Questions

2453. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children and young people currently living with implanted MAGEC rods in situ for longer than two years; the number with devices implanted for more than four and six years respectively; the number who have transitioned or aged out of CHI services while still implanted with MAGEC devices; her views on the long-term monitoring, surveillance and man…

2454. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason minutes and papers of CHI board of management meetings, which were previously routinely published, are no longer publicly available; when publication ceased; whether this change was formally approved by the board; her views on transparency and public accountability arrangements within CHI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44148/26]

2455. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health whether CHI operates mandatory MRI surveillance protocols for children undergoing long-term scoliosis management, including children with implanted spinal devices, revision surgery histories or complex spinal deformity; the longest interval currently recorded between MRI imaging and major spinal surgery within CHI paediatric spinal services; whether any revie…

2456. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of and estimated completion timeframe for the equity in access report for Children’s Health Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44150/26]

2457. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health status of and estimated completion timeframe for the Nayagam report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44151/26]

2458. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the membership, governance structure and operational responsibilities of the CHI Spinal Surgery Management Unit; the budget allocated to the unit since establishment; the key performance indicators assigned to it; and her views on its role in reducing paediatric spinal surgery waiting lists. [44152/26]

2459. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health whether CHI’s categorisation of children with scoliosis as “complex” or “non-complex” is governed by a formally approved national clinical policy; whether this categorisation directly impacts access to surgery, waiting list progression, outsourcing pathways or specialist review; the independent governance and oversight mechanisms that exist in relation to its…

2460. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the paediatric scoliosis and spinal surgery surgical site infection rates recorded at CHI from 2020 to date in 2026, including superficial infections, deep infections and infections requiring revision surgery or implant removal; whether these outcomes are benchmarked against international standards; and if she will explain the data is not routinely published …

2461. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the ongoing delays in the provision, assessment, and setup of assistive technology (AT) supports due to a lack of in-house expertise within the HSE; the extent to which HSE staff are trained to assess and implement AT supports without reliance on external agencies such as the Central Remedial Clinic; and if she will outline any plans to inc…

2462. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the current waiting numbers and times for assessment, provision, and set up of assistive technology supports by area, in tabular form. [44166/26]

2463. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to address specific delays experienced by service users, whereby individuals can wait up to six months for an initial AT assessment, followed by an additional delay of approximately two and a half months for equipment setup after provision; the steps being taken to streamline this process; and if she will provide a timeline for improvements in waiting times. …

2464. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to consider the development of dedicated, regionally based assistive technology teams within the HSE to ensure timely assessments, installation, and follow-up supports for people with disabilities. [44168/26]

2465. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of minibuses, vans, and SUVs and similar such vehicles owned by the National Ambulance Service, by the year of acquisition, the distance these vehicles have travelled to date and the hours they have been in use since acquisition, in tabular form. [44175/26]

2466. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health the average frequency of appointments offered to service users attending Adult Mental Health Services in County Laois; the number of service users currently waiting more than three months, six months and nine months between appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44176/26]

2467. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health her assessment of the adequacy of staffing levels within Adult Mental Health Services in County Laois; the current number of approved and filled posts across psychiatry, psychology, nursing, occupational therapy and social work disciplines; the number of vacancies currently unfilled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44177/26]

2468. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to ensure continuity of care for patients attending adult mental health services, particularly young adults transitioning from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Youth Mental Health Services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44178/26]

2469. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health the number of young people aged 18 to 25 years attending adult mental health services in County Laois; the supports available to this cohort following their transition from youth mental health services; whether additional resources are being considered to support young adults during this transition period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44179/2…

2470. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of concerns regarding the frequency and duration of appointments available through adult mental health services in County Laois; the steps being taken by the HSE to improve access to therapeutic interventions and ongoing clinical support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44180/26]

2471. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has undertaken any review of service provision at the adult mental health services clinic on Bridge Street, Portlaoise; whether issues relating to staffing, waiting times, continuity of care or patient experience have been identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44181/26]

2472. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure that service users attending adult mental health services are afforded sufficient time during appointments to discuss their treatment, recovery goals and ongoing mental health needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44182/26]

2473. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health the additional funding allocated to adult mental health services in County Laois in each of the past five years; the extent to which this funding has resulted in increased staffing and service capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44183/26]

2474. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of ESOL classes delivered through Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board ; if there are any specific courses for people who are seeking integration supports ; whether any classes have been discontinued; if so, the reason; the number of places available at the start of the 2025-2026…

2475. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can assist a student's education funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41627/26]

2476. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has reviewed the operation of SUSI dependency classification rules as they apply to mature students who subsequently become financially independent after commencing third-level education; whether any mechanism exists to permit reclassification during the course of a degree programme; a…

2477. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of mature students assessed as dependent applicants under SUSI in each academic year since 2020; the number of requests received seeking reclassification from dependent to independent status after course commencement; the number granted or refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4…