Written Answers Nos. 1204-1228
1204. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on Action 12 of the HSE Position Paper on FASD Prevention, published in September 2022 (details supplied); the specific measures undertaken to date; the current status of implementation; the timelines for any outstanding elements due to be completed within five years of publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37623/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1205. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 482 of 24 September 2024 and 2415 of 8 September 2025, the progress made in arranging an operation for a patient (details supplied); if she will expedite the matter; if she will request a comprehensive report to explain this unacceptable delay; if she will intervene directly with the hospital and establish a date for the operation that will not be changed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37643/26]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1206. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a consultant post in a HSE service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37645/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1207. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the return of a CAMHS service in Ballinasloe, County Galway; the status of the business case for a consultant listed as a priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37646/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1208. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on HSE lands (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37647/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1209. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that 4,761 people were waiting for home support services in February 2025, primarily due to carer shortages; the current waiting list figure; the concrete measures being taken to address workforce shortages in home care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37650/26]
View answer1210. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the Government will complete the development and implementation of a full statutory home support scheme; the current timeline for the system design, funding model and regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37651/26]
View answer1211. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that delayed discharges caused over 145,000 lost bed days in 2025; the specific measures that are being put in place to reduce this figure; whether targets have been set for reduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37652/26]
View answerBed days lost within the hospital may arise when people are medically fit to leave hospital, but other factors are preventing the transfer of their care. Delayed discharge is driven by a range of factors, including the complexity of patients’ needs, the requirement for appropriate step-down or community supports, and capacity constraints in both acute and non-acute settings and these factors vary across the regions.
To the end of April this year our Emergency Departments have seen a 7% increase in attendances and a 5% increase in the number of patients waiting on Trolleys when compared to the same period last year.
This increase included a significant rise in presentations from older adults, with nearly 8,600 additional patients aged 75 years and over, placing further pressure on acute bed capacity and patient flow.
This rise in older adult presentations results in higher admission rates and longer lengths of stay.
Timely discharge is critical to maintaining patient flow and the efficient and effective utilisation of inpatient resources. We are investing in enhanced discharge planning, community supports, and step-down facilities to ensure patients can leave acute hospital settings safely and promptly.
Addressing delayed transfers of care is a core priority for my department and the HSE. The HSE are taking a whole-system approach to reducing the high levels of delayed transfers of care.
Under the National Service Plan 2026, the HSE has committed to a focused programme of actions aimed at alleviating discharge delays and ensuring patients receive care in the most appropriate setting. This includes:
• The delivery of 428 additional community beds and 177 additional acute beds nationally in 2026, with a particular emphasis on step-down, rehabilitation and older persons’ care, which are critical to reducing delayed transfers from acute hospitals.
• The expansion of Enhanced Community Care (ECC) teams across all Health Regions. These multidisciplinary teams support earlier discharge from hospital, deliver care closer to home, and reduce the risk of patients remaining in acute beds once medically fit for discharge.
• Extended service availability in the evenings and at weekends, including access to discharge planning, community supports and decision-makers, to address avoidable non-clinical delays to discharge.
• The expansion of alternatives to acute admission, which helps reduce pressure on inpatient beds. Virtual Wards are now operational or progressing in every region, navigation hubs are being developed, and frailty-at-the-front-door services such as EDITH are reducing avoidable admissions for older people.
• The SAFER bundle and the Plan for Every Patient are in place across most sites, supported by 7-day and 14-day length-of-stay reviews and strengthened operational huddles.
The HSE has recently published a Length of Stay Optimisation Guideline, which provides practical, evidence-based tools to support earlier, safe discharge and improved patient flow across hospital and community services.
The Department of Health, alongside the HSE, is developing a new Long-Term Residential Care Additional Capacity Plan, which will address public nursing home beds capacity and include dementia specific provisions, as committed to in the Programme for Government.
