Written Answers Nos. 730-749
730. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown by hospital and year of the 497 children identified for recall due to pelvic osteotomy procedures performed between 2021 and 2023. [56545/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
731. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown by county patient address of the 497 children identified for recall due to pelvic osteotomy procedures performed between 2021 and 2023. [56546/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
732. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the recall process will be extended to include children operated on before 2021, in light of concerns that surgeries dating back to 2010 or earlier may have been affected. [56547/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
733. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the clinical qualifications and experience of the doctors currently conducting the independent clinical and radiological reviews of recalled cases; and whether they are consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeons. [56548/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
734. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether any of the reviewers involved in the recall process are fellows or non-consultant hospital doctors; and the safeguards in place to ensure appropriate oversight and clinical governance. [56549/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
735. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health to clarify the role of a person (details supplied), reportedly involved in reviewing cases at CHI Crumlin; and whether he is registered as a consultant in Ireland. [56550/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
736. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether a person (details supplied) is currently practicing medicine; and the nature of her clinical role and authority in the recall process. [56551/25]
View answerThe Medical Council register can be used to verify whether a doctor is registered to practise medicine in Ireland. However, it is nor possible to answer the question raised with the information provided. The Deputy may wish to resubmit the question with further information to clarify the doctor concerned and the process being referred to.
737. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether families will receive written reports from the recall reviews; and if so, whether these will be signed off by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon. [56552/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
738. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the clinical governance structures in place to ensure consistency and quality in the recall assessments; and whether an external oversight panel is being established. [56553/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
739. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of recent remarks by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls (details supplied), who formally spoke out against the practice of surrogacy at a UN General Assembly event; if she is aware of and will respond to the concerns outlined in the Special Rapporteurs report presented on 10 October 2025 before the UN General Assembly in which she calls for a global ban on all forms of surrogacy, warning that the practice is "characterized by exploitation and violence against women and children, including girls."; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56554/25]
View answerI note the recent surrogacy report of the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences. The report highlights some legitimate concerns arising from the undertaking of some surrogacy arrangements.
However, I disagree with the central recommendation of the report, which is that “all forms of surrogacy” should be prohibited.
Rather, the relevant established policies of this Government, and of previous Governments, are based on the principle that it is preferable to seek to regulate surrogacy rather than enforce a blanket ban. The aim is to provide for surrogacy which is ethical, altruistic and, most importantly, protects the health, safety and welfare of the two most vulnerable parties: the surrogate mother and the children born as a result of surrogacy. This broad policy position appears to have wide, if not near-unanimous, agreement across political parties and groupings in the Oireachtas, as demonstrated in the recommendations which emerged from the special Joint Committee on International Surrogacy and the cross-party support for the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 as it successfully progressed through all stages in both of the Houses.
The 2024 Act was signed into law by the President in July 2024, but has not yet been commenced. The legislation includes ground-breaking provisions in respect of domestic and international surrogacy, as well as the recognition of parentage arising from certain past domestic and international surrogacy arrangements.
The surrogacy provisions in the AHR legislation looked to build upon and learn from the experiences of other States which have sought to regulate surrogacy. Drafting has been led by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, in conjunction with officials from my Department, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, with important legal input provided by the Office of the Attorney General. The new laws were also developed having taken into consideration the views and recommendations of a large number of national and international experts, such as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children, the former Irish Special Rapporteur on Child Protection and the dedicated Oireachtas committee which was established specifically to examine the issue. In addition, adhering as much as possible to the Verona Principles – a set of policy and legislative guidelines produced by a group of experts in international law and human rights to ensure respect for the human rights of children born through surrogacy – has been a major factor during the legislative drafting process.
The key aspect underpinning the regulation of surrogacy is that, whether undertaken in Ireland or abroad, it will only be permitted first and foremost if the particular proposed arrangements have been approved by the new regulatory body (the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority, or the AHRRA, for short) prior to the transfer of an embryo to the surrogate mother. The proposed surrogacy agreement will have to be undertaken in a jurisdiction which is included on a ‘Green List’ of approved surrogacy destinations which the AHRRA will draw up based on consideration of factors such as the laws regarding surrogacy in the jurisdiction, the regulation and oversight of those involved in the provision of services related to surrogacy, and the rights of surrogate mothers, including the extent to which they are enforced. The undertaking of surrogacy arrangements which have not been granted pre-conception approval by the AHRRA will constitute an offence, with potential penalties of imprisonment and/or a significant fine.
