Written Answers Nos. 902-921
902. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average percentage increase in pay for the lowest paid early years staff that is, those earning within the first quintile of the pay distribution between 2022 (pre-ERO) and 2025 (the most recent ERO), for each staff grade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14984/26]
View answerAlthough the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot directly set wages or conditions.
The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders, and is independent in its functions.
Outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. In this programme year 2025/26 Core Funding has increased by 6% to approximately €350 million with an additional €45 million in ring-fenced Core Funding provided to support early learning and care services in meeting the increased cost of minimum pay rates in the sector.
I recently announced, as part of launch of Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan in December, another allocation of up to €15m of ring-fenced funding from September 2026, which amounts up to €45m for the full programme year, to support service providers with costs associated with possible increases in minimum rates of pay negotiated via the independent Joint Labour Committee process. Consequently, over 2 years, the Department has made an allocation of €90 million available to support possible increased rates of pay.
It is not possible to make an exact comparison at staff grade level on the earnings pre the Early Years ERO 2022 and 2025, however, data from 2020 shows that staff in quintile one for Early Years Assistants were earning €10.62 and Room Leaders in quintile one were earning €10.66. The mean salary for Early Years Educators in quintile one in January 2026 is €15 and for Lead Educators is €16, it can therefore be inferred that wages for those in the lowest paid quintiles have increased by 41% and 50% respectively since 2020.
Assumptions
• Data from 2020 is based on those reported by services in the AEYSP 2020/2021 (57% response rate).
• The hourly pay estimates 2026 are based on staff who had an hourly wage recorded in service providers’ submissions for Core Funding in November 2022 and January 6th 2026, but the Core Funding data has been extrapolated to provide an estimate for all staff working in the sector.
• Staff whose rate of pay is entered below the ERO in the data pull are assigned a rate equal to the new ERO valid at that time.
• Calculations are based on wage-data available at a point in time. Some services may have increased wages more recently, which would increase the percentage difference between the two time periods.
903. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the development of Phase 3 of the First 5 Strategy, particularly in relation to the proposed pilot Child and Family Centres; when clarity will be provided regarding potential funding mechanisms for projects that are shovel-ready such as (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15006/26]
View answerFirst 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019-208) commits to piloting the development of Family and Early Childhood Centres that bring together a range of services to support parents and children.
The Phase 2 implementation plan indicated that this pilot will be considered under Phase 3 of the Strategy (2026-2028).
Development of the Phase 3 implementation plan is currently in progress. The First 5 Open Policy Debate took place on in June 2025. It provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the publication of the strategy, to reflect on priorities for the coming years, and to enable stakeholders to contribute to the development of the new Implementation Plan for 2026-2028. Currently, the Department is liaising with relevant stakeholders to determine key outputs and actions for the coming years. Further information on First 5 including progress reports can be read on www.gov.ie/first5. The Annual Implementation Report 2025 is due for publication in the coming months.
A related commitment in First 5 is to explore the potential for integrated service development and delivery for babies, young children and their families, through early learning and childcare settings as a natural hub for collaborative work with families.
A number of key initiatives are underway to support the delivery of this commitment.
As part of the National Development Plan review an allocation has been made of €197 million for capital investment in early learning and childcare over the next five years. This increased funding will be used in part to provide additional early learning and childcare places through future capital programmes, which will primarily focus on implementing the commitment to capital investment in State-owned early learning and childcare facilities as well as investment in existing providers to expand their capacity and a number of quality initiatives including supports to childminders.
State-led early learning and childcare is a substantial new development committed to in the Programme for Government. A number of specific sites for 2026 are under active consideration by officials although no definitive decisions have yet been made. Some of these sites may allow the potential for a range of services to be delivered in or adjacent to the building.
The Buildings Blocks Extension Scheme is providing investment in 2026 to existing early learning and childcare providers to expand their provision by means of extensions to existing buildings, or in the case of community not-for-profit operators, to purchase or construct buildings on new sites. Some of these projects include the delivery of other child and family services in addition to early learning and childcare, as committed to in the previous NDP. Officials in the Department are currently examining options and detailed specifications for future Building Blocks schemes, and I expect to announce details this year. There will be continued support to expand early learning and childcare provision alongside other child and family services where there are viable projects.
