Parliamentary questions

1747. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if, under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, initial consultations with treating consultants abroad via video or phone call are specifically prohibited under the scheme; if the prohibition is outlined in legislation grounding the scheme; the reasons any prohibition exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18733/26]

1748. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if she will consider amending the fair deal legislation to allow persons in nursing homes who own a property in the UK to access the nursing home support loan; to ensure that the property tax payable on such properties is an allowable deduction in terms of the financial assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18738/26]

1749. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to introduce a baby loss certificate scheme for pregnancy losses before 23 weeks, which would be retrospective and voluntary in design, and would assist families in navigating the trauma and grief associated with the loss; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18739/26]

1750. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE and Department of Health assessment of Omaveloxolone (Skyclarys) for the treatment of Friedreich’s Ataxia; the timeline for completing the reimbursement process; the engagement that has taken place with patient representatives and clinical experts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18744/26]

1751. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the specific steps the HSE is taking to ensure that the time-critical nature of Friedreich’s Ataxia is fully recognised and reflected in the ongoing price negotiations for the reimbursement of Skyclarys; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18745/26]

1752. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the way in which the commitments set out in the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025–2030, particularly regarding timely access to approved therapies for rare disease patients, are being applied to the current reimbursement process for Skyclarys for the treatment of Friedreich’s Ataxia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18746/26…

1753. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the way in which the 180-day decision timeline contained within the 2026 IPHA Framework Agreement is being implemented in the case of Skyclarys, given that over 570 days have now elapsed since the reimbursement application was submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18747/26]

1754. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason the arrangement under which validation of entry-to-practice qualifications for clinical measurement physiologists was undertaken by a body (details supplied), which has carried out this function for approximately 20 years, was ended; the basis for this decision and the details of any review, evaluation or due diligence which inf…

1755. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the person or body currently responsible for the validation of entry-to-practice qualifications for clinical measurement physiologists in Ireland; the formal process, criteria, governance and oversight mechanisms that are now in place; whether this system applies consistently across the public, voluntary and private health sectors; and the…

1756. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the assessment which has been undertaken regarding the potential impact of the change in qualification validation arrangements on national consistency of standards, international recognition of clinical measurement physiology qualifications, and existing accreditation relationships with external bodies. [18750/26]

1757. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that patient transport and care from the intermediate care operatives in the National Ambulance Service has been handed over to the private sector with no engagement with intermediate care operatives; if this decision will be reversed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18766/26]

1758. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if the drug Skyclarys (omaveloxolone), used for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia, will be made available under licence in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18769/26]

1759. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health the specific steps that are being taken to ensure the HSE recognises the time-critical nature of Friedreich’s ataxia during the current price negotiations for Skyclarys; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18770/26]

1760. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health whether the 180-day reimbursement decision timeline mandated under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 was applied to the drug skyclarys (omaveloxolone); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18771/26]

1761. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the plans to review financial supports to allow for subsidised batteries for all long-term hearing aid users, similar to the system in the UK; the plans to increase the grants that reflect the cost of the technology required for professional work environments; if she will reform the HSE audiology eligibility system; and if she will make a stateme…

1762. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health given the recognised ‘risk to patient safety’ identified in the recent HIQA report into urgent and emergency healthcare services in the Mid-West, if she will submit the extension of the UHL campus, option B, as a project for delivery under the Critical Infrastructure Bill once it is enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1877…

1763. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not yet received their urgent scoliosis surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18824/26]

1764. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health for an update in relation to the decision to include familial hypercholesterolaemia to the list of cardiovascular risk factors screened for in GP settings in 2026 as part of the GP Chronic Disease Management Programme; whether a guideline-directed approach to lipid management will be embedded to enable GPs to assess goal attainment and indi…

1765. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if the cost of hearing aids will be covered under the Cost of Disability or through the upcoming National Hearing Care Plan (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18852/26]

1766. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health for her views regarding a total breakdown in service and accountability by the National Ambulance Service (NAS) in Limerick (details supplied); if she will ensure that a full response to the complaint is issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18856/26]

1767. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated to fund abortion provision, and to provide a breakdown of all expenditure on abortion provision, from 2018 to date in 2026, by all categories, in tabular form (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18868/26]

1768. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the measures she is taking to ensure a smooth, efficient, and affordable transfer for nurses who have studied and trained abroad but wish to work as a nurse within the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18876/26]

1769. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if she has undertaken any analysis of the estimated cost of introducing a publicly funded elective egg freezing scheme; the projected annual cost based on likely eligibility criteria and uptake rates; if she will provide a breakdown of costs including medication, clinical procedures, storage and associated IVF treatment for women aged 29 to …

1770. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to increase the number of eating disorder beds available in the Mid-West region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18882/26]

1771. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the total anticipated costs associated with her foreign travel for St Patricks Day; the delegation size; and if a breakdown can be provided on these costs including on accommodation and flights. [18894/26]