Written Answers Nos. 894-917
894. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health for an update on the planned sale of St. Loman's in Mullingar, which was to go for sale in early 2026.; the plans to protect and preserve the historic documents and records in the building; and the plans for the unmarked graves on the grounds. [49531/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Minister of State on this matter.
895. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to ensure that vape shops do not specifically target children or young people in the sale of their products as at present some shops are using bright colours and words such as “candy” next to the word “vape” in their shop names, signage and advertisements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49532/26]
View answerThere are a number of ongoing legislative changes to strengthen regulation of nicotine inhaling products and the retail environment in which they are sold, with the aim of preventing youth uptake.
The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 introduced a suite of measures to tackle the rise in youth vaping. This includes prohibiting the sale of nicotine inhaling products to persons under the age of 18, a ban on self-service vending machines and further restrictions on the advertisement of nicotine inhaling products on public transport, in cinemas and near schools.
The Act also introduced a new licensing system for the retail sale of nicotine inhaling products. This came into effect in February 2026 with a six month transition period for retailers already selling nicotine inhaling products. Under this system, retailers wishing to sell these products must apply for a licence annually with the accompanying fee. This will give the National Environmental Health Service in the HSE much greater oversight of retailers who sell these products. Temporary or moveable premises will not be granted a licence. Greater enforcement tools are available to the enforcement authority, including revocation of licence.
Further legislation is also being developed to reduce the appeal and availability of nicotine inhaling products to young people. The Public Health (Single Use Vapes) Bill 2025 will ban the sale of single-use or "disposable" vapes, in recognition of the dual health and environmental impact of these products and their appeal to children and young people.
The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 will ensure that nicotine inhaling products sold do not have eye-catching imagery or colours, and advertising will be banned in all retail settings. Display of the products will also be prohibited in mixed retail premises, as is currently the case for cigarettes. Flavour descriptors and language other than basic flavour names will be prohibited, and the range of possible flavour names significantly restricted.
Both of these Bills are currently making their way through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
896. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the annual budget for the HSE pest control service in Dublin; the number of staff for Dublin for each year since 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49533/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
897. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the number of childcare facilities located within the vicinity of public hospitals that are for hospital staff only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49537/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
898. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the critical delays in conducting post-mortem examinations in hospitals across the State; the specific workforce and resourcing plans in place to address the chronic shortage of consultant pathologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49555/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
899. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the population figures for persons aged over 70 years and children under eight years in Dublin west that her Department and the HSE are using to provide healthcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49565/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
900. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health for an update on her Department’s priorities for Ireland’s Presidency of the EU Council. [49582/26]
View answerIreland's Programme and Priorities for the Presidency of the Council of the EU is available online at: ireland2026.eu following the launch on 10 June 2026.
The Presidency’s health agenda, under the theme “investing in health to enable competitiveness,” reflects a strategic commitment to strengthening the EU’s global competitiveness while ensuring high-quality, effective healthcare delivery for European citizens.
The central focus of the Presidency is the advancement of key EU legislative priorities. Two flagship legislative dossiers - the Biotech Act I and simplification of the Medical Devices and In Vitro Diagnostics Regulations (MDR/IVDR) - will be at the forefront. These aim to address pressing challenges and opportunities related to access, innovation, and competitiveness in the health and life sciences sectors. The Irish Presidency will seek a Council General Approach on medical device regulatory reforms, progress negotiations on the Biotech Act Regulation, and conduct trilogue negotiations to secure political agreement on the Biotech Act Directive should the Parliament adopt its position in time. The Presidency programme is structured around three areas of strategic focus.
First, Ireland will lead discussions on the future of medicines, promoting innovation in life sciences, clinical trials, and regulatory frameworks to support both competitiveness and sustainable access to treatments.
Second, the Presidency will highlight evidence-based prevention strategies and address health inequalities. We will progress negotiations on the Council Recommendation on health checks for cardiovascular diseases which is expected to be published later this year, as well as facilitating exchanges on early detection and integrated care, and increasing focus on women’s health, including endometriosis, recognising its broader societal and economic impact. Ireland will emphasise the importance and impact of the EU’s approach to integrating mental health into all policies and will explore ways of strengthening Europe’s health security architecture by ensuring mental health remains integral to resilience, crisis preparedness and the management of cross border health threats.
