Liam Quaide
Question:153. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the childcare (amendment) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50531/25]
View answerLegislative Measures
Questions (153)
Written answers
In line with commitments under the Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, the Government has made a number of commitments with a view to strengthening the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, and protecting children, including updating the Child Care Act, 1991.
The Child Care Act 1991 marked a turning point in the protection of children in Ireland, providing a statutory foundation for the safeguarding of children. While the original Act remains a cornerstone of our child welfare framework, significant developments—such as the establishment of Tusla, the enactment of the Children First legislation, and the passing of the children’s Referendum— made it necessary to review and update the Act, to ensure it reflects our current child protection environment.
The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 will make changes to update and modernise the Act and also introduce innovations to further strengthen the child protection legal framework, increase the powers available to Tusla and provide for greater cooperation across State agencies to keep children safe from harm.
These innovations include the introduction of guiding principles designed to strengthen the child-centred focus of the Act and to foreground the best interests of the child.
Another key element of the Bill that is intended to strengthen the wider child protection safety net in this country are the proposed measures to strengthen interagency co-operation. Firstly, it is proposed to establish a Duty to Co-operate, which will create an obligation for all Government Departments, named Government agencies and other specified bodies to cooperate with Tusla and with each other in the performance of their respective functions on matters relating to the development, welfare and protection of children known to Tusla. This proposed provision is a response to the finding of a range of reports on child protection matters, including recent Annual Reports of the National Review Panel, that there is a need for improved co-operation and information sharing among State Bodies and local service providers when it comes to protecting and supporting the most vulnerable children in our society.
In addition, the Bill proposes the establishment of a Child Care Implementation and Inter-Agency Committee. It was intended that this Committee would be an effective mechanism for all relevant Government Departments and State agencies who deliver services to families and children, including those known to Tusla, in care or in aftercare, to work together efficiently, effectively and in the best interest of the children concerned within the context of their existing statutory powers and responsibilities. The Committee’s functions include developing and implementing solutions to issues arising in relation to the accessing by families and children of such services. It is proposed that the annual reports of the Committee will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Further changes are proposed to reflect best practice developments in the sphere of child welfare and protection services. This includes changes to supervision orders, interim care orders, voluntary care arrangements and accommodation for children who are out of the family home. These changes to the legislation include mandating regular reviews of care arrangements to promote stability for children.
Department officials are working, in consultation with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, to settle the Bill. Once the Bill has been finalised, I intend, subject to the agreement of my cabinet colleagues, to bring it forward to the Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest possible juncture.
Legislative Measures
Questions (154)
Liam Quaide
Question:154. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to amend sections of the Disability Act 2005 as it relates to assessments of need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50532/25]
View answerWritten answers
The statutory right to an Assessment of Need (AON) and the timeframes within which an assessment should be produced are set out in the Disability Act, 2005. However, it is important to emphasise that, while children have a right to apply for an AON, they do not need one in order to access health services, including those provided by Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT) or Mental Health Services. Nevertheless, demand for AONs has increased significantly in recent years, a reflection of both the increase in population and of families exploring all options for accessing services for their child.
There are a number of actions being progressed to support the effective and efficient provision of an AON to children who need them. In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department are currently reviewing potential legislative changes to Part 2 of the Disability Act, to support the effectiveness and efficiency of the AON process. The Department has been working with HSE senior management and experienced clinicians to identify those changes, with the intention of bringing forward legislation in the final quarter of this year. It is important to note that any changes will not affect the statutory right of any individual to access an Assessment of Need or the statutory timeframes set out in the Act.
Ensuring timely access to an AON for children continues to be a key priority for this Government.
Children in Care
Questions (155)
Michael Cahill
Question:155. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to support pre budget submission of an organisation (details supplied); to support foster families who open their homes and hearts to children in the care of the State, often at great personal and financial cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50609/25]
View answerWritten answers
Foster carers play a vital and valued role in the care of the most vulnerable children in our society. Foster care is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their family of origin, and foster carers provide a safe, secure and stable home environment for these vulnerable children and young people.
The Programme for Government 2025 (PfG) sets out the Government’s intention to provide further support for foster carers, including further increases to the foster care allowance and the new Initial Placement Payment, a commitment to examine pension provision for foster carers, and examine eligibility for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
With regard to aftercare, Tusla provides financial support to eligible care leavers who are engaged in a qualifying educational course or training programme. The aftercare allowance amounts to €300 per week and is dependent on the eligible young adult attending an accredited education course, third level course or training programme as outlined in the young adult’s Aftercare Plan. The allowance is provided to cover a young adults day to day costs, including accommodation as they progress in their chosen accredited course or training program. Officials will continue to engage with and support Tusla in improving aftercare services for care leavers.
