Written Answers Nos. 338-357
338. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health to provide the current waiting list numbers and average waiting times for psychology services in the West of Ireland, including adult and child services; the number of psychologists currently employed and any vacancies; and the steps being taken to reduce waiting times (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44766/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
339. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the current MRI capacity in University Hospital Galway, including waiting times for scans, availability of equipment, and any plans to expand access to MRI services in the region (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44767/26]
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.
340. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the policy regarding the application of commercial rates to premises operated by charities; whether any recent changes have resulted in increased financial burdens on such organisations; the supports or exemptions available (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44768/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis PQ is not for the Department of Health. We respectfully request that this Parliamentary Question be redirected to the Department of Housing as the matters raised fall under their remit.
341. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the upgrade of the Ballyhale health centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44770/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
342. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to outline all opening dates, staffing levels, bed occupancies, etc, in respect of the new community nursing unit in Killarney (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44772/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
343. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to clarify the position in relation to blister packs, including any associated costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44783/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Press Release of 31 March 2026, which can be found here www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/reforms-announced-to-phased-dispensing-and-enhanced-medicine-supports-under-the-community-pharmacy-agreement-cpa/, details the significant reform of phased dispensing arrangements alongside the introduction of a new patient-centered medicines optimisation support framework. This came into effect on 1 June 2026.
As outlined in the recent gov.ie webpage on Medicines Optimisation Support Service (available here www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/services/medicine-optimisation-support-service/) and also in the associated HSE webpage ( www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/about-the-medical-card/ ), this new medicines optimisation support service has now been introduced for medical card holders in specified circumstances.
344. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of patients and staff that will be transferred to the new Killarney community nursing unit (details supplied); the dates for these transfers, the number of additional staff that will be employed in the new facility, the positions they will include; the date the new Killarney community nursing unit will be fully operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44792/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
345. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of retired staff with pension entitlement within her Department who have seen their pension subjected to pension abatement following re-entering employment in the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44800/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is service matter we have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
346. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early date for a cataract procedure will be arranged at University Hospital Waterford for a patient (details supplied) as her GP has deemed her case urgent. [44805/26]
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.
347. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the status of price negotiations between the Health Service Executive Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit and the manufacturer regarding the reimbursement of omaveloxolone (skyclarys) for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia; if she will address concerns regarding the omission of this life-altering therapy from the immediate agenda of the HSE Drugs Group ahead of the summer recess of Dáil Éireann; the steps she is taking to accelerate the reimbursement process for rare disease treatments in line with the National Rare Disease Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44823/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
351. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health number of consultant obstetricians contracted under the old arrangements and the new public only consultants contract 2023, by maternity hospital, during the years 2023 - 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44838/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
352. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the provision being made for women who currently choose and avail of private maternity care, in circumstances where there is no private maternity hospital in the State and where private practice is being removed from public maternity hospitals under the public only consultant contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44839/26]
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.
353. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of women accessing private care in maternity hospitals during the period 2020 to 2025, by hospital, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44840/26]
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.
354. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of women accessing public care in maternity hospitals during the period 2020 to 2025, by hospital, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44841/26]
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.
355. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to review medication on the drugs payment scheme for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44849/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter and 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, this question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
356. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will make a decision on reimbursement for the drug givinostat for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44850/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
