Written Answers Nos. 1200-1229
1202. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any independent oversight body, including the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, has conducted a review of dispatch practices or standards in Ireland since 2020. [30220/26]
View answer1203. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the absence of a defined national dispatch-time standard has been formally considered as a governance or operational risk. [30221/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1202 and 1203 together.
The Prehospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) sets standards for the delivery of prehospital emergency care in Ireland. This includes the publication of a Priority Dispatch Standard to support practitioner best practice.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) relating to emergency resource allocation and emergency response times by the National Ambulance Service (NAS) are set out in the Health Service Executive's National Service Plan. Performance against these indicators is reported in the HSE monthly National Performance Report.
1206. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the extent to which adequate on-site laundering facilities are available to National Ambulance Service staff; her views on whether limited access to shared facilities in some cases involving a single washing machine for large numbers of staff across day and night shifts results in paramedics being forced to launder uniforms at home at their own expense; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30230/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1207. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant gynaecologists that are employed by the HSE and/or are on the Irish Medical Council’s specialist register for obstetrics and gynaecology; their locations throughout Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30253/26]
View answerAs this is an operational issue I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1208. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the current wait times for patients, across all counties, to get an initial endometriosis appointment with a consultant gynaecologist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30254/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1209. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to reduce long waiting lists for endometriosis patients to see a consultant gynaecologist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30255/26]
View answerOn 18 October 2025, I launched the National Framework for the management of Endometriosis. The Framework sets out for the first time in Ireland a defined clinical pathway for women with endometriosis, which spans primary to secondary care to specialist complex care in tertiary settings.
The Framework provides for the development of a more holistic and comprehensive approach to care for women with endometriosis in Ireland. It outlines a system where women with endometriosis should have ready access to services that are effective, timely and safe, and enable the lowest level of clinical intervention that is required for each woman, at the easiest point of access. Many endometriosis cases can be managed at primary care level in the first instance, while some patients will require additional multi-disciplinary support at secondary care level.
Regional Specialist Centres for moderate cases have been established in the Rotunda Hospital, the Coombe Hospital, and University Hospital Limerick, with clinics under further development in University Hospital Galway and the National Maternity Hospital.
Two supra-regional specialist centres, in Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) and Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), have been established for the management of complex cases.
All endometriosis sites are operational and taking referrals. Additional funding was provided last year to expand these services through the recruitment of more personnel to provide multidisciplinary care at both supra-regional and regional level, including clinical nurse specialists, dietitians, physiotherapists and psychologists.
The HSE has carried out an analysis of the short-term and medium-term requirements to build adequate capacity, improve clinical pathways and increase expertise within our endometriosis services.
The HSE’s budget for 2026 will be €27.4 billion, an increase of 6.2% on 2025, allowing for expansion and improvement in services and the recruitment of 3,300 additional staff. The necessary expansion of endometriosis services is provided for through the National Service Plan.
In addition to the Framework, I also mandated several actions to expedite access to care for women impacted by endometriosis. Significant progress has already been made:
• The HSE carried out over 140 additional surgeries in Q4 2025 for women waiting for surgery.
• An additional colorectal surgeon has been successfully recruited by the HSE in CUMH and TUH.
• The HSE Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme was opened on 18 October 2025.
• I have written to all GPs, consultants and other clinicians to raise awareness of endometriosis.
• A national campaign around menstrual health is in development, including endometriosis.
• An Endometriosis Advisory Group has been established, which includes patient advocates. This group held their first meeting on 30 October 2025 and is meeting on an ongoing basis.
• €2 million in funding has been provided for research into all aspects of women’s health, but particularly for projects on endometriosis.
• Two education officers have been engaged to deliver the comprehensive MISE (Menstrual Information Specialising in Endometriosis) programme which aims to educate people, particularly in schools, sports clubs and workplaces, on menstrual health, with a specific focus on endometriosis.
