Tuesday, 13 Jan 2026

Health Services Waiting Lists

Questions (2508)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

2508. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for ophthalmology appointments and procedures, by county, in tabular form. [2302/26]

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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.

Departmental Policies

Questions (2509)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2509. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 448 of 13 November 2025, the status of the implementation plan for the 2019 national oral health policy, Smile agus Sláinte; if the HSE senior leadership team has completed its review; if it has been sent to her for consideration; if so, the date on which she received it; the timeline for publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2307/26]

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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.

Departmental Data

Questions (2510)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2510. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the location of each of the 177 acute beds to be delivered under the 2026 HSE National Service Plan, in tabular form. [2308/26]

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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.

Departmental Data

Questions (2511)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2511. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the location of each of the 428 community beds to be delivered under the 2026 HSE National Service Plan, in tabular form. [2309/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (2512)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2512. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the expected timeline for delivery of each of the surgical hubs in Dublin north, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford, which, according to the HSE National Service Plan 2026, are to be delivered in 2026; the current status of each hub; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2310/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE, as sponsoring agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the surgical hubs to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.

Education and Training Provision

Questions (2513)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2513. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the reason for the gap between expected activity and projected outturn in respect of GP trainees, outlined in the HSE National Service Plan 2026 (details supplied); the steps she is taking to ensure that the 2026 aim for expected activity is reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2311/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill)

Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available in 2024 and 2025. The figure quoted in the NSP 2026 is a typographical error, 348 new entrants commenced training in 2025. The number of new entrant places available is to increase by a further 50 places to 400 this year.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (2514)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2514. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of the National Office for Trauma Services’ review of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service; if a final draft was issued to the HSE’s chief clinical officer and national director for services and schemes by the end of October 2025, as had previously been indicated; to provide a timeline for publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2312/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (2515)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2515. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the National Office for Trauma Services’ review of Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) examined a proposal to change the HEMS crewing model to a physician inclusive service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2313/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Projects

Questions (2516)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2516. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to establishing an expert panel on the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service model (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2314/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff

Questions (2517)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2517. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of consultant contracts in Children Health Ireland, by type, principal site and speciality, in tabular form (details supplied). [2315/26]

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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.

Departmental Inquiries

Questions (2518)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2518. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1104 of 18 November 2025, if a similar “snapshot” can be provided for all patients included in the external expert review established following the independent audit of hip surgeries at CHI and Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2316/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an operational matter I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the deputy.

Legislative Measures

Questions (2519)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

2519. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will commence section 232 of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 in January 2026; if not, the expected timeline for commencement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2317/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Sections 232 (b), (c) and (d) of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 will amend section 20 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. This will allow for a declaration of parentage to be obtained in circumstances where a donor assisted human reproduction (DAHR) procedure did not take place in a clinical setting and in cases where a known donor was used, providing that the donor consents to the granting of the declaration. This will apply to DAHR procedures which have taken place prior to the commencement of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, i.e. prior to 4th May 2020.

As these amendments concern procedures before the District and Circuit Court, it was necessary that the relevant Rules of Court were updated to reflect the changes to be introduced, and before these provisions in Section 232 of the 2024 Act can be commenced.

Officials in my Department worked with colleagues in the Courts Service in the preparation of updated Rules of Court for the Circuit and District Courts which were approved by the relevant Court Rules Committees on 24th October and 11th November 2025 respectively.

It is my understanding that the changes approved by both Committees have now been submitted for concurrence by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

My officials are continuing to liaise with officials from that Department in this regard and are working with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on drafting the commencement order for these provisions in Section 232.

Once that order has been completed and concurrence from the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has been received, it will be possible to commence sections 232 (b), (c) and (d) of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024. I remain committed to doing so as soon as is practicable thereafter.

