Written Answers Nos. 115-136
115. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an overview of medical card contracts her Department has with general practitioners in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4958/26]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. As of the start of the month, there are 3,232 GPs who hold at least one contract with the HSE for the provision of medical services, including 2,598 GPs who hold a GMS contract. There are currently (January 2026) 53 GPs in LHO Clare who hold a GMS contract, and a further 3 GPs in Clare who don't hold a GMS contract but do hold another HSE contract.
As per the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to increasing the number of practicing GPs in the State and thereby improving access for patients. Investment in general practice has been significantly increased under the 2019 and 2023 GP Agreements, providing for increased fees and supports for GPs, as well as for new services. The annual number of GP training places has been greatly increased in recent years, and new entrant places will increase by a further 50 this year to 400. In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad continues under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme which targets the placement of participating doctors to practices in rural and underserved areas.
116. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health for an update on the accessibility of the drug givinostat for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [5070/26]
View answerI recognise the importance of providing the best care possible to patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). My Department is closely following the developments in relation to the pricing and reimbursement application for givinostat (Duvyzat®).
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare disease affecting approximately 200 people in Ireland. Its symptoms can severely impact the lives of those living with the disease and their families.
I met with the families of children with DMD and their representative body, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, in July 2025 and spoke at Muscular Dystrophy Ireland’s national conference in December 2025.
Givinostat, marketed under the brand name Duvyzat®, is a medication used to treat DMD in ambulant patients aged 6 years and older. Conditional marketing authorisation was granted for this indication on the 6th June 2025 by the European Commission.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines.
I met with my Italian counterpart at the EPSCO Council meeting in June 2025 in Luxembourg to ask him to encourage Italfarmaco, the marketing authorisation holder for givinostat, to submit a pricing and reimbursement application to Ireland.
On the 6th August 2025 a pricing and reimbursement application was received by the HSE.
The HSE and the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) have proactively engaged with the company in relation to the application.
On 15th January 2026, a full HTA dossier was submitted by Italfarmaco to the NCPE.
The HSE has advised that they will assess the application as efficiently as possible and they cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
117. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the current overcrowding issues at Cork University Hospital, particularly in the emergency department; the immediate measures she plans to implement to alleviate pressure on the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4483/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
118. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if her Department has considered the establishment of a permanent ambulance base in Ballymote, County Sligo, given its central location in south Sligo and the potential to significantly reduce emergency response times in the region; if not, the reasons for this; whether the proposal could be given full consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4443/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
119. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the dental service capacity and access, including DTSS participation, claims activity and waiting lists for dental, orthodontic, and dental surgery services in both counties Cavan and Monaghan; and the percentage of WTE posts currently vacant in each. [5035/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
120. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health for an update on acute mental health services in Wexford General Hospital ; the plans in place for improvement of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4999/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
121. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if she will meet with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss their serious and ongoing concerns about the service at Letterkenny University Hospital to people from Donegal living with type 1 diabetes. [3632/26]
View answerThe Government and the HSE are committed to improving access to care for people living with Diabetes. A great deal of progress has been made in addressing previous resourcing challenges in diabetes care in Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH), serving the people of Donegal.
LUH has approval for three full-time consultant endocrinologist posts, one of who will work in both community and acute settings. Two of these posts have been filled, and a candidate has been offered the third role, subject to clearances. A further 2 endocrinologists have been working a small number of part-time hours.
LUH has increased the number of Diabetes Type 1 & Type 2 clinics to 14 per week. This is expected to increase further once the new consultant commences in their role.
An Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) for Type 1 Diabetes has been recruited and is due to commence soon, subject to clearances.
One Adult Pump clinic is facilitated per month. In addition, there are Paediatric Injection Clinics and Pump Clinics held twice per month and an ANP clinic facilitated twice weekly. This service is supported by dietitians, when available, and a basic grade podiatrist.
There are currently two podiatrists in post.
I met with the organisation in question in May 2025 and I understand that they have regular meetings with the HSE team at LUH and are kept up to date on resourcing matters for diabetes care in LUH. I would naturally be happy to meet with this organisation again, subject to diary commitments.
122. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department currently engages with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in the areas where mental health and disability services intersect, to ensure coordinated and consistent support for individuals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4956/26]
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.
Funding for mental health services has increased to nearly €1.6 billion in 2026. For context, year on year funding for mental health services has increased by over 5%, 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.
CAMHS is a secondary care specialist service for those aged up to 18 years, who have a moderate to severe mental health difficulty. Approximately 2% of the population require support from this specialist service with over 90% of mental health needs requiring treatment in a primary care setting. Where a child or adolescent presents with a moderate to severe mental health difficulty, regardless of whether they also have a disability, it is the role of CAMHS to provide appropriate multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment for the mental health difficulty. This may involve joint working or shared care with HSE Primary Care or Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT).
When information indicates that there is more than one HSE service that could best meet the child or adolescent’s needs, consultation should take place to determine which is the most appropriate service or whether a joint approach to assessment and intervention is indicated. In order to ensure a person-centred pathway to meet the needs of children with a complex disability and their families, the HSE and TUSLA have a Joint Working Protocol to promote best outcomes for children known to either or both agencies. Joint working and shared care with agencies supporting children and adolescents is essential and continues to be prioritised to further the best interests of every child.
New regional CAMHS ID teams are also being developed to ensure equitable access to mental health care for children with intellectual disabilities. These teams specialise in supporting children with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities who also meet criteria for mental health intervention. Regional CAMHS ID teams are designed to provide shared care in tandem with supports provided by local CDNTs.
Recognising that children with intellectual disabilities are in receipt of therapeutic input from their local disability team, regional CAMHS teams are being established as starter teams of 5 WTEs to achieve initial national coverage and begin to provide specialist mental health input into the care of children with intellectual disabilities who are also experiencing a moderate to severe mental health difficulty. I secured funding of €1.6 million under Budget 2026 for two new CAMHS ID teams and additional posts to enhance existing services. As CAMHS ID teams become fully operational, children should continue to access multidisciplinary disability support through their local CDNTs.
I established the National Office for Child and Youth Mental Health in the HSE to improve leadership and all aspects of care across youth mental health. The Office published its Youth Mental Health Action Plan in February last for comprehensive reform across all youth mental health services. The plan sets out a roadmap for the Department and HSE to ensure children and families have equitable and timely access to high-quality mental health care, including better links with Primary Care and Disability Services, and greater use of e-mental health responses. My aim is that services will be better connected and easier to navigate, with increased focus on the rights of young people and their families.
The development of a Single Point of Access (SPoA) for all child and youth mental health referrals in partnership with disabilities, primary care, and voluntary and statutory agencies is a key priority within the new Action Plan. The SPoA is being developed in response to challenges faced by families navigating multiple services, including duplication of referrals, inconsistent triage processes, and fragmented communication between services. Over the coming months, phased implementation will begin, with early adopter sites for 2026 identified and supported through targeted planning and resource coordination.
I will continue to work closely with my Ministerial colleagues and all stakeholders to ensure that all aspects of youth mental health care are improved over this year and beyond. In addition, the Department of Health will continue to liaise regularly with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the matters raised by the Deputy, as will the HSE with its statutory counterparts in relation to enhancing relevant care provision for young people.
123. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of children referred by the HSE to private adult approved centres for psychiatric assessment and treatment in each of the years 2024 and 2025; to provide a breakdown of this data, by age, gender, reason for admission, admission status (voluntary or involuntary), and length of stay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4976/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
125. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health for an update on the follow-up for hip dysplasia patients at CHI arising out of the 2025 review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3353/26]
View answerMy immediate priority following the publication of the Thomas Audit on the 23rd May 2025 was to ensure that there was clinical follow-up and care for patients who have undergone pelvic osteotomy surgery.
This is a once-off review to assess complications and determine current clinical state. After this, patients enter the recommended normal follow up process. These multi-disciplinary team clinics have been underway since June 6 for clinical reviews of patients who had osteotomy surgery in CHI at Temple Street and Cappagh.
