Emer Currie
Question:1138. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if a matter (details supplied) will be clarified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32813/26]
View answerMental Health Services
Questions (1138)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1139, 1142)
Sorca Clarke
Question:1139. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the level of funding allocated to Mental Health Services in County Donegal in the years of 2024, 2025 and 2026, in tabular form. [32815/26]
View answerSorca Clarke
Question:1142. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the level of funding allocated to mental health services in County Louth in each of the years of 2024, 2025 and 2026, in tabular form. [32819/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1139 and 1142 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1140)
Sorca Clarke
Question:1140. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if each model 4 hospital accident and emergency department has mental health nursing staff on site after 5pm on weekdays and on weekends and bank holidays; the number of WTE mental health staff that are available for each of those model 4 hospitals, in tabular form. [32817/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1141)
Sorca Clarke
Question:1141. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE registrars in plastic surgery based at the Mater Hospital as of 28 April 2026, in tabular form. [32818/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Question No. 1142 answered with Question No. 1139.
Dental Services
Questions (1143)
Sorca Clarke
Question:1143. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dental nurses and dental hygienists posts filled at Longford dental clinic as of 29 April 2026, in tabular form. [32820/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Tobacco Control Measures
Questions (1144, 1147)
Colm Burke
Question:1144. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether Ireland intends to use its Presidency of the Council of the European Union to advocate for the inclusion of provisions within any revised tobacco products directive that would permit member states to introduce generational tobacco sales restrictions, similar to those enacted in the United Kingdom under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2025; whether her Department has carried out any assessment of the legal compatibility of such measures with the current EU treaty framework and internal market provisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32831/26]
View answerColm Burke
Question:1147. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health in light of the European Commission's evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive published on 2 April 2026, which found that smoking prevalence across the EU has fallen from 28% in 2012 to 24% in 2023 but that the interim goal of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan to achieve a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2025 has not been met; the additional measures she believes are necessary at EU level to accelerate progress. [32834/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1144 and 1147 together.
I welcome the publication of the European Commission's evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework. It is a further step towards a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive, which is urgently needed to achieve the EU's goal of a smoking prevalence of less than 5% by 2040.
Irrespective of the Presidency’s national position on a file, the Presidency is, by definition, neutral. Its role is to act as an honest broker. The country holding the Presidency cannot favour either its own preferences or those of a particular Member State.
If the Commission publishes a proposal for a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive during the Irish Presidency, Ireland will be fully committed to progressing negotiations on this proposal in the second half of 2026.
Tobacco Control Measures
Questions (1145)
Colm Burke
Question:1145. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has submitted Ireland's health priorities for inclusion in the eighteen-month Trio Presidency programme being developed with Lithuania and Greece; if so, whether she will outline those priorities; whether the programme will address the regulation of tobacco and novel nicotine products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32832/26]
View answerWritten answers
The IE/LT/EL Trio policy programme is currently being prepared.
The Council Secretariat has now prepared a second draft of the IE/LT/EL Trio policy programme document, taking into account comments on the first draft of the document received from the three Trio partners, the European Commission and the European External Action Service, as well as discussions at the Brussels level.
The Programme is based on three main priorities, namely:
• A free and democartic Europe.
• A strong and secure Europe.
• A properous and competitive Europe.
Currently, the draft programme does not specifically address the regulation of tobacco and novel nicotine products, as it is a high-level strategic document, which do not refer to specific pieces of EU legislation.
To-date, my Department has pro-actively contributed, and will continue to contribute to the review of ther various iterations of the Programme, to ensure that the Trio programme will reflect our objectives to:
• reinfiorce health security and system resilience through stronger preparedness, prevention and public health protection;
• support a healthy population and improving the quality of life of our citizens, which is an enabler for a healthy economy;
• advance ongoing efforts to further develop the European Health Union, strengthening Europe’s medical devices and health-related biotechnology ecosystems.
In relation to ireland's Health priorities for the Presidency:
The Strategic Agenda for the Union for 2024-29 sets out priorities and strategic orientations for the EU. It is structured around three pillars, broadly focused on values (a free and democratic Europe), security (a strong and secure Europe), and prosperity (a prosperous and competitive Europe). Ireland’s overall policy approach for the 2026 Presidency is being developed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade around these three priority themes.
Ireland’s Presidency Health Agenda will reflect this national and EU position, and aim at positioning health and competitiveness as mutually reinforcing priorities.
We will promote population health and wellbeing as a vital foundation for European security and competitiveness and highlight how innovation in health systems delivers better health outcomes for European citizens. We will advance the EU Life Sciences agenda and promote innovative and proactive healthcare that focusses on prevention and the roll out of digital health across the EU.
