Written Answers Nos. 1121-1145
1121. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what risk assessment, safeguarding assurance, and service-quality oversight mechanisms are operated directly by her Department in respect of non-statutory bodies receiving direct Departmental funding, separate from financial audit, expenditure controls, or post-hoc review by the Comptroller and Auditor General. [10008/26]
View answerAs indicated in a previous response to the Deputy in December, there are very few non-statutory bodies in receipt of funding from my Department and the funding itself is very small relative to the Department's spend.
One of these, the Food Promotion Board, is a multi-national state organisation founded under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Another is the patient advisory board, which by its nature is constituted separate from the HSE. Both of the bodies are independently audited annually and their governance, risk-assessment and oversight is maintained by the respective policy unit in my Department.
1122. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has carried out any internal review, audit, or evaluation since 2020 of the adequacy of its governance and oversight arrangements for non-statutory bodies funded directly by her Department; and if so, to provide the date of each review, the scope of the review, and the principal findings. [10009/26]
View answerAs previously noted in my response to PQ 10006/26, 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. There are currently only two non-statutory bodies which receive direct funding from my Department and these are subject to service agreements managed by the relevant line units. 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. An internal audit or evaluation of the two non-statutory bodies has not been carried out since 2020.
1123. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if it has been brought to her attention that there is a gross lack of nursing home vacancies in the Mid-West region and that many families are finding it impossible to secure places for ill or disabled relatives that require full nursing home care; her plans to alleviate the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10044/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1124. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the number of orders for detention in places of care sought from the High Court by the HSE in 2023, 2024 and 2025 through a firm (details supplied); and the related public expenditure. [10046/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1125. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health the services that are available for a child who has a brain tumour and requires a full-time nurse while attending preschool; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10113/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1126. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health for a further update with regard to a reply received to a query regarding a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a much-needed hip replacement. [10123/26]
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, including Tallaght University Hospital.
1127. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided to the national treatment purchase fund in 2026, by funding purpose; if there is a stay on funding for outsourcing or any other service provided, or organised by, or through the national treatment purchase fund in general, or for any specific institutions, clinics, or provider otherwise, in tabular form; if so, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10145/26]
View answer1128. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason funding is not available to Tallaght University Hospital for outsourcing inpatient procedures through the National Treatment Purchase Fund; whether this is due to funding not been sanctioned for the year; if there is a reason the hospital is prevented from accessing such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10146/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1127 and 1128 together.
The 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 its commissioning team is currently progressing the release of offers to all hospitals nationally, including Tallaght University Hospital (TUH).
1129. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health to provide details of all active interdepartmental, interagency, and department-agency working groups organised under her remit. [10157/26]
View answerPlease see attached a list of all active working groups organised by the Department of Health and involving other governement departments and/or agencies.
1130. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the actions she is taking to resolve the ongoing industrial action involving physiologists; the assessment of the impact of this dispute on diagnostic capacity, waiting lists, and service sustainability at Sligo University Hospital; and if she will engage with the union (details supplied) and the HSE to address pay inequities and support recruitment and retention in these essential diagnostic services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10165/26]
View answerClinical Measurement Physiologists (CMPs) represented by FORSA served notice of their intention to commence industrial action in the form of a work to rule from the 30th January 2026.
Talks between the HSE and FORSA, facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on the 30th of January 2026 succeeded in averting industrial action. Three sub working groups have been formed within the HSE to examine the issues raised by FORSA and Management will continue to engage with the Union on this matter. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations matter it would be inappropriate to comment further.
1131. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to outline when she received the Nayagam report (details supplied); when it will be published; and whether any redactions will be limited to only protecting patient confidentiality. [10166/26]
View answerOn the 28th January I received a high level brief from the HSE CEO on Phase 1 of the independent external review of the paediatric orthopaedic surgery service at CHI and Dublin Hospitals that is being led by Mr Nayagam. As part of this briefing I received the Phase 1 Report. I immediately requested a more detailed clinical briefing with the author of the report Mr Nayagam. For this to take place legal advice had to be sought given the significant legal constraints regarding this Report. The clinical briefing then took place on Friday the 6th February.
As with all matters, my priority is timely and appropriate engagement with patients and families.
Letters issued to the 91 patients and families involved in the review on the 10th of February. Patients and families are also being contacted directly by phone.
Mr Nayagam has recommended that 62 of these patients receive further clinical follow-up, and these appointments are being held as soon as possible.
The HSE will also be conducting a wider look-back review at the individual consultant’s practice.
Phase 2 of the Nayagam review continues. As per the terms of reference, the final report will be submitted to the review’s Commissioner at the conclusion of the Independent Review and published thereafter.
1132. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the rationale for access to medical cards in Ireland remaining subject to a means test, particularly in light of the system in the United Kingdom where access to healthcare is not means tested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10179/26]
View answer1133. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has considered the experience of Irish citizens returning from the United Kingdom who encounter differences in access to healthcare supports, including eligibility for medical cards; whether guidance or information is provided to assist such individuals in understanding the Irish system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10180/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1132 and 1133 together.
Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for health services in Ireland is primarily based on residency and means. Any person, who is accepted by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as being ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to either full eligibility (i.e. medical card holders) or limited eligibility (i.e. non-medical card holders) for health services. The HSE normally regard a person as "ordinarily resident" in Ireland if they satisfy the HSE that they have been living in Ireland for at least a year or that it is their intention to remain in Ireland for a minimum period of one year.
Medical 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. 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.
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.
Detailed guidance and information regarding medical card eligibility, can be found in the HSE’s Medical Card and GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines (www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/medical-card-and-gp-visit-card-assessment-guidelines.pdf). Furthermore, the HSE website is another source of information on the Irish Health system. Details are available at: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/medical-card-and-gp-visit-card-assessment-guidelines.pdf.
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.
1134. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health if, in view of a significant number of healthcare workers continuing to suffer from long covid as a result of their work in the Irish Health Service during the covid pandemic, she will reconsider her stated position in relation to the recognition of long covid as an occupational injury; if she has discussed this important issue with her colleague, the Minister for Social Protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10186/26]
View answerWhile the EU Advisory Committee on Health and Safety recommended the recognition of COVID-19 (not long-COVID) as an occupational illness in health and social care settings, recognition of COVID-19 nationally as an occupational illness falls under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection. After reviewing the EU recommendation, the Minister for Social Protection found that COVID-19 did not meet the requirements to be recognised as an occupational illness in the context of the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and the Social Welfare Consolidation Act.
1135. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a NCPE re-commenced assessment will be completed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10188/26]
View answerUnder 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; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1136. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of approved, funded, filled, and vacant posts at University Hospital Waterford associated with emergency PPCI as of 8 April 2025; the level of current funding associated with the service; and the approved but unspent capital funding, if any, allocated for the service at that date. [10205/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1137. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the additional capital investment allocated to emergency PPCI at University Hospital Waterford since 8 April 2025; and the additional amount allocated since that date to progress 24/7 PPCI. [10206/26]
View answerThis PQ has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as it relates to an operational matter.
1138. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the additional current funding allocated to delivering 24/7 PPCI at University Hospital Waterford since 8 April 2025; the purpose of same; and the timeframe to deliver the necessary amount to open 24/7 PPCI. [10207/26]
View answerThis PQ has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as it relates to an operational matter.
1139. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the additional staffing posts required, sought, sanctioned, funded, and vacant or filled to deliver 24/7 PPCI at University Hospital Waterford since 8 April 2025; the total inclusive of existing posts pre-8 April 2025, in tabular form; and the timeframe to deliver the full complement and open 24/7 PPCI. [10208/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1140. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the new Breastfeeding Strategy; and the timeline for publication. [10209/26]
View answerIn 2025, the Department of Health formed a breastfeeding steering group to research and design the development of a new whole of government breastfeeding strategy. While there has been a significant amount of implementation of the actions under the HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland 2016-2021 Action Plan, further implementation of these actions is required under the development of a new whole of government breastfeeding strategy.
Over the last few months, the Department of Health has engaged with health, research, and academic colleagues, and across government to inform how the new strategy will be designed.
The Department has engaged an independent strategy company to oversee the consultation process to assist the development of a new national breastfeeding strategy. In November 2025, the Department hosted a large multistakeholder event which included members from academic, advocacy and interdepartmental groups, alongside colleagues from Northern Ireland. Specific focus groups with marginalised communities were convened in January 2026 and a further consultation workshop is being progressed. The consultation process is expected to take approximately 8 months. The outcomes of this consultation will inform the development of a national breastfeeding strategy.
The Department intends to build on the positive impact of the HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland plan has delivered up to 2025, through the development of this new whole of government Breastfeeding strategy and remains committed to increasing breastfeeding supports to all mothers and families in Ireland. A new national Breastfeeding Strategy is expected to be published later this year.
1141. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health to report on the progress made with establishing the review of the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme; if she will provide a timeline for the review and recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10221/26]
View answerThe review of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme is in scoping stages. My Departmental officials are working to identify appropriate membership of a clinical review group, including the appointment of a chairperson, to determine whether evidence exists to expand the range of conditions currently covered by the programme.
The review will commence once the chairperson and membership of the group are firmly in place.
1142. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of a case where a person approved under the long-term illness scheme for continuous glucose monitoring supports was unable to access these devices due to the creation of a duplicate LTI number on the HSE system (details supplied); the controls in place to prevent duplicate LTI records being created for the same PPS number and date of birth; whether a review will be undertaken of such cases; and if reimbursement will issue where patients incurred personal costs as a result. [10222/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, this question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1143. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health her views on calls for the reinstatement of a 24-hour chaplaincy service at hospitals across the State from concerned citizens. [10223/26]
View answerWe have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1144. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients leaving without being seen via the emergency department at Navan Hospital; the average time to admission; the waiting time distribution, from 2022 to 2025, and to date in 2026, with separate figures for all patients aged 75 and over, in tabular form. [10237/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1145. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients leaving without being seen via the emergency department at Our lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; the average time to admission, the waiting time distribution, from 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026; with separate figures for all patients aged 75 and over, in tabular form. [10238/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
