Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
1014. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health f her attention has been drawn to the case of persons (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure that this treatment can be made available in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5816/26]
View answer1016. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any engagement she has had with a family impacted by being unable to access treatment for their child in Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5818/26]
View answer1017. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if she will agree to a formal review of the care received by a sick child (details supplied) that required their family to travel abroad for treatment that was not available in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5819/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1014, 1016 and 1017 together.
As Minister for Health, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family on the loss of their child.
Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) is a crucial and often life-saving treatment for a variety of conditions in childhood. Certain procedures at the National Paediatric Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) and Cellular Therapy Unit at Children’s Health Ireland are currently unavailable, primarily due to staffing issues.
There are currently 4 transplant beds in operation in CHI Crumlin. Once the National Children’s Hospital Ireland is open a further two beds will be added to this capacity. It is anticipated that the increased staffing along with the increased bed capacity on the opening of the new hospital will facilitate allogeneic HSCT for all children who need it.
Pending the full restoration of service, a small number of children will access HSCT in other centres abroad under the Treatment Abroad Scheme. I appreciate that travelling to another country for medical treatment is very challenging for parents and families particularly when they are trying to care for a sick child. Where children are referred abroad for specialist treatment, CHI works closely with the HSE's Treatment Abroad Scheme and other organisations, to support families.
For any meeting requests, please contact my Diary Team at MinistersDiary@health.gov.ie.
