Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
429. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to establishing a timeline for the roll-out of oral immunotherapy services for the treatment of children living with allergies (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73116/25]
View answerWhile CHI has advised that currently there is no timeline for the rollout of oral immunotherapy (OIT) services, Cork University Hospital (CUH) has launched an OIT programme for peanut and tree nut allergies. The current OIT service is for children under five years of age and is delivered as an integral component of CUH’s allergy service with more than 120 new patients in the programme since May 2025.
In addition, CUH are establishing outreach supra-regional clinics that will bring specialty allergy clinics closer to the homes of children within the HSE Southwest RHA, and to surrounding areas (including Limerick, Clonmel, and Kilkenny).
Due to the operational nature of the Deputy’s query, I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide a direct response, as soon as possible.
