Written Answers Nos. 511-531
511. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide a comparison of orthodontic staffing levels, orthodontic waiting list numbers and maximum waiting times across each HSE region; and to indicate where South Tipperary ranks nationally in respect of waiting times and staffing levels. [46623/26]
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.
512. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children in South Tipperary currently waiting more than two years, four years, five years and six years for orthodontic treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46624/26]
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.
513. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the performance indicators that are used by the HSE to monitor orthodontic services in South Tipperary; the frequency with which these indicators are reviewed; the intervention thresholds that apply where waiting lists continue to increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46625/26]
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.
514. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether she is satisfied that a service operating with 0.1 WTE consultant orthodontist cover and 0.6 WTE specialist orthodontist cover is adequately resourced to meet demand in South Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46626/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
515. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have been removed from orthodontic waiting lists in South Tipperary during the past five years without receiving treatment; the reasons for their removal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46627/26]
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.
516. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has assessed the impact of prolonged orthodontic waiting times on children’s oral health, mental wellbeing, educational participation and social development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46628/26]
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.
517. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the maximum waiting time the HSE considers clinically acceptable for orthodontic assessment and treatment; the way current waiting times in South Tipperary compare with that standard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46629/26]
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.
518. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of orthodontic assessments completed and orthodontic treatments commenced and completed in South Tipperary in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46630/26]
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.
519. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether any business case has been submitted seeking additional orthodontic staffing resources for South Tipperary since 2021; if so, the details of such submissions and the outcome of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46631/26]
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.
520. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health in light of the HSE’s acknowledgement that demand for orthodontic treatment exceeds available capacity and that waiting lists are expected to continue growing throughout 2026 and 2027; the immediate actions she intends to take to prevent further deterioration of services in South Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46632/26]
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.
521. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1136 of 19 May 2026, the medical criteria under which the HSE may assign a general practitioner to a patient on the basis of urgent medical need; the process by which such medical need is assessed and verified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46636/26]
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.
522. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of people who have used the cross-border directive for Lyme’s disease, or conditions associated with it, because of an absence of appropriate care here in Ireland, for the years 2020 to 2025. [46672/26]
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.
523. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Health when the commercial proposal request to include skyclarys on the agenda for the June HSE Drugs Group meeting was received by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46675/26]
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.
524. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Health to list the personnel that form the membership of the HSE Drugs Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46676/26]
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.
525. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Health the frequency with which the HSE Drugs Group has met to date in 2026; and the outstanding meetings for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46677/26]
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.
526. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Health the engagements she has had with those advocating on behalf of people living with Friedreich's ataxia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46678/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFriedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is a rare genetic neurological condition characterized by slowly progressive ataxia and neuropathy with onset usually in the teenage years.
In my capacity as Minister for Health I regularly meet with patient advocacy and representative groups, including those suffering from rare diseases. In addition officials in my Department, the HSE and CHI have regular engagement with patient advocacy and representative groups.
in relation to engagements with people advocating for Friedreich's Ataxia, I attended a briefing in Leinster House on Friedreich’s Ataxia earlier this year. The briefing was led by a group of people who have been diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia and their family members.
The briefing event showed the many challenges and obstacles that currently exist for those diagnosed with the illness, and the Department will resolve to ensure implementation of the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025 – 2030 and its vision, to ensure that all people living with a rare disease have access to equitable, inclusive, safe and cross-sectoral care throughout their life journey that will enable them to reach their full potential and to live their best lives.
527. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health her plans to improve the ambulance service in the Mid-West; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46702/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
528. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will address concerns raised by health store owners (details supplied) regarding the proposed EU maximum amounts for vitamins and minerals in food supplements; if she will outline her position on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46717/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank-you for your query. I note the concerns which you have raised in your submission.
Vitamins and essential minerals are micronutrients required for the body to function properly. While they are vital for health, consuming them in excessive amounts can cause harmful effects. To address this risk, the concept of a tolerable upper intake level (UL) was developed. This science-based reference value helps policymakers and other stakeholders assess and manage the potential dangers of excessive nutrient intake.