I am aware that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is an area of genuine concern for foster carers. The PfG contains a commitment to develop a pension solution for foster carers in recognition of the enormous contribution they make to vulnerable children in our society, and to acknowledge their long-term commitment and to ensure that they are supported and valued after their fostering years. It should be noted that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is a matter which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection. I look forward to working closely with the Minister for Social Protection and Government colleagues, to progress efforts to improve pension provision for foster carers.
I welcome the recent announcement of the extension of eligibility for the Back to School Allowance to encompass foster carers. This measure is an important step in the Government’s commitment to providing further support to children in foster care. Payment of the Allowance falls wholly under the remit of the Department of Social Protection, and is aimed at helping families with the extra costs of clothing and footwear while attending school.
While I understand that there may be some concern among foster carers that the Allowance will be based on household income, I would note that the foster care allowance is disregarded for the purposes of this Allowance.
With regard to therapeutic services for children in care, Tusla has committed to a strategic approach seeking to deliver an integrated framework for these services as part of a three-year plan to establish the high-level framework and operating model for Tusla Therapeutic Services. As part of this plan Tusla has established multi-disciplinary teams across six service areas by recruiting Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists to work with existing therapeutic staff such as psychologists.
Tusla this year set out a specific action within its 2025 Business Plan to enhance the provision of its therapeutic services at regional level in line with its reform programme, with €2.38m in expenditure planned for this purpose. Any additional funding requirements in respect of Tusla’s Therapeutic Services in Budget 2026 will be given due consideration by officials in my Department.
I have met with a number of foster care stakeholder bodies since becoming Minister for Children, including the Irish Foster Care Association, and I am keenly aware of the current challenges facing the sector. As Minister I fully intend to prioritise foster care and ensure that we build upon the suite of supports of which foster carers can avail.
Childcare Services
Questions (156)
Mark Ward
Question:156. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the options available to parents whose creche or preschool provider does not allow for part time attendance, and so charge parents for full time attendance; the way in which this operates in terms of the national childcare scheme; if parents who have no alternative options can qualify for coverage of the full 45 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50651/25]
View answerWritten answers
Many families avail of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) as a way to reduce the cost of their early learning and childcare.
NCS subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of weekly hours that the subsidy will be paid for. It should be noted that early learning and childcare providers are private entities and set their own fees; those signed up as Partner Services are required to comply with Core Funding fee caps. It is also between the parent and provider to agree on the hours of childcare based on the family's requirements.
My Department will commence an evaluation of the NCS this year. As part of this evaluation the NCS rules will be examined to identify ways in which parents can be further supported with their childcare costs. The Department is also developing an Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare system, further details of which will be announced in due course.
Finally, I would advise parents who are experiencing difficulty in finding a suitable childcare place to contact their local City and County Childcare Committee (CCC) who can advise them of alternative arrangements in their area. Further details can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/.
Child and Family Agency
Questions (157)
Willie O'Dea
Question:157. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is satisfied with the level of service TUSLA is providing for the protection of children; if Tusla will be hiring more staff to deal with the significant caseloads and to ensure children get consistent follow-up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50687/25]
View answerWritten answers
Both Tusla and the Department are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of child protection and welfare. The Child Care Act, 1991 is the statutory framework for child welfare and protection in Ireland.
Tusla is very much a demand led service and operates in a challenging environment. Tusla expects to handle some 105,000 referrals this year, up from 96,666 last year. I wish to acknowledge the work of Tusla in meeting these challenges.
The Department’s funding to Tusla has increased steadily year-on-year for the past five years. There has been almost a 50% increase in core funding levels over 2020-2025 (€817m to €1,200m). Tusla received over €144 million (14%) increase in funding in 2025, giving a total budget of more than €1.257 billion. This is the third consecutive year that total Tusla funding will be over one billion euro. Tusla also received funding of approximately €60m from the Department of Education in 2025. Since its inception in 2014, Tusla has effectively seen its budget more than double and has also expanded its workforce by approximately 57%.
By the end of May 2025, Tusla employed 5,409 whole-time equivalent staff, representing an increase of 330 (7.39%) Whole Time Equivalents over May 2024 levels.
