Tony McCormack
Ceist:1174. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for speech and language therapy with the Health Service Executive. [34927/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1174)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (1175)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:1175. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of people on the waiting list in Cork for residential services with learning disabilities or other disabilities who have parents or carers over the age of 60. [34933/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This is a matter for the Department of Children, Disability and Inclusion to seek such an answer.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (1176, 1177, 1179)
Charles Ward
Ceist:1176. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health whether a tender for the Buncrana Community Hospital project was ever issued; if so, when; whether a contractor was appointed; if not, the reason public representatives were informed that works would commence in Q1 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34936/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCharles Ward
Ceist:1177. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the specific issues that led to the Buncrana Community Hospital project reverting to pre-tender stage; the reason these issues were not identified earlier, prior to residents being relocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34947/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCharles Ward
Ceist:1179. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Buncrana Community Hospital project in terms of approvals and procurement; whether a clear and guaranteed timeline now be provided for tender issue, contractor appointment and construction commencement and completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34949/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1176, 1177 and 1179 together.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Question No. 1177 answered with Question No. 1176.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (1178)
Charles Ward
Ceist:1178. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the basis on which residents from Buncrana Community Hospital were moved out in May 2025 if the project was not ready to proceed; the assessment that was carried out regarding the impact of relocation on residents and families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34948/26]
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.
Question No. 1179 answered with Question No. 1176.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (1180)
Charles Ward
Ceist:1180. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the person or body responsible for the communication failures and misinformation provided to public representatives and families regarding Buncrana Community Hospital; the steps being taken to ensure this does not happen again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34950/26]
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.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (1181)
Charles Ward
Ceist:1181. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the measures being put in place to support families impacted by displacement from Buncrana Community Hospital, such as transport supports, or increased visiting access; the efforts being made to address the reduction in bed capacity and respite services in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34951/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (1182)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:1182. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health to confirm that there are no plans to cancel the RSV immunisation programme for infants in Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34952/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland's Immunisation Programme is informed by the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, (NIAC). NIAC considers the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland as well as international best practice in relation to immunisation when developing its advice.
My Department has agreed the scope of a national RSV Infant Immunisation Pathfinder Programme for 2026/2027, which will be the same as for last season. That is, RSV immunisation will be offered to babies born in-season and infants aged 6 months old or younger at the start of the RSV season, in line with NIAC advice.
My Department is currently giving consideration to the findings and options set out in HIQA's recently published HTA on RSV immunisation for infant and adults, including operational and budgetary impacts, ahead of making a policy decision on a longer-term RSV Immunisation Strategy.
Emergency Departments
Ceisteanna (1183)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:1183. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question 275 of 16 April 2026, if she will provide the number of patients, not the percentage, in Mayo University Hospital waiting more than eight, 12 and 24 hours in the emergency department. [34969/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Emergency Departments
Ceisteanna (1184)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:1184. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of patients admitted or discharged to or from Mayo University Hospital's emergency department in the month of February 2026. [34970/26]
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.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (1185)
Catherine Callaghan
Ceist:1185. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans in place in the event that nursing home operators (details supplied) withdraw from, or cease operations at, their Irish nursing home facilities; the statutory framework exists for the transfer of residents in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34971/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received from Department.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (1186)
Sean Fleming
Ceist:1186. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to her announcement on 5 February 2026 of Government approval of a national electronic health record (EHR) system, whether her Department has undertaken a formal review of comparable large-scale programmes in other jurisdictions, including Northern Ireland, Denmark, Switzerland and Norway where significant cost increases and timeline extensions have been reported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34972/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The scale of the National Electronic Health Record programme is such that it is subject to Government Infrastructure guidelines, which are designed to ensure cost estimates and associated benefits are represented as accurately as possible, taking into account experience from other jurisdictions as well as developments here in Ireland. As such, the associated preliminary business case has been subjected to considerably scrutiny to date, and this will continue as the programme progresses through the open procurement process, which itself will inform more accurate estimates.
To date, the preliminary business case has been subjected to independent assessment under the External Assurance Process/EAP (that forms part of the Infrastructure Guidelines) and this review confirmed the business was compliant with all requirements. The business case was then subjected to Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) review. MPAG is a group of experts established by DPER to review PBCs in advance of approaching Government for a decision to process past Gate 1, and to proceed with more detailed designs and development of the PBC into the detailed business case (DBC) which itself is subject to further reviews prior to being considered under Infrastructure Guidelines Gate 2.