1210. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant psychiatrists posts filled within Galway Mental Health Services as of 21 April 2026 and of 30 April 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30258/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1211. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dental nurses and dental hygienists posts filled within Galway primary care services as of 21 April 2026; the number of vacancies within Galway dental services, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30259/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1212. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide details on all open EU infringement proceedings where the subject of the infringement relates to the functions of her Department; the reason the infringement proceedings were initiated; the procedural stage of the infringement proceedings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30270/26]
View answerMy Department currently has no open EU infringement proceeding.
1213. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE emergency medicine registrars and advanced nurse practitioners posts filled within minor injuries clinics at Roscommon University Hospital as of 21 April 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30288/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1214. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that attended the minor injuries clinic at Roscommon University Hospital for each month of 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30289/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1215. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Health if she will consider establishing an emergency medical card system through a temporary 6-12 month emergency medical card, issued upon entry to a refuge for women and children who are forced to enter domestic violence refuges (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30309/26]
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.
People under 70 are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after deduction of tax, PRSI and Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Detailed guidelines are available at:www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/assessment/. People aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. However, 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: 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 - in particular, to take full account of 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.
I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
1216. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she will consider extending the medical card scheme to cover ADHD assessments for adults given the cost of such assessments can be a barrier for adults; if she will ensure that adults with ADHD are diagnosed correctly and therefore not prevented from accessing supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30322/26]
View answerADHD has long been recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and it is now known to persist into adulthood. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. This National Clinical Programme is based on multi-disciplinary community teams to diagnose and treat ADHD in adults. As Minister, I'm proud to have launched the Model of Care for Adult ADHD and to have resourced the establishment of the teams envisioned by the Model of Care. The ADHD Programme is funded with total funding of over €5 million on a recurring annual basis. As a result, there are 11 community based teams funded, with 8 teams are currently operational with the remaining teams in recruitment listed below. Funding was secured by myself as Minister in Budget 2025 to facilitate the rolling out of the total number of ADHD teams envisaged in the Model of Care.
Access to the Adult ADHD teams is based on clinical need and services, including diagnosis, are provided free of charge.
Operational ADHD Teams.
• Sligo/Leitrim/Donegal.
• South Dublin/ Wicklow.
• Limerick/Clare/North Tipperary.
• Cork.
• Kerry/West Cork.
• South- West Dublin.
• Midlands/Kildare/West Wicklow.
• Cavan/Monaghan/Louth Meath.
Community based teams in recruitment.
• Waterford/Wexford/Kilkenny/Carlow/South Tipperary.
• North Dublin and County.
• Galway/Roscommon/Mayo.
In relation to the additional specific information requested, as this is an operational matter, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
1217. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE physiotherapists, by grade posts, filled within Laois older persons services as of 17 April 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30328/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1218. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the nature of refurbishment works that were carried out at Portlaoise Regional Hospital in the years of 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30334/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1219. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE clinical nurse managers posts filled in the emergency department of Mercy University Hospital on 1 April 2024, 1 April 2025 and 1 April 2026, in tabular form. [30335/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1220. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE emergency medicine registrars posts filled at the emergency Department of Mercy University Hospital on 1 April 2024, 1 April 2025 and 1 April 2026, in tabular form. [30336/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1221. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a child will receive a psychology services appointment; the current waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30366/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1222. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) waited three hours and ten minutes for an ambulance after it was requested by SouthDoc in Bantry on the night of 14 April 2026; whether this response time complies with HSE and National Ambulance Service targets for potentially life threatening respiratory emergencies; the measures she is taking to ensure that patients in rural areas are not placed at serious risk due to excessive ambulance waiting times.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30372/26]
View answerAs this is a operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1223. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason a consultant in Cork University Hospital, a level one tertiary hospital, was unable to make an urgent or emergency referral to the ENT department in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (details supplied); whether it is policy that the South Infirmary does not accept consultant to consultant referrals from other hospitals; the steps being taken to establish a clear and safe emergency referral pathway to designated centres of excellence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30373/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1224. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the reasons waiting times to be seen by the ENT department at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital have exceeded 18 months for non urgent patients; the number of patients currently on the ENT waiting list at that hospital; the number that have been waiting longer than 12 and 18 months respectively; and the actions being taken to reduce these waiting times, particularly for young adults whose education and quality of life are being significantly affected by repeated infections and reliance on long term antibiotics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30374/26]
View answerIt is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I published the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) for 2026 on January 30th, as part of this Government’s ongoing commitment to improving access to hospital care and reducing waiting times for patients.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach was implemented in September 2021 to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
Adult and child waiting list information by hospital, specialty, and time band is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
1225. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health her views on whether repeated reliance on antibiotics, prolonged ENT waiting lists and the absence of clear emergency referral pathways represent a failure of joined up care within the public health system; if she will provide a timeline for reform to ensure patient safety is prioritised over administrative barriers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30375/26]
View answerAn over-reliance on antibiotics, ENT waiting lists and the question of optimal emergency referral pathways all represent challenges for the public health system in Ireland. I will set out below the manner in which each of these issues is dealt with in the public health system in Ireland.
