Written Answers Nos. 506-527
506. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide a breakdown of spending on advertising which was funded or overseen by her Department, and bodies under its aegis, in each of the past five, including a breakdown by medium that is radio, television, social media, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36483/26]
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.
507. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health whether the Government is considering the repeal or amendment of Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, which criminalises simple possession of drugs for personal use; whether discussions have taken place with An Garda Siochana regarding this; the current Government position on decriminalisation or diversion-based models; and the reasons underpinning that position. [36445/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government ‘Securing Ireland’s Future’ reaffirms the Government’s commitment to a health led approach to drugs use. It commits to divert those found in possession of drugs for personal use to health services.
I and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, have agreed that the Health Diversion Scheme will commence on an administrative basis. An Garda Síochána (AGS) are responsible for referring people found in possession of drugs for personal use to the HSE under the scheme. In turn, the HSE will provide a screening and brief intervention on drug use on a voluntary basis to everyone referred under the scheme through a regional network of health care practitioners.
AGS are finalising the operational details of how the referral will work. Once we have sign-off on this, the scheme will commence at a national level.
The scheme is in line with the recommendation of the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use for a comprehensive health-led approach.
There is no requirement for legislative changes regarding the possession of drugs for personal use, including cannabis, for the operation of the health diversion scheme. Rather, the approach will depenalise the possession of drugs for personal use, in line with approaches in many European countries, so that individuals can avoid a criminal prosecution.
It is my belief that the health-led approach to drug use which underpins the health diversion scheme, will lead to positive outcomes for individuals, communities and society.
508. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of children that required repeat surgery due to retained surgical items left in their bodies, for each of the last ten years; and to detail the categories of items retained in the children’s bodies. [35811/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
509. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health whether any children suffered permanent injury or complications as a result of items left inside their bodies during operations; and whether any deaths occur following repeat surgery or complications associated with retained surgical items, in each of the last ten years; and if so, the number. [35812/26]
View answerAs this is an operational manner, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible
510. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health whether all families affected by the leaving of foreign items inside children’s bodies after operations by CHI in the last ten years were fully informed. [35813/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
511. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health whether any independent external review or audit has taken place of occasions where foreign items were left in children’s bodies after operations by CHI in the last ten years; and if the NIMIS system was actively operational and functioning correctly at the time of these procedures. [35814/26]
View answerAs this is an operational manner, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
512. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with unions to address a dispute and implement the recommendations of the McHugh/Crabtree report for paramedics (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35815/26]
View answerIt is regrettable that SIPTU and Unite members in NAS have chosen to proceed with industrial action. Any such industrial action has the potential to significantly impact service capacity and risks disruption to emergency care and timely access to life saving services. The only way to resolve this matter is through dialogue and we urge the unions to re-engage with the NAS and HSE to find a resolution
The HSE has agreed contingency plans with the Trade Unions to protect life-threatening emergencies and prioritise patients based on clinical need. The State accepts that pay structures need to be modernised and previous engagement at the WRC concluded with the State offering pay increases of 3-14% linked to reform. This is on top of the 9.25% increase under the current Public Service Agreement. While union leadership recommended this proposal to their members, it was rejected by staff following a ballot, but the HSE remains available to meet and engage again with the unions.
The issue now is that staff are looking for pay increases without the implementation of the key reforms which were an integral part of discussions between HSE and unions at the WRC. While we want NAS staff to receive these pay increases as quickly as possible, these reforms are essential to improving services and patient outcomes. These reforms are important because they will deliver better care for patients in the right place - in some cases avoiding the need to go to hospital - faster response times, more ambulances on the road, better deployment of staff to safely treat more people, with the right training and ongoing professional development to support them.
In this context, it is deeply concerning that industrial action, which would be a breach of the Public Service Agreement, is now being contemplated. Patient safety and continuity of emergency care must remain the overriding priority. The HSE and the Department of Health remain ready and available to re-engage through the WRC and Labour Court processes, and we strongly urge SIPTU and UNITE to return to those mechanisms in the interests of patients, staff and the wider public.
513. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 713 of 6 May 2026, to provide clarity and further information (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35817/26]
View answerThe issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and should be directed to that Department.
514. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if the currently used RSV vaccination will continue to be administered going forward for children born during the winter months of September to February; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35818/26]
View answer515. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if, following the completion of the pilot programme for the RSV vaccination, a decision has been reached to include this vaccination in the long-term national immunisation programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35819/26]
View answer516. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been reached regarding the inclusion of the RSV vaccination in the long-term national programme; if she will outline the expected timeframe for when this decision will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35820/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 514, 515 and 516 together.
Ireland'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.
517. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health the number of GP practices that have been identified to receive the Social Deprivation Practice Support Grant for GMS for the 2025-2027 term; to list the name and locations of each of those practices; the level of funding allocation provided to each of those practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35827/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
518. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health the total number of practices that applied for the Social Deprivation Practice Support Grant for GMS for the 2025-2027 term; appeals process that exist for those who were not selected; the way in which those appeals will be adjudicated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35828/26]
View answerThe 2019 GP Agreement between the Department of Health, the HSE, and the IMO introduced a social deprivation grant to support GPs in socially deprived urban areas to provide additional services. The grant can be used to cover the costs associated with additional clinical supports such as increased doctor or nurse hours, increased key worker hours, or additional counselling hours to meet the needs of patients within the practice.
