Questions

2013. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive analyses regional or geographic variation in the granting or refusal of discretionary medical cards under the general medical services scheme; and whether any reports or internal reviews have been conducted on trends in discretionary decision-making from 2020 to 2025. [19963/26]

2014. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department maintains national data on discretionary medical card decisions affecting persons aged over 70 years-of-age; the number of discretionary applications considered for that cohort in each of the years from 2020 to 2025; the number approved; the number refused; and whether any policy review has been undertaken in relation to eligibility thresho…

2015. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for discretionary medical cards under the general medical services scheme that were refused but where applicants were subsequently granted a GP visit card in each of the years from 2020 to 2025; and whether the Department monitors such outcomes as part of its policy oversight of medical card eligibility decisions. [19965/26]

2016. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the recent changes to the practice of issuing permanent contracts to newly qualified paramedics in the National Ambulance Service; the reason for this change; when the change was brought to the attention of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19970/26]

2017. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified paramedics that have recently completed training with the National Ambulance Service but have not been issued permanent contracts. [19971/26]

2018. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of training a paramedic within the National Ambulance Service. [19972/26]

2019. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the current staffing shortfall within the National Ambulance Service. [19973/26]

2020. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive, or any public hospital within the State, has funded or paid tuition fees for students enrolled on a graduate programme in clinical measurement physiology at a university (details supplied); if so, the number of students whose tuition fees have been funded by the HSE or individual public hospitals; the hospitals involved; …

2021. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health to reconsider a change in policy for awarding permanent contracts in an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19978/26]

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 need these sensors in…

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]