Written Answers Nos. 242-264
242. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether standard cost-effectiveness thresholds applied by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics are adjusted in the case of rare diseases; if not, whether the Minister will consider reforming these thresholds to reflect the unique clinical and ethical context of low-prevalence conditions. [29081/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to investing in new medicines. Budgets 2021-2025 allocated an additional €158 million for new drugs, which has facilitated the introduction of 263 new medicines, to date. 72 of these were for rare diseases.
Budget 2026 allocated €217 million in additional funding for drugs, with €30 million of this allocated for new drugs funding. This has, as of end of March 2026, delivered access to 13 new medicines, including 6 new medicines for cancer and 3 new medicines for rare diseases.
The Year 1 cost of a new drug comes from the allocation for new medicines, but it should be noted that once these medicines are approved for reimbursement the full cost of providing them can reach multiples of this initial cost as their uptake increases.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has sole statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices.
To commence the pricing and reimbursement process, a pharmaceutical company must submit an application for a new medicine or a new use of an existing medicine to the HSE’s Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit.
Marketing Authorisation is required for the medicine prior to submission to the HSE for reimbursement as reimbursement only applies to licensed uses (indications) of the medicine as set out by the Health Products Regulatory Authority or the European Medicines Agency.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) and in line with the criteria provided for in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. 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.
243. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of patients diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia in the State; the number currently under active neurological care; and whether a national clinical pathway or specialised service model exists for this condition. [29082/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
244. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether skyclarys has been approved or reimbursed in other EU Member States or comparable jurisdictions; and whether such decisions are considered in Ireland’s reimbursement process. [29083/26]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has sole statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, I have asked the HSE for an update in this matter. Decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines are not made by the Minister or the Department.
245. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the current national rare disease strategy provides for expedited access pathways to disease-modifying therapies; and whether any review of this policy framework is underway. [29084/26]
View answerThe National Rare Disease Strategy 2025–2030, was launched last year. The strategy outlines a comprehensive framework designed to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and support for people living with rare diseases, aiming to improve quality of life, promote equitable access to healthcare, and foster innovation in rare disease research and treatment. It also emphasises the importance of access to orphan medicines among its key recommendations. An Implementation Oversight Group has been launched and met in February to begin work planning for the 11 recommendations.
For a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE it must undergo HSE’s pricing and reimbursement process for medicines, which has facilitated the introduction of 263 new medicines, from 2021 to March 2026, 72 of which are for rare diseases.
This has been facilitated by Budgets 2021-2025 which allocated an additional €158 million for new drugs. Budget 2026 allocated €217 million in additional funding for drugs, with €30 million of this allocated for new drugs funding.
There is no hierarchy of disease and pricing and reimbursement applications are considered in order of application.
There is a suite of measures, that have been implemented and are to be implemented to shorten the timeframe from the issue of a Marketing Authorisation on foot of a positive opinion by the European Medicines Agency to a decision on whether to reimburse the medicine by the HSE's Senior Leadership Team.
These measures include:
• Funding by the Government to an almost doubling of capacity in the HSE’s pricing and reimbursement system with 34 additional staff
• New Framework Agreements on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines with Medicines for Ireland (MFI) and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) which provide commitments and towards achieving a 180-day timeline for completing health technology assessments (HTA) and reimbursement decisions following application by the Marketing Authorisation Holder.
• A commitment from IPHA member companies to aim to shorten the timeline to submit reimbursement applications in Ireland to within six months of formal authorisation of medicines by the European Commission.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine the development of early access schemes for rare diseases.
The State and the pharmaceutical sector have agreed to establish a strategic partnership on the development of a sandboxed early access programme for rare diseases. This will be a proof-of-concept initiative, aligned with the commitments in the Programme for Government and recommendations in the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025–2030.
246. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health whether consideration is being given to the reopening or replacement of the motorised transport grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29121/26]
View answerThis PQ is not for the Department of Health and should be redirected to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality
247. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if a permanent location and additional days will be supported for the HSE's day services in Carndonagh, County Donegal. [29141/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
248. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of children eligible for the HSE school dental screening service and the number actually screened in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, broken down by CHO, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29209/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
249. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently awaiting a first appointment under the HSE school dental screening service; the number of those who have progressed to secondary school without ever being seen; the longest current waiting time for a first appointment, by CHO area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29210/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
250. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the current number of whole-time equivalent public dentists, dental nurses and dental hygienists employed by the HSE, broken down by CHO area, with the corresponding figures for each year since 2019; the number of current vacancies in each grade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29211/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
251. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the expected publication date of the Oral Health Action Plan; the specific measures it will contain to restore the school dental screening service; the position on the continued implementation of the Smile agus Sláinte National Oral Health Policy given that its 2019–2026 window is now concluding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29212/26]
View answerI am determined to ease the pressure people are facing now in accessing oral healthcare through the public system, in particular for children and adult medical card holders. My Department and the HSE are finalising a focused two-year action plan to deliver real improvements on the ground.