There is a large number of stringent criteria which all need to be met before the AHRRA will grant approval of a proposed surrogacy agreement. These requirements primarily seek to provide strong safeguards against the trafficking and exploitation of surrogate mothers and ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of any children born as a result of surrogacy.
740. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health the supports, financial or otherwise, that would be available to a start-up (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56556/25]
View answerThe Medical Council as the regulator for the medical profession, requires applicants for registration to demonstrate they have a good command of English to enable them to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues.
To provide flexibility, there are a number of different ways a doctor can demonstrate effective communication skills which include language tests such as the OET and IELTS as well as evidence of having completed their medical degree and internship through English in a country where English is the predominant language.
Neither the Minister nor the Medical Council, as the regulator, has a role in supporting private business providing these services.
741. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify whether a frontier worker, who is living in the North and working in the South, has an entitlement to a PCRS medical card; the criteria for obtaining this medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56559/25]
View answerThe EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement concluded between the EU and the UK includes provisions relating to social security and health rights for certain categories of persons, including frontier workers. Under Article SSC.1 (l) frontier worker " means any person pursuing an activity as an employed or self-employed person in a State and who resides in another State to which that person returns as a rule daily or at least once a week.” Social security and healthcare rights are also provided for by the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. In addition, Ireland and the UK agreed a Memorandum of Understanding on Common Travel Area healthcare arrangements, including frontier workers.
The information provided concerns overall governing arrangements and the specific circumstances of individuals may require further consideration. Further information on healthcare arrangements for residents of Ireland are available on Gov.ie.
742. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the current capacity of the HSE to deliver bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) services; the number of individuals awaiting BAHA's; the numbers who received BAHA's from 2020 to 2025; the number of surgeons who deliver this procedure in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56560/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
743. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health her plans to expand bone anchored hearing aid services in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56561/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
744. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health if the BowelScreen programme has given consideration to extending the screening programme to those aged 50 to 54; if further investments will be made in the BowelScreen programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56567/25]
View answerI am committed to supporting our cancer 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. The Programme for Government commits to extend the BowelScreen cancer screening programme.
BowelScreen, the national bowel screening programme, invites men and women aged between 59-70 to take the free at-home screening test. Funding of €1.9 million was allocated in Budget 2026 to support the extension of BowelScreen to individuals aged 58 to 70. The first part of this extension, to those aged 70, was successfully completed in April 2025, with those aged 58 expected to start receiving invitations later this year. This is an important part of a phased approach to expanding the screening age, in line with available capacity and resources. When full expansion is complete, people aged 55-74 will be invited for screening.
I would note that a proposed further extension of BowelScreen, to those aged 50-54 is currently under consideration. This will be facilitated through evidence-driven protocols, namely the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC), which is the independent expert group that considers proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes.
NSAC assesses the evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria, before making recommendations to myself as Minister for Health. The rigorous processes utilised by NSAC are critical to ensure that our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
In this regard, I am pleased to say that the final report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) on their Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process to consider the proposed expansion of the BowelScreen programme to those aged 50-54 is expected to be submitted to NSAC in advance of their meeting in December 2025. I look forward to receiving a recommendation from the Committee shortly afterwards.
HTAs facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies in order to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multi-disciplinary assessment of the clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology. They are time-intensive and rigorous processes.
Finally, I would like to emphasise that screening programmes are for people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact a medical professional immediately.
745. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the vacant post for assistant director of nursing in Kildare-West Wicklow Mental Health Services will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56584/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
746. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of director and assistant director of nursing positions within the HSE that have been filled since 1 January 2025 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56585/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
747. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of director and assistant director of nursing positions within the HSE that remain vacant to date; to provide a timeline for when these positions will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56586/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
748. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the Medtronic Simplera device will be provided to a Type 1 Diabetes patient (details supplied) who already uses a continuous glucose monitoring system under the long-term illness plan. [56595/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter and under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices, this question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
749. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the physiotherapy waiting list at St. Joseph's Care Centre, Longford, as of 30 September 2025, disaggregated into assessment and treatment lists; the average/median wait for each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56598/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
