Written Answers Nos. 364-384
364. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department is aware of delays in the opening of a new creche (details supplied) due to Tusla sign-off, given the current issues facing towns in north Kildare with population increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54252/26]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply
365. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when she will bring forward comprehensive safeguarding legislation, as recommended in the Law Reform Commission Report ‘A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding’; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53926/26]
View answerA National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding in the Health and Social Care sector was published in December 2025, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. The policy framework will extend across all public, private and voluntary health and social care services.
Included are a range of both legislative and non-legislative measures that will significantly expand and strengthen existing supports and protections for adults at risk of harm across the health and social care sector. The Government has also approved the development of legislation to underpin these commitments. Key legislative commitments include:
• The Health Service Executive (HSE) will have responsibility for leading and coordinating adult safeguarding across the sector and will have statutory functions, duties, and powers to underpin this role.
• Current safeguarding structures within the HSE will be strengthened and legislation will provide that they will operate independently in the performance of their functions.
• New powers of entry for safeguarding and protection teams and powers to obtain court protection orders.
• The Health Information Quality Authority's (HIQA’s) remit will be extended to include independent oversight and monitoring of adult safeguarding services for the Health and Social care sector delivered by the HSE.
• New obligations for service providers including undertaking risk evaluations, developing, and publishing adult safeguarding statements and ensuring staff are appropriately trained.
• The introduction of mandatory reporting in specified circumstances.
• The National Independent Review Panel (NIRP) process for adult safeguarding learning reviews for serious incidents will be strengthened and placed on a statutory footing.
• Strengthened cooperation between service providers and relevant state agencies.
The Department of Health is actively working on preparing a General Scheme of a Health (Adult Safeguarding) Bill and it is expected to be published this year.
In addition, the Health Service Executive's (HSE’s) Chief Social Worker is leading the development of an implementation plan for the national policy framework to be approved by the Department of Health.
The national policy framework was informed by stakeholder and service user engagement, public consultation, and research and by recommendations from the 2024 Law Reform Commission Report ‘A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding’ and the 2024 independent review of HSE’s adult safeguarding policies, procedures and structures (by Jackie McIlroy).
366. 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 referrals to speech therapy, physiotherapy, and autism assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53981/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
367. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE test purchase inspections carried out under the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023, by county, in each of the years 2024 and 2025; the number of retailers in each county found to have sold nicotine inhaling products to a person under 18 years-of-age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53743/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
368. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the shortage of bumetanide, which has been in short supply since early May 2026 with an expected return date of the end of the year; the interim arrangements in place to protect patients with heart failure who depend on this medicine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53753/26]
View answerMy Department is aware of the stress that shortages of medicines can cause for patients and healthcare professionals alike, thusly mitigating medicine shortages and strengthening security of supply is the subject of several workstreams in my Department, the wider health service and across Europe.
In European law, pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers should ensure an appropriate and continuous supply of the medicines they market. Companies are required to notify the HPRA of medicines shortages or potential shortages impacting the Irish market. The HPRA maintains a list of current and resolved shortages on its website and is in regular contact with suppliers in relation to these shortages with a view to minimising their duration and impact on patients. The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information.
Karo Pharma AB the company responsible for supplying Burinex 1 mg Tablets, has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Burinex 1 mg Tablets due to a manufacturing delay impacting multiple countries.
Karo Pharma AB has informed the HPRA that this shortage will be resolved by the 1st October 2026.
Ireland has a multi-stakeholder Medicines Shortages Framework in place, operated by our medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on behalf of the Department of Health. The framework aims to help prevent potential shortages from occurring and to reduce the impact of shortages on patients by coordinating the management of potential or actual shortages as they arise. Stakeholders in this framework include the HPRA, the Department, the HSE, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, wholesalers, patient representative groups and marketing authorisation holders.
In addition, the Medicines Criticality Assessment Group (MCAG) is convened by the Department of Health and chaired by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to facilitate rapid assembly of relevant government and agency bodies to assess, address and resolve emerging medicinal product supply issues. Consequent to its deliberations and where the MCAG deems it necessary, the MCAG membership shall issue communication(s), to healthcare professionals and patients, among other actions.
In many instances a shortage of a particular medicine is effectively addressed to ensure continuity of care for a patient including through the substitution for a generic version (in the case of a branded medicine short supply) or a generic version from a different manufacturer (in the case of a generic medicine in short supply). Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 medicines which are deemed to be interchangeable can be directly substituted for one another by a pharmacist.
Where an interchangeable product is not available in Ireland, a pharmacist, in consultation with the prescriber, can source a medicine containing the same active ingredient in order to ensure that continuity of patient care is maintained, wherever possible. Such medicines may be sourced in another European Member State, or by a specialist wholesaler in a third country, and are known as exempt medicinal products (EMPs). EMPs have not been granted a marketing authorisation in Ireland by the HPRA but are sourced in response to a bona fide unsolicited order in order to fulfil the special needs of a patient. These medicines will however have undergone an evaluation of their safety, quality, and efficacy for the granting of their marketing authorisation in another EU Member State or third country by the respective competent authority for medicines.
