Written Answers Nos. 820-840
820. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the total spend on homeless-specific measures by her Department in each of the years 2021 to 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32172/25]
View answerThe Department of Health is responsible for the provision of health and social care for people who are homeless. The Department funds the HSE to deliver a range of health-related services and supports to homeless persons. The HSE has developed a national strategic plan to improve the health of people experiencing homelessness.
The table below outlines the HSE expenditure on healthcare services for people who are homeless between 2021 and 2024.
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
€45m |
€50m |
€42m |
€47m |
In Budget 2025, the Department allocated an additional €6.4m for the provision of healthcare services for people who are homeless.
I am committed to supporting the HSE to enhance healthcare services for people who are homeless and to working with the Department of Housing to address the social determinants of health for people who are homeless through housing-led initiatives such as the Housing First programme.
821. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the regulations in place with regard to the use of sunbeds, especially by minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32174/25]
View answerThe protection of children and those under 18 years of age from the risk of skin damage, in view of their increased risk of developing skin cancer is one of the primary policy objectives of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014.
Under this legislation, it is an offence for an owner, manager or employee to: sell or hire a sunbed to any person under 18 years of age; permit a person under 18 years of age to use a sunbed on a sunbed premises; sell the use of a sunbed on a sunbed premises to a person under 18 years of age; permit a person under 18 years of age to be in a restricted area except where employed or providing services (e.g. maintenance).
This legislation is enforced by the HSE National Environmental Health Service (NEHS). To verify compliance, HSE/NEHS conducts an annual sunbed inspection programme, including inspections of establishments, mystery shopping, and test purchases. The HSE/NEHS takes action, as appropriate, when non-compliances of the legislation are identified. The primary focus is to address non-compliances through engagement with the sunbed business operator. Fixed Payment Notices may be served for certain offences or legal proceedings instigated, as appropriate.
822. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health for an update on current waiting times for access to mental health support services, particularly in primary care and community settings; the measures being taken to reduce delays in access to counselling, CAMHS; and the additional resources that will be allocated in 2025 to improve mental health provision nationally, and in underserved areas such as east Galway. [32185/25]
View answerIt is a priority for me, and for Government, to ensure that all those who need services can access them and access them on time. This is in line with our national mental health policy Sharing the Vision, our suicide reduction strategy Connecting for Life, and the HSE Annual Service Plan 2025.
Year-on-year funding for mental health services increased from €1.3 billion announced in Budget 2024 to almost €1.5 billion in 2025. This represents a 10.7% annual increase. CAMHS nationally receives approximately €167 million annually, with a further €110 million provided to NGOs which provide key mental health supports to young people and adults. Significant new development funding of €16 million for this year was provided for mental health under Budget 2025. This included, for example, an additional €2.9 million to support CAMHS to increase core staffing, develop a new CAMHS Emergency Liaison Service and expand CAMHS Hubs to improve crisis cover for services.
I established the National Office for Child and Youth Mental Health in the HSE to improve leadership and all aspects of care across youth mental health. The Office published its new Youth Mental Health Action Plan in February last. This ambitious plan for comprehensive reform across all youth mental health services, including the specialist CAMHS service, will deliver services which are safer, effective, easier to access and which offers appropriate support at all levels when needed.
I recently commenced a series of visits to all HSE Regional Health Areas to meet with the Regional Executive Officers and their staff to focus on improvements to all aspects of Youth Mental Health care, to identify areas where increased activity is needed, and also areas of innovative and positive service delivery. This includes improving access and reducing CAMHS waiting lists particularly for those waiting over 12 months. I have stressed also, the importance of filling all approved posts for each CAMHS team to ensure the effective delivery of services.
I will, in conjunction with the HSE, continue to keep improved access to care under close review for the remainder of this year.
