Thursday, 20 Nov 2025

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (658)

Colm Burke

Question:

658. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health her plans to introduce regulations on the sale and use of nicotine pouches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65062/25]

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Written answers

On the 18th of November 2025 the Government approved the addition of measures to my draft (Public Heath Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill to regulate all non-medicinal nicotine products such as pouches. These measures are a minimum legal age of sale, restrictions on point of sale display and a prohibition on advertising in retail outlets. These new measures will be developed in early 2026.

Nicotine pouches are not currently subject to regulation under European Union tobacco control legislation. A harmonised EU-wide framework for regulating novel nicotine products would be more effective than individual Member State action, as it prevents regulatory circumvention through cross-border purchases.

In this context and representing the views of Ireland and several other Member States, I have urged the European Commission to introduce new legislation at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore, I also have advocated for the inclusion of all novel nicotine products—such as nicotine pouches—within the scope of this proposal. I have also called for a prohibition on cross-border distance sales to ensure the integrity of national regulatory measures.

Nicotine pouch use remains very low within the adult population, while 17% are current tobacco smokers. Preventing smoking initiation and encouraging its cessation remain the primary focus in relation to nicotine use. Half of all smokers will eventually die from a tobacco-related illness and each week in Ireland tobacco smoking kills over 100 people and causes over 1000 hospitalisations.

Hospital Equipment

Questions (659)

Marie Sherlock

Question:

659. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the plans for multiannual funding for a national radiotherapy equipment replacement programme to ensure that the current scenario with equipment older than ten years in use (contrary to IAEA and ESTRO recommendations) is addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65071/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill)

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Hospital Equipment

Questions (660)

Marie Sherlock

Question:

660. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health her plans for the replacement strategy for University College Cork/Cork University Hospital Cancer Centre and University Hospital Galway Cancer Centre respectively; if all machines will be replaced at one time, or if a staggered replacement programme is intended; the steps that will be made to avoid patient delays when machine replacement is being undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65072/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (661)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

661. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the current estimated numbers of adults and children living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the State, by CHO area and age cohort; how her Department is responding to the 2025 World Diabetes Day focus on diabetes and well-being across life stages and in the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65085/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to developing a strategy for diabetes care, as outlined in the Programme for Government.

Following the publication of the Terms of Reference for a Review of Diabetes Policy and Services, a Steering Group made up of representatives of the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and Diabetes Ireland, was established in July 2024 to lead on the Diabetes Policy and Services Review.

The Diabetes Policy and Services Review report has been drafted and submitted to the Department of Health for consideration. Decisions on the next steps in relation to the report will follow this consideration.

The report sets out a number of recommendations for development of services at national and regional levels, including in relation to better supporting people living with diabetes.

With respect to the estimated number of adults and children living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the State, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (662)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

662. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health to report on current participation rates in the national diabetic retinopathy screening programme and other structured screening for diabetes-related complications (including foot and kidney disease); to set out any plans to expand eligibility, outreach and capacity to improve early detection and prevention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65086/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. The General Practitioner (GP) Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme commenced in 2020 and has been rolled out on a phased basis to adult GMS (Medical Card and GP Visit Card) patients over a 4-year period.

Diabetes is one of the conditions included in the CDM Programme. Eligible patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are enrolled in the CDM Treatment Programme, which includes two scheduled reviews with a GP each year, and a preceding visit with their practice nurse for physical examination, bloods and education.

Those found to be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes are enrolled in the CDM Prevention Programme, which includes one scheduled review with a GP each year preceded by a visit to the practice nurse.

An examination of the foot forms part of the care provided in the CDM programme, and where necessary patients can be referred for further foot care in the community or in an acute setting.

Work to expand the CDM programme to include chronic kidney disease, among other conditions, is underway.

In addition to the CDM programme the HSE provide access to a Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP). The DPP offers participants a 12-month block of care which includes an individualised assessment prior to commencing a group programme which includes weekly and monthly group sessions where participants learn how to manage pre-diabetes.

