Written Answers Nos. 908-936
908. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to assess all playing fields, whether owned by sports organisations or part of national or secondary schools, for their suitability for the landing of emergency helicopter flights when accidents occur at a distance from a hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32688/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
909. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the way in which the Government’s legislative response to the rise in vaping intends to be future proofed and cater for novel products such as nicotine pouches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32691/25]
View answerThe proposals in the Public Health (Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill stem from the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee in 2022, a large-scale public consultation held in 2023/2024 and specific regulatory impact analysis, based on the available data and research regarding the prevalence of vaping in young people and adults, any evidence of health harms, and research on the interaction between vaping and smoking.
Nicotine pouches are currently not covered by domestic or EU tobacco control legislation, with some Member States classifying them as either a foodstuff or medicine. The regulation of nicotine pouches is being discussed at EU level, both in terms of how these products are categorised and in the context of the review of the Tobacco Products Directive. An EU public consultation was carried out in 2023 to gain views on further regulation of novel products such as nicotine pouches, and a proposal from the EU Commission is awaited.
According to available data, the prevalence of nicotine pouches use remains low in the adult population across the EU. Data on adolescent use of nicotine pouches in Ireland is being collected as part of the most recent European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) and will be published shortly. My Department continues to monitor any emerging evidence regarding these products.
910. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to providing QUIT campaigns with free NRT products to people addicted to vapes and nicotine pouches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32692/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
911. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the date on which her Department was alerted to potential financial irregularities in relation to National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) funded insourcing work at another public hospital, separate to Children’s Health Ireland; if she will identify which hospital the NTPF has suspended all insourcing work with since 11 April 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32699/25]
View answerThis Government remains committed to increasing capacity in the public system and until that capacity is in place to meet the increased levels of demand, it’s appropriate that we make use of all available additional capacity in the public and private systems to ensure that patients have access to the care they need.
Accordingly, the Waiting List Action Plan which I published on February 12th, includes targeting the delivery of additional capacity for patients in the public and private systems, through a coordinated approach by the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
NTPF Insourcing initiatives are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NTPF and the relevant public hospital. Under the MOU, the public hospital confirms that any such work is additional work over and above core hospital activity and is specifically carried out to reduce waiting lists. All governance for insourcing remains with the public hospital, based on specific treatment plans where a need is identified and a solution available. All work is approved at the appropriate senior level.
On the evening of Friday, 11th April, the Department was advised by the NTPF that there was an issue in relation to NTPF funded initiatives at Beaumont Hospital. All insourcing initiatives were suspended at the hospital and the matter has been referred to HSE Internal Audit who are undertaking a full review of the matters raised. The results of this audit are expected shortly.
In early April at my request, the HSE CEO initiated a detailed survey of all insourcing activity within the HSE, which will be assisted by Finance, Internal Audit, HR and Access/Integration functions. Insourcing can be funded either directly by the HSE/hospital concerned, or by the NTPF. The outcome of this review is expected shortly.
912. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if a speech and language therapist will be appointed at a school (details supplied) for the duration of a period of leave. [32703/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
913. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the current number of authorised officers currently available for assisted admissions within the health service in Waterford city and county; if she considers this an adequate number; the steps she will take to ensure there an adequate number of authorised officers available in Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32711/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
914. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the current number of authorised officers currently available for assisted admissions within the health service for each county, and for each CHO, in tabular form. [32712/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
915. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of assisted admissions, by county and by CHO, for each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025, in tabular form.. [32713/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
916. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a geographical breakdown of the 174 authorised officers currently appointed under the Mental Health Act 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32724/25]
View answerIn relation to the breakdown of Authorised Officers requested by the Deputy, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
As the Deputy may be aware, under the existing Mental Health Act, the admission process takes place in three steps. A person must fulfil the criteria for detention in Section 8, which states that a person is ‘suffering from a mental disorder’, as defined in Section 3 of the 2001 Act.
Per Section 9 of the 2001 Act, authorised officers are one of four categories of people who can make an application to involuntarily detain someone where they believe the person has a mental disorder.
The Mental Health Bill 2024 provides for an enhanced role for authorised officers in the involuntary admission process. The Bill continues to allow members of An Garda Síochána to bring a person into Garda custody they believe to be a risk of harm to themselves or others because of their mental disorder. The Bill does not permit members of An Garda Síochána to make an application for involuntary admission in the course of their duties.