Over the next two years, the aim is to stabilise services, reduce waiting times, and make access measurably better for patients while laying the groundwork for longer-term reform. This will be achieved by initiatives such as utilising the newly available capacity that the new surgical hubs will provide as they continue to come onstream to enable reductions in waiting times for GA (General Anaesthetic) access for patients – both children and adults.
My Department and HSE officials have already initiated engagements with many of the stakeholders that will have important roles in enabling much better access to dental services across the country.
Recent engagements with for example, the Irish Dental Association (IDA), the Irish Dental Hygienists Association (IDHA) and the Dental Council have ranged from addressing waiting lists and delivering near term improvements to the schools program, to improving the supply of dental team members by exploring innovative ways of broadening the educational and training options for both hygienists and dental nurses. We will also be consulting with colleagues in DFHERIS on educational opportunities for both the current and future dental workforce.
My Department officials will be meeting with HSE counterparts next week on the progress of the action plan with the goal of publishing in the coming weeks.
252. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health her plans to extend support for new mothers for the first year after childbirth, especially in terms of community-based mental health and physical recovery care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29216/26]
View answerGovernment investment, guided by the National Maternity Strategy, has led to a significant expansion and improvement in perinatal health care for women during pregnancy and in the year following birth and beyond.
The ambition of government is to provide timely and responsive access to safe, high quality mental health services, delivering the right care in the right place at the right time. This means effective, compassionate and responsive services to meet the mental health needs of pregnant women and mothers experiencing mental health issues.
There has been significant service improvements in perinatal health care, and the current Strategy delivered significant improvements across our maternity services, including perinatal mental health supports, and supports during the postnatal period.
Since 2016, €28 million in new development funding has been invested through the National Maternity Strategy. This has transformed our maternity services for women and babies.
Investment has funded over 567 additional Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) health professionals, including 44 consultants and 382 additional nurses and midwives.
Rollout of Postnatal Hubs has commenced, and a review of the Maternity and the Infant Care Scheme that is currently underway. Government is developing a successor to the National Maternity Strategy, supported by an extensive review and evaluation of the implementation of the current Strategy.
Within mental health services, investment has facilitated the full implementation of the specialist perinatal mental health network (SPMHS). The SPMHS is now available in all 19 maternity hospitals nationwide, providing support to pregnant women and women with a baby up to one year old, with an existing or new mental health problem. Funding of €5 million annually has established 6 consultant led multidisciplinary teams across major maternity hospitals (Coombe, NMH, Rotunda, Galway, Cork, Limerick), and 13 spoke sites staffed by perinatal mental health midwife posts. There are now over 75 funded posts in SPMHS nationally.
Under Budget 2026, I secured an additional €640,000 to recruit two additional consultant psychiatrists for the Programme’s busiest sites, the Rotunda and Holles Street, to meet growing demand for the service.
The HSE are progressing a review of the Model of Care for SPMHS, with a Steering Group due to be established shortly and a refreshed model published later this year. The key objective of this refresh is the provision of equivalent service to the major hospital sites as for the other 13 spoke sites, and this will be the focus of this second phase of the Model of Care.
253. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details of the number of legal actions against his Department that have been resolved without going to court in line with the 2023 State Litigation Principles; if his Department is fully applying the State Litigation Principles in seeking to resolve any current or outstanding legal actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28836/26]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, The State Litigation Principles articulate standards for the State and its lawyers in the conduct of legal proceedings.While the volume of litigation involving my Department is low, I can assure the Deputy that the standards articulated in the principles are applied to any such legal actions, in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office or the State Claims Agency, as relevant.
I can confirm to the Deputy, that since the adoption of the State Litigation Principles, there has been three legal actions involving my Department which were resolved prior to any court hearing.
254. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of system failures relating to registration issues in TU Dublin, and subsequent delays in the publication of exam results during the first semester and winter exam period; whether he has engaged with the university on this issue; if he can guarantee that this situation will not arise again following the summer exam period, and that students at the university will receive their results in a timely manner as anticipated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28847/26]
View answerTU Dublin is transitioning to a new unified student records system. The project was part of a significant systems upgrade designed to enhance and streamline student services; it was delivered by TU Dublin in conjunction with a third party and my department has no role in its delivery or implementation.
The Deputy may be aware that TU Dublin is an autonomous higher education institution under the Technological Universities Act 2018, and as such, is responsible for the management of its own programmes and systems, including the upgrade and maintenance of its systems and processes.
