Written Answers Nos. 554-584
554. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the dates since 1 January 2024 her Department formally reviewed governance or patient-safety risk indicators relating to Children's Health Ireland; the division of her Department which conducted each review; whether a written briefing note, minute, or record was produced in each case; and where those records are held. [11249/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra556. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department maintains a central register or inventory of reviews, audits, investigations, or independent reports relating to Children's Health Ireland; when that register was last updated; and whether she will publish a schedule listing the titles, commissioning bodies, and dates of such reports. [11251/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question No 554 and Question No 556 together.
There have been a number of reviews recently focused on the paediatric services in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI).
The HSE CEO has established the CHI Improvement Steering Group to co-ordinate oversight of the range of matters of focus in CHI, including the implementation of recommendations from completed reviews and upcoming reports.
This Group coordinates oversight of the implementation of the recommendations from completed Reviews including the Boston Review (2023), HIQA Review (2025), the Internal Examination of a particular clinical department (2022), and the Dickson report (2017), the Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Audit (2025), and ongoing Reviews including the Audit of governance and equity in patient access and waiting list management at CHI and the External review of the Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgical service at Temple Street.
This group, co-chaired by the Chief Clinical Officer and the REO Dublin Midlands, meets on a monthly basis, and more often as required.
555. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed, since 2023, the timelines and completeness of responses provided by Children's Health Ireland to requests for information from Members of the Oireachtas; whether any compliance issues were identified; and the actions, if any, which were taken by her Department as a result. [11250/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per Standing Order 104, Oireachtas Committees have the power to:
• require that the Chairperson designate of a body or agency under the aegis of a Department shall, prior to his or her appointment, attend before the Select Committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role.
• require that principal office-holders of a? (a) State body within the responsibility of a Government Department, or (b) non-State body, which is partly funded by the State, shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss issues for which they are officially responsible.
In fulfilment of these relevant powers, Children's Health Ireland has appeared before Public Accounts Committee three times and the Joint Committee on Health twice between 2023 and 2025. Further, the Chairperson of Children's Health Ireland also appeared before the Joint Committee on Health in 2025 to discuss her proposed appointment to the role.
All agencies under my aegis are required and endeavour to comply with Standing order 52 when responding to Deputies parliamentary questions.
557. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether decisions on the publication or non-publication of reports relating to Children's Health Ireland are recorded in written form within her Department; which office or grade is responsible for those decisions; and whether any standard criteria are applied when determining publication. [11252/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraReports relating to Children's Health Ireland are noted and tracked by the relevant units within my Department. For example, the National Patient Safety Office monitor patient safety related reviews and reports. Decisions on the publication or non-publication of reports are usually made by the Commissioner of the review and should be detailed in the terms of reference of each individual review.
Where there are issues around the non-publication of a report, I examine the legal options that are open to me, and I seek the advice of the Attorney General on these matters.
558. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of written briefings relating to governance, patient safety, or organisational risk in Children's Health Ireland which were submitted to her Department in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; and whether she will provide a breakdown by subject matter. [11253/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been a number of reviews recently focused on the paediatric services in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI).
The HSE CEO has established the CHI Improvement Steering Group to co-ordinate oversight of the range of matters of focus in CHI, including the implementation of recommendations from completed reviews and upcoming reports.
This Group coordinates oversight of the implementation of the recommendations from completed Reviews including the Boston Review (2023), HIQA Review (2025), the Internal Examination of a particular clinical department (2022), and the Dickson report (2017), the Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Audit (2025), and ongoing Reviews including the Audit of governance and equity in patient access and waiting list management at CHI and the External review of the Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgical service at Temple Street.
This group, co-chaired by the Chief Clinical Officer and the REO Dublin Midlands, meets on a monthly basis, and more often as required.
559. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health for an update on the establishment of a specialist section of CAMHS for children with intellectual disabilities in Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11258/26]
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 Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take to address the major shortfalls in school dental screening and extreme waiting times in County Longford; if she will urgently review the cases of two children (details supplied) who have missed their 6th-class screenings despite previous assurances from the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11278/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
561. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the delay processing a Garda vetting application for a person (details supplied) which impacts a HSE occupational therapy position offer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11290/26]
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 Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health whether retention packages for medical staff are under consideration for hospitals in the CHO5 area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11296/26]
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 Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days lost due to delayed discharge in hospitals in the CHO5 area in the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11297/26]
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 Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for home care packages following hospital discharge in the CHO5 areas; and the measures in place to reduce delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11298/26]
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.
565. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the percentage of ambulance crews available to respond within 20 minutes of emergency department handover at Wexford General Hospital in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11299/26]
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.
566. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for dental treatment for medical card holders in County Wexford compared with private patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11301/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
567. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Wexford awaiting HSE public dental services including special needs dentistry as of 6th February 2026, to provide waiting times and staffing levels, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11302/26]
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.
568. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the national number of dentists in County Wexford registered under the dental scheme for medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11303/26]
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 David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the extent to which a company’s systems (details supplied) are used by the HSE; where such systems are used to process and or store patient data.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11324/26]
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.
570. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11326/26]
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 Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the dental treatment she requires under general anaesthetic; if she will ensure that care for this patient is prioritised considering this patient has autism, intellectual disability, and epilepsy, along with sensory issues, and is in constant pain as a result of their condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11327/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
572. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the current number of children and adults that are awaiting dental treatment under general anaesthesia in Cavan and Monaghan; to provide a breakdown of the waiting periods involved, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11328/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
573. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the proposals to improve access to dental treatment under general anaesthesia for those who need it in Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11329/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
574. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if these beds will be retendered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11330/26]
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.
575. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if the bexcero vaccine has been examined and will be made available through such clinics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11338/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Immunisation Programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. NIAC make recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.
NIAC revise recommendations on an ongoing basis to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland, to incorporate findings from horizon scanning and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. NIAC continuously monitor global developments in the field of immunisation. The immunisation schedule, therefore, continues to be amended over time based on emerging evidence.
I can advise that NIAC has considered the emerging evidence in relation to the off-label use of 4CMenB vaccine for the prevention of gonorrohea and submitted a recommendation to my Department which I have accepted. NIAC determined that there is insufficient evidence to recommend off-label use of 4CMenB for the prevention of gonorrhoea in high-risk groups. There are further clinical trials ongoing. NIAC will continue to review emerging evidence on epidemiology and vaccine efficacy through its horizon-scanning function and update its recommendations accordingly, if required, at a later date.
576. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the reason an application for a CGM Sensor was refused for a person (details supplied); if this decision will be reviewed considering the persons serious health conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11343/26]
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.
578. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the process to renew a medical card; the format in which a person can complete and submit their renewal for example, in person, online or by post; the accommodations available to individuals arising from personal circumstance for example medical issues including PTSD, numeracy and literacy issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11364/26]
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.
579. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether emergency ambulance responses to clinical status 1 purple and red calls where the response time exceeds 60 minutes are classified by her Department or the HSE as patient safety incidents; if so, the number of such incidents recorded in each of the past three years; if not, the clinical and governance rationale for not treating such delays in life-threatening emergencies as patient safety incidents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11387/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra580. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when she was first informed that response times exceeding 60 minutes for clinical status 1 purple and red emergency calls are not included in published National Ambulance Service performance indicators; whether this issue was raised with her Department by the HSE or the National Ambulance Service; the date on which this occurred; and the actions she has taken since becoming aware of this omission in national oversight. [11388/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra581. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide, for each HSE region, the percentage of clinical status 1 purple and red emergency calls responded to within target timeframes in each of the past 12 months; whether her Department has assessed the causes of persistent regional variation in emergency ambulance response performance; and the specific national actions in place to address inequity in emergency response times between regions. [11389/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra582. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health her views on whether the National Ambulance Service performance framework in which 55 percent of clinical status 1 red emergency calls fail to meet response time targets represents an acceptable standard of emergency care; the clinical or policy basis on which the current red call target was set; and whether any review of that target has been undertaken in light of patient safety considerations. [11390/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra583. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the formal escalation, intervention, or corrective measures which are triggered when the National Ambulance Service response time targets for clinical status 1 purple or red emergency calls are not met at national or regional level; whether any such measures were triggered during 2025; and if not, the way in which compliance with emergency response targets is enforced in practice. [11391/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra584. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether median response times for clinical status 1 purple and red emergency calls are collected by the National Ambulance Service; if so, to provide the median response times for each of the past 12 months by HSE region; and if not, the methodological reasons median response times are not used alongside averages in assessing emergency ambulance performance. [11392/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions 579,580,581,582,583, and 584 together.
I refer the Deputy to the answer I gave in response to question number 374 on 5 February 2026.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health Service Executive's (HSE) National Service Plan (NSP) sets out the type and volume of health and social care services the HSE will provide from the funding it receives in a given year. The NSP also outlines the overarching goals across HSE operational areas and within these goals it sets out specific Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets. In addition to the KPIs and data requirements set out in the NSP, the HSE also has additional data available for ongoing review of operational areas.
As I set out in reply to question 374, the HSE reports into my Department on a monthly basis on its performance against the NSP KPIs. These performance results form the basis of ongoing engagement between my Department and the HSE throughout the year, with certain key performance areas escalated for attention where appropriate with a view toward achieving improvements.
In regard to patient safety, there are well established protocols and procedures in place, under which the HSE informs my Department of all major or significant patient or service user safety incidents and issues of concern across the HSE.
Concerning NAS performance, despite a further 5% increase in patient demand for emergency ambulance services in 2025 NAS national urgent and emergency response performance remained close to achieving its 2025 HSE NSP KPI targets. The outturn for NAS response time performance for PURPLE (cardiac/respiratory emergencies) calls was 71% against an NSP KPI target of 75%, and 44% for RED (all other emergencies) calls, against the 45% KPI target.
Regarding further investment in the NAS, as outlined to the Deputy in response to question 374, the HSE has approved of 263 posts for NAS in 2026 to further strengthen ambulance frontline emergency response capacity, intermediate cares services and alternative care pathways, as well as the establishment of a new Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) serving the West and North-West of the country.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy with any further pertinent information it may have in regard to the specific requests raised concerning NAS performance data.
