PQ Responses - February 5th 2025

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PQ 2148-25 - Sorca Clarke

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the reason the midlands is one of only two regions of the country which still has not been funded for a community neurorehabilitation team; the plans he has to change this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2162-25 - Darren O'Rourke

To ask the Minister for Health the extra revenue that would be generated if patient charges in HSE-funded hospital for single-occupancy rooms increased by a further 20% based on 2024 figures.

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PQ 2205-25 - Ruairí Ó Murchú

To ask the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to ensure that any woman at risk of breast cancer receives a correct diagnosis in a timely and efficient manner regardless of their age, to ensure that appropriate treatment is provided as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2258-25 - Joanna Byrne

To ask the Minister for Health the number of primary medical certificate applications that are currently in hand awaiting processing by the HSE in CHO8; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2260-25 - Joanna Byrne

To ask the Minister for Health the number of primary medical certificate applications that were processed by the HSE in CHO8 in 2024.

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PQ 2264-25 - Erin McGreehan

To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure that any woman at risk of breast cancer receives a correct diagnosis in a timely and efficient manner regardless of their age, to ensure that appropriate treatment is provided as a matter of urgency; and what specific actions are being taken to prevent late diagnosis in the future.

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PQ 2315-25 - Michael Cahill

To ask the Minister for Health to urgently address the long delays in publishing the first phase of the North Kerry CAMHS Lookback review (The review of patient records began in 2023 and was due to be finalised by the end of the year 2023, however the HSE failed to meet this deadline and subsequent deadlines since); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2326-25 - Paul Murphy

To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to provide therapeutic support for child asylum seekers and refugees coming from warzones including Gaza.

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PQ 2374-25 - Matt Carthy

To ask the Minister for Health the reasons inpatient stepdown bed occupancy rates in Monaghan Hospital have been so low in recent months, falling to 66% on some occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2385-25 - Rory Hearne

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the average waiting time for a child to receive an assessment of need in the period after they have received an initial contact from a CDNT, by CHO and age category; the number of children waiting less than three months, between three to six months, between six to nine months, and more than nine months for an assessment of need in the period after they have received an initial contact from a CDNT, by CHO and age category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2386-25 - Rory Hearne

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the average waiting time for a child to receive an assessment of need in the period after they have received an initial contact from a CDNT, by CDNT in CHO9 and age category; the number of children waiting less than three months, between three to six months, between six to nine months, and more than nine months for an assessment of need in the period after they have received an initial contact by a CDNT, by CDNT in CHO9 and age category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2387-25 - Rory Hearne

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the average waiting time for a child to receive a therapy or other support appointment in the period after they have been referred for one following an assessment of need, by CHO and age category; the number of children waiting less than three months, between three to six months, between six to nine months, and more than nine months to receive a therapy or other support appointment in the period after they have been referred for one following an assessment of need, by CHO and age category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2388-25 - Rory Hearne

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the average waiting time for a child to receive a therapy or other support appointment in the period after they have been referred for one following an assessment of need, by CDNT in CHO9 and age category; the number of children waiting less than three months, between three to six months, between six to nine months, and more than nine months to receive a therapy or other support appointment in the period after they have been referred for one following an assessment of need, by CDNT in CHO9 and age category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2391-25 - Mark Ward

To ask the Minister for Health the way the agreed savings outlined in the HSE National Service Plan 2025 will be taken from the mental health budget for 2025; if it will impact on service delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2411-25 - Gary Gannon

To ask the Minister for Health the measures she will take to ensure that preventative healthcare services, such as sufficient provision public health nurses, are adequately resourced to safeguard the health and well-being of children and families in the future.

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PQ 2418-25 - Michael Healy-Rae

To ask the Minister for Health her plans to increase the number of respite beds in the Dingle/Tralee area of County Kerry (Minister we currently have two respite beds in Dingle Community Hospital. In the past there was 2 in Tralee Community but now there is none. This is of huge importance to our communities that we can offer more respite beds in the Dingle/ Tralee areas. 2 respite beds is simply not enough.); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2447-25 - Brian Brennan

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the efforts being made to recruit staff and reduce waiting lists for the children’s disability network team assessment and intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2482-25 - Richard Boyd Barrett

To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to include the medication lumateperone (which is for the treatment of bipolar depression) onto the drugs repayment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2507-25 - Matt Carthy

To ask the Minister for Health the services that are available or planned, to provide consultation and assessment clinics for adults with ADHD in the Cavan/Monaghan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2516-25 - Paul Lawless

To ask the Minister for Health the number of GPs in Westport, County Mayo; if she plans to provide more training places for doctors; and if she will incentivise them to live and work in that area.

