Written Answers Nos. 993-1012
993. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality of the children reported missing from Tusla care in the past five years, the number that were missing for a period exceeding one week in each year; and the steps taken by Tusla in such cases to locate and safeguard the child. [30989/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
994. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in the care of Tusla that have been missing for a period of more than three months, six months, 9 months, and one year, and whose current whereabouts remain unknown, broken down by year for the past five years; and to outline the inter-agency actions taken in such cases.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30990/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
995. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the oversight mechanisms in place to monitor the use of special emergency arrangements; and to ensure the welfare and safeguarding of children placed under such arrangements. [31069/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
996. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children who were living in Tusla care settings and who were arrested by An Garda Síochána, in each of the past five years, broken down by year and by type of care placement. [31070/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
997. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to her announcement on 5 February 2026 of Government approval of a national electronic health record (EHR) system, the governance model that will apply to the national EHR programme; whether it will be subject to enhanced oversight arrangements through her Department's Major Projects Advisory Group; the way accountability will be maintained across Departments and agencies involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30333/26]
View answerFurther to Government approval on 5 February 2026 of a national Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, a clear governance and accountability framework has been put in place to support the next stage of the programme needed to deliver of this major national digital investment in our health service.
It should also be noted that the programme has already been subjected to multiple internal reviews at the HSE and the Department of Health as well as two independent reviews – the External Assurance Process (EAP) and Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) reviews as part of the Government Infrastructure Guidelines for major capital investment programmes. These reviews informed the decision by Government to proceed to the next stage in this programme.
Additionally, this programme is also subject to ongoing independent reviews by an external peer review group, which will examine the programme at key milestones. These reviews will complement more rigorous governance and oversight regimes that are being developed and expanded out as the programme progresses through the various phases of procurement, contract signing and implementation.
The programme is being led by the most senior clinical and non-clinical executive leadership team at the Health Service Executive (HSE) including the Deputy CEO/ Chief Technology Transformation Officer (CTTO) and Chief Clinical Officer (CCO). The Department of Health provides overall policy oversight and assurance and leads on governance arrangements in line with Government capital and digital investment frameworks including DPER’s Infrastructure Guidelines, ensuring appropriate oversight, assurance and accountability across all stages of delivery.
The national EHR programme is being progressed as a core component of the Government’s wider digital health policy as defined by Digital for Care: A Digital Health Framework for Ireland 2024–2030, and aligns with Sláintecare reform objectives. The terms of reference of the Sláintecare Programme Board, that is co-chaired by the CEO of the HSE and the Secretary General of the Department of Health, were updated in October 2024 to ensure that Slaintecare and Digital for Care were both subject to the most senior level of Governance and Oversight.
Accountability across Departments and agencies is maintained through established inter-agency governance and reporting structures. These include clear delineation of responsibilities between the Department of Health and the HSE, formal sponsorship and ownership arrangements, and regular engagement at senior official level to oversee delivery, manage dependencies, and address cross-government issues arising in areas such as procurement, cyber security, data protection and workforce readiness
The Government recognises that the successful delivery of a national EHR is foundational to the modernisation of Ireland’s health service. It will support safer, more integrated care, strengthen clinical accountability, and enable the secure and appropriate use of health information across care settings over time.
998. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the number of children engaged with the primary health care facilities for disabilities who are in need for an appropriate school place. [30983/26]
View answerDeputy Cummins' Office clarified that the Deputy would like to know how many children accessing services in Primary Care are in need of a place in an appropriate school setting (a special school or a special class). As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
999. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if she will intervene to ensure that the HSE prioritises a conclusion to the skyclarys reimbursement negotiations (details supplied); and her views on whether the current delay aligns with the equitable access promised in the newly launched National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030. [29564/26]
View answer1000. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to improve the timeliness of access to orphan drugs in Ireland, particularly in cases such as Friedreich's ataxia, where a treatment has been approved by the EMA but is not yet reimbursed by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29565/26]
View answer1184. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health if she will intervene to ensure that the Health Service Executive urgently prioritises the conclusion of reimbursement negotiations for skyclarys for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia, given that it is currently the only available treatment for this progressive and life-limiting rare disease and that Friedreich’s ataxia may be considered as having an “unmet need” under the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025–2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30201/26]
View answer1185. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health her views on whether the ongoing delay in concluding reimbursement negotiations for skyclarys for patients with Friedreich’s ataxia is consistent with the commitment to “equitable access” set out in the recently launched National Rare Disease Strategy 2025–2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30202/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 999, 1000, 1184 and 1185 together.