The Equal Start model and Access and Inclusion Model have also been embedding supports in settings, to deliver integrated service development and delivery by creating important links with Tusla, the HSE and other key community-based support organisations. This approach recognises early learning and childcare settings as a natural hub for collaborative work to support families.
Equal Start is a funding model and set of associated universal and targeted measures to support access and meaningful participation in early learning and childcare for children and their families who experience disadvantage.
Equal Start includes a suite of universal supports, child-targeted supports, and setting-targeted supports to ensure every child and every early learning and childcare setting will benefit from a continuum of supports that reflects a continuum of need.
Equal Start is embedding supports in all settings, supporting positive experiences and outcomes for all children.
The model supports the creation of important links with Tusla, HSE and Better Start amongst others, promoting inter-agency working.
The below actions support settings’ engagement in inter-agency cooperation:
• Roll out of the Traveller Parenting Support Programme in 17 Tusla areas, with responsibilities on Family Link Workers to engage with Traveller parents of young children, supporting them to attend and participate in early learning and childcare. Appointment of Traveller and Roma Advisory Specialists to work in Better Start to promote inclusive early learning and childcare.
• Roll-out of Early Talk Boost – an intervention for language delay - to settings with a priority designation. Training is delivered by Better Start Specialist tutors, Early Years Mentors within the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme and HSE tutors, supported by a HSE super tutor.
• Development of guidance and supports to support services to participate in inter-agency cooperation such as Meitheal.
• Appointment of Traveller and Roma Advisory Specialists to work in Better Start to promote inclusive early learning and childcare.
• A new leadership role is currently in development under Equal Start. The Family Community Partnership Coordinator role will have as its key focus the deepening of engagement between early learning and childcare services, families and the wider community.
This Department also provides funding for the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme, via Tusla. The FRC Programme is a community development initiative that is supported by multiple State agencies and Government departments in a partnership approach. FRCs may draw on various sources of funding provided by Government departments, agencies and private sources. FRCs provide a range of universal and targeted services and development opportunities that address the needs of families. FRCs are usually located in disadvantaged areas and serve as vital hubs for a wide range of community activities, catering to all age groups from early childhood to senior citizens. Funding was secured in Budget 2025 and Budget 2026 to allow membership of the FRC Programme to increase from 121 to 136 nationally, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
904. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children availing of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in total; the number of children availing of universal NCS subsidy scheme; the number of children availing of the income-based NCS subsidy scheme; in 2024, 2025 and 2026 in tabular form. [15052/26]
View answerThe following table outlines the number of unique children benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) for the calendar years 2024, 2025 and 2026 (YTD) according to subsidy type. As figures for 2026 are year-to-date, it is expected that these numbers will increase significantly over the coming months.
Please note that while the Deputy has requested information related to Universal and Income-Assessed only, Sponsored awards have also been included for the sake of completeness.
|
Subsidy Type |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Total |
|
Income Assessed |
85,422 |
83,266 |
57,116 |
108,295 |
|
Sponsor |
8,617 |
10,714 |
7,925 |
13,527 |
|
Universal |
138,248 |
167,341 |
136,454 |
192,669 |
|
Total |
219,074 |
246,967 |
200,684 |
286,543 |
*Please note: the sum of unique children availing of Income Assessed, Sponsor and Universal subsidies does not equal the total number of children for each year. This is because children can have claims of more than one subsidy rate type in a calendar year but they will only be counted once in each subsidy rate type, and once in the total.
Similarly, the total number of unique children benefitting from NCS in the years 2024, 2025 and 2026 (YTD) does not equal the sum of children in each of the years 2024, 2025 and 2026 (YTD) because children can have claims in more than one calendar year and they will be counted once in each calendar year and once in the total.
905. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of current spending on the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in total in 2024, 2025, and allocation for 2026; the amount of current spending on the universal NCS subsidy scheme in 2024, 2025, and allocation for 2026 ; the amount of current spending on the income-based NCS subsidy scheme in 2024, 2025, and allocation for 2026 in tabular form. [15053/26]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents reduce the cost of early learning and childcare.