As of Monday December 22nd, a total of 932 patients have had clinical reviews as part of the MDT Clinics. CHI aim to have all clinical reviews completed by the end of February 2026.
In relation to retrospective reviews of cases to determine the indications for surgery, the HSE is establishing a separate process, involving external experts. This review is currently in the preparatory phase, which includes convening the External Expert Panel, engaging with patient and family advocates, developing Terms of Reference, designing a secure case management system, and ensuring legal and GDPR compliance for the involvement of international experts.
The HSE has also committed to the involvement of parents and patient advocates in the Terms of Reference for the Review. A workshop to discuss the External Expert Panel was held on August 14th 2025, and further workshops to progress engagement on the Terms of Reference took place on September 13th and October 2nd 2025.
The Chief Clinical Officer plans to communicate with families in the coming weeks to give them an update on the review.
127. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when funding will be allocated by her Department for the development of the new renal dialysis unit at Sligo University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4442/26]
View answerThe provision of a new Renal Dialysis facility at Sligo University Hospital is at an early stage of project initiation. This proposed project could provide a total of 25 Renal Dialysis treatment stations as well as additional in-patient, outpatient and home-based services with associated admin and staff welfare facilities.
Sligo University Hospital previously received approval from the HSE to commence a capital funding application with funding made available to prepare a Feasibility Study for this project, this Feasibility Study was completed in 2024.
This Feasibility Study is under review at a regional management level, and the next steps will be determined upon completion of this review. An updated Development Control Plan (DCP) for Sligo University Hospital will be progressed to determine site capacity and future service developments on the campus, The DCP review is due to be completed by Q3 2026 to take account of new demands within the campus.
128. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health her plans to address the large number of children who have missed dental examinations through the HSE school dental screening programme in recent years; whether the future delivery of children’s dental services will rely on outsourcing to private clinics; the way in which she will ensure that any new approach provides timely, equitable and safe dental care for children, particularly those already missed by the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5038/26]
View answerI acknowledge that there are challenges in the current provision of dental services, including for children, and patients are waiting longer than they should have to, to access care. Additional investment in recent years has sought to protect access to the current model of service while also supporting fundamental service reform through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy.
€17m in one-off funding was invested between 2022 and 2024 to support access to children’s orthodontic treatment. This funding has seen the creation of a new initiative supporting access to jaw surgery for orthodontic patients and the transfer of over 5000 patients into private, community-based orthodontic treatment. A further €2.85m was invested in 2025 to continue these successful orthodontic treatment waiting list initiatives and enable children to access orthodontic care.
In 2025, an additional €2m in funding supported continued policy implementation and the hiring of 15 HSE oral healthcare staff to improve access to existing community services in our HSE dental and orthodontic clinics. This is increasing to €4m this year.
I acknowledge that the current system, which was developed in the 1990s in response to the identified oral healthcare needs at that time, needs to be modernised and aligned with current needs. I am committed to reforming oral healthcare services through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte. The National Oral Health Policy sets out the vision for oral healthcare services in Ireland and has two key goals:
• to provide the supports to enable every individual to achieve their personal best oral health.
• to reduce oral health inequalities across the population, by enabling vulnerable groups to access oral healthcare and improve their oral health.
Oral healthcare will reflect how primary care services are provided in general medical practice and pharmacies, i.e. all ages will be able to access health promotion, routine and emergency healthcare, and health evaluation, on demand, through a chosen local “dental home".
Reform of our services is vital to enable people of all ages to access modern, prevention-focused care. A plan for the first phase of implementation is currently at an advanced stage, for publication in the coming months and contains reform of primary care services for adults and children as priorities.
The development and roll-out of these packages will take place incrementally over the next number of years. The detail of the packages and the resource requirements will be agreed as part of the policy implementation process.