Third, Ireland will prioritise the implementation of digital health systems and data sharing. Progressing the European Health Data Space will be key, enabling secure, interoperable data use to support research, innovation, and the development of safe and effective AI in healthcare.
901. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the exceptional patient scheme or discretionary funding for GLP-1 medications for severe, treatment-resistant metabolic disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS, where insulin resistance cannot be managed by metformin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49594/26]
View answerThe Minister recognises the importance of providing the best care possible to patients with this condition. Women’s Health has been and will continue to be a focus of the Department. The Government has made real progress in improving the healthcare available to women in Ireland.
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 device.
In accordance with the legislation, a medicine must have a marketing authorisation (licence) to be included in the formal list of reimbursable items. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists licensed in Ireland do not currently have an EU marketing authorisation for the treatment of Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) or similar endocrine conditions.
A pharmaceutical company can apply to the HSE for reimbursement for a specific indication (use) of a specific licensed medicine. Medicines can have more than one licensed (market authorised) indication and each indication represents a separate application.
Controls are in place within PCRS on claiming processes to ensure that only HSE approved indications are reimbursed across a range of medicines. Controls are currently in place for the GLP-1 agonists to restrict reimbursement support to the HSE approved indications. Off-label prescribing of GLP-1 agonists are not supported for reimbursement under Community Drug Schemes.
It is incumbent on a company to apply to the appropriate regulatory body for a marketing authorisation to extend the licence for a GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of PMOS and then to submit a new pricing and reimbursement application for any newly approved indication to the HSE. The HSE will process any pricing and reimbursement applications as efficiently as possible.
902. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if the NCPE is evaluating the application of mounjaro and wegovy for severe metabolic and endocrine conditions alongside obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49595/26]
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.
903. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the number of validated applications submitted by clinicians for Glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1, therapies under the drugs payment scheme that were rejected by the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS, system on account of diabetes only automated controls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49596/26]
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.
904. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting a CAMHS appointment in CHO 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49597/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond direct to the Deputy as soon as possible.
905. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the locations within CHO 9 where GPs on the General Medical Services, GMS, scheme have notified the HSE that they intend to retire within the next six months. [49598/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
906. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the filling of three vacant consultant child psychiatrist roles in CHO 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49599/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
907. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the number of supported housing units in CHO 9; the number of planned housing units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49600/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
908. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the number of children who qualified for free orthodontic care under the HSE scheme in the CHO 9 area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49601/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
909. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE social workers in CHO 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49602/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
910. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of planned capital infrastructure projects in Dublin West, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49603/26]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
911. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health if there is any comprehensive national defibrillator register or map that would allow people to check where their closest defibrillator is located; if there are proposals for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49610/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
912. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of people with an eating disorder across the State to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49611/26]
View answerThe National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders has progressed well with the total number of 16 eating disorder teams under the Model of Care now fully funded. This includes 11 teams now operational and a further 5 teams in recruitment and development, as per the Model of Care. The HSE spends almost €15 million on eating disorders services annually.
Over 110 dedicated eating disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are now working on the teams across the country, treating people with eating disorders every day. Enhancement for specialist mental health services including eating disorders is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole, and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
HSE data from the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders for 2025 shows increases in activity across referrals, assessments, diagnoses and access to treatment. In 2025, over 900 referrals were received, 600 assessments were completed, with a 13% increase in the number of people starting treatment for an eating disorder. 75% of patients were assessed within eight weeks.
In addition, as Minister I secured funding from Budget 2026 for two new eating disorder teams, a CAMHS team to serve the South east, and an Adult team to serve counties Galway and Roscommon. This will assist more people with an eating disorder requiring access to specialist eating disorder mental health services.
As your PQ relates to an operational issue, it has been forwarded to the HSE for direct reply to you.
913. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health if she will advise on the pathways available to a person (details supplied); and if she will advise on the possible routes to registration, provisions, appeals, or alternative recognition processes, under the transitional arrangements for social care workers. [49615/26]
View answerIt is important to note that the pathways to registration for all CORU designated health and social care professionals are set out in legislation under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended) (the Act).
Section 91 of the Act provides a two year transition period to register for those already working in the profession from when a register first opens and is often referred to as the 'grandparenting' provision. It recognises historical qualifications and other reciprocal arrangements to complete registration, including the option to complete an Assessment of Professional Competence.
For social care workers, the transition period opened following extensive public consultation on 30 November, 2023 and closed on 30 November, 2025.
From 1 December, 2025 the title of 'Social Care Worker' became a legally protected title in Ireland and from this point, under the Act, the threshold standards now set for registration require Irish qualified registrants to provide evidence of an approved qualification at NFQ Level 7.? Such applications are made under a pathway known as ‘Section 38’.
An applicant may apply to an approved programme provider with submission of prior learning completed and seek that same be recognised by the provider; this is known as recognition of prior learning and is subject to approval by the programme provider and is not in the remit of CORU.
An alternative option is open to Social Care Workers who hold a 'sufficiently relevant qualification' or a 'Schedule 3 qualification' and five year's total practice of the profession to apply under Section 38 (Registration in register of designated profession).
There is no legal provision in the Act that provides for applications to be accepted after the end of the transition period.? It is not open to a registration board to grant registration under Section 91 to an applicant who applies after the end of the transition period and there is no legislative or policy reviews planned.
Information on approved qualifications, sufficiently relevant qualifications and Schedule 3 qualifications for social care workers can be found on Coru's website at:
www.coru.ie/social-care-workers/how-to-register-as-a-social-care-worker
and
www.coru.ie/social-care-workers/how-to-register-as-a-social-care-worker.
By way of reassurance, Social Care Workers who applied for registration during this transition period may continue to work while their application is being reviewed by CORU.
914. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health to report on the inability to print European Health Insurance Cards; the date by which printing will be resumed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49621/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
915. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Health in light of research findings (details supplied) if the HSE has conducted a capacity review to identify if overnight partner support could be accommodated where the mother requests it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49622/26]
View answer916. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Health in light of research findings (details supplied) if her Department and the HSE will consider a capacity review to identify if overnight partner support could be accommodated where the mother requests it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49623/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 915 and 916 together.
The Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is now available in all 19 maternity hospitals nationwide, providing support to pregnant women and women with a baby up to one year old, with an existing or new mental health problem. Funding of €5 million annually has established 6 consultant led multidisciplinary teams across major maternity hospitals (Coombe, NMH, Rotunda, Galway, Cork, Limerick), and 13 spoke sites staffed by perinatal mental health midwife posts. There are now over 75 funded posts in SPMHS nationally.
Under Budget 2026, I secured an additional €640,000 to recruit two additional consultant psychiatrists for the Programme’s busiest sites, the Rotunda and Holles Street, to meet growing demand for the service.
The HSE are progressing a review of the Model of Care for SPMHS, with a Steering Group due to be established shortly and a refreshed model published later this year. The key objective of this refresh is the provision of equivalent service to the major hospital sites as for the other 13 spoke sites, and this will be the focus of this second phase of the Model of Care.
A key priority under this Model of Care is to develop a Perinatal Mother and Baby Unit (PMBU). Work is ongoing by the HSE to progress the development of an PMBU for Ireland, an inpatient mental health service with relevant maternity support to allow women to stay with their babies during their mental health treatment.
To meet the needs of new mothers with moderate to severe mental illness, the PMBU must be sited at a location with access to a maternity hospital as well as an acute mental health unit. This will ensure there is always mental health and maternity expertise available. As such, it is envisaged that the PMBU will be developed on the grounds of St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, and a feasibility study is currently underway to determine a location within the campus, with the study due to conclude shortly. The outcome of the study will form the basis for the next key decisions on the project.
With reference to the information requested as this is an operational issue, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
917. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health her plans to improve the ambulance services within the south-west region. [49628/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
