Written Answers Nos. 523-563
523. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health to provide the actual live birth outcomes for the State-funded IVF scheme to date; the number of women who commenced a treatment cycle; the number of live births resulting from those cycles; the average cost to the State per live birth achieved; and to outline why only estimated clinical pregnancy rates per embryo transfer, rather than verified live birth data, have been published to date. [17915/26]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have referred it to the HSE for direct answer.
524. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) as a treatment for infertility; and whether consideration will be given to supporting or funding RRM as an alternative or complementary option to IVF, particularly for couples who cannot access IVF for religious or personal reasons. [17916/26]
View answerThe Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme. The key principle underlying this initiative is to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary. Under the Model of Care, referrals for publicly-funded, privately-provided assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment are subject to patients meeting the access criteria agreed by the Department and the HSE. These access criteria were developed by a multi-disciplinary expert group together with a review of international evidence in the field. These criteria include, for example, restrictions in respect of maternal age, body mass index (BMI), and the number of previous AHR cycles/procedures undertaken. In respect of the latter, for instance, a couple must have had no more than one round of privately-funded IVF before and have no unused embryos still in storage to be eligible. The Model of Care comprises three stages of care. These begin in primary care (GPs), progress to secondary care through the six HSE-run Regional Fertility Hubs located across the country, and, where clinically indicated, advance to tertiary care, including IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) and ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection). It should also be noted that IUI (intrauterine insemination) is also being provided and can, for certain cohorts of patients, be a potentially effective, yet less complex and less intrusive form of treatment. Public patients are referred through these structured pathways. Patients, following consultations in primary care, are referred by their GP to their designated Regional Fertility Hub for assessment and investigation. Before making a referral, the GP will provide appropriate advice and information on lifestyle factors, carry out relevant tests and examinations, and undertake any necessary initial interventions. The GP must also be satisfied that the couple has been trying to conceive naturally for an adequate period of time. The specific access criteria to avail of services provided at a Hub are less stringent than those required to be met in order to qualify for free AHR treatment. Patients must be clinically assessed by a Reproductive Specialist Consultant at a Regional Fertility Hub before they can be referred for IVF, ICSI, or IUI treatment. At the Hub, patients will undergo a comprehensive consultation and assessment. This may include a range of investigations, procedures, and interventions, as appropriate, such as: relevant blood tests, semen analysis, assessment of tubal patency, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, fertility-related surgery, ovulation induction, and follicle tracking. Only where clinically indicated by the Specialist Consultant will a referral for IVF, ICSI, or IUI be made. A significant proportion of patients presenting with fertility challenges can be and are being successfully managed at Regional Fertility Hub-level and do not require progression to such invasive tertiary-level treatment as IVF.
More information is available on the HSE website in respect of the publicly-funded AHR treatment initiative, including more details on the access criteria and specific services available, at: www2.hse.ie/pregnancy-birth/trying-for-a-baby/your-fertility/getting-ivf-icsi-iui-hse/ or on public fertility services more generally at: www2.hse.ie/conditions/fertility-problems-treatments/fertility-treatment/ I want to reassure the Deputy that my Department and the Government are focused, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, on ensuring that patients receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and only those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF can access same through the most effective deployment of finite public resources.
525. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the specific steps being taken to ensure the HSE considers the time-critical nature of Friedreich’s ataxia during the current price negotiations for Skyclarys, the only drug approved for treatment of this condition, given the 570 days since the application for use was lodged and the rapid progression of the disease in sufferers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17917/26]
View answer526. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the way in which the commitments in the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025 – 2030 are being applied to the approval process for the drug Skyclarys used to treat Friedrich's ataxia to prevent further delays in addressing the unmet need of sufferers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17918/26]
View answer527. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the way in which the 2026 IPHA Framework Agreement on access to new and innovative medicines which aims for a 180-day decision timeline is being applied to the drug Skyclarys used to treat Friedrich's ataxia to prevent further delays in addressing the unmet need of sufferers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17919/26]
View answer538. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if she will intervene to ensure that the HSE prioritises a conclusion to the Skyclarys reimbursement negotiations, given that it is the only available treatment for this progressive disease, which currently can be classed as having an ‘unmet need’ as outlined in the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025 – 2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17958/26]
View answer539. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health her views on whether the current delay regarding the Skyclarys reimbursement negotiations aligns with the "equitable access" promised in the newly launched National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17959/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 to 527, inclusive, and 538 and 539 together.