Reducing delayed discharges and associated bed days is a clear objective of these actions. The HSE has set a target of reducing Delayed Transfers of Care to 300 nationally, and is working to achieve a sustained reduction in 2026 through this whole-system approach. Performance in this area is being actively monitored at national and regional level.
I will continue to work closely with the HSE to ensure that these measures are implemented at pace and that we see measurable reductions in delayed discharges and improved access to care for patients.
1212. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason no definitive completion timeline for Sláintecare has been provided, despite the framework being proposed for implementation in 2021; the milestones that have been met to date; when a clear delivery schedule will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37653/26]
View answerSláintecare is the Government’s long-term programme of health reform to deliver a universal, accessible, affordable, person centred, safe and high-quality health and social care system, with access based on need rather than ability to pay. It is grounded in the 2017 All-Party Oireachtas Sláintecare Report and has been reaffirmed through successive Programmes for Government.
Implementation is now advancing under The Path to Universal Healthcare: Sláintecare and Programme for Government 2025+ (published May 2025), which provides a multi-annual framework for reform through to 2027. Sláintecare 2025+ builds on the successes of the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy 2018 and Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021 – 2023. (see www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/sláintecare-publications/)
Sláintecare has delivered fundamental structural and directional reforms, including expanded eligibility, growth in primary and community care, workforce expansion and the establishment of health regions, some recent examples include:
• In 2025, there was a reduction of 10% in the daily average 8am trolley figures, as compared to the previous year, equating to, on average, 30 fewer patients waiting on trolleys for an inpatient bed per day.
• In 2025, ECC teams continued to deliver significant community based multidisciplinary care to patients closer to home, with over 1.34 million patients seen by Community Healthcare Networks (CHNs).
• As of 31 December 2025, there were 3,286 consultants signed up to the POCC (1,098 new entrants and 2,188 change of contracts), equating to 2 out of 3 consultants (68%) working on the POCC.
• From June 2025, couples with one existing child in their relationship, and who meet all other current access criteria, can now access publicly funded Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) treatment including one full cycle of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
• In 2025, 2,824,592 home support hours were delivered to 6,282 disabled people to end October 2025. 1,259,822 personal assistance hours delivered to 2,231 disabled people to end October 2025.
• A total of 9 HSE surgical hubs are at various stages of development nationally. Two surgical hubs are now fully operational. The Reeves Day Surgery Centre, Tallaght University Hospital, opened in late 2020. The HSE Surgical Hub South Dublin opened at Mount Carmel in February 2025.
• Acute Virtual Wards (AVW) are now live in three HSE Health Regions: University Hospital Limerick, St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin and Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore. The AVWs have collectively admitted over 1,981 patients by end 2025, and have delivered over 17,808 bed days, freeing up capacity for patients who require more traditional care.
• The Health Information Bill, designed to ensure that Ireland has a fit-for-purpose national health information system that enhances patient care and treatment as well as supporting better planning and delivery of health services into the future, was signed into law April 2026.
• Expansion of pharmacy services, under Sláintecare, will increase access to care in the community, increase capacity across primary care and will further enable our pharmacists to utilise their significant training for the benefit of the wider healthcare service. Pharmacist prescribing, a further Sláintecare reform, will leverage pharmacists’ expertise to alleviate pressures in the health service, including on General Practice, and provide timely care for 8 common conditions.
The 2026 Sláintecare Action Plan, which is due to be published imminently, comprises 23 individual Sláintecare Projects and the milestones to be achieved on the path to achieving universal healthcare across three priority areas:
• Improve access
• Improve service quality
• Increase capacity
Underpinning the delivery of Sláintecare projects across these three areas, are critical enabling reform programmes.
Milestones are published highlighting the ongoing progress made in transforming our health and social care services to provide the Right Care, in the Right Place, at the Right Time on the departments website under www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/sláintecare-publications/. Approximately 400 deliverables are set out in the SCAP26 and implementation will be monitored to assess quarterly progress, by the Sláintecare Programme Management Office (SPMO), reporting to the Sláintecare Programme Board.
