Written Answers Nos. 855-876
855. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to reduce delays in diagnostic tests for suspected pancreatic cancer and to standardise pathways nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31972/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
856. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if she will introduce a national awareness campaign on the early signs of pancreatic cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31973/26]
View answerI am committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatments.
The Government has allocated significant funding of €105 million, including €23 million in 2025, to the National Cancer Strategy since the start of the strategy in 2017 to support cancer services and improve outcomes for patients. This includes allocating funding to screening programmes, cancer treatment and survivorship services.
This funding has enabled the recruitment of over 670 staff to our national cancer services, including 200 nursing staff, 100 consultants, and 180 health and social care professionals in designated cancer centres. Funding in 2025 will support recruitment of 179 additional staff to national cancer screening and treatment services.
Capital funding of over €140 million has been used since 2017 to provide state of the art radiation oncology facilities to establish a National Cervical Screening Laboratory, and to update cancer infrastructure in chemotherapy wards and lab facilities. This year’s capital plan includes €12.13m for radiation oncology projects along with further funding for the design and construction of Oncology Day Units and chemotherapy infrastructure.
Pancreatic cancer is the 9th most diagnosed invasive cancer, accounting for 2.5% of invasive cancer diagnoses in Ireland with around 600 new cases diagnosed each year. Early pancreatic cancer rarely presents with specific or classic red-flag symptoms and such symptoms typically appear only in advanced stages of the disease.
To improve patient care, the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) have completed scoping the requirements to develop a pancreatic pathway from primary care through tertiary care.
In line with Recommendation 21 from the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, surgery for pancreatic cancer has been centralised to two cancer centres: A national centre in St Vincent’s University Hospital and an associated centre in Cork University Hospital. All hospitals can refer to these centres. The NCCP is working to further develop and streamline pancreatic cancer pathways from primary through to tertiary care with the objective of improving the time to diagnosis and treatment.
Furthermore, the NCCP genomic test directory for cancer, first published in July 2024 has now been expanded to include pancreatic cancer. The test directory comprises a list of clinical indications for genomic testing for cancer patients and is focused on clinically actionable findings.
The NCCP supports healthcare professionals in recognising and managing non-specific symptoms of cancer, including those that could indicate pancreatic cancer. The NCCP also works to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer among the public.
857. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of National Cancer Strategy commitments relating to rapid referral pathways for high mortality cancers such as pancreatic cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31974/26]
View answerI am committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatments.
The Government has allocated significant funding of €105 million, including €23 million in 2025, to the National Cancer Strategy since the start of the strategy in 2017 to support cancer services and improve outcomes for patients. This includes allocating funding to screening programmes, cancer treatment and survivorship services.
This funding has enabled the recruitment of over 670 staff to our national cancer services, including 200 nursing staff, 100 consultants, and 180 health and social care professionals in designated cancer centres. Funding in 2025 will support recruitment of 179 additional staff to national cancer screening and treatment services.
Capital funding of over €140 million has been used since 2017 to provide state of the art radiation oncology facilities to establish a National Cervical Screening Laboratory, and to update cancer infrastructure in chemotherapy wards and lab facilities. This year’s capital plan includes €12.13m for radiation oncology projects along with further funding for the design and construction of Oncology Day Units and chemotherapy infrastructure.
Pancreatic cancer is the 9th most diagnosed invasive cancer, accounting for 2.5% of invasive cancer diagnoses in Ireland with around 600 new cases diagnosed each year. Early pancreatic cancer rarely presents with specific or classic red-flag symptoms and such symptoms typically appear only in advanced stages of the disease.
To improve patient care, the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) have completed scoping the requirements to develop a pancreatic pathway from primary care through tertiary care.
In line with Recommendation 21 from the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, surgery for pancreatic cancer has been centralised to two cancer centres: A national centre in St Vincent’s University Hospital and an associated centre in Cork University Hospital. All hospitals can refer to these centres. The NCCP is working to further develop and streamline pancreatic cancer pathways from primary through to tertiary care with the objective of improving the time to diagnosis and treatment.
