Written Answers Nos. 402-422
402. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made through her Department and the HSE to accelerate the current recruitment processes in place across the country for home support workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47581/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
403. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health her position regarding a licence for the sale of nicotine-consuming products such as nicotine pouches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45652/26]
View answerThe Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 introduced a licensing system for tobacco and nicotine inhaling products. It came into effect on the 2nd February 2026, with a six month grace period for existing retailers selling these products. Retailers are currently applying for licences ahead of the August deadline.
The incorporation of nicotine consumption products into the licensing system is being considered as part of the review of the Tobacco Free Ireland policy which is currently underway.
404. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the actions she will take to assess the profits of the health insurance sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39796/26]
View answer405. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the actions she will take to assess the profits of the health insurance sector and reduce health insurance premiums. [48247/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 405 together.
As Minister for Health, I am responsible for the legal framework governing the private health insurance market, which operates on the principles of community rating, open enrolment, lifetime cover and
minimum benefit. These protections are designed to support fairness and keep health insurance as affordable as possible for all consumers. Community rating means that everyone can buy the same health insurance policy at the same price,
regardless of their age, gender or health status. In a risk-rated private health insurance market, older and sicker people seeking health insurance would pay much more than others. Community rating is enabled through the Risk Equalisation Scheme. Under the Scheme, funds are redistributed in the form of credits to compensate insurers for the additional cost of insuring older and sicker members. The credits are funded by a stamp duty levy which is payable by health insurance
providers in relation to each health insurance policy issued. The Health Insurance Authority maintains regulatory oversight of insurers and ensures compliance with community rating, open enrolment, and lifetime cover requirements, which helps to keep the health insurance market fair, accessible and sustainable for all consumers. The Health Insurance Authority also manages the Risk Equalisation Scheme which is approved by the European Commission under EC State aid rules as compatible aid under the Services of General Economic Interest Framework, reflecting its role in supporting community-rated health insurance in Ireland. Under State aid rules, any net beneficiary of the Risk Equalisation Scheme is allowed a maximum profit
of 6% before it is considered to have been overcompensated. Vhi has been the only net beneficiary of the scheme to-date i.e. Vhi receives more in credits than it pays into the Risk Equalisation Scheme Fund. This is because Vhi has older and sicker members. Vhi has not exceeded this 6% profit rate. The private health insurance market operates on a competitive, commercial basis. Insurers set their premiums in line with their own commercial decisions and strategies, within the framework of the
Health Insurance Act 1994, as amended. Health insurance companies generally base their premium prices on their expected claims experience for the next 12 months. They make predictions based on their customer base and what services they
will require in the coming year, and price their premiums accordingly. The cost of private health insurance is influenced by a number of factors, for example the number of persons in the market, the age profile of those holding private health insurance and rising healthcare costs. Healthcare costs rise annually due to medical inflation, increasing hospital charges, more expensive treatments and technologies, and higher wages and operating costs. Insurers factor all these costs into their pricing strategies. As Minister for Health, I have no role in the commercial decision-making of private health insurers, including decisions on premium prices.
406. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding he has provided to increase the effectiveness of the DRIVE programme in Cork city. [35672/26]
View answer407. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether she will establish a national, multi-annual radiotherapy equipment replacement programme with ring-fenced funding given that 80% of linear accelerators/linacs require immediate or imminent replacement in Cork; the timeline for its introduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33924/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to improving cancer care through better prevention, continued improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatment.
Under the National Plan for Radiation Oncology, state-of-the-art radiotherapy facilities opened in Cork in 2019 and Galway in 2023, representing a capital investment of €120 million.
An equipment replacement programme is currently underway across St Luke’s Hospital Rathgar, St James’s Hospital and Beaumont Hospital, with a phased expansion at Beaumont due for completion by the end of 2030.
The HSE advises that the typical lifespan of a LINAC is at least 10 years, although some can be used for longer depending on many factors, including the manufacturer support.
The oldest LINAC machines at Cork University Hospital are 8 years old, having been installed in 2019.
The HSE's target is that 90% of patients commence their radiotherapy within 15 days of being deemed ready to treat. For the year to date 96.4% of patients have met this target at Cork University Hospital.
To address future needs, the Department of Health has initiated a Strategic Infrastructure Programme to examine the replacement and expansion of radiation therapy equipment across public sites over the next ten years.
This centralised approach will enable cost-effective procurement, efficient delivery and alignment with the National Cancer Strategy and Sláintecare policy, supporting continued high-quality radiotherapy services nationwide.
408. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm the progress to date towards the new proposed elective hospital for Cork, the current status of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33923/26]
View answerGovernment is fully committed to increasing day-case capacity through the Elective Ambulatory Care Programme. This is being delivered in two phases: a national network of Surgical Hubs to meet medium-term demand, and then a network of Elective Treatment Centres (also known as Elective Hospitals) in Galway, Cork and Dublin.
Planning is underway, alongside delivery of the Surgical Hubs, for the new national Elective Treatment Centres in order to provide capacity to sufficiently meet the country’s longer term elective care capacity needs out to 2045 and beyond.
In Cork, the project is progressing through detailed design and statutory planning. Engagement is ongoing with Cork City Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to agree appropriate road access to the site. The HSE’s objective is to submit a planning application this September.
With respect to the Surgical Hubs, three are now operational, with a further four expected to open this year, and a further two hubs are at design stage. The Hubs will improve access in multiple specialties for large numbers of routine day case patients, freeing up hospital capacity for more complex procedures and helping people get treatment sooner. Once fully operational, the Surgical Hub in Cork will include 4 day-case theatres, 2 minor-ops rooms and a number of OPD/treatment rooms. The Hub is scheduled to open this September.
409. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of MHIDs that currently fulfil the baseline criteria by CHO; and the number that should be fully staffed by the Model of Service. [52340/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
410. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the timeline, by geographical area or CHO, for full staffing of each MHID. [52341/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
411. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of MHIDs that have a roadmap for full service delivery by geographical area, or CHO. [52342/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
412. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of staff currently employed in each MHID by grade level or profession; the number of people of each of these MHIDs supports; and the timeline for full staffing. [52343/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
413. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the plans to make mounjaro more financially accessible to patients who cannot afford to access it privately; whether consideration has been given to including mounjaro under the drugs payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52345/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to investing in new medicines. Budgets 2021-2025 allocated an additional €158 million for new drugs, which has facilitated the introduction of 270 new medicines, to date. 74 of these new medicines were for rare diseases. 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 HSE robustly assesses applications for pricing and reimbursement to make sure that it can stretch available resources as far as possible and to deliver the best value in relation to each medicine and ultimately more medicines to Irish citizens and patients.
There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and / or reimbursed. The HSE considers the criteria set out in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 prior to making any decision on pricing / reimbursement.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®):
Weight management
The HSE received an application for pricing and reimbursement of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) on the 24th June 2024 from Eli Lilly (the applicant) indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 (obesity) or 27 kg/m2 to < 30 kg/m2 (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes mellitus).
• The first step in the process is the submission of a Rapid Review dossier (a clinical and economic dossier) to the NCPE for assessment. The HSE commissioned the Rapid Review process on the 24th June 2024.
• The NCPE Rapid Review assessment report was received by the HSE on the 30th July 2024. A full HTA was recommended to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) compared with the current standard of care.
• The HSE commissioned a full HTA on the 27th August 2024 as per agreed processes.
• The HTA was completed by the NCPE on the 3rd December 2025. The NCPE recommends that tirzepatide, as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial BMI of: 30kg/m2, or 27kg/m2 to < 30kg/m2 in the presence of at least one WRC be considered for reimbursement if cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments: www.ncpe.ie/tirzepatide-mounjaro-hta-id-24024/
• The HSE CPU is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications. The HSE CPU has met with the applicant to discuss this application and commercial negotiations are ongoing.
This application remains under consideration with the HSE. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
414. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1269 of 28 April 2026, the reason a response has not issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52347/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
415. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the HSE Delayed Discharges Implementation Group, introduced in 2019, is still operating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52349/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
416. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the estimated financial cost per delayed transfer of care per night; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52350/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
417. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); if she will provide an update on the decision to remove the medical card of the person and their dependent child; if she will outline the criteria used in assessing eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52379/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
418. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to outline her plans for the development of capital projects at University Hospital Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52391/26]
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.
419. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a youth organisation (details supplied) that has applied for increased funding; and if she will accede to their request. [52403/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
420. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals received by each community mental health team in counties Roscommon and Galway in each of the past six months; the number of referrals accepted; the number of referrals rejected and returned to the referring GP; and the average waiting time from referral to first appointment, in tabular form. [52430/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
421. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals received by each community mental health team in counties Roscommon and Galway in each of the past six months; the number of appointments offered; the number of appointments not attended; and the number of patients discharged without being seen, in tabular form. [52431/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
422. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals received by each CAMHS team serving counties Roscommon and Galway in each of the past six months; the number of referrals accepted; the number of referrals rejected and returned to the referring GP; and the average waiting time from referral to first appointment, in tabular form. [52432/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