This Department is supporting Tusla regarding a number of initiatives by the Agency to retain and recruit social workers and other disciplines to meet the demand for services. Staff retention and the increase in referrals are key factors contributing to the challenges.
To further boost staffing levels, several initiatives are underway:
• a new Special Care Worker grade, offering a top salary nearly 20% higher than the standard Social Care Worker grade and over 3% higher than the Social Care Leader grade;
• a Social Work apprenticeship programme, launched in partnership with the HSE and UCC in 2024, supporting earn-as-you-learn trainees on the path to qualification. Tusla welcomed 36 apprentices in 2024 and a further 77 in 2025 under this programme.
• To enable CORU accreditation and formal establishment of a Social Care apprenticeship in 2026, Tusla has recently launched a work-based learning programme, leading to a BA in Social Care, which will act as a pilot for an apprenticeship scheme. Tusla has welcomed 18 work-based learners to this programme in 2025.
Further increases to Tusla funding are being sought as a part of Budget 2026, this reflects the current and increased demand for Tusla services across society. This Department, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Tusla are working closely to progress this process in the leadup to Budget 2026.
Childcare Services
Questions (158)
Mattie McGrath
Question:158. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason a child with a disability who attends a childcare setting under the NCS is being penalised by a reduction in NCS subsidies due to regular attendance at medical appointments and essential therapies; the reason allowances cannot be made for attendance at essential therapies/appointments without loss of NCS hours; if she will urgently review this matter to ensure that children with disabilities who are attending much needed therapies are not being penalised or discriminated against by the NCS by removal of hours due to regular nonattendance (while attending appointments); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50703/25]
View answerWritten answers
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) design includes a number of features to enhance flexibility and access to early learning and childcare. In particular NCS subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of weekly hours that the subsidy will be paid for i.e. 45 weekly hours.
The parent and provider agree the hours of childcare registered by considering what the family requires and what the provider can offer in terms of available sessions. The NCS Subsidy is applied to the hours that have been agreed between both parties – subject to the attendance rules.
This is a key financial and governance control to ensure that public money is being used responsibly.
Notwithstanding the above, the Department recognises that there are many reasons why a child’s attendance may occasionally be less than their registered hours. This could be due to, for example, an illness or attendance at appointments – or simply a parent being able to collect their child earlier than usual. Firstly, the NCS enables Providers to round up a child’s daily attendance to the nearest full hour, therefore if a child attends 4.12hrs, this may be recorded as 5hrs.
Additionally, the NCS under-attendance policy provides additional flexibility for families. Children may under-attend their registered hours for up to 12 weeks without any reduction in subsidy. For context, if a child under-attends for 8 weeks in a row, a notification will issue to both parent and provider indicating that the subsidy will be reduced if under-attendance continues for a further four weeks (i.e. a total of 12 consecutive weeks). However, if the child attends their fully registered hours, for at least one week (prior to the 12th week), the cycle resets and the subsidy remains unaffected.
To be clear, subsidies will only be reduced if the child is either continuously absent from a service, or not using the agreed hours for a prolonged period.
It should also be noted that in addition to this policy, two types of special circumstances are available to parents:
1) ‘Non-attendance exemptions’
Exemptions of this type are granted in the below circumstances where a child has been absent for more than 4 weeks:
|
Qualifying Circumstance |
Max. Absence for which Subsidy is payable |
|
Immediate family bereavement |
6 weeks |
|
Extended travel, once a year, to the birthplace of the child or either of the child’s parents |
6 weeks |
|
Family moving into or out of emergency accommodation |
6 weeks |
|
Child moving into, or out of, care placement |
6 weeks |
|
Prolonged illness (more than four weeks) of either the child of parent |
At discretion of Pobal, up to max. 12 weeks |
2) ‘Under-attendance exemptions’
Exceptional circumstances for under-attendance of 8 weeks, or more, are applicable where there is regular attendance at medical or therapeutic appointments by the child, parent or sibling.
Where these circumstances arise, subsidies may continue to be paid for a further 4 weeks. This means that under-attendance can continue for 16 weeks without affecting the subsidy – as opposed to the standard 12 weeks previously outlined.
More information on the above is available through the following link, under ‘Managing your child’s attendance’: www.ncs.gov.ie/en/claims-guide/. Parents seeking further support may also wish to contact the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Question No. 159 answered with Question No. 151.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Questions (160)
Barry Heneghan
Question:160. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will urgently address the ongoing disparity in pay, entitlements, and working conditions between early childhood educators and primary school teachers; the timeline for implementing full pay parity and professional recognition for early years educators, particularly those with level eight qualifications working in Montessori and early years settings who continue to earn as little as €15 per hour with no benefits; if the graduate premium under core funding is being fully implemented across all eligible services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50744/25]
View answerWritten answers
Pay is one of a number of issues impacting the early learning and care and school-age childcare workforce. The level of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners does not reflect the value of their work for children, families, society and the economy.
