Pádraig Rice
Ceist:303. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of people awaiting transfer from prison to the Central Mental Hospital, Portrane, by prison and gender, in tabular from. [4720/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMental Health Services
Ceisteanna (303)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (304)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:304. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for a transfer from prison to the Central Mental Hospital, Portrane;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4721/26]
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.
Substance Misuse
Ceisteanna (305)
Eoin Hayes
Ceist:305. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to warn young people of the dangers of “chroming”; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4724/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this falls under the remit of the HSE Drugs.ie office, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (306)
Eoin Hayes
Ceist:306. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken by her Department to review the preparations taken by the HSE in advance of the flu season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4729/26]
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 Staff
Ceisteanna (307)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:307. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health considering the ongoing difficulties recruiting a consultant ophthalmologist in south Tipperary if children in south Tipperary will be given access to a voucher/reimbursement scheme to allow them to access eye appointments and glasses privately to avoid long-term damage to their eyes (details supplied); if not, the reason the HSE is being permitted to continue failing children in south Tipperary with regard to their eye care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4737/26]
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 (308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313)
Barry Ward
Ceist:308. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to correspondence sent to her by an organisation (details supplied); the actions she will take to address the contents therein; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4752/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Ward
Ceist:309. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if she will consider facilitating a meeting with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the concerns raised with her in relation to the recall of baby formula; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4753/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Ward
Ceist:310. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the procedure whereby a recall of baby formula is communicated to parents, media outlets and other relevant organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4754/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Ward
Ceist:311. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the timeline as to when she was made aware of the largescale baby formula recall (details supplied); the procedure that was followed in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4755/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Ward
Ceist:312. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the safeguards that are in place to minimise the impact of a largescale baby formula recall (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4756/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Ward
Ceist:313. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any engagement she has had with the Irish suppliers of baby formula involved in the mass recall to ensure a minimal impact to families and infants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4757/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 and 313 together.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety of infants and food safety remain paramount considerations for my Department. I have been kept informed of recent matters relating to the recall of certain batches of infant formula and of concerns raised directly with the Department, including those conveyed in correspondence and through representative organisations.
Communication of Infant Formula Recalls
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), as the competent authority for food safety, leads the national response when a food business operator (FBO) initiates a product recall. This process is governed by EU food law, including Regulation (EC) 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety.
Where a recall is undertaken by a FBO, the FSAI:
• Publishes food alerts and recall notices to inform consumers;
• Directly notifies relevant official agencies and other agencies, authorities and stakeholders as necessary;
• Ensures dissemination through established media and communication channels, and
• Oversees verification of actions taken by the food business operators.
These procedures ensure that parents, retailers and relevant healthcare providers receive clear and timely information during a food recall.
Timeline of Ministerial Awareness
My Department receives updates from the FSAI regarding food safety incidents and from the HSE/Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC) when such an incident is of public-health significance. I am advised accordingly and kept apprised of emerging issues, including those relating to the specific large-scale recall referenced by the Deputy. On 5 January 2026, FSAI were notified by Nestlé of its recall of several SMA branded infant formula and follow-on formula following the detection of cereulide toxin by the FBO. FSAI then informed the Department and continue to engage with my officials on this matter. My Department, together with the FSAI and the HSE, will continue to monitor developments closely.
Safeguards to Minimise the Impact on Families
Ireland’s food-safety regulatory system includes the following -
• Mandatory traceability requirements enabling identification of affected batches,
• Continuous oversight by authorised officers including the HSE/National Environmental Health Service (NEHS), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and other official agencies operating under service contract to FSAI,
• Participation in the EU-wide Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) ensuring swift cross-border communication, and
• Enforcement measures such as compliance notices and closure orders, where required.
These safeguards support timely intervention, protect vulnerable consumers such as infants, and minimise disruption to families, as much as possible.
Engagement with Food Business Operators
The FSAI, DAFM, and the HSE/NEHS continue to engage with the FBOs associated with this food incident and with the relevant Irish businesses involved in the recall. Food business operators are obliged to cooperate fully with competent authorities, supply all necessary traceability and distribution data, and implement corrective actions. The FSAI also liaises with the UK Food Standards Agency. My Department is kept informed of these engagements.
Correspondence Received and Follow-Up
I can confirm that my attention has been drawn to correspondence from stakeholders regarding this recall. This is being examined, and the Department is engaging with the appropriate agencies to determine any follow-up which may be required.
In relation to the request for a meeting, my Department will examine the issues raised, assess the appropriateness of such a meeting in the context of ongoing regulatory actions, and revert to the organisation through the appropriate channels.
Question No. 309 answered with Question No. 308.
Question No. 310 answered with Question No. 308.
Question No. 311 answered with Question No. 308.
Question No. 312 answered with Question No. 308.
