Written Answers Nos. 1081-1101
1081. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to issue a detailed report in regards to the CAMHS scandal in both north and south Kerry, including all related costs to date (details supplied); when all cases will be finalised; when the north Kerry CAMHS Lookback review will be published; if these children many who are young adults today and their families will receive a State apology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9723/26]
View answerThe Maskey Report, which was published in 2022, examined deficits in relation to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in South Kerry. The Government acknowledged these deficits at the time and introduced a Compensation Scheme which has subsequently been administered by the State Claims Agency (SCA).
As of 12 January 2026, the SCA had received 231 applications to the South Kerry CAMHS Compensation Scheme. Payments on account had been made to 227 applicants following an application verification process. Mediations were also ongoing and 120 of these had taken place up to that date.
The HSE submitted the Final Report on the North Kerry Lookback Review to my Department on 6 February last. Both I, and the Department of Health are considering the Report in detail, which involves liaison with the HSE and other agencies as appropriate.
As I have indicated on many occasions in the past, my fundamental objective in completing this Review was to keep the best interests of young people and their families to the fore. I intend that the Lookback Review will be published as quickly as possible.
I wish to stress that any young person or their family in Kerry, or elsewhere, should continue to seek help without delay from our specialist CAMHS service which benefits so many young people and their families each year. I fully appreciate the tremendous work being carried out by all CAMHS staff nationally to ensure that our CAMHS service is safe, accessible, child-centered, and delivered to the highest possible standards.
1082. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals and major healthcare facilities operating at or near maximum electricity capacity, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9745/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1083. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether any hospital developments, upgrades or diagnostic facilities have been delayed due to electricity grid capacity constraints or connection timelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9746/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1084. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether hospitals seeking to install on site renewable generation, battery storage or heat pumps have encountered grid, planning or regulatory barriers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9747/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1085. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of health-related statements currently published on Wind Energy Ireland’s website (details supplied); if she will confirm whether the quotation accurately reflects her Departments official position and the current scientific and public health evidence base; if her Department has authorised or approved the use of this statement in public communications by Wind Energy Ireland, given that her Department has previously contacted Wind Energy Ireland regarding health messaging; and if she will make a public statement clarifying her Department’s position in order to ensure that the public is not presented with potentially misleading or incomplete health information. [9752/26]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question regarding health-related statements published on Wind Energy Ireland’s website, I can confirm that I am aware of the statement in question. Specifically, under the heading “Wind Myths 01 Health”, the website states: “The Irish Department of Health says, ‘There is no reliable or consistent evidence that wind farms directly cause adverse health effects in humans’.” It is important to clarify that the quoted statement originates from a response to a parliamentary question in 2015 and does not take account of more recent developments.
As lead government department in this area, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is currently reviewing the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. This work will inform a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024.
I am advised that the principal potential health impact attributed to wind energy developments is the possible effect from wind turbine noise. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters. DHLGH is working in conjunction with DCEE, in the context of its environmental noise policy remit, to finalise the guidance on the noise aspect of the review. As part of this work, DCEE, in the context of its environmental noise remit, appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the National Planning Statement. As part of their work, which is now substantially complete, the noise consultants have assessed the impact on human health from turbine noise having regard to international best practice and standards, including the current World Health Organisation (WHO) standards on noise.
The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines, including noise, as well as setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department remains available to engage with DHLGH on the new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will be carried out on the draft National Planning Statement as part of the review process. In this regard, I am informed that DHLGH intends to undertake a public consultation on updated draft Guidelines as part of the SEA process whereby all interested parties will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft National Planning Statement. Finalised National Planning Statements will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase.
The Department of Health, through engagement with DHLGH and the HSE, will determine a position following assessment of any new information. This Department will engage through the DHLGH consultation process in regards to this matter.
1086. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the basis on which consultant staffing levels and specialist resources are allocated between University Hospital Galway and Mayo University Hospital. [9765/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1087. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the reason Mayo University Hospital has significantly fewer orthopaedic surgeons, radiologists and no full-time permanent oncologist despite comparable activity levels and a catchment area that includes parts of Roscommon and Sligo. [9766/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1088. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to ensure equitable distribution of consultants and resources across the Saolta Hospital Group. [9767/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
1089. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will examine whether resources originally intended for Mayo are being diverted to Galway. [9768/26]
View answerWe have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1090. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to shorten the dietetics weight management waitlist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9785/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1091. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health if the recent increase of €20 in the State pension in Budget 2026 will result in pensioners being over the threshold for a medical card; if she will increase the income threshold to ensure this does not happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9786/26]
View answerMedical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Detailed guidelines are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/assessment/.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high medical costs. Details are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/over-70s/.
In response to the Deputy’s query regarding State pension payment increase, it is important to note that where a person's sole income is derived from a social protection payment, he/she will be awarded a medical card.
