Written Answers Nos. 1211-1239
1211. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of active rural medical dispensaries that are owned and operated by the HSE according to the most recent data available; and the amount of active rural medical dispensaries owned and operated by the HSE 20 years ago, or to the closest data available at that time. [10435/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1212. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE owned buildings that have been leased out in the past five years. [10436/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1213. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if vacant buildings owned by the HSE are still equipped with the medical equipment necessary to be reopened with minimal renovations. [10437/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1214. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the consideration that has been given towards reopening vacant rural medical dispensaries; and whether her Department has estimated the cost of reopening vacant medical dispensaries owned by the HSE. [10438/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1215. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to establishing mobile health clinics to serve rural communities who struggle to access primary care in a timely fashion. [10439/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1216. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health to consider and respond to correspondence from a person (details supplied) regarding their experience attempting to access mental health care in recent months; and the actions that can be taken to ensure services are available to the individual at the earliest opportunity.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10440/26]
View answerExpanding access to, and improving the quality, of all mental health services is a key priority for me as Minister, the Government, and the HSE.
The total allocation for mental health services in 2026 is nearly €1.6 billion, which is the sixth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased up over 50% on 2020.
This increase in funding for mental health services represents a significant investment which will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision,and our national suicide and self-harm reduction strategy Connecting for Life, across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, through to specialist mental health services. This year’s budget provided the opportunity to focus on investing in crisis support and suicide prevention; youth mental health and CAMHS, and expanding the National Clinical Programmes.
However, I understand in relation to this issue it relates to a private hospital and would not therefore fall within the remit of my Department or the HSE. Accordingly, this issue should be pursued directly with the provider concerned or the Mental Health Commission, the regulator of all approved centres. It would also be open to the person to reach out to access local HSE community mental health services through their care provider (i.e. GP) if they have not already done so.
1217. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if she will provide details of the options available to an individual who has been denied home care support but requires community support (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10443/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1218. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses are employed full-time in Dublin south central. [10471/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1219. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the number of children which have not received developmental checks by public health nurses in Dublin south central. [10472/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1220. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health her plans to recruit more public health nurses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10473/26]
View answerPublic Health Nurses (PHN) are employed by the HSE to deliver safe, quality and person-centred community nursing care across a person's life.
The number of PHNs employed in the HSE as of November 2025 is 1540 whole time equivalents (WTE), which is an increase of 48 WTE PHNs since December 2023.
All nurses who use the title of “Public Health Nurse” are required to hold a level 9 National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) post graduate diploma in Public Health Nursing and be registered in the Public Health Nurses Division of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) Register. Registered General Nurses who wish to become PHNs are recruited through the HSE PHN sponsorship programme and are supported to complete the postgraduate education programme which begins in September each year. An additional 26.7 WTE PHN posts provided for in Budget 2025 were recruited through the PHN sponsorship programme for September 2025 with an expected qualification timeframe for August 2026.
Budget 2026 has provided for an additional 3,300 whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff in the Health Service Executive (HSE), with all six Health Regions empowered to utilise resources strategically in a way that meets the needs of their communities. The Department of Health continues to work closely with the HSE to address workforce challenges as a priority, in line with the Programme for Government.
1221. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts for public health nurses which exist in Dublin south central. [10474/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1222. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health her plans to address the burn out of public health nurses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10475/26]
View answerPublic Health Nurses (PHN) are employed by the HSE to deliver safe, quality and person-centred community nursing care across a person's life. This Government remains committed to providing continued investment in the nursing and midwifery workforce and ensuring that work force well-being is prioritised.
The number of Public Health Nurses (PHNs) employed in the HSE as of November 2025 is 1540 whole time equivalents (WTE), which is an increase of 48 WTE PHNs since December 2023. An additional 26.7 WTE PHN posts provided for in Budget 2025 were recruited through the PHN sponsorship programme for September 2025 with an expected qualification timeframe for August 2026.
The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix is an evidence-based flexible approach to determining nurse staffing levels based on patient need. Implementation of the Framework across several phases to date has shown a number of staff benefits including increased perceptions of care quality, reduction in missed meal breaks, decreased levels of burnout and increased levels of job satisfaction.
Phase 1 which applies to adult general and specialist medical and surgical wards has been national policy since 2018. Phase 2 which applies to adult emergency care settings has been national policy since 2022. Phase 3(i) of the Framework applies to long-term residential care settings for older persons, and a policy is expected in early 2026.
Phase 3(ii) of the Framework applies to community care settings. An Expert Oversight Group was established to oversee the programme of work to develop the Framework in community settings, beginning with the Public Health Nursing Service. The programme of work includes an independent research evaluation which will examine various outcome measures including burnout. A national policy will be published on completion.
1223. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts which exist for public health nurses, by county, in tabular form. [10476/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1224. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health the measures which are in place to ensure continuity of supports for children with disabilities at key transition points, including early years to primary education and primary to post-primary education; whether the lack of alignment between health and education assessment models has been identified as a risk factor for service gaps at these stages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10487/26]
View answerThis question should be directed to my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disabilities and Equality.
