Written Answers Nos. 1253-1278
1253. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the current status of the national HIV Action Plan; when her Department expects to publish or update the next phase of this plan; the specific measures being taken to improve access to testing, treatment and prevention services, including PrEP, particularly for high-risk and underserved populations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30671/26]
View answer1254. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health her views on whether current sexual health services are sufficient to meet the needs of those at risk of HIV transmission; if she will outline plans to expand HIV prevention, testing and treatment services in light of recent new diagnoses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30672/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1253 and 1254 together.
Sexual health is a priority for the Department of Health. The National Sexual Health Strategy, 2025-2035 (NSHS) and National Sexual Health Action Plan, 2025-2038 (NSHAP), commit to developing Models of Care for sexual health and for HIV, to develop an HIV Action Plan and to expand community options for the delivery of PrEP, including widening access through primary care and exploring digital options.
The NSHS and NSHAP (included in one document) can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/policy-information/national-sexual-health-strategy-2025-2035/.
Governance arrangements for the Strategy are laid out in its final chapter; the Implementation Group and various sub-groups and working groups have commenced work. Significant progress has been made in implementing some of its Actions already.
Work on the HIV Action Plan has commenced, following a stakeholder consultation exercise. Further consideration for delivering improved access to HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and other supports for people living with HIV will be included in the forthcoming Models of Care for sexual health and for HIV and within the forthcoming HIV Action Plan. It is currently envisaged that the HIV Action Plan and Model of Care for Sexual Health will be published in late 2026 to early 2027.
In terms of detailed information on:
• recent new diagnoses;
• access to testing, treatment and prevention services, including PrEP;
• access by high-risk and underserved populations and;
• whether current service provision is adequate to meet need,
as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to provide additional information to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1255. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if there are solar panels in place on the rooftop or within the grounds of her Department building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30699/26]
View answerMy Department is one of four sub-tenants of the OPW who is the tenant of the Landlord. There are no solar panels on the roof or grounds of Block 1, Miesian Plaza. We engage regularly with both the OPW and the Landlord in relation to renewable energy, the environment and the Climate Action Mandate, but have no function in respect of the systems in place.
1256. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30717/26]
View answerThe Department of Health does not own any properties. The Department of Health occupies one building, Block 1 Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, D02, as a tenant of the Office of Public Works (OPW). Queries on this building in relation to solar panels should be directed to OPW.
1257. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30737/26]
View answerThe Government’s Climate Action Plan sets binding targets for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction across the public sector.
In response, the HSE has developed an Infrastructure Decarbonisation Roadmap (revised in 2024), setting out progress to date and the pathway to meeting these targets.
Key commitments include:
Reducing energy-related GHG emissions by 51% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.
Improving HSE energy efficiency by 50% by 2030.
Ending the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in new builds and major retrofits after 2023, except in exceptional circumstances.
Approximately 150 significant energy user (SEU) healthcare buildings account for 85% of energy use and related emissions. Dedicated energy management teams have been established at these sites, and a minor capital energy retrofit fund has been established, in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to drive energy-saving initiatives.
The HSE has also launched a Deep Energy and Carbon Retrofit Programme, in partnership with SEAI,
to deliver major upgrades at selected healthcare sites. A pilot “pathfinder” project, across 10
campuses, is testing viable technical solutions for healthcare settings, which is enabling the design of
a scalable, evidence-based energy and carbon retrofit programme.
To ensure long-term sustainability, the HSE has updated its design team requirements to align with
and exceed current building standards and mandate carbon zero-ready design for all new buildings
and major refurbishments. A net zero building and campus approach is now embedded across all
capital projects and development control plans.
1258. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health her views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30754/26]
View answerThe Department of Health does not own any properties. The Department of Health occupies one building, Block 1 Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, D02, as a tenant of the Office of Public Works (OPW). Queries in respect of this building, including on the installation of solar panels, should be directed to OPW.
1259. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health her views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30775/26]
View answerThe Government’s Climate Action Plan sets binding targets for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction across the public sector.
In response, the HSE has developed an Infrastructure Decarbonisation Roadmap (revised in 2024), setting out progress to date and the pathway to meeting these targets.