Subsidies are available for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age.
The minimum rate available to all families in Ireland is €2.14 per hour, which is available for up to 45 weekly hours. Depending on the child's age and the family's income, an additional income assessed subsidy may be available to provide additional support. This subsidy can be as much as €5.10 per hour, also for up to 45 weekly hours.
For your information, please see the below table which details the cost of NCS claims in total in 2024 and 2025. This table is additionally broken down into universal, income assessed, and sponsor subsidy types.
|
|
2024 |
2025 |
|
|
Total |
Total |
|
Income Assessed |
211,878,147 |
210,266,447 |
|
Sponsor |
25,877,306 |
37,638,290 |
|
Universal |
179,310,877 |
279,777,667 |
|
Total |
417,066,330 |
527,682,404 |
Please note that as the information is requested by subsidy type, the value of claims set up during the year is provided. As certain adjustments are made separate to subsidy type, such as compliance recoupments or adjustments due to closure periods which reduce the amount paid to services at the service level, it is likely these figures overstate the total amount received by services in these calendar years.
The NCS Budget allocation for 2026 is €593,890,000. There is also an allocation of €6,480,000 to fund the cost of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and residents of the International Protection Accommodation Services accessing the NCS. The NCS allocation is not broken down by subsidy type. Claims for each subsidy type can and do vary year by year, and children move between subsidy types within a given year.
|
2026 Budget allocation (€000) |
593,890 |
|
2026 BoTP/IPAS allocation (€000) |
6,180 |
|
2026 Total (€000) |
600,360 |
906. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the additional spending that will be allocated in 2026 and the cost annually of the proposed increase of income thresholds regarding the income-based National Childcare Scheme (NCS) subsidy, as well as the estimated additional number of children that will be eligible for the income-based NCS subsidy under the newly proposed thresholds. [15054/26]
View answerAn additional €64.1 million has been allocated to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) for 2026. This brings the total investment in the Scheme to €593.9 million in 2026 – representing a 12% increase on the 2025 allocation. The increased allocation reflects anticipated growth in the uptake and usage of the Scheme by families.
It is not possible to provide a definitive estimate of future year annual costs associated with changes to the Income-Assessed thresholds and Multiple Child Discounts. This is because the costs associated with these changes will be demand-led and contingent on behavioural responses around the level of childcare usage. Any changes to the thresholds may influence family behaviour, for example – it may facilitate parents returning to work and/or an increase in labour force participation. There may also be an increased uptake of formal childcare by families who have not previously availed of such.
These considerations are similarly relevant in estimating the additional number of children who may qualify for Income-Assessed awards under the revised criteria. From September 2026, most families currently in receipt of an Income-Assessed subsidy are expected to benefit from an increased rate. The increased thresholds are also anticipated to support families to move from their existing Universal rate to an Income-Assessed subsidy where it may be of more benefit.
907. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the proposed universal rate under the National Childcare Scheme which will be introduced in September 2026, implied by her announcement of reductions in the highest fees charged to parents across the country from September 2026. [15055/26]
View answerThere are no proposed changes to increase the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) ‘Universal’ rate from September 2026. This will remain at its current rate of €2.14 per hour, for a maximum of 45 weekly hours. What the Deputy may be referring to is a recent announcement to increase the thresholds for ‘Income-Assessed’ awards and the Multiple Child Discount.
As the Deputy may be aware, the NCS provides both Universal and Income-Assessed subsidies to help parents to meet the cost of early learning and childcare. All families may apply to receive a Universal award however, depending on the family’s circumstances, higher rates may be available through an Income-Assessed award.
In 2026, as committed to in Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 Report, the Income-Assessed thresholds for the NCS will increase. This is expected to improve the affordability of childcare for up to 47,000 children from lower income families.