The Irish team are very well connected with developments in EHR deployments internationally and understand the background to all the programmes referred to in this PQ- and are factoring learning from all those programmes-plus others- into the detailed business case and the overall EHR programme.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (1187)
Sean Fleming
Ceist:1187. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to her announcement on 5 February 2026 of Government approval of a national electronic health record system, the safeguards that are being built into procurement contracts to protect the Exchequer from unforeseen implementation costs, change-control inflation, vendor dependency or prolonged transition periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34973/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE are responsible for the procurement of the National Electronic Health Record system and associated contracts put in place to address the risks and issues referenced in this PQ. To ensure the contracts tailored to fit the needs of an EHR programme and to afford the state maximum protection, legal practices who specialise in EHR procurements from other jurisdictions, have been formally engaged to work with the legal advisors to the HSE. Lessons learned from contracts established for multiple large scale EHR procurements in the NHS will form multiple clauses in the proposed contract and these parties will be engaged throughout the procurement process and contracting phases to provide expert advice and guidance to complement that normally available to the HSE.
It should be noted that the cost of programmes like this include internal as well as external costs-and whilst the contracts provide levels of protection for fault by vendors, it is still imperative that the HSE manage internal resources, timelines and costs that are directly under their control. Governance structures are being established for the programme to address these issues.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1188)
Joe Neville
Ceist:1188. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including hospital, primary care centre and other health infrastructure works delivered by her Department or the HSE, which have been completed on time and within budget in Kildare in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35019/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1189)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1189. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) is waiting on an MRI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35033/26]
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 Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1190)
Liam Quaide
Ceist:1190. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the HSE's plans for the former dispensary building in Ballynoe, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35036/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (1191)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:1191. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the approval of the drug ryeqo which is used in other jurisdictions in the treatment of endometriosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35037/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (1192)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1192. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason (details supplied) is waiting on speech and language therapy in Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35038/26]
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 Services
Ceisteanna (1193)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:1193. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health her views on whether it is acceptable that a patient with a history of osteoporosis is faced with a wait of over a year for a publicly funded DEXA scan while being offered immediate access on payment of €100; whether this practice undermines the principle of care being provided on the basis of medical need rather than ability to pay; and the action she will take to ensure patients are not placed in this position. [35040/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received from Department.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1194)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1194. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) through the National Treatment Purchase Fund. [35043/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an Inpatient/Day case or Outpatient waiting list.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment the clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Ceisteanna (1195)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1195. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify the level of funding which is currently in place for the National Treatment Purchase Fund in comparison with each of the years 2024 and 2025; the number of surgeries which have been funded through the NTPF year to date; and to confirm if funding is currently available through the NTPF for knee replacement surgery. [35044/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) continues to support the public hospital system by commissioning treatment for long-waiting patients on acute hospital waiting lists through the Waiting Time Action Plan 2026.
The NTPF received funding of €239m in 2024, €240m in 2025 and has been allocated €200m for 2026.
With the allocation for 2026, the NTPF has undertaken to deliver 143,000 episodes of patient care; 100,000 OPD appointments, 23,000 IPDC procedures and 20,000 GI Scopes.
Knee replacement surgery is one of the procedures procured by the NTPF, where capacity for this procedure is available.
At the end of April 2026, 7,439 Inpatient/Daycase procedures across a number of specialties have been completed under NTPF commissioning.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (1196)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:1196. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a State-issued medical exemption for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35045/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
All medicines, including vaccines are subject to on-going review and evaluation of all available data from a range of sources, including systematic scientific literature review, to consider any impact that their data may have on the overall assessment of the benefits and risks of a medicinal product. The safety of these vaccines continues to be monitored at EU level through the EMA and its expert committees, which includes representatives from member state competent authorities such as the HPRA.
In Ireland, immunisation is optional and is offered free of charge to eligible at-risk groups as part of the National Immunisation Programme. A person can, of course, refuse any offer of vaccination on religious, conscientious or other grounds. I note that an appropriate medical exemption has already been issued by the relevant General Practitioner, in this matter.
Departmental Budgets
Ceisteanna (1197)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:1197. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the basis on which the current levy arising from public expenditure overruns is being calculated and applied to her Department’s Vote; whether any categories of expenditure, including pay, pensions or staffing-related costs, are exempt from the levy within her Department; and if she will provide a breakdown of the areas against which the levy is being applied [35083/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that all front-line services will be fully protected from any impact arising from the levy. Safeguarding essential services remains an absolute priority.
In parallel, my Department is undertaking a comprehensive examination which will focus on achieving efficiencies, reducing non-essential expenditure, and ensuring that resources continue to be directed where they are most needed.