Questions

215. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health whether consideration is being given to the introduction of a publicly funded DEXA screening programme for women aged over 50; and the measures currently in place to support the early detection of osteoporosis. [74740/26]

952. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health whether any pathway is under consideration to enable clinical embryologists to obtain CORU registration or otherwise permit suitably qualified clinical embryologists to be employed in andrology roles within the HSE; whether her Department or the HSE has reviewed the eligibility criteria currently applied to andrology posts in the regional fertility hubs. [743…

95. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the factors contributing to urgent referrals to symptomatic breast disease clinics exceeding the ten working day target set out in the national cancer strategy; and the steps being taken to ensure timely assessment of patients. [72874/26]

129. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the adequacy of the €2 million allocated to the women’s health applied partnership scheme for 2026 and 2027 in light of the evidence gaps identified by the Health Research Board; and whether a review of future funding requirements is planned. [72695/26]

1345. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the number of GP practices and practising GPs currently serving Celbridge and the wider north Kildare area; whether an assessment has been undertaken of GP capacity and demand in the area; and the measures that are being taken to increase GP and primary care capacity in light of ongoing population growth. [65214/26]

399. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken any assessment of the experience and outcomes of patients with complex childhood-onset conditions following their transition from paediatric to adult healthcare services; whether adult acute hospitals have been assessed for their capacity to meet the clinical, equipment, therapeutic and support needs of these patients fol…

459. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the indicative timeline for extending GP visit card eligibility to children aged eight to 12 years, in line with the Programme for Government commitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48531/26]

460. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the preparatory work underway to support the extension of free GP care to children aged eight to 12 years, including engagement with GPs and system planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48532/26]

461. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health whether Budget 2027 will include provision for the extension of free GP care to children aged eight to 12 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48533/26]

462. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health whether GP workforce capacity has been assessed as sufficient to support the proposed extension to children aged eight to 12 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48534/26]

272. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the measures planned to increase capacity and reduce average waiting times for gynaecology outpatient appointments across hospitals, including the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48036/26]

273. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health whether consideration will be given, as part of the ongoing review of medicines reimbursement, to strengthen and formalise the role of the Rare Disease Technology Review Committee; whether she will consider ensuring its early, consistent and structured involvement alongside the health technology assessment process in order to improve timely access to orphan m…

314. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the status of the reimbursement process for givinostat for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy; the timeline for a decision following consideration by the HSE Drugs Group; the steps being taken to ensure timely access for eligible patients once a decision is made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44665/26]

1989. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently awaiting gynaecology outpatient appointments at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital; the average waiting times for routine gynaecology appointments; the factors contributing to waiting times exceeding 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42085/26]

1990. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to address the increasing demand for gynaecology services; whether additional staffing, clinics, or other resources are being allocated to reduce waiting lists; the expected timelines for improving access to care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42086/26]

2107. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for access to primary care occupational therapy services for children in Kildare North; the number of children currently on the waiting list; the steps being taken to reduce these waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42709/26]

2108. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels within the primary care occupational therapy service in Celbridge; whether there are plans to enhance capacity in this area to help meet local demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42710/26]

2109. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the supports available for children with autism, sensory processing needs, or suspected dyspraxia who are awaiting occupational therapy; whether interim supports or guidance can be made available to families during the waiting period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42711/26]

2110. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to developing an access pathway for children who will sit State examinations within the next number of years and who require occupational therapy to support their educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42712/26]

236. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE decided not to proceed with the proposed outsourcing of occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services for the Children’s Disability Network Team in North Kildare; to detail the criteria and assessment processes applied in reaching this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40533/26]

1179. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the reason qualified behavioural psychologists are not recognised by the HSE as a chartered profession. [37435/26]

1180. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the reason qualified behavioural psychologists are not permitted to carry out assessments of needs. [37436/26]

229. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the national implementation status of the single point of access for children's disability and mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35419/26]

230. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the way in which the national implementation group within the HSE is overseeing the rollout of the single point of access; the mechanisms in place to ensure that regional steering groups deliver the reform in a consistent manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35420/26]

1243. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) around the limited consultant neurology outreach available in Naas General Hospital; and if she will commit funding to increase this in line with the 2016 Model of Care for Neurology Services in Ireland and the current Programme for Government. [30564/26]