1958. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the long term strategy to expand endoscopy services in line with rising demand driven by an ageing population and increased public awareness of the need for diagnostic testing. [19706/26]
2004. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the number of graduate audiologists recruited into HSE-funded posts in each of the years from 2021 to 2025; the geographic breakdown of those appointments by CHO area and hospital group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19936/26]
2005. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the number of audiologists recruited into HSE-funded posts in each of the years from 2021 to 2025; the number of audiology vacancies recorded in each of these years; the current geographic distribution of audiology workforce capacity across CHO areas and hospital groups; the measures in place to support workforce planning and ensure adequate audiology service …
2006. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the clinical placement capacity available across HSE services for each Health and Social Care Profession (HSCP) discipline including but not limited to audiology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics, medical science, radiography, and other therapy/HSCP programmes for each of the years from 2021 to 2025. [19938/26]
2016. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the recent changes to the practice of issuing permanent contracts to newly qualified paramedics in the National Ambulance Service; the reason for this change; when the change was brought to the attention of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19970/26]
2017. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified paramedics that have recently completed training with the National Ambulance Service but have not been issued permanent contracts. [19971/26]
2018. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of training a paramedic within the National Ambulance Service. [19972/26]
2019. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the current staffing shortfall within the National Ambulance Service. [19973/26]
2177. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the specific steps the HSE is taking to ensure that the time critical and progressive nature of Friedreich's Ataxia is fully recognised and acted upon during the ongoing price and reimbursement negotiations for skyclarys, given the significant risk of irreversible decline for patients during prolonged delays. [20488/26]
2178. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the way in which the commitments outlined in the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030 particularly those relating to timely access to innovative therapies are being applied in the case of skyclarys. [20489/26]
2179. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the way in which the 180 day decision timeline set out in the 2026 IPHA Framework Agreement is being implemented in practice for rare disease medicines; and the reason this timeline has not been met in the case of skyclarys for Friedreich's Ataxia patients. [20490/26]
2180. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE has considered establishing an Early Access Programme for skyclarys, in light of the progressive and time sensitive nature of Friedreich's Ataxia, so that patients can access the treatment while reimbursement negotiations are ongoing. [20491/26]
68. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if she will examine the potential of a surgical hub being established at Louth County Hospital to support the north-east and the growing population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17646/26]
72. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the plans to increase bed capacity in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17647/26]
184. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action being taken to support biodiversity protection in the Cooley mountains; the supports for landowners to eliminate bracken from the mountains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17662/26]
236. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be provided for Louth County Council to for general repairs required after the recent bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17663/26]
297. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport if he will list the designated harbours in County Louth; and outline the process by which a harbour can be designated under the Harbours Act 1996. [18189/26]
298. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport the way his Department ensures that local authorities and harbour companies are meeting their statutory obligations under the Harbours Act 1996, the Harbours Act 1946, and the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847, particularly in cases where no harbour master is appointed to exercise the powers and duties set out in these Acts. [18190/26]
299. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport if he will detail the safety assessments carried out in harbours currently operating without a harbour master; and whether the absence of a harbour master has been identified as a risk factor in relation to vessel traffic management, emergency response, or environmental protection. [18191/26]
300. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport the way the absence of a harbour master in certain regional ports aligns with the requirements of the Sea Pollution Act 1991, particularly regarding the authority to refuse entry to vessels that pose an environmental threat; and whether additional resources will be allocated to ensure compliance. [18192/26]
301. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport the way emergency response capabilities, such as fire control, vessel removal, and enforcement of bye laws, are being exercised in harbours where no harbour master is appointed, given that these powers are specifically vested in harbour masters under the Harbours Act 1996 and related legislation. [18194/26]
302. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish a national strategy for the governance and staffing of regional harbours, including a plan to ensure that every port with commercial, fishing, or tourism activity has a designated harbour master with the statutory authority to manage safety, operations, and environmental protection. [18195/26]
303. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has conducted any formal risk audits or safety assessments of harbours operating without a designated harbour master; and if so, whether he will publish the findings; if not, the way the Department assesses compliance with statutory safety obligations in the absence of such audits. [18198/26]
304. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport the insurance and liability implications for local authorities and harbour companies that operate harbours without an appointed harbour master, given that statutory powers under the Harbours Act 1996 and related legislation cannot be exercised by unappointed or unauthorised personnel; and whether the State faces increased exposure in the event of an accident…
305. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport whether the Irish Coast Guard, the Marine Survey Office, or any other maritime safety authority has raised concerns regarding the absence of harbour masters in regional ports; and if so, the actions which have been taken in response to those concerns. [18200/26]