The Government is committed to developing a strategy for diabetes care, as outlined in the Programme for Government.

Following the publication of the Terms of Reference for a Review of Diabetes Policy and Services, a Steering Group made up of representatives of the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and Diabetes Ireland, was established in July 2024 to lead on the Diabetes Policy and Services Review.

The Diabetes Policy and Services Review report has been drafted and submitted to the Department of Health for consideration. Decisions on the next steps in relation to the report will follow this consideration.

The report sets out a number of recommendations for development of services at national and regional levels, including in relation to better supporting people living with diabetes.

With respect to the estimated current participation rates in the national diabetic retinopathy screening programme and other structured screening for diabetes-related complications, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (663)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

663. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the current HSE policy on access to continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pumps and hybrid closed-loop systems for people living with type 1 diabetes, including eligibility criteria for children, adults and pregnancy, her plans to widen access in line with recent international best practice and World Health Organization guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65087/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (664)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

664. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department and the HSE are responding to the World Diabetes Day 2025 theme of diabetes and well-being, particularly in relation to workplace supports, psychological supports for people living with diabetes; the measures she will take to tackle stigma and discrimination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65088/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to developing a strategy for diabetes care, as outlined in the Programme for Government.

Following the publication of the Terms of Reference for a Review of Diabetes Policy and Services, a Steering Group made up of representatives of the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and Diabetes Ireland, was established in July 2024 to lead on the Diabetes Policy and Services Review.

Minister for Health

In 2025, a multidisciplinary team consisting of a Clinical lead, a programme manager, administrator and a data analyst was appointed to scope out and develop a National Diabetes Registry (NDR) in Ireland.

A multi-stakeholder NDR working group has been established with input from clinicians, technology and transformation, patient advocate association & data controllers. Governance structures are being established within the Population/Public Health division of the HSE.

Using the Individual Health Identifier (IHI) the NDR team plans to curate and link existing health care datasets relevant to diabetes care. Therefore, the NDR will serve as a comprehensive collection of diabetes-related information compiled from multiple data sources.

The NDR is being developed in a multi-annual phased approach, with the initial focus on identifying the true prevalence of diabetes in Ireland. When established, the NDR will support clinicians and the health system to improve decision making for better patient care.

Going forward it is expected that the NDR will be linked with other datasets within and outside the HSE to enable a range of advanced analytics that will take into account wider health determinants, to develop a better case for change around investment in prevention and early intervention in the community. The range of analytics will include, among other things, robust population segmentation to understand the complexity of the diabetes cohort and how it is changing over time, risk stratification to better target diabetes patients for early intervention and integrated case management, evaluating impact of new models of diabetes care and care pathways on patient outcomes and demand modelling and capacity planning to better inform future resource allocation.

Further details will be discussed by the NDR Working Group once the governance structures and data protection approvals are in place.

Hospital Staff

Questions (671)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

671. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant plastic surgeons at St. James's Hospital in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [65170/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff

Questions (672)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

672. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ophthalmologists that are currently only dealing with public patients at the Mater Hospital in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [65171/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an operational Mater, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Rural Schemes

Questions (673)

Peter Roche

Question:

673. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the measures being considered to ensure that rural and regional projects receive equitable access to capital funding under national investment and enterprise schemes; if his Department has conducted any review into geographic disparities in funding allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64649/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

Under the framework of the national rural development policy Our Rural Future and the National Planning Framework this Government continues to invest heavily in programmes which aim to revitalise our rural towns and villages, achieve balanced regional development and support development in local communities right across the country.

In line with this remit, the department operates the Rural Development Investment Programme to deliver a range of capital schemes which are available for communities all across rural Ireland for projects such as town regeneration works, the development of community and enterprise facilities and projects which provide outdoor recreation facilities.

This investment is channelled via a range of schemes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, CLÁR, the LEADER programme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the Community Centre Investment Fund and the Outdoor Recreation and Investment Scheme. The scale of this investment, ranges from projects with a value of up to €65,000 under schemes such as CLÁR, to larger multi-million euro projects under schemes such as the RRDF.

