Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

I thank the Deputy. I recognise the extraordinary impact long Covid can have on people. It is my understanding that this scheme has been extended on a number of occasions and there is no proposal to extend it further. People are entitled to illness benefit but there is no proposal to extend the scheme further at this time.

Hear, hear.

I have said that-----

I was aware of the briefing and was sorry I was not able to attend yesterday on an otherwise busy day. As the Deputy is aware, the process for processing, authorising and reimbursing drugs is managed by the HSE, which considers all of the different factors involved, including the European position and the effectiveness and broader reach of a drug at a given time. I will examine the case raised by …

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I have met a number of the groups that are impacted by this. This is something on which we have been working together for at least ten years. Prior to that, it related to families that were impacted by inequalities in adoption. We are well aware of the inequalities that are there. The Act was passed last year. It needs amending legislation. Apa…

I thank the Deputy. As she said, the rationalisation of the hospitals is something that goes back some time. The purpose is to provide the best care that can be provided among the different model 4 and model 3 hospitals. I note that Cavan has had a good performance over the past number of weeks in terms of trolley numbers and the organisation of its staff. There have been a few little blips, but i…

I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the response under way following publication of the clinical audit into developmental dysplasia of the hip, DDH, surgery on children in CHI and National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, published last Friday, 23 May. This follows on from our debate on 29 April where we said we would revisit this and it is appropriate we continue to work on these issues…

It is not finished yet.

We are all parents. I thank the Deputy so much-----

No, I am not-----

They can be included later.

I thank the Deputies for their questions and contributions. I will answer as many questions as I can and I can provide a further briefing for Deputies on a technical basis. I am very happy to come to the committee where we can do more back and forth. It is important Deputies have the opportunity to contribute in the House and, as I always try to do, I will answer as many questions as I possibly ca…

Yes, I will work on that with the HSE.

I thank the Deputy. I will update the House that I have now met all of the advocacy groups representing the children, young people and families affected by spinal conditions. I thank them sincerely for their time and their honesty. I have heard directly from them about the impact that gaps in communication and long waiting times can and do have on children and families and I have assured them of m…

I will respond to the second part of the Deputy's question. In respect of both reports the Deputy and I await, which are very important reports that everybody is entitled to see, I am given to understand by CHI that it expects to receive them very shortly and in the next number of weeks. I feel as though I have said that before, however, and I really do expect to receive them. As I have said to th…

We are making the same case with regard to CHI and spinal surgeries. I am simply making the point that surgeons have to respond to the investment that this Government and this House has put into the services. I expect them to do that. On CHI and the hip dysplasia, it is a matter for CHI to give that number and to be able to confirm that. I will use every power I have to make sure they do that. I …

I thank the Deputy for the question; it is an important one. I thank colleagues for their support on the approach taken to date. I want to be absolutely clear in relation to the intention with regard to the HRT initiative. Budget 2025 aimed to continue the good work ongoing to improve women's healthcare, and in particular to support women on their menopause journey. It was originally intended the …

The first thing is that I issued a press release in relation to this and then went on a media outlet. I must check when the Deputy last went on a media outlet and whether she regards that as an effective way of communicating either her party's position or to her constituents in any way. It is certainly a way for the Government to communicate, as we often do. The fact that we go on a different sho…

I did.

I did.

That is just not true.

A diktat.

I cannot believe this.

Sure.

The €5 is the top fee that is paid under the current structure. The €6.50 is the once-off fee for contraception. I gave pharmacists the option to charge above €6.50 - €7, €8, €9 or €10, whatever they wanted - and they refused that. It is a very interesting position for the Deputy to have adopted this evening. I am trying to give every option possible to deliver for the women of Ireland, but I am h…