Written Answers Nos. 681-700
681. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the arrest of 47 people in Turkey (details supplied) following a series of raids on gay bars and the homes of LGBTQ+ activists; if she will publicly condemn this action and if she will seek that the Government use the EU Presidency to highlight this injustice as a strong voice for those in the LGBTQ+ community. [68880/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of reports of arrests targeting LGBTQ+ activists and organisations in Turkey. Ireland strongly supports the rights of LGBTQI+ persons. The Government will continue to raise human rights concerns, including LGBTQI+ rights, through appropriate channels, and will use the Presidency of the Council of the European Union to highlight the importance of advancing LGBTIQ+ rights across the EU.
682. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the legal basis for Tusla's interpretation of section 66 of the Child Care Act 1991 regarding superannuation eligibility for staff employed in children's residential and aftercare services listed in S.I. 124/1992, 125/1992 and 863/2004; if her Department has issued any guidance or determination limiting eligibility (details supplied) to staff; and if long standing scheme members can legally be removed from this superannuation scheme based on an interpretation not provided for in primary legislation. [68952/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy in due course.
683. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has plans to set up a dedicated disability service for adults living with autism in CHO8. [68931/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Specialist Disability Budget supports a range of services funded through the HSE and delivered by Section 38 and Section 39 organisations, as well as the HSE. This includes, among other services and supports, Residential and Day Services for people with specialist disability service requirements. Access to services is based on an individual’s needs rather than on their diagnosis.
The Autism Innovation Strategy, published in August 2024, recognises that while there are a range of existing frameworks across government that support autistic people and other people with disabilities, there is work to be done in order to address gaps in supports and services. The Strategy contains 83 actions, committed to by 11 Government Departments and several public bodies.
The vision for the Strategy is a more inclusive society, where autistic people are understood and have
equity of opportunity to participate in cultural, social and economic life and lead meaningful and fulfilled lives as valued members of the community.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
684. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports, services and safeguarding measures that are currently available through the HSE for children who are considered at significant risk of wandering, absconding or becoming lost, including autistic children and those with intellectual disabilities; whether assistance is available for GPS tracking or other locating technologies; and if she will provide details of the eligibility criteria and application process for such supports. [68825/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
686. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of case manager positions relative to acquired brain injury patients that are funded by the HSE; her plans to provide funding for the twenty case managers that are required nationally; her plans to deal with the waiting list for services for patients with acquired brain injury; if the funding for the organisation will be increased as there has been no increase over the past eight years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68225/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
687. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health in light of ongoing concerns regarding ambulances being delayed in traffic approaching and leaving Letterkenny, what analysis has been carried out to determine the impact of such delays on emergency medical response times, patient safety and the capacity of the National Ambulance Service to respond to subsequent emergency calls in County Donegal. [68044/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
688. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health to review the case of a person (details supplied) awaiting a procedure in University Hospital Limerick. [68038/26]
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.
689. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether the Government will commission research into the relationship between Down syndrome and the development of Alzheimer’s disease; and whether consideration will be given to developing a national policy paper on the supports required for people with Down syndrome as they age and for their families and carers. [68033/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State with responsibility for Older People and Housing, I am fully committed to supporting people with dementia and their families by focusing on the expansion of dementia diagnostic and community-based services in line with the Programme for Government commitments on dementia.
I also recognise the importance of understanding the relationship between Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease, particularly as increasing life expectancy means that more people with Down syndrome are living into older age and may experience age-related health conditions, including dementia.
A substantial body of international research has demonstrated a strong association between Down syndrome and the development of Alzheimer's disease. Ireland has also contributed significantly to this field through the work of Trinity College Dublin, including the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability and the IDS-TILDA study, which have advanced understanding of ageing, cognitive decline and dementia among people with intellectual disabilities.
The Model of Care for Dementia in Ireland, published by HSE National Dementia Services in 2023, provides a framework for timely diagnosis, coordinated care and person-centred supports for people living with dementia and their families. In line with this the National Intellectual Disability Memory Service (NIDMS), provides specialist assessment and support for people with intellectual disabilities, including people with Down syndrome who may be experiencing memory concerns or symptoms of dementia.
The NIDMS is based at Tallaght University Hospital and provides a range of services including the following:
• Support to people who are worried about memory loss problems
• Baseline screening for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities
• Diagnosis, including differential diagnosis
• Information on improving and maintaining good brain health
• Dementia treatment information including the preventative use of anti-dementia drugs
• Post diagnostic support including easy access information and training/education on living well with dementia
• A nurse-led help line
• Access to and enrolment in research studies and clinical trials.