As the State is not the employer of staff in the sector, neither I nor the Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.
The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders.
I acknowledge the Joint Labour Committee is independent in its functions, and I do not have a role in its statutory negotiation processes. However, outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding, which in the programme year 2025/26 will increase by 6% to €350 million. An additional €45 million has been ringfenced to support employers meet the costs of further increases to the minimum rates of pay and is contingent on updated Employment Regulation Orders.
Through the Joint Labour Committee process, Employment Regulation Orders have been signed into law in September 2022 and June 2024 to progressively increase average wage rates in the sector for staff at different grades by approximately 13%.
I have been informed, the Joint Labour Committee, after public consultation, have agreed on proposed increases in minimum rates of pay and have sent the proposals to the Labour Court for adoption in line with the requirements of the Industrial Relations Act 1946. If adopted and established as Employment Regulation Orders these proposals are another welcome step in the process of improving pay in the sector and may see minimum hourly rates of pay for graduate lead educators increase to €17.50.
Core Funding also incorporates specific funding to support the cost of graduates in the sector via Graduate Premiums.
At the end of the recently concluded 2024/25 programme year almost 3,000 services were receiving Graduate Premiums – with no indication that eligible services are not attracting graduate premiums.
The improvement of pay and conditions is a key enabler for the implementation of ‘Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare 2022 – 2028’, which sets out a strategic framework for professional development, career progression, and workforce sustainability for the sector.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (161)
Michael Murphy
Question:161. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will review the current policy on the provision and financial support for hearing aids, in view of the case of a person who has had severe hearing loss since birth, who has relied on hearing aids since childhood, and who now, as an adult in full-time employment, faces costs of €2,000–€5,000 per device every four years; if she will consider extending free provision of hearing aids, similar to the support available for cochlear implants, or significantly increasing the subsidy available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50715/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides hearing aids and associated maintenance free of charge to children under the age of 18 and to adults with a medical card. Further information regarding the HSE's audiology service can be found at: www2.hse.ie/services/audiology/.
In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. Further information can be found at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/.
The Treatment Benefit Scheme, operated by the Department of Social Protection, provides for healthcare services to qualified people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. This includes up to €1,000 for a pair of hearing aids, and up to €100 toward repairs, within a 4-year calendar period. Further information can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/service/1fb655-treatment-benefit-scheme/. Any changes to these grants would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
Individuals who do not possess a medical card or who are not eligible for the Treatment Benefit Scheme would have to purchase hearing aids privately from a commercial provider. If the individual has private health insurance, it may cover hearing aid costs. Hearing aids are exempt from VAT. People may also be entitled to claim tax relief at the standard rate of tax (20%) on the purchase of hearing aids where prescribed.
Mental Health Services
Questions (162)
Colm Burke
Question:162. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the details of the actions being taken to raise the level of psychotherapy standards and criteria; the level with which she and her Department have engaged with the sector on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50512/25]
View answerWritten answers
CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. CORU’s role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended), including setting the standards that health and social care professionals must meet to be eligible for registration and maintaining registers of persons who meet those standards.
The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board (CPRB) was established in 2019, tasked with establishing regulation for the two professions of ‘counsellor’ and ‘psychotherapist’.
The publication of the Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes represents a significant milestone for the counselling and psychotherapy professions in Ireland. It is an important step towards the introduction of statutory regulation for both. Ireland is now the first country in the world to establish distinct regulatory standards for entry to both professions.
The recent publication of the Consultation Report relating to Psychotherapists (link provided below) offers a detailed examination of the consultation process undertaken by CORU and the CPRB to establish the pre-registration education and training requirements for both professions. The document notes that, in relation to psychotherapists, the Board concluded that the application of knowledge, skills and competency descriptors for National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 9 aligned with and directly reflected the level of demand identified in the Standards. It is also explained that the threshold level of qualification as set in the Criteria is determined based on the content of the Standards.
The engagement regarding this process has been via CORU and the CPRB. The Board acknowledges the valuable engagement from members of both professions, counsellors and psychotherapists, throughout this process. Nearly 700 individuals responded to the public consultation, including educators, professional bodies and existing practitioners.