Key commitments include:
Reducing energy-related GHG emissions by 51% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.
Improving HSE energy efficiency by 50% by 2030.
Ending the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in new builds and major retrofits after 2023, except in exceptional circumstances.
Approximately 150 significant energy user (SEU) healthcare buildings account for 85% of energy use and related emissions. Dedicated energy management teams have been established at these sites, and a minor capital energy retrofit fund has been established, in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to drive energy-saving initiatives.
The HSE has also launched a Deep Energy and Carbon Retrofit Programme, in partnership with SEAI,
to deliver major upgrades at selected healthcare sites. A pilot “pathfinder” project, across 10
campuses, is testing viable technical solutions for healthcare settings, which is enabling the design of
a scalable, evidence-based energy and carbon retrofit programme.
To ensure long-term sustainability, the HSE has updated its design team requirements to align with
and exceed current building standards and mandate carbon zero-ready design for all new buildings
and major refurbishments. A net zero building and campus approach is now embedded across all
capital projects and development control plans.
1260. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of midwifery-led clinics operational in Cork currently; the WTE clinic staffing levels and hours, provided for each clinic, in tabular form. [30784/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1261. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of pulmonary function laboratories nationwide; the number of laboratories with vacancies for respiratory physiologists, per laboratory, in tabular form. [30785/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, this PQ has been referred to the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
1262. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the staffing budget allocation for Mercy University Hospital in the years of 2024, 2025 and 2026, in tabular form. [30786/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1263. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of births that occurred in the Cork University Maternity Hospital for each month of 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [30787/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1264. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the total allocation of funding to each State agency under her Department’s remit, broken down by the allocation to each agency, for each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [30797/26]
View answerI thank the Deputy for the question. The information requested for the 5 years, 2021 to 2025 inclusive, are provided in the attachment. In addition, the HSE have been asked to respond directly to you.
1265. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the total spend on consultancy firms by each State agency under her Department's remit, broken down by the allocation to each named consultancy firm, for each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [30815/26]
View answerThe Department's total expenditure on management consultancy and external professional services for each of the past 15 years, is as set out in the attached tables.
It is the policy in the Department to only engage the services of external consultants where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and when such an approach is considered to be more appropriate and cost-effective.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
|
Project Description |
Expenditure |
|
Development of Outcomes Framework in relation to Healthy Ireland |
€ 25,000 |
|
Performance Improvement in scheduled care |
€ 30,760 |
|
Minimum Unit Pricing Study on Alcohol |
€ 31,488 |
|
Review of Fair Deal |
€ 36,900 |
|
Expert advice to the Special Delivery Unit |
€ 98,420 |
|
Report on the practice of symphysiotomy |
€ 12,000 |
|
Recruitment of Executive Search Agency to provide competent personnel to support the development of Programme Management Office |
€ 79,212 |
|
Development of the Health Reform Programme Plan |
€ 12,500 |
|
Performance Improvement in unscheduled care |
€ 202,167 |
|
Specialised legal research on Universal Health Insurance multi-payer models |
€ 135,300 |
|
Finalisation of Expert Report to accompany Affidavit in Judicial Review - Labelling of Medicinal Products in Ireland |
€ 566 |
|
Work related to Pharmaceutical Policymakers Symposium in August 2013 |
€ 30,750 |
|
Further analysis on the assessment of planning issues in relation to proposed sites for new Children’s Hospital and follow-up workshop |
€ 6,273 |
|
Actuarial & Insurance Advisory Services |
€ 108,635 |
|
Chair of meetings to Review Immunisation Programme |
€ 1,800 |
|
Secretariat to the Guidance Committee for the implementation of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 |
€ 5,000 |
|
Performance Improvement in scheduled care |
€ 261,012 |
|
Provision of a procurement process audit service for legal research and advisory services to the Minister on the design and implementation of an insurance based health system providing universal coverage in Ireland |
€ 2,153 |
|
Consultancy Service to Review Staffing Resources and Organisational structure of the DoH |
€ 79,089 |
|
Review and analysis of existing resources in the Health & Wellbeing Programme |
€ 15,156 |
|
Review of the Traveller Health Advisory Committee |
€ 6,150 |
|
Paper re the development of a model of universal GP care |
€ 12,088 |
|
Cost Evaluation of Breastcheck |
€ 28,407 |
|
|
€ 1,220,826 |
1266. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any buildings operated and owned by her Department that have solar panels in place to support the energy demands of the building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30845/26]
View answerThe Department of Health does not own any properties. The Department of Health occupies one building, Block 1 Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, D02, as a tenant of the Office of Public Works (OPW). Queries on this building in relation to solar panels should be directed to OPW.