The application process for funding can vary from scheme to scheme and applications are generally made via lead bodies such as local authorities or local development companies, each of whom draw on local consultation to identify priority projects for to form the basis for funding applications in their area. Funding is ultimately allocated based on a project's suitability against scheme criteria, the geographical spread of projects, the quality of the proposed projects, and the available budget.

Applications for departmental funding are accepted on an equitable basis across all counties, for example, by facilitating a consistent number of applications that can be made submitted by each local authority or local development company under each Call for Proposals. Significant effort is afforded both at local and national level to ensure a balanced allocation of funding.

This has seen very significant capital allocations across constituencies such as East Galway. For example, last month I approved €1m in funding under the RRDF to support the redevelopment of the Bridge House in Gort. Last year, €13m in RRDF funding was approved to support large capital projects in towns like Athenry, Tuam and Glenamaddy.

The CLÁR programme in particular is targeted at defined geographic areas based on data on population change to ensure those areas facing particular challenges, and which are our most remote rural areas, have access to tailored funding opportunities. As you may be aware, a review has been completed in recent months in respect of the areas eligible for CLÁR to ensure that it continues to target the most appropriate areas. The findings of this review will inform eligibility under the scheme in 2026.

Details of project allocations across the above schemes are available on my department's website.

Rural Schemes

Questions (674)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

674. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount allocated in Budget 2026 for the financial support and establishment of new sister sheds, by county. [64668/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

I believe that the emergence of Women's Sheds has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland and I am fully committed to supporting Women's Sheds in the valuable work they do.

My Department provides funding to Women’s (Sister) Sheds under various funding supports, including:

• The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP)

• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024 - 2028; and

• The LEADER programme.

Women's Sheds can apply individually for all of these schemes.

Separately, the Department of Health secured funding of €150,000 in Budget 2026 to support Women's Sheds.

As Women’s Sheds do not currently operate under a national organisation, my Department is unable to provide funding similar to that provided to Men’s Sheds via the Irish Men's Sheds Association. My Department and the Department of Health are currently working with the Women's Sheds of Ireland to support their efforts to form a national body thereby facilitating access to similar funding.

At present, I do not have any plans to introduce additional funding supports specifically for Women's Sheds. However, the Local Enhancement Programme 2026 is currently under consideration and, as in previous years, I expect individual Women's Sheds will be eligible to apply under the programme.

I would encourage all Women’s Sheds to check my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcdg, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN), to ensure they are aware of relevant funding opportunities as they become available.

An Teanga Gaeilge

Questions (675, 676, 677, 678)

John Connolly

Question:

675. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad folúntas atá ann faoi láthair i róil oifigeach pleanála teanga ar fud na tíre; cé chomh fada is atá na folúntais ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [65001/25]

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John Connolly

Question:

676. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta a chur i láthair i bhfoirm tháblach cé chomh fada agus atá gach oifigeach pleanála teanga reatha ina ról; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [65002/25]

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John Connolly

Question:

677. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta cén stádas reatha atá ag ról an oifigigh pleanála teanga i ngach ceann de na limistéir pleanála teanga sa tír faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [65003/25]

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John Connolly

Question:

678. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta a chur in iúl cén uair a thosóidh an chéad chéim eile den phróiseas pleanála teanga i ngach ceann de na limistéir pleanála teanga sa tír; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [65004/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 675, 676, 677 and 678 together.

Is é an sprioc atá leis an bPróiseas Pleanála Teanga an Ghaeilge a láidriú mar theanga phobail. Déantar é seo trí phleananna teanga a fheidhmiú i limistéir aitheanta a chuirfidh le húsáid na Gaeilge i réimsí áirithe sa phobal – mar shampla sa teaghlach, i measc na hóige, sa chóras oideachais, san earnáil ghnó agus san earnáil phoiblí. Cuirtear tacaíocht ar fáil do na pobail leis na pleananna sin a chur i bhfeidhm agus fostaítear Oifigigh Pleanála Teanga (OPT) le tabhairt faoin obair sin.

