Parliamentary questions

2028. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if legislation is planned to ban the practice called vaping from public gathering places such as pubs, restaurants, shops, offices and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2318/26]

2029. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 828 of 25 February 2025 (details supplied), when and by whom the decision was taken to exclude medical scientists who retired before 1 January 2024 from receiving the pay parity increases recommended by the Labour Court;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2511/26]

2030. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 828 of 25 February 2025 (details supplied) if she has considered whether excluding retired medical scientists from the Labour Court-recommended pay adjustments is consistent with past practice on pension parity for public servants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2512/26]

2031. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 828 of 25 February 2025 (details supplied), if she will review the implementation of the Labour Court’s recommendation on pay parity for medical scientists to ensure that those who retired before 1 January 2024, including those who returned to support the health service during COVID-19 and the cyberatta…

2032. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health her priorities for the Irish EU Presidency regarding the EU cardiovascular disease health plan to be published shortly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73852/25]

2033. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health how she plans to prioritise and implement the EU cardiovascular disease health plan in Ireland and channel EU funds to support this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73853/25]

2034. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the extent to which hospitals in the mid-west have in-hospital counselling services available to patients who may be enduring mental health problems; the associated staffing levels in each hospital in the mid-west region; the days and hours the service is available in each hospital in the mid-west; and if she will make a statement on the matt…

2035. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health when the HSE expects to begin receiving new patients at the new surgical hub that will be based in Swords; and the types of procedures that will be performed at this hub. [73855/25]

2036. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the locations within CHO9 where HSE employed orthoptists are based, in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [73856/25]

2037. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the amount of revenue generated via restaurant/coffee shops sales at Beaumont Hospital in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [73857/25]

2038. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE paediatric psychologists posts that were filled at Portmarnock Primary Care Centre in each of the years of 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [73858/25]

2039. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on the waiting list to see a dentist at Swords Health Centre; and the average waiting time for same. [73859/25]

2040. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the rationale for removing funding for monitored dosage systems (blister packs); the assessment carried out on the impact this will have on vulnerable patients, including those with dementia and complex medication regimes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73860/25]

2041. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing a sustainable funding model for blister packs, given that the service costs approximately €70 per patient, per cycle, and is essential for medication safety and independent living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73861/25]

2042. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her Department has engaged with the Irish Pharmacy Union regarding the removal of blister pack supports and the financial impact on community pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73862/25]

2043. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the guidance which has been issued to GPs and pharmacists regarding applications for blister packs following the policy change; the alternative supports which will be available for vulnerable patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73863/25]

2044. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently receiving blister packs and the projected impact of introducing charges of €20–€50 per month on these households; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73864/25]

2045. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her Department has considered the risk of medication errors and hospital admissions resulting from the removal of blister pack supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73865/25]

2046. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health her plans to review the phased dispensing scheme, which currently covers only nine core drug families;and whether this will be expanded to include blister packs for vulnerable patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73866/25]

2047. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the total number of patients currently receiving monitored dosage systems (blister packs) through community pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73867/25]

2048. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a breakdown of blister pack users by category, including the number of patients with dementia; the number with severe or complex illnesses; the number requiring multiple medications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73868/25]

2049. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the clinical or risk assessments which have been carried out by her Department or the HSE on the impact of removing funding for blister packs, particularly in relation to medication adherence and hospital admissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73869/25]

2050. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if any cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken comparing the cost of funding blister packs versus the potential cost of increased hospital admissions and adverse medication events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73870/25]

2051. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will provide details of any consultation with patient advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, or the Irish Pharmacy Union before deciding to remove support for blister packs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73871/25]

2052. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the alternative measures which will be put in place to protect vulnerable patients who currently rely on blister packs for safe medication management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73872/25]