Tuesday, 27 Jan 2026

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (939)

Alan Kelly

Question:

939. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount her Department has spent on legal fees for each of the years 2020-2025, in tabular form. [5539/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill)

The table below shows the amount spent by my Department on legal fees for each of the years 2020 - 2025. The figures for 2020 - 2024 are from the Department's appropriation accounts. The 2025 amounts are the unaudited figures from the Department's accounting system, so are therefore provisional and subject to normal verification process in the audit.

Legal fees 2020-2025

Hospital Inspections

Questions (940)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

940. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of HIQA inspections of Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown that were unannounced in the years of 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [5550/26]

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Written answers

Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

HIQA conducted three inspections during the years 2024 and 2025 in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.

On 17th April 2024, HIQA conducted an announced inspection on the assessment of compliance with medical exposure to ionising radiation regulations at the Hospital. HIQA conducted an announced inspection against the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare on 17th and 18th October 2024, Both of these reports have been published and are available on the HIQA website.

In late 2025 HIQA conducted an unannounced Inspection against the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare In Connolly Hospital. This report will be published in due course.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

Year	Announced Inspection	Unannounced Inspection
2024	2	0
2025	0	1

Health Services Staff

Questions (941)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

941. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if the endometriosis hubs and supra-regional specialists centres have been provided with sufficient staffing and theatre capacity to deliver the National Endometriosis Framework; and the current waiting times for consultants and surgeries at each site, in tabular form. [5551/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Staff

Questions (942)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

942. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE clinical nurse specialists in neurodevelopmental posts that were filled at CHI Temple Street in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [5552/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Health Service Executive

Questions (943)

Ciarán Ahern

Question:

943. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the consideration which has been given to the human-rights implications arising from the nationwide digital sharing of patient information under the phased roll-out of the HSE community care record programme (details supplied); which Department or statutory body will have responsibility for oversight and accountability during the early stages of the phased regional roll-out; the way in which compliance and impacts will be monitored in the medium to long-term; the arrangements for governance and accountability during the transition of patient data from community connect to the planned National Electronic Health Record; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5590/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Thank you for highlighting this topic. It’s important to note from the outset that the impact on human-rights of sharing health information can be viewed in two ways. If not done correctly, it can be viewed as having a negative impact. However, if not done at all, the consequences can be worse.

For many years now the health service has faced criticism for deploying IT systems that are not ‘joined up’. In the context of patient care, this leads to the inability for data to ‘follow the patient’ – an essential requirement when people are being treated in multiple healthcare settings and, in the case of Ireland at least, healthcare providers that may be public, private or voluntary providers. This need, for better joined up digital health systems, is widely accepted internationally where much progress has been made. In the UK, the first NHS Data Guardian, established the Caldicott Principles that states the 'duty to share' data is as important as the 'duty to care'.

Under Slaintecare, one of the key ambitions is to reduce our reliance on the acute hospital sector and provide more care in the community and closer to home. What we have learned over and over since 2017 is that is data cannot be shared between the hospitals and the community, then this becomes a barrier to delivering more of the care for patients in the community.

In Ireland, the Digital for Care strategic framework, published in 2026, describes what needs to be done to digitise the health service between now and 2030. It calls for the establishment of digital health records for all and for solutions to better join up patient data. The Community Connect and National Electronic Health Record programmes are examples of this.

Furthermore, the Programme for Government commits to ‘Continue to work towards the full digitisation of Irish healthcare records and information systems'; to 'launch a National Patient App', providing patients with easier access to their own health information; and to 'establishing a national system for electronic prescribing.’ Indeed, the European Health Data Space EHDS Regulation places legal responsibilities on EU members states to address this issue.

