Questions

588. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health for an update on progress regarding the proposed new 60-bed community nursing unit for Cashel, County Tipperary; if the site option appraisal and architect’s report referred to in correspondence to this Deputy on 2 September 2025 have now been completed; if a preferred site has been identified; and the next steps and indicative timeframe for advancing the proje…

2372. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to confirm that the Health Service Executive remains fully committed to engagement with the established working group comprising the HSE, and organisations in relation to the provision of three level 2 palliative care beds at (details supplied); and if she will outline the proposed schedule and format for ongoing engagement with these groups. [1185/26]

2373. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will request the HSE to provide the most up-to-date room fit-out designs, architectural plans and technical specifications for the three level 2 palliative care rooms at a hospital (detail supplied); and if she will confirm whether these designs fully meet national standards for level 2 palliative care provision. [1186/26]

2374. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current status of the governance model for the three dedicated level 2 palliative care suites at a hospital (details supplied); and if she will outline how clinical governance, operational oversight and integration with specialist hospital-based palliative care services will be structured. [1187/26]

2375. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to confirm that the three dedicated level 2 palliative care rooms at a hospital (details supplied) will be co-located within the same area of the building; and if not, to outline the rationale for any alternative configuration. [1188/26]

2376. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to specify where within a hospital (details supplied) the three level 2 palliative care rooms will be located; and if she will confirm whether their location has been agreed with relevant clinical stakeholders, including specialist palliative care providers. [1189/26]

905. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will urgently intervene to ensure that a child (details supplied) receives an appointment with CAMHS and receives immediate access to appropriate mental-health and behavioural supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71408/25]

859. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the contingency or interim service arrangements that have been put in place for children on the waiting list for the community ophthalmology service in south Tipperary, following the unsuccessful recruitment of a consultant community ophthalmologist and the retirement of the previous postholder; if weekend clinics, private sourcing, inter-HSE area referrals, or…

542. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of future plans for the former health centre located in Kilsheelan, County Tipperary; the reason the building has remained vacant for over twelve months; if she will engage with the local community regarding proposals for its reuse, including its potential development as a centre for circular economy initiatives or as a small-scale residential facili…

808. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department and the HSE are taking to address the severe staffing deficit in consultant pathology posts at University Hospital Waterford, in light of the confirmation that only six of the required 18 WTE surgical pathologists are in post; the reason recruitment campaigns have repeatedly failed; the measures being implemented to ensure sufficient qu…

809. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the alternative arrangements being developed by the HSE to ensure continuity of coronial post-mortem services for the south-east region from 1 January 2026, given that consultant pathologists at UHW will no longer provide this service; the hospitals or facilities being considered to take overflow or reassigned cases; the planned impact on transport timelines an…

810. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of engagement between her Department, the HSE and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the withdrawal of coronial post-mortem provision at University Hospital Waterford; the outcomes of any meetings held since November 2024 when the issue was formally notified; the responsibilities being assumed by each Department; and if s…

811. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE intends to ensure that the modern mortuary facilities at University Hospital Waterford continue to be utilised for coronial post-mortems after January 2026; whether external pathologists could be deployed or contracted to operate on-site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65217/25]

812. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the impact on diagnostic and surgical pathology waiting times at UHW arising from the workload pressures described in the HSE response; whether the unmet requirement for 18 WTE diagnostic pathologists has affected cancer pathways, turnaround times, or patient outcomes; and the plan to bring the service into compliance with safe staffing levels; and if she will …

813. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the national strategy being developed to address the shortage of appropriately qualified autopsy pathologists, as highlighted in the response relating to UHW; whether the HSE intends to develop dedicated autopsy pathology posts separate from diagnostic roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65219/25]

814. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the actions her Department and the HSE are taking to ensure coroners, funeral directors and bereaved families in Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary are fully informed about the changes to post-mortem arrangements from January 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65220/25]

164. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a detailed update on the recent targeted recruitment campaign for healthcare assistants in south Tipperary; the number of applications received; the number of candidates interviewed; the number of successful candidates offered positions; the number now in post; if any further recruitment campaigns are planned for the remainder of 2025 and ea…

182. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health for an update on the new community nursing unit in Clonmel; the handover date and progress on registration with the relevant regulatory bodies; if she will provide an update on the recruitment of staff for the new unit; when she expects patients from the existing St. Anthony’s unit to be transferred; when the unit will be at full capacity; and the number of lev…

334. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health for an urgent update on the case of a vulnerable young woman with complex mental health needs (details supplied), whose clinical team recently advised that she requires 24-hour care and is not capable of living independently, but who is now being considered for discharge to temporary independent accommodation with limited home-support hours; the clinical basis …

1083. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a detailed breakdown of the 52 clients currently awaiting home support services in the Clonmel area; the category of need for each client; the average and longest waiting times currently experienced; and the specific measures being taken to reduce waiting times for home support in Clonmel and across South Tipperary. [63413/25]

1084. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason the recent home support recruitment campaigns held in the southeast of the country did not include Clonmel or its environs; if there are plans to conduct a targeted recruitment drive for home support staff in Clonmel; and the expected timeline for such recruitment to commence. [63414/25]

1085. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the impact of current staffing shortages and the recruitment embargo on the delivery of home support services in Clonmel; the number of approved posts currently unfilled in the Clonmel area; and whether any derogations have been sought to address urgent local needs. [63415/25]

1086. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide a comparative breakdown of home support waiting lists and staffing levels across all areas of South Tipperary, including Clonmel, Cahir, Cashel, Fethard, and Carrick-on-Suir; and the areas which currently face the longest waiting times and most severe staffing shortages. [63416/25]

1087. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if her Department has undertaken any review or assessment of home support demand and capacity in the Clonmel area; and the strategic workforce planning measures in place to ensure adequate staffing levels and service provision in South Tipperary over the next 12 months. [63417/25]

497. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department has reviewed potential models for enhanced North–South cooperation in healthcare delivery, including cross-Border hospital and emergency care arrangements. [62637/25]