The 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 new medicines were for rare diseases. Budget 2026 allocated €30 million of funding available for new drugs to be allocated from the overall additional €217 million in funding allocated for medicines.
This level of investment is unprecedented in supporting patients through the availability of new and innovative medicines.
The 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.
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 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 marketing authorisation of medicines by the European Commission.
• An Agreement between the State and IPHA and MFI 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.
As the HSE is the statutory decision maker for the pricing and reimbursement of new medicines under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, I have asked them for an update on omaveloxolone (Skyclarys®).
A HTA Report from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics was received by the HSE on the 16th December 2025, including submissions made by patient organisations. These submissions will form part of the data that the HSE considers.
The HSE invited the Marketing Authorisation Holder, Biogen (Idec) Ireland Limited, to commence price negotiations and offered a range of dates to the company. The HSE have advised this meeting took place on the 12th February 2026, and as of April 16th a commercial proposal from the company remains outstanding.
This application remains under consideration with the HSE. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
1001. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the reason the baby alarm and monitor scheme is only available to residents of County Meath, funded by the local HSE, it also appears that similar arrangements exist in Cork and Kerry, but there is still no equivalent support available for deaf parents living in Dublin. [29583/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1002. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health for an update on the planned national strategy on haemochromatosis. [29623/26]
View answerHaemochromatosis is a hereditary condition, common in Ireland, characterised by an over absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract. Excess iron accumulates in organs including the liver, pancreas, and heart, causing damage.
The diagnosis, treatment and management of patients living with the condition is guided by the ‘Hereditary Haemochromatosis Model of Care’ developed by the Hereditary Haemochromatosis Working Group, and the Irish College of General Practitioners’ ‘Hereditary Haemochromatosis - Diagnosis and Management from a GP Perspective’ guidance document. At this point, a national strategy is not under consideration.
1003. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the funding available from her Department for an organisation (details supplied); if she will consider additional funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29624/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1004. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of point-of-contacts for the relevant department that deals with the reimbursement of the wig grant for suppliers, per county. [29630/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
1005. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to assist with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29631/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1006. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE speech and language therapists, by grade posts filled at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda as of 15 April 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29638/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1007. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant registrar's, by speciality currently vacant at Louth County Hospital; the expected timeframe for filling each of those vacancies in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29639/26]
View answer“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
1008. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE staff, by job title currently vacant in the ophthalmology department of the Mater Hospital; the estimated timeframe for filling each of those vacancies, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29640/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1009. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the reason radiography student numbers increased in September 2025, with a further increase planned for September 2026, without any corresponding increase in the number of radiography practice tutors; the impact this has on training capacity and safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29663/26]
View answer1011. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the way in which the Department ensures compliance with HSE governance principles and HIQA standards in radiography training environments, given reports that responsibility for student supervision is becoming diffuse and that dedicated radiography practice tutor roles are not being expanded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29665/26]
View answer1012. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify whether there is a policy shift underway from the dedicated radiography practice tutor model to a broader practice educator model involving all radiographers; the rationale for such a shift; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29666/26]
View answer1014. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department ensures that radiography students, staff, patients and the public are protected in accordance with radiation safety requirements when dedicated radiography practice tutor capacity is insufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29668/26]
View answer1015. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the way in which quality assurance, risk management and clear accountability are maintained in radiography training settings where tutor capacity is inadequate or responsibility is shared across multiple staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29669/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1009, 1011, 1012, 1014 and 1015 together.
As this is a service matter we have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on these matters
1010. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that radiography students are currently placed in clinical sites without any dedicated radiography practice tutor in place; the steps she will take to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29664/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
