Questions

390. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given by her Department to provide funding for the lung health check pilot programme, in view of the fact that lung cancer is responsible for 20% of all cancer deaths in the country which equates to 2,000 deaths per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72782/25]

391. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide State funding for the preparation of blister packs in pharmacies to ensure that elderly and vulnerable patients who depend heavily on this service for their health are not impacted financially; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72796/25]

363. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide the Cork University Dental Hospital with a GMS panel number to enable them to make claims for medical card patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70795/25]

993. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if funding for the lymphoedema and lipoedema model was provided for in Budget 2026; if not, whether consideration would be given to providing funding for same considering that international studies show that the cost to treat patients could be reduced by 87%, if comprehensive lymphedema services were introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6962…

1002. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the ongoing independent review by the Health Products Regulatory Authority on the method of sale and supply of codeine containing medicinal products that are currently available without prescription; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69678/25]

1003. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if a consultation process has been put in place with patient advocacy groups, GPs, pharmacies and other stakeholders in respect of the review being carried out by the Health Products Regulatory Authority on the method of sale and supply of codeine containing medicinal products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69679/25]

1004. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health in the event of the Health Products Regulatory Authority makes recommendations which provide that codeine containing medicinal products can only be made available through prescription, the mechanisms that will be put in place to assist those who are reliant on these products and who have been able to purchase them without prescription; and if she will make a state…

1005. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the review being carried out by the Health Products Regulatory Authority on the method of sale and supply of codeine containing medicinal products are prepared to consider putting in place additional safeguards through pharmacies without the requirement for prescription; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69681/25]

1079. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of the additional 15 whole-time equivalent (WTE) posts allocated to HSE oral health services under Budget 2024 which have been filled on a permanent basis as of 1 September 2025; if she will provide a breakdown of the WTEs filled by dental grade, by principal dental surgeon/orthodontic service; the date on which each post was filled; and if she will mak…

1080. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent (WTE) posts, by dental grade and principal dental surgeon/dental area, that were permanent vacancies as of 1 January 2024 which remain either unapproved or unfilled in a permanent capacity in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70263/25]

564. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide confirmation on the proposed reorganisation of a youth services facility in Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67581/25]

500. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the evaluation process for the current National Cancer Strategy will commence; the person in her Department is responsible for this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66865/25]

501. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the consultation process for the next National Cancer Strategy will begin; the stakeholders that will be involved in the development of the next strategy; the person in her Department who is responsible for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66866/25]

502. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the impact the 34 new FTE staff for the medicines reimbursement system have had on reimbursement application timelines; the costs associated with creating these new positions in 2024, 2025 and projected costs for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66867/25]

503. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the actions that have been taken to date to meet the Programme for Government commitment to investigate early access schemes for certain types of medicines; whether there are plans to consult with patient organisations as part of this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66868/25]

504. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health for an update on the EuroHeart Data registry pilot programme active in the south-west; the methods that have been used in this programme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66869/25]

505. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if Ireland's new cardiovascular plan aims to tackle the high levels of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in Ireland by focusing on early detection and effective management of risk factors for ASCVD, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66870/25]

506. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if Ireland's new cardiovascular plan aims to focus on the specific role which cholesterol plays in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66871/25]

507. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health for an update on her plans to introduce a systematic LDL cholesterol screening programme in line with recommendation 20 of the National Review of Cardiac Services; if she intends to introduce such a programme in 2026; if she will consider launching a national 'know your numbers' public awareness campaign on key cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. cholesterol, blood p…

508. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available in the HSE Service Plan for one new specialist nurse role and one new pharmacist role for the pulmonary arterial hypertension unit in the Mater Hospital; if a business case for these roles has been received and is being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66873/25]

306. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the total number of locum consultants who are currently employed by the Health Service Executive, by the hospitals that they are employed in, the category of healthcare they are providing, and the time period that they are in post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66518/25]

90. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether, in response to HIQA and NIAC advice supporting the roll-out of enhanced influenza vaccines for the over-65 population, HSE officials have been given direction to negotiate with companies, if necessary, to ensure a cost effective price can be secured and enhanced influenza vaccines will for the first time be provided for older people who are more at risk eac…

113. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if she will provide details of plans for vaccination roll-out for the forthcoming influenza season; the additional measures, compared to previous years, that will be in place to help keep members of the over-65 population safe; if HIQA and NIAC advice supporting enhanced vaccines for the over-65 population has been considered and will be acted upon; and if she will…

658. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health her plans to introduce regulations on the sale and use of nicotine pouches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65062/25]

1068. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm if consideration will be given to providing an urgent appointment to a person (details supplied) who urgently requires hip surgery, has received a referral and an updated urgent status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63261/25]