Written Answers Nos. 313-335
313. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an occupational therapy appointment for child (details supplied) whose mother has been waiting an extensive period of time for intervention; if she will outline a timeline for the occupational therapy treatment plan for this child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54523/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
314. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 683 of 11 February 2025, to provide an update regarding a hip operation for a person (details supplied). [54258/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
315. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if she will consider the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54264/25]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, "no wait" cards are issued by patient organisations for members to indicate to businesses and public facilities that the holder has a medical condition that necessitates urgent access to toilet facilities in the event of an emergency.
As Minister for Health, I have no functions relating to the provision of, or access to, public toilets or those situated in private businesses. The provision of public facilities, where they exist, is a matter for Local Authorities which are under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. As a result, my Department have no plans to put these cards on a legal footing.
316. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if her Department will consider reviewing the HSE assisted human reproductive scheme to allow for reciprocal IVF to be covered under the scheme to ensure that same sex couples are not excluded from obtaining financial assistance when seeking IVF; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54270/25]
View answerThe Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This Model of Care comprises three elements, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., the six Regional Fertility Hubs located across the country) and, where necessary, the provision of AHR (assisted human reproduction) treatment (e.g., IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) and IUI (intrauterine insemination)), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Referrals for publicly-funded, privately-provided AHR treatment commenced in September 2023, subject to patients meeting the criteria agreed by the Department and the HSE in order to avail of the fully-funded AHR services. These criteria are very much in keeping with those applied in other jurisdictions, even though in most European countries, for instance, such treatments are only partially funded and require often significant out-of-pocket payments by patients.
More information is available on the HSE website in respect of the publicly-funded AHR treatment initiative at:
www2.hse.ie/pregnancy-birth/trying-for-a-baby/your-fertility/getting-ivf-icsi-iui-hse/
or on public fertility services more generally at:
www2.hse.ie/conditions/fertility-problems-treatments/fertility-treatment/
Up to the end of September 2025, over 3,000 couples had been referred by a Reproductive Specialist Consultant for AHR treatment, following extensive investigations and/or secondary level treatment within the Regional Fertility Hubs. Furthermore, the Hubs have successfully and directly managed thousands more patients presenting with fertility-related issues who have been referred by their GP. Not all couples experiencing fertility challenges actually require such advanced and invasive interventions as IVF.
I was pleased to announce recently that, from June 30th 2025, an important criterion for accessing state-funded AHR treatment has been broadened. Couples with one existing child in their relationship, and who meet all the other current access criteria, can now access publicly-funded AHR treatment. including one full cycle of IVF or ICSI, if they are referred for same by a Reproductive Specialist Consultant within one of the six HSE-run Regional Fertility Hubs. Previously, couples with one child in their current relationship were not eligible to access publicly-funded AHR treatment.
There are complex regulatory and clinical issues to be considered in respect of certain categories of AHR treatment. In the case of treatment involving the use of donated gametes, while there is regulation at European level concerning the quality and safety of procedures involving donated gametes, and the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 deals with matters relating to parentage and the right to identity of donor-conceived children arising from such procedures, there are still a number of further clinical and regulatory requirements regarding the donation and use of donated gametes which are planned to be introduced through AHR legislation.
Ireland does not currently have a donation bank but arrangements between private AHR treatment providers in Ireland and third-party providers located in other countries are in place. However, if applicable, these would require likely further clinical and regulatory oversight before they form part of treatment offered through the Irish public healthcare system.
As new evidence becomes available and an even greater understanding of how the service provision is working in practice emerges, the access criteria and the AHR treatment initiative generally are being kept under ongoing review. Further potential changes to the access criteria or the initiative requires continued extensive consultation between Department officials, colleagues in the HSE and also with relevant specialists in the field of reproductive medicine.
It should be noted that supports previously available to patients who access IVF, or other AHR treatment, privately, whereby tax relief on the costs involved can be claimed under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme, continues to be provided.
In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Arrangements administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and authorised for supply to the client’s nominated community pharmacy by the High Tech Hub managed by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the client’s eligibility, i.e., Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme. The annual cost to the State of the financial support for these medicines is far from insignificant.
