Written Answers Nos. 505-522
505. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to urgently address an issue, whereby the increases in the State pension is pushing many senior citizens over the threshold for a medical card, thus causing the loss of full medical card; if he will consult with the Department of Health to ensure that the medical card thresholds are raised in line with pension rises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15298/26]
View answerMedical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances. Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Detailed guidelines are available at: https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/assessment/ Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high medical costs. Details are available at: https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/over-70s/ 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.
In addition, where a person's sole income is derived from a social protection payment, he/she will be awarded a medical card.
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.
506. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health for an overview of the proposed health infrastructure developments in Kerry during 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17503/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter
507. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health for an update on plans to expand acute bed capacity in University Hospital Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17504/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
508. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the current status, from a public expenditure and approvals perspective, of capital projects at Beaumont Hospital including the emergency department, additional inpatient bed capacity and diagnostic infrastructure; whether her Department has identified any delays or blockages in progressing these projects from approval to construction; the steps being taken to address any such delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11104/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for his question. There are a number of significant proposals for capital investment at Beaumont Hospital, and all are progressing through the requisite design and planning stages. All of these proposals are being managed through the HSE capital development process in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
In May 2025, the new Emergency Department received final grant of planning permission. The project was approved to move to the detailed design stage through 2025 and 2026. That detailed design will inform a tender and market engagement strategy for construction works that will ultimately determine construction timelines. A more detailed programme will be prepared as part of this detailed design stage and a schedule within the planned overall campus development will be determined. The project remains funded on the HSE Capital plan through the design stage. The in-patient bed ward block project is progressing through the design stage at present. I am also advised that the pre-tender business case for the Radiation Oncology Unit at Beaumont was approved by the HSE just before Christmas. The first stage of the procurement process- Suitability Assessment Questionnaires (SAQs) has been completed. SAQs are used to assess whether a contractor is qualified, competent, and reliable enough to be invited to tender for the works. Invitations to tender for this project are expected to issue in the coming weeks. In parallel, three out of four enabling works packages to support the delivery of the radiation oncology unit are complete, with the last one underway and with works expected to be completed by June 2026. Beaumont faces many similar challenges to our other, acute model 4 campuses, with the need to provide modern, fit for purpose infrastructure, whilst addressing legacy buildings and outdated layouts on congested sites, which limit our ability to safely and easily add beds, expand EDs, or integrate modern diagnostics and digital systems. It is imperative that we carefully plan and build our new hospital infrastructure at an appropriate height and density, to ensure the optimal use of space in our congested hospital campuses, whilst also achieving the necessary clinical adjacencies. We therefore must undertake a significant amount of decanting and enabling works before the main projects can begin. This is happening at Beaumont at present.
509. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the measures her Department is taking to provide an occupational therapist for Laois, as there has been none in the county since 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13097/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
510. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health to consider the reintroduction of paid special leave for those public sector workers suffering from long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10739/26]
View answerThe scheme was introduced in July 2022, to support eligible staff affected by long-COVID in the public health sector, on a temporary basis. After a hearing in June, the Labor Court recommended that the Special Scheme would come to an end on the 31st of December 2025, therefore, the scheme has formally concluded. Importantly, this does not mean that supports have ended. Employees who remained unfit to return to work have moved into the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, ensuring continuity of care and financial protection. The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted. Employees should discuss their options with their local HR as these are granted on a case by case basis. While 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.
511. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if she is satisfied that food imported into Ireland by food processing companies and used in processed foods is correctly labelled with country of origin in relation to the ingredients of such products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6779/26]
View answerThe Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is a statutory body, independent in the exercise of its functions, which was established under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998. The FSAI has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food law in Ireland; therefore, as this is an operational matter, I have asked the FSAI to reply directly to the Deputy.
512. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when she expects to make a decision on the report prepared by the expert group established by the HSE to examine the implications of the final review (details supplied) for gender-related healthcare services in Ireland; whether she has received and reviewed that report; whether any recommendations within it relate to safeguarding, clinical standards, or risk-mitigation for children and adolescents; and the reason the findings of that report have not yet been published or acted upon. [7691/26]
View answerThe Cass Report has been reviewed by clinical experts within the HSE at the request of the Chief Clinical Officer and the review is currently under consideration by the HSE. The provision of proper, appropriate, and integrated gender healthcare services is something that I want to ensure is in place for those who are questioning their gender identity or are experiencing gender incongruence or dysphoria. As per the Programme for Government 2025, the Government is committed to ensuring a transgender healthcare service based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness, and compassion. A clinical programme for gender healthcare has been initiated by the HSE and an updated clinical model for gender healthcare services is being developed. The Clinical lead is in place and recruitment is ongoing for the rest of the multi-disciplinary team. Developing a Model of Care for Gender Healthcare Services is expected to be a complex process and the HSE and my department will work closely together to support the process, ensure transparency and keep the patient at the centre of the process. It is important that the HSE is given time to develop a Model of Care that is based on the best clinical evidence and that will deliver the best outcomes for persons with gender incongruence or dysphoria. It is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of this process by determining at this stage what this model of care will look like once developed. Regarding the HSE review of the Cass report, this was a specific and defined piece of work that was independent of the planned update of the HSE Clinical Model of Care for Gender Healthcare. It is the Model of Care, and not the HSE review of the Cass report, that will ultimately make recommendations on the delivery of gender healthcare services in the HSE, for both adults and young people.
513. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way in which she can defend the development or revision of national policy and models of care for gender identity services for children and young people in circumstances where the Health Service Executive has confirmed that neither her Department or the HSE has any policy governing the collection, verification, or publication of data on referrals, diagnoses, comorbidities, treatment pathways or outcomes; when she first became aware of these data gaps; and the immediate steps she is now taking to ensure that paediatric healthcare policy is grounded in evidence, outcome monitoring and proper governance. [9787/26]
View answerThe Model of Care (MOC) for Paediatric Health Care Services was approved and published by the HSE in 2016; it strongly advocates for an integrated networked structure of healthcare services for children and young people supporting the delivery of care as close to a child’s home as is safely possible, aligned with Sláintecare. The new National Children’s Hospital Ireland (NCHI) is a key enabler of this Model of Care, acting as the hub of the national network of paediatric services, with robust links to regional and local paediatric acute units to deliver acute paediatric care close to home for children where clinically appropriate. In addition to the NCHI, regional paediatric care is available from three centres at Galway, Limerick, and Cork, and local paediatric care is available from 14 units around the country. As the Deputy will be aware and as set out in the Programme for Government 2025, this Government is committed to ensuring a transgender healthcare service that is based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion. It is in this context that my Department has provided funding to the HSE in 2024, 2025 and this year for the establishment and development of the National Clinical Programme for Gender Healthcare. This programme is developing an updated clinical Model of Care with the aim of designing clinical pathways to deliver safe and effective health and social care for those seeking gender affirming healthcare services. This work will also inform an implementation plan for its delivery. The HSE National Clinical Programme for Gender Healthcare will include a clinical framework for the clinical support and management of children and young people in primary, secondary and specialist care settings, and matters such as the collection of clinical data will be considered in the development of this model of care. Additionally, the updated model of care will inform the design and use of datasets and best outcome measures. Developing a model of care for Gender Healthcare Services is a complex process and the HSE and my department are working closely together to support the process, ensure transparency and keep the patient at the centre of the process. It is important that the HSE is given time to develop a model of care that is based on the best clinical evidence and that will deliver the best outcomes for persons with gender incongruence or dysphoria. It is the Model of Care that will ultimately make recommendations on the delivery of gender healthcare services in the HSE, for both adults and young people. It is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of this process by determining at this stage what this model of care will look like once developed.
514. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way in which she satisfies herself that public funds are being spent in a manner that meets basic standards of governance, safeguarding, and accountability (details supplied); and whether she accepts that reliance on financial audit alone does not constitute effective oversight. [9969/26]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. In response to a number of parliamentary questions which have previously been answered, I have set out the arrangements in place for two non-statutory bodies funded by my Department. As set out in those responses, it is clear and important to note that my Department does not rely on financial audit alone to provide oversight to non-statutory bodies. I wish to clarify that following further examination, I am now satisfied that one of these, the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), is not such a non-statutory body. ISQua was established in 1985 as a leading organisation dedicated to improving healthcare safety and quality worldwide. A not-for-profit Community, ISQua brings together clinicians, executives, policymakers, regulators, and patient advocates from across 80 countries to support system-wide transformation. While ISQua has an office located in Dublin and receives grant funding from my Department, ISQua retains its individual identity, independence and a global focus, under the direction of its Board and is managed by its Chief Executive Officer. ISQua operates under the requirements of the Charities Governance Code and the Charities Regulator. The governance and oversight arrangements for the Institute of Public Health (IPH) have previously been set out in response to PQs 67017/25, 10006/26, 10007/26, 13608/26, 14675/26, 14676/26 and 14677/26. The Institute of Public Health (IPH), is a North/South Agency and is a company limited by guarantee (CLG). It is required to ensure compliance with relevant company law in both jurisdictions. The IPH operates under a Service Level Agreement with the relevant line unit which provides oversight of the body. Governance meetings between the two sponsor Departments occur on a quarterly basis. The oversight agreement between the two sponsor Departments and the IPH has defined escalation procedures and points of contact. The IPH Code of Governance notes that they voluntarily adhere to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
515. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review the correspondence (details supplied); if she will review the current supports available to healthcare workers diagnosed with long-Covid who contracted the illness in the course of their employment during the Covid pandemic; if she will outline the rationale for the cessation of the special leave with pay (SLWP) arrangements and the transition to affected workers to standard sick leave and temporary rehabilitation remuneration; if she will advise whether consideration is being given to recognising long-Covid as an occupational illness for healthcare and social care workers; if she will outline what financial and social protection supports are available to healthcare workers who remain unable to return to work due to long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17878/26]
View answerThe scheme was introduced in July 2022, to support eligible staff affected by long-COVID in the public health sector, on a temporary basis. After a hearing in June, the Labor Court recommended that the Special Scheme would come to an end on the 31st of December 2025, therefore, the scheme has formally concluded. Importantly, this does not mean that supports have ended. Employees who remained unfit to return to work have moved into the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, ensuring continuity of care and financial protection. The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted. Employees should discuss their options with their local HR as these are granted on a case by case basis. While 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.
516. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, to outline the proposed governance, funding flows and accountability arrangements for the regional structures within the HSE health regions; whether local drug and alcohol task forces will retain independent governance and decision-making authority over locally delivered programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17891/26]
View answer517. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; and if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE health regions in making funding decisions. [17892/26]
View answer518. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health whether, under the proposed regional structures in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, all public funding for community-based drug services, including local drug and alcohol task forces, will be pooled at HSE health region level; the safeguards that will be put in place to prevent dilution of funding to areas of high deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17893/26]
View answer520. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, the proposed governance, funding flows and accountability arrangements for the regional structures within the HSE Health Regions; whether local drug and alcohol task forces will retain independent governance and decision-making authority over locally delivered programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17912/26]
View answer521. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; and if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE health regions in making funding decisions. [17913/26]
View answer522. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health whether, under the proposed regional structures in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, all public funding for community-based drug services, including local drug and alcohol task forces, will be pooled at HSE health region level; the safeguards that will be put in place to prevent dilution of funding to areas of high deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17914/26]
View answer534. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, the proposed governance, funding flows and accountability arrangements for the regional structures within the HSE health regions; whether Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces will retain independent governance and decision-making authority over locally delivered programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17948/26]
View answer535. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; and if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE health regions in making funding decisions. [17949/26]
View answer536. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the specific measures which will be put in place to protect the independent, community-led role of Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces under the proposed regional governance arrangements in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17950/26]
View answer537. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health whether, under the proposed regional structures in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, all public funding for community-based drug services, including Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, will be pooled at HSE Health region level; the safeguards which will be put in place to prevent dilution of funding to areas of high deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17951/26]
View answer542. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, to outline the proposed governance, funding flows and accountability arrangements for the regional structures within the HSE Health Regions; whether Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces will retain independent governance and decision-making authority over locally delivered programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17963/26]
View answer543. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; and if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE Health Regions in making funding decisions. [17965/26]
View answer544. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health the specific measures which will be put in place to protect the independent, community-led role of Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces under the proposed regional governance arrangements in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17966/26]
View answer545. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health whether, under the proposed regional structures in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, all public funding for community-based drug services, including Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, will be pooled at HSE Health Region level; the safeguards which will be put in place to prevent dilution of funding to areas of high deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17968/26]