The NIDMS supports and provides training to staff in intellectual disability services in understanding and recognising dementia. It also provides outreach support to specialist memory clinics in intellectual disability services. Awareness-raising of the importance of brain health in reducing risk and helping people live well with dementia is part of every consultation at the NIDMS.
The needs of people with Down syndrome are shared across a range of Government policies relating to disability, health, dementia, ageing and carers. The Government supports research that improves our understanding of dementia, ageing and disability. I am aware of the value of continuing research in this area and the potential contribution it can make to informing future policy and service development. Consideration of future policy development in this area will be informed by ongoing research, emerging evidence and engagement with people with disabilities, their representative organisations, families, carers, service providers and researchers.
I will continue to work with my Government colleagues, including the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, to ensure that the needs of people with Down syndrome as they age, and the needs of their families and carers, are appropriately reflected in the development of policy and services.
690. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Health what examination is being carried out into the fourfold increase in neurological conditions since 2019, as referenced by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer, 22nd July 2026 at EU World Neurology Day. [68075/26]
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.
691. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health to provide details on a matter (details supplied); and the actions taken by the HSE to address the matter. [68004/26]
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.
692. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for appointments and operations in Cavan General Hospital broken down by category. [68002/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach initiated in September 2021 is focused on improving waiting times for patients, and the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) 2026, embodies the Government’s commitment to reducing waiting times for patients, thereby improving access to hospital care. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
National waiting list information by hospital, specialty, and time band is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: https://www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
The health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care, which would be necessary to calculate the average waiting time for patients. The mean and median average waiting times provided to my Department by the NTPF and set out in the attached, are in respect of how long patients on lists have been waiting.
693. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of adverse events have occurred in Cavan General Hospital in each of past five years broken down in tabular form. [68000/26]
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.
694. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the capital works projects that are currently ongoing at the Mater Hospital; and when each of those capital works projects will be completed, in tabular form. [68053/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
695. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the staffing budget allocation to Bloomfield Hospital Rathfarnham in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [68052/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct response.
696. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists based at Mullingar Regional Hospital as of 21 September 2026, in tabular form. [68051/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
697. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting assessment for approval and implantation of deep brain stimulation therapy; the average waiting times at each stage of the pathway; the number of DBS procedures carried out in each of the years of 2024 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and the steps being taken to reduce waiting times. [68050/26]
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.
698. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Health the examination of the Health Products Regulatory Authority pharmacovigilance processes is being carried out in light of the recent British Medical Journal findings (September 16th 2026) of a faulty algorithm in the US Centre for Disease Control Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. [68072/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe article published in the British Medical Journal on 16 September 2026 relates to vaccine safety surveillance arrangements in the United States, including the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), which is operated by the US authorities.
In Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) participates in vaccine safety monitoring through the European Medicines Regulatory Network, coordinated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The safety of COVID-19 vaccines authorised for use in Ireland was monitored through this established European pharmacovigilance system, which brought together the regulatory authorities of the EU and EEA Member States.
Prior to the commencement of COVID-19 vaccination programmes, the EMA and national competent authorities, including the HPRA, developed and implemented an intensified safety monitoring plan. This framework was designed to support the rapid collection, assessment and review of the large volume of safety data expected during the vaccination campaign.
During the pandemic, almost one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered across the EU and EEA. The enhanced monitoring arrangements enabled the continuous review of safety information, including approximately 2.8 million suspected adverse reaction reports received through EudraVigilance, the EU's system for managing and analysing information on suspected adverse reactions to medicines. These activities were supported by pharmacoepidemiological studies, real-world evidence and enhanced cooperation between European regulatory authorities and scientific experts.
The monitoring system enabled the timely identification, assessment and communication of vaccine safety issues. It confirmed that the vast majority of reported side effects were mild or moderate and short-lived, while also facilitating the detection and evaluation of rare and very rare adverse events, allowing appropriate regulatory action to be taken where necessary.
Throughout this period, the HPRA and EMA maintained a strong focus on transparency and public communication, providing regular updates on vaccine safety monitoring activities and emerging safety information.
Following the pandemic, reviews and self-assessments of the European regulatory response, including pharmacovigilance activities, were undertaken. These assessments found that the coordinated European approach to vaccine safety monitoring provided a robust framework for the detection, assessment and communication of vaccine safety risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
699. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether all memory care staff promised in 2023 have now been recruited; the current number; the number considered a full cohort; the number currently employed in Cork; and the number considered a full cohort to meet commitments in Cork. [68067/26]
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.
700. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health the average length of time for clearances to be carried out, following the offer and acceptance of a post within CAMHS services, in the Mid-West region; if any efforts have been made to expedite this process; and if not, would this be considered. [68121/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond direct to the Deputy as soon as possible in relation to the detailed operational information sought.
