Parliamentary questions

938. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of businesses and business representative organisations she and Ministers of State in her Department met for the St. Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year. [21940/26]

939. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the value of trade and tourism, respectively, between Ireland and the states visited by her and by Ministers of State in her Department for the St Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21958/26]

940. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed accurate report in regard to the opening of all beds in the new Killarney Community Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21973/26]

941. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed accurate report in regard to the opening of the new Killarney minor injuries unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21974/26]

942. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a first appointment to see a speech and language therapist at Letterkenny Primary Care Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21993/26]

943. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE intensive care nurses based at Letterkenny University Hospital as of 3 February 2026; if this number will be further increased this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21994/26]

944. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE psychologists based at Donegal Town Primary Care Centre as of 18 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21996/26]

945. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE occupational therapists based at Newtowncunningham Primary Care Centre as of 18 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21997/26]

946. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE speech and language therapists based at Buncrana Primary Care Centre as of 18 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21998/26]

947. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE paediatric physiotherapists based at Letterkenny Primary Care Centre as of 18 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21999/26]

948. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE public health nurses based at Ballyshannon primary care centre as of 18 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22000/26]

949. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dietitians based at Glenties primary care centre as of 18 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22001/26]

950. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to ensure fair and equitable access to all essential diagnostic services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22002/26]

951. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to urgently improve patient care by expediting the full digitisation of patient/healthcare records and information systems in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22006/26]

952. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the barriers currently faced by patients in Ireland living with lipoedema, including the absence of a published national HSE care pathway, limited access to conservative management such as compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage, and delays or difficulties accessing treatment through the Cross Border Healthcare Dire…

953. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE working group established in 2023 to develop a national care pathway for lipoedema has completed its work; when the pathway is expected to be published; and whether patient advocacy organisations, including the Lipoedema Support Network Ireland, will be included in the development and implementation of this pathway [22010/26]

954. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department intends to review the operation of private health insurers in relation to coverage for medically indicated liposuction procedures for lipoedema patients, in light of concerns regarding inconsistent decision-making, the use of criteria designed for lymphoedema rather than lipoedema, and practices that may result in patients bei…

955. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health her views on the outbreak of meningitis in a local area of the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22020/26]

956. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the fact that there is an ongoing industrial relations dispute concerning the proper resourcing of radiography student placements in hospitals nationally, and the quality of training provided which also impacts on patient care and staff workload (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22021/26]

957. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken to reduce hospital waiting lists in St Luke's Hospital Kilkenny; and whether current targets will be met in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22047/26]

958. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to address the barriers currently faced by patients in Ireland living with lipoedema, including the absence of a published national HSE care pathway; the limited access to conservative management such as compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage; the delays or difficulties accessing treatment through the Cross Border Healthcare Direct…

959. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if the HSE working group established in 2023 to develop a national care pathway for lipoedema has completed its work; when the pathway is expected to be published; and whether patient advocacy organisations, including an organisation (details supplied), will be included in the development and implementation of this pathway. [22049/26]

960. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if her Department plans to review the operation of private health insurers in relation to coverage for medically indicated liposuction procedures for lipoedema patients, in view of concerns regarding inconsistent decision-making, the use of criteria designed for lymphoedema rather than lipoedema and practices that may result in patients being…

961. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to recruit and retain healthcare workers, particularly nurses and consultants in St Luke's Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22051/26]

962. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in St Luke's Hospital Kilkenny; his Department's plans to rectify this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22052/26]