Questions

612. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will urgently intervene in the case of a general practitioner practice in Westport, County Mayo, which is facing closure due to the loss of its premises; whether she has sought a report from the Health Service Executive on the matter; the efforts being made to prevent the displacement of more than 600 public patients and hundreds of additional private pati…

613. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans are in place to ensure continuity of care for patients affected by the impending closure of a general practitioner practice in Westport, County Mayo; the number of patients expected to require reassignment to another general practitioner; whether neighbouring practices have capacity to accept additional patients; and if she will make a state…

614. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the current occupancy level of the Primary Care Centre in Westport, County Mayo; whether any vacant clinical, office or treatment space is available within the facility; whether consideration has been given to accommodating a general practitioner practice facing closure in the town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70155/26]

615. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the impending closure of a general practitioner practice in Westport, County Mayo, due to the sale of the premises by the landlord; the number of public and private patients affected; the steps being taken by the Health Service Executive to secure alternative accommodation for the practice; whether space within the Westport Primary Care Centre …

629. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will make inquiries with the HSE and the ophthalmology department regarding the case of a person (details supplied) who underwent cataract surgery on both eyes in February and March 2026 but has subsequently developed blurred vision; the status of the referral made by the person's GP to the hospital; the expected waiting time for assessment and treatment; …

647. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses who have left their jobs at a hospital (details supplied) in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2026. [70346/26]

649. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses recruited to work in University Hospital Galway in each of the past ten years and to date in 2026; and the number that had completed their studies / placement in University Hospital Galway. [70348/26]

735. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels in hospital laboratory services, including haematology, microbiology and biochemistry departments, in each acute hospital; the number of laboratory staff rostered for overnight and out-of-hours on-call services; the number of vacant laboratory posts nationwide; and the measures being taken to ensure adequate staffing levels and rest pe…

736. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has examined the introduction or expansion of routine blood sampling at patient triage in emergency departments to ensure laboratory results are available at the time of first medical assessment; the hospitals in which such a model is currently in operation; the evaluation undertaken regarding its impact on patient waiting times and flow through e…

737. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether an assessment has been carried out at Mayo University Hospital regarding the potential for blood samples to be taken at triage in the emergency department in advance of medical assessment; the estimated impact such a process could have on patient waiting times; and whether consideration is being given to implementing such a measure as a cost neutral servi…

738. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether consideration is being given to introducing a policy whereby blood samples are taken as early as possible during a patient's attendance at an emergency department, including at triage where appropriate, so that blood test results are available during the patient's initial medical assessment; whether this has been identified as a means of reducing delays a…

739. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether an assessment has been carried out at Mayo University Hospital regarding the routine taking of blood samples at the point of triage in the emergency department; whether it is estimated that having blood results available at the patient's first consultation with a doctor could reduce waiting times and the need for multiple medical reviews; and if she will …

819. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to maintain and improve physiotherapy services at Swinford Hospital, County Mayo, in light of reports of a recent reduction in physiotherapy staffing levels and the potential loss of administrative support staff; whether the HSE has assessed the effect such staffing changes may have on patient access, waiting times and service delivery in th…

820. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of reports that administrative staff within the physiotherapy department at Swinford Hospital, County Mayo, are due to be made redundant or reassigned; the rationale for this decision; the impact assessment that has been carried out regarding the transfer of administrative duties to physiotherapy staff; and if she will make a statement on the matt…

822. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the timeline of reinstating psychology services for older persons in Ballina, county Mayo, which were withdrawn by the HSE; the measures being taken to restore the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68722/26]

823. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the reasons the HSE withdrew psychology services for older persons in Ballina, county Mayo; when the decision to discontinue the service was made; the consultation undertaken with service users and stakeholders prior to its withdrawal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68723/26]

824. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether commitments were given by the HSE that psychology services for older persons in Ballina, county Mayo, would be reinstated following their withdrawal; if so, when those commitments were made; the reasons the service has not yet been restored; and the timeframe for its reinstatement. [68724/26]

845. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical training placements, supervised clinical training posts, teaching clinics, training chairs and other placement capacity available for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine in each of the years from 2021 to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68443/26]

470. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the protocols in place for the care and supervision of patients presenting with acute psychosis while awaiting psychiatric assessment in emergency departments; the supports available to family members accompanying such patients; and whether her Department is reviewing these arrangements with a view to improving patient safety and dignity during prolonged waits fo…

471. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the facilities available at Mayo University Hospital for patients presenting in an acute mental health crisis, including those experiencing psychosis; the number of dedicated mental health assessment rooms available; whether additional facilities are planned (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67760/26]

472. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for psychiatric assessment for persons presenting with acute psychosis or other acute mental health crises at the Emergency Department of Mayo University Hospital in each of the past three years; the longest wait recorded during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67759/26]

164. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of concerns raised by families affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections; whether consideration is being given to the development of clinical guidance or care pathways for affected children; whether officials from her Department, the HS…

212. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of reports that approximately 88 intern nurses (details supplied) were interviewed for nursing positions in Galway University Hospital in 2026, but that fewer than ten were offered employment; if she will clarify the number interviewed; the number offered positions; the number currently awaiting contracts or confirmed start dates; and if she will …

217. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified nurses who completed their internships in 2026 and subsequently applied for nursing positions within the HSE; the number offered temporary and permanent posts respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67585/26]

223. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to ensure that nurses who successfully complete internship programmes within the HSE are provided with opportunities to continue their careers within the public health service, her plans to improve the retention of newly qualified nurses in view of ongoing recruitment and staffing pressures across hospitals; and if she will make a st…