Written Answers Nos. 337-358
337. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the engagement by her Department and Tusla with local stakeholders regarding the establishment of a family resource centre in Dungarvan, County Waterford; and to confirm the plans that are in place to support and advance this project. [21938/25]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that my Department has not had any direct engagement with local stakeholders regarding the establishment of a Family Resource Centre in Dungarvan. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Family Resource Centre programme, and my Department has asked Tusla to advise as to any recent engagements it may have had. I will revert to the Deputy in this respect.
I am pleased to note that Tusla has opened the application process for groups/organisations that wish to join the Family Resource Centre Programme. Membership of the Programme will increase from 121 members to 126 members in 2025, in line with a Government commitment to expand the Programme. I very much welcome this development. The application process will be managed by Tusla.
338. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when meaningful progress will be made on the childcare cost commitments made by all major parties during the 2024 general election, particularly regarding the promised reduction to a cap of €50 per week; and the specific steps being taken to honour these commitments and provide relief to families facing high childcare costs in Dublin Bay North and across Ireland. [21967/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to reducing the cost of early learning and childcare to €200 per month per child.
This will build on significant progress in affordability that has already been made through a number of existing Schemes.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, which provides two years of pre-school without charge, enjoys participation rates of 96%. Over 70% of families on low income report that they would not be able to send their child to pre-school without this Programme.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) complements the ECCE Programme, providing subsidies – both universal and targeted - to reduce the costs to parents for children to participate in early learning and childcare.
The NCS has undergone a number of enhancements in recent years to further improve affordability for parents. These include the extension of the universal subsidy to all children under 15 and two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy, which is now worth a minimum of €96.20 per week for 45 hours.
Record numbers of children and their families are now benefiting from the NCS. Almost 220,000 unique children benefited from an NCS subsidy in 2024.
Children in childminding settings that have come forward for registration, following changes to the childminder Tulsa registration requirements last September, can also benefit from NCS subsidies.
The fee management system introduced through the Core Funding Scheme has ensured that the investment in affordability is not absorbed by unnecessary fee increases and/or uncapped fees. A cap on fees was introduced for services joining Core Funding for the first time in the third year. It was announced in June 2024 that a fee cap will apply to all services in Core Funding from September 2025.
An evaluation of the National Childcare Scheme is due to start this year. This evaluation will review how the Scheme has performed to date and identify potential enhancements that could be made. The findings from this evaluation will inform the work of my Department in reaching the cap of €200 per month per child within the lifetime of the Government.
339. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a statement of need can be provided to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21746/25]
View answerThe doctor in question has been asked to submit the necessary documentation required by my Department in order for a statement of need to issue. On receipt of all of the documentation the statement of need will be processed and issued, provided all the information is in order.
340. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the fact that there has been a seven-year pause on the mid-urethral sling for stress urinary incontinence in women; when this pause will be reevaluated, given the number of women who have been travelling abroad to avail of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21749/25]
View answerUro-gynaecological (transvaginal) mesh is used in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in women and such mesh devices have been widely used for this over the past two decades. However, in late 2017, in line with emerging international evidence, concerns were raised at national level regarding the frequency and severity of complications associated with the use of transvaginal mesh devices. The then Minister for Health requested the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to prepare a report on the clinical and technical issues involved.
In November 2018, the CMO’s report on The Use of Uro-Gynaecological Mesh in Surgical Procedures was published. The report contains a number of recommendations regarding the safe and effective provision of mesh procedures in urogynaecology and an appropriate response to women who suffer complications as a result of undergoing such procedures. In July 2018, the CMO asked the HSE to pause all mesh procedures where clinically safe to do so, pending confirmation of the implementation of specific recommendations in the CMO’s report.
In 2023 the HSE established a National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group to oversee vaginal mesh implants in our HSE acute hospitals in terms of both primary implant surgery and tertiary complications services. The focus of this group was to review and assess implementation of the recommendations as set out in the CMO’s report and assess the appropriateness of resuming uro-gynaecological mesh procedures, cognisant of international developments and approaches in this complex area.
My Department has recently received a report from the HSE’s National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group. My officials are currently examining the report and liaising with their counterparts in the HSE to ensure comprehensive implementation of the CMO’s recommendations. It is expected that this process will be finalised soon.
Women’s health is a key priority for the Department of Health. I understand the impact the pause on the use of uro-gynaecological mesh has on women who wish to avail of this surgery, however my Department must take a safety-first approach to this issue.
The focus for my Department and the HSE remains the comprehensive implementation of the CMO’s recommendations and ensuring that women who require aftercare following mesh complications receive high quality, multi-disciplinary patient centred care in accordance with the evidence and supported by robust clinical governance mechanisms.
341. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of a case (details supplied); if she will instruct her Department to provide adequate funding to this organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21750/25]
View answerAs this is a funding request, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
342. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the measures, if any, she intends to put in place to make the HSE more accountable to the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21782/25]
View answerIn line with the Health Act 2004 (As amended), the CEO of the HSE is accountable to the Oireachtas and is required to attend before any of its relevant Committees upon request to give an account of the general administration of the Executive.
The CEO and the Chair of the HSE are also directly accountable to myself as Minister for Health, and, in relation to specialist community-based disability services, the Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality.
The Health (Amendment) Bill, which is currently in development, will introduce further provisions to enhance the accountability of the HSE.
343. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health for an update on a funding application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21783/25]
View answerThis is a matter for DCEDIY and unfortunately the deadline had passed before it could be transferred. We ask that you redirect this question to DCEDIY.
344. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE emergency medicine registrars based at Naas General Hospital in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [21795/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
345. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for home support in CHO7 for longer than one month, longer than three months, longer then six months, in tabular form. [21796/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
346. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of beds which will be available to the paediatric critical care unit in the new National Children's Hospital; and the number of beds currently available to this unit across CHI sites. [21797/25]
View answerThe new children's hospital will be a state-of-the-art facility and Ireland's first fully digital public hospital. It will have 473 beds - 380 inpatient beds and 93 daybeds. It will offer 39 clinical specialities under one roof and is fully aligned with Sláintecare.
I can advise the Deputy that the new children’s hospital will have 60 critical care beds - comprised of 20 paediatric beds, 18 neonatal beds, and 22 cardiac beds. This is an 88% increase compared to the current 32 critical care beds.
The safe and timely opening of this worldclass facility is a key priority for this Government and is a much needed and much deserved investment in our chidlren and young people.
347. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the total number of people who attended a pigmented lesion rapid access clinics nationwide including the number who were offered an appointment within the recommended timeframe in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025. [21798/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
348. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE Chefs that are directly employed by HSE and working in each HSE Funded Hospital in the years of 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [21799/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for the question. As it relates to an operational issue, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.
349. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the timeline and progress of establishing the regulatory authority under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21805/25]
View answerThe Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was signed into law by the President on July 2nd 2024, having passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas. The primary purpose of this complex and far-reaching legislation is to regulate fertility clinics providing treatment such as IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) and IUI (intrauterine insemination) and ensure that assisted human reproduction (AHR) practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight. Therefore, the Act encompasses the regulation for the first time of a wide range of practices undertaken in Ireland, including: the use and donation of gametes and embryos for AHR and research; pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos; posthumous assisted human reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research.
The establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA), as provided for in the legislation, is a key aspect required for the effective regulation of this sector.
Intensive work is ongoing in relation to the commencement of all the provisions in the AHR legislation, including in respect of further progressing the establishment of the AHRRA. It should be emphasised that the AHR legislation will provide for the introduction, for the first time, of a new regulatory environment for a wide range of complex practices within Ireland and, indeed, in respect of surrogacy and donor-assisted human reproduction procedures, potentially even some undertaken in other jurisdictions. It is important that establishing a new state agency in this environment is done in a way that can allow it to operate effectively in order to deliver its statutory functions.
While I cannot give a definitive timeline for the commencement of the legislation at this time, the Deputy may wish to note that a campaign inviting applications from candidates seeking positions on the Board of the AHRRA closed recently and an assessment process is underway. I can assure the Deputy that I wish to both continue to advance this much-needed legislation and set up the regulatory authority as soon as practicable.
350. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21813/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
351. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Health the policy for listing party 1 and party 2 on marriage certificate documentation; if this policy differs between same sex and heterosexual couples; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21849/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
352. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason chiropody services in general practice for people with diabetes have been discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21851/25]
View answerPodiatry specialises in the management and treatment of disorders affecting the lower limb. Podiatry can significantly improve a person’s quality of life by promoting and maintaining mobility.
The availability of podiatry services provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) varies across the country. Where provided, medical card holders aged 65 and over, people with certain illnesses (such as diabetes or arthritis), and people with disabilities usually get priority.
Enquiries can be made through the local GP, Public Health Nurse, or Local Health Office (LHO) regarding chiropody services that are available.
Significant resources have been allocated under the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme to establish Specialist Diabetes teams within community hubs to better support GPs to manage people with complicated diabetes.
Where necessary, GPs can refer these patients into ECC Chronic Disease teams, where further specialist services are provided, such as podiatry, dietary advice, and if necessary, access to consultant-level care in the community.
With respect to the specific matter raised, this is a service matter and I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
353. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if an impact assessment was carried out prior to the decision of the HSE to withdraw chiropody services in general practice for people with diabetes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21852/25]
View answerPodiatry specialises in the management and treatment of disorders affecting the lower limb. Podiatry can significantly improve a person’s quality of life by promoting and maintaining mobility.
The availability of podiatry services provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) varies across the country. Where provided, medical card holders aged 65 and over, people with certain illnesses (such as diabetes or arthritis), and people with disabilities usually get priority.
Enquiries can be made through the local GP, Public Health Nurse, or Local Health Office (LHO) regarding chiropody services that are available.
Significant resources have been allocated under the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme to establish Specialist Diabetes teams within community hubs to better support GPs to manage people with complicated diabetes.
Where necessary, GPs can refer these patients into ECC Chronic Disease teams, where further specialist services are provided, such as podiatry, dietary advice, and if necessary, access to consultant-level care in the community.
With respect to the specific matter raised, this is a service matter and I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
354. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the number of dentistry positions in Monaghan; the number vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21855/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
355. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the number of orthodontistry positions in Monaghan; the number vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21856/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
356. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the issues faced by staff at a care home (details supplied); the steps her Department is taking to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21867/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
357. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed report in regard to any possible delays to Ireland’s alcohol health information labelling regulations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21869/25]
View answer369. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reason there are delays in introducing health information labelling of alcohol products; when labelling is likely to be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21957/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 369 together.
The requirement for health warnings and information on the labels of alcohol products was enacted at section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 on 17 October 2018.
Following assessment by the European Commission and the World Trade Organisation, the Minister for Health made the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023, and commenced section 12 of the Act, on 18 May 2023. The law will come into operation on 22 May 2026.
358. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of women waiting for outpatient gynaecology services and appointments in the Cork/Kerry region for 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21875/25]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, adult and child waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