I want to reassure you that my Department and the Government are focused, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, on ensuring that patients receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the most effective deployment of finite public resources.
317. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the status of the Glanmire primary healthcare centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54279/25]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
318. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot receive requested information about her HSE pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54280/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
319. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the fact that the South Dublin Primary Care referrals office has no contact details available (details supplied); if she will instruct her Department to revise the system and ensure that it confirms that referrals have been received, provides information to parents as to whether their child is on a waiting list, and the expected timelines and provide access to accurate contact information for referral offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54310/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
320. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to correspondence sent to her by an organisation (details supplied); the action she will take to address the concerns raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54312/25]
View answerIn alignment with international best practice and evidence-based research, national health policy (including the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy) emphasises the importance of supporting mothers to breastfeed as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) established the WHO International Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes to promote safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breastfeeding and by ensuring the proper use of breast-milk substitutes. The Code applies to breast milk substitutes (infant formula) when marketed or otherwise represented to be suitable, with or without modification, for use as a partial or total replacement of breast milk.
Under EU legislation, the requirements for promotional and commercial practices for infant formula are set out in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127. These measures are designed so that the marketing and distribution of infant formula does not interfere with the protection and promotion of breastfeeding.
Public health authorities, which includes the Department of Health, are referred to in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act with regard to consultation with the Coimisiún na Meán on the development of media service and online safety codes relating to the marketing of foods high in fat, salt and sugar and also follow on formula, where there is a public health concern with regard to the health of children. Officials in the Department of Health meet regularly with the Coimisiún na Meán to discuss developments in relation to such codes.
The Department of Health submitted a response to the consultation held by the Coimisiún na Meán in January 2024 in relation to the advertising of high fat, salt and sugar foods (HFSS) and beverages and infant and follow-on formula to children, stating the importance of introducing codes in relation to these areas. The Healthy Weight for Children Group, comprising of the HSE, Safefood, the Irish Heart Foundation and the Institute of Public Health, also made a submission at that time calling for greater restrictions around HFSS products and breastmilk substitutes.
Coimisiún na Meán held another consultation in December 2024, seeking views on changes that stakeholders may want that are above and beyond those proposed in the current codes and rules issued for consultation in October 2024, with specific questions asked around additions or amendments stakeholders would like to see in relation to the advertising of High Fat, Salt, and Sugar products, and the advertising of infant formula, including follow-on formula. The Department of Health provided a submission to this consultation.
Last year, the Department of Health formed a breastfeeding steering group to research and design the development of a new whole of government breastfeeding policy. While there has been a significant amount of implementation of the actions under the HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan, further implementation of these actions is needed under the development of a new whole of government breastfeeding policy, including implementation of the WHO Code.
In this regard, consultation with Comisiún na Meán is ongoing in the development of the new Obesity Policy and Action Plan and the new Breastfeeding Strategy in respect to regulation of marketing of High fat, salt and sugar foods and for breastmilk substitutes.
321. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the total funding requested by HSE for breastfeeding related supports for Budget 2025; the percentage of the total amount requested that was granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54313/25]
View answerAs this is an service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond direct to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
322. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of spending by her Department on breastfeeding supports, in tabular form, by year, since 2022; how this funding was distributed by CHO and maternity hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54314/25]
View answerAs this is an service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond direct to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
323. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health for a status update on development of the national breastfeeding strategy, the progress and plans for the launch of this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54315/25]
View answerEncouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority, both for the Department of Health (DOH) and for the HSE. The Healthy Ireland Framework, Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy, all emphasise the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
The HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan 2016-2021 is the framework for progressing supports for breastfeeding in Ireland. A HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan Implementation Group was established to oversee delivery of the plan, and a national breastfeeding coordinator was appointed as lead. The Department of Health works closely with the HSE National Breastfeeding coordinator in the implementation of HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2021, which was extended out to 2025.
As indicated in the Programme for Government 2025 "Securing Ireland's Future" the Department of Health intends to build on the work of the HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan through the development of a new "whole of Government" strategy and remains committed to increasing breastfeeding supports to all mothers and families in Ireland.
A Breastfeeding steering group has been established to research and design the development of a whole of government breastfeeding policy. This group is made up of colleagues from the Department of Health, HSE, IPH and other experts in this field.