Question No. 313 answered with Question No. 308.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (314)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:314. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if urgent dental treatment can be provided by the HSE dental services in Donegal for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4759/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (315)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:315. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of people in each of Cavan and Monaghan awaiting a CT in Cavan Hospital for a period of 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months and 12 months+; and if the requisite steps could be taken to ensure that a CT scanner is put in place in Monaghan Hospital. [4793/26]
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.
Hospital Equipment
Ceisteanna (316)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:316. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the timeframe in which it is expected that an MRI scanner will be located at Monaghan Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4794/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of healthcare equipment, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Primary Medical Certificates
Ceisteanna (317)
Mark Wall
Ceist:317. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary medical certificate application for a person in County Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4796/26]
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 (318)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:318. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to address matters raised in correspondence (detailed supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4800/26]
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 Charges
Ceisteanna (319)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:319. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the amount collected by all public hospitals in respect of car parking charges for visitors and patients in each of the years from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and the amount collected by contracted companies to run and manage car parking facilities at each hospital for the same time period. [4801/26]
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 Charges
Ceisteanna (320)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:320. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the car parking fees charged at each public hospital, in tabular form. [4802/26]
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 Investigations
Ceisteanna (321)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:321. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if any actions have been taken with respect to the surgeons identified in the Independent Audit on Hip Surgery Thresholds for Children with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip, for whom there were concerns about the necessity of the surgeries they performed on children; if all of these surgeons are still carrying out surgeries in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) sites or the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC); if any of them continue to serve on medical boards in CHI or NOHC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4803/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational manner, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Investigations
Ceisteanna (322)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:322. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the appropriateness of pelvic osteotomy procedures carried out on children in private healthcare facilities will also be included in the external expert panel established following the publication of an independent medical audit (details supplied); if she has identified the private hospitals in which these surgeries took place during the period between January 2010 and March 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4804/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational manner, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Investigations
Ceisteanna (323)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:323. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she has requested data on the number of children who underwent pelvic osteotomy procedures in a private healthcare facility (details supplied); if she has been provided with a list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4805/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational manner, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Investigations
Ceisteanna (324)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:324. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the appropriateness of pelvic osteotomy procedures carried out on children in a hospital will also be included in the external expert panel established following the publication of an independent medical audit (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4806/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational manner, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (325)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:325. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the appropriateness of pelvic osteotomy procedures carried out on children in other public hospitals will also be included in the external expert panel established following the publication of an independent medical audit (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4807/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational manner, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (326)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:326. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if planning permission is required for beds to be delivered in Cork University Hospital in 2026 (details supplied); if so, the status of said planning permission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4808/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Departmental Websites
Ceisteanna (327)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:327. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health how she ensures that all websites operated by her Department are accessible to the visually impaired. [4819/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health utilises the OGCIO’s gov.ie platform to host and manage its website, benefiting from the robust infrastructure and technical environment provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). Accessibility for visually impaired users is prioritised from the outset, with the OGCIO’s design system and implementation approach embedding accessibility as a core requirement in the design, development, and ongoing operation of all websites on the platform.
All websites managed on the gov.ie platform, including that of the Department of Health, are built and maintained in complete compliance with Irish and EU accessibility legislation, including the EU Web Accessibility Directive, the Accessibility of Public Sector Bodies Regulations 2020, and the upcoming EU Accessibility Act 2025. These sites conform to WCAG 2.1 AA international accessibility standards, and efforts are underway to transition to WCAG 2.2 AA.
Accessibility is continuously monitored through automated testing, manual reviews, and regular audits conducted by the National Disability Authority (NDA) as part of the statutory monitoring framework. Accessibility statements are kept current, and any issues identified through audits or user feedback are addressed. Recent NDA assessments have confirmed full compliance for gov.ie in the simplified review and awarded a high score in the in-depth review, placing it among the most accessible public service websites in Ireland.
To provide a high-quality user experience for visually impaired users, the OGCIO applies best practices in accessibility on the gov.ie platform. This includes ensuring compatibility with screen readers, maintaining appropriate colour contrast, and enabling all services to be operated via keyboard-only navigation.
While the OGCIO manages the technical platform and centrally maintained content, the Department of Health itself remains responsible for ensuring that all of its published materials are accessible. The OGCIO provides ongoing guidance and communications to assist in this work. In partnership with the NDA, the OGCIO has published comprehensive accessibility standards for documents, videos, images, and other online content, covering requirements such as alternative text, captions, correct heading structure, sufficient colour contrast, and minimising the use of PDFs where possible.
Through this integrated approach, combining legislative compliance, technical standards, ongoing testing, and independent audits, the Department of Health, with the support of the OGCIO, ensures that its website continues to meet high accessibility standards for visually impaired users.