Parliamentary questions

256. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the extent to which plans for elective capacity in the HSE West and North West have changed; if she will ensure delivery of the elective hospital as originally promised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15393/26]

257. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether there have been changes to the plans for additional elective capacity in Cork ; if the plans for the elective hospital are still the same as the original business case which was submitted, and if not, the difference in the current proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15394/26]

258. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether there have been changes to the plans for additional elective capacity at two sites in Dublin ; if the plans for the elective hospital are still the same as the original business case which was submitted, and if not, the difference in the current proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15395/26]

259. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant psychiatrists working in each CAMHS team; the number of whole time equivalent; the headcount; the number of consultant psychiatrists working full-time, in tabular form [15396/26]

260. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and proportion of CAMHS consultations which are conducted in person and remotely, by CAMHS team; the extent of telemedicine across each CAMHS team, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15397/26]

261. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and proportion of hospital outpatient consultations which are conducted in person and remotely, by hospital and by specialty; the extent of telemedicine across each health region, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15398/26]

262. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if she will assist a person with a reimbursement request (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15400/26]

263. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the opportunity cost of delayed transfers of care and of a bed day lost, that is the additional cost of a person remaining in hospital when they could be cared for in a lower cost environment in the community or at home; if her Department or the Health Service has analysed the cost of inefficiencies caused by delayed transfers of care and b…

264. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health to outline the way in which her Department, through the FSAI, ensures that equality legislation is adhered to in allowing equal access for guide and assistance dogs in restaurants and food related premises; if there are plans to update guidelines to inform such businesses of the access rights of guide dogs and their owners; and if she will m…

265. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of delayed transfers of care and bed days lost in total in 2024 and in 2025, by hospital, in tabular form [15409/26]

266. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of referrals covered under the treatment abroad scheme or cross-border directive to countries outside of Ireland for mesh implant procedures which are not currently permitted in the State; if she considers that this is an appropriate use of taxpayers money considering that access to surgeries domestically are paused due to m…

267. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the Health Products Regulatory Authority’s consideration of over-the-counter codeine sales; when this is expected to conclude; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15417/26]

268. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if she considers a restriction of over-the-counter low-dosage codeine-containing products to a prescription-only model to run contrary to the principles of the new pharmacy agreement and common conditions scheme; if she considers that new eprescribing and other pharmacy IT systems combined with the rollout of patient identifiers could serve…

269. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if, under the planned healthcare abroad scheme, 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 this prohibition exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15420/26]

270. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant respiratory medicine based at St Vincent's University Hospital. [15437/26]

271. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the number of percutaneous coronary intervention procedures including primary PCI and non-primary (elective or urgent) PCI carried out in Beaumont Hospital in 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [15438/26]

272. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE rapid response vehicles available for calls on a 24-7 basis within Kildare as of 18 February 2026, in tabular form. [15439/26]

273. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE rapid response vehicles available for calls on a 24-7 basis within Wicklow as of 18 February 2026, in tabular form. [15440/26]

274. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the position of BUMBLEance and the National Ambulance Service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15453/26]

275. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE statement issued on 19 February 2026, which states that phase 1 of the National Elective Care Programme includes zero beds for the elective hospitals in Galway, Cork and Dublin, is accurate (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15497/26]

276. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify the current status of the elective hospitals proposed for Cork and Dublin; and whether standalone elective hospitals will still be developed at both locations, with bed capacity, as originally envisaged under the National Elective Care Programme (details supplied); if she will provide an estimated timeline for the works; a…

277. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health whether the planning application expected in the next few months for the elective hospital at the Merlin Park site in Galway will include 200 beds comprising 175 day beds and 25 overnight beds; if she will provide an estimated timeline for the submission of the planning application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15499/26]

278. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health if it remains Government policy to deliver 200 beds comprising 175 day beds and 25 overnight beds as part of the establishment of a new standalone elective hospital at the Merlin Park site in Galway; as originally envisaged under the National Elective Care Programme (details supplied); if so, if she will provide an estimated timeline for the …

279. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time WTE psychiatrists per each CAMHS, per funded WTE, and per filled WTE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15503/26]

280. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if the Government can work with retailers and other manufacturers to fast-track, import, or increase the supply of alternative, safe baby formula brands to fill the gap left by the recalled SMA products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15542/26]