Written Answers Nos. 816-830
816. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department of the HSE set the €100,000 funding limit for FASD Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33277/26]
View answerThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for the provision of supports to children with complex health needs associated with a disability.
While the Department sets the strategy, policy direction and overall allocation for the disability sector, funding allocations to individual service providers is an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority.
An application was received by the HSE in January 2026 from FASD Ireland and the HSE met with FASD Ireland to discuss this proposal on 26th March 2026. The HSE informed FASD Ireland that it could provide funding of approximately €100,000 for the period Q2–Q4 of 2026, subject to services aligning with the HSE service plan.
On 8 April 2026, Minister Higgins and a representative from the Tánaiste’s office met with the CEO of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Ireland. At this meeting, FASD Ireland agreed to submit an updated plan outlining the services to be delivered for Q2–Q4 2026.
On the 9th of April 2026, FASD Ireland CEO Tristan Casson-Rennie forwarded a business case to the HSE as requested in previous meetings.
Upon review, the HSE wrote to FASD Ireland on 15 April 2026, stating that it would be unable to provide funding for the Children’s Disability Network Teams Training or the individual support plan as outlined in the business case as training capacity is extremely limited across teams for 2026 and the HSE must ensure it aligns with agreed priorities.
The HSE did however agree to provide once off funding of €27,150 for the continuation of the FASD Hub Ireland Helpline service.
On the 1st of May 2026, Minister Higgins held a further meeting online with FASD Ireland, the HSE and DCDE.
In this meeting FASD Ireland agreed to submit a new proposal identifying services they can provide for Q2-Q4 2026 in addition to the telephone service.
817. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of the revised business case submitted by FASD Ireland on 9 April 2026; the timeline for a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33278/26]
View answerFoetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable, neuro-developmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and is associated with a range of lifelong physical, mental, educational, social, and behavioural difficulties.
On the 9th of April 2026, FASD Ireland CEO Tristan Casson-Rennie forwarded a business case to the HSE as requested in a previous meeting held on the 26th of March 2026.
Upon review, the HSE wrote to FASD Ireland on 15 April 2026, stating that it would be unable to provide funding for the Children’s Disability Network Teams Training or the individual support plan as outlined in the business case as training capacity is extremely limited across teams for 2026 and the HSE must ensure it aligns with agreed priorities.
The HSE did however agree to provide a once off funding of €27,150 for the continuation of the FASD Hub Ireland Helpline service.
On the 1st of May 2026, Minister Higgins held a further meeting online with FASD Ireland, the HSE and DCDE.
In this meeting FASD Ireland agreed to submit a new proposal identifying services they can provide for Q2-Q4 2026 in addition to the telephone service.
818. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which an individual who worked in a State institution (details supplied) who wishes to make a confidential disclosure should proceed given that the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes no longer exists; if there is an individual within her Department who deals with such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33298/26]
View answerI am very conscious of the hurt felt by survivors and family members of people who died in Bessborough. One of the most tragic aspects of what happened is the uncertainty regarding the burial place of many children who were resident there.
The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was established in 2015 to investigate and report on a range of issues associated with Mother and Baby institutions, including death and burial practices. The Commission which had specific powers made extensive efforts to try and establish where the children who died at Bessborough are buried.
The Commission carried out cartographic and landscape assessment of possible unrecorded burial arrangements at the site and conducted a site survey. The Commission also issued a national public appeal seeking information from individuals who may have information about the burial places of children who died in Bessborough. All information was followed up. Despite its extensive investigations, the Commission was unable to find any evidence of a location. It considered that the only way that it can be established if burials did take place in the grounds is by an excavation of the entire property, including the parts of the former 200 acre estate that have now been built on, which it did not consider feasible.
The Government’s response to the legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions is set out in the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. On foot of the Action Plan, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage wrote to local authorities in relation to their role in preserving and protecting unrecorded burial sites. It may, therefore, be appropriate to bring the matter to the attention of Cork City Council.
In addition, following publication of the Commission’s final report, An Garda Síochána issued an appeal asking anyone with sufficient information about alleged crimes at the institutions under investigation, to make contact with them so that such crimes could be investigated.
819. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a detailed breakdown of all gifts received in her capacity as Minister; the nature of these gifts and potential monetary value; the procedures followed in accepting gifts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33374/26]
View answerDuring my recent St Patrick’s day trip I have received 4 gifts, the details of which are outlined below.
