Written Answers Nos. 2551-2572
2551. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the total number of new psychiatric beds delivered in 2025; the number of replacement psychiatric beds; the total current number of operational beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2371/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
2552. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the total number of new CAMHS beds delivered in 2025; the number of replacement CAMHS beds delivered in 2025; the total number of operational CAMHS beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2372/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
2553. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health the progress made on the National Stroke Strategy 2022-2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2400/26]
View answerThe HSE National Stroke Strategy 2022-2027 aims to modernise and reform stroke services in line with Sláintecare policy and address the challenges facing Ireland from population ageing and the predicted increase in the total number of strokes right across Europe, including Ireland. The strategy provides a blueprint for investment in stroke services over the five-year period from 2022 to 2027.
This government is fully committed to supporting improvements and advances in stroke services and will build on the €13.5m in funding allocated to the Strategy since its publication in 2022.
The funding allocated to the National Stroke Strategy to date has enabled significant new developments such as:
• The expansion of the GP Contract to include opportunistic case finding of High Blood Pressure for those with a GMS/GP visit card. This contract is now in place, and the service commenced in Q1 2024. This measure initially applied to over 45-year-olds but has now been expanded to include those 18 years and over and is an important preventive measure to curb the expected rise in stroke cases over the next two decades.
• The recruitment of 12 posts in 2023, to support acute stroke units, endovascular thrombectomy centres, and Early Supported Discharge (ESD) teams.
• Progress has been made in early stroke rehabilitation with the expansion of our Early Supported Discharge (ESD) teams from 6 to 13. Our target is to have 21 ESD teams nationally and it is envisaged that 15 teams will be operational by Q1 2026.
• EVT rates are around 10% in Ireland nearly three times the rate reported in the UK, reflecting Ireland’s success in this area.
• Bespoke projects in secondary prevention and rehabilitation, carried out by the Cork Stroke Support Centre and Croí have also been funded. These align with relevant areas in the strategy as well as providing support to survivors in remote regions of the country.
On September 9th, 2025, the HSE launched a new national TV, radio and digital campaign called ‘Every Second Counts’. The campaign reinforces knowledge and understanding of stroke symptoms while focusing on the importance of contacting emergency services immediately when a stroke is suspected. It is envisaged that this measure will increase the number of people attending emergency Departments within the crucial 4.5 hour window for the most effective treatments and the impact of the campaign will be measured by the national stroke audit.
In Budget 2025 a total of €5.0m was allocated to the Strategy. This funding will enable the recruitment of 56 new posts to support the expansion of early supported discharge teams and access to acute stroke units to support stroke services through the provision of additional consultants, psychologists and a range of health and social care professionals. As of December 2025, approximately 80% of these posts have been recruited.
Separately in Budget 2025, €600,000 has been allocated to support the Irish Heart Foundation Stroke Connect service. This service complements hospital services by supporting survivors of stroke when they are discharged, helping them make lifestyle changes to self-manage their condition and giving them a better chance of leading an independent life. The Irish National Audit of Stroke 2024/25 found that 96% of acute stroke units refer patients onto this service.
In addition, following the success of a recent swallow screening quality improvement initiative, swallow screening rates have increased from 68% in 2021 to 81% in 2024 demonstrating the significant impact of initiatives like these that can be made with minimal investment.
I remain fully committed to making further progress on implementing the stroke strategy and will continue to work with the HSE to ensure its successful implementation to further reduce mortality from stroke, as well as supporting survivors of stroke to live as independently as possible in their communities.
2554. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health whether early supported discharge from the Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar is available for stroke patients with a home address in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2401/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
2555. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health the number of community pharmacies registered in each county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2402/26]
View answerPlease find below, the number of pharmacies per county, in tabular form. This data has been received from the HSE, and indicates the number of HSE pharmacy contractors. The HSE wish to note that these numbers are constantly shifting, in line with change of ownerships of pharmacies. As a result there can be occasions where the data shows 2 existing pharmacy contracts, but in fact, only one pharmacy contract would be 'trading' or in place. These are the figures as of today 12th January 2026.
2556. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health the number of community pharmacies that had signed up to provide the common conditions service by 1 December 2025, as required, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2403/26]
View answerPlease find details of the number of community pharmacies that have signed up to provide the common conditions service as of 1 December 2025, and as of 7th January 2026.
The Minister has welcomed the positive engagement from community pharmacies, with almost 93% of community pharmacies across Ireland having signed up to offer the new Common Conditions Service (CCS), and highlighting the sector’s ongoing commitment to improving access to community-based healthcare to deliver the service.
2557. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the establishment of the Strategic Collaboration Group as outlined in the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2404/26]
View answerThe Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 was agreed between the Department of Health (DoH), the Health Service Executive (HSE), and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) on 12 September 2025, and published on 18 September 2025.