The Department of Health Presidency Programme aligns with:
• The European Commission Work Programme 2026 and its policy priorities.
• The Life Sciences Strategy ("Choose Europe for Life Sciences"), which drives competitiveness and sustainability in the pharmaceutical sector.
• The EU Commissions 2025 Winter Package published before Christmas 2025 which features the Biotech Act I, Proposals for updated Medical Devices Regulation and the EU Safe Heart Plan.
These developments are at the heart of Europe’s response to challenges and opportunities in the vital areas of pharma and medtech. Ireland has strengths in these areas in terms of our enterprise base and our work in the area of clinical trials. We are committed to competitiveness and to security of supply in these vital sectors through greater and more effective cooperation across the EU.
Ireland will work to strengthen the EU’s focus on population health and wellbeing to address public health challenges through proactive and preventative health measures. We also aim to promote health service improvement and cooperation through the roll out of EU Digital Health strategy (the European Health Data Space – EHDS).
Ireland's Presidency will drive progress on critical EU legislation that advances our health agenda.
The Biotech Act I (published in December 2025) is a strategic priority for EU competitiveness and sovereignty. The Act streamlines regulations across clinical trials, advanced therapy medicinal products, and biomanufacturing. It mobilises €10 billion in investment funding (2026–27) via the Biotech EU initiative with the European Investment Bank. Key measures include simplified clinical trial procedures, innovation support mechanisms, and biosecurity safeguards. This flagship legislation will dominate health policy discussions during our Presidency.
The Medical Devices Regulation & In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (amendments published in December 2025) will simplify and modernise device approval while maintaining patient safety. Expected outcomes include €3–5 billion in annual cost savings for manufacturers, faster patient access to innovative devices, and reduced shortages of critical medical equipment.
The EU Safe Heart Plan aims to reduce premature cardiovascular deaths by 25% by 2035 through improved prevention, screening, and treatment across all Member States. The plan emphasises shifting from treatment to prevention, and among other things calls for stronger action against tobacco and smoking.
Other ongoing files expected to progress during our Presidency include the Critical Medicines Act, the WHO Pandemic Agreement Annex on Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing, and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism reform, if not completed during the Cyprus Presidency.
Tobacco Control Measures
Questions (1146)
Colm Burke
Question:1146. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether Ireland intends to seek Council conclusions on tobacco control during its Presidency; if so, the proposed scope of such conclusions; whether such conclusions would address the regulatory treatment of novel nicotine products; and whether she has consulted with other Member States on this matter. [32833/26]
View answerWritten answers
No Council Conclusions on Tobacco Control are expected during Ireland's Presidency, as we are waiting the publication of the Revised Tobacco Products Directive by the European Commission in late 2026.
Ireland strongly supports the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive and has previously urged the Commission to publish a proposal as soon as possible. Irish priorities for the Directive, in line with our national policy, would be strong tobacco “endgame” measures to reach the EU’s target of a smoke free generation by 2040, a ban on cross-border distance sales, and harmonised regulation of all nicotine products to reduce youth use. While Ireland is developing domestic measures in these areas, EU-level regulation would have the greatest impact.
Ireland led on an AOB for the formal meeting of the EPSCO (Health) Council of 20 June 2025, on the "continued and urgent call for action at EU level to protect young people from harm caused by novel tobacco and nicotine products, in particular e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches", which was submitted with the support of Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain.
I also discussed with the other Ministers of Health, "the impact of novel tobacco and nicotine products such as vapes and pouches on the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents", during the working lunch of the formal meeting of the EPSCO (Health) Council of 02 December 2025.
The ‘Safe Hearts’ Plan, published in December 2025, signalled that the European Commission will publish a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive in 2026. It is not expected before Q4, which is disappointing as this would have been a priority file for the Irish Presidency.
On 2 April 2026, the Commission published its Staff Working Document on the evaluation (see https://health.ec.europa.eu/tobacco/evaluation-legislative-framework-tobacco-control_en). The evaluation found that the EU rules on tobacco control have contributed to a significant decline in smoking and tobacco-related deaths across the EU, as well as supporting the internal market. At the same time, the evaluation highlights growing challenges linked to the rapid emergence of novel tobacco and nicotine products, particularly among young people.
On the basis of this evaluation, the Commission will now carry out an impact assessment and continue the wide-scale consultation process, in view of further policy actions Asset out in the Safe Hearts Plan, the Commission intends to propose, in 2026, a revision of the legislative framework on tobacco control.
