Joe O'Brien

Green Party · Dublin Fingal

Activity on Health — 152 events (6 lobbying · 111 questions · 51 votes) full profile →

• 2025-01-21
  LOBBY
  Epilepsy Ireland Health

  • Contacted listed DPOs in their capacity as General Election Candidates to support EI's advocacy campaigns if elected to the next Dáil
• 2025-01-21
  LOBBY
  Irish Cancer Society Health

  • General Election campaign
• 2025-01-21
  LOBBY
  National Infertility Support and Information Group Health

  • As part of European Fertility week 2024, NISIG wanted to highlight Ireland’s improvement in its ranking in Fertility Europe’s policy survey. We want to see Ireland increase its standing and strengthen supports regarding policy related to fertility treatment, including commencement of the health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024), widening criteria for publicly funded treatment, workplace support. This will need to be fully funded.
• 2025-01-20
  LOBBY
  Alcohol Action Ireland Health

  • Alcohol policy development in relation to a new strategy for alcohol and the establishment of an Alcohol Office
• 2025-01-02
  LOBBY
  MSD Health

  • Health Policy Development for New Programme for Government
• 2024-11-21
  LOBBY
  UNICEF Ireland Health

  • Boost breastfeeding support, deliver timely interventions for children with developmental delays, Expand childhood mental health services to meet growing demands
• 2024-10-23
  VOTE
  Public Health Service Staffing · 2 divisions

  • ✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 70–59
  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 70–59
• 2024-10-10
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the amount of the mental health budget that has been allocated to eating disorder services. [40764/24]
• 2024-10-10
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health to provide a timeline as to when the new eating disorder specialist team in Limerick will be developed. [40765/24]
• 2024-07-10
  VOTE
  Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024

  A bill to prohibit the sale by retail of tobacco products to persons under the age of 21 years; and for those and other related purposes, to amend the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 and the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023; and to provide for related matters.

  • ✓ voted to progress the bill whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) motion passed · 93–45
• 2024-02-28
  VOTE
  Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023

  A bill to amend the Mental Health Act 2001.

  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion _ · 72–60
• 2024-02-21
  VOTE
  Healthcare Provision in Rural Communities

  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 70–60
• 2024-01-24
  VOTE
  Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 [Seanad]

  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 74–54
• 2023-11-22
  VOTE
  Health Service Recruitment Freeze · 2 divisions

  • ✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 74–58
  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 74–59
• 2023-11-15
  VOTE
  Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages · 3 divisions

  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 117–10
  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 49–81
  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 47–81
• 2023-11-08
  VOTE
  Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages

  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 49–67
• 2023-10-25
  VOTE
  Health Service Funding · 2 divisions

  • ✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 75–59
  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 73–58
• 2023-09-27
  VOTE
  Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee

  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 113–10
• 2023-09-27
  VOTE
  Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023

  A bill to prohibit persons from engaging in certain conduct in safe access zones, that is to say, in certain areas in and adjacent to certain healthcare premises; to make provision for enforcement in respect of engaging in conduct prohibited in such safe access zones, and to provide for offences in relation to such prohibited conduct; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

  • ✓ voted to progress the bill whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) motion passed · 111–10
• 2023-05-31
  VOTE
  Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Bill 2023 · 2 divisions

  A bill to amend the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 to provide for abortion on request prior to foetal viability; to abolish the 3 day waiting period for abortion on request; to allow for abortion on grounds of fatal foetal abnormality that are likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within a year of birth; to allow for abortion where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; and to decriminalise the provision of abortion.

  • ✓ voted to progress the bill whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) motion passed · 67–64
  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 61–74
• 2023-05-10
  VOTE
  Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages

  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 50–63
• 2023-03-07
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to including ADHD medications in the long-term illness scheme for persons over the age of 16 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11537/23]
• 2023-02-28
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the reason for the change in the operation of the urgent care centre in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, from a walk-in service to an appointment-based service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9594/23]
• 2023-02-14
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the number of prescriptions for cariban which have been processed by the HSE through the general medical services and drugs payment schemes to date. [6588/23]
• 2023-02-14
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the process in writing by which pregnant women experiencing extreme nausea and vomiting can obtain the drug cariban; the reason that the drug cannot be prescribed by a GP on the DPS (details supplied); if he will outline the current standard practice in other EU member states; his Department’s recommendations to help with the extreme nausea and vomiting for the first 12 weeks or until the drug can be accessed; and the number of cariban prescriptions that have been processed through the DPS to date, in tabular form. [6617/23]
• 2023-01-31
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the severe shortage of available spaces on GP lists in north County Dublin; the steps that his Department is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4636/23]
• 2023-01-25
  VOTE
  Capacity in the Health Services · 2 divisions

  • ✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 68–59
  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 68–58
• 2023-01-24
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when eligible employees of a healthcare provider (details supplied) will be paid the pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3316/23]
• 2022-12-14
  VOTE
  Current Issues Affecting the Health Services · 2 divisions

  • ✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 72–53
  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 72–53
• 2022-12-13
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the provision that his Department has made to help address the mental health needs of persons who have arrived in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive to date in 2022. [62267/22]
• 2022-12-13
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the availability of lactation consultants and supports nationwide; if he will outline plans for expansion of lactation supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62268/22]
• 2022-12-06
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned establishment of a community neuro-rehabilitation team for CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60548/22]
• 2022-11-09
  VOTE
  Mental Health (Capacity to Consent to Treatment) Bill 2021

  A bill to amend the Mental Health Act 2001 and for that purpose to provide for the right of minors over the age of 16 to consent to mental health treatment and to provide for related matters.

  • ✗ voted to block the bill whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) motion failed · 60–75
• 2022-10-06
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of neurology nurse specialists currently employed at Beaumont Hospital; if there are plans to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49296/22]
• 2022-09-21
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to provide the pandemic bonus payment to non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisations covered by the Government decision; when these workers can expect to receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46160/22]
• 2022-07-12
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a shortage of concerta XL 36mg medication in pharmacies in north County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37612/22]
• 2022-06-28
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of talks between the HSE and an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the life-changing cystic fibrosis drug therapy kaftrio to make this drug therapy available to 35 children with cystic fibrosis aged between six and eleven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33672/22]
• 2022-06-22
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to recruit additional neurology nurse specialists for a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33029/22]
• 2022-06-14
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to increasing the availability of long-Covid clinics to ensure access to care for all long-Covid patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30864/22]
• 2022-04-28
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of his plans to provide access to the Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21548/22]
• 2022-04-26
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of dedicated clinics and models of care for patients with long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20936/22]
• 2022-03-22
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the recommendations of the International Covid Blood Cancer Coalition impact statement; if these will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14634/22]
• 2022-03-22
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the availability of Sotrovimab to immunocompromised patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14635/22]
• 2022-03-22
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the availability of Paxlovid to immunocompromised patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14636/22]
• 2022-03-22
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the availability of Evusheld to immunocompromised patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14637/22]
• 2022-03-02
  VOTE
  Healthcare Waiting Lists · 2 divisions

  • ✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 76–57
  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 75–57
• 2022-02-08
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to difficulties pharmacies in north County Dublin have had in accessing supplies of epilim chronospheres medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5942/22]
• 2022-02-02
  VOTE
  Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages

  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 54–76
• 2021-12-15
  VOTE
  Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Foetal Pain Relief) Bill 2021 · 2 divisions

  A bill to provide for pain relief for the foetus in certain cases of termination of pregnancy; and to provide for related matters.

  • ✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 107–36
  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 103–37
• 2021-12-08
  VOTE
  Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages

  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 87–48
• 2021-12-08
  VOTE
  Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021

  A bill to provide for the continuation in operation for a further period, which may be extended in certain circumstances, of certain provisions of the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020, the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020, the Health (Amendment) Act 2020 and the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021, in the public interest and having regard to the continuing manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of the disease known as Covid-19 (and variants of the virus that causes that disease) in order to mitigate, where practicable, the effects of the spread of that disease; and to provide for related matters.

  • ✓ voted to progress the bill whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) motion passed · 87–44
• 2021-12-02
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant community seats on the local and regional drugs task forces nationally; and if he will provide a list of the vacancies per area. [59635/21]
• 2021-12-02
  VOTE
  Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages · 2 divisions

  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 48–60
  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 47–63
• 2021-11-30
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the progression of a project in view of the fact that the HSE stated a year ago that Swords, County Dublin was a priority for the development of a new primary care centre and that a preferred provider was to be in place by spring 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58707/21]
• 2021-11-24
  VOTE
  Education (Health, Relationships and Sex Education) Bill 2021

  A bill to amend the Education Act 1998 and to provide for related matters.