The concern regarding over-reliance on certain antibiotics is the danger of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which has become recognised as one of the greatest potential threats to human health over the last decade. The World Health Organization has declared that antimicrobial resistance is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. AMR challenges the delivery of modern medicine as antimicrobials, in particular antibiotics, save lives, and add on an average 20 years to life expectancy worldwide. Antimicrobials protect patients receiving many treatments including cancer treatment (chemotherapy), enable safe surgery such as organ transplants and orthopaedic procedures and treat many bacterial illnesses.
Following on from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan (GAP) on AMR (2015) and the European Action Plan on AMR (2017), Ireland published its first National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017 – 2020, known as iNAP1. In 2021, on European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), Ireland published its second One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2021 – 2025, known as iNAP2.
Ireland's third One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2026-2030 (iNAP3) was launched in 2025 and is now being implemented.
iNAP3 (2026-2030) aligns to the WHO’s Global updated Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. The plan contains a range of strategic interventions, like its predecessors, with activities across the human health, animal health and environmental sectors grouped under six strategic objectives designed to:
1.Strengthen awareness and promote appropriate social and behavioural change to reduce antimicrobial resistance risks across all sectors.
2.Strengthen surveillance systems and laboratory networks to inform effective, evidence-driven antimicrobial resistance policies and actions across all sectors.
3.Intensify infection prevention across all sectors to reduce the burden of infectious diseases and the need for antimicrobials.
4.Ensure equitable access, appropriate use and safe disposal of antimicrobials, diagnostics and other health products across sectors.
5.Ensure sustainable investment in antimicrobial resistance research and innovation across all sectors.
6.Strengthen multisectoral governance, sustainable financing and accountability for a coordinated antimicrobial resistance response across all sectors and at all levels.
The establishment of the HSE Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (AMRIC) Division in 2019 was a key milestone in combatting AMR, streamlining governance and providing national leadership for IPC and Antimicrobial Stewardship.
Arising from engagements with the Department of Health and cross-sectoral partners on the development of iNAP3, HSE AMRIC has developed plan its own Action Plan (2026-2030) in response to the health actions set out in iNAP3. This plan sets out the actions that the Health Service Executive (HSE) will take across the health service over the next 5 years to combat AMR.
The HSE plays a pivotal role in operationalising the human health components of iNAP3 and its key focus is on patients and service users, health and care workers, and the general public.
To date, Ireland has made significant progress under its previous National Action Plans, including:
• A 50% reduction in the sales of highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIAs) for use in food-producing animals between 2018 and 2023, and a 25% overall reduction in antimicrobial sales for food-producing animals in the same period.
• The website www.antibioticprescribing.ie has been developed as a comprehensive resource for General Practitioners (GPs), dentists, nurses, and community pharmacists treating common infections in the community.
• Sustained improvement has been demonstrated in the prescribing of green (preferred antibiotics) in community settings, aligning to one of Ireland’s targets under the EU Council Recommendation on ‘Stepping up actions to combat AMR’.
