Written Answers Nos. 2145-2164
2145. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the number of women who availed of a cervical check by county over the last three years including 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74245/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
2146. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the number of women who availed of breast check by county over the last three years including 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74246/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
2147. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health whether standards or service-level targets exist for her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department, in responding to correspondence from members of local authorities; if compliance with such standards is monitored; the reasons for delays or failures to respond to correspondence from elected members; and the measures being taken to ensure more consistent and timely communication going forward. [74256/25]
View answerThe Department receives a large amount of correspondence on a wide variety of topics throughout the year, including from members of the public, TDs and local authorities.
The Department has developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to provide guidance on the process of responding to ministerial correspondence, including desired timeframes. The number of representations received and the response times are regularly monitored and reviewed, to support planning and compliance with self-imposed targets.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly. Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
2148. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children awaiting an occupational therapy assessment in County Longford; the number of children currently on the waiting list; the average and longest waiting time for an assessment; the number of whole-time equivalent occupational therapists assigned to children’s disability services in Longford; and the measures being taken to reduce waiting times, particularly for children transitioning to post-primary education. [74277/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
2149. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an occupational therapy assessment for a child (details supplied) in County Longford who has been waiting over a year for an assessment; their current position on the waiting list; if a timeline can now be provided for assessment given that the child is due to commence post-primary education in September; and if the Minister will engage with the HSE to ensure that this case is reviewed as a matter of urgency. [74278/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2150. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a certificate of interest from a financial institution of all accounts be accepted and taken into consideration when assessing over 70s for a medical card instead of an assessment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74285/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2151. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the HSE’s plans for the expansion of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) schools programme in 2026; the measures that will be taken to increase uptake and encourage schools at primary and secondary level to opt in; whether the HSE has considered deploying school-based HSE vaccination teams to deliver the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74286/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2152. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health the details of the current waiting times for children requiring an MRI under general anaesthesia in Ireland; the measures being taken to reduce these waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74293/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2153. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of older persons awaiting a home help package in Kerry, by area and by length of time, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74294/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2154. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on a list (details supplied), in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74319/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2155. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of adults waiting on a first-time appointment with a neurologist; the length of time they are waiting, by each HSE area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74359/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2156. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting on a first time appointment with a neurologist, the length of time they are waiting, by each HSE area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74360/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2157. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of neurological staff vacancies there are within the HSE and the area they are in, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74361/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2158. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health her plans to include relugolix in the drugs payment scheme; and if so, the timeline for same. [74370/25]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
2159. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health if CORU will bring the athletic rehab therapy sector under its regulatory remit. [74384/25]
View answer2192. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 November 2025, the timeline for the development by her Department, of a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future; the organisations with whom it is intended to consult with in drawing up the framework; the timeline for these consultations; whether she expects a revised policy to emerge as a consequence of any new framework; the date she expects any new regulatory framework or policy to be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74552/25]
View answer2193. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 November 2025, the precise process her Department has in place for considering whether a profession should be regulated by CORU; to provide a list of professions that have sought to be regulated since the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended) was enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74553/25]
View answer2194. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 November 2025, where a medical profession has sought to be regulated by CORU under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended), and where a decision not to regulate such a profession at this juncture has been made, the process by which her Department has arrived at such a decision and rationale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74554/25]
View answer2195. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 November 2025, if she is aware of an organisation (details supplied), representing a healthcare profession that has been seeking to be regulated for over 15 years; whether it is proposed to regulate this profession as requested; the specific reasons no progress has been made on this request; her views that non-regulation of this profession to date poses a risk to patient safety, or puts this profession at a disadvantage over similar professions which are regulated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74555/25]
View answer2196. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of Athletic Therapy as a profession; the qualifications required to become a certified athletic therapist; the medical conditions which such therapists are qualified to manage and the difference between athletic therapy and physiotherapy; the potential for both professions to be employed by the health care sector to help reduce waiting lists for a range of musculoskeletal treatments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74556/25]
View answer2225. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 November 2025, the timeline for the development by her Department, of a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future; the organisations with whom it is intended to consult with in drawing up this framework; the timeline for these consultations; whether she expects a revised policy to emerge as a consequence of any new framework; the date by which she expects any new regulatory framework or policy to be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74738/25]
View answer2226. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 November 2025, the precise process her Department has in place for considering whether a profession should be regulated by CORU; to provide a list of professions that have sought to be regulated since the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended) was enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74739/25]
View answer2227. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 November 2025, where a medical profession has sought to be regulated by CORU under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended),where a decision not to regulate such a profession at this juncture has been made, the process by which her Department has arrived at such a decision and rationale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74740/25]
View answer2228. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 November 2025, if she is aware of an organisation (details supplied), representing a healthcare profession that has been seeking to be regulated for over 15 years; whether it is proposed to regulate this profession as requested; the specific reasons why no progress has been made on this request; her views that non-regulation of this profession to date poses a risk to patient safety, or puts this profession at a disadvantage over similar professions which are regulated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74741/25]
View answer2229. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of athletic therapy as a profession; the qualifications required to become a certified athletic therapist; the medical conditions which such therapists are qualified to manage and the difference between athletic therapy and physiotherapy; the potential for both professions to be employed by the health care sector to help reduce waiting lists for a range of musculoskeletal treatments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74742/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2159, 2192, 2193, 2194, 2195, 2196, 2225, 2226, 2227, 2228 and 2229 together.