Furthermore, the NCCP genomic test directory for cancer, first published in July 2024 has now been expanded to include pancreatic cancer. The test directory comprises a list of clinical indications for genomic testing for cancer patients and is focused on clinically actionable findings.
The NCCP supports healthcare professionals in recognising and managing non-specific symptoms of cancer, including those that could indicate pancreatic cancer. The NCCP also works to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer among the public.
858. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to examine the special circumstances of a medical card applicant and issue a full card to them (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31977/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
859. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health if she will expedite and accept the appeal of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31983/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter and under 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, this question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
860. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health given that the review of the operation of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 was to be initiated by 17 April 2026; the terms of reference/parameters for the review and will they be published; who will conduct the review; the way in which the views of stakeholders will be incorporated; the timeline for initiation and completion of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31998/26]
View answerIn line with statutory commitments my Department has commenced work on a review of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024. As set out in the legislation, the review will focus on operation of the Act in practice and will involve engagement with relevant stakeholders in relation to their experience of the functioning of the Act. The findings of the review will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
861. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health given the investment by the State over decades in residential homes managed by St John of Gods Order, if she considers it appropriate that one of these properties in her constituency is for sale on the residential market, presumably to be sold to the highest bidder, when residential places for older people in need of care and respite are at such a premium; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32004/26]
View answer862. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a full breakdown of all expenditure incurred by the HSE in respect of the health performance visualisation platform and the integrated information service, system programme, by recipient or contractor, amount paid or committed and the function or purpose for which the payment was made, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32020/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
863. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the local mental health services available to a young person aged 18 to 30 years of age in the Gorey, north Wexford area; if such services are available 24/7; the length of waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32021/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
864. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the local mental health services available to a young person aged 18 to 30 years of age in the Arklow, south Wicklow area; if such services are available 24/7; the length of waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32022/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
865. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to establish a CAMHS team to serve north Wexford, based in Gorey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32023/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
866. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the number of certified athletic therapists practicing in Ireland; the level of training and professional structure under which they operate; the extent to which her Department and the HSE have engaged with this cohort in the context of musculoskeletal service provision; and if she will outline any plans to consider their potential role in supporting the delivery of care and addressing waiting lists in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32052/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
867. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for diagnostic imaging tests at the end of quarter 1 2025 and 2026, in tabular form. [32064/26]
View answerWaiting times for radiology and diagnostic services have been recognised as an issue for some time. This Government is committed to the implementation of the 2017 Sláintecare Report, which includes a maximum waiting time target of 10 days for a diagnostic test.
The roll out of National digital platforms such as the National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) and the National Laboratory Information System (MedLIS) are reducing duplication, improving diagnostic accuracy, and enabling secure, rapid information sharing across all public hospitals. In 2026, the use of digital diagnostic tools will be further expanded under the Productivity and Savings Taskforce Action Plan to increase the number of diagnostic scans, alongside measures to improve the utilisation of diagnostic equipment supporting increased diagnostic capacity.
The NTPF is working to support access to radiology and in October 2024 it published a National Radiology Diagnostic Waiting List Management Protocol. As well as ensuring that patients seeking access to Radiology Diagnostic services are administratively managed in a safe, timely, fair, and equitable manner whilst waiting, the protocol will facilitate improved data collection and reporting about patients on Radiology Diagnostic waiting lists.
In the interim, the information that is currently being collected as part of a pilot project is being tested and validated at hospital, hospital region and national level and as such should not be used/reported without the context of the caveats set out below:
• Data is subject to inclusions and exclusions which are documented in the Data Profile Document. This document is available from Acute Operations and has been circulated to all Hospital Regions.
• Data contains urgent, routine and surveillance/planned activity which is currently not broken down in detail, as such this includes surveillance/planned activity which may not be exceeding planned date.
• Data is still undergoing validation at Hospital and Hospital Region level. Data does not take into account local nuances at site level (Site profile developed to support understanding of same).
• The purpose of this aggregate data is to provide a National Level overview of the number of patients waiting for modalities of CT, MRI and Ultrasound.
• This report is not intended to be used for the active management of hospital diagnostics waiting list, local reports and mechanisms should continue to be used for the management of diagnostics waiting lists at hospital level.
