Parliamentary questions

767. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will consider extending the long-Covid payment scheme beyond December 2025 in light of the ongoing impact on healthcare workers and other affected individuals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73844/25]

768. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will outline the future plans for supporting individuals suffering from long-Covid after the cessation of the long-Covid payment scheme on 31 December 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73845/25]

769. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will provide details on any measures being considered to recognise long-Covid as an occupational illness for healthcare workers who contracted Covid-19 in the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73846/25]

770. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the supports that will be available to long-Covid sufferers who are unable to return to work and face financial hardship following the end of the current payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73847/25]

771. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if Ireland intends to align with other EU member states that recognise long Covid as an occupational illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73848/25]

772. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will detail any engagement with healthcare unions regarding the recognition of long-Covid as a work-related injury and the provision of long-term financial supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73849/25]

773. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the guidance that has been issued to Intreo offices and social protection services regarding the transition of long-Covid patients from the current payment scheme to other supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73850/25]

774. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an estimate of the number of individuals currently receiving the long-Covid payment and the projected impact of its termination on these households; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73851/25]

371. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if she will intervene to ensure that patients are not charged for blister packs of medications prepared by pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72621/25]

372. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the PCRS is instructing pharmacists participating in the free HRT to investigate their patients' sex assigned at birth where they suspect it differs from the gender on their medical records; if so, the legal basis on which this is done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72622/25]

373. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she will increase the qualifying income limits for a medical card in respect of senior citizens (over 70), as these limits have not been increased in years and are totally out of line with the cost of living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72676/25]

374. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she will introduce a scheme to cover the costs associated with blister packs, as the majority of senior citizens simply cannot afford this payment and are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72677/25]

375. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if assistance can be provided to a patient in long-term care who urgently requires dental treatment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72682/25]

376. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 734 of 27 May 2025, the latest update on the expected timeline of delivery for the vaccine damage scheme; if she expects this scheme to be open within the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72683/25]

377. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies currently existing across the HSE and in agencies under her Department's remit; the recruitment plans in place; and the expected timeline for filling these posts. [72685/25]

378. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for access to health services, including outpatient, inpatient, and diagnostic services; the measures being implemented to reduce these delays; and the projected improvements for the year ahead. [72686/25]

379. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to issue a report (details supplied) on the North Kerry CAMHS Lookback Review without any further delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72748/25]

380. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health her plans in place to provide designated beds for adults with eating disorders in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72761/25]

381. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on the waiting list for home help services within CHO 3; the total number of hours allocated currently; the total number of hours actually being provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72764/25]

382. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dentists and dental nurse posts filled at Sixmilebridge Health Centre in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [72765/25]

383. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant otolaryngologist based at University Hospital Limerick in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [72766/25]

384. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE psychologists based at Shannon Health Centre in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [72767/25]

385. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health her Department's plans on supporting mobile lung cancer screening vehicles, in view of the fact that these units help with the early detection of lung cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72777/25]

386. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the recent budget accounted for funding towards screening and diagnosis of lung cancer at earlier stages, in view of the fact that 60% of lung cancer patients are found at a later stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72778/25]

387. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action being taken by her Department to ensure patients with a lung cancer diagnosis are awarded a medical card in a timely manner and that they have the necessary support post diagnosis and post operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72779/25]