- Scarf
- Coffee table book x 2
- Artwork
Throughout my time as Minister for I have received many handmade gifts from members from the public. I wish to note that all gifts received were of nominal monetary value and have been accepted in the spirit which they were given. Each gesture is sincerely appreciated.
820. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of family resource centres in each county; the funding allocated per county by her Department to such centres in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33392/26]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in respect of the number of Family Resource centres per county, along with total core funding allocated per county, is as follows:
|
County |
Number of FRCs in County |
Total 2026 Core Funding Allocated to FRCs in County |
|
Carlow |
2 |
€ 360,000.00 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
€ 385,608.00 |
|
Clare |
4 |
€ 720,000.00 |
|
Cork |
9 |
€ 1,620,000.00 |
|
Donegal |
11 |
€ 1,980,000.00 |
|
Dublin |
24 |
€ 4,567,260.00 |
|
Galway |
6 |
€ 1,124,226.00 |
|
Kerry |
13 |
€ 2,357,958.24 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
€ 1,227,002.28 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
€ 736,827.00 |
|
Laois |
2 |
€ 363,378.84 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
€ 540,000.00 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
€ 928,808.04 |
|
Longford |
3 |
€ 540,000.00 |
|
Louth |
3 |
€ 540,000.00 |
|
Mayo |
8 |
€ 1,440,000.00 |
|
Meath |
3 |
€ 540,000.00 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
€ 540,000.00 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
€ 360,000.00 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
€ 540,000.00 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
€ 720,000.00 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
€ 900,000.00 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
€ 540,000.00 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
€ 360,000.00 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
€ 1,080,000.00 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
€ 180,000.00 |
The Family Resource Programme is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and this includes responsibility for distributing core funding to the Programme members. I was very pleased, as part of Budget 2026, to have achieved an increase in programme membership from 126 to 136 members, benefitting communities around the country and honouring the Programme for Government commitment in respect of Family Resource Centres. The Budget 2026 negotiations also secured funding to provide for an increase in minimum core funding to a new base level of €180,000, up from the previous base level of €160,000.
821. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if Tulsa is currently fully funded to employ the full complement of social workers they have requested to deliver their services; if not, the additional cost of employing the full complement of social workers required across all Tusla services. [33433/26]
View answerThank you Deputy for your question.
You will appreciate that Tusla operates in a very challenging and demand led environment providing vital services to children, young people and families who often present with very complex needs.
The Department continues to support Tusla in the provision of the funding and resources needed to carry out its functions. It is committed to ensuring the continuity of Tusla's work in supporting vulnerable children and families as evidenced by the year on year increase in the funding provided to Tusla.
In Budget 2025 Tusla received funding of over €1.2 billion. I acknowledge that Tusla is experiencing increased demand across its services, such as foster care, residential care, special care, and services for separated children seeking international protection.
Budget 2026 saw Tusla receive further increased funding to continue providing vital child welfare and family support services bringing its funding over €1.4 billion.
This is a 14% increase on their 2025 Budget. This is the fourth consecutive year, that total Tusla funding will be over €1 billion.
This money will ensure that Tusla can continue to manage over 100,000 referrals annually, stepping in when needed to support tens of thousands of children and families around Ireland. Tusla will continue investment in providing safe, secure family environments to vulnerable children.
An example that this funding will provide includes an innovative “earn and learn” social work and social care work apprenticeship programmes and sponsorship. This will increase the number of social workers and social care workers in Tusla to over 3,200.
Tusla has frequently acknowledged that funding is not the chief obstacle in securing additional Social Workers. The important role of Social Workers is widely recognised and this profession is much sought after in all facets of society including medical, education and judicial settings. As the main recruiter of newly qualified Social Workers, Tusla has taken a lead role in increasing the numbers of qualified social workers and has instigated novel approaches.
In 2025 Tusla added an additional 53 Social Workers to its overall staff complement. This represents a 3% increase in the number of Social Workers. In addition Tusla's HR initiatives supporting very high rates of retention within the organisation.
It is a matter for Tusla to manage and allocate resources, including staff resourcing, to address areas of greatest need while staying within its budget.
The Department will, as always, strive to support Tusla and aid in development of novel approaches to increase the number of Social Workers within the Agency or through system and process improvements ensure the maximal amount of their time is spent providing care and interventions to children and families across the country.
822. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of additional aftercare workers would be required by Tusla to ensure that every child, included every separated child, with an aftercare entitlement has an allocated aftercare worker, ensuring caseloads are at recommended levels; and the estimated cost of providing additional aftercare workers (details supplied). [33434/26]
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.
823. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of the implementation of the current residential care strategy; the number of the projected units under the strategy that have been provided; the cost for same; and the projected cost of fully implementing this strategy. [33435/26]
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.
824. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will clarify and provide detail of whether Tusla sought on increase in the rate of the aftercare allowance in previous pre-budget submissions; and the estimated cost of increasing the aftercare allowance in line with the current rate of the foster care payment. [33436/26]
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.
825. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she accepts the recommendations of the Tusla commissioned External Review of Special Care; the progress made to date in respect of implementation of the accepted recommendations; if she has rejected any in full and or in part; if recommendations (details supplied) have been accepted; and the estimated cost of implementing these recommendations. [33437/26]
View answerThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
826. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she is concerned about the promotion and sale of obesity medicines to under-18s for cosmetic weight-loss purposes by black-market actors. [33442/26]
View answerThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
827. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated economic cost of obesity-related illness due to workforce absenteeism and reduced productivity; the number of working days lost annually due to obesity-related illness; the estimated cost to the State and the economy arising from these productivity losses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32946/26]
View answerA Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025). OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent associated health risks, and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted challenge and needs a multi-pronged response, with every sector of society playing its part.
Since the implementation of OPAP, levels of obesity and overweight have stabilised. According to the Healthy Ireland Survey 2024, the rate of obesity (for all ages from 15 years old) is at 21% and the rate of overweight at 35%. This data is collected every second year of the Healthy Ireland survey and overweight and obesity rates have been just under 60% for a number of years. There has been little change in our rates since OPAP was launched.
Data for children is collected separately through the WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). The WHO COSI have completed its 6th round of data collection in 2022 and the results demonstrated that rates of overweight and obesity in children have stabilised overall in the last twenty years.
It is welcome that obesity rates are not rising. However, given the projected increase to the overall population and in particular the aging profile of our population, with greater numbers of older adults living with the health impacts of overweight and obesity in the coming decades, it is key that we seek to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity to reduce associated risks and costs.
There are a number of reports for Ireland which calculate the overall cost of obesity. A 2012 study by University College Cork for Safefood entitled "The Cost of Overweight and Obesity on the Island of Ireland” estimated that adult overweight and obesity cost the healthcare services in Ireland just under €400 million every year. Overweight and obesity combined accounted for an estimated 2.7% of total health expenditure in the Ireland (2.8% in Northern Ireland). Total annual costs were estimated at €1.13 billion – the majority attributed to loss of productivity and absenteeism.
A further study in 2017 for Safefood, entitled “Lifetime Costs of Childhood Overweight and Obesity” put the total lifetime cost of childhood overweight and obesity in Ireland at almost €5 billion - €1 billion in direct healthcare costs and €4 billion in indirect costs including productivity losses, increased morbidity and premature mortality.
There are also international studies into the cost of obesity. In 2019, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published a report entitled "The Heavy Burden of Obesity”, which examined the effect of obesity from a number of different perspectives, including economic, social and healthcare costs across OECD, European Union and Group 20 countries. The report found that treating diseases caused by overweight and obesity will cost USD 425 billion a year, and that “treating high BMI and associated conditions will cost more than USD 200 per person per year, on average, across the OECD” (OECD (2019). The OECD is currently examining the economic and policy implications of breakthrough obesity treatments and expects to publish a report in due course.
The Department of Health commissioned an independent Evaluation of the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) which was and completed by Munster Research Consultancy. Following this my predecessor, Minister Donnelly in his capacity as Minister for Health at the time, published the results of this independent review on the Department’s website. This document contains figures relating to obesity prevalence and costs, amongst other measures and indicators.
Further information on the Evaluation of the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax can be found on the Gov.ie website.
The Obesity Policy Action Plan (OPAP) is currently under development. My Department aims to publish this document by Q4 2026. The OPAP will be informed by the outputs of the extensive stakeholder and public consultations which were undertaken in 2025. The Department aims to include details of the consultation process and its outputs in the next OPAP.
828. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the plans to tackle the promotion and sale of counterfeit obesity medicines online and offline which are in breach of the law, endanger public health and can contribute to organised crime. [32947/26]
View answer1173. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the steps planned to protect patients' safety in light of recent figures from the HPRA that show a major spike in the volume of illegally sourced obesity medicines detained last year. [32944/26]
View answer1174. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action she intends to take to protect patients from the health risks of the rapidly increasing availability of counterfeit obesity medicines which are untested, unregulated and unlicensed. [32945/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 828, 1173 and 1174 together.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the agency with responsibility for the regulation of medicines in Ireland and have an enforcement role with regard to illegal medicines.