Following the consultation, the Board reviewed every submission carefully and used the feedback to shape the final documents. The published Standards and Criteria reflect that input and the ongoing engagement between the Board and stakeholders, including representatives from both professions.
Doc 1: www.coru.ie/public-protection/publications/consultation-reports/counsellors-psychotherapists-registration-board/cprb-public-consultation-report-psychotherapists.pdf.
It should be noted that the CPRB is the regulatory body that has independent statutory responsibility for these decisions. CORU has kept my officials appraised of progress, and my officials have engaged with professional bodies as requested and continue to remain open to this engagement.
Health Services
Questions (163)
Colm Burke
Question:163. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that a person (details supplied) with an aggressive form of leukaemia, can be permitted to receive Car T-cell therapy; if it will be reimbursed in view of the fact the person is over 25 years-of-age, due to their conditions and the significant efficacy in this treatment for relapsed, refracted B-ALL as advised by their clinician; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50521/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Legislative Measures
Questions (164)
Liam Quaide
Question:164. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the timeline for bringing forward the Health (Adult Safeguarding) Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50534/25]
View answerWritten answers
Safeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse is a key objective of my Department, every statutory body under its aegis and every relevant service that interacts with such adults. A framework of standards, policies and procedures for safeguarding adults in the health and social care sector is in place, and further measures are being developed to strengthen this framework.
The Programme for Government 2025 "Securing Ireland’s Future" includes a commitment to publish a national policy on adult safeguarding for the health and social care sector. This policy will provide a framework for strengthening safeguards across all care settings. My Department, in liaison with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, is currently finalising this new safeguarding policy and I expect this sector wide policy will be brought before Government shortly.
The new policy will build on the structures and processes that are already in place to protect against abuse. Importantly, it will commit to the introduction of safeguarding legislation in the sector and will set out, at a high level, proposed new legislative provisions.
To facilitate the development of appropriate legislation to underpin this sectoral policy, the Government has included a Health (Adult Safeguarding) Bill in its current Legislation Programme. Preparation of this legislation will commence once the national policy has been approved by Government.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (165)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:165. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of public patients from 2021 to 2025 on waiting lists in Cork University Hospital who have received care via insourcing activity; the extent to which this has activity reduced waiting lists, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50547/25]
View answerWritten answers
It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I published the Waiting List Action Plan (WLAP) for 2025 in February, representing this Government’s commitment to reducing waiting times for patients and improving access to hospital care.
In keeping with this commitment, significant funding of €420m was allocated to the Waiting List Action Plan for 2025, €190m for the HSE and €230m for the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).
With the 2025 plan, we are continuing to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, progressing towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
In relation to the particular query raised about insourcing activity in Cork University Hospital, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Ambulance Service
Questions (166)
Cathal Crowe
Question:166. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health her views regarding the national ambulance service being under-resourced in terms of the low number of ambulances in its fleet and a lack of paramedics to give full coverage to the County Clare with maximum time efficiency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50568/25]
View answerWritten answers
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) received a HSE National Service Plan allocation of €285 million in 2025, representing a significant increase on investment in previous years.
The 2025 allocation includes €8 million in funding for new service developments, which will deliver 180 additional posts in the NAS to strengthen frontline emergency services, expand NAS alternative care pathways and support continued development of NAS specialist services such as the NAS Critical Care Retrieval Service.
Concerning the Deputy's specific inquiry concerning NAS resourcing in Co Clare, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Ambulance Service
Questions (167)
Cathal Crowe
Question:167. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reasons an ambulance required for an infant child (details supplied) in County Clare was delayed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50569/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Strategies
Questions (168)
Pádraig Rice
Question:168. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 378 of 22 May 2025, the status of the long-awaited National Endometriosis Framework; the timeline being worked towards in reaching an agreement between an organisation (details supplied) and the HSE; if she expects this framework to be published by the end of 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50611/25]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme has led on the development of the National Endometriosis Framework and on the expansion of existing endometriosis services. The Framework formalises a defined clinical pathway for women with endometriosis. Following extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, the Framework is being finalised for publication. The Framework will be supported by a General Practice Update for GPs, helping to better inform primary care and further raise awareness of endometriosis and how it presents within the primary care setting. The completed framework will be published shortly.
Health Services Staff
Questions (169)
Pádraig Rice
Question:169. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she intends to introduce advanced practice posts for medical scientists; the work carried out to date to progress this role under the HSCP Advanced Practice Framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50612/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Health is currently developing the Policy on Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care Professions. The development of an evidence-based policy is progressing, with work underway by officials in the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Health and Social Care Professions (HSCP) office.