View answer546. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, to outline the proposed governance, funding flows and accountability arrangements for the regional structures within the HSE Health Regions; whether Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces will retain independent governance and decision-making authority over locally delivered programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17969/26]
View answer547. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; and if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE Health Regions in making funding decisions. [17970/26]
View answer548. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the specific measures which will be put in place to protect the independent, community-led role of Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces under the proposed regional governance arrangements in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17971/26]
View answer549. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health whether, under the proposed regional structures in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, all public funding for community-based drug services, including Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, will be pooled at HSE Health Region level; the safeguards which will be put in place to prevent dilution of funding to areas of high deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17972/26]
View answer554. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, to outline the proposed governance, funding flows and accountability arrangements for the regional structures within the HSE health regions; whether local drug and alcohol task forces will retain independent governance and decision-making authority over locally delivered programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17997/26]
View answer555. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health the way funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; and if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE Health Regions in making funding decisions. [17998/26]
View answer556. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health the specific measures she will be put in place to protect the independent, community-led role of local drug and alcohol task forces under the proposed regional governance arrangements in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17999/26]
View answer557. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health whether, under the proposed regional structures in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, all public funding for community-based drug services, including local drug and alcohol task forces, will be pooled at HSE Health Region level; the safeguards which will be put in place to prevent dilution of funding to areas of high deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18000/26]
View answer558. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, the proposed governance, funding flows and accountability arrangements for the regional structures within the HSE health regions; whether local drug and alcohol task forces will retain independent governance and decision-making authority over locally delivered programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18028/26]
View answer559. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE Health Regions in making funding decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18029/26]
View answer560. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the specific measures that will be put in place to protect the independent, community-led role of local drug and alcohol task forces under the proposed regional governance arrangements in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18030/26]
View answer561. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health whether under the proposed regional structures in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, all public funding for community-based drug services, including local drug and alcohol task forces, will be pooled at HSE Health Region level the safeguards that will be put in place to prevent dilution of funding to areas of high deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18031/26]
View answer577. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029, to outline the proposed governance, funding flows and accountability arrangements for the regional structures within the HSE Health Regions; whether local drug and alcohol task forces will retain independent governance and decision-making authority over locally delivered programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18099/26]
View answer578. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; and if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE Health Regions in making funding decisions. [18100/26]
View answer579. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the specific measures that will be put in place to protect the independent, community-led role of local drug and alcohol task forces under the proposed regional governance arrangements in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18101/26]
View answer580. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health whether, under the proposed regional structures in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029, all public funding for community-based drug services, including local drug and alcohol task forces, will be pooled at HSE health region level; what safeguards will be put in place to prevent dilution of funding to areas of high deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18102/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 516, 517, 518, 520, 521, 522, 534, 535, 536, 537, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 577, 578, 579 and 580 together.
I recently published the draft national drugs strategy. The draft strategy sets out an integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug use, reflecting the Government’s commitment to a health-led approach. A [Public Consultation] https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/consultations/draft-national-drugs-strategy-public-consultation/on the draft strategy is now open and the public and stakeholders are encourage to have their say.The draft strategy proposes the establishment of structures under the HSE health regions to coordinate the planning, funding and delivery of high-quality drug and alcohol treatment services, based on population need, in order to address the current disparities in treatment prevalence between areas. To support the governance remit of the health regions, the Department of Health is leading a process of stakeholder engagement to review existing structures, with a view to strengthen the input to the planning and delivery of drug services, enhance the integration of community-based services within primary care and involve people with lived and living experience. This process will involve the HSE health regions, drug task forces, community-based services and other relevant stakeholders. I encourage all stakeholders, including those with lived and living experience of drug use, families, communities, drug and alcohol task forces and service providers, to provide their input to the national drugs strategy, so that it is an effective and comprehensive response to drug and harmful alcohol use.
519. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether there has been a change in policy within the National Ambulance Service regarding the transition of graduating paramedics from specified purpose contracts to permanent positions; the reason for requiring an internal competition process; the number of paramedics which are affected in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17908/26]
View answerThe National Ambulance Service (NAS) is committed to continued expansion of its frontline workforce in 2026 through a series of planned new developments. As part of this, the HSE has confirmed that full-time, permanent contracts are available for all Year-Three graduates completing the Paramedic programme with NAS in 2026. Graduates play a vital role in maintaining workforce capacity by filling vacancies arising from retirements and promotions, as well as supporting the creation of new posts linked to new service development under the National Service Plan. It is essential that NAS can prioritise the placement of these graduates to fill roles in areas with the greatest operational need. To ensure a fair and transparent allocation of permanent posts, graduates have been asked to apply through a confined internal competition. This approach is consistent with recruitment processes used elsewhere in the health service. Graduates have been asked to select their three preferred locations within a region, and every effort will be made to accommodate first preferences. Where vacancies are oversubscribed, the process being implemented will ensure a fair and equitable allocation of roles.
While completing their BSc. (Hon) in Paramedic Studies, student paramedics hold a Specified Purpose Contract (SPC). As NAS works to fill the permanent positions, year-three graduates have been given a 16-week extension to their SPC to ensure continuity of service and employment for the graduates.