The Agreement is designed to support the delivery of safe, equitable, and efficient healthcare, and to ensure that community pharmacists are better equipped to contribute to national health priorities through structured engagement, sustainable funding, and integrated service delivery. It sets out a comprehensive and ongoing pathway to modernise and expand the role of community pharmacy in Ireland’s healthcare system.
The full text of the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/community-pharmacy-agreement-2025/
The Agreement is being implemented on a phased basis supported by regular structured engagements between the DoH, the HSE and the IPU. The continuation of a high-level, enduring strategic relationship is designed to support the shaping and implementation of pharmacy’s role in a more integrated, efficient, and patient-centred health system.
Under the Agreement, a Strategic Collaboration Group will be established in 2026 which will provide a structured forum for dialogue and joint consideration of strategic issues shaping the future of community pharmacy in Ireland. This Strategic Collaboration Group will consist of representatives from the IPU, the HSE and the DoH.
2558. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health whether a transfer policy for clinical staff, such as physiotherapists, is currently operational for those employed by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2405/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
2559. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 414 of 17 December 2025, the status of a funding application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2414/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
2561. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of the top ten capital or programme projects delivered by her Department or its agencies over the past three years which were completed on time and within the originally approved budget; the project name, location, delivery timeframe, original approved budget, final outturn cost, and delivery body, for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2431/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
2562. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health to detail the annual spend on external consultants by her Department and its agencies in each of the past three years; the number of consultancy contracts, the largest individual consultancy engagements by value, and whether internal capacity-building or cost-benefit assessments were undertaken prior to engaging external consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2449/26]
View answerIt is the policy in the Department to only engage the services of external consultants where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and when such an approach is considered to be more appropriate and cost-effective.
In response to your question, some of the information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. My officials are collating the information in respect of the Non-Commercial State Agencies and engaging with the HSE to source the information in respect of HSE expenditure. A consolidated reply will be prepared into a full response to you as soon as possible.
2563. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health to provide a list, for each of the past three years of the top ten projects per annum delivered by her Department or its agencies which were completed late and over the originally approved budget; the project name, location, original approved completion date, actual completion date, original approved budget, final outturn cost, cost overrun expressed in euro and percentage terms, and the delivery body for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2467/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
2564. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting time for access to home help supports in County Leitrim; the number of people presently on the waiting list; the factors contributing to these delays; the specific measures being taken to reduce waiting times, including efforts to increase staffing levels, fill vacant posts arising from retirements or departures, improve recruitment and retention, and ensure adequate resourcing of home support services in the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2497/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
2565. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health as per the HSE national service plan for 2026, if the national service plan will ensure the opening of all 20 inpatient CAMHS beds in the national children’s hospital; and, if not, which beds will open in NCHI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2518/26]
View answerIt is a priority for me, and for Government, to ensure that children who need services can access them and access them on time. This is in line with our national mental health policy Sharing the Vision, our suicide reduction strategy Connecting for Life, and the HSE Annual Service Plan 2026.
Year-on-year funding for mental health services increased from €1.3 billion announced in Budget 2024, to €1.5 billion in 2025 and to nearly €1.6 billion in 2026. For context, year on year funding for mental health services has increased by over 5% compared to last year, and funding since I took up this office has increased by over 51%. CAMHS nationally receives approximately €181 million annually, with a further €127 million provided to NGOs, many of which focus on youth mental health.
Specifically in relation to youth mental health, this year’s Budget provided funding for new early intervention youth mental health services, funding to support a digital single point of access for youth mental health services, an additional specialist CAMHS eating disorders team, two new Mental Health of Intellectual Disabilities teams for children, and five new mental health Discovery Colleges for young people.
A further €4m was allocated in Budget 2026 to recruit 47 staff to open 18 CAMHS inpatient beds nationally. The 20 new CAMHS beds planned for the National Children’s Hospital will be opened on a phased basis, with funding secured for 7 of these new beds under Budget 2026. The additional funding I also secured in the Budget to re-open 11 beds in Linn Dara will have a significant and more immediate effect on service delivery through increased availability of inpatient assessment and treatment for young people with severe mental health difficulties.
CAMHS in-patient bed capacity is 72 beds nationally but due to a range of issues, there are 45 beds in operation. As of 13 January 2026, the waiting list nationally to access CAMHS inpatient units was 2. Of the available 45 in-patient beds for CAMHS in operation at present, 31 were occupied on 13 January, leaving 14 beds unoccupied and available to accommodate an admission. In line with service delivery improvements and increased capacity within both community and acute services, there has also been a significant reduction of young people admitted to adult acute units from 84 in 2018 to 5 in 2025.
I will continue to work closely with the HSE to ensure that all aspects of youth mental health care, including inpatient care, are improved over this year and beyond.
