Tuesday, 2 Dec 2025

Health Services Staff

Questions (518)

Malcolm Byrne

Question:

518. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed in the health service under employment visas or permits; and the percentage that this represents of overall staff. [67302/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked HSE to reply directly to the Deputy

Cancer Services

Questions (519)

Robert O'Donoghue

Question:

519. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the results/rollout of ongoing the PRAISE-U (PRostate Cancer Awareness and Initiative for Screening in the European Union) study; if there will be any efforts to bring in a free prostate cancer screening service similar to the existing BreastCheck and CervicalCheck programmes for breast and cervical cancers following the results of this study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67316/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As Minister for Health, I am committed to supporting our population 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 advancing men’s health in tandem with the investment and progress seen in women’s healthcare. It also commits to research, implement and evaluate cancer prevention and early detection initiatives, including prostate cancer.

I would note that any proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes, including the potential introduction of a prostate cancer screening programme, will be facilitated through established evidence-driven protocols.

The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) 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.

NSAC continues to progress work to consider the further expansion of our cancer screening programmes and has submitted several requests to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

HIQA is currently focused on concluding a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to examine a proposed extension of the BowelScreen programme to those aged 50-54 years. Work on this is at an advanced stage, with a report expected to be submitted to NSAC for consideration in December 2025.

Additionally, and at the request of NSAC, HIQA have also commenced a separate HTA to consider the proposals for the expansion of the BreastCheck programme. This review will comprise two elements; the proposed extension of the age range eligibility to those aged 45-49 and 70-74, and also the potential introduction of a standardised breast density notification.

HTAs facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multidisciplinary 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.

I have been informed that proposals for a prostate cancer screening programme have not yet been referred by NSAC to HIQA to undergo a HTA, pending the results of a number of ongoing European research initiatives. NSAC’s current priorities in terms of cancer screening are to conclude the BowelScreen and BreastCheck HTAs.

In this regard, it is worth noting that in late-2024, NSAC established a Cancer Screening Subgroup to provide additional expertise to support the Committee’s decision-making processes. The subgroup has developed a prioritisation framework, to provide an evidence-based approach to identifying which of the cancer screening proposals on the NSAC work programme should be next referred to HIQA for evidence review. The subgroup will use its framework to make recommendations to NSAC in early 2026.

In terms of the international evidence with regards to prostate cancer screening, under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, an updated European Council (EC) Recommendation on Cancer Screening, was published in December 2022. The Recommendation calls, amongst other things, for member states to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a screening programme using PSA testing for men, in combination with MRI scanning as a follow-up test.

My Department is coordinating Irish inputs into a four-year EU4Health-funded Joint Action project, titled EUCanScreen (2024-2028), which is aimed at coordinating research activities associated with the EC Recommendation across Europe.

Additionally, I welcome the involvement of Irish-based researchers in another EU4Health funded project, titled PRAISE-U, which is exploring the feasibility of risk-stratified screening for prostate cancer to help reduce morbidity and mortality caused by the disease, while avoiding overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment. For further information on the PRAISE-U project, can be found on its dedicated https://uroweb.org/praise-u

The findings from the aforementioned EU studies will contribute to the overall evidence base for future consideration by NSAC, alongside the evidence available from comparable non-EU countries. In this regard, i note the recent recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee, which advised against the introduction of a population-based prostate cancer screening programme in the UK but is currently hosting a public consultation on a potential targeted screening programme.

Question No. 528 answered with Question No. 517.

Health Services

Questions (529)

Donna McGettigan

Question:

529. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the action she will take to ensure a person (details supplied) receives the diagnostic testing they need promptly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67352/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 530 answered with Question No. 517.

Question No. 531 answered with Question No. 517.

Question No. 532 answered with Question No. 517.

Question No. 533 answered with Question No. 517.

Question No. 534 answered with Question No. 517.

Health Services Waiting Lists

Questions (535)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

535. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children on South Tipperary primary care waiting lists for OT, SLT, psychology and physiotherapy; the breakdown of therapists available on primary care teams across South Tipperary, by primary care team location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67361/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (536)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

536. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients being seen by an organisation (details supplied) in Clonmel; the frequency of clinics in Clonmel; the numbers waiting for mental health supports in South Tipperary; the plans to increase the frequency of clinics in South Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67364/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.

Health Services Waiting Lists

Questions (537)

Martin Daly

Question:

537. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of people on the occupational therapy first time assessment waiting list for each local health area as of 1st November 2025 or latest date available; the number waiting less than 4 months, 4-12 months, and more than 12 months; and the number for each wait category aged 0-4 years, 5-17 years, 18-64 years and 65 plus years, in tabular form. [67386/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.

Dental Services

Questions (538)

Pa Daly

Question:

538. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for adults special care needs GA waiting list for routine dental care in each hospital, in tabular form. [67394/25]

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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.