Written Answers Nos. 324-347
324. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health if she will urgently review the case of a child (details supplied) in County Longford who requires orthodontic treatment; if she will outline the current waiting times for orthodontic assessment and treatment in the Longford area; and if she will ensure that this case is prioritised given the circumstances and the financial hardship faced by their parent. [55804/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
325. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies within University Hospital Kerry, broken down by specific role and department, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55812/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
326. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of children on CAMHS waiting lists in Kerry, broken down by area and by length of time, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55813/25]
View answer330. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies that exist within CAMHS in County Kerry, broken down by area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55817/25]
View answer331. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for CAMHS by community health organisation, age category and time waiting in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55818/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 330 and 331 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
327. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of people on occupational therapy waiting lists in Kerry, broken down by area and by length of time, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55814/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
328. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting dental appointments in Kerry, broken down by area and by length of time, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55815/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
329. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of people on physiotherapy waiting lists in Kerry, broken down by area and by length of time, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55816/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
332. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure that the consultant psychiatrist of a person (details supplied) will be permitted to diagnose them with ADHD and prescribe appropriate medication if necessary. [55819/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
333. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of buildings on HSE hospital sites that do not have planning permission; if this affects their ability to get fire certification; and if a lack of fire certification threatens insurance cover. [55820/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
334. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the outsourcing of hospital services at University Hospital Kerry, broken down by Department, procedure and cost in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55837/25]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
335. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to expanding the new HRT scheme to include the drug veoza; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55882/25]
View answerUnder the State-funded Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) arrangement, the current provision is for free HRT products for the treatment of menopause symptoms as this is the most commonly used treatment for managing menopausal symptoms and has shown to be the most effective intervention.
It is important to acknowledge that there are women who are contraindicated for the use of HRT in treating their menopause symptoms, and there are women who choose not to take HRT in some instances. In these cases, it is important to discuss options with a GP, or in some cases an oncologist, to decide the best course of action for the treatment of these symptoms.
Some women experiencing more complex symptoms, including those who are contraindicated for the use of HRT, may be referred to one of our Specialist Menopause Clinics for continued care free of charge.
There are no plans to expand the scope of this arrangement at this time.
336. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, whether transgender men who have undergone oophorectomies are eligible for the scheme; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55900/25]
View answerUnder the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) measure, which came into effect on 1 June 2025, where a woman has been prescribed a HRT product by her healthcare provider for the purpose of alleviating the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products, and the dispensing fees will be met by the State.
This measure is intended to support the management of the symptoms of menopause and, therefore, relates to the provision of treatment for the symptoms a specific medical condition/life stage i.e. menopause. HRT is the most commonly used treatment for managing symptoms of menopause and has shown to be the most effective intervention.
Menopause has been highlighted as a key priority area by the Women’s Health Taskforce. It is a key action in the Women’s Health Action Plans. A number of measures have been implemented in recent years to improve the experience of menopause for women in Ireland, including this HRT arrangement.
The diagnosis of any medical condition and the prescribing of treatment for said condition is a matter for a patient and healthcare provider to discuss.
337. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, the reason for the distinction being made in the implementation of the free HRT scheme between women experiencing menopausal symptoms as a consequence of surgical removal of the ovaries, and women born without ovaries who are experiencing the same symptoms. [55901/25]
View answerUnder the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) measure, which came into effect on 1 June 2025, where a woman has been prescribed a HRT product by her healthcare provider for the purpose of alleviating the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products, and the dispensing fees will be met by the State.
This measure is intended to support the management of the symptoms of menopause and, therefore, relates to the provision of treatment for the symptoms a specific medical condition/life stage i.e. menopause. HRT is the most commonly used treatment for managing symptoms of menopause and has shown to be the most effective intervention.
Menopause has been highlighted as a key priority area by the Women’s Health Taskforce. It is a key action in the Women’s Health Action Plans. A number of measures have been implemented in recent years to improve the experience of menopause for women in Ireland, including this HRT arrangement.
The diagnosis of any medical condition and the prescribing of treatment for said condition is a matter for a patient and healthcare provider to discuss.
338. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health for an update on progress regarding the commencement of section 232 of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024; if Court Rules have been changed to accommodate this new provision; if there are any legal barriers to its commencement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55904/25]
View answerSection 232 of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 will amend section 20 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. This will allow for a declaration of parentage to be obtained in circumstances where a donor assisted human reproduction (DAHR) procedure did not take place in a clinical setting and in cases where a known donor was used, providing that the donor consents to the granting of the declaration. This will apply to DAHR procedures which have taken place prior to the commencement of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, i.e. prior to 4th May 2020.
As these amendments concern procedures before the District and Circuit Court, it is necessary that the relevant Rules of Court are updated to reflect the changes to be introduced, and before Section 232 of the 2024 Act can be commenced.
Officials in my Department have been working with their colleagues in the Courts Service in the preparation of updated Rules of Court for the District and Circuit Courts.
Consideration of the updated Rules of Court for the District Courts commenced at the meeting of that Committee on 24th September and will continue at their next meeting, which is scheduled for November. The Rules for the Circuit Courts will be considered at the next meeting of that Committee which will take place in October.
Once these changes have been approved by the Committees, they will then need to be submitted for concurrence by the Minister for Justice. Following concurrence from that Minister, it will be possible to commence section 232 of the 2024 Act, which I intend to do as soon as is practicable thereafter.
339. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health if funding has been extended to doner-assisted IVF as part of the allocation to her Department in Budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55905/25]
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:
https://www2.hse.ie/pregnancy-birth/trying-for-a-baby/your-fertility/getting-ivf-icsi-iui-hse/
or on public fertility services more generally at:
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/fertility/treatment/
Up to October 10th 2025, over 3,100 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. This will obviously include consideration of additional funding requirements which may ensue from any proposed expansion of the initiative.
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.
340. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health if a budget line has been provided for the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Agency as part of her Department’s Budget 2026 allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55906/25]
View answerThe Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was signed into law by the President on 2 July 2024.
I am pleased to say that I have signed Orders formally establishing the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA), as provided for in the legislation, and appointing the first Board, including a Chairperson, from 13 October 2025. It should be emphasised that the AHR legislation will provide for the introduction, for the first time, of a new regulatory environment for a wide range of complex practices within Ireland and, indeed, in respect of surrogacy and donor-assisted human reproduction procedures, potentially even some undertaken in other jurisdictions. It is important that establishing a new state agency in this environment is done in a way that can allow it to operate effectively in order to deliver its statutory functions.
Even now that it has been formally established, the Deputy will note that it is going to take some time for the AHRRA to be fully operational as it will be responsible for a considerable number of very complex functions. Since the Board has just been put in place, and the agency has just come into legal existence, it does not have any staff as yet. It is a function of the Board to appoint those staff, including the chief executive officer, for which a campaign is underway. It will be a matter for the Board and the CEO to identify the other skills and competencies that will be required to enable the agency to begin working on the functions provided for the AHRRA in the legislation.
An appropriate budget allocation will be provided for the AHRRA in 2026. While I am not in a position to confirm the exact amount at this time as it is subject to finalisation, I can assure the Deputy that the allocation will be adequate for the purposes of ensuring the AHRRA is staffed appropriately and can put in place the processes necessary to start fulfilling its functions. It is my intention that all appropriate supports will be provided by my Department to ensure the AHRRA can operate with the highest standards of prudence, ethics and transparency as set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and can start delivering on the statutory mandate provided for it in the Act.
341. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health for an update on a building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55907/25]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
342. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health for an update on a building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55908/25]
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.
343. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants there were for the PRES exams this year, and for the last five years. [55912/25]
View answer344. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the capacity numbers each year for the PRES Exam 2 and PRES Exam 3 within the State. [55913/25]
View answer345. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health who the provider for the PRES exams is, and the cost to the State, for each of the last five years. [55914/25]
View answer346. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the main reason cited by the Medical Council for applicants who are not able to sit the PRES 2 and PRES 3 exam in the year they apply, and have to wait until the next round of exams come up as the places are limited; if there is a reason why the capacity cannot be increased; and the number of times per year PRES 2 and PRES 3 exams are held. [55915/25]
View answer348. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health of the doctors who have done the PRES 3 exam in the last five years, the number that are still registered with the Medical Council to date. [55917/25]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos 343,344,345,346 and 348 together.
The PRES exams are the Medical Council’s pre-registration exams and doctors who have qualified outside of the EU and wish to apply for general registration are required to pass or be exempt from these exams. They are comprised of two assessments; a computer based written examination (PRES Level 2) and a clinical based examination (PRES Level 3).
The PRES 2 exams are held 4 times a year and there are 50 places in each sitting which meets the current demand. If demand for places grows, there is flexibility to increase capacity.
The UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) is the service provider in respect of the PRES 2 exams. Costs are based on the number of candidates and are met in full by the exam fees paid.
The PRES 2 exams re-commenced in May 2023, having ceased for a number of years when applicants were instead required to pass one of four overseas exams deemed equivalent to PRES 2. 43 doctors sat the PRES 2 exam in 2023. 113 doctors sat the PRES 2 exam in 2024, and 186 doctors have taken the exam in 2025 to date.
The PRES Level 3 exams are facilitated and co-ordinated by the medical schools in Ireland, and the number of available places depends on the availability and capacity of the medical schools to host the exams.
The cost of the PRES 3 exams is covered by the exam fees paid by candidates, with any shortfall being met by the Medical Council. As the Deputy is aware the Medical Council is an independent regulatory body and is funded by fees paid by doctors. In recent years, my Department has provided funding which covers two attempts at both the PRES 2 and the PRES 3 exams by doctors from Ukraine and doctors who have been granted international protection in Ireland.
The table below sets out the detail requested by the Deputy in relation to the PRES 3 exams.
|
- |
Number of exams per year |
Number of exam places available |
Number of applications received |
Number of places offered |
Number who sat the exam |
|
2020 |
Not held in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2021 |
1* |
78 |
56 |
56 |
54 |
|
2022 |
2 |
100 |
81 |
81 |
75 |
|
2023 |
2 |
98 |
103 |
98 |
87 |
|
2024 |
2 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
84 |
|
2025 (to date) |
1** |
60 |
197 |
60 |
60 |
*Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions in place, the exam was offered to all eligible applicants who were based in Ireland at the time
**Two additional exams yet to take place later this year – with a further 80 places allotted in total over these two dates
From 2021 to date, 279 doctors have passed the PRES 3 exam. Of these, 266 doctors are currently active on the register.
I am aware that currently the number of sittings of the PRES 3 exam is not meeting the demand for places and I have asked the Medical Council to revert to me with proposals to increase capacity and address the rising demand. I understand that the Council is actively exploring different avenues and options in this regard. Officials in my Department will continue to engage with the Council to progress this matter.
347. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of doctors/locums that have taken up the rural GP programme in each of the last five years. [55916/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