Realistically the earliest we could expect to see a legislative proposal for a revision of the tobacco legislation is mid-December 2026 – too late for the Irish Presidency.
Question No. 1147 answered with Question No. 1144.
Ambulance Service
Questions (1148)
Willie O'Dea
Question:1148. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that paramedics with the National Ambulance Service based in Dooradoyle, Limerick, intend to go on strike on 12 May 2026; her plans to intervene to attempt to resolve this dispute; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32868/26]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE and the Department of Health have engaged extensively, constructively and in good faith with staff representatives for more than two years to address the issues raised in the National Ambulance Service. That engagement has taken place through the State’s established industrial relations machinery, including the WRC and the Labour Court, and within the framework of the Public Service Agreement.
A comprehensive and independently brokered set of proposals emerged from that process. These included significant pay improvements for staff - between 3% and 14% - on top of the 9.25% pay increases already provided for under the Public Service Agreement. Crucially, those pay increases were linked to agreed reforms. The HSE and my Department accepted the proposals, and the subsequent Labour Court recommendation, in full, and both SIPTU and UNITE recommended them to their members at the time. While union leadership initially endorsed the proposals and recommended them to members, they were subsequently rejected in a ballot. The difficulty is that they are now seeking to secure all the pay increases while resisting delivery of the associated reforms, which is not consistent with how these matters were independently resolved through the State’s industrial relations framework.
Those reforms are essential because they deliver real benefits for patients and service delivery, including faster response times, more ambulances available through modern crewing arrangements, greater flexibility across the service, and the ability to treat more patients safely in the most appropriate setting.
My Department remain open to further engagement through the State’s industrial relations machinery to find a resolution to this matter. We encourage all parties to engage in this process. However, as this is an ongoing industrial relations dispute, it would not be appropriate for me to provide further comment at this time.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Questions (1149, 1153, 1154, 1155, 1156)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:1149. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the review of insourcing published on 1 July 2025 included any quantified modelling of the impact of cessation on waiting list volumes and waiting times; and if so, to provide the outputs of that modelling. [32884/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:1153. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any risk assessment was conducted regarding potential increases in waiting times or patient deterioration following the cessation of insourcing; and if so, to provide details. [32888/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:1154. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any patients previously scheduled for treatment under insourcing arrangements have experienced delays or rescheduling as a result of the policy change; and if so, the number affected. [32889/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:1155. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a comparative cost per procedure between third-party insourcing, outsourcing via the National Treatment Purchase Fund, and direct in-house provision for the most common procedures. [32890/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:1156. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any clinical governance incidents, adverse outcomes, or audit findings relating to third-party insourcing informed the decision to cease its use; and if so, to provide details. [32891/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1149, 1153, 1154, 1155 and 1156 together.
As previously advised, in light of concerns about an overreliance in the system on supplementary capacity, last year I asked the HSE CEO to undertake a detailed survey of all insourcing activity within the HSE.
The review considered the background to, impact of, and future use of insourcing and outsourcing, with a specific focus on third-party insourcing. It also considered the reasons, benefits and safeguards in relation to third-party insourcing, and examined volume and costs. I published the full review on 1st July last year.
Given the quantum of activity related to 3rd party insourcing as outlined in the CEO’s report it is not considered that the enhanced control measures introduced last year to restrict the practice or its cessation from the end of June this year would materially affect scheduled care performance.
The HSE has many initiatives underway which will support the removal of third-party insourcing including clinical pathways, regional capacity, productivity measures, POCC, 5/7etc., and ongoing NTPF and HSE commissioning opportunities.
The current volume of third-party insourcing is not material, with less than 1% of activity in the first quarter provided in this manner as advised by the Regions.
I have asked the HSE to provide information relating to costs in respect of third party insourcing and direct inhouse provision. The NTPF has advised my Department that it is not possible to provide figures at procedure level as this would disclose commercially sensitive pricing information and releasing this information could affect the State’s ability to secure value-for-money services in future procurements.
Departmental Data
Questions (1150)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:1150. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to specify the total volume of procedures, outpatient appointments, and diagnostic interventions delivered through third-party insourcing in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, and the proportion this represented of total activity. [32885/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (1151)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:1151. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the clinical specialties and procedures in which third-party insourcing was utilised prior to its reduction; and whether equivalent in-house capacity now exists in each category. [32886/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (1152)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:1152. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of additional theatre sessions, outpatient clinics, and diagnostic capacity units that have been added within the public system in 2025 and 2026 to replace insourcing activity. [32887/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.