862. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether she will bring forward proposals to control nitrous oxide under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, in view of the hospital discharge data for 2020 to 2024 showing a rise in neurological presentations linked to recreational nitrous oxide use, with a mean patient age of 19.7 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53338/26]
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 under the heading Misuse of Drugs.
27 questions match, newest first.
863. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of people who entered treatment for problem nitrous oxide use in each of the years from 2021 to 2025; the number in each year aged 17 years or under; the services available specifically for adolescents presenting with nitrous oxide-related harm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53339/26]
864. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has issued clinical guidance to emergency departments and neurology services on the recognition and treatment of nitrous oxide-induced neurological injury, including subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53340/26]
865. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has examined restricting the sale of flavoured nitrous oxide canisters marketed towards young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53341/26]
707. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take in relation to nitrous oxide following the publication of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drug Use Final Report; her views on the report’s recommendations relating to nitrous oxide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50816/26]
239. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the quantity of falsified and illegal medicines, by dosage unit, detained in the State in each year since 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44378/26]
243. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to the national drug treatment reporting system recording 15,422 cases presenting for treatment in 2025, an increase of 16%; the steps being taken to respond to the rise in cocaine-related treatment demand, given that crack cocaine cases increased by 90% and powder cocaine cases by 282% between 2017 and 2025; and if she will make a statement on the …
246. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the measures in place to address the use of anabolic steroids and other image and performance enhancing drugs in gym and non-elite settings;the public health response or harm-reduction services available to users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44402/26]
247. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of detentions of anabolic steroids and other image and performance enhancing drugs by the Health Products Regulatory Authority, by dosage unit, in each year since 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44403/26]
275. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health for an update on the progress in implementing the 22 recommendations outlined in the 2022 Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice report entitled An Examination of the Present Approach to Sanctions for Possession of Certain Amounts of Drugs for Personal Use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13117/26]
276. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if she will enact the recommendations relevant to her Department outlined in the Joint Committee on Drugs Use interim report published on 22 October 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13119/26]
277. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health her Department’s position on the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13121/26]
278. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health when the public consultation on the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029 will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13123/26]
313. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the proposed project to test wastewater to measure the levels of illicit drugs and their metabolites excreted in urine; the means by which she expects this project will inform policy and local responses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54062/25]
706. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 808 of 20 May 2025, for an update following the Departments consultation with it’s legal advisers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53869/25]
2034. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of recent data indicating a rise in illicit drug use across the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47110/25]
2728. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the expected timeline for the introduction of legislation to add hexahydrocannabinol to control measures under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as a schedule 1 controlled drug; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41719/25]
2811. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to ensure fentanyl use does not become widespread in Ireland as it has become in other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42191/25]
2812. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the measures she is taking to ensure fentanyl use does not become widespread in Ireland as it has become in other countries; the way in which she will ensure that fentanyl is kept out of the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42192/25]
799. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health for an update on the programme for Government commitment to move to a health-led approach to drug addiction and to divert those found in possession of drugs for personal use to health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37354/25]
859. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health if the semi-synthetic cannabinoid hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), commonly found in vape products, will be included under schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, and if so, when the amendment is expected to take effect. [37721/25]
324. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the date for when legislation will classify hexahydrocannabinol, HHC, as a schedule 1 controlled drug under the misuse of drugs legislative framework, with a particular focus on its use in vaping and the risks of accessibility to minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24971/25]
993. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on progress towards banning the sale of hexahydrocannabinol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23549/25]
1053. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on progress towards banning the sale of hexahydrocannabinol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23548/25]
580. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to include hexahydrocannabinol, HHC, as a controlled drug under the misuse of drugs regulations; if he will outline plans to regulate the sale and supply of HHC, including to children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4000/25]