The Policy also contains a range of strategic workforce planning actions to increase national workforce capacity, in support of improving patient access to care. The Department of Health has finalised a workforce census framework for oral healthcare which will be integrated with the Dental Council registration system. The census will consist of a number of questions that dentists will be asked to complete. This will be the first action in developing a systematic approach to gathering data to inform workforce planning
The Department of Health (in consultation with the Department of Education and other stakeholders) is working to develop a proposal for the use of mobile dental clinics, or similar models, to provide preventative oral healthcare interventions to vulnerable children. This year we aim to commence a proof-of-concept mobile dental clinic for children, one of the aims of which will be to thoroughly evaluate direct access to preventive elements of the scope of practice of dental hygienists thus safely expanding access to preventative care.
A programme to encourage the redistribution of oral healthcare professionals to underserved areas is also a key action in the Policy. For oral healthcare professionals working in isolated rural areas far away from centres of education, it will be essential to provide support in the form of mentoring programmes as well as by introducing long-distance and accessible continuing development education programmes.
129. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken to increase GP capacity in rural Ireland; whether a dedicated rural GP strategy is in place; and if she will provide details of any timelines or targets. [5009/26]
View answerGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients, and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in any area.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,598 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further 634 GPs do not hold a GMS contract but hold some other contract(s) with the HSE for the delivery of health services.
Work is ongoing to increase the number of GPs practicing across the country and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients.
Over €340 million in additional annual investment in general practice has been provided under the 2019 and 2023 GP GMS Agreements. The Agreements provide for, amongst other things, increased GP capitation fees, increased and new supports for practices, as well as new fees for additional services.
GMS GPs working in rural areas who meet the qualifying criteria receive an annual rural practice support allowance under the Rural Practice Support Framework. The 2019 GP Agreement increased this practice support package for rural GP practices by 10%. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking. In addition, a new locum support initiative commenced in May last year, providing GPs in receipt of rural practice supports with access to a streamlined locum sourcing service.
The annual intake of doctors into the GP training programme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available in 2024 and again in 2025. The number of new entrant training places is to increase again this year by 50 places to 400. Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme which targets the placement of IMG GPs is targeted to rural and underserved areas.
There is no dedicated rural GP strategy. However, it should be noted, that in addition to the existing supports for rural GP practices further potential measures to support GP practices are being considered under the Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, currently underway, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity and will consider possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to rural and underserved areas. Following its completion, a final report will be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.
130. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the elective hospital in Cork. [3472/26]
View answerI have asked the HSE, as sponsoring agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the new elective treatment centres to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
131. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on new services that will be provided by the Health Service Executive in County Clare in 2026, in particular at Ennis General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4959/26]
View answer507. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an overview of new initiatives and services to be rolled out at Ennis General Hospital in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4961/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 507 together.
Health services are continuing to be developed in County Clare and at Ennis Hospital.
The HSE has advised that planning is continuing to progress for further development of the Ennis Hospital site. This will include two new operating theatres, endoscopy, Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), radiology, laboratories and 48 new inpatient beds in line with the Acute Hospital Inpatient Bed Capacity Plan 2024-2031. These developments are currently at the design stage.
In 2026, a new paediatric social inclusion clinic will commence in the Outpatients Department.
This follows the commencement of a number of new services in Ennis in late 2025 including:
• Consultant-led respiratory service
• Integrated respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialist in Outpatients and Primary Care
• A TP-biopsy (urology) service commenced in theatre in Ennis
• new integrated pathways from the Medical Assessment Unit to Primary Care Unit (for example, for palpitations)
• An X-ray room opened in the Outpatients Department.
Expansion of services at Ennis Hospital has been supported by an increase in overall staffing levels of 19% since January 2020.
Planning permission has been granted by Clare County Council for the establishment of a new haemodialysis service in Ennis. Construction commenced for the new service on the Gort Road, Ennis, in late November 2025. The HSE has advised that this project is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2026.
132. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the proposal to recruit nine mental health service co-ordinator posts to support access to, and delivery of, mental health services for Travellers, in each community health area, as proposed in the National Traveller Health Action Plan 2022-2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4894/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
133. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health for an overview of the recently announced €3 million investment in mental health research; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4968/26]
View answerIreland’s national mental health policy ‘Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everyone’ was published in 2020 by the Department of Health, to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports during the period 2020-2030. Since 2022, the Department of Health has made additional, dedicated funding available each year to the Health Research Board (HRB), an aegis body under the Department of Health which funds health and social care research in the state, to fund new research, including under the new National Mental Health Research Strategy published in December 2024.