The Department of Health has held bilateral meetings with many other government departments over the last three months, to discuss their role in supporting the new strategy. A research group has been convened to examine national and international best practice to inform strategy development and will be consulted with throughout the process. The Department has recently selected an independent strategy company to oversee the consultation process and stakeholder engagement and this process is expected to take up to eight months.
It is envisioned that a new Breastfeeding strategy will be published in 2026.
324. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if following the publication of the "Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) on the Island of Ireland: A Guidance Document for Creating an All-Island Preparedness Plan" publication on 28 March 2025, work has commenced of development of an IYCF-E plan, or when work will commence on the development of such a plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54316/25]
View answerThis is an operational issue with respect to Infant Feeding during emergencies, which requires a multi sectoral, co-ordinated response. I have asked the Health Service Executive, as lead for emergency services to respond direct to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
325. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a physiotherapy appointment can be expedited for a person (details supplied). [54338/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
326. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of a case (details supplied); and if she will instruct her Department to provide all necessary facilities to allow the person in question to live independently. [54347/25]
View answerThe Minister is precluded, under section 6 of the HSE Governance Act, from directing the HSE to provide a personal service to any individual,
However, this PQ has been referred directly to the HSE ,to address the operational element of the PQ. This response will be provided directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible
327. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the implementation of additional tests for the newborn bloodspot screening programme for spinal muscular atrophy. [54348/25]
View answerAs Minister for Health, I am determined to support our screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population. Currently, all babies (between 3 and 5 days old) are offered newborn bloodspot screening (generally known as the ‘heel prick’), which tests for nine rare but serious conditions that are treatable if detected early in life.
The Deputy may be aware that a new National Rare Disease Strategy was launched on 27 August. This Strategy aims to ensure that all people living with a rare disease and their families have access to equitable, inclusive and cross-sectoral care throughout their life journey that will enable them to reach their full potential and to live their best lives. Work is ongoing to ensure the full implementation of the Strategy, including the establishment of an Implementation Oversight Group and the development of a detailed implementation plan outlining the actions required to fully achieve the Strategy's 11 recommendations.
Incremental progress continues to be made on the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (NNBSP). In 2023, two recommendations from NSAC on the addition of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to the NNBSP were approved. In Budget 2024, an additional €1.4 million of new development funding was provided to support the SMA/SCID implementation process. Once both conditions have been fully implemented, the number of conditions screened for in Ireland will increase to 11.
In terms of the current implementation status, the HSE has advised that the equipment needed to enable the roll-out testing for SMA and SCID has been procured, and that verification testing has commenced and is progressing well. The recruitment process to hire the additional staff required to support the expansion of the NNBSP has almost concluded and work has commenced on developing screening pathways for both conditions.
Officials in my Department are actively engaged with the HSE to ensure that progress continues on implementing an ambitious timeline for the introduction of screening for SMA and SCID. Nevertheless, I am acutely aware of how difficult it is for parents, families and children who have received a diagnosis of a rare disease, and how challenging daily life can be for them. This is why I remain committed to the further expansion of screening in Ireland in accordance with internationally accepted criteria and best practice.
328. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide the current staffing levels for adult ADHD services in each LHO; and the current waiting list for each, in tabular form. [54352/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
329. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels for each CDNT; the current waiting list for each; and a breakdown of the amount of time people have spent on the waiting list, in tabular form. [54353/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
330. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels for public dentists in Cork from 2020 to date; the current waiting list for public dentists; and a breakdown of the amount of time people have spent on the waiting list, in tabular form. [54354/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
331. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the promised provision of adult inpatient beds for eating disorder treatment; to provide the current number of adult inpatient beds for eating disorder treatment available; to detail the location and applicable catchment area for each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54356/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
332. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health whether she will consider increasing funding for chiropody appointments for older people, in order to maximise ability to live independently; and whether there are additional schemes that an person (details supplied) could avail of to ensure that their mobility will be maximised over the long term. [54411/25]
View answerChiropodists/podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat conditions and abnormalities of the foot and lower limb. Podiatry services can significantly improve a person's quality of life by alleviating painful symptoms and maintaining mobility. The availability of chiropody services provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) varies across the country. Where chiropody services are provided by the HSE the following groups usually get priority:
• Medical card holders who are aged 65 and over
• People who have Health Amendment Act Cards
• People who have illnesses such as diabetes or arthritis
• People with disabilities
People can make enquiries with their GP, Public Health Nurse, or Local Health Office for information about which chiropody services are available in their area.