  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 82–46
• 2021-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to amending guidelines for asymptomatic close contacts of cases in school settings in relation to testing and isolation in view of increasing cases of Covid-19 nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53797/21]
• 2021-11-03
  VOTE
  Extension of Health (Amendment) Act 2020

  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 82–43
• 2021-11-03
  VOTE
  Extension of Part 3 of the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 · 2 divisions

  • ✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 82–44
  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 59–66
• 2021-11-02
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the negotiations around site ownership and governance of the planned new national maternity hospital; if a timeframe has been set for the completion of these negotiations; and if an alternative site is under consideration should this timeline not be met. [52777/21]
• 2021-11-02
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if persons who have been diagnosed with myocarditis subsequent to receiving a vaccination for Covid-19 can apply to have their medical expenses reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53320/21]
• 2021-11-02
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the supports available to persons who have been diagnosed with myocarditis subsequent to receiving a vaccination for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53321/21]
• 2021-10-20
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will consider including fibromyalgia as a specified condition under the long-term illness scheme; the reason it has not been recognised or included up until now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51443/21]
• 2021-10-20
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he has examined the regulations and legislation that apply to cannabis use for medical conditions and palliative care having regard to the experience in Northern Ireland and Great Britain as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51530/21]
• 2021-10-20
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to widen the strict criteria by which a patient can gain access to medicinal cannabis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51532/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment of the remaining four epilepsy nurse specialist posts of six agreed in 2018 for the implementation of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50367/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the removal of all restrictions for partners attending appointments with patients in maternity units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51132/21]
• 2021-10-12
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of neurology nurse specialists in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49481/21]
• 2021-10-06
  VOTE
  Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021 · 2 divisions

  • ✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 78–55
  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 59–73
• 2021-09-29
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the details of the work underway to introduce blended working into the HSE in particular in CHO9 Dublin north central in a way that provides flexibility for workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47030/21]
• 2021-09-22
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when the Sláintecare project on the development of a national diabetes register will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45547/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if there is a legal basis for the refusal to accept referrals to the HSE for orthognathic surgery from private orthodontic practitioners; if the only referral method for public treatment for this procedure is through the HSE pathway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34757/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the proposed establishment of an inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36227/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of guests that will be permitted at wedding ceremonies and receptions in August 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37479/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if citizens who have been fully vaccinated with one of the approved vaccines in a jurisdiction outside of the EU, for example, in the United States of America will be eligible to apply for the EU digital Covid Certificate upon return to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38003/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if information can be provided on the planned reopening of children’s play activity and leisure centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39472/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to legislate for surrogacy in Ireland in particular in relation to formal recognition of mothers on birth certificates, retrospective declarations of parentage and access to surrogacy internationally. [40937/21]
• 2021-07-14
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when the result of the full health technology assessment which was due to be concluded in April 2021 will be available in relation to the gene therapy treatment zolgensma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31273/21]
• 2021-07-14
  VOTE
  Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages

  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 74–68
• 2021-07-14
  VOTE
  Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021

  A bill to— A. make, on a temporary basis, exceptional provision, in the public interest and having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of the disease known as Covid-19 and variants of that disease and in order to mitigate, where practicable, the effect of the spread of that disease; to amend the Health Act 1947 for that purpose; to provide for the lawful operation of certain indoor premises subject to certain conditions notwithstanding restrictions in place in relation to such premises under that Act; to provide, for those purposes, for a robust and enforceable system of verification of the health status of certain persons, including vaccination or recovery status; to confer a power on the Minister for Health to prescribe matters related to the foregoing; to provide for enforcement; and to provide for related matters; B. amend certain provisions relating to pre-travel requirements in respect of certain persons arriving in the State; to amend the period to be spent by a person in quarantine at a designated facility in certain circumstances; to make provision in relation to the power of the Minister for Health to make regulations in relation to tests that may be taken for the purpose of detecting Covid-19 in the context of the requirement to quarantine at a designated facility and to confer a power on that Minister to prescribe the purpose for which such a test may be taken; to provide that quarantine at a designated facility shall not be required for certain persons arriving in the State in certain circumstances and to confer a power on the Minister for Health to make regulations in relation to those circumstances; for those purposes, and for related purposes, to amend the Health Act 1947; and to provide for related matters.

  • ✓ voted to progress the bill whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) motion passed · 72–66
• 2021-07-07
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the potential of current and planned Covid-19 vaccines to vaccinate children under 15 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30454/21]
• 2021-07-06
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to applying the vaccine bonus whereby a person is considered fully vaccinated four weeks after their first dose of a vaccine (details supplied) as part of the exemptions from mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29925/21]
• 2021-07-01
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to easing restrictions on nursing home visits to permit fully vaccinated residents to leave their care homes for walks with visitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29114/21]
• 2021-07-01
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of Ireland’s progress on implementing via legislation the WHO Code of Marketing on Breast-milk Substitutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29115/21]
• 2021-07-01
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of action item 3.13 of the National Breastfeeding Action Plan which pertains to the WHO Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29116/21]
• 2021-06-30
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the details of easing of restrictions on partners attending appointments in maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28285/21]
• 2021-06-02
  VOTE
  Health (Amendment) Act 2021

  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 90–50
• 2021-06-02
  VOTE
  Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages

  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 73–68
• 2021-06-02
  VOTE
  Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2021 [Seanad]

  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 77–51
• 2021-05-06
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if there is a process of quality control and inspection for the hotels being used for mandatory quarantine; the steps or process for persons in quarantine to raise concerns in relation to accommodation, food or medical care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23308/21]
• 2021-04-21
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if persons with spina bifida hydrocephalus are included in cohort 4 of the vaccine allocation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18743/21]
• 2021-04-21
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to allowing persons who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 to be exempt from mandatory hotel-based quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19517/21]
• 2021-03-31
  PQ
  Asked Education

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education if consideration has been given to allow for face masks to be worn during leaving certificate oral examinations in line with public health advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16915/21]
• 2021-03-24
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the details of plans to work through the backlog of cancer diagnostics work that has been on hold due to Covid-19; the amount of additional resourcing dedicated to this area in budget 2021; and the exact processes that have restarted in terms of procedures used to diagnose cancer. [14083/21]
• 2021-03-04
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to when limited visits by family members to nursing homes in which all residents have been vaccinated against Covid-19 can resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12292/21]
• 2021-03-03
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the stage of the Covid-19 vaccine allocation schedule at which special education needs teachers and special needs assistants can expect to be vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11516/21]
• 2021-02-25
  VOTE
  Health (Amendment) Bill 2021 · 3 divisions

  Bill entitled an Act, to make exceptional provision, in the public interest and having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of the disease known as Covid-19 and variants of that disease and in order to mitigate, where practicable, the effect of the spread of that disease; to amend the Health Act 1947 to make further and better provision for the enforcement of regulations under section 31A of that Act; to provide for the mandatory quarantine of persons coming into the State from certain areas from where there is known to be sustained human transmission of Covid-19 or any variant of concern, or from which there is a high risk of importation of infection or contamination with Covid-19 or any variant of concern by travel from that area; to provide for the designation of such areas by the Minister; to provide for the mandatory quarantine of persons coming into the State who fail to comply with certain requirements relating to testing for the disease; to provide for the designation of facilities for such quarantine; to provide for the conveying of persons to those facilities; to provide for the making of service agreements to facilitate such quarantine; to provide for alternatives to such quarantine for persons coming into the State where such persons indicate an intention to apply for international protection or where such persons are children who are not accompanied by an adult; and to provide for related matters.

  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 58–86
  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 125–5
  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 131–11
• 2021-02-10
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that front-line staff in an organisation (details supplied) providing residential care services for adults with disabilities have yet to receive notification of when they will be vaccinated against Covid-19; when these front-line workers are likely to be vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7385/21]
• 2021-02-10
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to amending the Covid-19 vaccine allocation strategy to include persons undergoing medical treatment for serious illness as a distinct category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7431/21]
• 2021-01-20
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to offering paid contracts to fourth year student radiographers for their work in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic as was the case for the previous academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2576/21]
• 2020-12-17
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to amending the provisional vaccine allocation groups to prioritise persons with Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44331/20]
• 2020-12-10
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will consider permitting music at weddings given that unlike many other social events, they are held in a controlled manner under the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42689/20]
• 2020-12-03
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if there will be enhanced opportunities for nursing home residents to meet their family members over December 2020; and the measures in place to deal with the negative impacts on residents' mental health due to visiting restrictions. [40969/20]
• 2020-11-24
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to resourcing of and responses to treatment for long Covid-19 or patients suffering from significant sequelae subsequent to an initial recovery from Covid-19 in other jurisdictions; his plans in regard to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38782/20]
• 2020-11-24
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign (details supplied) which seeks to highlight ongoing structural delays in the delivery of assessments for occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and other supports for children with additional needs; his plans to reduce waiting times in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38783/20]
• 2020-11-18
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to prioritising nursing and care home visitors for rapid Covid-19 testing when it becomes available in order to allow persons spend time with their loved ones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37317/20]
• 2020-11-17
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a salary scheme to compensate student nurses who while on placement carry out a standard 35-hour week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36918/20]
• 2020-11-05
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if there is a mechanism to process Covid-19 tests within a matter of hours for family situations in which a relative is close to death and a swift in person visit is crucial on compassionate grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34441/20]
• 2020-11-03
  PQ
  Asked Agriculture

