Written Answers Nos. 1101-1120
1101. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if she will advise on the process for transferring a person from a care home placement in the United Kingdom to a residential care facility in County Monaghan; if funding arrangements can be maintained under the common travel area agreement in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38714/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1102. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); her position regarding the application for a rehabilitation placement at Monaghan Hospital; her position regarding the home care package application; if both matters could be expedited given the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38724/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. We can only specifically answer in relation to the home care, the rehabilitation placement element is the Acutes Unit. Thank you.
1103. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the timeline for a decision by the HSE drugs group regarding the reimbursement of risdiplam for adults living with spinal muscular atrophy. [38725/26]
View answer1127. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the timeline for a decision by the HSE drugs group regarding the reimbursement of risdiplam for adults living with spinal muscular atrophy. [38838/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1103 and 1127 together.
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; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1104. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the budget received by each hospital and community health organisation in 2024 and 2025 for non-emergency patient transport services; the reason that some areas and hospital groups do not receive a budget for hospital transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38727/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1105. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health her Department’s position on the scientific evidence regarding foetal nociception and sentience from 20 weeks’ gestation; whether clinical guidelines on foetal pain relief in terminations have been prepared following the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38733/26]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service area, I have referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1106. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if she will publish data on born-alive outcomes following termination of pregnancies and the palliative care protocols applied in such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38734/26]
View answerAs this questions relates to service matters, I have referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1107. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health whether she supports the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines on foetal pain management consistent with neonatal care standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38735/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1108. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the present position with regard to vaping legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38742/26]
View answerThere are two pieces of legislation currently before the Oireachtas which have the aim of reducing the appeal of nicotine inhaling products to young people.
The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill will prohibit the sale of single-use vapes. It has completed all stages in Dáil Eireann and Second Stage in Seanad Eireann.
The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill has been notified under two separate European Union (EU) Directives. These notification procedures must be completed before the legislation can be enacted.
The Bill was notified under Article 24(3) of the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) on 15 December 2025. By 15 June, the European Commission will issue an Implementing Decision to either approve or reject the legislation.
The Bill was also notified under the Technical Standards or TRIS Directive ((EU) 2015/1535). This is not an approval procedure, but a process for Member States and the Commission to make comments on the draft legislation. The standstill period for this TRIS procedure will end on 19 June 2026.
The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill will introduce further regulation of nicotine inhaling products in terms of flavours, packaging and appearance, and retail display and advertising. It will also introduce domestic regulation for all other current and future non-medicinal nicotine consumption products, in the form of a minimum age of sale of 18 and retail display and advertising restrictions. This Bill has completed Committee Stage in Dáil Eireann.
The draft legislation was also notified at EU level under the TRIS Directive on 2 April 2026. This incurs a standstill period of 3 months, with a further 3 month extension if the EU Commission or Member States issue a Detailed Opinion regarding the legislation. This notification procedure must be completed before the legislation can be enacted.
1109. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to clarify the way the proposed legislation on vaping, from a proposed tax purpose, addresses the environmental impact of disposable vapes; and the steps being taken to ensure that responsible adult users of refillable devices are not unfairly impacted. [38751/26]
View answerThe Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill proposes to prohibit single-use or "disposable" vapes, in recognition of the dual public health and environmental harms. The Bill does not prohibit devices which are refillable and rechargeable. The legislation does not address taxation, which is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
1110. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health the timeline for a decision by the HSE drugs group regarding the reimbursement of risdiplam for adults living with spinal muscular atrophy, given the Rare Diseases Technology Review Committee recently met regarding same and is now expected to make its recommendation to the HSE drugs group (details supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38755/26]
View answerI propose to take PQs 38755/26, 38709/26 and 38707/26, together.
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; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1111. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE has carried out any national assessment since 2020 of the annual cost to the Exchequer of unused, expired, uncollected, or otherwise wasted medicines under State-funded medicine schemes; and if she will publish any such assessment. [38763/26]
View answerSince part of the PQ refers to whether the HSE has carried out any national assessment of the annual cost to the Exchequer of unused medicines, this part of the PQ has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
In relation to whether my Department has carried out any such national assessment; to date, there has been no national programme established for the collection and safe disposal of unused medicines.
Traditionally community pharmacists have facilitated patients in returning unused medicines to their pharmacy either on a good-will basis, or in some cases on a paid for service basis. Additionally, there have been certain local or regional initiatives which aim to raise awareness among members of the public regarding appropriate ways to dispose of unused medicines and to encourage them to return their unused medicines to their local pharmacies. These initiatives have been funded by the HSE on a time-bound basis in certain areas but, to date, no national programme has been established. As a result, we do not have full national data to assess, regarding medicines waste.
