Parliamentary questions

329. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda no longer accepts histopathology samples from general practitioners (GPs) in the catchment area for patients without a medical card or GP visit card; if so, the reason; when the matter will be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56076/25]

330. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of changes to blister packed medication (details supplied) that will cause difficulties for older persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56086/25]

331. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the rates of referral from emergency department to acute assessment units for all model 4 hospitals, for 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56097/25]

332. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) who was discharged from the Mater Hospital and is awaiting an appointment in the outpatient clinic; the status of this follow-up care; if she will ensure that their care plan proceeds without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56137/25]

333. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Health if the Fair Deal payment that a person has to make in respect of their family contribution and public care in a nursing home can be reviewed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56141/25]

334. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Health for an update regarding an individual who has submitted an additional payment under the disablement payment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56142/25]

335. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if she will intervene to secure a wheelchair for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56145/25]

336. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the 2026 mental health budget by current spending; the capital/expenditure for infrastructure, new buildings, refurbishments, equipment; programme-level funding (e.g. CAMHS, crisis services, community supports, suicide prevention; regional health area allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56227…

337. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the ELS allocation by demographics, carryover, public sector pay. [56228/25]

338. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount of new additional funding (above the 2025 base) which was allocated to mental health in budget 2026; and the amount which is existing services, by service category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56229/25]

339. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current amount of unspent or uncommitted capital funding earmarked for mental health infrastructure (from current and previous years); and the projects that these funds are intended for. [56230/25]

340. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent staff to be recruited or funded under the 2026 mental health budget, disaggregated by role (psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, OTs, etc.). [56231/25]

341. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the new services or expansions (e.g. crisis teams, early intervention, mother & baby units) funded in Budget 2026; and the level of funding being committed to each. [56232/25]

342. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the portion of Budget 2026 mental health funding which is ringfenced or designated for underserved or priority groups (e.g. children & adolescents (CAMHS), minority communities, rural areas, those with dual diagnosis, homeless, travellers). [56233/25]

343. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount of the 2026 mental health budget allocated to digital mental health services, remote therapy, tele-mental health, apps or other innovations; and the expected cost per user / session for those services. [56234/25]

344. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of fully addressing current unmet mental health demand (waiting lists, service gaps); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56235/25]

345. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the way in which the 2026 mental health allocations align with Sláintecare’s objective of having mental health represent 10% of the health budget by 2030; and the projected path to reach that benchmark under current plans. [56236/25]

346. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide a full breakdown of the funding allocation for CAMHS and for eating disorder services under Budget 2026, distinguishing between current and capital spending. [56238/25]

347. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount of the Budget 2026 mental health allocation that represents new additional funding for CAMHS and eating disorder services, as opposed to carryover or maintenance of ELS. [56239/25]

348. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the targets that have been set for waiting list reductions in CAMHS and eating disorder services in 2026; and the portion of the new funding that is ringfenced for waiting list initiatives or service expansion. [56240/25]

349. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to list all capital projects related to CAMHS and eating disorder services due for completion, commencement or design in 2026, including any new units, refurbishments or community-based hubs. [56241/25]

350. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to outline the regional breakdown of CAMHS and eating disorder funding for 2026 by RHA; and whether funding is being targeted toward regions with the highest waiting times or lowest staff-to-patient ratios. [56242/25]

351. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the provisions that have been made in Budget 2026 to support transition pathways for young people moving from CAMHS to adult mental health services; and whether any specific funding has been allocated for transitional support or continuity of care. [56243/25]

352. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if any of the Budget 2026 funding for mental health is being allocated to early intervention or community-based supports for eating disorders, including school and youth outreach programmes. [56244/25]

353. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding that is allocated in 2026 to the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders; and whether this includes new service development sites or expansion of existing teams. [56245/25]