2566. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the €35 million ringfenced skills package announced in Budget 2026 will be allocated to meet the most acute needs of employers in the midlands; if governance reforms to the National Training Fund will be introduced to give employers a stronger role in directing expenditure towards industry’s evolving skills challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1874/26]
View answerFor over 25 years, the National Training Fund (NTF) has played a key role in Ireland’s workforce transformation, upskilling employees, preparing jobseekers, and supporting lifelong learning.
Budget 2025 delivered a significant investment through the NTF Surplus Package, allocating an additional €1.485 billion to the tertiary education sector over six years from 2025 to 2030 including €235 million for a ringfenced skills package. This translates into an allocation of €35 million in Budget 2026 for upskilling and reskilling opportunities to meet the needs of individual learners, the construction sector for infrastructure delivery and our SME sector throughout the country. This funding is allocated to a number of organisations including SOLAS, Skillnet Ireland, the Higher Education Authority and The Wheel who are responsible for allocating funding to their respective entities including those serving the midlands region. In 2026, my Department is investing nearly €1.16 billion (both current and capital) from the NTF to strengthen Ireland’s workforce and skills ecosystem.
Turning to the issue of introducing governance reforms to the NTF in order to give employers a stronger role in directing expenditure towards industry’s evolving skills challenges, I would like to highlight to the Deputy that the NTF Act already provides for consultation with employers. This is complemented by the work of the National Skills Council, which brings together key stakeholders, including enterprise representatives, to advise on strategic direction. During the passage of the National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas late last year, an amendment was introduced to formalise the engagement with employers on an annual basis at the committee stage in the Seanad. This amendment was rejected because the engagement between my Department and representatives of employers and employees happens far more frequently than on an annual basis. I was of the view that the current provision of “time to time” reflects more accurately the ongoing engagement from the National Skills Council to the Labour Economic Employer Forum which I chair. As I noted in the Houses of the Oireachtas, I am progressing plans to establish the National Skills Observatory which will be another important mechanism to ensure the responsiveness of the NTF and reflects one of the key asks of the National Skills Council in its budget advice to Government.
I am pleased to note that the National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill was enacted on 23 December, and I plan to commence the Act on 19 January. I welcome the Deputy’s shared commitment to ensuring Ireland’s skills ecosystem remains responsive to the needs of enterprise and the economy. Together, we can ensure that our investment in skills continues to support growth, innovation, and opportunity for learners and employers alike, not just in the midlands but across the country.
2567. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when his predecessor became aware of the exam papers for sale allegations; the actions he took when he became aware; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73901/25]
View answer2568. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he became aware of the exam papers for sale allegations; the actions taken by the Department when it became aware; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73902/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2567 and 2568 together.
SOLAS is the state agency responsible for further education and training, including apprenticeships. Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) has statutory responsibility for external quality assurance of the Irish tertiary education and training system.
In 2025, QQI conducted a statutory focused review of SOLAS’s quality assurance arrangements for the craft electrical curriculum and assessments. The review identified areas for improvement in assessment predictability, security measures, and governance structures. A Quality Improvement Plan has been agreed between SOLAS and QQI to implement these recommendations.
QQI advised my Department of their intent to begin a focused review in early 2025, and following engagements with agencies, the following measures have been prioritised to safeguard the integrity and strengthen the quality of craft apprenticeships:
• Withdrawal and replacement of compromised papers to protect the examination process.
• An independent review by City of Glasgow College confirmed that the craft electrical assessment system is robust, includes safeguards against circumvention, and that qualified craft electricians are competent and safe.
• A review of assessments across the remaining 24 craft apprenticeships, with targeted actions taken to address predictability where necessary.
Recognising the central role of curriculum and assessment in programme quality, I have directed a reform to align apprenticeship quality assurance with the processes underpinning other programmes in the technological sector. A detailed plan is being developed by SOLAS, QQI and the HEA to transfer responsibility for curriculum development, assessment design, and validation for craft apprenticeships from SOLAS and QQI to education providers, and integrate apprenticeship quality assurance within the academic governance structures of the tertiary education framework.
These measures demonstrate the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity and reputation of the apprenticeship system.
2569. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will intervene in the case of QQI level 5 courses in healthcare/nursing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73975/25]
View answerQuality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), an agency under the remit of my Department, is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland. QQI works in partnership with providers and stakeholders to develop and maintain award standards.
As part of its Outline Action Plan for the Review and Renewal of QQI Common Award Standards, which was published in December 2023, QQI identified healthcare award standards at Levels 5 and 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) as a priority for review.
QQI is currently undertaking a public consultation on new Draft Awards Standards for Healthcare at NFQ Level 5 which have been developed in collaboration with the Department of Health, Health Service Executive (HSE), Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), the Leading Healthcare Providers Skillnet, Maynooth University School of Education and subject matter experts from the sector.
