Questions

1949. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the specific steps being taken to ensure the HSE considers the 'time-critical' nature of FA during the current price negotiations for Skyclarys; the way in which the commitments in the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030 and the 2026 IPHA Framework Agreement (which aims for a 180-day decision timeline) are being applied to this specific case, to prevent …

1168. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the status of an orthodontic appointment for a child (details supplied). [12294/26]

1169. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the current number of children on the orthodontic waiting list in County Longford, categorised by IOTN grades 4 and 5; the average and longest waiting times for these patients; the specific plans or waiting time action plans in place for 2026 to clear backlogs in the midlands region; if there are any active recruitment campaigns to fill vacant specialist orth…

560. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take to address the major shortfalls in school dental screening and extreme waiting times in County Longford; if she will urgently review the cases of two children (details supplied) who have missed their 6th-class screenings despite previous assurances from the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11278/26]

1142. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of a case where a person approved under the long-term illness scheme for continuous glucose monitoring supports was unable to access these devices due to the creation of a duplicate LTI number on the HSE system (details supplied); the controls in place to prevent duplicate LTI records being created for the same PPS number and date of birth; wh…

1117. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health for an update on the status of a paediatric neurology appointment for a child (details supplied) awaiting assessment in Sligo University Hospital; if steps can be taken to expedite the appointment given the clinical circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8242/26]

55. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the number of new WTE posts per discipline identified for Longford/Westmeath per CHN with the additional funding announced by the Minister for Health in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4487/26]

904. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the reason there is currently no consultant ophthalmologist or dedicated ophthalmology service based in Longford–Westmeath, including at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Longford or Mullingar Regional Hospital; the impact this lack of local provision is having on patients who are required to travel to Dublin, including to the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, for ass…

1061. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the current numbers of approved and actual/in post WTE staff grade and senior grade clinicians working in children's services across Longford and Westmeath CDNT, PC, CAMHs/ YAMHs, broken down by community healthcare networks by discipline (details supplied), in tabular form:; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4485/26]

1062. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the current number on priority and routine waiting lists, across each care group awaiting initial assessment; the longest waiter per discipline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4486/26]

2148. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children awaiting an occupational therapy assessment in County Longford; the number of children currently on the waiting list; the average and longest waiting time for an assessment; the number of whole-time equivalent occupational therapists assigned to children’s disability services in Longford; and the measures being taken to …

2149. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an occupational therapy assessment for a child (details supplied) in County Longford who has been waiting over a year for an assessment; their current position on the waiting list; if a timeline can now be provided for assessment given that the child is due to commence post-primary education in September; and if the Minister will engage…

2212. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the absence of effective crisis intervention pathways for adults experiencing severe mental illness who lack insight into their condition and are therefore deemed capable of refusing care, despite being acutely unwell; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74713/25]

2213. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the reason An Garda Síochána continues to be the default point of contact for families experiencing mental health crises involving vulnerable adults; what engagement has taken place between her Department, the HSE and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, to develop health-led alternatives; and when families can expect access to dedicated men…

2214. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health if she is satisfied that current mental health legislation adequately protects vulnerable adults who refuse care due to impaired insight arising from mental illness; if legislative gaps have been identified by the Department or the Mental Health Commission; if amendments are being actively considered to better protect patients and families in such circumstanc…

2215. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the immediate reforms planned to prevent irreversible harm to individuals experiencing acute mental health crises where early intervention is not currently available; and if consideration is being given to expanding crisis admission criteria, mobile crisis teams, or family-initiated assessments outside Garda involvement; and if she will make a statement on th…

2216. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the number of cases in the past five years have involved families seeking urgent intervention for a mentally unwell adult who was deemed capable of refusing care; and if the Department has assessed the outcomes for those individuals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74717/25]

1722. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the specific measures which are being taken to address the ongoing difficulties in the provision of home help services in County Longford; if she is aware of increasing reports of elderly people being left without care support at weekends due to staff shortages, carers not being replaced when on leave, and scheduled visits being cut short, leaving families an…

1848. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health if she will address the ongoing shortage of salbutamol nebuliser solution in community pharmacies; the actions being taken by the HSE, the Medicines Management Programme and the HPRA to stabilise supply; the expected timeframe for restoration of normal availability; the clinical guidance being issued to prescribers and pharmacists regarding safe alternatives …

749. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the physiotherapy waiting list at St. Joseph's Care Centre, Longford, as of 30 September 2025, disaggregated into assessment and treatment lists; the average/median wait for each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56598/25]

750. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for physiotherapy at St. Joseph's Care Centre, Longford, by waiting-time bands, less than four weeks; four to 12; 12-26; 26-52, greater than 52 weeks, and by clinical priority (urgent/soon/routine); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56599/25]

751. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the specific measures being implemented in CHO 8 to reduce physiotherapy waiting times at St. Joseph's Care Centre, Longford; the target reduction by quarter for the next 12 months; the expected timeframe to eliminate waits beyond 26 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56600/25]

324. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health if she will urgently review the case of a child (details supplied) in County Longford who requires orthodontic treatment; if she will outline the current waiting times for orthodontic assessment and treatment in the Longford area; and if she will ensure that this case is prioritised given the circumstances and the financial hardship faced by their parent. [558…

644. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the current specialist services available to patients with sarcoidosis in Ireland; the hospitals/clinics designated to provide such care; the referral pathway from primary care and general respiratory clinics to these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53408/25]

645. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health if a national clinical pathway for sarcoidosis is in place or in development under the HSE National Clinical Programme for Respiratory; the expected timelines; the means by which primary care, respiratory medicine, cardiology, ophthalmology and dermatology are integrated within that pathway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53409/25]