Parliamentary questions

2047. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the approved workforce model, including the number of whole-time equivalent posts, required to safely operate the 19-bed dementia-specific unit at a nursing unit (details supplied); and whether funding has been approved for the full complement of staff. [20074/26]

2048. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when individuals (details supplied) partaking in the Covid-19 evaluation will receive confirmation of the reported private sessions that are due to take place this month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20075/26]

2049. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence from a family regarding a letter received from HSE (details supplied); if this is the correct procedure given the circumstances outlined by the family in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20077/26]

2050. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the policy framework governing the multidisciplinary team assessment process which forms the clinical basis for applications under the treatment abroad scheme for gender affirmation surgery; whether national clinical guidelines or standards apply to such MDT determinations; and the body responsible for oversight of these standards. [20078/26]

2051. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of applications submitted under the treatment abroad scheme for gender affirmation surgery in each year from 2020 to 2026; the number approved; the number refused; and the principal recorded reasons for refusal where applicable. [20079/26]

2052. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive conducts audits or reviews of MDT recommendations submitted in support of applications for gender affirmation surgery under the treatment abroad scheme; and if so, the frequency and scope of such oversight. [20080/26]

2053. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure under the treatment abroad scheme on gender affirmation surgery in each year from 2020 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, including travel and accommodation costs funded by the State. [20081/26]

2054. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of patients funded under the treatment abroad scheme for gender affirmation surgery in each of the years from 2020 to 2025 and to-date in 2026. [20088/26]

2055. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure incurred under the treatment abroad scheme for gender affirmation surgery in each of the years from 2020 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, including surgery, travel, accommodation and associated medical costs. [20089/26]

2056. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE collects outcome data, complication rates, or patient follow-up information for gender affirmation surgeries funded abroad under the treatment abroad scheme. [20090/26]

2057. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any clinical governance framework exists for monitoring referrals by multidisciplinary teams recommending gender affirmation surgery funded under the treatment abroad scheme. [20091/26]

2058. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if she is concerned that increases in fuel prices will impact on the availability of staff in the homecare sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20092/26]

2059. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment which has been referred for a person (details supplied); if the parents of this person can receive an acknowledgement of referral; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20106/26]

2060. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure by the Health Service Executive under the treatment abroad scheme in respect of gender affirmation surgeries undertaken outside the State in each year from 2020 to 2025 inclusive; the number of individual procedures funded in each year; and the average cost per procedure in each of those years. [20121/26]

2061. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the countries and healthcare providers in which gender affirmation surgeries funded under the Treatment Abroad Scheme have been carried out since 2020; the number of procedures funded in each jurisdiction; and whether the Department maintains a list of approved hospitals or surgical centres for such treatments. [20122/26]

2062. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the policy or governance framework under which applications for gender affirmation surgery abroad are assessed under the Treatment Abroad Scheme; the number of applications received and approved in each year since 2020; and the clinical or administrative authority responsible for granting final approval for such funding. [20123/26]

2063. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive records clinical outcomes, complications, or follow-up care requirements for patients who receive gender affirmation surgery abroad funded under the treatment abroad scheme; and if so, the oversight mechanisms in place to monitor patient outcomes and long-term healthcare impacts. [20124/26…

2064. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Department has conducted or commissioned any review, audit, or policy assessment of the use of the treatment abroad scheme to fund gender affirmation surgeries outside the State since 2020; and if not, whether she intends to commission such a review. [20125/26]

2065. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the options for funding available to assist adults who do not possess a medical card and who are employed fulltime, to meet the high cost of hearing aids; the pathway to access funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20126/26]

2066. 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 Friedreich's ataxia disease and represents a clear unmet need under the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030; if she believes the current delay in concluding negotiations contr…

2067. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive records the time required to approve recruitment requests submitted under the processes established by CEO Memo 09892 of 4 October 2023 and CEO Memo 10885 of 26 February 2024; the average time taken from submission to decision in each year since 2023; and whether clearance timeline key per…

2068. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of recruitment approval requests submitted to the National Director of HR under CEO Memo 10885 in 2024 and 2025; the number approved, refused, withdrawn or returned for further information; and the average time taken to issue a decision in each case. [20139/26]

2069. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive has undertaken any review, analysis or briefing assessing the operational impact of recruitment control measures introduced under CEO Memo 09892 of 4 October 2023 and CEO Memo 10885 of 26 February 2024, including impacts on vacancy persistence, recruitment delays and service delivery; and …

2070. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department monitors the number of vacant posts which remain unfilled due to recruitment approval processes introduced under CEO Memo 09892 and CEO Memo 10885; the number of such posts in each health region and national service area; and whether this information is reported to her Department on a routine basis. [20141/26]

2071. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed whether the recruitment control measures introduced under CEO Memo 09892 and CEO Memo 10885 have contributed to delays in filling clinical or frontline posts, including those within hospital services, community health services and the National Ambulance Service; and if she will provide details of any such as…