Conor D McGuinness
Question:1102. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE public health nurses based in Waterford; and the locations each of those nurses cover, in tabular form. [9841/26]
View answerHealth Services Staff
Questions (1102)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (1103)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1103. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to install a second MRI scanner (details supplied) at Cavan General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9847/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Questions (1104)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:1104. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the need for a dedicated paediatric neurology service within Mayo University Hospital or elsewhere in the west; if so, the outcome of that assessment and any planned investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9854/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1105)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:1105. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the current status of the HSE’s pause on the recruitment of physician associates; the reason for the continued delay in completing the review of the PA role; the expected timeline for publication of this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9855/26]
View answerWritten answers
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 (1106)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:1106. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the number of physician associate graduates from the 2024 and 2025 cohorts who remain unable to take up employment in the HSE due to the recruitment pause; the measures being considered to support these graduates pending the completion of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9856/26]
View answerWritten answers
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 (1107)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:1107. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the way in which the pause in physician associate recruitment aligns with current workforce planning needs, including pressures on emergency departments, waiting lists, and consultant and NCHD staffing shortages; the role envisaged for PAs in addressing these challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9857/26]
View answerWritten answers
As committed in the 2025 National Service Plan, the HSE commissioned an independent review of the Physician Assistant role with the aim of making recommendations regarding the governance of the role, scope of practice, and appropriate and safe deployment in Ireland. The HSE paused the recruitment of Physician Assistants pending the outcome of the review.
The review is now complete and I have requested the HSE to submit an implementation plan by the end of February 2026.
I expect that patient safety in service delivery be prioritised in relation to any HSE workforce roles, including Physician Assistant. My officials and I continue to engage with colleagues in the HSE on the Physician Assistant role in Ireland. As committed in the 2025 National Service Plan, the HSE commissioned an independent review of the Physician Assistant role with the aim of making recommendations regarding the governance of the role, scope of practice, and appropriate and safe deployment in Ireland. The HSE paused the recruitment of Physician Assistants pending the outcome of the review.
The review is now complete and I have requested the HSE to submit an implementation plan by the end of February 2026.
I expect that patient safety in service delivery be prioritised in relation to any HSE workforce roles, including Physician Assistant. My officials and I continue to engage with colleagues in the HSE on the Physician Assistant role in Ireland.
Health Service Executive
Questions (1108)
Michael Cahill
Question:1108. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if an urgent case (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9858/26]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Food Safety
Questions (1109)
Sean Fleming
Question:1109. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the action that is being taken in relation to the fact that infant formula that was removed from shelves across Europe was also sold in Ireland, despite assurances to the contrary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9878/26]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the Deputy’s question regarding the sale of infant formula in Ireland that had been subject to recall across Europe, I can confirm that the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the competent authority responsible for food safety, including the management and communication of food recalls, in accordance with food safety legislation. The FSAI leads the national response to food safety risks, as governed by EU food law, including Regulation (EC) 178/2002.
On 23 January 2026, the FSAI was notified by Danone of a recall affecting certain batches of infant formula and follow-on formula due to the potential presence of cereulide. At that time, Danone informed the FSAI that no implicated products had been distributed to Ireland. However, on 26 January 2026, the FSAI was subsequently notified by Boots that individual packs of Aptamil 1-From Birth First infant milk, from a batch included in the recall, had been distributed to Ireland via indirect supply from the UK. These packs were sold through the Boots.ie website for online sales.
As is often the case with complex distribution chains, new information may emerge as investigations progress. The FSAI and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) are continuing to work closely with the manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that all necessary food safety measures are in place to protect consumers. These actions include changes to suppliers of the affected raw ingredients and increased scrutiny of supply chains.
My Department remains actively engaged with the FSAI, receiving regular briefings and updates to ensure the situation is managed effectively. The FSAI has also engaged directly with manufacturers and Irish suppliers to secure comprehensive traceability and distribution data and to ensure that all precautionary measures are implemented without delay.
Both the FSAI and DAFM are taking a precautionary, evidence-based approach, which involves rapid risk assessment, expanded sampling, and full traceability by manufacturers. Following these actions, DAFM has issued compliance notices to the relevant manufacturing plants, including the Macroom and Danone Wexford facilities.
While further recalls are expected, as the investigation progresses, I wish to assure the Deputy that the highest priority continues to be given to consumer safety, and all available measures are being taken to manage this incident as effectively as possible.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (1110)
John Brady
Question:1110. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to increase GP recruitment and retention in areas of population growth, including Blessington, Co. Wicklow; the supports available for those currently on GP waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9883/26]
View answerWritten answers
GPs 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 a town or community.
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 2,600 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further 637 GPs do not hold a GMS contract but hold some other contract(s) with the HSE for the delivery of health services.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP for the panel concerned. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE put a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care. As of December, there were 20 GMS vacancies across the country, less than 1 percent of the total number of GMS panels.