In County Dublin and County Wicklow primarily, there has been a long-standing chiropody treatment card scheme, where qualified podiatrists can apply to be on a register as a HSE approved chiropodist/podiatrist. Once approved, patients can request to attend the private podiatrist clinic or request a domiciliary visit from a private podiatrist. Medical Card holders over the age of 65 years or people with Diabetes who hold a medical card (or in some cases, a Long Term Illness card), are entitled to apply for a chiropody treatment card. Each person under this scheme can avail of 3-6 treatments per year. The HSE pays the private podiatrist €33.41 for a domiciliary visit and €22.88 for clinical visit. The patients then top up the payment themselves and the fee is determined by the podiatrist.
The HSE provide an extensive range of aids and appliances to individuals living with a wide variety of different medical conditions. These support individuals to continue living within their communities and to enjoy a greater quality of life than would otherwise be the case. The Community Funded Schemes is the collective name for the provision of these products and services.
The HSE established a National Service Improvement Programme for the Community Funded Schemes. The Programme has produced a national list of aids and appliances and associated prescribing criteria. This is available at:
www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/primarycare/community-funded-schemes/aids-and-appliances/.
The intent of this list is to improve equity of access to appropriate aids and appliances, following assessment, for all eligible persons, including those requiring care in their homes.
333. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health when the latest national maternity experience survey will be published. [54413/25]
View answerThe National Care Experience Progamme is a partnership initiative between the Department of Health, the HSE and HIQA. The programme conducts surveys which ask people about their experiences of care in order to improve the quality of health and social care services in Ireland.
The second National Maternity Experience Survey took place in 2025. Women who gave birth in February or March 2025 received an invitation to take part in the survey three months after the birth of their baby. The survey closed on 18 July.
The findings of the survey will be published at the end of 2025.
334. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if a comprehensive review and/or risk assessment of current maternity care at Portiuncula University Hospital was conducted. [54414/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
335. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the additional resources which have been made available for other hospitals who will see a transfer of maternity care in order to manage additional births. [54415/25]
View answerThe safety and quality of our maternity services are of critical importance to the women and families who use them, as well as to this Government.
Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH) plays a vital role in delivering high-quality healthcare services to women.
There are already well-established pathways for the transfer of complex or high-risk pregnancies within the regional maternity network in the HSE West North West Region, which includes PUH and Galway University Hospital (GUH).
Following the publication of the summary report into the care of babies at PUH, an on-site team is overseeing the transfer of care for a group of higher-risk pregnancies to GUH or to another hospital of the woman’s choice.
The reconfiguration of maternity services in PUH to move higher-risk pregnancies off the site will mean that some women who previously attended PUH will now need to travel to GUH or other units for certain aspects of their maternity care. It is acknowledged that this change may create additional travel demands for expectant mothers and their families. The HSE West and North West, through the work of the Implementation Team, are considering what contingencies and supports can reasonably be put in place to assist women affected. The Implementation Team is working to ensure seamless transfer and care.
The HSE is also ensuring sufficient capacity at GUH. This includes additional recruitment and creating dedicated maternity theatre space. A business case has been developed, and the HSE has advised that priority posts have been identified and are progressing through the standard HSE recruitment process. The HSE has also advised that this remains a live business case, subject to further requirements. From October 1st additional capacity has been secured in the main theatre complex in GUH to ensure additional gynaecology theatre capacity is available, enabling more dedicated maternity theatre access. A maternal medicine clinic has also been established in GUH, and is now accepting all referrals made from PUH.
Longer-term, a plan is also in development to create a Level 4 campus at GUH, focusing on several key developments, including improvements to the maternity unit.
This work will continue to progress over the coming months. Close monitoring is continuing within both the HSE and the Department of Health. This includes monitoring of bookings at PUH and other nearby maternity units, to ensure sufficient capacity.