As the Deputies are aware and further to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 November 2025, work is ongoing in my department to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future.
The framework will modernise our approach to professional regulation both in terms of how decisions are made regarding professional regulation and the ways in which we regulate professions. The framework will be informed by an evidence and risk-based approach to regulation in line with requirements set out in the EU Proportionality Test Directive.
The issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex and this is therefore a significant project requiring considerable research and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
There are a number of professions designated under the existing regulatory framework that will continue to move towards regulation. Regulation of additional individual professions, including athletic therapists, is not planned until the risk-based assessment framework is place in compliance with best practice, international evidence, and the Proportionality Test Directive.
Once the framework is in place, professions will then be assessed. Work to develop the framework and to assess professions is likely to take a number of years.
It is envisaged that in future, following a risk-based assessment of a profession, if statutory regulation is deemed necessary and proportionate, a decision would then be made regarding which of the six regulators should regulate the profession.
My officials plan to engage with relevant stakeholders, including professional bodies representing unregulated professions, professional and service regulators and service users, regarding the development of the framework in the coming months.
Athletic therapists are among the professions which have approached the Department seeking regulation. Other professions seeking regulation include:
• Acupuncturists
• Audiologists
• Chiropractors
• Clinical Measurement Physiologists
• Clinical Scientists
• Creative Arts Therapists
• Exercise Professionals
• Health Care Assistants
• Hypnotherapists
• Music Therapists
• Nutrition Therapists
• Operating Department Practitioners
• Osteopaths
• Pharmacy Technicians
• Physician Associates
• Play Therapists
• Prosthetists and Orthotists
• Reflexologists
• Relationship Mentors
It should be noted that statutory regulation forms a part of a system of assurance that the Department utilises to mitigate risk posed to the public by the practise of health and social care professions. Many professions employed in the health service, including in the HSE and the publicly funded sector, are not subject to statutory regulation. For example, audiologists, clinical measurement physiologists, medical physicists, play therapists and play specialists, and perfusionists are among the non-regulated groups which are currently employed by the HSE.
Similarly, many private health insurers cover services provided by non-regulated professions, such as counselling, osteopathy and acupuncture for example. Such decisions are matters for the insurers.
I can confirm that I am aware of Athletic Therapy as a profession and that department officials have engaged with the profession’s professional body, Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI). Department officials also attended the World Federation of Athletic Therapy and Training’s World Congress which was hosted by ARTI in October 2025 in Maynooth.
Details of ARTI’s certification process to become a certified athletic therapist are set out on the ARTI website at Certifications | ARTI (www.arti.ie/certification)
Physiotherapist is a legally protected professional title in Ireland in line with the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. The Standards of Proficiency for Physiotherapists are set down by CORU and are available on their website [prb-standards-of-proficiency-for-physiotherapists.pdf]
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to place a greater focus on exercise and wellbeing as a preventative and rehabilitation measure and examine ways to support the provision of community based clinical exercise programmes nationwide.
Contribution to these community-based exercise programmes may be from a range of professionals with expertise in physical activity. Department officials work with service delivery colleagues in identifying skills gaps on an ongoing basis and if a requirement for different models of care is identified by services, the department will work with relevant stakeholders.
