Written Answers Nos. 799-818
799. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the current demand for addiction treatment and rehabilitation services for women in Ireland; the number of women who accessed residential and community-based addiction services in each of the past three years; the number of facilities that provide gender-specific programmes or services for women with children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65144/25]
View answerThe National Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) reported on female treatment figures in 2024.
One in three (30.0%) cases entering drug treatment in 2024 were female. Eighteen cases
identified as non-binary or in another way. While the main problem drug was cocaine for males and females, the proportion for cocaine was higher among males (40.8% versus 37.5%).
Between 2017 and 2024 there was a 426.1% increase among females who have sought drug treatment for cocaine, from 284 cases in 2017 to 1,494 cases in 2024.
Females accounted for almost one-quarter (24.8%) of cases with cocaine as a main problem over the 8-year period. The proportion of female cases increased from 18.9% in 2017 to 28.2% in 2024, increasing more than five-fold in numbers over the period.
Among cases treated for the first time, females were older, had higher rates of unemployment, and had higher rates of problem opioid use.
In 2024, more than one-half of cases (52.1%, 6,932 cases) in drug treatment had children of any age. Of these, 8 in 10 (83.8%, 5,809 cases) were known to have children aged 17 years or under, of these cases, 62.6% were males and 37.3% were females.
In 2024, of those known to have children aged 17 years or under, 38.1% had at least one child residing with them at the time of treatment entry, while 61.9% had at least one child residingelsewhere.11, 12 A higher proportion of females entering drug treatment reported having dependent children and living with children. Males were less likely to be residing with their children.
Among females who sought drug treatment for the first time there was an increase of 318.7% from 2017 to 2024.
The number of females entering treatment for opioid use has fluctuated over the time period from 1,316 in 2017 to 1,050 cases in 2024. The median age of females increased
from 33 in 2017 to 38 in 2024.
Further information on treatment demand is available from HRB publications https://www.hrb.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Drug-treatment-bulletin-2024.pdf
Issues relating to the number of facilities that provide gender-specific programmes or services for women with children are service matters. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
801. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a person with a diagnosed psychiatric disorder can make an advanced directive or decision to the right to taper their medication; if so, the process to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65150/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible
802. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) can be expedited. [65152/25]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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
803. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65153/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
804. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if additional physical space would be provided to the rheumatology outpatient department at Cork University Hospital as the current lack of adequate infrastructure is creating significant challenges for both patients and staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65180/25]
View answerAs 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.
805. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the steps that will be taken to address the growing waiting lists for treatments at the rheumatology outpatient department at Cork University Hospital, as the staff are restricted in the services they can provide due to a lack of designated space to administer their care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65181/25]
View answerAs 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
806. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a designated space could be provided to the rheumatology outpatient department at Cork University Hospital in the hospital itself or in another location to deal with the growing waiting list, to ensure adequate facilities are in place for MDT consultations, patient education and administrative work; to enhance the efficiency of services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65182/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
807. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a neonatal intensive care nurse (details supplied), whose specialty allowance is being taken back, has grounds for appealing this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65186/25]
View answerDear Deputy Healy-Rae,
On behalf of the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, I would like to thank you for your correspondence.
Although controls and procedures are in place to avoid incorrect salary payments, employees may occasionally receive an overpayment or underpayment of salary.
It is HSE policy to correct these errors as soon as possible. The Payment of Wages Act, 1991, section 5(5), affords an employer a legal right to recover any overpayment of wages, allowances or expenses from the wage of employees
If there is a dispute in relation to an underpayment or overpayment, employees have recourse as set out within HSE Grievance Procedures. While the employee is engaging in this process no deductions will be made.
Please find the Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure attached.
Yours faithfully,
Private Secretary
808. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department and the HSE are taking to address the severe staffing deficit in consultant pathology posts at University Hospital Waterford, in light of the confirmation that only six of the required 18 WTE surgical pathologists are in post; the reason recruitment campaigns have repeatedly failed; the measures being implemented to ensure sufficient qualified personnel are available to sustain both diagnostic and coronial post-mortem services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65214/25]
View answerAs this is a recruitment matter I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy, thanks
809. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the alternative arrangements being developed by the HSE to ensure continuity of coronial post-mortem services for the south-east region from 1 January 2026, given that consultant pathologists at UHW will no longer provide this service; the hospitals or facilities being considered to take overflow or reassigned cases; the planned impact on transport timelines and bereaved families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65215/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
810. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of engagement between her Department, the HSE and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the withdrawal of coronial post-mortem provision at University Hospital Waterford; the outcomes of any meetings held since November 2024 when the issue was formally notified; the responsibilities being assumed by each Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65216/25]
View answer814. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the actions her Department and the HSE are taking to ensure coroners, funeral directors and bereaved families in Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary are fully informed about the changes to post-mortem arrangements from January 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65220/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 810 and 814 together.