However, I am are aware of issues that arose in TU Dublin relating to student registration and the subsequent delays in the publication of examination results during the first semester and winter examination period. My Department has engaged with TU Dublin through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to understand the nature of the difficulties encountered and the steps being taken to address them.
At this point in this academic year, it is my understanding as Minister that TU Dublin has confirmed that all the issues arising from the implementation of the new system have now been resolved.
The Deputy should also note that outside of these particular issues there are circumstances which are beyond the control of TU Dublin, for example, some students may not receive results when they're issued due to incomplete registration. This includes, for example, repeat students who have not formally registered to repeat etc. Once the student's registration is regularised, their results are/will be released.
The University has advised that it has invested significant effort to address any delays, to minimise the impact on students, and to provide ongoing updates to students and staff through its website and email channels. Recognising the frustration of some students TUD have informed DFHERIS that any student with an exam-related query can contact a dedicated email address.
The Department will continue to monitor the situation through engagement with the HEA and expects that the stabilisation of the new student records management system, together with appropriate governance oversight, will help to prevent a recurrence of such delays.
255. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of exam result delays in TU Dublin as a result of a transition to a new records system; the date on which all students in TUD can expect their exam results; if he is assured that students will receive their results on time following upcoming summer exams; if his Department has engaged with TUD on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28855/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, TU Dublin is transitioning to a new unified student records system as part of a significant systems upgrade project designed to enhance and streamline student services; it was delivered by TU Dublin in conjunction with a third party contractor.
TU Dublin is an autonomous higher education institution under the Technological Universities Act 2018, and as such, is responsible for the management of its own programmes and systems, including the upgrade and maintenance of its systems and processes.
However, I am aware of issues that arose in TU Dublin relating to student registration and the subsequent delays in the publication of examination results during the first semester and winter examination period. My Department and the HEA are engaging with TU Dublin through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to understand the nature of the difficulties encountered and the steps being taken to address them.
At this point in this academic year, it is my understanding as Minister that TU Dublin has confirmed that all the issues arising from the implementation of the new system have now been resolved.
The Deputy should also note that outside of these particular issues there are circumstances which are beyond the control of TU Dublin, for example, some students may not receive results when they're issued due to incomplete registration. This includes, for example, repeat students who have not formally registered to repeat etc. Once the student's registration is regularised, their results are/will be released.
The University has advised that it has invested significant effort to address any delays, to minimise the impact on students, and to provide ongoing updates to students and staff through its website and email channels. Recognising the frustration of some students TUD have informed DFHERIS that any student with an exam-related query can contact a dedicated email address.
The Department will continue to monitor the situation through engagement with the HEA and expects that the stabilisation of the new student records management system, together with appropriate governance oversight, will help to prevent a recurrence of such delays.
256. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the SUSI thresholds and the availability of SUSI grants for part-time students; if he plans to make SUSI more accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28873/26]
View answerI am conscious of reducing the cost of education for students and I have consistently outlined my commitment to improving student supports in a way that is equitable, funded and fair, and provides certainty for families.
I was therefore delighted in Budget 2026 to be in a position to introduce real and permanent changes that support students from all backgrounds and help reduce the cost of education.
Effective from September 2026:
• The income threshold for the €500 student contribution will increase from €115,000 to €120,000. Combined with the permanent fee reduction, this means that eligible undergraduate students whose households earning are under €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 2026/27 academic year.
• The income threshold for the Special Rate of Grant will increase from €27,400 to €28,600 in line with Social Welfare increases.
All non-adjacent?maintenance grant rates under the Student Grant Scheme, will increase by at least €200 effective from September 2026 with a pro-rata benefit for students this academic year.? This measure will ease the financial burden on students whose normal residence is 30km or more from their institution who may have to pay rent or higher transport costs.
Also, for the current academic year:
• I reduced the Student Contribution Charge for free fees eligible students permanently by €500.
• I increased the Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant by €500 from €4,000 to €4,500.
In relation to part-time students, the Student Part-Time Fee Scheme and Regulations for Specified Undergraduate Courses was introduced for the first time in September 2024. The Scheme provides fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award and encompassing both in-person and blended (part in-person, part online) provision.
To qualify for student supports under the scheme, students must be attending an ‘approved course’ provided by an ‘approved institution’. An approved institution for the purposes of the scheme is one of the publicly funded Institutions listed in Schedule 1 of the Student Part-Time Fee Regulations for Specified Undergraduate Courses 2026.
While I cannot confirm specific items that will be included in the next Budget, options to support students and reduce financial barriers will be key considerations for me as part of Budget negotiations.
Any future expansion of the parameters of either scheme can only be considered in the context of the budgetary allocation, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.
257. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for civil servants in this Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28921/26]
View answerThe DFHERIS Blended Working Policy was introduced at the end of 2023 and allows staff members to make applications to work remotely for up to three days per week, subject to business needs.