1225. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health the formal policy or operational frameworks which currently exist, or are planned, to align the needs-based assessment model used by Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) with the diagnosis-based access criteria used by the education system; whether her Department has assessed, or plans to assess, the impact of this misalignment on access to educational supports for children with identified needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10488/26]
View answerChildren's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) are under the remit of the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, This PQ should be directed to DCDE.
1226. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health whether a formal framework exists between her Department and the Department of Education & Youth to support joint assessment, information-sharing, and integrated planning for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10490/26]
View answerFramework for children with disabilities is the under the remit of the Minister for Children, Disabilities and Equality. This PQ should be directed to DCDE.
1227. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether the Mental Health Commission analyses or publishes comparative data on the regional use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in approved centres; whether significant variation has been identified between centres or regions in recent years; the number of ECT treatments administered in each approved centre in each of the past five years. [10495/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Mental Health Commission publishes an annual ECT activity report. The report contains information on programmes of ECT and approved centres. In the 2024 report, this information can be found from page 15 onwards. These reports can be accessed at this link: www.mhcirl.ie/publications.
1228. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if the Mental Health Commission receives details on instances of "enduring mechanical restraint" in mental health settings under its regulatory remit, such as the duration of restraint and the rationale, in each instance, and if these details will be published. [10496/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Mental Health Commission publishes an annual Restrictive Practices activity report. These reports can be accessed at this link: www.mhcirl.ie/publications.
1229. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if complaints have been made to the Mental Health Commission, the HSE, or her Department concerning a hospital (details supplied) in the past five years; the number and nature of those complaints; and the outcomes. [10497/26]
View answerUnder the existing Mental Health Act and the 2006 Approved Centre Regulations made thereunder, all approved centres (i.e. inpatient services) must have a clear complaints process that can be availed of by people accessing services.
In line with the 2006 Regulations, each approved centre must have a complaints procedure in place, such as the HSE’s ‘Your Service, Your Say’ service, the same as general health services. I further note that 'Your Service, Your Say' is available to anyone accessing HSE mental health services, be that on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Following the investigation of the complaint by the HSE, an individual may request an internal review to be carried out by the HSE, if they are not happy with the outcome.
Furthermore, in cases where the complainant is not satisfied with the response to their complaint, they can request an external review from the Office of the Ombudsman, or in the case of child and adolescent services, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children. This option is available to anyone who accesses our public health services, be it mental health services or otherwise.
This complaints process is the standard route for the receipt of complaints.
The Mental Health Commission has no role in receiving complaints about services.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible in relation to HSE-received complaints.
1230. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether any external reviews, audits, or investigations, statutory or otherwise, have been commissioned into a hospital (details supplied) in the past ten years. [10498/26]
View answerThe approved centre in question is currently subject to ongoing reviews and audits as a result of issues arising.
The hospital has been subject to annual inspection by the Mental Health Commission as an approved centre.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1231. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether she is satisfied that the Mental Health Commission currently has sufficient statutory powers and resources to regulate private psychiatric hospitals such as a hospital (details supplied); and if not, the legislative or administrative changes she intends to pursue. [10499/26]
View answerI am satisfied that the current legislative framework is robust and that the Mental Health Commission possesses sufficient statutory powers to regulate and inspect all approved centres in the State.
The Mental Health Act 2001 established the Mental Health Commission and provides the legal basis for the registration, inspection, and regulation of all approved centres (i.e. inpatient mental health services.) This includes approved centres that are publicly operated, privately operated and those operated by voluntary organisations. The Inspector of Mental Health Services inspects every approved centre on an annual basis and carries out additional inspections as needed where a service has been found to be non-compliant.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Mental Health Bill 2024 is currently progressing through the Seanad, with Seanad Committee Stage concluding on 29 January 2026 following almost 20 hours of debate in the chamber. The 2024 Bill will replace the existing Mental Health Act 2001 and introduce a more person-centred approach to mental health legislation. Part 6 of the Bill relates to the regulation of mental health services. It sets out in detail the powers of the Commission to register and regulate all community and inpatient mental health services in the State, inspect all services, attach conditions to the registration of services that are noncompliant with the provisions of the Act and any Regulations made thereunder, the issuing of compliance notices, to temporarily or permanently cancel the registration of services where appropriate, and to initiate legal proceedings against services.
1232. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether she is satisfied that inspection findings and compliance ratings issued by the Mental Health Commission in respect of a hospital (details supplied) in the years preceding the recent revelations adequately reflected the risks and deficiencies subsequently uncovered; whether her Department has sought an explanation from the Commission as to how such matters were not identified or escalated through routine inspections; and whether she will commission an independent review of the regulatory oversight exercised in this case. [10501/26]
View answerAll of the functions (and regulations made thereunder) under the Mental Health Act 2001, including the Approved Centre Regulations 2006, have been delegated to me, as Minister for Mental Health, under the Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order.
As the Deputy is aware, the Mental Health Commission inspects approved inpatient centres at least annually to ensure compliance with standards, using a process of risk-rated assessments (low to critical), site visits, and interviews. Approved centres are inspected to examine their compliance levels with regulations, rules and Part 4 of the Mental Health Act 2001 and codes of practice.