1267. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to respond to the National Women's Council's research report on the free contraception scheme (details supplied); if she intends to implement its recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30868/26]
View answerWomen’s health is a priority for me and my Department.
The Free Contraception Scheme (FCS) was launched in September 2022. Its remit has been expanded gradually to include women aged from 17 to 35 inclusive, with the most recent expansion taking place from July 1st, 2024. Approximately €44m is allocated to support the scheme in 2026.
The NWCI Report was completed with funding and support from my Department’s Women’s Health Fund and Women’s Health Taskforce. In conjunction with the results from the representative Healthy Ireland Survey, 2025, which included a module on contraception and family planning, the outcomes and recommendations of the Report will be used to consider how best to further develop and support the Free Contraception Scheme into the future.
Many of the barriers cited in the scheme are subject to ongoing efforts to resolve them, for example, a need to increase GP numbers and capacity is well recognised and is being supported in a number of different ways. Work is ongoing to develop contraception prescribing in pharmacies as outlined in the Community Pharmacy Agreement. This measure should enable many patients to access repeat prescriptions through their local community pharmacy, while also freeing up GP capacity.
Other issues will be addressed via improved information, education and targeted communications and via better access to training for healthcare professionals delivering care in the community; many of these may be manageable under existing resourcing structures. Work is ongoing to implement the National Sexual Health Strategy, which includes a wide range of actions supporting research, information, education and communications.
There are commitments in the Programme for Government, National Sexual Health Strategy and other policy documents that support continuing the phased approach to continued expansion of the scheme's age range, within the term of this Government. As the Deputy is aware, progressing these are a matter for the Estimates process each year.
The Report’s findings are very valuable in terms of providing recommendations to tackle remaining barriers to accessing contraception, and to reduce inequality, in line with the principles of Sláintecare and the Public Sector Duty. I would like to thank the NWCI and the TCD research team and the Advisory Group for all of their hard work in developing, drafting, reviewing and launching this invaluable Report.
1268. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of her Department's work to develop a new Women's Health Action Plan; if a new action plan will be published in 2026; the timeline she is working towards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30869/26]
View answerThe Women's Health Action Plan 2026-27: Phase 3 is in final development stage and is due to be published shortly.
1269. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) needs to apply for the treatment abroad scheme; if consideration will be given to the introduction of multi-annual or long-term approvals for patients with this rare condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30880/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1270. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health if she will intervene to ensure that an urgent care plan is provided for a person (details supplied) who has been assessed for urgent dental treatment which is not available through Wexford primary care centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30883/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1271. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the current status of the health and support services committed to on 10 November 2025 for the four Magdalene survivors who undertook a hunger strike; whether all of the agreed services have now been put in place; if not, the elements which remain outstanding; the reasons for any delay; and when she expects the full package of supports to be delivered. [30884/26]
View answerThe Deputy indicated to our colleagues in the Department that he wished to withdraw this PQ but the deadline had passed for it to be withdrawn.
1272. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health to provide a clear timeline for the introduction and delivery of the new health card promised to Magdalene survivors; the specific healthcare services and entitlements to be attached to the card; when survivors can expect to receive it; and the steps being taken to ensure that delays do not continue to impact access to necessary healthcare supports. [30885/26]
View answerThe Magdalene Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme was established in 2013 by the then Department of Justice and Equality on foot of the recommendations contained in the Magdalen Commission Report by Judge Quirke.
In his report, Judge Quirke outlined that Magdalen women should be provided with access to a comprehensive suite of health services. Subsequently, these services were agreed by Government and were legislated for by the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 (RWRCI Act).