In other instances, where a medicine shortage occurs due to a more global issue affecting multiple countries, a patient may be directed to return to their clinician to consider prescribing an alternative medicine for the treatment of their condition.
369. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether she will bring forward legislative proposals to permit therapeutic substitution by pharmacists during medicine shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53754/26]
View answerMy Department is aware of the stress that shortages of medicines can cause for patients and healthcare professionals alike, thusly mitigating medicine shortages and strengthening security of supply is the subject of several workstreams in my Department, the wider health service and across Europe.
Medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide which have been exacerbated by recent worldwide events. It is a global health problem, not unique to Ireland, and increases in demand for medications and medicines shortages have been observed in the UK, throughout the EU and across the world in recent months, and there is no evidence that shortages disproportionately impact patients in Ireland compared to other countries.
To address these challenges in Ireland, a Medicines Shortages Framework, operated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on behalf of the Department of Health has been established. This aims to help prevent potential shortages from occurring and to reduce the impact of shortages on patients by co-ordinating the management of potential or actual shortages across the health service as they arise. The HPRA maintains a list of current and resolved shortages on its website. The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information.
In addition to this, there are Legislative initiatives in development in the Department, via the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024, including Medicine Substitution Protocols, and reporting requirements for actors in the medicines supply chain.
The Medicine Substitution protocols will act as an authorisation for registered pharmacists to supply an alternative medicinal product, for the medicinal product that is in short supply, without the need for a further prescription. The Department is liaising with relevant leads in the HSE to establish the steps needed to progress this, including an assessment of any potential patient safety risks.
370. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of community pharmacies participating in the common conditions service; the findings to date of the data collection exercise involving the 150 data champion pharmacies which commenced in July 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53755/26]
View answerThe Common Conditions Service (CCS) is an important initiative, intended to expand the role of primary care and make healthcare more widely accessible, in line with Sláintecare objectives. Despite having only launched in January 2026, the CCS has seen a broad uptake by pharmacies across the country.
As of May 2026, 1,827 pharmacies had signed up to take part in the service, accounting for over 95% of pharmacy businesses in operation.
As part of the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, 150 community pharmacies taking part in the CCS would also be considered Data Champions. These Data Champions have agreed to record data relevant to the running of the service, and provide feedback on how well the service is being implemented.
This data is still in the process of being recorded, collected and will be analysed at a future date. My department is also currently organising an in-person focus group, intended to allow Data Champions to share their insights on the CCS, improve our understanding of how the service is operating on the ground, and inform future surveys of participants.
371. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of pneumococcal vaccinations administered under the community pharmacy pneumococcal vaccination service for eligible persons aged 65 years and over since the service became operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53756/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
372. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of community pharmacy contractors that have provided notice of participation in Phase 1 of the BowelScreen community pharmacy intervention; the projected cost of the per patient service fee under Phase 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53757/26]
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.
373. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of community pharmacy contractors in receipt of the emergency medicine administration preparedness allowance introduced under the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025; the number of recorded administrations of naloxone in community settings in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53758/26]
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.
374. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the current operational status of the medically supervised injecting facility following the conclusion of its pilot phase in June 2026; when the final evaluation and child impact assessment due in the fourth quarter of 2026 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53759/26]
View answer375. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the case for mandatory folic acid fortification of staple foods, in view of Ireland's rates of neural tube defects remaining among the highest in Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53760/26]
View answerI wish to advise the deputy that the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD has today (13/07/2026) launched an online public consultation seeking the views and opinions of the public and industry on the proposed mandatory fortification of non wholemeal flour with folic acid, to help reduce the incidence of neural tube defects ( e.g. spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocele, iniencephaly) in Ireland.
Please refer to the link below for the public consultation.
[]www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/consultations/mandatory-fortification-of-flour-with-folic-acid-public-consultation/
376. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the reason persons with dementia are not routinely assessed for disability services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53773/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
377. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health her plans to improve care for those diagnosed with dementia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53774/26]
View answerThe 2025 Programme for Government contains specific commitments on dementia. It commits to increasing the availability of dementia diagnostic services, home support, day care, day care at home, dementia adviser services, residential care and supports for people with young onset dementia. It also commits to developing an Irish Dementia Registry.
I announced the commencement of the Irish Dementia Registry in May 2025. The Registry aims to improve dementia care quality, inform service planning and policy development, and support research for people living with dementia in Ireland. For the first time, Ireland will have a dedicated system to collect reliable, consistent data on dementia, including data on assessment and diagnosis, what supports people receive, and what outcomes they experience. The Registry is on track to be rolled out in 2028.
The HSE Dementia Model of Care recommends the establishment of a national network of Memory Assessment and Support Services, Regional Specialist Memory Clinics and a National Intellectual Disability Memory Service. It also sets targets for assessment, diagnosis and review within these services. Three Memory Assessment and Support Services are operational in Cavan/Monaghan, Mayo and Sligo, and the HSE in its 2026 National Service Plan commits to opening a further seven services in Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Mullingar, Waterford and Wexford. The National Service Plan also commits to opening a fifth Regional Specialist Memory Clinic in North Dublin in 2026, which will complement the four Regional Specialist Memory Clinics already in place in Cork, Galway and Dublin (St James' Hospital and Tallaght Hospital).