The State has successfully negotiated a new Agreement in Principle on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines with IPHA, which will commence from this year and last until the end of 2029. The agreement provides a commitment and a structured process towards achieving a 180-day timeline, for completing health technology assessments (HTA) and reimbursement decisions. The structured process will be implemented over the lifetime of the Agreement.
The Department will ensure implementation of the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025 – 2030, and its vision to ensure that all people living with a rare disease have access to equitable, inclusive, safe and cross-sectoral care throughout their life journey that will enable them to reach their full potential and to live their best lives. Since the launch of the Strategy, an Implementation Oversight Group has been launched and met in February to begin work planning for the 11 recommendations. As implementation of the Strategy progresses, it is intended that patient representation is a key feature and will be embedded in all structures.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices, therefore, I have asked the HSE for an update on this matter. The HSE has advised that it is committed to providing access to as many medicines as possible, in as timely a fashion as possible, from the resources available (provided) to it. The HSE robustly assesses applications for pricing and reimbursement to make sure that it can stretch available resources as far as possible and to deliver the best value in relation to each medicine and ultimately more medicines to Irish citizens and patients. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds. There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and / or reimbursed. The HSE considers the following criteria prior to making any decision on pricing / reimbursement, in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013:
(1) The health needs of the public,
(2) The cost effectiveness of meeting health needs by supplying the item concerned rather than providing other health services,
(3) The availability and suitability of items for supply or reimbursement,
(4) The proposed costs, benefits, and risks of the item or listed item relative to therapeutically similar items or listed items provided in other health service settings and the level of certainty in relation to the evidence of those costs, benefits and risks,
(5) The potential or actual budget impact of the item or listed item,
(6) The clinical need for the item or listed item,
(7) The appropriate level of clinical supervision required in relation to the item to ensure patient safety,
(8) The efficacy (performance in trial), effectiveness (performance in real situations) and added therapeutic benefit against existing standards of treatment (how much better it treats a condition than existing therapies) and,
(9) The resources available to the HSE.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of omaveloxolone (Skyclarys®):
The HSE received an application for pricing and reimbursement of omaveloxolone (Skyclarys®) on the 1st August 2024 from Biogen Idec (Ireland) Limited (the applicant) for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older.
• The first step in the process is the submission of a Rapid Review dossier (a clinical and economic dossier) to the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) for assessment. The HSE commissioned the Rapid Review process on the 2nd August 2024.
• The NCPE Rapid Review assessment report was received by the HSE on the 29th August 2024. The NCPE advised the HSE that a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) was recommended to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of omaveloxolone compared with the current standard of care.
• The HSE commissioned a full HTA on the 25th September 2024 as per agreed processes.
• The NCPE HTA Report was received by the HSE on the 16th December 2025. The NCPE recommends that omaveloxolone not be considered for reimbursement.
• The HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications.
• The Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The membership of the HSE Drugs Group includes public interest members. Pharmacoeconomic reports are reviewed by the HSE Drugs Group along with the outputs of commercial negotiations, and any patient group submission(s) received. The HSE Drugs Group considers all of the evidence and makes a recommendation to the HSE Senior Leadership Team.
• The decision making authority in the HSE is the HSE Senior Leadership Team. The HSE Senior Leadership Team decides on the basis of all the demands it is faced with (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new use of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
This application remains under consideration with the HSE. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
528. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who cannot be discharged from a hospital on delayed discharge of care due to the fact they do not have a fixed abode, by name of hospital, in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17929/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
529. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health whether statistics are held by her Department regarding the number of residents in Ireland diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome; and the number of adults and minors respectively. [17933/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
530. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the case of a child whose application for placement (details supplied) was refused solely on jurisdictional grounds despite the absence of any equivalent specialised preschool provision in their own catchment area; whether CHO boundary rules override clinical recommendations in such circumstances; the mechanism which exist to permit cross-boundary placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17935/26]
View answerThis question should be directed to the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality and/or the Minister for Education and Youth.
531. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if she will address concerns raised by LGBTQ+ families around the assisted human reproduction legislation, particularly around the lack of recognition for families formed through regulated and safeguarded international surrogacy, if they reside abroad; the exclusion of same-sex female couples who conceived without clinical assistance, post May 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17940/26]
View answer532. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if she will address concerns from the assisted human reproduction legislation particularly around parental recognition made contingent on the surrogate’s post birth consent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17941/26]
View answer533. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the assisted human reproduction legislation fully support the rights of children and parents and comply with Ireland’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17942/26]
View answer588. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health when it is intended to fully implement the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18142/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 531 to 533, inclusive, and 588 together.
The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was signed into law by the President in July 2024, having passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas. The primary purpose of this complex and far-reaching legislation is to regulate fertility clinics providing treatment and ensure that assisted human reproduction (AHR) practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight. The 2024 Act encompasses the regulation for the first time of a wide range of practices undertaken in Ireland, including: the use and donation of gametes and embryos for AHR and research; pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos; and embryo and stem cell research. The establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA), as provided for in the legislation, is a vital component in the effective regulation of this sector. The AHR Bill as initially published also included provisions in respect of domestic altruistic surrogacy. However, the final 2024 Act also includes substantive new provisions in respect of the regulation of future surrogacy arrangements undertaken by Irish residents in other jurisdictions and the recognition of parentage arising from certain past domestic and international surrogacy arrangements. While the 2024 Act was progressing through the Houses of Oireachtas, issues were identified which required further consideration and consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. Formal drafting of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill – which is largely concerned with outstanding issues of parentage and citizenship, but also seeks to make other necessary amendments to various other sections of the 2024 Act – is at an advanced stage, led by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, along with officials from my Department, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DoJHAM), and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The major remaining outstanding matters to be finalised relate to issues regarding citizenship and the recognition of parentage arising from children born as a result of DAHR procedures or surrogacy undertaken by Irish citizens abroad. The completion of the drafting of provisions in this regard, which is being led by the DoJHAM, is being progressed having regard to the complex legal and policy issues involved. It is a legally intricate area which impinges on very important aspects of private international law, must take into account Court judgments on a number of relevant ongoing legal cases and requires significant levels of engagement with the Office of the Attorney General (AGO). In that context, the Departments note both the difficulty internationally in securing bilateral or multilateral arrangements for mutual recognition of parental status and the absence of comparable comprehensive legislative frameworks in other jurisdictions. The Departments are therefore proceeding on the basis that a cautious and legally robust approach is required and will continue to progress the remaining issues as a priority with the AGO. In drafting the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024, as well as the AHR Amendment Bill, the Departments have worked with the AGO, to ensure that the legislation respects the rights of intending parents, surrogate mothers, and children born as a result of AHR procedures, under both the Irish Constitution and those arising from our international obligations, including under the European Convention on Human Rights. A particular focus in this regard is on the most potentially vulnerable parties involved in AHR practices – for example, surrogate mothers and, most particularly, the children who may be born through AHR. The surrogacy provisions in the AHR legislation looked to build on and learn from the experiences of other States which have sought to regulate surrogacy. The new laws were also developed having taken into consideration the views and recommendations of a large number of national and international experts, such as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children, the Irish Special Rapporteur on Child Protection and a dedicated cross-party parliamentary committee which was established specifically to examine the issue. In addition, adhering as much as possible to the Verona Principles – a set of policy and