Questions

596. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of children and young people referred by the HSE for gender-related assessment or treatment through the treatment abroad scheme in each of the past five years, the total public cost incurred, the number of cases awaiting referral or funding approval, and whether changes to referral criteria or clinical pathways have been introduced following the Cass Re…

598. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE maintains, or plans to establish, a structured data-collection system tracking long-term outcomes for children and young people presenting with gender dysphoria, including psychological outcomes, medical interventions, service use, and rates of detransition or regret; and the way such data will inform the new Model of Care. [64756/25]

599. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the clinical governance structures in Children’s Health Ireland for gender-related assessment and treatment, the oversight arrangements in place, the internal audit processes used, and how CHI ensures adherence to evidence-based guidance in this area. [64757/25]

600. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current referral criteria applied by CAMHS and Children’s Health Ireland for gender-related assessment, the clinical thresholds used before progression to any medical intervention, and any revisions to these criteria following the Cass Review. [64758/25]

601. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will publish the completed expert group review on the implications of the Cass Review for gender healthcare services in Ireland; the interim measures she has put in place to ensure that current assessment and treatment pathways for children and young people are safe, evidence-based and subject to clear clinical oversight. [64759/25]

602. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the governance arrangements and clinical oversight structures in place for the development of the new model of care for gender healthcare, including the safeguards used to ensure independence, transparency and the management of conflicts of interest among officials, clinicians and advisors involved in this work; and the way her Department assures that these standa…

440. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total HSE expenditure on chronic pain management services in each of the past five years; the budget allocation for community-based non-pharmacological pain interventions (physiotherapy, CBT, mindfulness, graded exercise programmes, and so on); and whether dedicated funding for chronic pain services will be included in the 2026 HSE Service Plan. [60732/25]

441. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the proportion of persons over 65 years-of-age currently accessing pain management services; the steps being taken to identify and support older adults living with untreated chronic pain; and whether her Department plans to introduce an older persons pain management strategy aligned with Sláintecare’s integrated-care objectives. [60733/25]

1781. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide clarity on a matter relating to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service's individual donor risk assessment policy (details supplied). [58557/25]

1863. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 845 of 30 September 2025, the assessment process in place for service users prior to being approved for gender-affirming procedures; the aftercare supports provided following such procedures; and whether service users are required to pay for the assessment process or aftercare services. [58828/25]

2025. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for an individual to be seen by an occupational therapist in Cork following a referral from a general practitioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59776/25]

2028. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the LGBTQI+ strategy includes provisions for individuals who have de-transitioned; if so, the specific supports and services being offered to this group; and if not, the steps being taken to ensure that the needs of de-transitioners are considered and addressed in future policy developments. [59876/25]

2030. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the LGBTQI+ strategy includes provisions for individuals who have de-transitioned; if so, the specific supports and services are being offered to this group; and if not, the steps being taken to ensure that the needs of de-transitioners are considered and addressed in future policy developments. [59887/25]

2041. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of research and evidence, including the book "Trans" by Helen Joyce, which outlines the theoretical underpinnings of gender identity theory and reports harm experienced by thousands internationally; and the steps being taken to ensure that healthcare services provide evidence-based, balanced information, that children and families are fully inform…

844. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of service users currently awaiting assessment by the National Gender Service (NGS); the number of service users who have been assessed since the establishment of the NGS and the age of the youngest service user assessed. [51239/25]

845. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of service users who have applied for funding to undergo gender affirming surgery abroad; the total amount the HSE has spent to date on gender affirming surgery carried out abroad; and the age of the youngest service user who was successfully awarded funding for such surgery abroad. [51240/25]

692. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health regarding patients, particularly young persons aged 16 to 25 years of age with multiple disabilities, who have been advised surgery or treatment is not available domestically, the criteria used by the HSE to approve treatment abroad; the number of cases which have been approved or denied in the past three years in the Cork region; the supports in place for such pa…

1237. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide the most recent estimates, of the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and high cholesterol among adults over 65, by age cohort; if she accepts the findings of the report (details supplied) which indicates rates of 36% and 45% respectively; and the measures being taken to address this “critical unmet need.” [48352/25]

1238. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she has considered establishing a national cardiovascular and metabolic screening programme for older adults, with particular emphasis on hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol, in light of evidence of widespread undiagnosed illness. [48353/25]

1239. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current ratio of consultant geriatricians to population over 70; how this compares to international best practice; and what expansion of geriatric medicine is planned in view of the doubling of Ireland’s older population over the next 25 years. [48354/25]

1240. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the extent to which her Department has considered a formal role for community pharmacists in screening, monitoring, and referral of older adults with chronic conditions, as recommended by a report (details supplied); and if any pilot schemes have been evaluated. [48355/25]

1241. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of older adults hospitalised due to falls and fractures in each of the past five years; the percentage of these patients receiving structured falls-prevention or rehabilitation programmes; and whether her Department accepts the reported rise in fall-related hospitalisations from 24% to 31% as identified in recent research. [48356/25]

1242. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the proportion of older adults reporting chronic pain who currently receive pain management treatment under the public health system; the specialised pain services that exist at HSE level; and whether gaps identified by a report (details supplied) will be addressed in the upcoming service plan. [48357/25]

1243. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the proportion of older adults who present with clinically significant depressive symptoms; the share of those who receive timely access to mental health supports; and whether her Department has set specific targets for improving access to geriatric psychiatry and psychological services. [48358/25]

1244. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has conducted cost-benefit analyses of proactive screening and early intervention in older adults, compared to the cost burden of late-stage illness such as stroke, cancer, and heart disease, resulting from untreated hypertension and high cholesterol. [48359/25]