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of a typical course of antibiotics on a typical pig farm; the illnesses that these medications are designed to either treat or prevent; the comparative figure in percentage terms of antibiotic use within a free range or organic pig farm as opposed to a factory farm; the specific animal welfare interventions that are in place to improve overall animal health and thereby reduce the need to use antibiotics; the reason antibiotic use data has been received from only 121 herds of interest out of approximately 350 that are required to submit data; and the penalties that exist for producers that fail to submit this data. [33682/20]
• 2020-11-03
  PQ
  Asked Agriculture

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if plastic fragments are permitted in animal feed; the percentage of plastic that is in animal feed; his plans to introduce regulations to ensure all plastic is removed from animal feed; and his views on the health implications of ingesting plastic for both animals and humans that consume the meat from these animals. [33684/20]
• 2020-10-23
  VOTE
  Health (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages

  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 85–53
• 2020-10-23
  VOTE
  Health (Amendment) Bill 2020

  A bill to make further and better provision in relation to the enforcement of regulations under section 31A of the Health Act 1947; for that purpose, to make provision in relation to the prosecution of certain offences consisting of contraventions of those regulations, to provide for the payment of fixed sums by persons alleged to have committed certain such offences in lieu of their being prosecuted for those offences; to provide for the giving of directions by members of the Garda Síochána in certain circumstances; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

  • ✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 93–43
• 2020-10-22
  VOTE
  Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act) 2020 - Part 3 · 2 divisions

  • ✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 92–53
  • ✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 59–86
• 2020-10-15
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out research as to the reason Covid-19 infection rates are higher in poorer areas of the greater Dublin area. [30765/20]
• 2020-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Finance