The Department of Health supports the HPRA in the exercise of its statutory functions and continues to work closely with them to ensure regulatory oversight and to promote public awareness of the serious risks associated with sourcing prescription medicines from unauthorised suppliers.
This work includes a focus on weight-loss medication also known as Glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a type of prescription medicine authorised for the treatment of diabetes or for weight management under certain conditions, or both. The HPRA works in close co-operation with colleagues from An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service. There continues to be significant inter-agency collaboration to combat the illegal supply of health products into and within Ireland. The HPRA also co-operates and shares intelligence with other regulatory and law enforcement agencies across Europe and worldwide to prevent the illegal manufacture, importation and distribution of medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics.
As part of its enforcement remit, the HPRA continues to monitor and disrupt online activity promoting unauthorised medicines, with 4,762 web pages, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages amended or shut down in 2025. This figure includes web pages linked to falsified weight loss products and the HPRA engages with website providers and social media companies in relation to the illegal online supply of weight-loss medication in Ireland.
The HPRA plays an active role in protecting public health by raising awareness of the risks associated with buying prescription medicines online and has repeatedly warned of the health risks associated with the use of GLP-1 medicines that have been obtained outside of the legitimate pharmacy setting and without a prescription supplied by a doctor providing professional oversight.
It publishes dedicated consumer information on its website–available in multiple languages-clearly outlining the dangers of buying prescription medicines online, including the risks of unauthorised, falsified and substandard products.
To reinforce this messaging, the HPRA has also delivered targeted public awareness campaigns using digital and social media channels. For example, the HPRA has recently run an online campaign highlighting that medicines purchased online may not contain the correct ingredients, may be unsafe, and are not subject to the safeguards that apply when medicines are supplied through recognised and regulated sources such as pharmacies. This campaign is designed to reach people where online purchasing decisions are often made and to encourage safer choices.
In addition, the HPRA engages regularly with the media by providing factual information and public health advice through proactive engagement, press releases and in response to queries, helping to ensure that accurate, balanced messaging reaches the public.
Across all of this work, the HPRA consistently advises that prescription medicines should only be obtained through regulated channels, where appropriate medical supervision is in place, and where patients can have confidence in the quality, safety and authenticity of their medicines.
829. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to ensure continuity of medication management supports for adults and children with disabilities and cognitive impairment, particularly in respect of the safe use of monitored dosage systems where these are clinically indicated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33043/26]
View answer830. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has carried out, or commissioned, any assessment of the impact on persons with disabilities of the requirement to privately fund pharmacist-prepared blister packs and monitored dosage systems where such supports are recommended on safety grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33044/26]
View answer1133. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has examined the practice of pharmacies charging additional fees for dispensing medications in blister packs where this is clinically required, particularly for older persons with complex medication regimes; whether any guidance or regulation exists governing such charges under the community drug schemes; if consideration is being given to prohibiting or subsidising these charges where clinically necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32791/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 829, 830 and 1133 together.
Provision of medication in "blister packs" (also known as monitored dosage systems), has never been a State-funded service under any of the community drug schemes.
My Department, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) announced a significant reform of phased dispensing arrangements on 31 March 2026, alongside the introduction of a new patient-centred medicines optimisation support framework. I welcome the engagement with the IPU during the negotiation process. The associated Press Release can be found here www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/reforms-announced-to-phased-dispensing-and-enhanced-medicine-supports-under-the-community-pharmacy-agreement-cpa/ .
The reforms are designed to strengthen supports for vulnerable GMS (medical card) patients and will ensure a more robust system in the future.
Under the Community Pharmacy Agreement (CPA), the State has worked with the IPU to implement a reformed approach and since the agreement was reached:
• €20 million has already been invested into increased standard dispensing fees, backdated to September 2025.
• A further €20-24 million will fund a new medicines optimisation fee for GMS (medical card) patients; and
• €2.5 million will be invested to support targeted enhanced medicines optimisation support fees to support patients who have their medication dispensed more than once per week.
These changes will come into effect from 1 June 2026.
Importantly, all GMS patients who were receiving blister packs free-of-charge prior to the Community Pharmacy Agreement (in August 2025) will continue to do so. These cohorts should not be charged for this service.
Blister packs will remain a last resort in line with the international evidence due to associated risks including reduced patient autonomy and potential safety concerns. Where clinically required, and deemed appropriate, blister packs will be provided free-of-charge to eligible medical card patients, in identified cohorts.