2160. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to reassure the Iveragh Hospice Branch in County Kerry and the residents of Iveragh, that hospice beds in St. Anne's Hospital, Cahersiveen will not be closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74386/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2161. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the national datasets her Department requires for governance, planning, financial control, and performance oversight of all services funded under the health vote, for each dataset, whether it is currently fully operational, partially operational, or not in place; the legislative, policy, or administrative basis on which each dataset is required; and the timeline by which her Department expects full national data coverage to be in place across the health system, in tabular form. [74392/25]
View answerThe HSE submits reports to the Minister and Department outlining progress against the objectives of its Corporate Plan, National Service Plan and key healthcare reforms. Data on performance against NSP objectives and targets and key reform actions is reported through the Management Data Report and National Performance Report, both of which are published each month: www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/performancereports/
Additionally, following a request from the Minister to the HSE in October 2023 for full access to HSE data across a broad range of areas, the Data Systems Working Group was established to provide a structured process for the request and receipt of datasets from the HSE, in accordance with all relevant data protection law. The legislative basis for the Minister to request data from the HSE is set out in the Health Act under Section 40C (1) and reflected in the HSE Code of Governance.
To date, through this Group, the HSE has provided the following datasets to the Department:
|
Area of work |
Data request |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
GMS Claims |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
DPS Claims |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
LTI Claims |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
Hitech Claims |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
Drug Management |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
Outpatient Parenteral Therapy |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(Flu & Covid Vaccination) GP-only Vaccinations |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(Flu & Covid Vaccination) GP & Pharmacy Vaccinations |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(Primary Childhood Vaccination) Vaccination Events |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(Primary Childhood Vaccination) Aggregated Payment |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(GP Claiming) Special Type Consultations |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(GP Claiming) Special Services |
|
GP Access |
Access to Diagnostics Scheme |
|
Chief Data and Analytics Office (CDAO) |
Power BI Dashboards |
|
Chief Data and Analytics Office (CDAO) |
HPVP Dashboard |
|
Chief Data and Analytics Office (CDAO) |
NAS Qlikview |
|
Workforce |
DIME - Medical Workforce Planning Data |
|
National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) |
National Integrated Medical Imaging System |
|
Financial |
Providing month on month financial data |
|
Healthcare Pricing Office (HPO) |
Speciality Costing Files (aggregated & disaggregated data)
|
The work of the Group is ongoing and the Department and HSE are continuously working together to identify data gaps and reporting needs.
As per the 2026 National Service Plan, in 2026, the HSE also plans to implement the new Data Strategy, to harness data for safer, more connected and patient-centred care, prioritising primary and community data and the collection of Personal Public Service Numbers and Eircodes across all public health interactions.
This will be supported by the passage of the Health Information Bill which will empower the HSE to request, from health service providers (including private providers with whom it has entered into an arrangement to provide health services), health information for specified public interest purposes, including service planning and performance management. The Bill also provides for the best-practice use of Eircode and the PPSN to uniquely identify patients, in line with national digital strategy. These stronger identification processes will help enhance patient safety, security of access, and data linkage.
2162. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has approved a national set of key performance indicators for monitoring recruitment activity, vacancy levels, clearance timelines, and the delivery of development posts across services funded under the Health Vote; if so, to list those KPIs and the date on which they were approved; if not, to state the reason such KPIs have not been approved, given the scale of the staffing and pay envelope; and the date by which full national KPI reporting will be operational and routinely available to her Department. [74393/25]
View answerThe HSE submits reports to the Minister and Department outlining progress against the objectives of its Corporate Plan, National Service Plan and key healthcare reforms. Data on performance against NSP objectives and targets and key reform actions is reported through the Management Data Report and National Performance Report, both of which are published each month: www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/performancereports/
Additionally, following a request from the Minister to the HSE in October 2023 for full access to HSE data across a broad range of areas, the Data Systems Working Group was established to provide a structured process for the request and receipt of datasets from the HSE, in accordance with all relevant data protection law. The legislative basis for the Minister to request data from the HSE is set out in the Health Act under Section 40C (1) and reflected in the HSE Code of Governance.