In addition, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
1092. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify the rules governing pharmacy charges for blister-pack dispensing, including whether such fees must be explicitly itemised and displayed under PSI transparency guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9791/26]
View answerPharmacies are private businesses and may set appropriate professional fees. Blister-pack dispensing or Monitored Dosage System dispensing is a private service offered by some pharmacies. It has never been a State-funded service.
The PSI – the Pharmacy Regulator, is the statutory body responsible for regulating pharmacists and pharmacies in the public interest. One of the roles of the PSI is to promote professional practice by pharmacists. This is done in a variety of ways, including the issuing of statutory guidelines and sharing information for the benefit of patients and the wider health system.
The PSI issued Guidance to Support Transparency of Medicines Pricing and Fees for Pharmacy Services in October 2025, subsequent to a request I issued to the PSI in April 2025. The guidance was developed following input received from a range of stakeholders, including targeted patient participation, and feedback received during a public consultation. Implementation of the guidance is supported by engagement with stakeholders, including the IPU, and resources for pharmacists and the public are available on the PSI website.
PSI recognised the need for a lead-in time for implementation, including the development of appropriate software and is collaborating with the sector to support and arrive at best practices for transparency. Engagement with stakeholders is ongoing. The guidance is therefore being implemented on a phased basis.
Since 1st December 2025, pharmacies are required to display information about the cost of all professional services (including cost of blister-pack dispensing) provided in the pharmacy, on a clear notice in a conspicuous place where a patient can see it.
Work is currently ongoing to support pharmacies in offering a detailed receipt for each transaction.
The receipt must itemise the cost of the product (to the patient) and any dispensing or professional service fee applied.
1093. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide further details with respect to the establishment of 11 regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; to clarify the governance, funding and accountability arrangements for these structures; if these new structures will replace or absorb existing local drug and alcohol task forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9812/26]
View answer1094. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide further details with respect to the population-based planning that will be used for new National Drugs Strategy structures; the way in which deprivation and local need will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9813/26]
View answer1095. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the consultation that has taken place with local drug and alcohol task forces and communities ahead of the proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9814/26]
View answer1096. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the way in which the independent, community-led nature, and preventative role, of local drug and alcohol task forces will be protected in the new proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9815/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1093, 1094, 1095 and 1096 together.
The process of developing the next National Drugs Strategy is ongoing.
I recently received the draft national drug strategy, developed by an expert steering group and a reference group of frontline services and people with lived experience. The draft strategy sets out an integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug and harmful alcohol use.
I have agreed with the Joint Committee on Drug Use that I will share the draft Strategy with them shortly to inform their deliberations and that I will take cognisance of any recommendations they make in their final report, in the finalisation of the National Drug Strategy.
The next steps in finalising the National Drug Strategy are as follows:
- a public consultation to gather the views of the public on the draft strategy.
- a process of engagement to review the regional governance structures for the strategy and to ensure their alignment with the HSE Health Regions. This process will include all stakeholders, including both the HSE and the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. This process will be concluded by June 2026.
You may be assured that I fully intend to ensure the continued community-led role of task forces under the HSE health regions to coordinate the planning, funding and delivery of drug services.
The expert steering group will take cognisance of the report of the Joint Committee, the results of the public consultation and the process of engagement in relation to future governance and submit a revised strategy and action plan to me.
It is my aim to bring the finalised strategy and action plan to Government for approval in July 2026.
1097. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9816/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1098. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when hip operations will be available in Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (which were carried out in the recent past) under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9817/26]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) continues to commission treatment for the longest waiting patients where budget and capacity allows.
€200 million was allocated to the NTPF under Budget 2026. With this allocation the NTPF has undertaken, through the Waiting Time Action Plan to provide 143,000 episodes of patient care: 100,000 OPD appointments, 23,000 IPDC procedures and 20,000 endoscopy procedures.
In relation to the particular query raised, the NTPF has advised my Department that the commissioning team is currently progressing the release of offers to all hospitals nationally. The NTPF has continued to outsource clinically suitable long-waiting patients from the Midland Regional Hospital Inpatient/Daycase waiting list for hip operations to private providers.
1099. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant neurologists that are currently dealing and treating public only patients at University Hospital Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9827/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1100. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the total number of children referred for spinal surgery under outsourcing arrangements in 2025; the number of children who have been treated in 2025 and to-date in 2026; the breakdown by destination hospital including Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital New York and Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital London; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9828/26]
View answerI am cognisant of the challenges families have faced in relation to paediatric orthopaedic services, in particular spinal services, and I am actively driving multiple efforts to address these challenges.
Several initiatives are underway to help improve access to services including a ringfenced theatre, additional outpatient clinics, and national and international outsourcing to maximise capacity.
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1101. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ophthalmologists and ophthalmologist registrars based at University Hospital Waterford as of 2 February 2026, in tabular form. [9840/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
