Written Answers Nos. 1042-1058
1043. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide all recommendations from the National Screening Advisory Committee since 2019 regarding the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63152/25]
View answer1044. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide the recommendations from the National Screening Advisory Committee since 2019 regarding the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme that have not been implemented; to provide details of when the recommendation was made and when it will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63153/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1043 and 1044 together.
As 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’ test), which tests for nine rare but serious conditions that are treatable if detected early in life. The Programme for Government commits to continually reviewing the number of conditions babies are screened for.
I would highlight that any changes to Ireland’s screening programmes will be facilitated through established, evidence-driven protocols. The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that considers proposed changes by assessing the evidence robustly and transparently, 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.
Progress continues to be made on the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (NNBSP). Since its inception in 2019, NSAC have made three recommendations in relation to the expansion of the NNBSP.
In 2022, screening for Adenosine Deaminase-Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID) was introduced. In 2023, two additional recommendations from NSAC on the introduction of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) were approved. An additional €1.4 million of new development funding was allocated in Budget 2024 to support the implementation process for SCID and SMA.
In terms of the current status, the HSE has advised that the equipment needed to enable the roll-out testing for SCID and SMA has been purchased, delivered and successfully installed at the newborn screening laboratory and significant progress continues with regards to the laboratory verification process. The recruitment process to hire the additional staff required to support the expansion of the NNBSP has been completed and work continues on developing screening pathways for both conditions.
Once both conditions have been fully implemented, the number of conditions screened for in Ireland will increase to 11.
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.
1045. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to expediate a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63160/25]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, the details provided indicate that the patient has been referred to a private hospital for an appointment.
Private health care providers are independent organisations and the range of services available, and the criteria for access to those services does not fall under the remit of the Department of Health. Issues relating to waiting times for appointments would be best directed to the administration staff associated with the consultant in the private hospital.
1046. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify that roles (details supplied) are now added to the role of community pharmacies. [63161/25]
View answerThe Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 was agreed between the Department of Health (DoH), the Health Service Executive (HSE), and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) on 12 September 2025, and published on 18 September 2025.
It sets out a comprehensive and ongoing pathway to modernise and expand the role of community pharmacy in Ireland’s healthcare system.
The Agreement is designed to support the delivery of safe, equitable, and efficient healthcare, and to ensure that community pharmacists are better equipped to contribute to national health priorities through structured engagement, sustainable funding, and integrated service delivery.
The Community Pharmacy Agreement will be implemented on a phased basis and will be supported by regular structured engagements between the Department, HSE and the IPU.
The continuation of a high-level, enduring strategic relationship is designed to support the shaping and implementation of pharmacy’s role in a more integrated, efficient, and patient-centred health system.
Under the Agreement, a Strategic Collaboration Group will be established which will provide a structured forum for dialogue and joint consideration of strategic issues shaping the future of community pharmacy in Ireland.
The full text of the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 can be found at the following link:
[www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/community-pharmacy-agreement-2025/]
1047. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if an update will be provided on the South Doc services in West Cork, including the steps taken to reopen the premises in Skibbereen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63168/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1048. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if necessary tetanus vaccination shots given as post-exposure prophylaxis are covered by the medical card; if not, the reasoning for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63196/25]
View answerUnder 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; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1049. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE diabetes prevention programmes in each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63211/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1050. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the number of dieticians that are currently employed in the Kildare Chronic Disease Hub in Naas, County Kildare, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63212/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1051. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence from a local councillor regarding a case (details supplied); if she will address the issues raised in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63215/25]
View answerSafeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse is a key objective for me and my Department, every statutory body under its aegis, and for all health and social care services.
A framework of standards, policies and procedures for safeguarding adults in the health and social care sector is already in place. This includes a National Safeguarding Office in the HSE, specialist Safeguarding and Protection Teams in each health region, designated Safeguarding Officers within services and specific regulatory requirements for residential care services which are inspected against by HIQA and the Mental Health Commission. Further measures are now 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. My Department, in liaison with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, is at an advanced stage of finalising this national policy, the first of its kind in this area. This is a very significant development and will provide a framework for strengthening safeguards across all care settings.
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. I hope to bring this policy to Government shortly.
The Government has included a Health (Adult Safeguarding) Bill in its current Legislation Programme to facilitate underpinning legislation for this sectoral policy. Preparation of this legislation will commence once the national policy has been approved by Government.
1052. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to replace equipment in a hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63226/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1053. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to upgrade facilities in a hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63227/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1054. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in appointing staff in a hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63228/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1055. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if her Department will engage with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science regarding the shortage of radiation therapists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63235/25]
View answerDepartment of Health officials engage on an ongoing basis with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we train enough graduates with the skills necessary to support the delivery of health and social care services and to develop a strategic approach to workforce planning for the health sector.
As part of the Government’s broader strategy to expand higher education capacity in health and social care disciplines, in June 2025 the Government announced a major expansion in Health and Social Care Profession training places, with 461 new student places to be delivered in nine priority HSCP disciplines by 2028. The expansion will see up to 310 additional student places created in 2025, up to 133 additional places in 2026, and the remainder in subsequent years, in disciplines critical to disability, health, and education services. This includes 23 additional student places in Radiation Therapy over academic years 2025 and 2026 representing a 61% increase on the 2023 baseline of 38 student places.
These additional student places will increase the future supply of health and social care professionals, including radiation therapists, as well as other key roles such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians, and social workers. I will continue to work closely with colleagues across Government to ensure this vital expansion is sustained and strengthened.
The National Radiation Therapist Review, conducted in 2024, also provides a strategic review of the radiation therapist profession and recommendations are being progressed by the HSE. Funding was allocated to the HSE in 2025 to support actions arising from the 2024 radiation therapist review. This investment includes funding for eight additional staff for radiation therapy services and for six advanced practice posts for radiation therapy. Additional training places are being made available and CORU registration requirements have been changed to bring Irish training requirements in line with international comparators (practice hours have been reduced from 1200 hours to 1000 hours).
The HSE has established an oversight committee to progress the recommendations, some of which have already been implemented.
Key recommendations from the National Radiation Therapist Review include; increased staffing, the development of advanced practice radiation therapist roles, improving recruitment and retention, and career development plans for radiation therapists
1056. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the efforts her Department is making to ensure a greater uptake of women attend the BreastCheck screening considering less than 70% of women accept an appointment for first mammogram; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63236/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1057. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently eligible for BreastCheck screening who are waiting for their first appointment in the CHO 4 area; the number of individuals currently awaiting follow up appointments in the same area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63237/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1058. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of breast screening locations in Cork; if consideration has been given to increasing the number of locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63238/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
