examine measures to improve retention of occupational therapy within the public health service, including structured career pathways, enhanced supports, and strategies to mitigate burnout. [70952/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (550)
Martin Daly
Ceist:550. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical specialist occupational therapist posts currently funded and filled; the number unfilled; and if additional posts will be created to address service demand. [70953/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (551)
Martin Daly
Ceist:551. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health if she intends to introduce advanced practitioner roles for occupational therapists within the HSE. [70954/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health is currently developing the Policy on Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care Professions. The development of an evidence-based policy is progressing, with work underway by officials in the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Health and Social Care Professions (HSCP) office.
Advanced Practice is an important tool for optimising the capacity of the existing health workforce, supporting the development of career pathways and workforce retention. Budget 2025 allocated €5.5 million for funding to support continued growth of Advanced Practice in nursing and midwifery and enable this to be rolled out for the first time for Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs).
The HSE has established a multi-stakeholder Advanced Practice Implementation Oversight Group (APIOG) focused on the development of HSCP Advanced Practice services. The 2025 HSCP Advanced Practice identification and selection process was developed by the APIOG to ensure transparent, evidence-based, and strategically aligned decision-making for the allocation of Advanced Practice resources. Thirty Candidate Advanced Practitioner HSCP posts are to be recruited, including Candidate Advanced Practitioner roles in occupational therapy. The Department continues to work with the HSE in the further roll out of Advanced Practice HSCP as evidence and readiness develop.
Departmental Priorities
Ceisteanna (552)
Martin Daly
Ceist:552. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department is addressing regional disparities in access to occupational therapy, particularly the significant delays in the west and north west. [70956/25]
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 Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (553)
Martin Daly
Ceist:553. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health her plans to reduce occupational therapy waiting lists by at least 50% within a defined timeframe; and the additional staffing, funding, and structural reforms required to achieve this goal. [70957/25]
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.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (554)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:554. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant psychiatrists posts that were filled at CAMHS, Malahide Road, Dublin 3 in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025 in tabular form. [71279/25]
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.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (555)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:555. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE speech and language therapist posts that were filled at Roselawn health centre in 2024 and to-date in 2025 in tabular form. [71283/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (556)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:556. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when routine specialist dental services will be reinstated for the children of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70856/25]
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.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (557)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:557. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if her Department, and agencies under the Department’s remit, purchase data on the habits and activities of social media users and other platforms; if so, the reasons for purchasing such data; the amount spent in 2024 and 2025 year to date on such expenditure, in tabular form [70867/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received from Department.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (558)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:558. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the way in which healthcare workers who will be deemed to be unfit for work due to long-Covid will be catered for when supports expire (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70875/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
After a hearing in the Labor Court in June, it was recommended that a final extension of the current Special Scheme to the 31st of December 2025, at which point anyone remaining on the scheme should transition to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme. Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell beyond that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support. Employees who did not qualify for the Special Scheme but are also impacted by Long-Covid may also utilise the supports of the sick leave scheme. The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (559)
Conor Sheehan
Ceist:559. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health whether she and the HSE will implement a dedicated space for rheumatology patients at Cork University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70911/25]
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.
Departmental Transport
Ceisteanna (560)
John McGuinness
Ceist:560. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the transport costs incurred by residents of private nursing homes who are in receipt of financial support under the fair deal scheme and who must attend hospital and other medical appointments, will be reimbursed; If there is a process in place whereby such residents that require transport can book it through a central office of the HSE. [70919/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
• Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person
• Bed and board
• Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist the person with the activities of daily living
• Laundry service.
It excludes other costs such as therapies, more specialised aids and appliances, social activities, transport and individual items and services such as specialised laundry, newspapers and hairdressing. Many of these items were excluded from the definition of long-term residential care because they relate to services covered under the medical card or other eligibility schemes. Other services such as specialised laundry, newspapers and hairdressing were excluded as these are discretionary charges that should only be applied when the resident chooses to avail of the service. Typically, social charges are levied on all residents to cover the cost of activities.
Part 7 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 (as amended) stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract in writing with each resident on their admission to the nursing home. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged and is inclusive of all additional charges. Residents should never be charged fees which are not set out in the contract.
The Department of Health and the HSE are not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home. It is clear that under the terms of the NHSS Act 2009, private nursing homes should not levy additional charges on NHSS residents for services coming within scope of the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
Transport costs are not covered under the NHSS, as typically such arrangements are a matter for the relevant service provider. The budget for the provision of non-emergency patient transport, such as taxis, or private ambulances, was distributed by the HSE to individual service providers (Hospitals and CHOs) on the basis that they are the local service provider and not the National Ambulance Service (NAS). The responsibility for determining if non-emergency patient transport is to be provided to the patient and the cost of that transport rests with the local service provider. Otherwise, such transportation arrangements are typically funded by the individual.
It is noted that in certain circumstances an Additional Needs Payment may be available through the Department of Social Protection. The Additional Needs Payment is designed to help individuals with essential expenses that they cannot cover from their weekly income or other resources. The payment can be used for various needs, including recurring travel expenses for medical appointments.
Departmental Functions
Ceisteanna (561)
Brian Brennan
Ceist:561. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health the assistance available to a person (details supplied) to access surgery abroad to provide treatment not offered in Ireland for a life threatening condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70925/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled under EU Regulation 883/04. The TAS is a consultant led scheme and allows for an Ireland-based public consultant to refer a public patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in the public healthcare system of another EU member state, the UK or Switzerland. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved public treatments in another EU/EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland through the issue of form S2 (IE) where the treatment is:
• among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;
• not available in Ireland;
• not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease;
• medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
• a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or test treatment;
• provided in a recognised public hospital or other institution that will accept EU/EEA form S2 (IE) and;
• is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
The HSE provides further information for patients on the HSE TAS website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/treatment-abroad-scheme/.
It is important to note that the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme facilitates patient to access planned healthcare in the public healthcare system of another EU/EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland.