Since my latest upgrade, I no longer have iMessages on my iPad

The Message app is not one of the apps that can be deleted but it can be removed from the home screen. Go to the App Library (swipe left past your last home screen). From there you can touch and hold an app and slide it left back to the home screen.

See if anything here helps.

1. On your iOS or iPadOS device, go to the App Store.
2. Search for the app. Make sure that you use the exact name of the app. Find the correct name of built-in apps.
3. Tap  to restore the app.
4. Wait for the app to restore, then open it from your Home screen.