• IV-line teams have been established in 8 hospitals to date in collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (AMRIC) team
• The development and implementation of a National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS) to facilitate enhanced monitoring and reporting of antimicrobial use in animals, thereby promoting improved antimicrobial stewardship.
• Harmonised surveillance has identified a trend of reducing bacterial resistance in food-producing animals.
Over €30m has been allocated in new development funding for IPC and AMR since 2018 across the iNAP National Action Plans, including the recruitment and approval of over 345 additional full-time posts to support activities in the human health sector across a range of IPC and AMR roles.
With regard to ENT waiting lists, It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I published the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) for 2026 on January 30th, as part of this Government’s ongoing commitment to improving access to hospital care and reducing waiting times for patients.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach was implemented in September 2021 to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
The most recent published figures, for March 2026, show that since implementation of action plan approach there has been:
•a 32% or c. 23,000 reduction in the total number of patients waiting for an ENT outpatient appointment and
•a reduction of 84% or c. 36,000 in the number of patients waiting over 12 months for an appointment.
With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
The issue of emergency referral pathways is the subject of the HSE’s Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Operational plan 2026/27, which is the fourth in-year plan as part of the HSE’s multiannual approach to managing increased UEC demand and pressures.
The Plan is built around four pillars; Hospital Avoidance, ED Operations, In Hospital Flow, and Discharge - all of which are focused on ensuring that patients are directed to the right place, first time, and that and that every patient can move through the system without avoidable delay.
The UEC Plan sets out a series of actions to strengthen those pathways, including:
•expanding hospital avoidance measures, such as Injury Units, community intervention teams, chronic disease hubs and virtual wards
•standardising referral routes between GPs, ambulance services and acute hospitals
•improving access to diagnostics so patients can be managed safely outside the ED
•ensuring senior clinical decision makers are available seven days a week to support timely assessment and discharge
These actions are designed to ensure that patients are not left navigating the system themselves and that care is coordinated across settings.
The UEC Operational Plan sets clear timelines and KPIs for improving patient flow and reducing unnecessary ED attendances. These include:
•Average monthly 8am trolley count 280
•Delayed Transfers of Care 300
•24 hour PET for older adults at 100%
•24 hour PET for all patients at 99%
A key part of strengthening referral pathways is ensuring that patients have safe, fast alternatives to the ED.
•Last year, over 222,000 people attended Injury Units, a 5% increase.
•The median PET in an Injury Unit is just 1.3 hours, demonstrating the value of these services.
. •The 2026 National Service Plan includes new Injury Units in Tallaght, Athlone, Carlow and Ballina.
This expansion is specifically designed to reduce unnecessary ED attendances and provide clearer, safer referral pathways for lower acuity patients.
Joined up care also means ensuring that patients can be treated safely outside the acute hospital when appropriate.
The UEC Plan supports:
•7 day community intervention teams
•ICPOP and frailty pathways
•chronic disease management teams
•mental health crisis supports
•virtual wards
•enhanced GP access to diagnostics
These measures reduce ED attendances, shorten length of stay, and ensure that patients receive care in the most appropriate setting.
The actions in the UEC Operational Plan, combined with the expansion of Injury Units and strengthened community services, are designed to deliver a more integrated, responsive and safer urgent and emergency care system.
1226. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if she will request the HSE to engage with a HIQA registered respite service (details supplied) with a view to establishing a service agreement to enable this ready-to-open service to become operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30388/26]
View answerThis PQ is not for the Department of Health. We respectfully request that this Parliamentary Question be redirected to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, as the matters raised fall under their remit.
1227. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if staff of a Section 39 organisation (details supplied) are eligible for a pay increase for the years 2024-2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30393/26]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1228. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 368 of 11 February 2026, the status of the tobacco-free Ireland policy review; the current timeline for completion of this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30395/26]
View answerThe revision of our national tobacco control policy, Tobacco Free Ireland, is currently underway. Subject to the approval of Government it is intended that the policy will be published by year end.
1229. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the number of instances where ambulances in Carlow and Kilkenny did not arrive within the targeted timeframe in 2023, 2024 and 2025; and the longest period that a person waited. [30397/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
