Written Answers Nos. 632-650
632. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Waterford awaiting HSE public dental services, including special needs dentistry, in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and to provide waiting times and staffing levels. [73824/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
633. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if she will declare Covid-19 an occupational illness, as has been done in many other European Union member states, so that healthcare workers suffering from long-Covid can continue to access financial supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73290/25]
View answerWhile the EU Advisory Committee on Health and Safety recommended the recognition of COVID-19 (not long-COVID) as an occupational illness in health and social care settings, recognition of COVID-19 nationally as an occupational illness falls under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection. After reviewing the EU recommendation, the Minister for Social Protection found that COVID-19 did not meet the requirements to be recognised as an occupational illness in the context of the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and the Social Welfare Consolidation Act.
634. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if the mechanism for interscheme transfer from one GP training programme to another can be reinstated (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73294/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
635. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of the 44 hospital-controlled car parks that provide patient parking; to provide a list of those that provide concessions with details of such; to provide a list of those that provide free parking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73296/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
636. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of the programme for Government commitment to reduce hospital car parking charges; who holds responsibility for overseeing this commitment nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73297/25]
View answerHospitals that charge parking fees are very cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families, particularly for those with long-term illnesses. As a result, many hospitals have introduced reduced rate parking for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate would cause hardship, and all hospitals that charge for parking have a fixed maximum daily rate. The majority of hospitals have some form of exemption or allowances in place such as the option of flexible day passes or multi-trip entry passes for regular hospital attenders, and various concessions based on the type of inpatient.
The Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future, makes a commitment to explore further ways to reduce hospital car parking charges. This is a reflection of the Government’s appreciation of the financial challenge that can be faced by people in meeting these expenses, in particular where they are frequent users of hospital services. Accordingly, in line with this commitment, the HSE continues to keep all fees and concessions under review, in order to progress any opportunities that will ease the burden for those most affected.
637. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the net income raised through parking charges at car parks in hospitals across the State from 2023 to date in 2025, by year, in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73298/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
638. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the site selection for the proposed primary care centre for Maynooth/Leixlip, in light of reports that the location may be along the R449 road; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73301/25]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
639. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE senior dentists based at Shamrock Plaza primary care centre in the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [73317/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
640. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant dermatologists based at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, in the years of 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [73318/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
641. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE public health nurses based at Leighlinbridge health centre in the years of 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [73319/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
642. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ophthalmologists based at University Hospital Waterford in the years of 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [73320/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
643. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of people admitted to the Central Mental Hospital, and the number of persons discharged in 2024, as the information provided to date has been queried (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73339/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
644. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if her Department will support a call from the board of directors of a day centre (details supplied) and have a meeting with the board and also the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73357/25]
View answer645. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Health the number of clients who receive services on a weekly basis at the CRANOG Resource Centre in Castleblayney, noting that the centre has six full-time healthcare assistants, one full-time clinical nurse manager, one part-time nurse, and a total of 293 funded staff hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73387/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
646. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Health the total number of individuals currently receiving services at the CRANOG Resource Centre in Castleblayney; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73389/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
647. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review the correspondence (details supplied); if she will address the concerns raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73397/25]
View answerAs the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
648. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will reconsider the decision to remove State funding for monitored dosing blister packs from January 2026, given the essential role these packs play in medication safety for older persons, those with disabilities, and patients on complex prescriptions; and the engagement which has taken place with the Irish Pharmacy Union to prevent hardship for vulnerable patients. [73405/25]
View answer649. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether any portion of the €50 million allocated under the Community Pharmacy Agreement can be ring-fenced to maintain funding for blister packs; and if she will provide details of any cost-benefit analysis undertaken before deciding to discontinue this service, which pharmacists have described as critical for adherence and reducing hospital admissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73406/25]
View answer650. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with pharmacists to develop an alternative funding mechanism for monitored dosing systems, in view of warnings from patient advocacy groups and charities that the removal of State support will lead to medication errors, increased hospitalisations, and additional costs to the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73407/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 648 to 650, inclusive, together.