The Department continues to accept applications from all staff members to formalise their blended working arrangements. The current policy offers considerable flexibility regarding office attendance and blended working applications are open to all staff, regardless of seniority.
258. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for staff that work for any agencies under the remit of his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; if this policy is under the control of the agency itself or if it is directed by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28939/26]
View answerThe information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.
259. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any review is ongoing in relation his Department’s policy on flexible working and remote working for civil servants in his Department, particularly in the context of increased fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28957/26]
View answerThe DFHERIS Blended Working Policy was introduced at the end of 2023 and allows staff members to make applications to work remotely for up to three days per week, subject to business needs.
The Department continues to accept applications from all staff members to formalise their blended working arrangements. The current policy provides significant flexibility in relation to attendance in the office.
The Department plans to conduct a review of blended working practices later this year, however there will be no changes to the current policy in the Department during 2026.
260. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide details of the number of legal actions against his Department that have been resolved without going to court in line with the 2023 State Litigation Principles; if his Department is fully applying the State Litigation Principles in seeking to resolve any current or outstanding legal actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28841/26]
View answerI can confirm my Department is applying the State Litigation Principles. My Department had one case taken against it since their introduction, which was resolved via an out of court settlement in 2023.
261. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the person or body that owns/runs the Walkinstown community centre; the grant, if any, provided to refurbish the centre; the plans open it to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28859/26]
View answerThe main source of funding for refurbishment of community centres in city areas under my Department is the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF). CCIF was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to communities in both rural and urban areas.
Since 2022, 144 projects have been approved funding under CCIF in County Dublin with associated funding of €7.1m. I can confirm that, to date, Walkinstown Community Centre has not been awarded funding under the Community Centre Investment Fund.
I was delighted to launch the latest round of funding under CCIF 2026 on the 26th March for enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres. The fund will be delivered across 2 categories with maximum funding levels of €25,000 and €100,000 respectively. The fund will open to online applications on 29th May and I will announce the successful projects before the end of the year. I would encourage the centre to engage with the scheme for any funding needs it may have.
My Department also operates the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) which provides small grants to community groups to enhance their facilities. The LEP is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their local authority. Groups interested in accessing funding under the LEP should contact their local authority in the first instance.
I would encourage organisations to check my Department’s website for information on other funding opportunities and announcements.
My department has no operational role in relation to the centre in question, and the Deputy may wish to contact Dublin City Council to discuss ownership details and any operational plans for the centre.
262. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for civil servants in his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28926/26]
View answerMy Department supports blended working arrangements for staff and operates a range of flexible working arrangements in line with Civil Service policies and circulars, and subject to business need. These include flexible working hours scheme (flexi-time), shorter working year, work sharing, and blended working. It should be noted that flexi-time applies to grades up to HEO.
Under the Blended Working Policy, which applies to all grades, staff can apply for blended working arrangements. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis having regard to the requirements of the role, the operational needs of the business area and the need to maintain effective supervision, collaboration and service delivery. The policy provides for minimum attendance requirements in the workplace. In general, staff are expected to attend the office for a minimum of two days per week and more often, based on, for example, business needs or the training and induction requirements of staff. Some roles, at all grades, require higher levels of on-site attendance, including full-time attendance, particularly where duties involve direct public / staff engagement, on-site service delivery, or access to systems and resources that cannot be facilitated remotely.
These policies are kept under continuous review with the primary focus on ensuring that operational demands can be met and a high quality service is maintained.
263. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for staff that work for any agencies under the remit of his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; if this policy is under the control of the agency itself or if it is directed by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28944/26]
View answerMy Department has 8 agencies under its aegis, the Charities Regulator; Water Safety Ireland; Pobal; Western Development Commission; Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga; Údarás na Gaeltachta; Foras na Gaeilge, and; the Ulster Scots Agency.
These agencies are independent entities, responsible for their own day to day operations, including Human Resource matters. This includes the organisations approaches to flexible working and remote or blended working. Notwithstanding this, I am informed that all agencies have flexible and blended working practices in place, which ensure business needs are met while supporting flexible working and remote working practices where viable. I am also informed that the agencies do not have any discrepancies in their policies based on seniority.
264. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if any review is ongoing in relation his Department’s policy on flexible working and remote working for civil servants in his Department, particularly in the context of increased fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28962/26]
View answerMy Department operates a range of flexible working arrangements, and supports blended working arrangements for staff, in line with Civil Service policies and circulars and subject to business need. These include flexible working hours scheme (flexi-time), shorter working year, work sharing, and blended working.
These policies are kept under continuous review so as to ensure operational demands are being met and that that service levels are maintained, while also seeking to ensure staff can continue to benefit from the flexibility of these approaches.
