Questions

1283. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if she will publish a national clinical pathway for alopecia areata within the HSE Model of Care for Dermatology, covering diagnostic criteria, severity thresholds (for example, SALT scoring), first- and second-line options (including intralesional steroids, topical immunotherapy and JAK inhibitors), vaccination guidance, monitoring schedules and stop rules; an…

1284. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of public dermatology centres providing topical immunotherapy (for example DPCP or SADBE) for extensive alopecia areata; the number treated in each of the past three years; the average waiting times; and whether capacity expansion is planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30920/26]

1285. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health to detail the availability of intralesional corticosteroid clinics for patchy alopecia areata, by hospital group; the average wait time from referral; and any actions to standardise access nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30921/26]

1286. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will establish a national registry to capture outcomes for alopecia areata (for example, SALT 20 at week 24, durability, relapse), adverse events and service activity; the proposed data controller and governance; and the expected start date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30922/26]

1289. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1990 of 18 March 2026, if she will request a comprehensive report from the HSE, TUSLA and the Gardaí relative to the current urgent care needs of the person, as the response to the PQ is inadequate and does not address the dire circumstances faced by the family on a daily basis; if she will provide a name and contact deta…

1290. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2231 of 18 March 2026, given that the HSE has not provided a reply, when a response will issue in relation to the matter. [30946/26]

512. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health whether orientation and mobility services for the visually impaired and blind fall within the remit of her Department or the Department of Education and Youth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29229/26]

513. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health if she will fund further orientation and mobility training beyond pre-existing Cork and Waterford services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29230/26]

527. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any formal analysis has been conducted comparing decision-making outcomes across the six Health Regions; if so, to provide the metrics used, the findings, and any identified regional disparities. [29321/26]

529. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any independent audit or internal review has been conducted on consistency of decision-making across Health Regions since 2022; and to provide the dates and findings of such audits. [29323/26]

535. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2781 of 14 May 2024, the details of the new x-ray service scheduled to open in Balbriggan; if she will share opening hours; whether it will be a HSE service; staffing numbers; location; and building specifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29369/26]

536. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29387/26]

552. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider adding obstructive sleep apnoea to the long-term illness scheme, considering the ongoing costs associated with diagnosis, treatment and long-term management for patients who require CPAP therapy or related supports. [29464/26]

563. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if there is a mechanism by which an individual with chronic spinal cord injury who has benefitted from the use of an exoskeleton could obtain financial assistance towards purchasing an exoskeleton; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29529/26]

566. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 885 of 24 March 2026, if governance, supervision, MDT decision-making and system-wide variations are being examined under a different process (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28668/26]

203. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the data collected on patient outcomes following ophthalmology procedures in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28791/26]

205. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the future demand for ophthalmology services over the next 10–15 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28793/26]

206. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health whether she has considered the use of mobile clinics to address high ophthalmology waiting lists in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28794/26]

207. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health whether Ireland has sufficient ophthalmology capacity to meet projected demand from an ageing population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28795/26]

208. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons on ophthalmology waiting lists as of April 2026, by county; the number awaiting cataract surgery, including those waiting longer than 12 months, by county; the breakdown of waiting lists by sub-specialty, including medical retina, diabetic eye disease, cataract, paediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, cornea and refractive surgery, by count…

242. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether standard cost-effectiveness thresholds applied by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics are adjusted in the case of rare diseases; if not, whether the Minister will consider reforming these thresholds to reflect the unique clinical and ethical context of low-prevalence conditions. [29081/26]

252. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health her plans to extend support for new mothers for the first year after childbirth, especially in terms of community-based mental health and physical recovery care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29216/26]

139. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the reason the free contraception scheme excludes women older than 35 years-of-age. [28449/26]

144. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to date to meet the Programme for Government commitment that an early access scheme for drugs will be implemented by this Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28273/26]

155. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health to outline the operation of occupational therapy assessment services within the HSE; the average waiting times for assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28447/26]