My Department and the HSE continue to engage constructively with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Justice to support a resolution to issue around the provision of coronial post-mortem services in the Southeast.
I understand that the Department of Justice, which has responsibility for coroners' legislation and policy, is actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders, including my Department and the HSE, to discuss these urgent issues and will inform of any changes to arrangements as appropriate.
While Consultant Pathologists are employed by the HSE, coronial post-mortems are carried out independently for the Department of Justice.
In November 2024, University Hospital Waterford (UHW) informed the Department of Justice that it would cease providing these services from January 2026, as it can no longer guarantee service continuity to coroners.
A recent meeting to discuss this matter took place on 12 November 2025 between the management and consultants at UHW and the Department of Justice which was attended by officials from my Department and the HSE.
It continues to be the case that consented (i.e. non-coronial) post-mortem examinations will continue to be provided for the Health Service by pathologists at UHW. Also, UHW's mortuary facilities and supporting staff will continue to be available to support coronial post-mortem services.
The Department of Justice, supported by my Department and the HSE, seeks to put in place appropriate arrangements to ensure that coronial post-mortem services remain available. All stakeholders remain committed to ensuring the continuity, quality and efficiency of coroner directed post-mortem services
811. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE intends to ensure that the modern mortuary facilities at University Hospital Waterford continue to be utilised for coronial post-mortems after January 2026; whether external pathologists could be deployed or contracted to operate on-site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65217/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
812. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the impact on diagnostic and surgical pathology waiting times at UHW arising from the workload pressures described in the HSE response; whether the unmet requirement for 18 WTE diagnostic pathologists has affected cancer pathways, turnaround times, or patient outcomes; and the plan to bring the service into compliance with safe staffing levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65218/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
813. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the national strategy being developed to address the shortage of appropriately qualified autopsy pathologists, as highlighted in the response relating to UHW; whether the HSE intends to develop dedicated autopsy pathology posts separate from diagnostic roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65219/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
815. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health her views on whether CORU’s recently published standards for training and practice in psychotherapy represents a decrease in standards, as the proposed regulation would see the removal for personal therapy in training, the elimination of mandatory clinical supervision during training, a dramatic reduction in clinical training hours, the removal of any minimum timeframe for training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65226/25]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. CORU’s role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended).
Counsellors and psychotherapists perform a vital role, providing therapeutic care to often vulnerable people. Regulation is being introduced to these professions to protect the public, ensuring that care provided is of a consistently high standard and always by suitably qualified individuals.
The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board (CPRB) was established in 2019 and since that time has been working to progress regulation of both professions.
The CPRB undertook extensive research, analysis, and public consultation as part of the process of introducing statutory regulation for these professions.
The public consultation process received over 700 submissions, including from educators, professional bodies and existing practitioners. This comprehensive process recognised the differences in scope and complexity of practice between the two professions and ensures that the threshold standards and qualification levels set for each accurately reflect the competencies required for safe and effective practice, while strengthening public protection.
In line with the CPRB’s statutory responsibility to assess, balance and consider all perspectives before reaching a final evidence-based decision, the Board carefully considered every submission received and determined the final Standards and Criteria that will underpin entry to the registers for both counsellors and psychotherapists. This open, structured and inclusive process demonstrates CORU’s clear commitment to transparency, accountability, evidence-based decision-making, proportionality and, above all, the protection of the public.
A comprehensive consultation report has been published by CORU, setting out the process followed, the key themes raised in submissions, and the rationale for the final decisions taken by the Board and is accessible at www.coru.ie/public-protection/publications/consultation-reports/counsellors-psychotherapists-registration-board/
In July 2025 CORU published two key documents for each of these professions:
• Standards of Proficiency: These outline the threshold knowledge and skills required for entry to the register. They define what a counsellor or psychotherapist must be able to do at the point of entry into practice.