Health Services

Questions (2520, 2521, 2522, 2523, 2524, 2525, 2526, 2527, 2529, 2530, 2531)

Liam Quaide

Question:

2520. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown, by health region, of current eating disorder service provision, including WTE staffing by discipline and team type; and to set out the corresponding staffing levels recommended by the HSE National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders for each area. [2324/26]

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Liam Quaide

Question:

2521. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health to outline the measures being taken in 2026 to close the gap between current eating disorder service provision and recommended provision set out in the HSE National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders. [2325/26]

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Liam Quaide

Question:

2522. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of specialist eating disorder teams currently in place for children and adolescents, and adults, by location; and to provide the staffing levels of each and catchment population for each team. [2326/26]

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Liam Quaide

Question:

2523. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently on waiting lists for eating disorder assessment and treatment for CAMHS eating disorder pathways, adult specialist eating disorder services, and inpatient eating disorder treatment; and the median and longest waiting times in each category, by health region. [2327/26]

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Liam Quaide

Question:

2524. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals received by public eating disorder services in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; and the number accepted for treatment, by health region. [2328/26]

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Liam Quaide

Question:

2525. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of eating disorder inpatient beds available in the public system; the locations of same; average occupancy rates; and the number of patients treated as inpatients in 2023, 2024 and 2025. [2329/26]

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Liam Quaide

Question:

2526. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health to outline the current availability of day-patient and intensive outpatient eating disorder programmes, including locations, capacity, referral criteria and average waiting times; and the additional capacity planned for 2026. [2330/26]

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Liam Quaide

Question:

2527. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the proportion of eating disorder patients who are treated outside their health region, including the reasons for out-of-area treatment; and the steps being taken to ensure equitable access to specialist services in all regions. [2331/26]

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Liam Quaide

Question:

2529. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost, and the proposed multi-annual timeline, to implement, in full, the staffing and service configuration recommended by the HSE National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders; and whether a published implementation plan will be provided. [2333/26]

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Liam Quaide

Question:

2530. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health to outline the transition arrangements for patients moving from CAMHS eating disorder pathways to adult eating disorder services, including the number of patients who experienced a related break in care in 2023, 2024 and 2025; and the measures being taken to address this. [2334/26]

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Liam Quaide

Question:

2531. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the extent to which patients are being referred to private care due to delays in public eating disorder services; and whether any funding or reimbursement supports are in place for patients and families in such circumstances. [2335/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2520 to 2527, inclusive, and 2529 to 2531, inclusive, together.

The National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders has progressed well with 16 of the 16 teams envisaged by the Model of Care now funded. The HSE spends over €10 million on eating disorders services annually. As a result, access to eating disorder services is increasing, with 25% more assessments conducted in 2024 compared to 2023 (562 vs 449).

Greater access to community based services which can focus on early intervention leads to much better outcomes for people with eating disorders, reducing the need for them to access inpatient services.

Approximately 110 dedicated eating disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are now working on the teams across the country, treating people with eating disorders every day. Enhancement for specialist mental health services including eating disorders is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole, and the Health Service Executive (HSE). Under funding secured for Budget 2025, two additional eating disorders team are expected to be operational in the near future, and a further two additional teams have been funded under Budget 2026.

Our current focus is on completing and implementing the existing Model of Care and supporting the rollout of additional teams. Once this is complete, an evaluation will be undertaken, after which the Model of Care will be reviewed by the HSE.

In 2025 at my request, the HSE completed a report on inpatient eating bed disorder bed capacity required for the future. The Department of Health and the HSE will progress the delivery the new inpatient capacity.

With reference to the specific information requested on the National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders as this is an operational issue, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.

Question No. 2521 answered with Question No. 2520.

Question No. 2522 answered with Question No. 2520.

Question No. 2523 answered with Question No. 2520.

Question No. 2524 answered with Question No. 2520.

Question No. 2525 answered with Question No. 2520.

Question No. 2526 answered with Question No. 2520.

Question No. 2527 answered with Question No. 2520.

Eating Disorders

Questions (2528)

Liam Quaide

Question:

2528. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE posts approved, recruited and vacant within eating disorder services, by discipline and health region; and the length of time posts have remained unfilled. [2332/26]

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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.