The recently announced €3 million investment in mental health research in January is the latest round of funding being directed by the Health Research Board into new research awards.
A grant of €1 million over five years has been made available from the HRB following an open competitive competition to establish a new all-island Collaborative Research Network in mental health. The new network will be led by a research team in Maynooth University, in partnership with the University of Galway, and the National Suicide Research Foundation at University College Cork. The aim of the network is to embed lived experience and co-production in mental health research, identify knowledge gaps, support training for researchers for varying backgrounds, support translation of research into policy, and foster all-island collaboration and international partnerships.
Additionally, €2 million will be invested by the HRB to support 10 new mental health research projects with a focus on priority and underserved groups through the Applied Partnership Award (APA) scheme, which brings together knowledge users and researchers to co-develop applied research projects that address real-world needs. Funding has also been awarded to projects across Ireland from ‘Improving the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Priority Population Groups’ to ‘Designing an Integrated Women’s Mental Health Service’. A full list of funded projects under this award can be found at the following link: [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-for-mental-health-mary-butler-announces-3-million-investment-in-mental-health-research/] .
134. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the estimated full cost to the Exchequer of the special leave with pay for health and social care workers unfit for work post-Covid-19, if it were to continue until all affected staff had retired; the number affected and timeline until retirement, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69981/25]
View answerThe special scheme for long-COVID established in July 2022, for eligible public health sector staff formally concluded on 31 December 2025.
Approximately 159 employees remained on the scheme at the 31st December 2025, most of whom have received full pay for nearly five years.
While extended several times at the request of the Minister for Health, the Labour Court recommended a final extension in June 2025, which meant the scheme ran until 31 December 2025, when it formally concluded.
Importantly, this does not mean that supports ended. 104 staff who remained unfit to return to work when the scheme concluded moved seamlessly into the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, ensuring continuity of care and financial protection.
The remainder have returned to work on a phased basis.
The Department of Health cannot provide costings as we do not hold employee records for staff in the HSE or S38. Retirement benefits are calculated on a case by case basis.
135. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses in Dublin mid-west; the number of vacancies for public health nurses: if P1, P2 and P3 developmental checks are being carried out at all health centres in Dublin mid-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4135/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
136. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the plans for the soon to be vacated children's hospitals at Temple Street and in Drimnagh; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4445/26]
View answerThe National Children’s Hospital Ireland (NCHI) is a much-needed investment in healthcare services for our children and young people which is now in the final stages of construction.
Once NCHI is open and fully operational, the three existing children’s hospitals at Temple Street, Crumlin and the paediatric inpatient unit at Tallaght will close, as will the current Ronald McDonald House Charities’ (RMHC) family accommodation unit in Crumlin. Children’s Health Ireland’s (CHI’s) Urgent Care Centres at Tallaght and Connolly will continue to provide ambulatory care for children from the Greater Dublin Area.
Following CHI’s move to the NCHI and decommissioning of Temple Street, the building will revert to the ownership of the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.
The Children’s Health Act 2018 provided for creation of CHI. Under that legislation, the board of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin voluntarily transferred its assets and liabilities to the new entity, CHI. As such, the Crumlin hospital campus transferred to CHI upon its creation.
In May 2024, Government noted that Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and the current site of CHI at Crumlin had been identified to be brought forward into the planning phase for two new ambulatory elective treatment centres in Dublin. These are in addition to those sites previously identified in Galway (Merlin Park University Hospital) and Cork (St Stephen's Hospital, Glanmire).
Since then, work has been ongoing to consider how an ambulatory elective treatment centre might be incorporated into the Crumlin campus, following the decant of CHI services to NCHI. Demand modelling and validation are underway, along with the assessment of current and planned infrastructure for ambulatory care in this catchment area to underpin the scope and scale required.