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PQ 2529-25 - Peter Cleere

To ask the Minister for Health the current status of the primary care centre in Graiguenamanag; when she expects this centre to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2531-25 - Peter Cleere

To ask the Minister for Health how plans are progressing in relation to the new local injuries unit in Carlow; when she expects this unit to be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2533-25 - Peter Cleere

To ask the Minister for Health if urgent investment will be made to improve waiting lists and bed accommodation numbers, availability and accident and emergency overcrowding and waiting times at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, by providing for additional medical staff at all levels there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2539-25 - Peter Cleere

To ask the Minister for Health the number of home care support hours provided for older people in the Kilkenny and Carlow area in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2542-25 - John Brady

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the shortage of speech and language therapists and a hiring freeze, there is a growing number of children who cannot get the help they need, many of whom have been waiting on the list for years; if she will commit to ending the hiring freeze, providing these children with the specialists they need; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2566-25 - Michael Cahill

To ask the Minister for Health to fully review the national homecare waiting list with a view to correcting the urban/rural imbalance which show a quarter of the waiting list is based in one of the nine healthcare regions, Cork and Kerry with 1,160; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2584-25 - Niamh Smyth

To ask the Minister for Health to confirm the covid guidelines for staff of hospitals during the period of January to July 2022, in particular returning to work, course of action if showing covid symptoms etc, and if these guidelines applied to private hospitals operational in the State.

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PQ 2590-25 - Liam Quaide

To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide a breakdown of palliative care services nationally, by regional health area, with an outline of the type and duration of service offered, and, in each instance, the funding commitment and the population size served by the service, in tabular form.

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PQ 2592-25 - Liam Quaide

To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide a breakdown of eating disorders services, including regional team staffing levels and inpatient bed numbers, in the south west regional health area, in tabular form; and how this provision corresponds to or falls short of the HSE's Model of Care for Eating Disorder Services.

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PQ 2595-25 - Liam Quaide

To ask the Minister for Health the number of psychology posts advertised within the south west regional health area primary care services since 1 July 2024; the contract type (fixed-term or permanent; full- or part-time) in each case; and the number of posts filled to date since.

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PQ 2596-25 - Liam Quaide

To ask the Minister for Health if redeployment of psychologists to primary care services in the south west regional health area will be pursued by the HSE to address critical waiting lists there; if she has engaged with unions regarding the potential impact of this workforce strategy on retention of psychologists as well as on the services from which psychologists will be redeployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2598-25 - Liam Quaide

To ask the Minister for Health for an update on Saol Nua mental health service in Skibbereen following plans to relocate residents in July 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2603-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the current staffing levels within Longford CDNT within each discipline; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2604-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the current number of professional staff vacancies within the Phoenix Centre/Longford Primary Care Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2605-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the current number of professional staff vacancies within the Longford CDNT; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2606-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the work his Department has undertaken to recruit the medical professionals for the Longford CDNT; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2608-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting their initial speech and language appointment through the Phoenix Centre/Longford Primary Care Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2609-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting their initial physiotherapy appointment through Phoenix Centre/Longford Primary Care Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2610-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting their occupational therapy appointment through the Phoenix Centre/Longford Primary Care Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2611-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting their initial psychologist assessment through the Phoenix Centre/Longford Primary Care Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2612-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the current waiting times for paediatric speech and language therapy through Phoenix Centre/Longford Primary Care Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2613-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the current waiting times for paediatric occupational therapy through Phoenix Centre/Longford Primary Care Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2614-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the current waiting times for paediatric psychology assessment through Phoenix Centre/Longford Primary Care Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2615-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the current waiting times for paediatric physiotherapy through Phoenix Centre/Longford Primary Care Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2616-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting their assessment of needs in Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2617-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the current waiting times for the assessment of needs in Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2618-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the measures taken by her Department to reduce the assessment of needs wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2619-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the initiative her Department has undertaken to recruit medical professionals to carry out assessment of needs in the Longford area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2620-25 - Micheál Carrigy

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the funding that has been allocated to Longford to improve the service delivery for children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2634 25 - Paul McAulliffe

To ask the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the chiropody services available in the public health system, including to those with a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2638-25 - John McGuinness

To ask the Minister for Health the status of the funding approval for the development of the health centre in Ballyhale, County Kilkenny; and the timeline for the delivery of the project.

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PQ 2772-25 - Matt Carthy

To ask the Minister for Health if she plans to include lumateperone within the drugs payment scheme; the status of any considerations; the timeframe in which it may be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2777-25 - Michael Healy-Rae

To ask the Minister for Health if a dietician has been hired for Eist Linn in Cork (Minister it is very important that a dietician is hired for Eist Linn in Cork to help the needs of many people who have been referred here for care.); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2785-25 - Cian O'Callaghan

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the number of legal actions taken against her Department due to a child not receiving an assessment of need within the statutory timeframe since 2020, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2786-25 - Cian O'Callaghan

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the amount paid out in legal fees by her Department due to legal actions being taken by parents of a child not receiving an assessment of need within the statutory timeframe since 2020, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2788-25 - Eoghan Kenny

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the number of permanent residency spaces currently available for persons with disabilities in Cork and Kerry; the number of beds that are projected to be needed for 2025-2035; the assessments or reports that have been carried out to assess the number of beds that will be required to address the perceived shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2818-25- Eoghan Kenny

To ask the Minister for Health her plans to cover medications like ozempic under the drug payment scheme for polycystic ovary syndrome, due to insulin resistance being a core symptom of the syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2828-25 - Pádraig Rice

To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to include screening for HSV1 and HSV2 in the HSE’s free home STI test kits; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2831-25 - Carol Nolan

