Written Answers Nos. 1212-1232
1212. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Beaumont Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12747/26]
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.
1213. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in The Mater Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12748/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1214. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in St. Vincent's University Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12749/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1215. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in University Hospital Galway (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12750/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1216. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Limerick University Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12751/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1217. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Waterford University Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12752/26]
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.
1218. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Portiuncula University Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12753/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1219. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Cavan General Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12754/26]
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.
1220. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Louth County Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12755/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1221. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if there has been a review of the National Ambulance Services in east Cork sine 2020; if the service is fully staffed between Monday to Thursdays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12776/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1223. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of times east Cork was left without an ambulance service in each of the years 2020 to 2025, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12778/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1221 and 1223 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1222. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the Department that has the authority to investigate the National Ambulance Services in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12777/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive's (HSE) National Service Plan (NSP) sets out the type and volume of health and social care services, including services delivered by the National Ambulance Service (NAS), that the HSE will provide from the funding it receives each year. The NSP outlines the overarching goals across HSE operational areas and within these goals sets out specific Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets. The current NSP for 2026 is available here: https://about.hse.ie/publications/hse-national-service-plan-2026/.
The HSE reports monthly on its performance against the NSP KPIs and these results form the basis of ongoing engagement between the Department and the HSE. Through the Performance Engagement Model, a structured, tiered approach to assessing performance is implemented.
In the HSE, the Performance and Accountability Framework provides for a review of performance and a series of escalation levels. The Framework can be accessed here: https://about.hse.ie/publications/performance-and-accountability-framework-2026/.
1224. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the number of operational ambulances currently assigned to the National Ambulance Service in the Dublin north-east region, including the Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance area, by base; the number of paramedics and advanced paramedics in post; the number of vacancies; the average response times for emergency calls in north Dublin over the past 12 months, by month, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12779/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1225. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed whether current ambulance capacity in north Dublin is sufficient to meet demand; the projected staffing and fleet requirements for the Dublin north-east region over the next three years, in tabular form; the actions planned to increase ambulance availability and staffing in north Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12780/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1224 and 1225 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, Dublin City Council (DCC) through Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) has primary responsibility for ambulance service provision and emergency ambulance call taking in Dublin. Whilst the HSE's National Ambulance Service (NAS) does provide some assistance to DFB in Dublin when requested, the provision of such assistance is subject to NAS ambulance resource availability.
Questions concerning DFB ambulance performance and resourcing are an operational matter for DCC to address in the first instance as the local authority with responsibility for DFB.
In relation to the number of emergency ambulances assigned by NAS to the Dublin North-East region, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with any pertinent information it may have, as soon as possible.
1226. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay for a cancer patient (details supplied) to have an urgent procedure in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12790/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1227. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a delay in a hospital appointment can be urgently investigated for a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a neurosurgeon appointment in CUH and urgently needs assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12791/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
1228. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently on waiting lists for in-patient rehabilitation care in Ireland; the total number of patients; broken down by condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12817/26]
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.
1229. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of staffing numbers within the National Rehabilitation Hospital; per nurse, physiotherapist, speech and language, occupational therapist, and psychotherapist grades; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12818/26]
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.
1230. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the total number of neuro-rehabilitation beds in Ireland; the total number of beds; beds operational, per facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12819/26]
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.
1231. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any research carried out by her Department into the merits of banning smart phones for under 16s; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12821/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1232. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any engagement she has had with her cabinet colleagues in relation to the proposal to ban smart phones for under 16s; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12823/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1233. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health her views on the merits of banning smart phones for under 16s; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12825/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1231, 1232 and 1233 together.
I would draw the Deputy’s attention to the Final Report of the Online Health Taskforce which was published in December 2025. [Minister for Health publishes the Final Report of the Online Health Taskforce] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-for-health-publishes-the-final-report-of-the-online-health-taskforce/).
The Report provides a comprehensive framework to understand and address the complex challenges facing children and young people in digital environments. It includes four proposed foundational principles and 10 recommendations aimed at increasing the protection of children from online threats and ensuring the creation of safer online spaces.
The recommendations provide a clear roadmap for action – one that puts children's rights at the centre and requires a whole-of-government response. I will shortly establish a group to examine implementation of the recommendations and will engage with colleagues across Government.
My Department has not arranged for any research to be carried out into the merits of banning smart phones for under 16s.
