Written Answers Nos. 554-574
554. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to clarify which Department, agency or statutory body has responsibility for the provision of funding to community-based counselling and psychotherapy charities delivering low-cost mental health supports to the public; and if she will outline the recognised pathway by which such organisations may secure recurring State funding. [33868/26]
View answer555. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether funding is currently available under the national mental health strategy for community-led early intervention counselling and psychotherapy services; and if she will provide details of the relevant budget lines, grant schemes or commissioning arrangements which support prevention and early intervention mental health services outside of HSE directly delivered services. [33869/26]
View answer556. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has considered the establishment of a dedicated national funding scheme to support community-based counselling and psychotherapy charities; and if she will provide an update on any work underway in this regard. [33870/26]
View answer558. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what funding streams or supports are currently available to registered charities providing counselling and psychotherapy services to children and adolescents; and if she will outline what measures are in place to expand community-led early intervention mental health supports for young people. [33872/26]
View answer559. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE provides funding, service level agreements or commissioning arrangements to community-based charities providing counselling and psychotherapy supports; and if she will outline the process by which a registered charity may apply to become eligible for HSE-funded service delivery. [33873/26]
View answer560. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE provides multi-annual or core operational funding to support the sustainability of community-based charities delivering counselling and mental health supports; and if she will provide details of any such funding mechanisms currently in place. [33874/26]
View answer562. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether any dedicated funding stream currently exists to support community-based counselling and psychotherapy charities delivering low-cost services outside of the HSE; and if no such funding stream exists, to outline what funding routes are currently available to such organisations. [33876/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 554, 555, 556, 558, 559, 560 and 562 together.
As you may be aware, the Department of Health does not have a mechanism to directly fund community voluntary organisations that provide a social community service, with relevant funding come through the HSE via the section 39 provisions of the Health Act 2004.
HSE Mental Health Services funds many community voluntary organisations for the provision of services, including counselling and psychotherapy amongst other services and activites which support mental health.
Organisations may apply for section 39 funding to provide mental health services to or on behalf of the HSE at both local and national level, under a variety of supply arrangements. Under Section 39, the HSE may support any person or body that provides or proposes to provide a service similar or ancillary to a service that the HSE may provide.
All local community organisations seeking funding through the Section 39 scheme administered by local HSE Mental Health Services, must fulfil specific requirements for any potential funding application to be considered.
In any negotiations between HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, annual reports, governance arrangements and board of management details are required, so that HSE can undertake due diligence as part of consideration of any potential funding arrangements. For example, annual financial statements, and information on corporate and clinical governance would be required to be submitted before the HSE could consider any funding application.
The HSE are ready and available to provide guidance on work that any organisation may need to undertake to comply with the requirements of section 39 funding.
As Minister for Mental Health, I work each year to increase the amount of funding for counselling, suicide prevention, and other mental health services in our communities. Under Budget 2026, I allocated an additional €1m for community based therapy provision, further to the €2m from Budget 2025 to provide access to a suite of new talk therapies and counselling supports specifically tailored for men. Access to the services began from September 2025 and to date over 500 men have been supported.
The HSE have recently established a therapeutic interventions service improvement programme board (TISIP). The programme board will provide consolidated leadership and governance for therapeutic interventions across the whole health system, with the aim of increasing capacity, and facilitating access to, high quality integrated supports and services for all who require them.
Specifically, the TISIP will provide
* The means to align efforts towards universally accessible talk therapies
* Greater consistency of approach and standards in service provision
* Stronger oversight and leadership
* Delivery models that are better integrated and coordinated from the outset, and can remove obstacles associated with levels of care if required and clinically appropriate
* Potential to further assess and develop partnership and multi-agency working, and shared-care arrangements
* A programme board to consider and review proposals for further investment in this area.
Future additional investment in counselling provision will be guided by a mapping of current services provided directly by the HSE or through organisations funded by HSE Mental Health and HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention. This investment will target identified gaps in service provision and take account of priority groups across the population.
It remains the case that prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE will need full and complete details on the corporate governance of an organisation, such as information on the board responsible for independent oversight of the management of an organisation; and on what clinical governance structures are in place. This is particularly important for any organisation which would potentially be providing talk therapies to vulnerable people on behalf of the HSE and as a recipient of public funding.