To ask the Minister for Health the number of communications received by HSE MyOptions from women in unplanned pregnancies in 2020-2024 inclusive, by category, by month, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2834-25 - Carol Nolan

To ask the Minister for Health the number of inspections carried out by the HSE environmental health service of each of manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers of e-cigarettes and refill containers during 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2835-25 - Carol Nolan

To ask the Minister for Health the number of test purchase inspections of the sale of tobacco and vaping products carried out in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2839-25 - Eoghan Kenny

To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists based in Cork north central that have joined the dental treatment service scheme since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2840-25 - Eoghan Kenny

To ask the Minister for Health the actions her Department is taking to recruit more dentists to join the dental treatment service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2841-25 - Eoghan Kenny

To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists currently working in primary care centres in Cork north central; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2845-25 - David Cullinane

To ask the Minister for Health the number of dual diagnosis teams across the State; the number which are operational; the catchment areas which they serve; the number which are fully staffed; and the number of vacancies otherwise, in tabular form.

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PQ 2851-25 - Jerry Buttimer

To ask the Minister for Health his views on the status of progress in development of a primary care centre in Douglas, Cork.

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PQ 2852-25 - Jerry Buttimer

To ask the Minister for Health his views on the current status of the former HSE health centre and future plans for the building in Passage West, County Cork.

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PQ 2853-25 - Jerry Buttimer

To ask the Minister for Health his views on the availability of beds for the provision of detox services for alcohol and drug addiction in County Cork.

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PQ 2857-25 - Donna McGettigan

To ask the Minister for Health the additional measures to be implemented to improve the mental health service in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2859-25 - Donna McGettigan

To ask the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres currently in use at Limerick Maternity Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2862-25 - Donna McGettigan

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth for a breakdown of the staff numbers and grade in each CDNT within Clare, in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2864-25 - Pearse Doherty

To ask the Minister for Health the plans, if any, for a new primary care facility in Dungloe, County Donegal; if her attention has been drawn to the urgent need for one; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2868-25 - Holly Cairns

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth if she will provide the current wait lists for assessments of needs for each local health area, including the number on the waiting lists; and the length of time they have been waiting, in tabular form.

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PQ 2880-25 - Holly Cairns

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the current average waiting period for assessments of needs in each CHO; the national average waiting periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2881-25 - Paul Donnelly

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the number of WTE clinical psychologists based at a location (Kilbarrack Children Disability Network Team) as of 28 January 2025; and if she will provide the corresponding figures as of 28 January 2022, in tabular form.

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PQ 2889-25 - Paul Donnelly

To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE midwives based in each of the three maternity hospitals within Dublin as of 28 January 2025; and if she will provide the corresponding figures as of 28 January 2022, in tabular form.

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PQ 2930-25 - Michael Cahill

To ask the Minister for Health to address the chronic situation that exists at University Hospital Kerry accident and emergency epartment by providing a new 96 bed block in addition to the 39 beds already in train there and take into consideration the fact that the hospital has seen an 18% increase in emergency department presentations during 2024 on 2023 numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2931-25 - Michael Cahill

To ask the Minister for Health to provide as a matter of priority a permanent oncology/haematology build at University Hospital Kerry ( as patients numbers there requiring chemotherapy are increasing year on year, with over 5000 patients treated in UHK last year and the existing facility does not have the capacity to cope with the increased demand, the provision of a new facility will also reduce the need for Kerry patients having to travel to Cork); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2932-25 - Michael Cahill

To ask the Minister for Health to provide as a matter of extreme urgency a new maternity unit at University Hospital Kerry (as there are clinical risks to both mother and baby due to the location of the existing Maternity Unit, as it is too far from theatre and will the Minister provide a sixth operation theatre to facilitate Obstetrics /Gynaecology demands there ); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2933-25 - Michael Cahill

To ask the Minister for Health to provide an ambulatory care block to include endoscopy, surgical and medical day units, outpatient department and radiology at University Hospital Kerry as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2934-25 - Michael Cahill

To ask the Minister for Health to return as a matter of extreme urgency, staffing levels at University Hospital Kerry to December 2023 levels across all disciplines, occupational therapists, physio and speech and language therapists along with clerical staffing are particularly challenging; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2936-25 - Michael Cahill

To ask the Minister for Health if general surgery and elective orthopaedics will be retained at University Hospital Kerry (as there is a fear with an elective Hospital being built in Cork, that these services could be reduced in UHK.); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2937-25 - Michael Cahill

To ask the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to provide additional parking for staff at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2938-25 - Michael Cahill

To ask the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to provide additional office accommodation at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2974-25 - Timmy Dooley

To ask the Minister for Health to list all Section 38 agencies that operate in County Clare; the type of service provided by each; the total grant received by each agency for each of the years 2020 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2976-25 - Timmy Dooley

To ask the Minister for Health the number and percentage of the population of County Clare with a medical card or GP visit card for each of the years 2020 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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PQ 2977-25 - Timmy Dooley

To ask the Minister for Health the percentage and number of population with a medical card who are receiving a prescription for a chronic health condition in County Clare for each of the years 2020 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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