Questions

577. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the timeline of implementation for the expansion of community neurorehabilitation teams nationally, following funding allocations in Budget 2026; the expected timeline of implementation for a community neurorehabilitation team in Dublin northwest; the expected funding amount for a community neurorehabilitation team in Dublin northwest; …

578. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the catchment areas for community neurorehabilitation teams in Dublin; the best possible options for constituents of Dublin northwest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64674/25]

579. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the interim actions being taken by her Department and the HSE to reduce audiology waiting times ahead of the publication of the National Hearing Care Plan in Q1 2026, including any temporary staffing supports or targeted initiatives to clear the current backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64679/25]

580. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE plans to expand short-term access to private or community based audiology services, including options in Northern Ireland, in order to reduce delays for hearing assessments and hearing aids while the National Hearing Care Plan is being finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64680/25]

581. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the financial difference for a person currently on the special scheme for long-Covid, following the conclusion of the current special scheme on 31 December 2025, in comparison to the available schemes following the deadline of the final extension (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64681/25]

582. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners operating, per capita, in Ballyhaunis. [64684/25]

583. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists operating in Ballyhaunis. [64685/25]

584. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for a GP appointment in Ballyhaunis. [64686/25]

585. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for a dental appointment in Ballyhaunis. [64687/25]

586. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 457 of 13 November 2025, if all valid prescriptions for HRT products, which are for the time being on the reimbursement list, are eligible for the free HRT scheme regardless of the reason they were prescribed; if not, the way in which pharmacists are expected to ascertain the reason a prescription was made when there is no …

587. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health given the increasing number of older people presenting with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, if it is mandatory for all hospital staff , including those working in emergency departments, to receive dementia-specific training; the HSE or hospital protocols for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s who present with delirium and are left sitting on a chair in…

588. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the recent concerns raised about the new flu strain causing an increase in illness across UK; if she or her Department has updated the plans to ensure greater availability of the flu vaccine this winter for at risk and vulnerable citizens; whether she has engaged with the pharmacist and general practitioner groupings to discuss the roll out…

589. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the plans to introduce a mobile blood testing service for persons who are housebound; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64703/25]

590. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if she will reinstate funding for continuous glucose monitoring systems for people with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64708/25]

591. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review correspondence (details supplied) regarding an accident and emergency charge issued by Cavan General Hospital; her views on whether the application of this charge was correct in circumstances where the patient could not be admitted due to the unavailability of beds;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64711/25]

592. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Health the current wait time at University Hospital Waterford for a mammogram following referral by a GP; the wait time for biopsy result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64722/25]

593. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the date on which the Health Service Executive’s expert group completed its review of the implications of the Cass Review for Irish gender healthcare services, the date this report was submitted to the Chief Clinical Officer, the planned timeline for its publication or release, and the steps her Department is taking to ensure that the findings inform current servi…

594. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of children and young people referred by the HSE for gender-related assessment or treatment through the treatment abroad scheme in each of the past five years, the total public cost incurred, the number of cases currently awaiting referral or funding approval, and whether any changes to referral criteria or clinical pathways have been implemented follow…

595. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the governance and conflict-of-interest policies that apply to officials, clinicians, external advisors and members of the HSE’s Programme for Gender Healthcare when developing or advising on gender healthcare policy, including disclosure requirements relating to links with pharmaceutical companies, advocacy organisations or service providers; and the way these sa…

596. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of children and young people referred by the HSE for gender-related assessment or treatment through the treatment abroad scheme in each of the past five years, the total public cost incurred, the number of cases awaiting referral or funding approval, and whether changes to referral criteria or clinical pathways have been introduced following the Cass Re…

597. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current average and longest waiting times for children and young people referred to CAMHS for gender-related assessment, for subsequent referral to NHS specialist services under the Treatment Abroad Scheme, and for review by Children’s Health Ireland; and the steps being taken to ensure timely evidence-based assessment pathways while the new Model of Care is b…

598. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE maintains, or plans to establish, a structured data-collection system tracking long-term outcomes for children and young people presenting with gender dysphoria, including psychological outcomes, medical interventions, service use, and rates of detransition or regret; and the way such data will inform the new Model of Care. [64756/25]

599. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the clinical governance structures in Children’s Health Ireland for gender-related assessment and treatment, the oversight arrangements in place, the internal audit processes used, and how CHI ensures adherence to evidence-based guidance in this area. [64757/25]

600. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current referral criteria applied by CAMHS and Children’s Health Ireland for gender-related assessment, the clinical thresholds used before progression to any medical intervention, and any revisions to these criteria following the Cass Review. [64758/25]

601. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will publish the completed expert group review on the implications of the Cass Review for gender healthcare services in Ireland; the interim measures she has put in place to ensure that current assessment and treatment pathways for children and young people are safe, evidence-based and subject to clear clinical oversight. [64759/25]