It was set out in the Agreement that the GPs to receive the grant would be identified on the basis of a recognised deprivation index. However, work to identify those practices was delayed by the Covid Pandemic. Grants were therefore allocated in the years 2020 to 2024 on the basis of applications received from GPs.
In late 2025, the HSE, the Department of Health, the GP representative body and representatives of GPs working in areas of deprivation reached agreement to improve the targeting of the social deprivation grant, as required by the 2019 Agreement.
There is no application and appeals process for the 2025-2027 term. The grant is now allocated using a data analysis approach, based on GEO coding of patients’ places of residence and referencing those to their GP practices to identify the most socially deprived GP panels held by GMS GPs across the country.
GPs receive the grant each year on a three-year basis, providing funding security for the practice. After the three-year period, it is envisioned that GEO coding analysis will re-identify the most socially deprived GMS panels whose GP will receive the grant over the next term.
The HSE, GP representatives and representatives of GPs working in areas of deprivation, and the Department of Health will carry out a “look back” exercise of the grant allocation process before the end of 2026, with a view to ensuring that the current approach is effective and reaches those most in need.
519. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if melatonin and magnesium preparations are currently covered under the long-term illness scheme; if they were previously included; if so, the date and basis on which they were removed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35829/26]
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.
520. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if she will undertake a review of the clinical and policy basis for excluding melatonin and magnesium from the long-term illness scheme; and if she will consider reinstating these medications to the approved list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35830/26]
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.
521. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if her Department has assessed the impact on patients, particularly those with neurological, developmental, or sleep-related conditions, of melatonin and magnesium not being covered under the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35831/26]
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.
522. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland’s plan to increase fees by 42% when inflation is forecast at significantly lower that this; if she considers this to be proportionate to what pharmacies facing 3% CPI can reasonably absorb; if she will stay the Statutory Instrument pending clarity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35838/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this question.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is a statutory regulator established under the Pharmacy Act 2007 and funded primarily through registrant fees. Any amendment to PSI fee rules requires the approval of the Minister for Health.
Under the PSI Corporate Strategy 2025-2028 the PSI Council committed to undertaking a Core Funding Review. The purpose of the Core Funding Review was to enable the Council of the PSI to safeguard the long-term financial stability and sustainability to support the ongoing operation of the organisation and to assess the strategic financial direction of the PSI. A key objective was to confirm that PSI’s fee model operates on a cost-recovery basis, in line with best practice for regulatory bodies, to support the delivery of its statutory functions and ensure public confidence in the standard of services received in pharmacies and by pharmacists.
The review was carried out by Mazars and the associated Core Funding Review Report highlighted that PSI is currently operating at a deficit and that, without corrective action, its capacity to deliver statutory functions—including inspections, complaints handling and other regulatory activity—would be at risk. The review recommends a baseline fee increase of 41.75% across all fee categories (except TCQR related fees as they were recently increased) to restore financial sustainability.
The review also recognised the scale of the proposed increase and recommended that, subject to legislative constraints, options to reduce the first-year impact should be examined, including phasing implementation over a 2–3 year period, and that this should be considered in consultation with the Department of Health, noting that phasing would increase pressure on PSI reserves.
The phased implementation of the 41.75% increase over 3 years was recommended by the Council of the PSI to address some of the feedback that came from the public consultation process. There has been no increase in registration fees since the establishment of the Fees Model in 2008; however, there were two fee reductions in 2010 and 2014. As part of the Core Funding Review, CPI was applied to the original fees set in 2008 and showed that CPI increased by 24.1% over that period (2008-2025), with no upward revision to PSI fee levels. It also concludes that if fees had risen in line with CPI over that period, then the proposed fee would be €558, which is higher than the proposed fee of €539, which is being introduced on a phased basis over 3 years.
The Department considered the proposed fees increase from the PSI in that context, having regard to the evidence in the Core Funding Review, the results from the public consultation, PSI’s ability to discharge its statutory functions, governance and value-for-money considerations, and the impact on registrants and agreed the approach to phase the implementation of the increase over 3 years.
523. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the basis on which the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland has determined that a 42% increase in registration fees over three years is proportionate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35839/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this question.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is a statutory regulator established under the Pharmacy Act 2007 and is primarily funded through registrant fees. The proposed fee increases are informed by the independent Core Funding Review (October 2025), which concluded that PSI is already in operating deficit, that reserves are being drawn down, and that without intervention, PSI risks being unable to deliver core statutory functions.
The Review modelled PSI’s income and expenditure to 2029 and assessed a number of scenarios. It concluded that, under its baseline scenario, a 41.75% increase across all fee categories is required to achieve financial sustainability (defined in the modelling as an average annual surplus of €0.3m over 2026–2029) and to enable PSI to deliver its statutory functions and planned work programme. The Review also notes that the recommended increase reflects principles underpinning the fee model, including full cost recovery, value for money, evidence-based decision-making, and equity, and that alternative funding options were examined but not considered viable to address the structural funding gap within the required timeframe.