Budget 2025 provided funding to support continued growth of Advanced Practice in nursing and midwifery and to enable these roles to be rolled out for the first time for Health and Social Care Professionals.
The HSE has established a multi-stakeholder Advanced Practice Implementation Oversight Group (APIOG) focused on the development of HSCP Advanced Practice services. The 2025 HSCP Advanced Practice identification and selection process was developed by the APIOG to ensure transparent, evidence-based, and strategically aligned decision-making for the allocation of Advanced Practice resources.
Proposals across the HSCP disciplines, including medical science, were assessed for implementation following this process. The Candidate Advanced Practitioner HSCP posts in 2025 do not include Candidate Advanced Practitioners in medical science. The process remains open to future proposals and further roll out of Advanced Practice HSCP as evidence and readiness develop.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (170)
Pádraig Rice
Question:170. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she intends to establish a national biobank office and introduce primary biobanking legislation, as recommended by the Irish Health Research Forum in 2023; if so, the timeline she is working towards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50613/25]
View answerWritten answers
Under the current legal framework for health research in Ireland, it is already required that appropriate consent is gathered upon collection or reuse of bio-samples and that researchers obtain ethics approval prior to undertaking any health research. As such there are institutional supports in place in academic and clinical settings to ensure appropriate use of bio-samples.
Officials in my Department are continuing to work with colleagues in the Health Research Board, the HSE, and the wider health research community, to examine biobanking in Ireland and assess the need for any national legislation or policy which can support the health research community and our national priorities across the health research agenda. Officials from my Department are also regular contributors to the Health Research Forum, and these engagements I hope will continue to be valuable in pursuing our goals and objectives in this regard.
Legislative Measures
Questions (171)
Pádraig Rice
Question:171. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of the national research ethics bill, approved by Government in 2019; to expand on the comment “work is ongoing”, as per the Autumn Legislative Programme; if her attention has been brought to the views of a representative organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50614/25]
View answerWritten answers
A government decision was taken in July 2019 not to progress the initial draft National Research Ethics Bill and to instead prioritise secondary legislation to support national level committees for clinical trials, medical device clinical investigations and performance studies of in vitro diagnostic medical devices. Since 2022 a National Office for National Research Ethics Committees has provided administrative support for high-functioning national committees while extensive deliberations are also underway in terms of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of HSE research ethics committees.
Officials in my Department are continuing to review the full range of appropriate legislative provisions that will be required to support our national objectives including what steps we need to take in preparing for the forthcoming European Health Data Space Regulation, enhancing the national clinical trials landscape and ensuring a robust and sustainable research ethics system.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (172)
Pádraig Rice
Question:172. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide further details as to her instruction to her officials to engage with concerns related to the exclusion of transgender people from the free HRT scheme (details supplied); the groups or bodies her officials are engaging with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50615/25]
View answerWritten answers
As outlined in my response to previous parliamentary questions, the current provision of the Free HRT Arrangement, legislated for under the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024, limits eligibility to those whose healthcare provider has prescribed HRT to alleviate the symptoms of menopause.
The legislation includes the following definitions which limits the arrangement to the treatment of the symptoms of all stages of menopause:
• “‘menopause’ means, in relation to a woman, the various stages related to menopause and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause and medically induced menopause;
• ‘menopause products’ means hormone replacement therapy drugs, medicines and surgical and medical appliances used to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, which are for the time being on the Reimbursement List.”
At this time there are no plans to expand eligibility of the free HRT arrangement beyond this.
However, in respect of transgender healthcare more generally, the Programme for Government 2025 outlines a commitment to ensuring a transgender healthcare service that is based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness, and compassion.
A new clinical programme for gender healthcare has been initiated by the HSE and an updated clinical model for gender healthcare services is being developed. This work will inform an implementation plan for its delivery.
Developing a Model of Care for Gender Healthcare Services is expected to be a complex process. As such, the HSE and officials in my department will work closely together to support the process, ensure transparency and keep the patient at the centre of the process. It is important that the HSE is given time to develop a model of care that is based on the best clinical evidence and that will deliver the best outcomes for person with gender incongruence or dysphoria.
Health Services
Questions (173)
Paul Donnelly
Question:173. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of locations and practitioners that publicly provide frenotomy services for babies with tongue tie issues. [50642/25]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.