Questions

798. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health when the multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting will take place between CUH, UHL and CAMHS Limerick under the new Autism Rules and the National Autism Innovation Strategy, for a case involving suspected autistic catatonia; the statutory rights and obligations that require these services to share information quickly, including the Autism Innovation Strategy, the He…

924. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reasons Crohn's disease is not included among the conditions covered under the long-term illness scheme; whether consideration has been given to extending eligibility for a long-term illness card to persons living with Crohn's disease and other chronic lifelong conditions that require ongoing medication, treatment and monitoring; and if she will make a state…

1226. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the position regarding private psychiatric hospitals that cannot afford to provide community outreach for their patients in a manner similar to public patients; and the system that can be devised to support those private patients diagnosed with a psychosis whose ageing parents can no longer provide adequate monitoring and support (details supplied); and if she …

428. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will review whether the current qualification recognition standards used for recruitment of clinical psychologists within the Health Service Executive and the equivalence assessment processes applied by the Department of Health are aligned with the provisions and intent of Directive 2005/36/EC, particularly in circumstances where applicants with postgradu…

1834. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reason for the disparity in discretionary payments under the primary care community services (PCCS) scheme for children with certain eye conditions and/or additional needs who require spectacles; if her attention has been drawn to some families being required to pay in excess of €400 per pair of glasses for young children in certain Community Healthcare Org…

1835. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a breakdown, by CHO area, of the discretionary supports available for children under the PCCS scheme; the criteria applied in each area; the number of children supported in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19192/26]

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]

349. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will intervene to ensure that the HSE prioritises a conclusion to the Skyclarys reimbursement negotiations, given that it is the only available treatment for a progressive disease (details supplied) which currently can be classed as having an ‘unmet need’ as outlined in the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025 – 2030; her views on whether the current delay…

810. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken to ensure that mental health services in north Tipperary are adequately resourced, in light of current deficits in psychiatry, occupational therapy and social work positions; the measures in place to recruit and retain staff across these disciplines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16364/26]

1062. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the approval and reimbursement status of the targeted immunotherapy zolbetuximab (Vyloy®) for the treatment of metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma (detail supplied). [6213/26]

1021. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will address the current care pathway for women and their partners experiencing pregnancy loss (details supplied) in the Midwest, specifically in Limerick Maternity Hospital, where those miscarrying are assessed and treated in the same unit as women receiving antenatal care. [69789/25]

1120. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the provision of special needs dental services in Nenagh; if she is aware that the post of special needs dentist has been vacant for over a year, with no replacement appointed despite advertisements; the number of children, including those with autism, currently waiting for dental treatment under sedation or anaesthetic in the N…

1743. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a series of matters in relation to the recently published Standards of Proficiency and Education and Training Requirements for the profession of psychotherapy by CORU (details supplied); and if she will exercise her powers under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to ensure that, at a minimum, current standards o…

580. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will urgently review the current restrictions on CAR-T cell therapy, which limit access to patients under the age of 26, in light of the case of a person (details supplied). [49581/25]

379. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the provision of special needs dental services in Nenagh; if she is aware that the post of special needs dentist has been vacant for over a year with no replacement appointed, despite advertisements; the number of children, including those with autism, currently waiting for dental treatment under sedation or anaesthetic in the Ne…

1191. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will address the current lack of clarity, access, and governance in the provision of urgent ophthalmic care in the south-east and mid-west regions; and if she is aware of shortfalls in care provision in the region (details supplied). [48030/25]

1192. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure clear and consistent governance across ophthalmology emergency referral pathways; that no patient with suspected acute or sight-threatening pathology is turned away from hospital care and that regional equity is provided in order that patients in Thurles and surrounding areas have timely access to emergency eye services. [48031/2…

1196. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the current provision of prosthetics for children in Ireland, including access to advanced prosthetic options; and whether this provision is sufficient to meet the needs of children with complex injuries, such as a child (details supplied). [48039/25]

1197. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the specialist teams and services in place to support children requiring prosthetics alongside complex abdominal and stoma care; and whether the HSE has sufficient expertise and resources to deliver this care within Ireland. [48040/25]

1198. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health her plans to address the identified gaps in paediatric prosthetic services, including long-term rehabilitation and follow-up supports, to ensure families are not forced to seek treatment abroad. [48041/25]

1199. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will commit to a review of paediatric prosthetic provision in Ireland, with a view to ensuring that children such as a child (details supplied) can access the same standard of ongoing care and rehabilitation as they receive in acute and emergency care. [48042/25]

2351. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will address the case of a person (details supplied) who has been unable to access either residential accommodation or a day service transport service; if she will confirm when adequate accommodation space, transport services and staff supports will be made available to ensure that individuals with disabilities can safely live out their lives and consist…

2387. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health her plans to address the uncertainty facing staff at a unit which is due to transfer from a healthcare provider (details supplied) to the HSE at the end of August 2025; the arrangement made to retain the existing staff employed at the unit, and the steps the HSE is taking to ensure continuity of employment and service delivery during this transition; if she wil…

2486. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department and the HSE will take to ensure that newly qualified nurses are provided with employment opportunities within the Irish health system; if she will address the difficulties being experienced by graduate nurses (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46329/25]

2667. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reason the application submitted on behalf of a person (details supplied) for stem cell therapy was refused under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (Directive 2011/24/EU); if the Minister will clarify whether stem cell therapy is currently considered a treatment covered under the cross-border directive scheme; the specific eligibility criteria and cl…