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is established through a structured, science-based risk assessment process. It represents the maximum daily intake of a nutrient that is unlikely to cause harmful effects in nearly all individuals in a population. The UL is not a recommended intake level, but rather a safety threshold. Intakes below the UL are unlikely to pose risks, while habitual intake above it increases the likelihood of adverse health effects.
Maximum Amounts (MAs) are limits set on the amount of each vitamin and mineral in food supplements and fortified foods, they are derived using the UL as a key reference point. The purpose of setting MAs is to ensure the safety of consumers. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) Scientific Committee previously gave advice with regards to setting maximum amounts www.fsai.ie/publications/the-safety-of-vitamins-and-minerals-in-food-supple
The approach proposed by the European Commission is in line with this advice. The values will be set on the most up-to-date scientific data, standard model of calculation and on a case-by-case basis.
Work resumed at setting MAs by the European Commission in 2021. In 2025, the Commission met with several EU level industry groups and next steps include a call for evidence by the Commission. All interested parties are encouraged to submit any commentary on the MAs once this call is launched.
The Department of Health’s position on this matter is not yet finalised, it will be determined based an assessment of evidence from the Commission and EFSA.
Directive 2002/46/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to food supplements establishes the legal framework governing food supplements marketed as foodstuffs within the European Union. The legal basis for the setting of Maximum Amounts (MAs) for food supplements is covered under Article 5 of the Directive, this provision sets the criteria to be taken into account when establishing maximum amounts.
Article 5
1. Maximum amounts of vitamins and minerals present in food supplements per daily portion of consumption as recommended by the manufacturer shall be set, taking the following into account:
(a) upper safe levels of vitamins and minerals established by scientific risk assessment based on generally accepted scientific data, taking into account, as appropriate, the varying degrees of sensitivity of different consumer groups;
(b) intake of vitamins and minerals from other dietary sources.
2. When the maximum levels referred to in paragraph 1 are set, due account should also be taken of reference intakes of vitamins and minerals for the population.
These provisions have to be interpreted in light of the respective recitals (13), (14) and (16) in the legal act.
13) Excessive intake of vitamins and minerals may result in adverse effects and therefore necessitate the setting of maximum safe levels for them in food supplements, as appropriate. Those levels must ensure that the normal use of the products under the instructions of use provided by the manufacturer will be safe for the consumer.
(14) When maximum levels are set, therefore, account should be taken of the upper safe levels of the vitamins and minerals, as established by scientific risk assessment based on generally acceptable scientific data, and of intakes of those nutrients from the normal diet. Due account should also be taken of reference intake amounts when setting maximum levels.
(15) Food supplements are purchased by consumers for supplementing intakes from the diet. In order to ensure that this aim is achieved, if vitamins and minerals are declared on the label of food supplements, they should be present in the product in a significant amount.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was formally mandated by the European Commission to update the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for use in assessing potential risks for consumers via dietary intake, considering recent scientific developments and evidence.
529. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if an addendum to HSE HR Circular 008/2026 will be issued to ensure that consultants on the public only consultant contract are not rostered for on-call duties in relation to private patients (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46726/26]
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.
530. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she is investigating weekend consultant rostering arrangements and the gifting of fees to consultants on public only consultant contracts (POCC) for delivering the babies of private patients in the Rotunda Maternity Hospital, further to media reports (details supplied); the steps she is taking to address this breach of the POCC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46727/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health and the HSE were not aware of, and would not condone, any arrangements whereby private maternity consultants make payments or “gifts” to public consultants for covering their clinical duties.
As it would be for all specialties, the maternity consultant on duty in any hospital is responsible for the care of all patients requiring attention regardless of whether they are private or public. Cross-cover between consultants is a routine and expected part of how our public health services are delivered, ensuring continuity of care for everyone who needs it.
The Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC) is now the standard across the public health service. Private practice is not permitted in public hospitals under this contract. Any suggestion of private financial arrangements in this context would be inconsistent with contractual obligations, would raise serious concerns, and risks diverting time and resources away from treating public patients. Ensuring equitable access to high-quality care based on need, not ability to pay, is a core objective of Sláintecare.
531. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the case of a person (details supplied); if she will investigate this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46750/26]
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.