In addition, organisations can apply to HSE Mental Health Services for national lottery grant funding through the relevant local Community Health Organisation.
The Department of Disability, Children and Equality are also responsible for the funding of some community based counselling and therapy provision via Tusla, with a focus on youth and family supports.
Finally, Pobal also administers a number of funds on behalf of other Departments. Details of these can be found at: www.pobal.ie.
557. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of funding allocated in each of the past three years for community-based mental health supports in East Cork, including any funding provided to community counselling and psychotherapy providers; and if she will outline any planned service developments to address unmet need in the area. [33871/26]
View answer561. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of all current funding programmes, grant schemes or financial supports available through her department or the HSE to registered charities providing counselling, psychotherapy, and community-based mental health supports; and to confirm which schemes are expected to be open for application in 2026 or 2027. [33875/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 561 together.
As you may be aware, the Department of Health does not have a mechanism to fund community voluntary organisations that provide a social community service. However, there are several ways in which these organisations can seek funding.
Organisations may apply for section 39 funding to provide mental health services to or on behalf of the HSE at both local and national level, under a variety of supply arrangements. Under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE may support any person or body that provides or proposes to provide a service similar or ancillary to a service that the HSE may provide.
All local community organisations seeking funding through the Section 39 scheme administered by local HSE Mental Health Services, must fulfil specific requirements for any potential funding application to be considered.
In any negotiations between HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, annual reports, governance arrangements and board of management details are required, so that HSE can undertake due diligence as part of consideration of any potential funding arrangements. For example, annual financial statements, and information on corporate and clinical governance would be required to be submitted before the HSE could consider any funding application.
The HSE are ready and available to provide guidance on work that any organisation may need to undertake to comply with the requirements of section 39 funding.
As Minister for Mental Health, I work hard each year to increase the amount of funding for counselling, suicide prevention, and other mental health services in our communities. However, the Department of Health and the HSE will always require due diligence and appropriate oversight before funding can be transferred to any organisation.
It remains the case that prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE will need full and complete details on the corporate governance of an organisation, such as information on the board responsible for independent oversight of the management of an organisation; and on what clinical governance structures are in place. This is particularly important for any organisation which would potentially be providing talk therapies to vulnerable people on behalf of the HSE and as a recipient of public funding.
In addition, organisations can apply to HSE Mental Health Services for national lottery grant funding through the relevant local area.
Pobal also administers a number of funds on behalf of other Departments. Details of these can be found at: www.pobal.ie
As your query refers to operational issues, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to you.
563. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure orthodontal surgery is expedited for a person (details supplied). [33878/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
564. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be transferred to St. Vincents Hospital; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33880/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
565. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) antibody injection for newborn babies, amidst news that it is at risk of being discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33882/26]
View answerIreland's Immunisation Programme is informed by the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, (NIAC). NIAC considers the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland as well as international best practice in relation to immunisation when developing its advice.
My Department has agreed the scope of the RSV Infant Immunisation Pathfinder Programme for 2026/2027, which will be the same as for last season. That is, RSV immunisation will be offered to babies born in-season and infants aged 6 months old or younger at the start of the RSV season, in line with NIAC advice.
My Department is currently giving consideration to the findings and options set out in HIQA's recently published HTA on RSV immunisation for infant and adults, including operational and budgetary impacts, ahead of making a policy decision on a longer-term RSV Immunisation Strategy.
566. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the annual bill for agency staff in each acute hospital, per staff type, doctor, nursing, support grades and administration for 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33888/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
567. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the share of the total wage bill in each acute hospital that is attributable to agency staffing for 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33889/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
568. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the total professional fees paid to date to architects and design consultants involved in the National Children’s Hospital project; the basis on which those fees were calculated, including whether they were linked to a percentage of construction cost; the original estimated professional fees when the project was first approved at an estimated cost of approximately €800 million; the current projected total of such fees; and whether she will publish a breakdown of design revisions, plan changes and cost variations that contributed to increases in professional fees over the lifetime of the project. [33893/26]
View answer569. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board maintains records of the number and nature of revised architectural drawings and design changes issued during construction of the National Children’s Hospital; whether these revisions contributed to additional construction costs and delays; and if she will provide details of any value-for-money or performance reviews conducted in relation to architectural and design consultancy services on the project. [33894/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 568 and 569 together.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building, and equipping the National Children's Hospital Ireland. I have therefore referred your question concerning revised architectural drawings and design changes to the NPHDB for direct reply.
570. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the qualifying criteria for the critical illness protocol; if there is a defined list of medical conditions that qualify under this scheme; if those who contracted long-Covid while working on the frontlines during the pandemic for the HSE are eligible for this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33904/26]
View answerThe Critical Illness Protocol (CIP) provides extended paid sick leave for Irish public service employees facing serious illness or injury, allowing a maximum of 365 days of paid leave (183 days full pay, 182 days half pay) within a rolling four-year period. It is granted based on specific medical criteria or managerial discretion in exceptional circumstances. There is no specific list of illnesses.
A meeting took place on the 30th of April between the Taoiseach and the INMO and officials from the HSE and the Department of Health. The Taoiseach advised the HSE to look favourably on requests for Critical Illness payment for those who remain on the Sick leave scheme.
571. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of applications submitted under the critical illness protocol in each of the years 2021 to date; the number approved; the number refused; the number currently pending, with specific breakdowns for applications citing long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33905/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
572. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of amendments tabled to the Mental Health Bill 2024 at all stages, broken down by Government and opposition; the number of the amendments that were accepted, broken down by Government and opposition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33906/26]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the nature of the legislative process allows for amendments to be tabled at Committee and Report Stages in both the Dáil and Seanad and a single snapshot figure is not reflective of the overall final number of amendments, with some amendments ruled out of order and others being overwritten or amended by subsequent amendments.
The following gives an overview of amendments tabled to the Mental Health Bill 2024 in the Dáil and Seanad:
• Dáil Committee Stage – 299 amendments tabled, of which 231 were Government amendments (including over 100 typographical/drafting amendments and approx. 20 amendments following consultation with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DJHAM);
• Dáil Report Stage – 133 amendments tabled, of which 50 were Government amendments, all to correct typographical/cross referencing matters;
• Seanad Committee Stage – 400 amendments tabled, of which 316 were Government amendments (including approx. 140 typographical/drafting amendments and approx. 85 amendments following further consultation with DCDE);
• Seanad Report Stage – 328 amendments tabled, of which 312 were Government amendments (including approx. 200 typographical/drafting/cross referencing amendments, approx. 70 amendments following further consultation with DCDE and approx. 20 amendments following further consultation with DJHAM).
The Mental Health Bill 2024 completed its passage through the Houses on 29th April, with 492 Seanad amendments accepted, in addition to the 280 Government amendments previously accepted in the Dáil. One Opposition amendment was accepted at Seanad Committee Stage from Senator Frances Black, which related to the accessibility of information to be given to a person admitted to a registered acute mental health centre.
A significant number of amendments were introduced by the Government that were directly informed by debates in the Dáil and Seanad, and many of which mirror amendments tabled by Opposition (e.g., amendments in relation to 'pharmacological restraint'/'chemical restraint').
These amendments include:
• A right to be informed of any available advocacy supports following the admission of any individual (adult or child, voluntary or involuntary) to a registered acute mental health centre.
• Additional safeguards regarding consent to treatment provisions, including the introduction of mandatory time periods in which additional capacity assessments must be carried out (no longer than every 14 days) and the introduction of a maximum period of time in which the capacity assessment process must be concluded where treatment is being administered (no longer than 72 hours.)
• The prohibition of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) to those under 18.
• The introduction of two new sections empowering the Mental Health Commission to regulate pharmacological restraint.
• Additional safeguards in other areas of the Bill, including the use of restrictive practices and an increased threshold for the criteria for involuntary admission ('materially benefit' rather than 'benefit').
• An amendment to the guiding principles for children to make clearer the presumption of capacity for children aged 16 years and older.
573. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to list all mixed-sex and single-sex acute psychiatric wards across all hospitals here; and the plans towards the future development of single-sex acute psychiatric wards. [33916/26]
View answer574. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to set out the gender safety protocols that exist in acute psychiatric wards across all psychiatric facilities in the country. [33917/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 574 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
