Questions

2733. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether the HSE collects and maintains a centralised dataset in respect of approvals granted under the treatment abroad scheme; to specify the data fields recorded, including procedure type, cost, jurisdiction, and clinical indication; and if such data is not collected in a structured manner, to outline the steps being taken to address this gap in repo…

2734. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the national policy framework governing the operation of the treatment abroad scheme; to confirm whether this framework explicitly addresses procedures which are not available within the State but which may be subject to differing clinical or ethical considerations; and to clarify how the Department satisfies itself that such activity is subject to appropriate go…

2735. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the actions underway to improve access to appropriate care for those living with lipoedema, including progress on the development of a national HSE care pathway, access to conservative management options such as compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage, and the operation of the Cross Border Directive in this area; and if she will make a statement on t…

2736. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the work of the HSE group established in 2023 to develop a national care pathway for lipoedema; the expected timeline for publication; and the extent to which patient representative organisations, including the Lipoedema Support Network Ireland, are being engaged in this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23933/26]

2737. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health whether any engagement is taking place with private health insurers regarding coverage for clinically indicated treatments for lipoedema, including liposuction; whether there are any plans to review current practices to ensure clarity and consistency for patients seeking treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23934/26]

2738. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received urgent scoliosis surgery yet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23961/26]

2739. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if additional ambulance services will be provided for the Iveragh Peninsula area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23967/26]

2740. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health given the considerable cost of the shingles vaccine, if there are plans to make this vaccine available free of charge to those who need it, or to cover the cost of the vaccine through the medical card or long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23968/26]

2741. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason that when a person changes health insurance policies mid-contract, they must pay stamp duty on both the former contract and the new contract as per HIA legislation; if any measures are being considered by her Department to alter this legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23969/26]

2742. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to resolve the current impasse at the Workplace Relations Commission involving radiography practice tutors, a union (details supplied), the HSE and her Department; if she will address the pay-parity concerns raised by radiography practice tutors in comparison with radiotherapy tutors, mammography tutors and other clinical specialist radio…

2743. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to address the recruitment and retention crisis among radiography practice tutors, given reports that vacant tutor posts are compromising the ability of hospitals to provide safe and adequate clinical training for radiography students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23980/26]

2744. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department intends to ensure that clinical training sites have sufficient radiography practice tutors and associated resources to accommodate the planned increase in radiography student numbers from 120 to 180 by 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23981/26]

2745. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of reports that radiography students in some hospitals are unable to obtain required clinical placement hours due to insufficient radiography practice tutor capacity, with some students being placed in non-clinical environments; the actions she will take to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23982/26]

2746. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department intends to meet its obligations under the EU Pay Transparency Directive in relation to radiography practice tutors, particularly regarding the principle of equal pay for equal work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23983/26]

2747. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the barriers currently faced by patients living with lipoedema, including the absence of a published national HSE care pathway, limited access to conservative management such as compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage, and delays or difficulties accessing treatment through the cross-Border healthcare directive; the …

2748. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE working group established in 2023 to develop a national care pathway for lipoedema has completed its work; when the pathway is expected to be published; and whether patient advocacy organisations, including the Lipoedema Support Network Ireland, will be included in the development and implementation of this pathway. [23993/26]

2749. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health if her Department intends to review the operation of private health insurers in relation to coverage for medically indicated liposuction procedures for lipoedema patients, in light of concerns regarding inconsistent decision-making, the use of criteria designed for lymphoedema rather than lipoedema, and practices that may result in patients being forced to rel…

2750. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health if there will be an urgent review of private health insurer practices relating to lipoedema, including clinical decision-making frameworks, eligibility criteria, and consistency of coverage for medically indicated procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24005/26]

2751. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health to provide a timely publication of a national HSE lipoedema care pathway, with clear referral routes, multidisciplinary management guidance, and defined access to specialist services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24009/26]

2752. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health if implementation of supports for national clinician education and awareness initiatives, particularly at primary care level, to improve early recognition, diagnosis, and referral; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24010/26]

2753. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health if she will support a review of the operation of the cross border directive scheme in respect of lipoedema, including processing timelines, clarity of requirements, and the financial burden placed on patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24011/26]

2754. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health if she will meet with an organisation (details supplied) to share patient experiences and contribute constructively to policy and service development in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24013/26]

2755. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to extend the scheme for healthcare workers who contacted long Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24015/26]

2756. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide a timeframe on the delivery of a standalone daycare in Baltinglass community hospital and six extra beds on the site of the old daycare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24021/26]

2757. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24028/26]