Parliamentary questions

1722. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if she will increase the qualifying income thresholds for a medical card for those over 70 years-of-age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18566/26]

1723. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of staff from her Department seconded to other Departments or agencies in the Civil Service, per annum from 2022 to date in 2026; and the details of the Department or agency, in tabular form. [18595/26]

1724. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of staff from his Department seconded to a firm in the private sector, per annum from 2022 to date in 2026; and the details of the company, in tabular form. [18613/26]

1725. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of staff from her Department seconded from a firm in the private sector, per annum from 2022 to date in 2026; and the details of the company, in tabular form. [18631/26]

1726. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the reason newly qualified paramedics in the National Ambulance Service are no longer being offered permanent posts on completion of training and are instead being placed on short term contracts and required to reapply for permanent roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18647/26]

1727. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if a comprehensive guide is available to assist persons and families in understanding the role and requirements of appointing a successor under the fair deal scheme; if changes may be made to a fair deal assessment or arrangement in the third year of the scheme; if a family successor may be appointed to manage a farm for the purposes of qua…

1728. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if she will address concerns regarding the National Ambulance Service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18655/26]

1729. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list to see a consultant ophthalmologist at University Hospital Limerick. [18660/26]

1730. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE clinical nurse specialists in cognitive behavioural therapy and advanced nurse practitioner in psychotherapy posts filled at Shannon community mental health team as of 27 February 2026, in tabular form. [18661/26]

1731. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE orthodontists currently working within Clare dental services, in tabular form. [18662/26]

1732. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure the HSE considers the "time-critical" nature of Friedreich's Ataxia 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 thi…

1733. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18668/26]

1734. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ophthalmic surgeon posts filled within the cataract unit of the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, in tabular form. [18691/26]

1735. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of recruitment campaigns CHI undertook in the UK in 2025 and to date in 2026 to encourage Irish trained nurses, doctors, radiographers and so on to return home and work at the new National Children's Hospital; and the number of persons that expressed an interest in returning home. [18692/26]

1736. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if each HSE dental clinic within CHO7 have dedicated decontamination rooms and full x-ray facilities, in tabular form. [18693/26]

1737. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the health related projects raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18694/26]

1738. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the number of people being refunded for payment of blood tests; the amount refunded for 2024 and 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18697/26]

1739. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the schemes which exist for wig grants; and where a person contacts to become eligible to take applicants under these.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18705/26]

1740. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the number of older people awaiting home support services in the Burtonport, Kincasslagh, Annagry,Gweedore and Finn Valley areas of County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18707/26]

1741. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health if she will review the level of autism-specific training available to general practitioners; if she will consider providing additional supports or educational resources to primary care practices to ensure accurate, respectful, and evidence-based engagement with autistic and neurodivergent patients; and if she will make a statement on the ma…

1742. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the severe staffing pressures currently affecting TUH Clonmel hospital’s ward, day ward, and paediatric assessment unit, where services are being maintained almost entirely by acting staff, including an acting CNM3, no CNM2, two acting CNM1s, and acting shift leaders, and that this unit is operating withou…

1743. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when she expects an outcome from the application for pricing and reimbursement of omaveloxolone (Skyclarys) for the treatment of Friedreich’s Ataxia in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older; if not yet known, the efforts that will be made in the interim to support those diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia who are waiting on the o…

1744. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the specific steps being taken to ensure the HSE recognises the time-critical nature of Friedreich’s Ataxia during the current price negotiations for Skyclarys; how the commitments in the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025–2030 and the 2026 IPHA Framework Agreement are being applied to this case to prevent further delay for those with a…

1745. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health for an update on the provision of public health nurses in north Dublin, as compared to baseline capacity for 2026; the number of developmental checks done in north Dublin; the actions being taken to increase recruitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18724/26]

1746. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when the drug Skyclarys will be reimbursed for patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18731/26]