Since 2015, eligible women have received the 2015A card from the HSE, which identifies the holder as qualifying for the services provided for in the RWRCI Act 2015. The range of primary and community health services available under the Act are as follows:
• General Practitioner (GP) medical and surgical services.
• Approved prescribed drugs, medicines, medical and surgical appliances.
• Home nursing.
• Home support services.
• Certain dental, ophthalmic and aural services.
• Counselling services.
• Chiropody Services.
• Physiotherapy services.
Eligible women are also entitled to all inpatient public hospital services in public wards (including consultant services) and all outpatient public hospital services (including consultant services).
In addition, eligibility for the 2015A card is for life and cardholders are not required to pay prescription charges.
Further information on the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 should be addressed to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration with responsibility for the overall redress scheme.
1273. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 21 April 2026, if she will make available the HPRA policy paper provided to her Department on the options that could be considered when it comes to cosmetic and derma fillers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30896/26]
View answerDermal fillers are regulated under EU legislation as medical devices. This legislation includes provisions to ensure that medical devices placed on the EU market are CE marked, safe, and perform as intended.
While EU legislation regulates the product, it does not regulate who can administer it. Government recognises the need to strengthen regulation in this area and has included a commitment in its Programme for Government to only allow dermal fillers to be administered by trained healthcare professionals. Work is underway in my Department to explore the options to deliver this commitment.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), as the competent authority for medical devices in Ireland, has previously provided my Department with a policy paper setting out potential options and related issues for consideration. This policy paper will be one of several key sources of evidence that will inform the Department's final regulatory policy decisions on this matter in due course. We intend to publish a copy of the HPRA policy paper in the coming months, as part of the broader programme of work to progress this important matter.
1274. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health the reason imvaggis is not covered by the free HRT scheme; if consideration can be given to its inclusion in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30897/26]
View answerUnder 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 in this matter.
The HSE has advised that there is a National Application, Assessment & Decision Process for new medicines, which is underpinned by Primary Legislation (Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013). The HSE must comply with the relevant legislation when considering investment decisions around new medicines.
The HSE must robustly assesses applications for pricing and reimbursement to ensure it can stretch available resources as far as possible, deliver the best value from each medicine, and ultimately, provide more medicines to Irish citizens and patients.
Formal processes govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of new medicines and new uses of existing medicines to be funded and/or reimbursed by the HSE. Pharmaceutical companies are required to submit formal applications to the HSE if they wish for their medicines to be added to the HSE list of reimbursable items or funded via hospitals. The decision by pharmaceutical companies to market licensed medicines in Ireland, i.e., whether or not to submit a formal application, is outside the control of the HSE.
As of the 27th of April 2026, the HSE has not received a pricing and reimbursement application for Imvaggis®(estriol) from the marketing authorisation holder. As outlined above, the national assessment and decision process cannot commence without a pricing and reimbursement application submission to the HSE.
1275. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify matters of interpretation regarding the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 and Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (details supplied). [30900/26]
View answerI was pleased to commence Sections 232 (b), (c) and (d) of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 on 20th April to amend Section 20 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.
This change to the legislation expands the circumstances under which a declaration of parentage can be made where a donor assisted human reproduction procedure took place prior to the commencement of the Act of 2015 i.e. prior to 4th May 2020.
The term ‘child’ as used in Section 20 of the Act of 2015 is used to reflect the parent-child relationship of the applicant and the donor conceived person who is the subject of the application for a declaration of parentage.
There is no age restriction for obtaining a declaration of parentage in such retrospective DAHR cases.
The recent amendment to the legislation means therefore that a declaration of parentage can still be sought from the District Court or the Circuit Court in respect of a person who is under or over the age of 18, but in a wider set of circumstances.
1276. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has identified which of the medicines currently in shortage across the European Union may pose a risk of shortage in Ireland; the measures in place to ensure continuity of supply and minimise patient impact; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30904/26]
View answerMy Department is aware of the stress that shortages of medicines can cause for patients and healthcare professionals alike, and mitigating medicine shortages and strengthening security of supply is the subject of several workstreams in my Department, the wider health service and across Europe.
