Parliamentary questions

522. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any research carried out in relation to international comparisons when drafting the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; the lessons that can be learned from countries that have already implemented a ban on single use vaping products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2965/26]

523. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the way in which the recent announcement of funding to the Community Connections and Well-being Project will link with the already existing social prescribing projects which are already funded by HSE and based within family resource centres in Cavan and Monaghan; the linkages that should be developed; and if she will make a statement on the m…

524. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the work being undertaken to ensure that hospitals using family rooms as wards should only do so on a temporary basis and the measures been taken to restore these family rooms which are vital in providing palliative care to patients and carers and their families. [2992/26]

525. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reasonable accommodations that are in place in primary care settings in relation to blood tests for people with disabilities who experience needle phobia; if there is a process outlined by the HSE for such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3000/26]

526. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any engagement she has had with the major health insurance providers in Ireland in relation to the increasing premiums facing their customers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3020/26]

527. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the actions she is taking to seek to reduce the cost of Health Insurance premiums in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3021/26]

528. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to cases whereby people are unable to afford health insurance premiums but feel forced to due to the length of waiting lists in public hospitals; the actions she is taking to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3022/26]

529. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the operation for a child (details supplied). [3036/26]

530. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health if funding will be allocated in the HSE Capital Programme for the development of a mental health facility adjacent to Wexford General Hospital; to provide appropriate care for persons in County Wexford presenting in a mental health crisis (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3041/26]

531. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health to examine the provision of whole-family support and wrap around services for families and individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in their homes; to address the urgent need for improved responses and supports given the scale of the mental health crisis in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3042/26]

532. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for an adult in the Wicklow-Wexford constituency to receive an appointment for a psychiatrist in Adult Mental Health Services; a psychologist in the primary care mental health service; the number of individuals on each waiting list for over six months in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a stateme…

533. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for a child in the Wicklow-Wexford constituency to receive an appointment for a psychiatrist in CAMHS; a psychologist in the primary care mental health service; the number of children on each waiting list for over six months in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3044/26]

534. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to ensure continuity of care for women who have had difficult or traumatic previous pregnancies in light of recent changes made to consultant contracts as part of Sláintecare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3048/26]

535. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence (details supplied); the steps her Department is taking on this issue; the actions her Department has taken to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3049/26]

536. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the current eligibility criteria for access to publicly funded in vitro fertilisation treatment, including the basis for any requirements related to marital or relationship status; whether her Department has undertaken, or plans to undertake, a review of the criteria to ensure they are fair, inclusive and reflective of modern family structur…

537. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that steps are being undertaken to dismantle the Office of the Confidential Recipient contrary to the delegation by the Director General to the Confidential Recipient; her concerns that under these proposed changes the Office of the Confidential Recipient will no longer be independent or confidential; if she is aware that this…

538. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the Office of the Confidential Recipient continue to be independent and confidential of the HSE as per the Delegation. [3062/26]

539. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if she has concerns as to the continued unfettered independence in the role and function of the Confidential Recipient as per the Delegation. [3063/26]

540. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health her views on whether the importance of the Confidential Recipient role and function is respected by the HSE Senior Leadership team. [3064/26]

541. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the Confidential Recipient as established under a legal delegation remains in place. [3065/26]

542. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the Confidential Recipient continues to have the vital escalation pathway to the CEO for abuse cases. [3066/26]

543. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the Confidential Recipient raised any concerns in relation to abuse cases where the HSE failed to reassure the Confidential Recipient that they appropriately assessed and examined reported concerns of abuse, neglect and wrongdoing submitted by the Confidential Recipient to the HSE. [3067/26]

544. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the Confidential Recipient raised any concerns with her that the HSE is interfering with the independence of the office, or attempting to subsume the office into the internal structures of the HSE. [3068/26]

545. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the frequency which the CEO of the HSE and the Confidential Recipient meet with one another to ensure the Office of the Confidential Recipient is being appropriately supported, that it remains a fully confidential and independent service and that its independence continues unfettered and that any presenting issues are discussed. [3069/26]

546. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the Confidential Recipient raised any concerns with the CEO of the HSE as to the protection and enhancement of the independence of the office of the Confidential Recipient. [3070/26]