By deploying some core systems such as the ones referenced in this PQ, it will become possible for data to be made available to all healthcare professionals directly involved in the provision of care to patients, regardless of where those patients were treated previously and regardless of where they will receive care next. This is important because we cannot continue to hold patient data in paper charts that are physically only available in the particular hospital where that patient is being treated in at a point in time. There is much evidence that patient safety issues arise due to poor handover between different physical healthcare settings and different healthcare providers. Simple examples underpinned by research, relate to the impact of medications where multiple prescribers are involved in providing care eg inpatient medications regime, discharge prescriptions and handover to GP for onward care and prescribing in the community. There are real world example of the impact of this on patients and these could be regarded as an impact on their human-rights. The value of resolving these issues through efficient and safe data sharing must be balanced with other rights.

As the deputy rightly points out, establishing these systems comes with significant additional responsibilities in relation to governance, oversight, accountability and compliance with data privacy rights as required under GDPR. Indeed, whilst many cite GDPR as a reason for not sharing data, in fact GDPR makes it very clear that individuals have the right to see their own data and to understand how it being managed. It is only by finding solutions that facilitate data sharing in a digital context that we will be able to make more and more of a individuals health data available to them. This is the purpose of initiatives like national Patient Apps that are now universally deployed across EU member states, something Ireland is only now starting to catch up on.

In relation to oversight and accountability, the HSE is authorised under the Health Information Bill to establish digital health records for all and places responsibilities on all healthcare providers to share data for this purpose. Oversight will be provided by the Department of course but ultimately all of this work must be complaint with GDPR (and NIS 2), so the obligations, responsibilities and consequences of not doing this correctly are known to all.

Mental Health Services

Questions (944)

Martin Kenny

Question:

944. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if an authorised officer is in place within the Sligo/Leitrim mental health service for the Sligo/Leitrim area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5594/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Assisted Human Reproduction

Questions (945, 946)

Barry Heneghan

Question:

945. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether indicative timelines have been set for each remaining stage of consultation, decision making, and implementation required to expand the assisted human reproduction scheme; and if so, to provide these timelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5610/26]

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Barry Heneghan

Question:

946. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the specific steps that remain outstanding in respect of the review required to expand the publicly funded assisted human reproduction scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5611/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 945 and 946 together.

The Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.

Referrals for publicly-funded, privately-provided assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment – including IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) and IUI (intrauterine insemination) – commenced in September 2023, subject to patients meeting the criteria agreed by the Department and the HSE. In June 2025, an important criterion for accessing state-funded AHR treatment was broadened. Couples with one existing child in their relationship, and who meet all the other current access criteria, can now access publicly-funded AHR treatment.

As previously advised, the access criteria and the terms of the AHR treatment initiative are kept under ongoing review by the Department and NWIHP, who engage directly on a day-to-day basis in respect of operational matters both with their HSE colleagues in the Regional Fertility Hubs and with the HSE-approved private providers. Therefore, there are no definitive timelines set for any further potential changes to the access criteria or expansion of the initiative.

Finally, I want to again reassure the Deputy that my Department and the Government are focused, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, on ensuring that patients receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the most effective deployment of finite public resources.

Question No. 946 answered with Question No. 945.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (947)

Gary Gannon

Question:

947. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of expenditure by her Department and bodies, agencies or organisations under her remit on paid verification services on a platform (details supplied) or any other verified account products, for each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of verified accounts held under each category; the annual cost per account; the total annual cost incurred; the procurement basis under which these services were purchased, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5622/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Department of Health social media channels allow us to connect with the public in a timely and efficient manner; to share news and information easily and quickly; and deliver on our commitment to transparency. The Department currently manages accounts on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formally known as Twitter) and YouTube.

I can confirm that the Department does not pay a subscription for verification on any of its social media accounts.

Details for bodies under the aegis ofthe Department of Health are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.