The Sláintecare Programme Board, which is co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the Department of Health and CEO of the HSE, meet quarterly to review Sláintecare Programme implementation progress.
The Programme Board has met 22 times since its first meeting in December 2021. Minutes of all meetings are published as a matter of course and can be found at this at this location: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fbc36-slaintecare-programme-board/
1213. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that malnutrition risk among older adults has increased by 59% since 2012, with ALONE recording a 34% rise in nutrition-related concerns in 2024; whether the Government will commit to the recommended €10 million investment in services (details supplied) and a national nutritional awareness campaign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37654/26]
View answer1214. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health given that loneliness is strongly associated with mental health difficulties and suicide risk among older people, when the Government will develop, fund and implement a national loneliness strategy; the Department that will hold responsibility for its delivery; the evaluation mechanisms that will be put in place to ensure accountability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37655/26]
View answerThe issue of loneliness is recognised by Government as a public health concern with clear links to poorer mental health outcomes, reduced wellbeing and increased risk of social isolation, particularly among older people. Governement are committed to supporting older people to continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible and to increasing the level of support available in our communities for Older People. This is a key priority for Government.
The Government is taking a broad, whole-of-government approach to addressing loneliness and social isolation in recognition of the importance of social connection, community participation and mental wellbeing across the life course.
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/national-implementation-and-monitoring-committee-steering-committee.– A Mental Health Policy for Everyone 2020–2030, recommends; improving links between primary care and specialist mental health services, consultation-liaison psychiatry, shared care models, efforts to better address the physical health needs of people accessing specialist mental health services within the primary care context, supports for positive aging and the development of a dedicated mental health promotion plan.
In December 2024, the Department of Health published www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/pathways-to-wellbeing-national-mental-health-promotion-plan. – Ireland’s National Mental Health Promotion Plan, which sets out a comprehensive framework for mental health promotion. A core priority of the Plan is strengthening community belonging and connectedness, addressing loneliness and isolation as key determinants of mental health, including among older people..A Phase 1 Implementation Plan (2026-2027) is due for publication in Q2 2026 and will set out a programme of cross-government actions to progress these objectives.
In parallel, work is underway on the development of a new www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/consultations/healthy-ireland-framework-public-consultation.(2026–2040), which will continue to address the social determinants of health, including loneliness and social isolation, at a population level through coordinated cross-government action.
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/campaigns/commission-on-care-for-older-people/.established in Ireland in March 2024, is tasked with examining and improving health and social care services, promoting independent living, and advising on future care models. It focuses on enabling older people to live in their homes longer, with a strong emphasis on community care.
While there is currently no standalone National Loneliness Strategy, the issue is being addressed through these integrated policy frameworks, recognising that loneliness intersects with a range of factors including housing, transport, community development, and health services across the life course. Responsibility for actions in this area is therefore shared across a number of Government Departments and agencies, with the Department of Health playing a key role in overall policy coordination in relation to health and wellbeing.
A wide range of targeted initiatives are being delivered to address loneliness and social isolation, including Men’s Sheds/Sheds for Life, Social prescribing, Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme, Meals on Wheels and Day Care Services, and Home Support Services.
Older People in our community can avail of a number of community-based supports such as Home Support services, Day Care Services and Meals on Wheels services. These services provide valuable health support to their clients and also offer a social outlet which can be particularly beneficial to those living in rural communities.
Overall, the Government’s approach is to embed action on loneliness within broader health, wellbeing and social policy and older persons frameworks, ensuring sustained, cross sectoral impact. The Government will continue to keep the need for further targeted policy responses, including consideration of a standalone National Loneliness Strategy under review in the context of ongoing policy development including any recommendations made by the Commission on Care for Older People and implementation of the frameworks outlined above.