Monitored Dosage Systems (MDS), known as “blister packs” or compliance aids, are systems that enable the individual medicine doses for any medication to be organised according to the prescribed dose schedule. These are ordinarily provided once a month and packaged to indicate when medication should be taken.
The State has never agreed to fund this and there has never been a fee associated with monitored dosage systems under the Pharmacy contract. This has always been the case and has been repeated in several HSE circulars to pharmacists.
I recognise that for certain patients, or their carers, the use of blister packs to simplify adherence with their dosage schedule can be helpful and they rely heavily on the provision of these products.
However, it is important to recognise that phased dispensing and blister packing are not the same thing. The State funds phased dispensing for medical card holders. It does not, however, fund MDS (blister packs).
The community pharmacy contract has supported phased dispensing since 1996 for patient safety reasons and will continue to do so. Phased dispensing requires the patient to present to the pharmacy on multiple occasions in the month (e.g., each week) when it would be unsafe for the patient to receive the totality of their medication in one supply occasion, or if the shelf life of the medicine requires it. Community pharmacies receive additional fees for this service – which has only ever been in place for medical card holders.
The changes agreed under the Community Pharmacy Agreement – now paused until later in quarter 1 2026 – will introduce improved controls to align phased dispensing to specified high risk drugs, where a patient safety concern may exist. This will ensure that patients on high-risk medicines, such as anti-psychotics or opioids, are appropriately targeted with support.
Psychotropic medications represent a class of medication that are high risk, have a high dependency potential, and carry a significant risk of misuse. They are often prescribed in the management of conditions where cognitive or functional impairments justify closer monitoring through phased supply.
The State has not imposed a new charge on MDS, also known as “blister packs”. This remains a private service provided by pharmacies. It is also understood that different approaches are taken by community pharmacies in respect of funding the use of MDS for medical card holders:
• Some have been blister packing their patient’s medicines for free,
• Some have been charging the patient privately for providing that service, and,
• Some have submitted claims for phased dispensing to the HSE when in reality they were using MDS. The State has never agreed to this last practice, and it is inappropriate claiming to do so.
It remains open to pharmacies to charge patients or not for the use of MDS as a private service, as many currently do. It is important where a pharmacy charges a fee for any professional service, that they provide updated information to patients in line with the new Pricing Transparency Guidelines, which came into effect on 1 December 2025.
In addition, community pharmacies can, and do, use a variety of means to assist their patients including:
• counselling,
• reminder charts,
• the “Know Check Ask system” with the HSE, and,
• tools like picture or large-print labels and alarms.
All of these are aimed at improving understanding and adherence to medication. This remains a key part of the service and support that pharmacies provide to patients. There is no change in that regard.
The HSE Health App ‘My medicines list’ provides a secure place for patients to record a list of their medicines, which can be useful for pharmacy or hospital visits. It also allows people to see a list of their medicines received through the Drugs Payment Scheme or Medical Card Scheme. Keeping a list can help patients know their medicines. It can also help when patients are discussing their medicines with a healthcare professional.
These measures can assist older people, people with disabilities, and people with multiple conditions, to ensure that they manage their medicines safely. Patients should talk to their pharmacist directly about the best way to manage their medicines.
The new Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, which was negotiated by the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Irish Pharmacy Union, was published in September 2025. The Agreement is supported by a €75 million new investment across 2025 and 2026.
The Agreement reiterated the long-standing position of the State that MDS (“blister packs”), were not reimbursable under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, or any other State scheme.
In addition, funding released by implementation of improved controls around the phased dispensing of high-risk medicines are committed for reinvestment back into community pharmacy and patient services. Phased dispensing is available – under certain criteria – to those with medical card eligibility and this will remain the case.
Under the landmark Agreement, a new Strategic Collaboration Group will be established in early 2026 to provide a structured forum for joint consideration of strategic issues shaping the future of community pharmacy in Ireland. A key pillar of this is a dedicated fund allocated to progressing opportunities to improve or expand community pharmacy services in relation to medicines optimisation. This new structured collaborative process will help to design and deliver evidence-informed high impact medicines optimisation services to patients and support future opportunities for service investment.
