Questions

559. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the public consultation on the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid launched on 13 July 2026; including the number of submissions received to date; the date by which the Department expects to complete its assessment of those submissions; whether she intends to make a decision before the closure of the consultation …

560. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to set out the powers available to the State under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 concerning the addition of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods to restrict or prohibit the placing on the market of a fortified food on public health grounds; and whether the Department has assessed or considered the application of any such powers in respect …

563. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason the recommendation of the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification in 2006 was not implemented, including the specific scientific and clinical concerns identified at that time, and to provide details of the subsequent scientific evidence assessed by her Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in relation to the potential masking o…

566. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the powers available to the State under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 to restrict or prohibit the addition of vitamins or minerals to foods on public health grounds, including the circumstances in which such measures may be taken; whether her Department has assessed the application of those powers to fortified flour imported from the United Kingdom; and if she will…

569. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reasons the mandatory folic acid fortification policy recommended by the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification in 2006 was not implemented, including the scientific and policy concerns that subsequently arose regarding mandatory fortification; to provide details of the evidence since assessed concerning the potential masking of vitamin B12 defici…

570. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the public consultation on the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid launched on 13 July 2026, including the number of submissions received to date; the expected timeline for consideration of those submissions and a decision following the closing date of 5 October 2026; whether her Department intends to bring forwar…

1017. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health if she has engaged with the Department of Education and Youth or other education stakeholders in relation to the need to have a more co-ordinated approach to medical emergencies in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29676/26]

2036. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the outcome of discussions and engagement between the DOH, HSE and IPU, on the changes to monitored dosing which have been paused which were due to come into effect on 1 January 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20018/26]

2147. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health whether standards or service-level targets exist for her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department, in responding to correspondence from members of local authorities; if compliance with such standards is monitored; the reasons for delays or failures to respond to correspondence from elected members; and the measures being taken to ensure more consis…

296. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of all consultants engaged with her Department; the costs associated with their services, by year, and name of consultant, in each of the years 2012 to 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70440/25]

1311. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when her Department will commence negotiations on a framework agreement for the pricing of medicines (details supplied) which is due to expire on 30 September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48774/25]

2569. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of business cases received from a hospital in each of the past ten years (details supplied) regarding the expansion of the neurosurgery programme; the decisions that have been made on these cases to date; the reasons they may have been refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46790/25]

1523. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with an institution (details supplied) regarding the need for improved governance and safety regulations surrounding the use of aesthetic medical devices, particularly dermal fillers; if she will consider introducing stricter regulations to ensure that only doctors and appropriately trained healthcare professionals administer these treatments …

877. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a schedule of all external legal consultation that she engaged in, in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the general nature of the engagement; if the external consultation resulted in a report and or recommendations; and the cost of each consultant and or company engaged, in tabular form. [7437/25]