The Deputy will appreciate that the provision of Primary Care Psychology Services falls under the HSE Primary Care Programme. I have referred this PQ to the HSE to reply direct to the Deputy in relation to the detailed information sought, including that relating to care provision nationally and service developments for east Galway.
823. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will instruct her Department to extend the special leave with pay scheme past June 2025, given the fact that there remains a large number of public health workers still affected by long Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32199/25]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) have been very clear that this was the final extension that would be granted, and as such, the Special Scheme will conclude on 30th June 2025.
As this is an on going Industrial Relations matter it would be inappropriate to comment any further.
824. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the specific arrangements she has in place to ensure social care services for the elderly are delivered in a manner consistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability, in particular Article 3, Article 4, Article 5, Article 9, Article 19, Article 20; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32216/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
825. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants and WTE NCHDs located in medicine, surgery and emergency departments in Our Lady's Hospital Navan. [32225/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
826. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review correspondence (details supplied); if the appointment for surgery can be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32227/25]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
827. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if she will expedite the process of approval for givinostat, used in the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, as further delays could affect the ability of patients to retain muscular strength and the current process for drug approval in Ireland can take on average 617 days, during which time muscular dystrophy patients will have lost significant muscle strength; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32237/25]
View answer833. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure that a new medication (details supplied) is processed on the HSE reimbursement list as quickly as possible when it is given EU approval; if she will take action to make this medication available for all children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32302/25]
View answer861. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the issues Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients are having getting timey access to a new drug for the condition (details supplied); if immediate steps will be taken to make this drug available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32396/25]
View answer870. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of consideration, use (even on a trial basis), and funding for the drug givinostat for Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32461/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 827, 833,861 and 879 together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and devices; therefore, I have asked the HSE for an update in this matter.
The HSE has advised that there is a National Application, Assessment & Decision Process for new medicines which is underpinned by Primary Legislation (Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013) put in place by the Oireachtas. The HSE must comply with the relevant legislation when considering investment decisions around new medicines.
The HSE must robustly assess applications for pricing and reimbursement to make sure that it can stretch available resources as far as possible and to deliver the best value in relation to each medicine and ultimately more medicines to Irish citizens and patients.
There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and / or reimbursed.
Pharmaceutical companies are required to submit formal applications to the HSE if they wish for their medicines to be added to the list of reimbursable items / funded via hospitals. The decision of pharmaceutical companies to market licensed medicines i.e. whether or not to submit a formal application, is outside the control of the HSE.
In terms of the specific details of an application for pricing and reimbursement of Givinostat (Duvyzat®):
On 25th April 2025, the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a conditional marketing authorisation for Givinostat (Duvyzat®) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in ambulant patients, aged 6 years and older, and with concomitant corticosteroid treatment. On the 6th June 2025 the European Commission granted EU conditional marketing authorisation for Givinostat (Duvyzat®) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
A pricing and reimbursement application has not yet been received by the HSE for Givinostat (Duvyzat®).
As outlined above, the national assessment and decision process cannot commence in the absence of a pricing and reimbursement application submission to the HSE.
828. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Health to outline the procedure in place by the HSE in respect of equality of care provided for people in nursing homes where the HSE has paid for the nursing home care through the fair deal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32276/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
829. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current status of the women’s health action plan; whether her Department is planning to integrate premenstrual dysphoric disorder into that plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32289/25]
View answer830. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the actions her Department and its agencies are taking to ensure that all healthcare professionals, including GPs, psychiatrists, nurses, midwives and allied health practitioners, are aware of PMDD; the training, guidelines or continuous professional development programmes in place or planned to support earlier and more accurate diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32290/25]
View answer831. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to educate the general population, school communities and healthcare practitioners on women’s health conditions such as PMDD, including whether the Department will liaise with the Minister for Education and Youth to ensure relevant content on hormones and mental health is incorporated into Junior and Senior Cycle SPHE (or successor) curricula; whether women’s health–specific education will be made a mandatory element of undergraduate and postgraduate training for GPs, psychiatrists and other relevant professionals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32291/25]
View answer832. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has considered commissioning a national prevalence study on women’s health conditions, specifically focusing on comorbidities, including but not limited to PMDD; if such a study has been considered, to state the expected timeline for its initiation and completion; if not, to outline the reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32293/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 829 to 832, inclusive, together.
