Questions

576. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if her Department plans to engage staff from the private sector who work in accountancy and corporate law firms to work in her Department during the course of the upcoming EU Presidency term; the terms under which such staff will be engaged; the number of staff her Department plans to hire; the measures planned to guard against potential conflicts of interest between…

577. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029, to outline the proposed governance, funding flows and accountability arrangements for the regional structures within the HSE Health Regions; whether local drug and alcohol task forces will retain independent governance and decision-making authority over locally delivered programmes; and if s…

578. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; and if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE Health Regio…

579. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the specific measures that will be put in place to protect the independent, community-led role of local drug and alcohol task forces under the proposed regional governance arrangements in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18101/26]

580. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health whether, under the proposed regional structures in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029, all public funding for community-based drug services, including local drug and alcohol task forces, will be pooled at HSE health region level; what safeguards will be put in place to prevent dilution of funding to areas of high deprivation; and if she will make a stateme…

581. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health following on from the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, her plans to deal with the sale and advertising of nicotine pouches targeted at minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18107/26]

582. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff currently on sick leave or stress-related leave, by staff category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18110/26]

583. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of bullying reported by HSE staff in the most recent year for which data is available, broken down by hospital group, CHO area and staff category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18111/26]

584. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health for an update on ADHD services in CHO7; if there is a fully staffed team in place; the current wait time from referral to appointment, the number of referrals awaiting an appointment by year for the past three years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18119/26]

585. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if interim supports are in place for individuals living with ADHD who cannot currently access a public care pathway due to capacity issues within the system; if it is acknowledged by the health service that individuals in this position are mentally and financially impacted by the lack of access to services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18120/2…

586. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason 80 newly qualified paramedics who have completed a three year BSC in Paramedic Studies and all necessary examinations, placements and assessments will not move to permanent roles in the National Ambulance Service in what is a break from established practice. [18121/26]

587. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant orthodontist posts currently vacant in HSE south-west Cork and Kerry, the plans to recruit same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18122/26]

588. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health when it is intended to fully implement the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18142/26]

589. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the absence of a paediatric ophthalmology service currently in Nenagh primary care centre as the previous ophthalmologist retired; the steps that are being taken to recruit a suitably qualified ophthalmologist for this area; and when this person will be in position. [18144/26]

590. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health whether a chairperson has been assigned to the cannabis access review panel; if so, whether the Minister could advise the person chosen; if not, when will this position be filled so that work on the review can be commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18163/26]

591. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE senior management staff pre-reconfiguration to the HSE health regions; and the number of HSE senior management staff as of March 2026. [18165/26]

592. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the status of the National Hearing Care Plan Working Group established in 2024; the work completed to date; when the recommendations will be published; and the expected timeline for implementation. [18173/26]

593. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to reduce waiting times for adult audiology services; and if additional resources will be allocated to address this backlog. [18174/26]

594. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider expanding access to community based audiology services for HSE medical card holders and help reduce pressure on hospital ENT and audiology services. [18175/26]

595. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address untreated age-related hearing loss as a public health priority, given that the Lancet Commission identifies hearing loss as the biggest modifiable risk factor for dementia and that managing hearing loss between ages 45-65 years reduces dementia risk by 7%. [18177/26]

596. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if her Department will introduce a national awareness campaign on age related hearing loss, given evidence that people often wait between seven to ten years before seeking help and that 66% of hearing aid users regret not acting sooner. [18178/26]

597. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health whether hearing care will be incorporated into Ireland's Healthy Ageing Strategy, given the strong links between untreated hearing loss, social isolation, mental ill health, and loss of independence. [18179/26]

598. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if she will explore partnerships with community based providers to deliver timely hearing assessments and hearing aid fittings, noting that early diagnosis and support can reduce isolation, improve mental well-being and lower the risk of dementia. [18180/26]

599. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the number of adults currently on waiting lists for audiology services in each CHO area; the average and longest waiting times in each area; and the number waiting more than six, 12 and 18 months, in tabular form. [18181/26]

600. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children awaiting audiology assessment or treatment in hospital-based audiology services and community-based audiology services, by CHO area; and the steps being taken to address regional disparities, in tabular form. [18182/26]