Parliamentary questions

2158. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the ongoing difficulties in accessing GP services for nursing home residents in rural areas, particularly across east and north Galway and south Mayo; the impact this is having on avoidable hospital admissions; and the measures that will be taken to ensure equitable primary care access for older persons in residential care …

2159. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of a persistent and worsening issues affecting nursing home residents in rural communities across east Galway, north Galway, and south Mayo, whereby timely access to GP assessment and intervention is often unavailable, leading to unnecessary transfers to emergency departments and acute hospitals. [43018/26]

2160. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health for an update on the health (assisted human reproduction) (amendment) Bill; when it will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43034/26]

2161. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health for an update on any legislative provisions for assisted dying currently under consideration by her Department. [43050/26]

2162. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to develop a new obesity policy and action plan; the timeframe for publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43051/26]

2163. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when the single point of access model will be commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43052/26]

2164. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health given the significant waiting lists for autism assessments, disability services and psychological supports, what the current policy position is regarding the role of chartered behavioural psychologists within HSE services; if her Department and the HSE have considered how appropriately qualified chartered behavioural psychologists could …

2165. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 450 of 13 November 2025, the current status of orthodontal treatment for a person (details supplied); if she will ensure the person secures orthodontal treatment as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43089/26]

2166. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults, respectively, awaiting orthodontic treatment for counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath, respectively; the number waiting less than three, three to six, and six to 12 months, and one to 1.5, 1.5 to two and over two years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43090/26]

2167. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health if she will consider reopening a competency-based assessment pathway for experienced social care workers who missed the section 91 deadline; if CORU will be directed to explore accelerated or alternative registration routes for long-serving practitioners, given the acute workforce shortages in the sector; and if a legislative or policy review i…

2168. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated first year and full-year cost of giving family carers the right to a minimum of 20 days' paid respite. [43105/26]

2169. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated first year and full-year cost of allowing recipients of disability allowance to retain their medical cards if they return to work. [43110/26]

2170. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Aire Sláinte cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le forbairt Ionad Cúraim Phríomhúil in An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [43143/26]

2171. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the development control plan for Merlin Park Hospital in Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43144/26]

2172. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a lump sum payment and pension is due to a person (details supplied); and if this will be examined by her Department. [43148/26]

2173. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health for an update on the process to have the drug skyclarys eligible for friedreich's ataxia patients in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43153/26]

2174. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to examine concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the new Children’s Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43154/26]

2175. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure on agency staffing in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026. [43156/26]

2176. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE records the actual hourly rates paid to agency providers by grade and specialty; and if so, if she will provide a breakdown. [43157/26]

2177. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE does not maintain a central cost comparator database for agency staffing expenditure. [43158/26]

2178. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the value-for-money implications of the HSE not maintaining a central database comparing agency staffing costs with directly employed staff costs. [43159/26]

2179. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the amount paid annually in agency fees, commissions and VAT associated with agency staffing in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026. [43160/26]

2180. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has any plans to establish a national agency workforce cost monitoring framework; and if so, the timeline for implementation. [43161/26]

2181. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the top 20 agency suppliers by expenditure in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025. [43162/26]

2182. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43194/26]