Under the terms of the GMS contract, the HSE has the power to assign a medical card or GP visit card holder to a GP's GMS patient list where that person is unable to find a GP to accept them as a patient, in accordance with the terms of the GMS contract. People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with.
Work is ongoing to increase the number of GPs practicing in the State and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients across the country.
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 increased GP capitation fees, increased and new supports for practices, as well as new fees for additional services.
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 next year by 50 places to 400. As a result, the number of GP graduates has increased in recent years and will continue to increase in the coming years.
In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. As of end of Q3, there are 115 IMG GPs within the programme currently placed in general practice and a further 39 have completed the 2-year programme. The placement of IMG GPs is targeted to rural and underserved areas.
Abortion Services
Questions (1111)
Cathal Crowe
Question:1111. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE have carried out an internal review or investigation into the impact of the three-day waiting period provision within the existing abortion legislation, including input from women who continued their pregnancies after an initial consultation about abortion with a GP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9897/26]
View answerWritten answers
In line with statutory and Government commitments a review of the operation of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, including the 3-day wait, was initiated at the end of 2021.
The final report of this review made a range of recommendations, most of which are operational in nature with some proposing legislative change. The operational recommendations are being progressed and significant progress has been made.
Decisions in relation to the legislative recommendations requires careful consideration.
Organ Donation
Questions (1112)
John Lahart
Question:1112. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to report on current number of people opting out of organ donation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9899/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Organ Donation
Questions (1113)
John Lahart
Question:1113. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health her views on plans the HSE has to increase organ donations in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9900/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Organ Donation
Questions (1114)
John Lahart
Question:1114. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to report on the most current organ donation refusal rate and consent rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9901/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Organ Donation
Questions (1115)
John Lahart
Question:1115. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to report on the most common reason stated for refusing to donate organs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9902/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Organ Donation
Questions (1116)
John Lahart
Question:1116. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to report on the average wait time for a transplant, by organ for the most recent data available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9903/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Organ Donation
Questions (1117)
John Lahart
Question:1117. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to report on the current number of people awaiting transplant by organ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9904/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Organ Donation
Questions (1118)
John Lahart
Question:1118. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to report on the number of people for most recent data available who were removed from the transplant wait list for reasons other than receiving a transplant and then died within 90 days of removal from the list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9905/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Funding
Questions (1119)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:1119. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has any centrally approved governance, compliance, or safeguarding framework applicable to non-statutory bodies that receive direct funding from her Department, excluding bodies funded through or overseen by the HSE; and if not, to state when the absence of such a framework was last examined by her Department and the reason no framework is currently in place. [10006/26]
View answerWritten answers
We refer to the Deputy’s previous query under reference: PQ 67016/25 which states that my Department provides very limited direct funding to non-statutory bodies which amounts to less than 0.01% of total vote spend. As this funding is provided at irregular intervals, there is no required frequency of reporting, however, all payments made are recorded in the Department’s Financial Management System and, as with any payments made by my Department, are subject to review by the Internal Audit Unit and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. I also refer to the Deputy’s previous query under reference: 67017/25 the answer to which states that a non-statutory body funded directly by the Department would operate under a Service Level Agreement with the relevant line unit which provides oversight. The Department requires all non-statutory bodies that it funds directly (excluding HSE-funded bodies) to operate in line with the core governance, reporting and compliance standards set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
Departmental Funding
Questions (1120)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:1120. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the minimum governance, reporting, and compliance standards are required by her Department to be applied by departmental line units when overseeing non-statutory bodies funded directly by her Department, excluding HSE-funded bodies; whether those standards are set out in written Departmental policy or guidance; and how her Department assures consistency of oversight across line units. [10007/26]
View answerWritten answers
There are currently two non-statutory bodies which are funded directly by the Department of Health. The first, the Institute of Public Health (IPH), is an all-island organisation operating in Ireland and Northern Ireland that was established to improve health equity and reduce health inequalities. It supports public policy through research, data analysis, and partnerships.
The IPH is a North-South agency established prior to the signing of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement in 1998, to provide support on public health policy to the Departments of Health and the Chief Medical Officers in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It receives its core funding from the Departments of Health in both jurisdictions.
The Institute is currently classified as a company limited by guarantee (CLG) in Ireland and is required to ensure compliance with relevant company law in both jurisdictions. The IPH is not an aegis body of the Department of Health and is not a public sector body.
The oversight of the IPH is set out in an Oversight Agreement between the two funding Departments and the IPH and sets out the broad governance and accountability framework within which the Institute operates. Given the specific size and nature of the IPH and its North-South remit, bespoke governance and oversight arrangements are appropriate and proportionate.
The second non-statutory body which receives funding directly from my Department is the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua). This is an international organisation which facilitates education and knowledge sharing on healthcare through global networks. ISQua operates its Secretariat in Dublin, Ireland and receives a grant from my Department over four years from 1st April 2024 to 21st March 2028. It is subject to a written agreement with my Department and it provides information in advance on the purposes for which it proposes to use the Department funding and reasonable accounting evidence thereafter that the money was applied for the stated purposes.