Medicines shortages that initially occur in other markets can also impact on supply in Ireland due to increased demand for limited available stock or related manufacturing capacity e.g. treatments for ADHD, with ongoing risk of shortages due to global increases in demand and reported manufacturing capacity limitations. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) publishes information on critical shortages monitored at EU level by the Medicine Shortages Single Point of Contact (SPOC) Working Party. As of 27th April 2026 there are 30 entries published in an online shortages catalogue, which contains information on ongoing supply shortages that have been assessed by EMA. This catalogue includes information on product discontinuations, where the marketing authorisation holder (MAH) intends to cease placing its medicines on relevant European markets on a permanent basis. Importantly any potential shortage, or current shortages ongoing nationally that are also published in this EMA catalogue can be managed under the national Medicine Shortages Framework, with support from the EMA in specific instances e.g. coordinated shortage communications that are issued to healthcare providers directly. National competent authorities including the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) will handle all notified shortages of human medicines, particularly if they do not affect other countries. The current number of shortages published by the HPRA and the EMA therefore reflect the differences in function between the HPRA and the EMA in the coordination and management of shortages.
Several initiatives have been taken over recent years at a European level to improve security of supply and address supply chain vulnerabilities that are common to multiple markets. These include an expansion of the mandate of the EMA to optimise the management and prevention of shortages at European level. In the proposed revision of the EU Pharmaceutical legislation, the European Commission has proposed further strengthening measures and specific initiatives, such as the introduction of the Union list of critical medicines and the requirement for medicine suppliers to have in place shortage prevention plans (‘SPP’). Such measures are anticipated to further improve supply chain resilience and promote continuity of supply. The HPRA is committed to continuing its active involvement at European level, including through their representative on the Medicine Shortages SPOC Working Party and the Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety of Medicinal Products (MSSG), to maximise the effectiveness of this work.
In European law, pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers should ensure an appropriate and continuous supply of the medicines they market. Companies should notify the HPRA of medicines shortages or potential shortages impacting the Irish market. Addressing medicine shortages is complex and requires input from multiple stakeholders. A national Medicine Shortages Framework (MSF) has been in place since 2018 when the Department requested that the HPRA assume responsibility for its coordination. Since its inception, the framework has been of enormous benefit nationally. It has served to avoid the occurrence of potential medicine shortages and, where they have occurred, ensured appropriate mitigation is in place. As part of this framework the HPRA maintains a list of current shortages on its website and is in regular contact with suppliers in relation to these shortages, with a view to minimising their duration and impact on patients. The webpage of the HPRA is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information related to ongoing and newly notified shortages. Shortages when published remain active until supply returns to an acceptable level to meet demand, irrespective of whether there is a suitable alternative supply available that is meeting that demand.
The Medicines Criticality Assessment Group (MCAG) is convened by the Department of Health and chaired by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to facilitate rapid assembly of relevant government and agency bodies to assess, address and resolve emerging medicinal product supply issues. Consequent to its deliberations and where the MCAG deems it necessary, the MCAG membership shall issue communication(s), to healthcare professionals and patients, among other actions. The Terms of Reference for MCAG is available on gov.ie.
It is acknowledged that medicine shortages, when they occur, can be a challenge for patients and healthcare professionals. In the event that patients are unable to source a medicine, they are advised to discuss possible alternatives with their doctor pending the resumption of normal supply.
1277. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to include rheumatoid arthritis on the long-term illness scheme list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30913/26]
View answerThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions to be covered by the Scheme. Further information, including the list of conditions, can be found at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lti/about/.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
Individuals and families in Ireland may be entitled to the following schemes:
• General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme (medical card). Eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
• In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
• Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.
The issue of granting medical card eligibility based on having a particular disability or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
1278. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the NCPE appraisal of ritlecitinib (litfulo) for severe alopecia areata, including current stage, any ongoing HSE pricing and reimbursement engagement with the applicant, expected timelines for a decision, and proposed prescribing setting if approved (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30914/26]
View answerUnder 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, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
