Questions

558. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the total annual cost to the HSE of providing uniforms to Healthcare Assistants over the past five years, in tabular form; whether any assessment has been undertaken of the financial impact on staff of requiring them to purchase their own uniforms; and if she will provide details of any consultation undertaken with recognised trade unions prior to any decision to…

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…

564. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health to confirm the arrangements 2026 General Nursing graduates in respect of their entitlement to the permanent HSE contracts outlined in HR Memo 013/2026; the number 2026 nursing graduates have currently been offered employment; the number that are still awaiting contracts; if graduates are being phased into employment over the coming months; and the reason for this and…

565. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [66571/26]

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…

571. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant orthopaedic surgeons with a special interest in knee and hip replacement surgery based at Kerry University Hospital as of 14 September 2026, in tabular form. [66565/26]

572. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health for an update on the review of feasibility study for the new renal dialysis unit at Sligo University Hospital; and an update on the Development Control Plan (DCP) for Sligo University Hospital. [66614/26]

573. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of delays in progressing the National Ambulance Service Student Paramedic Apprenticeship competition (NRS14980), which opened in September 2025; the reasons aptitude tests and interviews have not yet commenced; whether training places in affiliated colleges risk remaining vacant as a result; the impact on National Ambulance Service workforce pla…

574. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the delay with a person (details supplied) in receiving a hospital bed at home. [66585/26]

575. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the total number of home support workers employed, by CHO area under the home support service for older people; and the number of vacancies, by CHO area. [66642/26]

576. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to consider an organisation (details supplied) submission and ensure adequate funding to support the measures outlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66696/26]

577. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of people in Donegal waiting for approved home support hours, by area; the length of time they are waiting; and reason for delay, in tabular form. [66641/26]

578. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she will include asthma to the long-term illness scheme; to ensure better supports and access to medications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66695/26]

579. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health to provide the current stage on the HSE assessment of a medication (details supplied); to confirm when the HSE's Drugs Group will issue their recommendation to the HSE Senior Management Team to progress the reimbursement decision on this medication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66640/26]

580. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to allow for free MART combination inhalers, starting with young people aged 12–17 years-of-age and progressing towards wider community access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66694/26]

581. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the number of doctors who completed specialist training in public health medicine in 2026; the number currently employed in consultant public health medicine posts; whether a recruitment embargo is affecting the filling of such posts; and when any such restrictions will be lifted. [66638/26]

582. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE specialist neurology nurses who are employed at Tallaght University Hospital in comparison with the national guidelines. [66715/26]

583. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times to see a consultant rheumatologist at St James's Hospital for a first appointment. [66714/26]

584. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when approved home support will commence for an older person (details supplied) in County Donegal; if she is aware a community hospital bed is taken up because of the delay; and if recruitment or capacity within current HSE staff and other providers in the area is being considered. [66625/26]

585. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her Department has commenced research into the development of a safe medical staffing framework; the work carried out to date; and the timeline she is working towards. [66621/26]

586. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health her views on a pre-budget submission (details supplied). [66719/26]