The HSE's 2026 National Service Plan further commits to allocating a minimum of 22% of new home support hours to people with dementia or a cognitive impairment, up from 20% in 2025, and 18% in 2024.
The Government and the HSE are working in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) to increase the availability of dementia day care services, day care home, dementia advisers and supports for people with young onset dementia. Across 2025 and 2026, Government funding for the Alzheimer Society has enabled the opening of 8 new dementia day care services, the provision of day care at home to an additional 150+ clients and the recruitment of 7 new dementia advisers, bringing the total number of advisers nationally to 37. In 2025, the ASI was also provided with recurring funding for young onset dementia activity clubs, with 28 clubs operating in March 2026.
The Programme for Government commits to building more public nursing home beds and to including dementia-specific provision in all new Community Nursing Units. I am working to progress this commitment so that there is an adequate supply of public nursing home beds to meet the needs of our growing older population and the rising number of people with dementia.
The Government will continue to work to implement the Programme for Government commitments so that people with dementia, together with their families, have the supports they need to live as well and independently as possible in their own homes for as long as possible, and have access to high-quality residential care when needed.
378. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health to consider implementing dementia supports that are based on a disability assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53775/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
379. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the potential role of professionally managed home sharing as a preventative support to help older people remain living independently by reducing loneliness, improving safety, supporting timely hospital discharge and delaying admission to long-term residential care; and, if no such assessment has been undertaken, the reasons for this. [53792/26]
View answerThe Irish Government’s strategic goal is to deliver a new model of integrated older persons’ health and social care services, across the care continuum, supporting older people to remain living independently in their own homes and communities for longer, in line with the Sláintecare vision for receiving the right care, in the right place, and at the right time.
Central to Sláintecare is the re-orientation of care into the community, the expansion of primary and community care, and a strong emphasis on prevention, helping people to stay healthier for longer.
The current Programme for Government commits to a range of initiatives aimed at supporting people to age in place, including the development of a statutory home support scheme, additional home support hours, dementia supports, day centres, meals on wheels, and supports for family carers.
A core aim of the Government is also to increase the housing options available to older people and to facilitate the integration of supports in a more coherent way between the housing and health sectors, allowing more older people to live with dignity and independence for longer.
As Minister for Older People and Housing, and in the context of the new national housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030’, I am committed to increasing the delivery of housing choices to facilitate older people to age in place with independence. To this end, the Department of Health will continue to explore all options, and to engage with all relevant stakeholders, to support older people to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
380. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 17 June 2026, if she has met with or otherwise engaged with an organisation (details supplied); and if her Department has assessed the potential benefits of supporting home sharing as a means of providing independent living and home support, particularly for older persons. [53794/26]
View answerThe Irish Government’s strategic goal is to deliver a new model of integrated older persons’ health and social care services, across the care continuum, supporting older people to remain living independently in their own homes and communities for longer, in line with the Sláintecare vision for receiving the right care, in the right place, and at the right time.
Central to Sláintecare is the re-orientation of care into the community, the expansion of primary and community care, and a strong emphasis on prevention, helping people to stay healthier for longer.
The current Programme for Government commits to a range of initiatives aimed at supporting people to age in place, including the development of a statutory home support scheme, additional home support hours, dementia supports, day centres, meals on wheels, and supports for family carers.
A core aim of the Government is also to increase the housing options available to older people and to facilitate the integration of supports in a more coherent way between the housing and health sectors, allowing more older people to live with dignity and independence for longer.
The Department of Health has had ongoing engagements with THE HomeShare over the course of several years. Most recently, I met with THE HomeShare in July 2025 to discuss THE HomeShare model.
As Minister for Older People and Housing, and in the context of the new national housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030’, I am committed to increasing the delivery of housing choices to facilitate older people to age in place with independence. To this end, the Department of Health will continue to explore all options, and to engage with all relevant stakeholders, to support older people to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
381. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the HSE's consideration of Skyclarys for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia; the reason the drug was not included on the agenda of the HSE Drugs Group meeting of 14 July 2026; if she will confirm when a decision is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53801/26]
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.
382. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if she will establish a national movement neurophysiology laboratory at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital to provide diagnostic and treatment support for patients with dystonia, tremor, myoclonus and functional neurological disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53807/26]
View answer384. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that movement neurophysiology services for patients with dystonia and other movement disorders are currently available only in the private sector; the plans that exist to ensure equitable access to these services through the public health system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53809/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 384 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
383. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to establish a movement neurophysiology laboratory at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53808/26]
View answer385. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to integrate movement neurophysiology into the National Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Service at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital to improve patient selection, reduce unnecessary surgery and maximise the efficient use of DBS resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53810/26]
View answer386. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health whether she has assessed the clinical and cost-effectiveness of establishing a national movement neurophysiology laboratory at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; if so, the outcome of that assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53811/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 383, 385 and 386 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