The enhanced role for the Authorised Officer will reduce the making of inappropriate applications, provide a more holistic view of the person, and allow the Officer to act as a point of information for family members through the process.
I, as well as the Department and the HSE, recognise that, in order for the Authorised Officer system to work effectively, Officers must be available nationwide on a 24/7 basis.
As of May 2025, there were 174 Authorised Officers trained within the HSE. All Officers are mental health professionals, with the majority being either mental health nurses or social workers. At present, people work as Authorised Officers as an ‘add on’ to their existing job, in the evenings and on weekends.
Only members of staff of the HSE of a prescribed grade or rank can become authorised officers. Per the 2006 Regulations, the following can become an authorised officer: ‘Local Health Manager, General Manager, Grade VIII, Psychiatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Psychologist or Social Worker’. New Regulations will be drafted when the Bill is enacted to set out the requirements to become an authorised officer.
917. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to outline the current status of the two translabial scanners at Cork University Hospital and Holles Street; whether they are currently in use; whether trained staff are available to use them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32725/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
918. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on mesh centres, including outlining specifically the amount the translabial scanners have cost.. [32726/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
922. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to outline the status of the report of the National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group; whether the report has been completed; and her views on whether the report is objective given the fact that no representatives of women suffering from mesh injuries were included in the process of compiling it. [32730/25]
View answerIn 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 Chief Medical Officer's (CMO’s) report on The Use of Uro-Gynaecological Mesh in Surgical Procedures and assess the appropriateness of resuming uro-gynaecological mesh procedures, cognisant of international developments and approaches in this complex area.
Membership of the HSE National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group included three patient partners, one of whom was awaiting treatment, and two of whom had received treatment.
The 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.
923. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if she is considering an early access programme to givinostat (details supplied) for Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients in Ireland, similar to that provided in Scotland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32733/25]
View answer924. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if she is considering providing access to fivinostat for non-ambulant Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients in Ireland in addition to ambulant patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32734/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 923 and 924 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) in ambulant patients, aged 6 years and older, and with concomitant corticosteroid treatment.
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.
In terms of Givinostat(Duzyvat®) for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy for non-ambulant patients, neither the EMA nor the HPRA have granted marketing authorisation for Givinostat(Duzyvat®) in this indication to date.
The national assessment and decision process cannot commence in the absence of a marketing authorisation for this indication.
925. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether therapeutic supports have been offered to residents of nursing-homes whose neglect and mistreatment were featured on a programme (details supplied) of 4 June 2015. [32735/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
926. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of reports of alleged abuse, neglect, exploitation or other mistreatment of vulnerable adults that were made to HIQA in 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of these reports that HIQA shared with adult safeguarding services or the Gardaí or both; and to provide a breakdown of the vulnerable adult cohorts among alleged victims, for instance, older adults, adults with an intellectual disability, and adults with acquired brain injury. [32736/25]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question for review and confirm that my Department has reached out to HIQA to request an update in relation to this matter. My officials will issue you the requested data as soon as possible.
927. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of reports of alleged abuse, neglect, exploitation or other mistreatment of older adults that were made to adult safeguarding teams in 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and to provide a breakdown of the vulnerable adult cohorts among alleged victims, for instance, older adults, adults with an intellectual disability, and adults with acquired brain injury. [32737/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
928. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to HIQA for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; and for a breakdown of any additional costs accrued over time.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32738/25]
View answerThe budget allocation of net non-capital expenditure from my Department to HIQA in 2025 is €35m. The figure for 2022 was €21.369m, 2023 was €23.969m and 2024 was €29.318m.
HIQA also receive additional funding from my Department for project work such as the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). The budget allocated to HIQA from my Department in relation to project funding was approximately €4.4m in 2022, €4.9m in 2023 and €6.2m in 2024.
HIQA also receive significant funding from other sources such as registration fees and grants.
929. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the total number of public health nurses, by funded WTE and filled WTE; the number of public health nurses per community health network; the number of public health nurses per 10,000 of population; and the number of public health nurses per integrated healthcare area, from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32759/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
930. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will introduce statutory leave entitlements for those undergoing fertility treatment such as IVF, and for those who experience early miscarriage, in light of the emotional, physical, and financial burden involved; if she will support the passage and implementation of the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 which proposes dedicated leave of ten days for fertility treatment and 20 days for early miscarriage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32767/25]
View answerThis is not a matter for the Department of Health. It should be redirected to Department of Social Protection.
931. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take to ensure that adults with spinal muscular atrophy receive access to approved medicines (details supplied); if she will engage in dialogue with stakeholders regarding the current age-based exclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32774/25]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to provide an update in relation to treatments for SMA patients over 18 years of age.
The HSE has advised that once a medicine is approved by the European Medicines Agency, the HSE is dependent on a pharmaceutical company making an application to Ireland for its drug or new indication to be assessed for reimbursement. All medicines are considered for pricing of reimbursement in order of application.
While many companies engage proactively with the HSE, Ireland, by virtue of its size and market share, may not always be prioritised by some companies in the first stages of marketing a new medicine. Reports describing timelines for reimbursement from EMA approval to HSE reimbursement approval do not consider this important factor, as statutorily the HSE are not able to add a new medicine to the reimbursement list until an application is received.
The HSE has advised that it is committed to providing access to as many medicines as possible, in as timely a fashion as possible, from the resources available (provided) to it.
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. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds. 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.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of risdiplam (Evrysdi®):
Reimbursement approval is in place for risdiplam (Evrysdi®) for the treatment of 5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) under the High Tech arrangements from the 1st September 2023. Reimbursement support is for a subgroup of the licensed indication.
As a condition of reimbursement, an individual patient approval system has been put in place by the HSE, to enable reimbursement for patients who meet the pre-defined criteria as per a HSE devised managed access protocol.
If the manufacturer of Risdiplam(Evrysdi® (Roche) submits a de novo application for adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of SMA Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3, that application will be duly progressed through the formal processes governing the pricing and reimbursement of medicines.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma®):
In October 2021, onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma®) was approved for reimbursement in Ireland following joint assessment and negotiations under the Beneluxa initiative for the treatment of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with a bi-allelic mutation in the SMN1 gene and a clinical diagnosis of SMA type 1, or pre-symptomatic patients with 5q SMA with a bi-allelic mutation in the SMN1 gene and up to 3 copies of the SMN2 gene.
As a condition of reimbursement, an individual patient approval system has been put in place by the HSE, to enable reimbursement for patients who meet the pre-defined criteria as per a HSE devised managed access protocol.
www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/medicines-management/managed-access-protocols/onasemnogene-abeparvovec-zolgensma/managed-access-protocol-onasemnogene-abeparvovec-zolgensma.pdf.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of nusinersen (Spinraza®) for adult patients (>18 years):
The HSE approved funding of nusinersen (Spinraza®) effective 1st July 2019 for the treatment of 5q Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type I, Type II and Type III in children under 18 years.
The first step in the process is the submission of a Rapid Review dossier (a clinical and economic dossier) to the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) for assessment. The HSE commissioned the Rapid Review process on the 28th September 2020.
The NCPE Rapid Review assessment report was received by the HSE on the 29th October 2020. The NCPE advised the HSE that a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) was recommended for nusinersen (Spinraza®) to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness compared to the current standard of care for adult patients (>18 years).
www.ncpe.ie/nusinersen-spinraza-hta-id-20044/.
The HSE commissioned a full Health Technology Assessment on the 9th November 2020 as per agreed processes.
The HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications. The CPU met with Biogen regarding their application for Nusinersen (Spinraza®).
The Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The membership of the HSE Drugs Group includes public interest members. The pharmacoeconomic report will be reviewed by the HSE Drugs Group along with the outputs of commercial negotiations, and any patient group submission(s) received. The HSE Drugs Group will consider all of the evidence and make a recommendation to the HSE Senior Leadership Team.
The decision-making authority in the HSE is the HSE Senior Leadership Team. The HSE Senior Leadership Team decides on the basis of all the demands it is faced with (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new use of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
A completed HTA is required from the applicant (Biogen) to progress this application, as per the formal processes governing the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. In the absence of a completed HTA the pricing and reimbursement application cannot progress.
The application remains under consideration with the HSE. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing assessment processes.
932. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the next iteration of the Tobacco Free Ireland Strategy will contain objectives relating to nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, to keep pace with current and emerging trends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32775/25]
View answerThe Tobacco Free Ireland policy is currently under review. Existing evidence on tobacco and nicotine products will be reviewed as part of this process, and will form the basis of the recommendations made.
It is expected that the policy will be published by the end of the year.
933. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to outline the status of each cancer-related capital programme, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32776/25]
View answerThe HSE Capital Plan is an annual document that sets out the planned Health infrastructure investment within a given year. Capital investment plays a critical role in enabling and enhancing health service provision. The HSE Capital Plan 2025 outlines the planned investment in Health infrastructure throughout the country. The HSE Capital Plan 2025 was published on 9th April 2025. The HSE Capital Plan is available on the HSE website here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/capital-plan-2025.pdf
With regard to projects which were on previous years capital plans and have now been superseded, HSE Estates would be best placed to respond. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly on this part to the Deputy as soon as possible.
934. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to specify which cancer-related capital programmes reached appraisal stage and have now lapsed in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32777/25]
View answerThe HSE Capital Plan is an annual document that sets out the planned Health infrastructure investment within a given year. Capital investment plays a critical role in enabling and enhancing health service provision. The HSE Capital Plan 2025 outlines the planned investment in Health infrastructure throughout the country. The HSE Capital Plan 2025 was published on 9th April 2025. The HSE Capital Plan is available on the HSE website here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/capital-plan-2025.pdf
With regard to projects which were on previous years capital plans and have now been superseded, HSE Estates would be best placed to respond. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly on this part to the Deputy as soon as possible.
935. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to outline the status of each of the promised dedicated cancer units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32778/25]
View answerThe Government has allocated significant funding of €105 million, including €23 million in 2025, to the National Cancer Strategy since 2017 to support cancer services and improve outcomes for patients.
This year’s capital plan includes €12.13m for radiation oncology projects along with further funding for the Aseptic Compounding Units at hospitals including University Hospital Kerry, Cork University Hospital, Letterkenny University Hospital and Cavan General Hospital. Oncology Day Units are also being developed at Cavan General Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Kerry University Hospital and the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore.
The HSE Capital Plan is an annual document that sets out the planned Health infrastructure investment within a given year and the status of each project. Capital investment plays a critical role in enabling and enhancing health service provision. The HSE Capital Plan 2025 outlines the planned investment in Health infrastructure throughout the country. The HSE Capital Plan 2025 was published on 9th April 2025. The HSE Capital Plan is available on the HSE website here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/capital-plan-2025.pdf
With regard to projects which were on previous years capital plans and have now been superseded, HSE Estates would be best placed to respond. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly on this part to the Deputy as soon as possible.
936. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the progress made on implementing a multi-year funding approach for the health service, as committed to in the Programme for Government; the measures in place to achieve this commitment; if it is her intension to announce this in Budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32779/25]
View answerA two-year agreement was signed by the then Ministers for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and Health and the HSE in July 2024 to put health expenditure on a stable footing. The total package amounted to €2.68bn over 2024 and 2025.
The Programme for Government commits that having “reviewed the recent two-year agreement, we will develop a multi-annual funding approach for our health service, which will be linked to productivity, staff levels and the delivery of services for patients.” The introduction of multi-annual budgeting is a key priority for me and for Government as set out in the Programme for Government.
There are significant expected benefits of a Multi-Annual Budgeting model including;
1. Greater funding certainty to support long-term planning of new initiatives;
2. Heightened focus on strategic and sustainable investment in health services; and
3. Improved financial discipline and better governance, with local management held accountable for performance against realistic local budget.
In response to your question, the Departments’ of Health and Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER), are proactively progressing work to deliver the Programme for Government commitment. This involves reviewing the operation of the current agreement, how it informs a future agreement, and a macro-economic exercise to identify what could constitute a reasonable growth rate for health expenditure over 2026 and potentially 2027
The ongoing work also involves an assessment of:
(i) the quality of health expenditure baselining and forecasting across key spending lines over the agreement; and
(ii) the extent of achievement of the targeted improvements in expenditure reporting.
My Department is working with stakeholders from DPER and the Department of Finance (DFIN) on the macro-economic exercise. The key inputs include assumptions regarding:
- Population growth
- The structure of the ageing population
- Economic factors such as inflation (particularly medical and pay inflation)
- The introduction of new drugs and medicines
- Emerging technologies and techniques
- Overall economic growth in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
In parallel, my Department is also working with the HSE on a more detailed estimate using past expenditure trends and data by service care group to project future expenditure patterns.
While I cannot of course predict or confirm the outcome of the budget negotiations we will be engaging, as do all Government Departments, with DPER on the health allocation based on an objective analysis and forecasting of future demands. At the same time, I recognise the critical economy wide challenges that need to be met over the coming years.
A two-year agreement was signed by the then Ministers for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and Health and the HSE in July 2024 to put health expenditure on a stable footing. The total package amounted to €2.68bn over 2024 and 2025.
