Written Answers Nos. 805-823
805. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the training, supervision and senior clinical oversight structures in place at Portlaoise psychiatric unit on a date (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53118/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
806. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health to provide a social worker for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53119/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
807. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health if her Department or the HSE have undertaken an assessment of disability service provision in Gorey and north Wexford, particularly given concerns regarding staffing shortages and the absence of specialist supports available in other areas; and if so, if the findings will be published. [53130/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
808. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of clinicians working in each supra regional specialist centre; and their specialty areas in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53145/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
809. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of women being seen in each supra regional specialist centre; the number on waiting lists for these centres; and the average waiting list time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53146/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
810. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of clinicians working in each regional specialist centre (the Coombe, the Rotunda and Limerick); and each of their specialty areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53147/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
811. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of women being seen in each regional specialist centre (the Coombe, the Rotunda and Limerick); the number on waiting lists for these centres; the average waiting list time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53148/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
812. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health when the Galway and the National Maternity Hospital regional specialist centres will be up and running; the services that will be provided for in each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53149/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
813. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of the 65 whole-time-equivalent healthcare professionals that have been prioritised through the HSE National Service Plan 2026 to expand and fully implement the National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis who are already in place; and where they are placed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53150/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
814. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the list of approved centres under the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme, by county; the centres in which women are required to cover the upfront cost of treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53151/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
815. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the list of centres that are under review for inclusion in the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme, by county; when a decision is expected on each of those centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53152/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
816. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the funding provided for erectile dysfunction research on an annual basis between 2015 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53153/26]
View answerMy Department funds health research through the Health Research Board, a state body under the aegis of the Department of Health.
As the lead funding agency for health and social care research, the HRB operates through a combination of project and programme grants, capacity building initiatives, collaborative research networks and infrastructure investment.
The HRB does not typically issue calls restricted to specific disease conditions but considers submissions from the research community in any and all areas of clinical research, population health sciences and health services and policy research. In this way, there are ongoing opportunities, modes and instruments for applicants from all disciplines, career stages and areas of health/diseases to compete for funding, including for research on erectile dysfunction and male sexual dysfunction more broadly.
The total amount of HRB funding for erectile dysfunction research between 2015 – 2025 based on responses to competitive calls, is €2,400, under a Summer Student Scholarship Scheme undertaken in 2018.
817. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the funding provided for erectile dysfunction treatment on an annual basis between 2015 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53154/26]
View answerThe Department of Health and the HSE do not allocate funding by individual condition or disease. This is a deliberate policy approach, consistent with Sláintecare and international best practice, which seeks to support integrated care pathways rather than separate disease-specific funding silos. Funding is instead allocated across services and care pathways, allowing resources to be directed to where they can have the greatest impact for patients. Accordingly, a specific annual funding allocation for erectile dysfunction treatment is not separately identified.
Instead, funding is provided to the HSE through its overall allocation and is deployed across services based on population need and national priorities. Since 2020, current Health funding has increased from approximately €18 billion to €25.8 billion in 2026, an increase of almost €8 billion or 43%. Over the same period, the funded HSE workforce has increased from approximately 101,000 WTE at the beginning of 2020 to 136,606 WTE funded in 2026. This investment supports improvements in services across the Health service, including services utilised by men with erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction may arise from a range of underlying physical and psychological conditions, and assessment and treatment are provided through a range of publicly funded Health services depending on the clinical circumstances of the individual patient. These services may include general practice, urology services, endocrinology and diabetes services, cancer survivorship services, mental health services and other specialist services where clinically appropriate.
Through the substantial increases in Health funding and staffing in recent years, Government has continued to invest in the capacity of these services and in improving access to care across the Health service, ensuring that patients can access appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment in line with clinical need.
818. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health to outline the process for the review of the National Cancer Strategy which is due this year; and to confirm that the Cancer Patient Advisory Committee will be included as one of the stakeholders in this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53157/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy, supported by the reforms and investment delivered under Sláintecare. We have seen significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy since its launch in July, 2017.
My Department has invested heavily in the National Cancer Strategy and associated initiatives in recent years, enabling the further development of our national cancer services and leading to improved outcomes for cancer patients.
National Cancer Registry of Ireland data shows substantial progress being made to control the four major cancers (prostate, breast, lung and colorectal), with mortality rates falling or stabilising for each. These comprise over half of all invasive tumours (not including rarely fatal non-melanoma skin cancers).
Wide consultation and collaboration with patient groups and advocacy organisations takes place on an on-going basis. Patients are involved through participation in working groups, regular consultation, and the appointment of patient representatives to projects. The NCCP maintains a formal policy on patient engagement and has a Patient Engagement Manager who co-ordinates and monitors partnerships of patients and projects
It is essential that we continue to build on our investment and progress. As the current National Cancer Strategy comes to its conclusion, an evaluation on the current National Cancer Strategy will be carried out later this year. The evaluation will be carried out by working closely with key stakeholders such as the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland. Stakeholders also include patients and their families, which includes my Department's Cancer Patient Advisory Committee, healthcare professionals, government agencies, research institutions, advocacy groups, and the pharmaceutical industry, among others.
The conclusion of this evaluation process will inform next steps to be taken.
819. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants who have travelled abroad for endometriosis treatment under the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme since it was launched in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53158/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
820. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants who have been approved to travel abroad for endometriosis treatment under the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme since it was launched in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53159/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
821. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of women who have engaged with the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme since it was launched in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53160/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
822. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of unsuccessful applicants there have been to the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme since it was launched in 2025; the reason those applicants were unsuccessful; and out of those unsuccessful applicants, the number that went on to receive endometriosis treatment through the Cross Border Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53161/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
823. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the average wait time between applying to the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme and a decision being made on said application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53162/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
