Questions

727. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting times for counselling and psychological services; the current waiting times for psychiatric assessment where such assessment is deemed clinically necessary; the procedures in place for reassessment where a person's mental health deteriorates while awaiting treatment or assessment; the interim supports and services available to indivi…

728. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health in view of the plans to close unit 1 (dementia unit) and relocate patients from another ward in Sarsfield Court, whether she is aware that a similar unit remains closed (unit 5); and her views on the capacity therefore to move patients to unit 5. [68269/26]

729. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of units or wards currently vacant or used for administrative or training purposes on the Sarsfield Court site; and the date of closure of the unit or ward to patients, in tabular form. [68267/26]

730. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1184 of 16 September 2026, staffing in Nenagh CMHT, ongoing recruitment efforts for the Social Worker post, and with regards to the three panels being exhausted, the number of offers that were issued to candidates on said panels; if the reasons are known to the HSE that no candidates accepted the role; and for an update on th…

731. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the services that are available to Parkinson’s patients in the South East; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68160/26]

732. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a breakdown of the numbers of Parkinson’s disease sufferers known to the HSE in the South East, including specific breakdowns for Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford and Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68157/26]

733. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department and the HSE are ensuring that statutory minimum rates of pay and other conditions of employment for workers employed in the contract cleaning industry in publicly funded health settings are being adhered to; the inspection regime currently in place to ensure these workers are not being exploited; and to detail the number of brea…

734. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health her plans to ensure that there are sufficient dementia care beds in Cork, if there are any planned closures and what alternatives will be put in place for dementia patients. [68297/26]

735. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels in hospital laboratory services, including haematology, microbiology and biochemistry departments, in each acute hospital; the number of laboratory staff rostered for overnight and out-of-hours on-call services; the number of vacant laboratory posts nationwide; and the measures being taken to ensure adequate staffing levels and rest pe…

736. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has examined the introduction or expansion of routine blood sampling at patient triage in emergency departments to ensure laboratory results are available at the time of first medical assessment; the hospitals in which such a model is currently in operation; the evaluation undertaken regarding its impact on patient waiting times and flow through e…

737. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether an assessment has been carried out at Mayo University Hospital regarding the potential for blood samples to be taken at triage in the emergency department in advance of medical assessment; the estimated impact such a process could have on patient waiting times; and whether consideration is being given to implementing such a measure as a cost neutral servi…

738. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether consideration is being given to introducing a policy whereby blood samples are taken as early as possible during a patient's attendance at an emergency department, including at triage where appropriate, so that blood test results are available during the patient's initial medical assessment; whether this has been identified as a means of reducing delays a…

739. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether an assessment has been carried out at Mayo University Hospital regarding the routine taking of blood samples at the point of triage in the emergency department; whether it is estimated that having blood results available at the patient's first consultation with a doctor could reduce waiting times and the need for multiple medical reviews; and if she will …

740. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to locate a Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Unit at Cork University Hospital. [68296/26]

741. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health if she intends to alter the income limit threshold for over 70 medical cards, that was last set in November 2020. [68287/26]

742. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of corneal specialists who cover the north Dublin area; and if funding will be provided to increase this number. [68298/26]

743. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of intra-operative neuromonitoring devices available to hospitals in the Dublin area; and if the Minister is aware of surgeries being postponed due to a lack of availability and hospitals being forced to loan devices to others. [68233/26]

744. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for HSE home support in each month of 2025 and to date in 2026 in the east Clare HSE community health network. [68177/26]

745. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for HSE home support in each month of 2025 and to date in 2026 in the west Clare HSE community health network. [68176/26]

746. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting one month or longer, three months or longer, six months or longer, and 12 months or longer for HSE home support in the west Clare HSE community health network. [68173/26]

747. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting one month or longer, three months or longer, six months or longer, and 12 months or longer for HSE home support in the east Clare HSE community health network. [68170/26]

748. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1184 of 15 September 2026, and staffing in Nenagh CMHT, for a further update on the mental health OT post; and if a date for interviews has yet been set. [68168/26]

749. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health to what extent her Department was consulted on the potential health effects of the Planning Design Standards for Apartments: Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2025 in a warming climate; if a health impact assessment was applied; and what feedback or response, if any, was given by the Department on how these revised standards will contribute positively or negat…

750. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the rationale for tender applicants for the shop-café at Louth County Hospital (details supplied) being advised that the minimum acceptable revenue-sharing arrangement shall be 30% of net profit, not gross profit, payable to Louth County Hospital; whether this is standard across hospitals in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68194/26]

751. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the level of fees collected by pharmacies for services provided under the common conditions scheme, in tabular form; the number of consultations and other measurable outputs this relates to; the extent of data collected on services operated under the common conditions scheme; if this data is not collected, the reason; and whether she intends to collect it. [68…