Ken O'Flynn

2014. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department maintains national data on discretionary medical card decisions affecting persons aged over 70 years-of-age; the number of discretionary applications considered for that cohort in each of the years from 2020 to 2025; the number approved; the number refused; and whether any policy review has been undertaken in relation to eligibility thresholds for older persons. [19964/26]

2015. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for discretionary medical cards under the general medical services scheme that were refused but where applicants were subsequently granted a GP visit card in each of the years from 2020 to 2025; and whether the Department monitors such outcomes as part of its policy oversight of medical card eligibility decisions. [19965/26]

2044. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the date on which fire safety deficiencies requiring the closure of a unit (details supplied) were first identified; the date on which remediation works commenced; the estimated capital cost of these works; and the expected date for completion and reopening of the affected beds. [20071/26]

2045. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of beds that have been unavailable for use at a nursing unit in each month since the closure of the unit due to fire safety works; and the steps being taken by her Department and the HSE to restore this capacity. [20072/26]

2046. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether HIQA identified compliance issues during its inspection of a nursing unit on 17 February 2026 relating to the application to vary registration for a dementia-specific unit (details supplied); the nature of any such issues; and the anticipated timeframe for regulatory approval. [20073/26]

2047. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the approved workforce model, including the number of whole-time equivalent posts, required to safely operate the 19-bed dementia-specific unit at a nursing unit (details supplied); and whether funding has been approved for the full complement of staff. [20074/26]

2050. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the policy framework governing the multidisciplinary team assessment process which forms the clinical basis for applications under the treatment abroad scheme for gender affirmation surgery; whether national clinical guidelines or standards apply to such MDT determinations; and the body responsible for oversight of these standards. [20078/26]

2051. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of applications submitted under the treatment abroad scheme for gender affirmation surgery in each year from 2020 to 2026; the number approved; the number refused; and the principal recorded reasons for refusal where applicable. [20079/26]

2052. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive conducts audits or reviews of MDT recommendations submitted in support of applications for gender affirmation surgery under the treatment abroad scheme; and if so, the frequency and scope of such oversight. [20080/26]

2053. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure under the treatment abroad scheme on gender affirmation surgery in each year from 2020 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, including travel and accommodation costs funded by the State. [20081/26]

2054. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of patients funded under the treatment abroad scheme for gender affirmation surgery in each of the years from 2020 to 2025 and to-date in 2026. [20088/26]

2055. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure incurred under the treatment abroad scheme for gender affirmation surgery in each of the years from 2020 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, including surgery, travel, accommodation and associated medical costs. [20089/26]

2056. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE collects outcome data, complication rates, or patient follow-up information for gender affirmation surgeries funded abroad under the treatment abroad scheme. [20090/26]

2057. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any clinical governance framework exists for monitoring referrals by multidisciplinary teams recommending gender affirmation surgery funded under the treatment abroad scheme. [20091/26]

2060. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure by the Health Service Executive under the treatment abroad scheme in respect of gender affirmation surgeries undertaken outside the State in each year from 2020 to 2025 inclusive; the number of individual procedures funded in each year; and the average cost per procedure in each of those years. [20121/26]

2061. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the countries and healthcare providers in which gender affirmation surgeries funded under the Treatment Abroad Scheme have been carried out since 2020; the number of procedures funded in each jurisdiction; and whether the Department maintains a list of approved hospitals or surgical centres for such treatments. [20122/26]

2062. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the policy or governance framework under which applications for gender affirmation surgery abroad are assessed under the Treatment Abroad Scheme; the number of applications received and approved in each year since 2020; and the clinical or administrative authority responsible for granting final approval for such funding. [20123/26]

2063. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive records clinical outcomes, complications, or follow-up care requirements for patients who receive gender affirmation surgery abroad funded under the treatment abroad scheme; and if so, the oversight mechanisms in place to monitor patient outcomes and long-term healthcare impacts. [20124/26]

2064. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Department has conducted or commissioned any review, audit, or policy assessment of the use of the treatment abroad scheme to fund gender affirmation surgeries outside the State since 2020; and if not, whether she intends to commission such a review. [20125/26]

2067. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive records the time required to approve recruitment requests submitted under the processes established by CEO Memo 09892 of 4 October 2023 and CEO Memo 10885 of 26 February 2024; the average time taken from submission to decision in each year since 2023; and whether clearance timeline key performance indicators exist for such approvals. [20138/26]

2068. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of recruitment approval requests submitted to the National Director of HR under CEO Memo 10885 in 2024 and 2025; the number approved, refused, withdrawn or returned for further information; and the average time taken to issue a decision in each case. [20139/26]

2069. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive has undertaken any review, analysis or briefing assessing the operational impact of recruitment control measures introduced under CEO Memo 09892 of 4 October 2023 and CEO Memo 10885 of 26 February 2024, including impacts on vacancy persistence, recruitment delays and service delivery; and whether she will publish such material. [20140/26]

2070. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department monitors the number of vacant posts which remain unfilled due to recruitment approval processes introduced under CEO Memo 09892 and CEO Memo 10885; the number of such posts in each health region and national service area; and whether this information is reported to her Department on a routine basis. [20141/26]

2071. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed whether the recruitment control measures introduced under CEO Memo 09892 and CEO Memo 10885 have contributed to delays in filling clinical or frontline posts, including those within hospital services, community health services and the National Ambulance Service; and if she will provide details of any such assessment. [20142/26]

2077. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive maintains any national system for monitoring clinical outcomes, complications, or long-term follow-up in respect of children and adolescents from Ireland who receive gender-related medical treatment abroad under the treatment abroad scheme or any related referral pathway; if so, the governance arrangements for collecting and reviewing such information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20182/26]