Parliamentary questions

521. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the percentage of home care provision is being allocated to private home care agencies; and the percentage of home care provision that is being provided by HSE home support workers. [33699/26]

522. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the amount the HSE pay private agencies per hour, for home support services in 2026 (details supplied). [33700/26]

523. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to provide the shingles vaccine for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33735/26]

524. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has established, or intends to establish, a specific national clinical governance framework governing referrals by multidisciplinary teams for gender-related interventions funded through the treatment abroad scheme; if so, the timeline for its introduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33736/26]

525. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health who holds ultimate policy and governance responsibility within her Department or the HSE for oversight of multidisciplinary team recommendations underpinning applications to the treatment abroad scheme for gender-related interventions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33737/26]

526. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she is satisfied that the absence of a national audit or review of gender healthcare referral pathways since 2023 is consistent with her Department’s obligations in respect of clinical governance and patient safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33738/26]

527. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has directed the HSE to establish structured national data collection systems in respect of gender healthcare referrals and outcomes, including those funded through the treatment abroad scheme; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33739/26]

528. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what policy provisions exist to ensure the monitoring of clinical outcomes, complications, and follow-up care for patients who undergo gender-related interventions funded through the treatment abroad scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33740/26]

529. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what interim governance, safeguarding, and risk management measures are currently in place pending the completion of the HSE’s updated model of care for gender healthcare services expected in Q4 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33741/26]

530. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department conducted any formal policy review following publication of the final Cass Review into gender identity services in the United Kingdom; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33742/26]

531. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the extent to which current gender healthcare referral pathways, including those involving the treatment abroad scheme, are aligned with emerging international clinical evidence and standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33743/26]

532. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the forthcoming HSE model of care for gender healthcare services will include provisions for audit, data collection, clinical governance, and outcome monitoring; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33744/26]

533. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she accepts that the absence of structured data collection, national audit, and a defined clinical governance framework represents a policy gap in the oversight of gender healthcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33745/26]

534. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department maintains any central record, oversight mechanism, or reporting framework in respect of reimbursement applications for high-cost or rare disease medicines, including orphan drugs; and if not, how the Department exercises policy oversight of access to such medicines. [33750/26]

535. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any formal escalation, prioritisation, or exceptional review mechanism exists within the HSE or under her Department’s policy remit for reimbursement applications relating to rare or progressive neurological conditions, including Friedreich’s ataxia; and if she will detail the criteria and governance of any such mechanism. [33751/26]

536. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the proportion of reimbursement applications for orphan or rare disease medicines that have been completed within the 180-day timeline referenced in policy agreements since 2021; and if she will provide a breakdown by year. [33752/26]

537. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she considers it appropriate that no prioritisation framework exists within the State’s reimbursement system for life-limiting or progressive rare diseases; and whether any review of this policy position is underway.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33753/26]

538. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE maintains a national register or consolidated dataset of patients diagnosed with rare neurological conditions, including Friedreich’s ataxia; and if not, whether any plans are in place to establish such a dataset for service planning purposes. [33754/26]

539. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a nationally defined clinical pathway, model of care, or designated specialist service exists for patients diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia; and if not, how care is currently coordinated across the State. [33755/26]

540. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to clarify the current operational status of any early access or compassionate access schemes for rare disease medicines; and to confirm whether any such schemes are currently available to patients in Ireland. [33756/26]

541. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the timeline, governance structure, and eligibility criteria for the proposed “sandboxed early access programme” for rare diseases referenced in the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025–2030. [33757/26]

542. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide clarification on the way in which the Mental Health Bill 2024 will be interpreted and applied in relation to adult transgender people seeking gender-affirming hormone therapy; to confirm whether informed consent through a GP, with appropriate information, will be the default pathway without the requirement for prior psychiatric or p…

543. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to address the gaps in neurological services identified in the recent report by an organisation (details supplied); the actions planned to improve equitable and timely access to specialist neurological services across the country; the timeline for implementation of these measures; and if she will make a statement on the…

544. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 958 of 3 March 2026, if the Alcohol Act Technical Evaluation Group submitted an interim report; if so, the date; if not, the timeline now being worked towards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33795/26]

545. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the expected timeframe for the publication of the general scheme of the health (assisted human reproduction) (amendment) Bill; whether a timeline with target milestones has been set for the completion of drafting and Government approval; the current stage of work being undertaken by her Department, the Office of the Attorney General and the …