1215. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm whether Action 11 of the HSE Position Paper (details supplied) led by HSE Health & Wellbeing; National Women and Infants Health Programme; ONMSD, which was due to be completed within eighteen months of publication, has now been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37665/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
1216. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm whether Action 11 of the HSE Position Paper which was due to be completed within eighteen months of publication, has now been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37666/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1217. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently waiting to attend cancer genetics services by waiting time period (0-six months, six-12 months, 12-18 months, 18+ months) in St James's Hospital, in tabular form. [37668/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1218. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently waiting to attend cancer genetics services by waiting time period (0-six months, six-12 months, 12-18 months, 18+ months) in CHI at Crumlin Hospital, in tabular form. [37669/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1219. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the optimum staffing allocation per clinical post in the cancer genetics department in St. James's Hospital; the current status of these posts; the way staffing levels compare to international standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37670/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1220. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the optimum staffing allocation per clinical post in the cancer genetics department in CHI at Crumlin Hospital; the current status of these posts; the way staffing levels compare to international standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37671/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1221. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the actions, infrastructure and resources needed to deliver timely access to the cancer genetics department in St. James's Hospital [37672/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1222. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health to update on the National Genetics and Genomics Office priority deliverables for 2026; the additional resources required to fully ensure the KPIs are achieved within the timeframes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37673/26]
View answerThe HSE National Genetics and Genomics Office (NGGO) was established in 2023 to implement the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland. My department is working closely with the NGGO on supporting full implementation of the Strategy including key deliverables for 2026.
The NGGO is currently developing a Bioinformatics and Genetic Data Infrastructure Roadmap which will set out the requirements and coordinated timelines for the delivery of the bioinformatics and data infrastructure in line with the Strategy’s vision and HSE’s Digital Health Strategy. The Roadmap is due for completion in early Quarter 3 2026. The HSE National Bioinformatics Director is now in post and the NGGO will look to recruit additional bioinformatics support later this year.
Through engagement with clinical specialists and laboratory colleagues, the NGGO published the National Genomic Test Directory for Rare and Inherited Disease (the Test Directory) in 2025. In February of this year the NGGO launched the National Genomic Processing Service (NGPS) at Beaumont Hospital to facilitate the operationalisation of the Test Directory and the processing of samples sent abroad for genetic and genomic testing. Resources have been provided to recruit scientific and administrative staff to deliver this service. Version 2 of the Test Directory will be published later in 2026 resulting in an expansion of the NGPS.
In early 2026 a Communications and Engagement Strategy was developed by the NGGO to raise public awareness of genetics and genomics, improve genetic and genomic health literacy and increase support mechanisms for patient involvement in strategy implementation. The strategy will be informed by continued engagement and feedback from Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) partners. Work is near completion on additional patient informational materials.
The NGGO will continue working closely with the Department of Health in advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland.
1223. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on Action 10 of the HSE Position Paper (details supplied); the specific measures undertaken to date; the current status of implementation; the timelines for any outstanding elements due to be completed within five years of publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37679/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1224. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm whether Action 6 of the HSE Position Paper (details supplied) on which was due to be completed within eighteen months of publication, has now been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37684/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1225. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if her Department will liaise with the HSE in relation to a public health concern (details supplied). [37699/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1226. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the position regarding private psychiatric hospitals that cannot afford to provide community outreach for their patients in a manner similar to public patients; and the system that can be devised to support those private patients diagnosed with a psychosis whose ageing parents can no longer provide adequate monitoring and support (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37700/26]
View answerAs you are aware the role of private psychiatric hospitals is outside the remit of the HSE. Nevertheless, as Minister I expect those hospitals to ensure integrated care is provided for their service users when discharged into the community.
It is a matter for private hospitals to liaise with the existing health services in place in the community to ensure continuity of care is provided.
1227. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if the bed capacity at Tallaght University Hospital has been impacted by the delay in the new National Children's Hospital being built; the annual cost to the hospital on these beds that have not yet been handed over from the paediatric side to the adult side; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37703/26]
View answerAs you are aware, the National Children’s Hospital Ireland (NCHI) is a key enabler in a major strategic reform of healthcare services for children and young people. It will bring together the three existing children’s hospitals into one, consolidating expertise and research excellence to ensure the best outcomes for the children of Ireland.