The Review further recognised the scale of the increase and recommended that, subject to legislative constraints, options to reduce the year-one impact, including phasing over 2–3 years, should be examined, noting the implications for reserves.
524. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the fact that pay costs at the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland have increased by 35% since 2021 and now absorb 55 cent of every euro received by the organisation; if she is satisfied that this level of administrative expenditure represents value for money for registrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35840/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this question.
The PSI is the statutory regulator for pharmacists and pharmacies under the Pharmacy Act 2007 and operates for public accountability purposes under the aegis of the Minister for Health.
As an independent statutory body, the PSI is responsible for managing its resources, including staffing levels, in a manner that supports delivery of its statutory functions and strategic priorities.
My Department has engaged with the PSI in relation to its financial position, including the independent Core Funding Review undertaken in 2025. That review found that the PSI’s operating costs have increased in recent years, with pay costs being a significant component, driven by increased staffing levels and public service pay developments, alongside growing regulatory workload and strategic investment requirements (including digital transformation and enhancements to regulatory capacity).
The review also indicated that the PSI has moved into operating deficit in recent years, resulting in a drawdown of reserves, and that action is required to ensure the organisation’s ongoing sustainability and ability to discharge its statutory remit.
In relation to value for money, the PSI, as a public body, is required to operate in accordance with public financial governance and procurement requirements and to demonstrate that expenditure is aligned to its statutory mandate and delivery of regulatory functions, including inspection, registration, fitness-to-practise processes, public protection activity, and the delivery of reforms arising from wider health policy developments.
My Department will continue to engage with the PSI regarding its funding model, expenditure profile and governance arrangements, including the implementation of recommendations arising from the Core Funding Review.
|
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Staff Employed |
44 |
43 |
46 |
49 |
|
Staff Earning over €60K |
16 |
18 |
24 |
30 |
525. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland in each of the years 2021 to 2024; the number earning over €60,000 in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35841/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland comes under the aegis of the Department of Health I have engaged with them to supply the below information.
|
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Staff Employed |
44 |
43 |
46 |
49 |
|
Staff Earning over €60K |
16 |
18 |
24 |
30 |
526. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her Department carried out any independent assessment of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland's proposed fee increase before the relevant Statutory Instrument was prepared; if so, the findings of that assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35842/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising the question.
The PSI is the statutory regulator for pharmacists and pharmacies under the Pharmacy Act 2007 and operate for public accountability purposes under the aegis of the Minister for Health.
The PSI conducted an SME regulatory impact assessment prior to submission to my Department and also carried out a proportionality assessment as part of the public consultation exercise on proposed changes to the PSI Fees Rules.
For more information relating to this please see PSI's website where the Consultation Report is published.
527. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will consider requiring the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to phase its fee increases in line with CPI projections rather than implementing a 42% increase over three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35843/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this question.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is a statutory regulator established under the Pharmacy Act 2007 and funded primarily through registrant fees. Any amendment to PSI fee rules requires the approval of the Minister for Health.
Under the PSI's Corporate Strategy 2025-2028, the PSI Council committed to undertaking a Core Funding Review. The purpose of the Core Funding Review was to enable the Council of the PSI to safeguard the long-term financial stability and sustainability to support the ongoing operation of the organisation and to assess the strategic financial direction of the PSI. A key objective was to ensure that PSI’s fee model operates on a cost-recovery basis, in line with best practice for regulatory bodies, supporting the delivery of its statutory functions to ensure public confidence in the standard of services received in pharmacies and by pharmacists.
The review was carried out by Mazars and the associated Core Funding Review Report highlighted that PSI is currently operating at a deficit and that, without corrective action, its capacity to deliver statutory functions—including inspections, complaints handling and other regulatory activity—would be at risk. The review recommends a baseline fee increase of 41.75% across all fee categories (except TCQR-related fees, which were recently increased) to restore financial sustainability.
The review also recognised the scale of the proposed increase and recommended that, subject to legislative constraints, options to reduce the first-year impact should be examined, including phasing implementation over a 2–3 year period, and that this should be considered in consultation with the Department of Health, noting that phasing would increase pressure on PSI reserves.
The Council of the PSI recommended the phased implementation of a 41.75% increase over 3 years to address some of the feedback from the public consultation process. There has been no increase in registration fees since the establishment of the Fees Model in 2008; however, there were two fee reductions in 2010 and 2014.
As part of the Core Funding Review, CPI was applied to the original fees set in 2008 and showed that CPI increased by 24.1% over that period (2008-2025), with no upward revision to PSI fee levels. It also concluded that if fees had risen in line with CPI over that period, the proposed fee would be €558, which is higher than the €539 fee being introduced on a phased basis over 3 years.
My Department will continue to engage with PSI to ascertain the impact of the fee increase through its governance oversight functions.