• Criteria for Education and Training Programmes: These set out the systems and processes education providers must implement in the design and management of education and training programmes. They provide assurance that all graduates have achieved all the Standards of Proficiency upon successful completion of an education and training programme.
The adopted Standards and Criteria reflect the threshold knowledge and skills required for safe practice at entry to the professions of Counselling and Psychotherapy. The introduction of consistent standards for the education and training of counsellors and psychotherapists marks a significant milestone, ensuring that those seeking support can have confidence in accessing appropriately trained and qualified practitioners.
On issues such as personal therapy, clinical supervision and training hours, CORU’s competency-based framework ensures that essential attributes such as self-awareness, reflexivity, and ethical judgment are achieved through validated educational methods, including clinical supervision, reflective practice, and experiential learning.
CORU’s criteria mandate structured, practice-integrated supervision that enables supervisors and educators to directly evaluate proficiency and ensure safe practice. This approach provides robust, verifiable safeguards while maintaining flexibility for different theoretical modalities. The standards set the threshold for safe and effective practice, without restricting innovation or allowing education providers to exceed these minimum requirements at their discretion.
I am confident that CORU’s work will bring clear benefits for public protection. The framework has been designed to strengthen standards of practice while ensuring that training pathways and workforce supply are not adversely affected.
I am assured that CORU will continue to engage closely with education providers, professional bodies, and other stakeholders as the regulatory process advances, keeping public protection at the centre of this work.
I am eager to see this work progressed so that two very important professions are finally regulated, in the interest of public protection
816. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the full-time care package for a person (details supplied) promised by the HSE will be put in place immediately; if the disposable sheets and pads required will be provided by the HSE; and if a positive response will be expedited. [65232/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
817. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to ensure applications for European health insurance cards for travelling can be done by way of a paper form, as well as online, to facilitate persons who are not computer literate and may not have access to a computer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65236/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
818. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 679 of 23 September 2025, whether the ongoing development of radiation oncology services is in line with the National Plan for Radiation Oncology, considering that it is now 2025 and that this plan notes that there will be a need for a further phased increase to 38 linear accelerators by 2015. [65237/25]
View answer819. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 679 of 23 September 2025, to clarify that there is a distinction between 'ongoing development programmes' and 'replacement programmes', in the context of radiation therapy equipment. [65238/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 818 and 819 together.
The National Plan for Radiation Oncology (NPRO), often referred to as the “Hollywood Report” (2003), was developed at a time when radiotherapy capacity in Ireland was limited (only 8 linear accelerators) and when there were no, or very few, private radiotherapy providers operating in the State.
The projection within that report of a requirement for 38 linear accelerators (linacs) by 2015 reflected the best available modelling at that time, based on population need, treatment techniques then in use, and the absence of private provision. The document is now considered out-of-date for planning purposes, as treatment technologies, patient pathways and national service configurations have evolved substantially over the past 20 years.
At present, there are 23 public linear accelerators nationally:
• St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network (SLRON): 14 linacs.
• University Hospital Galway (UHG): 4 linacs.
• Cork University Hospital (CUH): 5 linacs.
The Government continues to invest in radiation oncology capacity in line with successive National Cancer Strategies and the overall strategic direction set out in the NPRO, while recognising that modern treatment techniques—such as hypofractionation, stereotactic radiotherapy (SABR/SRS) and improved treatment planning — have changed the overall time and number of fractionations (treatment sessions) required for many patients.
A major expansion of SLRON, centred on the Beaumont Phase II development, is currently progressing as part of a major capital programme. This project will increase the network’s linac complement from 14 to 17 linacs, with additional supporting infrastructure.
In addition to this expansion programme, the HSE continues to roll out a major equipment replacement and upgrade programme across SLRON’s three sites — Beaumont Hospital, St James’s Hospital and St Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar. The Government remains committed to ensuring timely access to high-quality radiotherapy, continuous service improvements, and investment in modern treatment technologies to support improved cancer outcomes.
All public radiation oncology departments have also taken steps to “future proof” capacity. Each new centre has been constructed with additional empty bunkers that can accommodate new linacs should future demand projections require further expansion with one empty bunker in Cork University Hospital, one in University Hospital Galway and three empty bunkers planned in the Beaumont Phase II expansion. This design approach ensures that future growth can occur without major structural redevelopment.