The timely completion of the NCHI is a Government priority. Substantial completion of the building is informed by the contractor’s programme of works and its ability to meet the targets set out in its own programme. The largest contributing factor to delay is the contractor's continued failure to adequately manage and resource the project and maintain effective quality assurance processes in the delivery of the works. On 6 May, the contractor submitted an updated programme, which the ER (the independent third party responsible for administering the contract) is reviewing to assess if it is compliant with the contract, and represents a meaningful and realistic pathway to completing the building. Everything possible is being done to ensure the project is completed as soon as possible on behalf of children, young people, and their families.
As a hub for paediatric care, the NCHI will be supported by the two satellite centres at Connolly and Tallaght hospitals, which are open and providing urgent and ambulatory care to children from the Greater Dublin Area representing major milestones as part of the wider reform effort. Before the NCHI opens for patients, the Emergency Care Unit at Tallaght will convert to an Urgent Care Centre, mirroring the Connolly model. Both of these centres will continue to operate throughout the period of migration and into the future in support of acute services at the NCHI. Excluding the Urgent Care Centre, it is anticipated that the facilities currently being used to deliver paediatric clinical services at Tallaght University Hospital will be absorbed into the adult hospital.
1228. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the approvement process for a drug (details supplied) for the treatment of bronchiectasis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37704/26]
View answer1229. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a timeline for the approval for a drug (details supplied) for the treatment of bronchiectasis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37705/26]
View answer1230. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any engagement she has had with the HPRA in relation to the approval for a drug (details supplied) for the treatment of bronchiectasis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37706/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1228 to 1230, inclusive, together.
The State recognises the importance of timely access to innovative medicines for patients in Ireland.
Budgets 2021-2025 allocated an additional €158 million for new drugs, which has facilitated the introduction of 263 new medicines, to date. Budget 2026 allocated €30 million of funding available for new drugs to be allocated from the overall additional €217 million in funding allocated for medicines.
The Year 1 cost of a new drug comes from the allocation for new medicines, but it should be noted that once these medicines are approved for reimbursement the full cost of providing them can reach multiples of this initial cost as their uptake increases.
Ireland is among the highest spenders on health across the EU (OECD), with the third-highest rate of State coverage of pharmaceutical expenditure in Europe.
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. The Minister has no role in decisions on pricing and reimbursement.
There is no hierarchy of disease and pricing and reimbursement applications are considered in order of application.
To commence the pricing and reimbursement process, a pharmaceutical company must submit an application for a new medicine or a new use of an existing medicine to the HSE’s Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit. European Medicines Agency (EMA) or Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) authorisation is required for the medicine prior to submission to the HSE for reimbursement as reimbursement only applies to licensed uses (indications) of the medicine.
Applicants must continue to engage through-out the process to ensure that the necessary evidence is available for the HSE to carry out its statutory role as a decision-maker with respect to the reimbursement of new medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
As well as the health needs of the public, legislation requires the HSE to consider a medicine’s cost-effectiveness and budget impact when deciding if it will reimburse it. Objective, scientific methods are used to assess these factors alongside input from patients.
The HSE’s Drugs Group—its national expert committee, including public interest members—will consider all evidence, and issue a recommendation to the HSE Senior Leadership Team, which holds final decision-making authority on the reimbursement of a medicine.
With respect to brensocatib (Brinsupri®), the EMA issued marketing authorisation on 18th November 2025. Brensocatib (Brinsupri®) is a medicine used to treat non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in people aged 12 years and older who had two or more exacerbations (flare-ups or worsening of symptoms) in the past 12 months.
The HSE advise that as of 15th May 2026, a pricing and reimbursement application has not been received by the HSE for brensocatib (Brinsupri®) for this indication.
