Questions

349. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health her views on the recent reduction in funding for a company (details supplied); if she is aware that discontinuing the twelve-week introductory programme for new members has significantly reduced accessibility; if she will give consideration to restoring funding to ensure affordability for older participants, given that current costs are prohibitive; if private hea…

1638. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health for an update on the background to the current vaping legislation and her plans for the future in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57825/25]

1639. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she has considered any data on the way in which vaping is an effective gateway out of smoking and maintaining a lifestyle without nicotine and tar (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57826/25]

1749. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to introducing specific concessions or exemptions to the income thresholds for medical card eligibility for individuals employed in the mental health sector, particularly in view of the additional hours often required in these roles; the provisions that will allow such workers to increase their working hours without automatically l…

191. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she has received the report from the Working Group on the National Hearing Care Plan that was due by end of Quarter 2 as per Terms of Reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57518/25]

834. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health for an update on funding announced in Budget 2026 for an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57226/25]

835. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health for an update on a new elective hospital serving Dublin. [57227/25]

836. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to outline progress on electronic patient records and on digital applications, around patient details and patient identification (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57231/25]

837. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health concerning public protection in our health system (including healthcare workers, but also the public within the hospital environment, e.g., waiting rooms or clinical spaces), if there is any system currently in place that would alert healthcare workers of the potential risk of having present in these environments persons convicted of violent or sexual crimes again…

870. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of a rehabilitation programme based at DCU involving the use of exoskeleton technology to support individuals with mobility impairments; and if she will engage with the programme lead (details supplied) to explore potential funding options to sustain and expand this initiative. [57397/25]

663. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on developments and progress in women’s health and, specifically, the women’s health action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53531/25]

858. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of legislation regarding the future of vaping, particularly with regard to rules introduced in neighbouring jurisdictions and in the North of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51374/25]

686. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of the funding approved for an organisation (details supplied) given key commitments outlined in Budget 2025 by the Minister for Health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50389/25]

2166. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when the post of occupational therapist in a primary care centre (details supplied) will be filled; the progress she is making in doubling the number of places in high-demand healthcare professions including occupational therapy as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44932/25]

2682. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if gynaecologists are now using excision to remove endometriosis; if so, the countries in which the specialist consultants are trained; if there are plans to implement imaging protocols to assist diagnosis and planning surgery; the treatments that GPs offer for endometriosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41417/25]

2869. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the exclusion of chronic kidney disease (CKD) from the long-term illness scheme, given that it is a life-altering and life-sustaining condition requiring intensive treatment such as dialysis and ongoing medication; the criteria used to determine the inclusion of the sixteen listed conditions under the scheme; if she will consider a review of …

978. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she has considered, in the context of a ban on sun beds, those who suffer from psoriasis who have found that occasional use of sunbeds is one of the few things that genuinely helps manage their flare-ups, and when their skin is bad, they frequently feel too self-conscious to go out, socialise, or take part in everyday activities and that sunbeds provide relief-…

336. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the timeline for implementing the proposed ban on disposable vapes; to clarify whether there are plans to regulate or restrict the sale of high-nicotine pouches and synthetic cannabinoid products such as HHC vapes and gummies, particularly in light of their increasing availability to minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. […

337. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason chronic kidney disease is not covered by the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38415/25]

810. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to outline the measures being taken to address the backlog in HSE dental check-ups for primary school children; whether a catch-up programme is planned for children who missed their second-class dental assessments due to Covid-19 related delays; if he will clarify whether any reimbursement or tax relief is available to families who have had to pay for private dent…

314. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if the proposed vaccine damage compensation scheme will include retrospective eligibility for individuals who made submissions to the vaccine damage steering group prior to the scheme’s implementation, including cases dating back to the 1970s (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35005/25]

777. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health for an update on her plans to promote uptake of the HPV vaccine, specifically amongst young men and boys; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33780/25]

778. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health for an update on her plans to extend BowelScreen and BreastCheck screening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33781/25]

790. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his views on the impact of antimicrobial resistance on the health service in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33834/25]

791. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the health impacts of the introduction of a minimum unit price on alcohol since it came into force; if a review by the Health Research Board will be conducted in relation to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33835/25]