438. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number and location of public hospitals currently providing specialist chronic pain management clinics in each regional health area; the average waiting time for a first appointment at each clinic; the number of clinics or sessions cancelled in each of the past three years; and if she will set target ratios of chronic pain clinics per 100,000 population under …
Parliamentary questions
Questions
TDs ask ministers questions to get answers on the record, most of them in writing. Here is every one asked in the 34th Dáil, by the department it went to and the subject heading it was filed under. How questions work
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Showing questions asked by Ken O'Flynn .
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439. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant anaesthetists or pain medicine specialists employed in the HSE; the number of vacant posts; the HSE’s projected staffing requirements to meet demand identified by TILDA 2025; and whether specific funding has been ring-fenced to expand the pain management workforce in 2026. [60731/25]
440. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total HSE expenditure on chronic pain management services in each of the past five years; the budget allocation for community-based non-pharmacological pain interventions (physiotherapy, CBT, mindfulness, graded exercise programmes, and so on); and whether dedicated funding for chronic pain services will be included in the 2026 HSE Service Plan. [60732/25]
441. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the proportion of persons over 65 years-of-age currently accessing pain management services; the steps being taken to identify and support older adults living with untreated chronic pain; and whether her Department plans to introduce an older persons pain management strategy aligned with Sláintecare’s integrated-care objectives. [60733/25]
442. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the publication timeline for the Model of Care for Pain being developed by the National Clinical Programme for Anaesthesia; whether an implementation budget and performance metrics have been agreed; and the way in which the model of care will be integrated into primary care networks and community hubs. [60734/25]
443. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE plans to include chronic pain prevalence and treatment indicators in the Health Performance Overview datasets from 2026 onwards; and if not, the rationale for the omission given that one-third of older adults report chronic pain (TILDA 2025). [60735/25]
448. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health given the ongoing dispute regarding governance and financial systems in voluntary hospitals, the current timeline for full implementation of the HSE integrated financial management system across all funded hospitals; the sanctions for non-compliance; the monthly metrics being collected on compliance and patient outcomes; the expected savings from eliminating dupli…
468. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department patients left on trolleys for over 12 hours in each of the past six months, by hospital; and the steps being taken to prevent a winter overcrowding crisis. [60821/25]
469. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if he has received reports, correspondence or internal assessments since 1 January 2025 concerning emergency department overcrowding at Mercy University Hospital Cork; if he is satisfied that patient numbers, waiting times and triage conditions at the facility meet national emergency care standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60852/25]
470. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current cleaning and infection control schedule in place at the Mercy University Hospital emergency department; the number of full-time and contracted cleaning staff assigned to the department during daytime and nighttime hours; and the date of the most recent deep-clean audit or environmental hygiene inspection overseen by her Department. [60853/25]
471. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the specific patient welfare measures mandated in emergency departments under HSE policy, including the provision of seating, refreshments, and pain relief for patients awaiting assessment beyond two hours; and whether she is satisfied that these minimum standards are being enforced at the Mercy University Hospital. [60854/25]
472. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of reported security or public order incidents recorded within the Mercy University Hospital emergency department in each of the past three years; the measures in place to protect staff and patients; and whether additional security staffing or Garda liaison has been requested by hospital management. [60855/25]
473. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she has commissioned or received any recent reports on stress, burnout, or workplace safety among nursing and support staff at the Mercy University Hospital emergency department; if he is satisfied that staffing ratios are adequate; and the steps being taken to retain and support front-line workers in that setting. [60856/25]
1781. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide clarity on a matter relating to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service's individual donor risk assessment policy (details supplied). [58557/25]
1849. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845, of 30 September 2025, to provide a breakdown of the gender affirmation surgeries funded abroad by category (male-to-female, female-to-male, non-binary, or other); and to indicate the number of individuals in each category who have received funding in the past five years. [58815/25]
1850. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845 of 30 September 2025, to confirm the age range of individuals who have received HSE funding for gender affirmation surgery abroad, including the number of individuals under 18, between 18–25, and over 25 years of age. [58816/25]
1851. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845 of 30 September 2025, the process through which individuals are assessed and approved for HSE funding for gender affirmation surgery abroad, including which specialists or multidisciplinary teams are involved and whether the HSE independently diagnoses gender dysphoria or relies on external assessments. [58817/25]
1852. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845 of 30 September 2025, whether the HSE recognises gender dysphoria as a medical or scientific condition; and the diagnostic criteria or international guidelines on which this recognition is based. [58818/25]
1853. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845, of 30 September 2025, the aftercare supports which are provided to individuals who undergo gender affirmation surgery abroad under HSE funding, including post-surgical follow-up, psychological supports, and ongoing medical treatment. [58819/25]
1854. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845 of 30 September 2025, the protocols which are in place for individuals who later regret or reverse their decision to undergo gender affirmation surgery, including whether the HSE provides medical or psychological support in such cases and if reversal or reconstructive procedures are funded. [58820/25]
1855. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845 of 30 September 2025, if an independent review or audit of the HSE’s overseas gender affirmation surgery programme has been undertaken, and if not, whether the Minister will commission one to evaluate clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and long-term impacts. [58821/25]
1856. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845 of 30 September 2025, the criteria used by the HSE to assess eligibility for funding gender affirmation surgery abroad; and the grounds on which an application may be refused. [58822/25]
1857. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845 of 30 September 2025, whether individuals whose applications for HSE funding for gender affirmation surgery abroad have been refused are provided with written reasons for the decision; and if they are informed of their right to appeal. [58823/25]
1858. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845 of 30 September 2025, the appeal process available to individuals whose applications for HSE funding for gender affirmation surgery abroad have been refused, including the number of appeals submitted and the number subsequently overturned. [58814/25]
1859. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845 of 30 September 2025, if there is a standardised clinical review or multidisciplinary panel within the HSE that determines refusals for gender affirmation surgery funding; and the professional backgrounds of those involved in such decisions. [58824/25]