legislative guidelines produced by a group of experts in international law and human rights to ensure respect for the human rights of children born through surrogacy – was, and is, a major factor during the legislative drafting process. A fundamental principle underpinning the regulation of surrogacy is that, whether undertaken in Ireland or abroad, it will only be permitted if the fully-informed and voluntary consent of the surrogate mother is provided at all stages of the process. Therefore, a key requirement which needs to be met before pre-conception approval has been granted is that the surrogate mother will have received adequate counselling and independent legal advice on the implications of entering into a surrogacy agreement before providing her fully-informed and voluntary consent. Similarly, the fully-informed contemporaneous consent of the surrogate mother is an essential element of the Court application for the granting of a Parental Order which will have the most significant effect of transferring the parentage of a child born as a result of a surrogacy agreement. There are certainly no plans to remove the requirement for the post-birth consent of a surrogate mother to be provided, as set out in the 2024 Act. Principle 7 of the Verona Principles specifically relate to the consent of the surrogate mother and states, inter alia, that “confidence in the integrity of the circumstances surrounding their surrogacy arrangement is of great importance to the child’s rights” and “free and informed decision making in all legal, social, financial and medical matters by the surrogate mother shall be supported pre surrogacy arrangements, throughout the pregnancy and post birth”. I welcome the opportunity to hear all perspectives on issues relevant to the work of my Department. I was happy to meet with Equality for Children / the LGBTQ+ Parenting Alliance and, indeed, other advocacy groups, and to listen to their views. At the meetings, the groups shared their experience and were given time to make their views known. So, I can assure the Deputy that I am fully up to speed on the issues of interest to the groups. I would also refer to the fact that many of the issues raised in relation to what they wish to see included in the forthcoming AHR Amendment Bill are reflected in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health’s pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS) report, which was published in October 2025. The PLS report and recommendations have been and are being considered as part of the formal drafting process. Regarding the particular query in respect of same-sex female couples who conceive without clinical assistance, the Deputy would be aware of the requirement, post-May 2020, that all donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR) procedures must take place in a DAHR facility. This ensures a high level of protection with regards the right to identity of donor-conceived children, whilst ensuring protection for donors and intending parents by providing certainty as regards parentage at the time of the procedure, and by ensuring that all necessary consents and information is properly executed and documented. It would not be possible, in practice, to provide the same guarantees as regards parentage and protection of the donor, whilst also ensuring the same level of protection for donor-conceived children’s right to identity where a procedure takes place in a non-clinical setting. At the same time, where gametes are not used in a clinical setting, it will not be possible to ensure compliance with the standards as set out in the European Union (EU) Bloods and Tissues Directive. These standards are to be updated and expanded upon in the EU’s proposed Regulation on standards of quality and safety for substances of human origin (blood, tissues and cells) for use on or in human recipients. Furthermore, it will not be possible to ensure the same standards as regards the donation and use of donated gametes to be introduced by the 2024 Act, including with regards to the limitations on the number of times gametes from the same donor can be used. Much progress has been made on the path to providing the necessary oversight and regulation of the AHR sector. Some administrative sections of the 2024 Act have been commenced, specifically to formally establish the AHRRA. In addition, work is under way with a view to commencing section 232 of the 2024 Act. This will result in the parentage of some donor-conceived children not covered by the 2015 Act being recognised. In conclusion, this is a very complex area and we need to get it right. The 2024 Act will be commenced in full subject to the AHR Amendment Bill being enacted and the AHRRA being suitably functional. However, please be assured that further progressing the AHR legislation and making the AHRRA fully operational are Government priorities and represent key commitments in the Programme for Government.
540. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health to provide further clarification and reasoning behind the changes within the HSE to the employment opportunities for paramedics; if she will ensure that the 80 paramedics who have recently qualified will be guaranteed permanent contracts, given they had been informed that would happen at the beginning of their contracts; if she has considered reversing the changes that have been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17960/26]
View answerThe National Ambulance Service (NAS) is committed to continued expansion of its front-line 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.
541. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing full State funding for the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine for all adults aged 60 and over, in light of the current out-of-pocket cost of approximately €500, which places it beyond the reach of many older people; and to outline her Department's assessment of international models, including the United Kingdom and Australia, where the vaccine is provided free-of-charge to eligible age groups. [17962/26]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC considers the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland as well as international best practice in relation to immunisation when developing its advice. The current NIAC guidelines state that the shingles vaccine may be considered for those aged 65 years and older, due to the greater burden and severity of disease in this age group and in those aged 18 years and older at increased risk of shingles. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has carried out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. HIQA’s HTA examined the evidence on the clinical effectiveness and safety of shingles vaccines. The cost effectiveness and budget impact were also reviewed, along with the ethical, social and organisational implications of including the vaccine in the adult immunisation schedule. HIQA published this HTA on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that adding the shingles vaccine to the routine immunisation schedule, at the vaccine price at the time, for all adults aged 65 years and over would not be cost effective and would be associated with a substantial budget impact. While the vaccine is considered safe and effective, its protective effect diminishes over time. HIQA also noted the substantial budget impact associated with vaccination. If made available to everyone aged 65 and older, vaccination would cost €218 million over five years.
Whilst the HTA found that the introduction of the shingles vaccine was not cost effective based on the cost of the vaccine, it found that it could be cost effective for vaccination of those at 75 years and 80 years if the cost of the vaccine was reduced by 80%. Given that the healthcare budget is finite and decisions regarding increased spending relating to a change in one area could impact the provision of other health technologies and treatments within the healthcare system, the cost-effectiveness must be considered in any decision-making process. My Department considered the findings of this HTA in 2024 and determined that the introduction of the vaccine could be reconsidered when the cost effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable. I can confirm that the introduction of the shingles vaccine to the immunisation schedule in Ireland is again being actively considered for a cohort of immunocompromised individuals, in line with NIAC advice and cognisant of the cost effectiveness of market pricing and available funding.
550. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 25 February 2026, to provide further clarity on the reason such pain relief is not considered under the drugs payment scheme; the current assessment of Versatis plasters is under the scheme; if there have been any exceptional circumstances where these plasters have been approved for unlicensed use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17990/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter and under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices, this question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
551. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the recent change that means that newly qualified paramedics are no longer being offered permanent positions within the National Ambulance Service (details supplied); whether the Department of Health was made aware of this change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17992/26]
View answerThe National Ambulance Service (NAS) is committed to continued expansion of its front-line 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.
552. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the problems encountered by recently qualified paramedics in gaining employment with the National Ambulance Service; if she believes that the paramedic qualification should effectively remain tied to a single employer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17993/26]
View answerThe National Ambulance Service (NAS) is committed to continued expansion of its front-line 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.
553. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) following reports that approximately 80 newly qualified paramedics received an email from the NAS instructing them to sign a 16-week contract extension in order to remain in employment long enough to apply for a permanent position; the reason no prior engagement or warning was provided to the paramedics concerned regarding this change; if she will address concerns that this process enables the NAS to introduce the previously rejected roles and responsibilities, leaving new paramedics with no choice but to accept them in order to secure permanent positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17994/26]
View answerThe National Ambulance Service (NAS) is committed to continued expansion of its front-line 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.
562. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently awaiting a dementia specific bed at Killarney Community Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18033/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
563. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health her plans to introduce amendments to regulate nicotine pouches in the forthcoming Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 given that the European Commission has indicated its intention to publish its evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive in the first half of 2026 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18035/26]
View answerThe Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill was approved by Government for publication on the 3rd of March. In addition to the comprehensive measures in the Bill on nicotine inhaling products it will also set out baseline regulation of all current and future products that contain nicotine, such as nicotine pouches. The Bill will:
• Prohibit the sale of nicotine consumption products such as pouches to those under 18.
• Prohibit the advertising of nicotine consumption products in all retail outlets and prohibit their point-of-sale display in mixed retail outlets.
• As is the case for tobacco and e-cigarettes, these areas generally fall to domestic law rather than European legislation.
• Beyond this, a harmonised EU-wide framework for regulating novel nicotine products would be the most effective approach, as it prevents regulatory circumvention through cross-border purchases. In this context and representing the views of Ireland and several other Member States, I have urged the European Commission to introduce new legislation at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore, I also have advocated for the inclusion of all novel nicotine products—such as nicotine pouches—within the scope of this proposal. I have also called for a prohibition on cross-border distance sales to ensure the integrity of national regulatory measures.