This investment will support lower income households to access higher subsidies to offset the cost of early learning and childcare. The thresholds are changing as follows:
• The lower income threshold will increase from €26,000 to €34,000
• The higher income threshold will increase from €60,000 to €68,000
Additionally, the Multiple Child Discount will increase:
• From €4,300 to €5,500 for a family with two children
• From €8,600 to €11,000 for a family with three or more children
Through increasing the NCS Income-Assessed thresholds, families whose reckonable income falls within the new thresholds will receive a higher subsidy, as they will move to a higher income-assessed rate, according to their individual circumstances. Increasing the Multiple Child Discount will further reduce the reckonable income for families with two or more children, enabling them to receive a higher subsidy and thereby reducing the cumulative burden of cost.
From September 2026, most families currently receiving an Income-Assessed subsidy will see an increase in their rate, due to these changes. This investment will also support additional families to move from their existing Universal rate to an Income-Assessed subsidy where it may be of more benefit.
Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to publish a detailed Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early learning and care and school-age childcare system. Under the Early Years Action Plan, a key phase 1 action will be to reduce the highest fees charged to parents across the country by lowering the maximum fees that Core Funding Partner Services can charge from September 2026.
These new, lower maximum fee levels will be announced in 2026 when full financial returns from providers have been analysed. This analysis will be completed and communicated to the sector in advance of next programme year of Core Funding, to commence in September 2026.
908. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the cost of increasing the estimated first-year, full-year and annual cost of increasing the current minimum rate of pay for early years educators by €0.50, €1, and €1.50; and the first-year, full-year and annual estimated cost to increase all other grades covered by the early years employment regulation order by the same amounts. [15056/26]
View answerAlthough the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot directly set wages or conditions.
The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders, and is independent in its functions.
Outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. In this programme year 2025/26 Core Funding has increased by 6% to approximately €350 million with an additional €45 million in ring-fenced Core Funding provided to support early learning and care services in meeting the increased cost of minimum pay rates in the sector.
I recently announced, as part of launch of Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan in December, another allocation of up to €15m of ring-fenced funding from September 2026, which amounts up to €45m for the full programme year, to support service providers with costs associated with possible increases in minimum rates of pay negotiated via the independent Joint Labour Committee process. Consequently, over 2 years, the Department has made an allocation of €90 million available to support possible increased rates of pay.
Based on the data available, a full year cost view provides the most accurate estimate of the impact to the employer of the proposed hourly wage increases set out in your question.
The estimated full year costs of increasing the current minimum rate of pay for early years educators and all other grades covered by the Early Years Orders which took effect on October 13th 2025 has been calculated based on the pay rates and working hours supplied by Partner Services in the Core Funding scheme in January 2026.
Included in this calculation are staff who are in receipt of funding or partial funding through other government schemes such as AIM, Equal Start, Community employment Scheme, TUS, etc.
The cost increase also includes a multiplier to account for employer contributions (to reflect PRSI, Pension enrolment, holiday, and sick pay) and an extrapolation rate associated with the response rate for the dataset is applied to represent the whole sector cost increase.
An estimated sector growth rate of 3.5% has been applied.
The table below shows the full year total cost to employers of increasing the current minimum rate of pay for each role level covered by the Early Years Employment Regulation Orders S.I. No 477/2025 and S.I. No. 478/2025
|
Main Role |
Total Cost 50c |
Total Cost €1 |
Total Cost €1.50 |
|
Educator |
€9,334,841 |
€20,803,068 |
€36,051,733 |
|
Lead Educator |
€2,408,739 |
€5,253,581 |
€8,510,193 |
|
Graduate Lead Educator |
€5,955,098 |
€12,965,965 |
€20,400,305 |
|
Deputy Manager |
€622,295 |
€1,353,510 |
€2,227,367 |
|
Manager |
€1,073,596 |
€2,205,395 |
€3,646,579 |
|
Graduate Manager |
€1,501,184 |
€3,125,566 |
€4,865,645 |
|
Total |
€20,895,753 |
€45,707,085 |
€75,701,822 |
Assumptions
• The cost estimates are based on staff who had an hourly wage recorded in service providers’ submissions for Core Funding on January 6th 2026, but the Core Funding data has been extrapolated to provide an estimate for all staff working in the sector.
• Cost estimates are based on the most recent data available to the Department which was provided by service providers in January 2026.
