Parliamentary questions

2097. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the formal national clinical governance framework that currently applies to gender identity healthcare services provided to minors pending completion of the updated national model of care; and the specific safeguarding standards required under that framework. [20265/26]

2098. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued any policy direction, guidance or instruction to the Health Service Executive following publication of the final Cass Review regarding the provision of gender identity healthcare services to children and adolescents in Ireland. [20266/26]

2099. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the number of students in unpaid work placements in both the health care and education sectors; the total value to these sectors of this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20273/26]

2100. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the formal methodological framework used by her Department when evaluating international clinical guidance prior to incorporation into national healthcare policy; and whether such a methodology was applied in respect of international guidance on gender identity healthcare between 2018 and 2023. [20274/26]

2101. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the date on which the Health Service Executive completed its review of the Cass Review; whether the completed review has been submitted to her Department; the date on which her Department received the document, if applicable; whether she intends to publish the review; and if publication is not intended, the reason the document will not be plac…

2102. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference issued for the Health Service Executive review of the Cass Review; the names or professional roles of the clinical experts who conducted that review; the governance structure under which the work was undertaken; and whether the review included consideration of safeguarding and clinical risk factors affecting children and…

2103. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive review of the Cass Review identified any recommendations relating to safeguarding, diagnostic standards, risk mitigation, or clinical governance in the treatment of children and adolescents presenting with gender incongruence or dysphoria; and whether such recommendations are being incorporated into the dev…

2104. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the expected timeline for the completion and publication of the updated Model of Care for gender healthcare services being developed by the Health Service Executive; the stages remaining in that process; and whether the Model of Care will be subject to public or professional consultation before adoption. [20291/26]

2105. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the State currently maintains a national dataset recording referrals, diagnoses, treatment pathways, clinical interventions and outcomes for persons receiving gender healthcare services in Ireland; if no such dataset currently exists, when she expects one to be established; and whether the development of such a dataset forms part of th…

2106. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Department of Health or the Health Service Executive conducts periodic clinical audits or outcome evaluations of gender healthcare services delivered within the public health system; if such audits are conducted, the frequency and scope of those audits; and if not, whether such a mechanism will be introduced as part of the new Mode…

2107. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the evidence base being relied upon by the Health Service Executive in developing the updated Model of Care for gender healthcare services; whether international clinical reviews, including the Cass Review and equivalent reviews in other jurisdictions, are being formally considered; and how such evidence will inform Irish clinical standards. […

2108. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the respective roles of her Department and the Health Service Executive in approving the updated Model of Care for gender healthcare services; whether the final Model of Care will require ministerial approval; and whether the Department retains oversight of safeguarding standards applicable to services for persons under 18. [20295/26]

2109. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure incurred by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service on salbutamol nebules dispensed under the General Medical Services Scheme in each month from January 2024 to date in 2026. [20299/26]

2110. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of claims submitted for salbutamol nebules or equivalent short-acting bronchodilator nebules under the General Medical Services Scheme, the Drugs Payment Scheme, and the Long-Term Illness Scheme, in each of the years 2024 and 2025. [20300/26]

2111. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of claims for salbutamol nebules rejected or unpaid by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service in 2024 and 2025, and the reasons for rejection. [20301/26]

2112. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Department or the HSE issued any clinical or reimbursement guidance to pharmacists relating to salbutamol nebule shortages during 2024 or 2025, and if so to provide the details. [20302/26]

2113. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has analysed prescribing substitution patterns for salbutamol nebules during supply shortages, including increased dispensing of inhalers or alternative bronchodilators. [20303/26]

2114. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a national governance framework exists within her Department or the Health Service Executive for the monitoring and management of shortages of essential medicines; the statutory or policy basis for that framework; the units responsible for maintaining national oversight; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20305/26]

2115. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Department receives regular national reports or aggregated data from the Health Products Regulatory Authority or the Health Service Executive relating to shortages of medicines in the State; the frequency of such reporting; and whether the Department maintains a national register or monitoring system for medicines supply disruption…

2116. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a formal risk-assessment or prioritisation system exists within the Department or the Health Service Executive for identifying medicines considered clinically critical, including respiratory medicines such as salbutamol nebules, where supply disruptions may pose patient safety risks; and if she will outline the governance arrangements …

2117. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department maintains a national strategy or policy framework for the prevention, monitoring, and management of shortages of essential medicines in the State; when such a strategy was last reviewed or updated; whether it includes defined governance arrangements between her Department, the Health Products Regulatory Authority, and th…

2118. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued any written policy guidance, circular, direction or framework to the Health Service Executive or to the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics regarding the appropriate time horizon to be applied in health technology assessments used to inform pricing and reimbursement decisions for medicines; if such guidance …

2119. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether national policy guidance exists governing the methodological standards to be applied in health technology assessments used to support decisions under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, including assumptions relating to modelling time horizons, discount rates and long-term cost-effectiveness analysis; and if she …

2120. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued guidance to ensure that health technology assessments of medicines intended to prevent or reduce the long-term incidence of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease, appropriately account for long-term health outcomes and downstream health system savings; and if she will make a sta…

2121. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what oversight role her Department exercises in relation to the methodological frameworks used by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics when conducting health technology assessments that inform reimbursement decisions by the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20313/26]