Ceadaítear maoiniú ar bhonn bliantúil do 29 ceanneagraíochta pleanála teanga leis na pleananna teanga atá faofa do 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga (LPT) agus dhá Bhaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta (BSG) a fheidhmiú faoi scáth Údarás na Gaeltachta. Mar chuid den mhaoiniú sin, ceadaítear do na ceanneagraíochtaí OPT amháin nó beirt i gcásanna áirithe a fhostú. Faoi láthair, tá ceadanna in áit le 35 OPT a fhostú sna 26 LPT agus 2 BSG.

Tá sonraí sna tábla thíos maidir leis na folúntais atá ann faoi láthair. Beidh na sonraí maidir le tréimhse fostaíochta na n-Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga le lorg ó na ceanneagraíochtí a fhostaíonn iad. Seolfar ar aghaidh na sonraí seo chuig an Teachta agus iad faighte, ach taobh istigh den amscála atá leagtha síos faoi Bhuan Ordaithe Thithe an Oireachtaais.

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Tá ról lárnach ag na hOifigigh Pleanála Teanga sa bpróiseas pleanála teanga. Tá na hOifigigh Pleanála Teanga fostaithe ag na ceanneagraíochtaí éagsúla ní amháin in Limistéir Pleanála Teanga ach i mBailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta agus Líonraí Gaeilge araon. Is iad an tOifigeach Pleanála Teanga atá freagrach as cur i bhfeidhm bearta an phlean teanga faoina gcúrám. Cuireann siad an Ghaeilge chun cinn, eagraíonn siad imeachtaí cultúrtha, cuireann siad acmhainní agus tacaíochtaí ar fáil d'fhoghlaimeoirí agus bíonn siad rannpháirteach leis an bpobal agus eagraíochtaí Gaeilge a bhíonn ag obair sna Limistéir Pleanála Teanga.

Bíonn na hOifigigh Pleanála Teanga ag comhoibriú le struchtúir pobail a bhfuil ról lárnach acu i gcaomhnú agus i neartú na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, struchtúir ar nós Chomhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teo., na n-ionad cúraim leanaí, Mhuintearas Teo., Ealaín na Gaeltachta Teo, eagraíochtaí forbartha pobail, coistí agus cumainn dheonacha.

Ag féachaint chun cinn ar an dara timthriall de phleananna teanga, tá ullmhúchán ar bun ag súil is gur féidir na dea-chleachtais uile atá léirithe ag an bpobal agus ag na coistí pleanála teanga sna seacht mbliana atá caite a chur i bhfeidhm go héifeachtach agus go praiticiúil sa timthriall le teacht.

Tá i gceist go mbeidh na pleananna atá in éag cheana féin nó a bheidh ag dul in éag idir seo agus deireadh 2025 bailí go deireadh na bliana 2027 nó go dtí go n-aontófar plean nua, cíbé acu a luaithe. Beidh aon phlean a théann in éag tar éis 31 Nollaig 2025 ansin bailí go ceann dhá bhliana tar éis dó dul in éag nó go dtí go n-aontófar plean nua, cíbé acu a luaithe.

Question No. 676 answered with Question No. 675.

Question No. 677 answered with Question No. 675.

Question No. 678 answered with Question No. 675.

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (679)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

679. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of vacancies, by job title within the Charities Regulator, as of 14 November 2025; and the estimated timeframe for filling each of the vacancies, in tabular form. [65043/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

The Charities Regulatory Authority (the ‘Charities Regulator’) was established in October 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. The Charities Regulator is the State organisation responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities. The Charities Regulator is under the aegis of my department however the Charities Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions.

The current vacancies are outlined below:

Number of vacancies	Job Title	Estimated timeframe for filling the vacancy
1	Director of Business Services	2-3 months