To date, through this Group, the HSE has provided the following datasets to the Department:
|
Area of work |
Data request |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
GMS Claims |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
DPS Claims |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
LTI Claims |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
Hitech Claims |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
Drug Management |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
Outpatient Parenteral Therapy |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(Flu & Covid Vaccination) GP-only Vaccinations |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(Flu & Covid Vaccination) GP & Pharmacy Vaccinations |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(Primary Childhood Vaccination) Vaccination Events |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(Primary Childhood Vaccination) Aggregated Payment |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(GP Claiming) Special Type Consultations |
|
Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) |
(GP Claiming) Special Services |
|
GP Access |
Access to Diagnostics Scheme |
|
Chief Data and Analytics Office (CDAO) |
Power BI Dashboards |
|
Chief Data and Analytics Office (CDAO) |
HPVP Dashboard |
|
Chief Data and Analytics Office (CDAO) |
NAS Qlikview |
|
Workforce |
DIME - Medical Workforce Planning Data |
|
National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) |
National Integrated Medical Imaging System |
|
Financial |
Providing month on month financial data |
|
Healthcare Pricing Office (HPO) |
Speciality Costing Files (aggregated & disaggregated data)
|
The work of the Group is ongoing and the Department and HSE are continuously working together to identify data gaps and reporting needs. As per the 2026 National Service Plan, in 2026, the HSE also plans to implement the new Data Strategy, to harness data for safer, more connected and patient-centred care, prioritising primary and community data and the collection of Personal Public Service Numbers and Eircodes across all public health interactions.
This will be supported by the passage of the Health Information Bill which will empower the HSE to request, from health service providers (including private providers with whom it has entered into an arrangement to provide health services), health information for specified public interest purposes, including service planning and performance management. The Bill also provides for the best-practice use of Eircode and the PPSN to uniquely identify patients, in line with national digital strategy. These stronger identification processes will help enhance patient safety, security of access, and data linkage.
2163. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the controls used by her Department to oversee the staffing and pay envelope funded under the Health Vote pending the full rollout of the national integrated staff records and pay system; the proportion of the HSE workforce currently covered by that system; the projected completion date for national rollout; and whether her Department has identified any financial or governance risks arising from the absence of a fully integrated national staffing and pay dataset. [74394/25]
View answerTo support the Department of Health's oversight function, the HSE provide the Department with a range of reports detailing staffing levels and associated pay costs across the HSE.
These reports include
• the HSE's monthly staff census,
• a monthly report detailing HSE recruitment against agreed recruitment limits and
• monthly pay data by category of pay cost and site.
• In addition, the HSE regularly respond to ad-hoc requests from the Department.
These reports cover all HSE staff working on Department of Health funded activities, including those working in voluntary (Section 38) facilities.
The National integrated Staff Records and Pay (NiSRP) system is scheduled to be fully rolled-out by 2029. Most of the staff working in statutory (HSE managed) facilities are already onboard with the final 1,150 staff expected to join the system in March 2026. The Section 38 facilities are scheduled to come onboard in four tranches across the period 2026 to 2029.
The roll-out of NiSRP will improve upon the existing system of reports by providing more granular information on pay and staffing in a timely fashion. It is expected that this will have a positive impact on the Department 's oversight function by facilitating even more detailed analysis of pay and staffing patterns than is currently the case.
2164. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department estimates the annual cost to the Health Vote arising from delayed transfers of care linked to housing shortages; the methodology used by her Department to calculate bed-day costs associated with delayed discharges; if such costs are reported to her Department on a routine basis; and the date by which she intends to introduce regular national cost reporting for delayed transfers of care. [74395/25]
View answerI would like to thank the deputy for his question regarding Delayed Transfers of Care (DTOC), which is an integral part of the patient flow process and as such a vital element in a well-functioning health system.
Delayed Transfers of Care are categorised as follows:
• Type A Home Support Service: awaiting access to home support services.
• Type B Residential Care Support: awaiting access to residential care support.
• Type C Access to Rehabilitation: awaiting access to rehabilitation services.
• Type D Complex Clinical Need: patient with complex clinical needs awaiting access to specific services
• Type E Homelessness/Housing Support/Adjustment: homeless patient, patient requiring home adaptions or patient awaiting access to Supported Living / housing with care.
• Type F Legal Complexity/Ward of Court: patient is a refugee or asylum seeker and needs specific placement or there is a legal complexity associated with the patient, or they are a Ward of Court.
According to the most recent DTOC report issued by the HSE on the 30th of December, 8% of patients on the DTOC list are in the Type E category and this accounts for 10% of the national total of Bed Days Lost (BDL).
The Finance Unit tracks the overall financial performance of the HSE on behalf of the Department of Health. The Department of Health does not currently track the costs of Bed Days Lost associated with Delayed Transfers of Care.