The draft proposals for placement hours which are included in the Draft Awards Standards were developed in response to stakeholder feedback on existing Level 5 healthcare awards. That feedback indicated a need for a stronger emphasis on practical experience and skills development. The proposed placement hours also reflect the safety-critical and sensitive nature of healthcare environments, as well as the higher number of placement hours typically required in some current programmes.
The public consultation process on the Draft Awards Standards, which has now been extended until 30th January 2026, provides an important opportunity for stakeholders to comment on the suitability and practicality of placement hours, and I would encourage interested stakeholders to make a submission in this regard. Further information can be found at: www.qqi.ie/what-we-do/engagement-insights-and-knowledge-sharing/current-consultations#Award_Standards_Healthcare.
2570. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has sought the exclusion of Israel from EU-related funding opportunities related to defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74009/25]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the managing Ireland’s participation in Horizon Europe, the European Union’s framework programme for research and innovation. Horizon Europe is agreed at EU level and governed by EU law.
Israel has been associated with Horizon Europe since 1996. As an associated country, Israel participates on the same basis as EU Member States, subject to compliance with the relevant programme regulations and international obligations,
Research and innovation activities funded under Horizon Europe are intended to be exclusively focused on civilian applications, as set out in Art. 7(1) of the Horizon Europe Regulation. Projects funded under the programme are subject to legal oversight, and monitoring by the European Commission.
On 18 December 2025, the European Council adopted a regulation under the Defence Readiness Omnibus, to facilitate defence related investments from the European budget. This regulation includes a targeted extension of the European Investment Council within Horizon Europe, to support dual use and defence-related projects in the future. Any such activities will be subject to specific eligibility criteria and governance arrangements agreed at EU Level. Ireland continues to engage actively in discussions on the scope and implementation of these measures.
Ireland’s position regarding Israel’s participation in EU programmes is firm and consistent. In February 2024, Ireland together with Spain, jointly wrote to the President of the European Commission, requesting an urgent review of Israel's compliance with the human rights obligations of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
On 29 July 2025, the Commission proposed a partial suspension of Israel's participation to Horizon Europe. This proposal was considered by the European Council but did not receive the required level of support.
2571. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures his Department has taken in order to ensure that EU research funding is not allocated for defence purposes in order to ensure Ireland's neutrality is not compromised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74010/25]
View answerThe European Commission’s proposal for the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, due to begin in 2028 and currently under negotiation among Member States, includes a significant shift toward a dual use by default approach to research funding.
Under this model, research and innovation activities - particularly those in critical technological areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and biotechnology - are recognised to have both civilian and defence-related applications, and therefore should be eligible for support across the full Horizon Europe programme.
This proposed direction reflects the analysis of the Commission’s Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe (the Heitor Report). This concluded that the traditional distinction between civilian and defence research is excessively binary as much scientific research can have beneficial or harmful consequences with its impact spanning a spectrum shaped by intent, context and application.
Seeking to maintain this outdated distinction in Horizon Europe would be increasingly unworkable given, as highlighted in the Heitor Report, most emerging and modern technologies inherently carry dual-use potential and there is a growing convergence of civilian and security-focused research. The more flexible approach proposed allows technologies to evolve without prescriptive constraints, fostering creativity and responsiveness to future needs.
The rapidly evolving geopolitical and security landscape in Europe clearly creates significant challenges for maintaining competitiveness, resilience and safety across the Union. In light of this context, and fully consistent with safeguarding Ireland’s long-standing policy of military neutrality, during discussions at the Competitiveness Council research configuration meeting in Brussels last September I signalled Ireland’s openness to work constructively with the Commission’s proposed policy, while remaining attentive to responding to any potential unintended implications for other elements of the Horizon Framework Programme.
Ireland will participate in these negotiations on the Framework Programme throughout 2026. During Ireland’s EU Presidency in the latter half of the year, Ireland will work with Member States to ensure that the next Framework Programme supports priorities for such as research excellence, strengthened innovation, enhanced competitiveness, and improved security and resilience across Europe.
Of course non-membership of military alliances clearly does not erode or diminish in any way whatsoever, Government's key responsibility for the defence and security of our country and our people. Clearly, Ireland's national research and innovation system has a critical role, including on the basis of research funded under Horizon Europe, in underpinning the achievement of this crucial objective through, for example, research and innovation that can help safeguard Ireland's strategic national infrastructure.
2572. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the deferral of the proposed review of personal assistant services funded from the Fund for Students with Disabilities until the Demonstration Project has concluded, whether it is the Department’s view that the deferral will delay the WRC conciliation process currently underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74046/25]
View answerThe Department does not have a role in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) conciliation process. The WRC is an independent body, and it is solely a matter for the WRC to determine how this process proceeds. The Department cannot interfere in or influence the conduct or timing of the WRC’s conciliation process.
