Questions

217. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health for an update on hospital appointments for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52027/26]

218. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the funding available for a Women's Shed (details supplied). [52059/26]

219. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health if she will provide clarity on recent changes to home support services; if it is correct that new home support packages are now only being approved for people in critical or urgent need and those receiving palliative or end-of-life care; whether home support packages are now being capped at 14 hours per week; and if complex care funding, including nursing support…

220. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that home support services are vital in enabling people to remain safely in their own homes; and if she will outline the rationale for the measures. [52061/26]

221. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health the specific measures that will be put in place to protect vulnerable individuals who will be unable to access necessary support, including people who require assistance with essential daily activities such as washing, dressing and eating, as well as younger people with disabilities who depend on home support to live independently. [52062/26]

222. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health her views on the circular issued by the HSE on 25 June 2026 that will, from 29 June 2026, that will refuse new home support to roughly 85% of the people who need it across CHO7; the rationale for these restrictions; and the measures being taken to protect those who are now unable to access support.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52063/26]

223. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to procure additional ophthalmology service provision to address the needs of the more than 58,000 patients currently on waiting lists for ophthalmology care nationwide; when the next National Treatment Purchase Fund Framework for waiting list activity is expected to be published; when procurement under that framework is expected to commence; …

224. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the extension and reconfiguration of St Anne's Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52087/26]

225. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the provision of a new primary care centre at Inisboffin, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52088/26]

226. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the establishment of a planned trauma care service at Merlin Park University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52089/26]

227. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on establishing a single point of access for all children, in conjunction with child and adolescent mental health services and primary care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52090/26]

228. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the use of sativex (nabiximols), a pharmaceutical-grade spray, or any other standardised cannabinoid extracts licensed and available to assist those withdrawing from cannabis use; and her views on the dual diagnosis services that are available for those experiencing cannabis addiction and mental health issues. [52110/26]

229. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether the conference being organised by her Department on 16 and 17 November 2026, entitled "Maximising EU Potential through Health - Securing Our Future Through Prevention, Innovation and Equity", will include any dedicated session, panel, speaker contribution or outcome document addressing tobacco control, novel nicotine products, youth vaping, or preparations …

230. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether, during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, if she intends to seek a dedicated discussion at EPSCO Health Council, including under Any Other Business if necessary, on the need to expedite the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive; whether she has raised or intends to raise this matter directly wi…

231. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the plans to work with the Member States that joined Ireland in the March 2025 letter to the European Commission calling for urgent progress on EU tobacco-control legislation, including Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain, with a view to securing renewed Council-level momentum during the Irish…

232. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings of the Working Party on Public Health that are scheduled or expected to take place during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union; whether tobacco control, novel nicotine products, youth vaping, or the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive are expected to feature on the agenda of any such meeting; and whether Ireland in…

233. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether tobacco control, novel nicotine products, youth vaping, or preparation for a revised Tobacco Products Directive will feature in the conference being organised in Dublin from 15 to 18 September 2026, entitled "2026 Annual Conference of the European Society for Prevention Research on Innovation in Prevention to Support Health Equity"; whether her Department i…

234. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether she plans to facilitate exchanges between the European Commission, Council officials, Member State health attachés and public-health stakeholders, including through workshops, technical meetings or Presidency events, to support a comprehensive and expedited revision of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive; and if she will make a …

235. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether Ireland intends to seek council conclusions, a Presidency statement, or another formal Presidency output during its EU Council Presidency calling for stronger EU action on tobacco control, including action on novel nicotine products, youth vaping, cross-border marketing, flavours, packaging and online sales; and if she will make a statement on the matter. […

236. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE has assessed the impact of restrictions on overnight stays by partners or chosen support persons in maternity hospitals on the postnatal experience of mothers, including maternal wellbeing and recovery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52145/26]

237. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department is considering the introduction of national guidance on overnight access for partners or chosen support persons in maternity hospitals during the postnatal period, with due regard to clinical needs and family-centred maternity care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52146/26]

238. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether maternity hospitals are encouraged to provide flexibility in relation to overnight partner or chosen support person access for women recovering from caesarean section, traumatic birth, or where additional clinical or emotional support is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52147/26]

239. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has sought information from maternity hospitals on their policies regarding overnight partner or chosen support person access following childbirth; whether there is significant variation in practice between hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52148/26]

240. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2125 of 9 June 2026, to provide details of the costs paid to GPs for the provision of session clinics and consultations in 2024 and 2025 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52158/26]

241. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she has investigated whether public only consultants in the pathology lab in St. Vincent's University Hospital are engaged in private work on site; if the laboratory has any service level agreements in place with private facilities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52172/26]