Questions

250. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to introduce a fully-funded DEXA screening programme for women over 50; her views on whether a DEXA screening programme would help identify low bone density early and thus help guide treatment to reduce fracture risk, and protect mobility and independence in women over 50; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74877/26…

954. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure that appropriate funding is available to the HSE to ensure the implementation of the Huntington's Disease care pathway and to enable the appointment of additional HD specialist nurses and the uplifting of multidisciplinary teams in all neurology centres in each health region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74394/26]

778. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the average wait times for MRI Imaging by HSE area; and the steps being taken to reduce these wait times, in tabular form. [71814/26]

166. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if consideration is currently being given to the use of cannabis-based medicines for chronic pain relief, specifically in relation to endometriosis. [68992/26]

733. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department and the HSE are ensuring that statutory minimum rates of pay and other conditions of employment for workers employed in the contract cleaning industry in publicly funded health settings are being adhered to; the inspection regime currently in place to ensure these workers are not being exploited; and to detail the number of brea…

758. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting times statewide for psychiatric assessment where clinically required; the reassessment or interim supports that are available to a person who feels their mental health is deteriorating while on a waiting list for treatment; and her plans to reduce these waiting times. [68384/26]

815. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the progress being made towards making the drugs enhertu, zongertinib and sevabertinib, which are used to treat HER2 cancers, available for use in Ireland; her plans to make enhertu - which has been recommended for approval by the European medicines agency- available via an early access scheme; her plans to conduct clinical trials using these drugs in Ireland;…

659. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to the proposed compulsory addition of folic acid to non-wholemeal flour, she can assure those who may be required to avoid folic acid due to certain medical conditions or because they are undergoing certain medical treatments that unfortified flour and bread products will remain readily available. [67185/26]

663. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of completed Cross-Border Directive reimbursement applications currently awaiting payment; the date of receipt of the oldest outstanding completed application; the current average and median processing time; and the number of applications outstanding for more than 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 working days, in tabular form. [67214/26]

665. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health whether Cross-Border Directive reimbursement applications continue to be processed in the order in which they are received; whether there are circumstances in which a completed application received at a later date may be processed and reimbursed before an earlier completed application; and, if so, to outline those circumstances and the way in which completed a…

671. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health for an update on the consideration for medications (details supplied) to be included in the drugs payment scheme, specifically in relation to their usage for weight management in patients at risk of developing type two diabetes. [67224/26]

1275. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health her plans to ensure that the reduction of income to public maternity hospitals as a result of the ending of private maternity care will be offset and not result in a reduction in hospital budgets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64946/26]

1280. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the progress made on a national care pathway to help those diagnosed with Huntington’s disease; the additional resources and staffing that will be made available to support patients diagnosed with this disease; when it is expected a national care pathway for this disease will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64955/26]

829. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for an occupational therapy assessment at the Kilbarrack Health Centre, Dublin; the number of people currently on the waiting list; the average and longest waiting time for an assessment; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53168/26]

830. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for an occupational therapy assessment at the Edenmore Health Centre, Dublin; the number of people currently on the waiting list; the average and longest waiting time for an assessment; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53169/26]

831. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for an occupational therapy assessment at the Killester Health Centre, Dublin; the number of people currently on the waiting list; the average and longest waiting time for an assessment; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53170/26]

832. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for a speech and language therapy at the Kilbarrack Health Centre, Dublin; the number of people currently on the waiting list; the average and longest waiting time for an assessment; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53171/26]

833. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for a speech and language therapy at the Killester Health Centre, Dublin; the number of people currently on the waiting list; the average and longest waiting time for an assessment; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53172/26]

834. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for a speech and language therapy at the Edenmore Health Centre, Dublin; the number of people currently on the waiting list; the average and longest waiting time for an assessment; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53173/26]

835. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent physiotherapists employed in the HSE in Dublin; the number of vacancies in such posts; if she is satisfied there is a satisfactory number of staff to meet the needs of the area in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53174/26]

773. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to ensure that the drug belzutifan is available and accessible to those who need it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51144/26]

254. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to restrict the advertising of food high in fat, sugar and salt, commonly referred to as junk food, to children via digital means and online marketing; if she is considering mandatory codes to restrict such advertising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48175/26]

989. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to changes in current restrictions at maternity hospitals in order to allow partners or a chosen support person to remain overnight with women after childbirth; if she considers blanket restrictions on partners after childbirth appropriate particularly in cases of traumatic births or caesarean sections; and if she will make a sta…

1140. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of advanced biomechanical rehabilitation therapy for children with cerebral palsy, and that Irish children are currently travelling to Belgium and England to avail of this treatment; and her plans to review the efficacy of this treatment and consider its availability in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37178/26]

2789. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to adding Crohn’s disease to the long term illness scheme in order that those suffering with this chronic lifelong condition can avail of medicines and treatments to manage their disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24279/26]