Written Answers Nos. 198-217
198. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths by suicide that occurred within seven days, 30 days and 90 days of discharge from an acute psychiatric inpatient unit in each of the past five years and to date in 2026, by RHA; the number of serious incident reviews carried out in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46076/26]
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.
199. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health to give consideration to allowing supermarket vouchers to be used for the purchase of infant and follow on baby milk formula; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46085/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Health acknowledges the financial pressures faced by many families and recognises the importance of ensuring that infants who cannot breastfeed for medical reasons receive safe and appropriate nutrition.
Regulation of infant formula and foods for specific groups is harmonised at EU level to safeguard infant health and to ensure consistency across the Single Market. Ireland has consistently supported this framework, which is underpinned by scientific advice and aligned with relevant World Health Organisation and Codex standards.
Under current EU and National legislation, including the regulatory framework governing infant and follow-on formula, the provision of State financial support or subsidies, such as supermarket voucher schemes for infant formula, is prohibited. Such measures would be incompatible with EU law, which strictly restricts the promotion of breast-milk substitutes. These measures are designed to protect, promote and support breastfeeding, in line with public health objectives.
Accordingly, the Department of Health does not support the provisions of financial assistance, subsidy or voucher schemes in respect of these products.
The Minister remains committed to supporting maternal and infant health through a range of measures, including the provision of clear, evidence-based guidance to parents and healthcare professionals, and continued investment in maternity and child health services.
Any future consideration of changes in this area would need to fully comply with EU legislation as well as align with Ireland’s established public health policies on infant feeding.
200. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when an applicant (details supplied) will be reimbursed for their cross-Border treatment. [46094/26]
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.
201. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the average length of time for a cross -Border application to be reimbursed. [46095/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
202. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the number of new staff appointed in the CHO7 area specifically the number of nurses, OTs and physios over each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46097/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
203. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health to consider the request for clarification from a person in County Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46099/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
204. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the report referenced in a media report is the audit of governance and equity in patient access and waiting list management at CHI, commissioned by the HSE CEO (details supplied); if a copy of the report referenced in the media report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46100/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge the challenges families face regarding paediatric services.
The HSE Internal Audit Report and the Narrative Review relating to equity in access and waiting list management in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) were published by the HSE on 15 June 2026. While the Internal Audit Report found no clear evidence of inequity in access to care, both Reports outline important findings in governance, waiting list management, and patients’ experiences, with necessary recommendations to address concerns and improve paediatric services for children and young people.
I met with the HSE and CHI on 11 June and expect every effort to be made to ensure that the actions informed by these reports, and previous reports, are implemented without delay for the benefit of children and young people.
The HSE has advised that actions in response to both reports are being implemented and there is clear progress already being made in strengthening governance and management. The HSE is also committed to ensuring that the matters raised in these reports are considered across the Regions to inform enhancement of services nationally.
I remain committed to the improvement of services for children and young people.
205. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for children to receive an appointment for public dentistry in Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46104/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
206. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health to provide clarity on whether researchers seeking postdoctoral funding commencing in 2027 will have access to a nationally competitive fellowship scheme comparable to the current Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme; if not, how such funding will instead be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46105/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, the matters raised in this Parliamentary Question are the responsibility of my colleague in the Department of Further Education Research Innovation and Science, and it would be appropriate to direct it accordingly.
207. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the timeline for applications for 2027 PhD studentships and postdoctoral fellowships, including the opening date and what the expected application timeline will be; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46107/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
208. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health to provide details on her Department's plans for the Applied Partnership Awards-Women's Health in 2027; whether it will run again next year to allow researchers to plan ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46108/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA ringfenced €2 million has been approved in funding for the HRB Applied Partnerships Award Scheme specifically for Women’s Health. Up to €1 million from the Department of Health’s Women's Health Fund will be made available for the Women’s Health Applied Partnership Scheme for both 2026 and 2027.
Research themes have been determined and are informed by Ministerial priorities, outcomes of various listening exercises with women, the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce and the HRB’s Women’s health outcomes: An evidence and gap map review commissioned by the Department and published in 2025.
While the research call will cover women’s health generally, specific policy themes have also been identified.
• Postpartum Mental Health, with a particular focus on traumatic births
• Endometriosis
• Menstruation
• Culturally sensitive Healthcare, Intersectional impacts on Women’s Health
The applied partnership call went out to the research community in January 2026 with a deadline submission date of the end of March 2026.
The call received a strong response, with representation across each of the four priority areas as well as other areas of women’s health.
An eligibility check has commenced on the applications. On the basis of the number of applications submitted, HRB are confident that there will be multiple awards recommended for funding by the panel this autumn.
Historic exclusion of women from medical research has implications for diagnosis and treatment of disease in women, as a result of the lack of knowledge on how particular conditions and treatments impact women.
The Department of Health has been working to address this through its two Women’s Health Action Plans, published in 2022 and 2024. Both Action Plans have a specific action to grow the evidence base for women’s health approaches in Ireland by supporting research in this area. The 3rd Women’s Health Action plan 2026-2027, due to publish in July, will also have a continued focus on research in all areas of Women’s Health.
The women’s health programme has sought to address the research gaps in recent years with a number of research projects supported to better inform the development of policy. The new Applied Partnership Awards in Women’s Health Research represent a more structured and strategic approach to commissioning research in this area.
209. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); if she will provide an update on the application; if the assessment appointment could be expedited given the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46110/26]
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.
210. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of all buildings owned or leased by the HSE in CHO3, including whether these buildings are currently occupied or vacant, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46121/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
211. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the consideration of skyclarys for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia will be prioritised; the date on which the drug will be on the agenda for a meeting of the HSE Drugs Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46123/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
212. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 859 of 6 May 2026, if the HSE will issue a response to this Deputy as soon as possible. [46142/26]
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.
213. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health to give a commitment to dedicated/ringfenced national funding for development of mental health intellectual disability (MHID) teams or Commitment to National Clinical Programme for MHID. [46154/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health intellectual disability (MHID) teams resourced to the model set out in the Model of Service; the shortfalls; and the number of each profession for example, nursing, doctors, OTs, social workers, speech and language therapists, psychologists. [46156/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 215 together.
In 2021, I launched the HSE Model of Care for Mental Health Intellectual Disability to improve the mental health service experience and outcomes for people with an intellectual disability.
Approximately four in every ten people with intellectual disability can experience a mental illness in their lifetime, and under the Model of Care the HSE are working to roll out a national network of multi-disciplinary teams – 31 for adults, and 16 for children. Currently there are 20 Adult teams and 10 CAMHS-ID teams servicing 15 areas.
Under Budget 2026, I have allocated funding for two new Mental Health Intellectual Disabilities teams for children (CAMHS-ID teams), in addition to further posts to enhance some existing teams.
As your PQ relates to operational issues, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to you.
214. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies that are on mental health intellectual disability (MHID) teams across the country; and the professions these vacancies are for, in tabular form. [46155/26]
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.
216. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of regional health authorities that have a specific plan to develop fully resourced MHID teams per Model Of Service. [46157/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
217. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the contingencies in place for people with ID left in emergency departments, seeking a mental health admission, due to placement breakdown; and the number of these that occurred in the past five years. [46158/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