The NTPF provides my Department with quarterly reports which set out waiting list data for CT, MRI and Ultrasound by hospital and time band.
The report for Quarter 1 2025 was provided to the Deputy as part of a response to a previous PQ. The report for the end of Quarter 1 2026 , which is attached, indicates there was a total of 274,014 patients reported on the waiting list, this represents all outpatients waiting, urgent, semi urgent, routine and planned/surveillance (where diagnostic access is planned at particular time intervals). The NTPF has advised that, due to a system upgrade, they did not receive diagnostic data for the Q1 report from Bantry General Hospital, Mallow General Hospital or Cork University Hospital.
868. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken by the HSE to address the ongoing vacancy of a consultant ophthalmologist in south Tipperary; the number of recruitment campaigns undertaken to fill this post and their outcomes; the reason no candidates have been successfully appointed to date; the current waiting list figures for ophthalmology services in south Tipperary; the interim measures in place to provide care to patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32072/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
869. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the specific barriers that have prevented the appointment of a consultant ophthalmologist in south Tipperary despite multiple recruitment campaigns; whether consideration has been given to alternative recruitment models, including international recruitment or contract flexibility; and the timeline for the next recruitment campaign. [32073/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
870. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when additional emergency medical consultants will be appointed at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32098/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
871. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to delays in the sign off of fertility treatment by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (details supplied); the actions she will take to address this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32100/26]
View answer872. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to significant delays in the sign off of fertility treatment for a family (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure they are supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32101/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 871 and 872 together.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (the HPRA) is Ireland’s competent authority for the regulation of tissues and cells and has responsibility for authorisation of the assisted human reproduction facilities which operate in Ireland.
By way of overview, the regulation of processes that impact the quality and safety of tissues and cells in Ireland is conducted as part of the EU system of licencing and inspection.
Under Irish regulation, companies and healthcare facilities that provide ‘prescribed activities’ which refer to the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage or distribution of tissues or cells for human applications must hold a Tissue Establishment Authorisation (TEA) issued by the HPRA.
Where a company subsequently seeks to introduce new processes or amend an existing process, an application for a TEA variation must be made to the HPRA. Where it is considered that the changes represent a significant change an inspection may be considered. Whilst there is no legislative timeline set out in the statutory instrument [Statutory Instrument No. 158/2006 European Communities (Quality and Safety of Human Tissues and Cells) Regulations 2006] the HPRA’s internal procedures require that the variation process should be completed within 90 days from receipt of the variation application by the HPRA, taking account of clock-stops in the event that a further input from the applicant is required.
My Department has been in contact with the HPRA and it is my understanding that the variation application for the fertility treatment the Deputy has referred to was received by the HPRA on 9th March this year. It was technically assessed and further information was requested on 30th April, which is 52 days after receipt of the application. The HPRA request for additional details does introduce a clock-stop on the assessment timeline which will restart on the day the clinic submits its responses.
I trust this answers the Deputy’s query.
873. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the number of radiographer clinical practice tutor posts currently filled within the HSE; the number of such posts filled, by hospital, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32113/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
874. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2027 of increasing the number of general practice training places to 465; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32114/26]
View answerTo increase the number of GPs working in the country and thereby improve access to GP services, the annual intake of doctors into the GP training programme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available since 2024. The number of new entrant training places is to increase again this year by 50 places to 400.
Based on 2025 figures, the annual cost of one doctor on the GP training programme is approximately €145,000. Accordingly, the cost of increasing the number of GP training places by a further 65 places to 465 places would be approximately €9.43 million.
It is important to note that capacity to increase the number of GP trainees must be built through the health service, as for the first two years of training GP trainees rotate through a variety of hospital specialities. An increase in GP trainers may also be required, which would involve an additional cost to be determined. Expanding the number of places available for GP trainees may also carry other additional costs which cannot be quantified at this time.
875. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent consultant breast surgeons employed at Cork University Hospital as of 28 April 2026; the corresponding number as of 30 June 2022, in tabular form. [32119/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
876. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of all Minor Injuries Clinics operating within Cork city and county under the HSE; the number of whole-time equivalent staff assigned to each clinic, broken down by job title, in tabular form. [32120/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
