Parliamentary questions

2022. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the reason newly qualified paramedics working full time as PHECC registered practitioners are required to reapply for their current roles; if she will confirm that no paramedic will face a period of unemployment as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19989/26]

2023. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health if newly qualified paramedics who are placed on a recruitment panel will continue to receive temporary contracts until a permanent post becomes available; the arrangements that are in place to avoid gaps in employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19990/26]

2024. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health if she will address concerns that newly qualified paramedics may be required to accept posts beyond the 45 kilometre public service guideline; the way the National Ambulance Service intends to ensure safe commuting arrangements for staff working long shifts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19991/26]

2025. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify the proposed changes to pay, allowances and subsistence for newly qualified paramedics; the way these changes align with recruitment and retention objectives within the National Ambulance Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19992/26]

2026. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health if she has assessed the impact of the new recruitment and contract arrangements on staff retention and ambulance cover, including the number of newly qualified paramedics who have resigned or indicated an intention to resign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19993/26]

2027. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the expanded newborn bloodspot screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) will be fully operational nationwide; the steps being taken to ensure timely rollout across all maternity units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20000/26]

2028. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the work of the Implementation Oversight Group established under the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030, including its current priorities and expected timelines for publishing the full implementation plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20001/26]

2029. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to reduce diagnostic delays for people with rare diseases, given evidence that the average time to diagnosis in Ireland exceeds six years, and that many patients experience initial misdiagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20002/26]

2030. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department plans to expand Ireland's participation in rare disease research and clinical trials, particularly through the Rare Disease Research Catalyst Consortium and the Rare Disease Clinical Trial Network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20003/26]

2031. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to increase rare disease education and training for healthcare professionals, including the integration of new HSE rare disease training programmes and collaboration with the National Rare Diseases Office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20004/26]

2032. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if a marriage notification appointment can be facilitated for a couple (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20005/26]

2033. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 25 February 2026, when an assessment will be conducted to justify or amend the current application of the non-clinical requirement "from the outset" in the reimbursement of continuous glucose monitoring sensors; if she will authorise funding for the extension of reimbursement to all people who n…

2034. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take to ensure that givinostat is available at the earliest opportunity to sufferers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20013/26]

2035. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if she will implement a plan to support individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, including the development of specialist multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring enhanced and immediate access to givinostat (Duvyzat) and similar treatments. [20014/26]

2036. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the outcome of discussions and engagement between the DOH, HSE and IPU, on the changes to monitored dosing which have been paused which were due to come into effect on 1 January 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20018/26]

2037. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for cataract surgery at the Mater Hospital; and the average waiting times for this type of procedure. [20023/26]

2038. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of capital projects submitted to HSE estates for Longford from acute, primary, community and so on over the past three years; and the status of each project, in tabular form. [20024/26]

2039. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current vacancies by job title, at Balbriggan Community Mental Health Team; and when will each of those vacancies be filled, in tabular form. [20025/26]

2040. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE gastroenterologist registrars based at St James's Hospital as of 10 March 2026, in tabular form. [20026/26]

2041. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if she will intervene to ensure that the HSE prioritises a conclusion to the skyclarys reimbursement negotiations, given that it is the only available treatment for this progressive disease and represents a clear unmet need under the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20045/26]

2042. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if she believes the current delay aligns with the "equitable access" promised in the newly launched National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20046/26]

2043. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the recruitment of consultant neurologists for the five regional hospitals identified by Government in October 2024 (details supplied) ; the number of these posts that have been formally advertised; the reasons any of these posts have not yet been advertised where applicable; the number of applications received for eac…

2044. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the date on which fire safety deficiencies requiring the closure of a unit (details supplied) were first identified; the date on which remediation works commenced; the estimated capital cost of these works; and the expected date for completion and reopening of the affected beds. [20071/26]

2045. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of beds that have been unavailable for use at a nursing unit in each month since the closure of the unit due to fire safety works; and the steps being taken by her Department and the HSE to restore this capacity. [20072/26]

2046. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether HIQA identified compliance issues during its inspection of a nursing unit on 17 February 2026 relating to the application to vary registration for a dementia-specific unit (details supplied); the nature of any such issues; and the anticipated timeframe for regulatory approval. [20073/26]