As part of its governance role, the Department receives inspection reports of approved centres from the Inspector of Mental Health Services of the Mental Health Commission. I am informed by officials of the findings of such reports. It is important to note that inspection reports are a point-in-time assessment of compliance with regulations at the time of inspection. The inspection reports of the Mental Health Commission reflect an accurate assessment of the risk under the Commission’s remit. The person with primary responsibility for the quality and safety of care in mental health centres is the registered proprietor. One of the key drivers of the forthcoming Mental Health Bill and the new National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding (2025) is to introduce greater scrutiny of how registered proprietors fulfil their responsibilities to the people in their care. I understand that the Mental Health Commission cannot comment on individual approved centres in circumstances where there is ongoing formal escalation, in order to avoid undermining the regulatory process.
More broadly, as the Deputy is aware, the primary functions of the Mental Health Commission are to foster and promote high standards of care and good practice in the delivery of mental health services and to ensure that the interests of those involuntarily admitted are protected, pursuant to the Mental Health Act 2001. The Department ensures that the Mental Health Commission’s performance is in line with performance and oversight agreements, which are updated on an annual basis. Regular governance meetings are held with the Mental Health Commission. The Department is in ongoing communication with the HSE and the Mental Health Commission in relation to governance issues for the hospital in question.
1233. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether the prevalence of chemical restraint has increased or decreased nationally over the past decade; and the conclusions drawn by her Department or the Mental Health Commission in relation to those trends. [10502/26]
View answerI understand that the Mental Health Commission collects data in relation to the restrictive practices which are provided for under the Mental Health Act, 2001 i.e. seclusion, physical restraint and mechanical restraint. The Mental Health Commission does not collect data on chemical or pharmacological restraint as this is not provided for under the Mental Health Act, 2001. In preparation for the new Mental Health Act, the Mental Health Commission will be preparing Regulations on pharmacological restraint that will create a regulatory framework for monitoring the practice and for the collection of related data.
1234. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the statutory reporting requirements which currently applies to the use of chemical restraint in approved centres; whether such episodes must be individually logged, audited and inspected; and whether she will publish centre-level data on its use. [10503/26]
View answerI understand that the Mental Health Commission collects data in relation to the restrictive practices which are provided for under the Mental Health Act, 2001 i.e. seclusion, physical restraint and mechanical restraint. The Mental Health Commission does not collect data on chemical or pharmacological restraint as this is not provided for under the Mental Health Act, 2001. In preparation for the new Mental Health Act, the Mental Health Commission will be preparing Regulations on pharmacological restraint that will create a regulatory framework for monitoring the practice and for the collection of related data.
1235. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health to provide the latest projected timeline for the delivery of a surgical hub at Sligo University Hospital. [10507/26]
View answerI have asked the HSE, as sponsoring agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the surgical hubs to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
1237. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department's policy on recognising degrees, higher diplomas in Education, and Teaching Council registration for Youthreach resource persons; whether such qualifications should attract allowances or recognition comparable to Youthreach teacher grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9888/26]
View answer1238. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the policy basis for recognising or not recognising teaching experience gained in Government-funded State post-primary schools outside the European Union for Youthreach resource persons; the rationale for any differential treatment versus post-primary teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9889/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1237 and 1238 together.
Youthreach provides a vital service to young people, many of whom are overcoming serious challenges in their lives. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Youthreach staff. There are distinct differences between the roles, qualifications, and regulatory frameworks, including terms and conditions of employment, governing teachers and Youthreach Resource Persons. Incremental credit arrangements apply only to specific cohorts of staff and are subject to national pay policy determinations. The terms and conditions in relation to the awarding of incremental credit in recognition of previous equivalent or relevant experience for Youthreach resource persons and Youthreach co-ordinators are governed by circular 0019/2018. The circular outlines that the awarding of incremental credit in recognition of prior equivalent or relevant experience is at the discretion of the Chief Executive of the ETB and, as such, queries regarding same should be directed to the ETB as the employer, in the first instance. Qualification requirements for Youthreach staff are set out in the Department of Education and Youth's Operator Guidelines for the Youthreach Programme which outlines that, while relevant qualifications are desirable, no qualifications are specified for staff working in this programme. This is intended to give ETBs maximum flexibility to recruit staff with a combination of personal qualities and professional skills most likely to meet the often complex needs of participating learners. In contrast, teachers must hold an NFQ Level 8 qualification, a recognised teaching qualification, and be registered with the Teaching Council.
1239. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the scholarships that may be available for a Palestinian citizen pursuing postgraduate medical studies (details supplied); and the way they can be accessed. [9181/26]
View answerMy Department has two scholarship programmes - the Government of Ireland International Education Programme and the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme - which are open to applications from Palestinian students. As autonomous bodies, it is open to Higher Education Institutions to also put scholarship programmes in place, and a number of Irish universities have already done so. For this reason, it is recommended that the person should contact the Admissions Office of a university to see if any scholarships may be available to support their education.