Medicinal Products

Questions (948)

Louis O'Hara

Question:

948. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) qualifies for reimbursement of expenses on saxenda injections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5637/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter and under 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, this question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Screening Programmes

Questions (949, 1045, 1046, 1047, 1048)

Barry Heneghan

Question:

949. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether she will use the pilot Lung Health Check Programme as a basis to establish a national lung screening programme; the work which has been undertaken to date, to establish a national lung screening programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5649/26]

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Grace Boland

Question:

1045. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current status of the lung health check pilot lung cancer screening programme; the number of participants invited and screened to date; the locations in which the pilot is operating; the interim findings available to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6035/26]

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Grace Boland

Question:

1046. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the evaluation framework for the lung health check pilot; the body responsible for carrying out the evaluation; the clinical and cost effectiveness metrics being assessed; the timeline for the completion and publication of the evaluation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6036/26]

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Grace Boland

Question:

1047. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health when she expects a decision to be made, following completion of the evaluation, on whether to recommend the establishment of a national lung cancer screening programme; whether any provisional timelines have been set for such a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6037/26]

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Grace Boland

Question:

1048. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive has undertaken preparatory planning for a potential national roll out of lung cancer screening informed by the lung health check pilot, including consideration of capacity, resourcing and integration with primary care; if so, to provide details; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6038/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 949, 1045, 1046, 1047 and 1048 together.

I am committed to supporting Ireland’s population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.

The Programme for Government commits to evaluate the current lung cancer screening pilot in line with WHO criteria and develop recommendations for a way forward.

The ‘Lung Health Check’ pilot, an Irish-based prospective study involving Beaumont Hospital and the RCSI, was launched in March 2025 under the EU4Health-funded SOLACE project. It aims to assess the feasibility of instituting a community-based lung health check programme in Ireland by inviting individuals in the North Dublin and the North-East region who are identified as being of higher risk of lung problems to attend their mobile screening unit for breathing tests and a low-dose chest CT scan.

The pilot is primarily funded by the Irish Cancer Society and supported by the SOLACE consortium, with funding provided by my Department’s Women’s Health Fund. I have also been informed that the research team involved in the Lung Health Check is actively considering involvement in a successor initiative to SOLACE and I welcome this move.

It should be emphasised that any proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes will be considered through established, evidence-driven protocols. The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that considers and assesses evidence rigorously and transparently against internationally accepted criteria before making recommendations to me as Minister for Health.

The robust processes used by NSAC are essential to ensure screening programmes are effective, quality assured, and safe and that the benefits of screening outweigh potential harms. This is determined through what are known as Health Technology Assessments (HTA), which are undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

HTAs facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multi-disciplinary assessment of the clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology. They are time intensive and rigorous processes.

I am pleased to report that NSAC is progressing work to consider the further expansion of our cancer screening programmes and has submitted requests to HIQA in relation to the BreastCheck and BowelScreen programmes.

In December 2025, HIQA presented the final report of their HTA on the proposed BowelScreen age range extension to NSAC for consideration. I look forward to receiving a recommendation from NSAC in this regard shortly.

I am also aware that HIQA have commenced an evidence review to consider changes to the BreastCheck programme. This review will comprise of two elements; a proposed expansion of the age range eligibility to those aged 45-49 and 70-74, and the potential introduction of a standardised breast density measurement. Both elements are anticipated to be complex and will take time to ensure that any recommendations made to me by NSAC are underpinned by a robust evidence-base.

Across Europe, several major research initiatives are underway to assess the feasibility of lung cancer screening programmes, many involving Irish-based researchers. The findings from these studies will contribute to the evidence base for future consideration by NSAC. I look forward to receiving a recommendation from the Committee in due course.

Finally, I would emphasise that screening programmes are for people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact a medical professional immediately.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (950)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

950. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health when positions will be advertised for the new primary care centre in Birr, County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5654/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Health Services Staff

Questions (951)

Martin Daly

Question:

951. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant posts approved under the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 and subsequent Sláintecare Implementation Strategy; the number filled as of 31 December 2025, broken down by speciality and hospital group; and when remaining posts are expected to be filled. [5660/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Committee on the Future of Health Care report of May 2017 cited an IMO submission that referenced the need for approximately 4,700 consultants in the Irish public healthcare system. Per the IMO submission, this figure was based on the consultant to non-consultant hospital doctor ratio proposed in the 2003 National Taskforce on on Medical Staffing report (aka the Hanley report) adjusted for 2017 population levels.

Subsequent reports, including the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy did not reference a target figure for consultant growth.

Written answers

Minister for Health

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