The Women’s Health Action Plans 2022-2023 and 2024-25 together with significant investment, have resulted in important improvements to women’s health services in Ireland. The work of the Women’s Health Taskforce and the implementation of these Action Plans has also increased awareness of many women’s health issues, both among the public and amongst healthcare professionals.
The current Women’s Health Action Plan commits to building an evidence base for women’s health through commissioned research and evidence reviews. To date, my Department has commissioned a number of research projects including one being undertaken by the Health Research Board relating to “Women’s health treatment interventions and outcomes: An evidence and gap map review” and which is currently in the final stages of development. This work will assist in informing us of future research needs in women’s health.
Specifically on menstrual health, my Department has included this topic in a number of surveys and research reports.
The 2022 Healthy Ireland Survey included a module on menstrual health and period poverty, which asked about the prevalence of adverse period related symptoms significant enough to cause women to miss out on activities of daily living (for example, school, college, work, sports or social activities). The results indicated that 51% of women currently having periods had missed activities of daily living on occasion because of period symptoms, and that 24% had experienced period poverty. Similarly, a shorter module on menstrual health and period poverty was included in the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study, which found that 60% of girls old enough to have periods had missed school on occasion because of period symptoms and that 10% were impacted by period poverty.
The Healthy Ireland and HSE National Social Inclusion Office teams have recently set up linked websites on the topic of menstrual health and period poverty/period dignity. The HSE site links to the HSE’s clinical advice on periods and to information leaflets.
The Healthy Ireland Survey reports and questionnaires can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/collections/healthy-ireland-survey-documents/#:~:text=Below%20are%20all%20the%20relevant%20Healthy%20Ireland%20Survey,2015%20-%202023%20are%20available%20here%20on%20data.cso.ie.
The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study can be accessed at: www.universityofgalway.ie/hbsc/hbscireland/.
The HSE Period Dignity site can be accessed here: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/primarycare/socialinclusion/about-social-inclusion/news/hse-period-poverty-pilot.html.
I am aware that my colleague Minister Foley and her Department are finalising the next cross-Government National Strategy for Women and Girls. My Department is working with closely with officials in that Department to ensure the health needs and experiences of women and girls are reflected in the new Strategy. I understand that the new Strategy will take a life-cycle approach, looking at the different age cohorts of women and girls, recognising and addressing the different challenges that affect them. Such an approach aligns with the one taken in the Women’s Health Action Plans. Such issues include the education and support of women and girls regarding menstrual health and menopause, and include the various conditions associated with women’s reproductive health. This includes, but is not limited to, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), peri-menopause and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
In relation to education, and as the Deputy will be aware, both female and male health education in schools is supported through the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum.
At primary level this occurs in a number of strands, including the ‘Myself’ and the ‘Knowing about My Body’ strand units. Opportunities are also provided in the SPHE curriculum at both junior and senior cycle to address women’s health including fertility and for further learning on menstruation. The HSE suite of resources developed to support the updated Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum includes resources specifically developed to support the teaching and learning on male and female reproductive systems, and menstrual health and wellbeing.
In addition, Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum specifications at all levels provide vital opportunities for the development of children’s wellbeing whether physical, emotional or social.
These curriculum specifications have been undergoing review and updating in recent years. Updated Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle curriculum specifications include learning outcomes and strands relating to health and wellbeing, including specifically emotional wellbeing and mental health, and also in relation to how to access and appraise appropriate and trustworthy information, services and supports about health and wellbeing. More broadly, I understand that the Department of Education and Youth’s approach to supporting wellbeing and mental health is set out in its Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice, which informs the ongoing work in the area of student wellbeing and mental health. The approach in the Wellbeing Policy is founded on research and best international practice in relation to how schools can best support the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
A dedicated wellbeing portal is also available, bringing together all the wellbeing supports and resources that have been developed by the Department of Education and the Department’s support services, which is available under ‘Wellbeing for Education’ on gov.ie.