However, as per the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 (CPA25), a yearly allocation of €4,500,000 is being made available to provide for a HSE-tendered medicine disposal service from community pharmacies nationwide. My department officials, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Irish Pharmacy Union are finalising preparations for this service, and a nationwide rollout is to commence in the coming months.
It is envisaged that an element of cataloguing and evaluation of the medicines that are returned to pharmacies will take place as part of this new national campaign. This will enable assessment, in the future, of the cost of unused, expired, uncollected, or otherwise wasted medicines.
1112. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE records the quantity and estimated value of unused or expired medicines returned to community pharmacies under State-funded medicine schemes; and if not, whether she intends to establish such a reporting mechanism. [38764/26]
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.
1113. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what policy measures are currently in place to reduce avoidable medicines waste under the GMS, DPS, LTI and other community drug schemes. [38765/26]
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.
1114. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether his Department has examined the role of repeat prescribing, automatic renewals, phased dispensing, blister-pack changes, and non-adherence in contributing to medicines waste; and whether any reform proposals are under consideration. [38766/26]
View answerImproper disposal of unused or expired medicines leads to environmental and health risks including antimicrobial resistance and contamination of ecosystems. While a range of factors—including repeat prescribing practices, automatic renewals, phased dispensing arrangements, changes to blister packs, and levels of patient adherence can influence the accumulation of unused medicines, medicines waste is a multifactorial challenge requiring a system-wide response involving prescribers, pharmacists, and patients.
Pharmacists are well-positioned to facilitate safe medicine returns due to their accessibility and expertise. Under the 2025 Community Pharmacy Agreement a yearly allocation of €4,500,000 is being made available to provide for the provision of a new national medicine disposal campaign. This service will be available at community pharmacies in the coming months and will provide a convenient and accessible system for the safe disposal of unused medication.
For the first time, the service will provide a structured, nationwide basis to track activity, volumes of medicines returned and the related costs over time. That is the practical way to build a clear evidence base on the scale of unused and expired medicines and on the financial implications for the health service.
Over time, the disposal service will provide evidence on the types and volumes of medicines being returned, which will inform better prescribing practice, dispensing practice and public awareness measures. This will support a more targeted approach to reducing waste, while also improving value for money, patient safety and environmental protection.
1115. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has a national medicines waste reduction strategy; and if not, whether one will be developed in light of recent research estimating annual medicines waste at over €37.5 million. [38767/26]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the day-to-day operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health services is a matter for HSE. This query has therefore been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1116. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has estimated the environmental impact of unused or expired medicines, including disposal, incineration, contamination risk, and pharmaceutical residues entering water systems. [38768/26]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the day-to-day operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health services is a matter for HSE. This query has therefore been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1117. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when the proposed national scheme for safe disposal of unused medicines will be introduced; what funding has been allocated; whether it will involve community pharmacies; and whether it will operate nationally. [38769/26]
View answer1120. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether his Department has assessed potential savings from reducing medicines waste by 10%, 20% or 30%; and whether such savings have been modelled for reinvestment in frontline pharmacy or prescribing services. [38772/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1117 and 1120 together.
As per the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 (CPA25), a yearly allocation of €4,500,000 is being made available to provide for a HSE-tendered medicine disposal service from community pharmacies nationwide. My department officials, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Irish Pharmacy Union are finalising preparations for this service, and a nationwide rollout will commence in the coming months.
For the first time, the national medicines disposal service under the 2025 Community Pharmacy Agreement will provide a structured, nationwide basis to track activity, volumes of medicines returned and the related costs over time.
This will be a tangible way to build a clear evidence base on the scale of unused and expired medicines and on the financial implications for the health service. Over time, the disposal service will provide evidence on the types and volumes of medicines being returned, which will inform better prescribing practice, dispensing practice and public awareness measures. It will also support a more targeted approach to reducing waste, while also improving value for money, patient safety and environmental protection.
1118. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE reimburses medicines which are dispensed but never collected by patients; what safeguards exist to prevent unnecessary reimbursement; and whether data on uncollected medicines is centrally collected. [38770/26]
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.
1119. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether medication reviews for patients on multiple prescriptions are being used systematically to reduce over-prescribing, duplication, and avoidable waste; and what targets or KPIs apply. [38771/26]
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.