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if discussions have been undertaken with a group (details supplied) on an extension of the mortgage moratorium on behalf of mortgage holders in Dublin in view of the increased public health restrictions in the county and associated reduction in economic activity; if so, the status of the talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27415/20]
• 2020-09-24
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the inequalities that exist between professional psychology doctoral training courses; and if there are plans to address this by funding both the educational and counselling psychology doctoral courses in line with clinical psychology doctorates. [26040/20]
• 2020-09-24
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the inequalities that exist between professional psychology doctoral training courses regarding mental health and older persons; and if there are plans to address this by funding both the educational and counselling psychology doctoral courses in line with clinical psychology doctorates. [26041/20]
• 2020-09-24
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a national psychology placement office; when this is likely to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26042/20]
• 2020-09-15
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if all new diagnoses of hepatitis C here are immediately being referred to the highly successful treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23402/20]
• 2020-09-15
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his views on whether Ireland is on track to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030 as per the WHO commitment given by Ireland. [23403/20]
• 2020-09-15
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of an independent inquiry to investigate the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23872/20]
• 2020-09-15
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of families that have received consultations with the genetics service in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin, to establish if their child or children have been affected by exposure to sodium valproate in utero; the number of diagnoses of foetal anticonvulsant syndrome, foetal valproate spectrum disorder and foetal valproate syndrome that have been recorded as a result of these consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23873/20]
• 2020-09-15
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place for families with a positive diagnosis of foetal anticonvulsant syndrome to access care pathways and community supports that were developed by the valproate response project team by the HSE in 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23874/20]
• 2020-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to providing a monetary bonus to healthcare workers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21108/20]
• 2020-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the report by HIQA on the impact of wearing face masks and the recommended need to complete more quality research on their impact; and if he will consider discussing this issue at the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response with the acting Chief Medical Officer and the NPHET. [22263/20]
• 2020-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when the expert report on the impact of Covid-19 and the responses by health officials on nursing homes will be released to the public and debated by the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22264/20]
• 2020-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when section 4 of the Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 is to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22288/20]
• 2020-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when a statutory instrument will be issued under the Health Services (Drug Payment Scheme) Regulations 2017 to give effect to the planned reduction of the drugs payment scheme threshold to €114; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22566/20]
• 2020-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when section 2 of the Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 is to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22567/20]
• 2020-07-30
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to providing a monetary bonus to healthcare workers in view of their extraordinary and heroic efforts, often at great personal risk to themselves, to fight Covid-19 in hospitals and other care settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19850/20]
• 2020-07-29
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to allowing partners to attend scans in maternity hospitals, particularly the first scan at 12 weeks and anomaly scans when they take place; and, if not, if maternity hospitals are being requested to make decisions on a case-by-case basis to allow partners to attend if the mother has had previously upsetting experience, such as a scan ultimately disclosing the loss of a pregnancy. [19246/20]
• 2020-07-29
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a shortage of diabetic nurse specialists in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown; his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19248/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the turnaround time for Covid-19 tests relative to the recommended 48 hours for proper test and trace. [18155/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if a series of matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be examined. [18156/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if verbal or written direction has been provided by the Director General of the HSE via the HSE to general practitioners relating to requests for letters to confirm the inability of a person to wear a mask on the basis of legitimate health grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18157/20]
• 2020-07-23
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the percentage of devices which have been used to download the Covid-19 tracker application that are able to use the contact tracing functionality of the application by device type in tabular form [17801/20]
• 2020-07-07
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when the national medical card unit is to be advised that the new thresholds for medical card eligibility as announced in budget 2020 are to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14171/20]
• 2020-07-07
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to conduct an inquiry into the rate of Covid-19 cases seen in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14176/20]
• 2020-07-07
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to conduct an inquiry into the rate of Covid-19 cases seen in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14187/20]
• 2020-07-07
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the reason the national emergency co-ordination group was not used during Covid-19; the reason for the preference for the NPHET in view of the fact that when the National Emergency Coordination Group was formed pandemics were included in its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14279/20]
• 2020-06-30
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an extension to the three-month moratorium on evictions due to expire on 30 June 2020 has been considered particularly for persons with an underlying health condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13075/20]
• 2020-06-23
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels nationally in terms of health specialists focused on the treatment of Parkinson’s disease; and his plans to expand access to neurologists, more nurse specialists and referrals of all patients to services such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and dietetics. [11862/20]
• 2020-06-16
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when BreastCheck and Cervical Check screenings will be returning; the steps that can be taken to expedite the safe return of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10890/20]
• 2020-06-03
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a tailored awareness campaign for young persons aimed at maintaining adherence to the required social distancing measures and perhaps engaging popular musicians, celebrities or entertainers in the process (details supplied). [8729/20]
• 2020-06-03
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if mandatory quarantining is envisaged for overseas visitors as international travel begins to resume; the length of time the quarantining period will be; if facilities have been sourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9260/20]
• 2020-05-27
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure CAMHS is adequately resourced to deal with the increased strain on the mental health of young persons during the Covid-19 pandemic; and the extent to which he is liaising with the Department of Education and Skills in view of the exceptional pressure on leaving certificate students [7420/20]
• 2020-05-27
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if social gatherings specifically weddings are permitted to proceed as normal from 10 August 2020 as outlined in phase 5 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7425/20]
• 2020-05-27
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he has considered procuring more sustainable PPE equipment that can be used more than once after proper laundering and disinfecting in view of the fact the Covid-19 pandemic will be here for some time, the cost of PPE equipment is expensive and the equipment is not always available [7428/20]
• 2020-05-20
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the average gap in days between the date that Covid-19 victims died and when they are officially reported as deaths. [5814/20]
• 2020-05-20
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if the HSE or the NPHET carried out an assessment or is following a specific WHO advice on the potential of recirculated air in aircraft to spread the Covid-19 virus. [6435/20]
• 2020-05-13
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of children who aged out of and off the waiting lists for early intervention team assessments by HSE area in 2018 and 2019. [4229/20]
• 2020-05-13
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for new applicants for early intervention team assessments in each HSE area [4230/20]
• 2019-12-17
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to implement the national positive ageing strategy in his Department [53175/19]