In relation to healthcare professional awareness and training, the Irish College of GPs develops and delivers education on a range of community gynaecology topics including PMDD. Education is delivered in a range of formats from the large scale webinar to the in-depth skills based education in blended, modular format. This is CPD education, which is also available to GPs in training. PMDD is included as a mandatory topic in this course. The Community Gynaecology Course promotes effective communication skills in relation to a range of Gynaecological conditions and procedures
The Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology’s published clinical guidelines on ‘Management of Premenstrual Syndrome’, provides clinicians with a comprehensive tool to diagnose and treat severe PMS: obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1471-0528.14260.
In relation to women’s health generally, I am pleased to say that since 2020, over €180m of additional funding has enabled significant advances in women’s health services in Ireland.
With this focus and investment there have been a number of services established and expanded since the publication of the first Women’s Health Action Plan. These include:
• Free Contraception Scheme to women aged 17-35 years.
• 6 Specialist Menopause Clinics for women with complex experiences of menopause. Over 1,700 new patients seen nationally in 2024.
• 5 Postnatal hubs giving women access to postnatal care in community settings with 8 more coming on stream over the next year or so.
• 2 supra-regional specialist endometriosis centres and 5 regional endometriosis hubs have been established providing access to endometriosis treatments.
• All 19 maternity hospitals are providing full termination of pregnancy services, as prescribed in the 2018 Act.
• Introduction of a Free HRT arrangement for women experiencing menopause symptoms.
• The development of ‘quick reference guides’ to support GPs and Practice Nurses in diagnostics and treatment at primary care level, including Menopause, Fertility, Contraception etc.
• A network of 18 ‘see and treat’ ambulatory gynaecology clinics have been established improve access to gynaecology services and reduce waiting times with 3 more coming on stream. It is expected that more than 24,000 appointments will be delivered through the service this year.
• A new National Perinatal Genomics Service is being established to ensure women have access to critical testing both during pregnancy, and in planning for future pregnancies.
• 6 fully operational Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks covering the entire country.
• The Women’s Health Fund was established in Budget 2021. This fund has supported a range of priority service areas, including mental health, menopause, endometriosis, post natal care, training and awareness for health professional, women’s cardiovascular health, information and awareness campaigns, period dignity supports, Cervical Cancer Elimination supports and targeted supports for marginalised women.
The Programme for Government commits to further developing the transformation in women’s health, which includes the implementation of the current Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025.
In collaboration with the Women’s Health Taskforce, I am committed to listening to and working for women in order to improve the health experiences and outcomes for women and girls in Ireland.
834. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of applications in the process annually by CORU-the Health and Social Care Professionals regulator, for 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32310/25]
View answer835. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of applications to CORU-the Health and Social Care Professionals regulator, that were successful on the first application for 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32311/25]
View answer836. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of applications to CORU-the Health and Social Care Professionals regulator, that were subject to appeal for 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32312/25]
View answer837. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the average wait time of an appeal to CORU-the Health and Social Care Professionals regulator for 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32313/25]
View answer838. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the amount of money taken in annually by CORU-the Health and Social Care Professionals regulator, for 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32314/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 834 to 838, inclusive, together.
As my Department does not have the relevant information to hand, the Deputy's questions have been forwarded to CORU who will respond directly to him.
839. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will examine the case for respite care services for a person (details supplied). [32315/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
840. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason the drug dioctyl is not covered on the medical card scheme; if she is aware of the financial hardship this is causing patients; if there are plans to have this drug covered in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32323/25]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