• Calculations are based on minimum rates of pay set out in the Early Years ERO’s which came into effect in October 2025
• The estimated costs are for the additional cost to employers of bringing staff, from their current wage or the minimum pay rates set out in the current EROs, whichever is higher, up to the projected rate e.g. for early years educators, costs are estimated based on the current minimum rate of €15.00 plus 50 cents, €1 and €1.50 respectively.
• Staff whose rate of pay is entered below the ERO in the data pull are assigned a rate equal to the new ERO valid at that time.
• Calculations are based on wage-data available at a point in time. Some services may have increased wages more recently, which would reduce the cost to services of moving from current wage-rates to the projected wage rates in the question.
• The cost estimates only relate to staff and managers covered by the current ERO’s, i.e. the estimates exclude the cost of ancillary staff.
• The cost estimates do not attempt to account for the potential cost implications for the wages of staff who are currently earning more than the increased rates above current ERO minimum rates.
909. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health if she, or her officials, have sought clarification from the HSE regarding its decision to submit to limit the scope of an inquest (details supplied), and requested an explanation as to how restricting the scope of the inquest serves the public interest; if such engagement has not yet taken place, when it will occur. [14514/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
910. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health the specific steps she proposes to take to ensure that the concerns raised by persons (details supplied) are not only heard by those with the power to effect change, but that their lived experiences are meaningfully considered and translated into concrete action. [14515/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
911. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health in engaging with the HSE regarding its decision to challenge the scope of an inquest (details supplied), to outline whether she will also seek clarification as to the role played by the State Claims Agency in that decision; whether she considers it appropriate for the State Claims Agency to have any involvement in submissions made within the coronial process, which is intended to serve the public interest through transparency, learning, and the prevention of future deaths. [14516/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
912. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health if there are grounds to examine whether the HSE’s actions in relation to the scope of an inquest (details supplied), as raised during Leader's Questions on 27 January 2026, could constitute undue interference contrary to the public interest; the basis for that view. [14517/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
913. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the total number of buildings leased by her Department, or bodies or agencies under its aegis, during 2025; the total cumulative sum paid under these leases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14022/26]
View answerMy Department had no building leases in 2025. The OPW is responsible for the procurement and lease of the Department's Head Office at Block 1, Miesian Plaza.
As 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.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of the Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
914. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE physiotherapist posts, by grade, that have been filled at Connolly Street primary care centre, as of 11 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14036/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
915. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE occupational therapist posts, by grade, that have been filled at Killeshandra primary care centre, as of 11 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14037/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
916. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dentists, dental nurses and hygienist posts that were filled at Cavan-Virginia primary care centre, as of 11 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14038/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
917. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE speech and language therapist posts by grade that were filled at Carrickmacross primary care centre, as of 11 February 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14039/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
918. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of geriatric consultants in Beaumont Hospital by funded WTE; vacant WTE posts; the number of individuals awaiting an appointment with a geriatric consultant in Beaumont; if Beaumont has requested additional geriatric consultant posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14053/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
919. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if there is currently a national waiting list in operation for adults requiring spinal fusion surgery; and if so, the current waiting times on this list. [14057/26]
View answerIt is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I published the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) for 2026 on January 30th, as part of this Government’s ongoing commitment to improving access to hospital care and reducing waiting times for patients.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach was implemented in September 2021 to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
In relation to the specific information requested by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has provided my Department with the attached spreadsheet, which sets out the waiting list for adult spinal fusion by time band and by hospital.
IPDC spinal fusion waiting list for adults by time band and by hospital
920. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reasons the current secretary general at her Department was paid their current salary during their tenure; and the reasons their successor will now be offered a much lower salary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14059/26]
View answerMy Department does not set the salary point or scale for our Secretary General. The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation is responsible for setting the salaries and pay scales for the Civil Service in accordance with the existing Public Service Agreement in place (currently 2024-2026).
Circular 07 of 2026 sets out the revised pay scales as of 1 February 2026 for general service grade civil servants, including Secretaries General, and is available on the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/circulars/application-of-1-february-2026-pay-adjustments/.
921. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive spinal fusion surgery. [14061/26]
View answerUnder 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 Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
