Written Answers Nos. 385-406
387. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to reduce waiting times for assessment and treatment of patients with dystonia; and whether the establishment of a national movement neurophysiology laboratory at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital forms part of those plans. [53812/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
388. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if her Department and the HSE are aware of undue delays in a case (details supplied); the reason for the delay; the plans her Department and the HSE have to address these delays in follow-up appointments and procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53819/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
389. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the HSE or the relevant environmental health authorities have carried out an assessment of potential public health risks arising from the condition of a building (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53823/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
390. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health in cases in which correspondence addressed to the Minister is considered capable of constituting a protected disclosure, but the Department states that the material was not viewed prior to its transmission to the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner, the person or body responsible for determining that the correspondence should be treated as a potential protected disclosure and transmitted accordingly; the procedures which govern that assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53827/26]
View answerThe Department of Health has procedures in place for the handling of correspondence that may fall within the scope of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended.
Where correspondence received by the Department appears to relate to matters arising from a protected disclosure or otherwise to fall within the protected disclosure framework, Departmental officials handle the correspondence in accordance with the Act and the related Statutory Guidance.
The Statutory Guidance provides that reports received through the Ministerial reporting channel are to be transmitted to the Protected Disclosures Commissioner (OPDC), who is responsible for ensuring that they are sent to the most appropriate person or body for assessment and follow-up. The role of a body transmitting a report to the OPDC is not to assess the substantive merits of the information before onward referral.
The Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner operates independently in the assessment and follow-up of matters referred to it.
391. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the next national cancer strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53828/26]
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).
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, 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. As the evaluation has not yet concluded, it would not be appropriate to set deadlines on development or completion of any new strategy at this time.
392. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress in recruiting staff outside this State for employment in the HSE to provide a range of healthcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53829/26]
View answerAs this is a recruitment matter we have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy
393. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the discrepancy between a job specification and the actual role and renumeration (details supplied); the reason the core specifications previously published have been disregarded; her views on whether this was misleading and may have led to potential candidates not applying; if those recruited have signed permanent contracts yet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53834/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
394. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the average ambulance response times for emergency call-outs in County Clare during each of the past three years, broken down by call category; and the measures being undertaken in Clare and the wider Mid-West Region to reduce response times. [53836/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
395. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance call-outs in County Clare that exceeded the national target response time during each of the past three years. [53837/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
396. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting longer than 6, 12 and 24 months for outpatient appointments at University Hospital Limerick who are resident in County Clare, broken down by specialty for the time periods of June 2025 and June 2026. [53838/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
397. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home beds in County Clare, broken down by public and private providers. [53840/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
398. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the range of topics covered and the outcome of her discussions in Cork with the Members of the European Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53878/26]
View answerIreland’s EU Presidency term began on July 1. It is the culmination of a long process of planning and preparation that has been a major focus across Government.
The traditional Presidency visit by the College of Commissioners took place in Cork on 2-3 July 2026 and represented the first collective engagement between the Government of Ireland and the European Commission during the Ireland’s Presidency term. The visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen political relationships, establish a shared understanding of Ireland’s Presidency priorities and discuss how we will work with the Commission through our term to ensure we can deliver effectively on our policy objectives for the benefit of citizens in Ireland and across Europe.
During the meeting, there were a number of structured cluster discussions involving Ministers and Commissioners focused on (i) industrial competitiveness and the single market; (ii) agriculture, climate, energy and economic transition; (iii) security, external relations, defence, preparedness, trade and economic security; and (iv) values, skills, health, social cohesion and housing.
As Minister for Health, I took part in a comprehensive discussion on Values, Skills, Social Inclusion and Housing alongside Commissioner Olivér Várhelyis, with Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler and other Ministers with relevant portfolios also participating. The session focussed on education, health, democracy, housing, enlargement, equality and social Europe.
I outlined the priorities in the area of health, including progress on the Biotech Act 1 (Directive and Regulation) and simplification of the Medical Devices Regulation and In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation. I also highlighted women’s health, in particular endometriosis, as another priority area. During the Irish Presidency, discussions will also support the implementation of the European Health Data Space, and advancing Europe's Beating Cancer Plan.
Minister Butler outlined priorities in the area of mental health, highlighting its direct relevance to the overall health agenda.
The programme concluded with a plenary session, jointly chaired by the Taoiseach and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. This provided an opportunity for reflection on key themes which emerged during earlier discussions for the benefit of the wider College and Government. The plenary also provided an opportunity for Ministers and Commissioners to exchange views on the opportunities and challenges that will arise during the Irish Presidency term.
Overall, there was a high degree of alignment between the Government and the European Commission on the priorities and objectives for the work of the EU during the Irish Presidency term, together with a shared commitment to maintaining momentum across the Union’s legislative and policy agenda.
399. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken any assessment of the experience and outcomes of patients with complex childhood-onset conditions following their transition from paediatric to adult healthcare services; whether adult acute hospitals have been assessed for their capacity to meet the clinical, equipment, therapeutic and support needs of these patients following transfer from paediatric services; and if she will outline any findings and actions arising therefrom. [53884/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
400. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether nirsevimab, the RSV vaccine, will be made available by the HSE for newborn babies from September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53924/26]
View answerIreland's Immunisation Programme is informed by the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, (NIAC). NIAC considers the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland as well as international best practice in relation to immunisation when developing its advice.
I can confirm that the scope of the RSV Infant Immunisation Pathfinder Programme for 2026/2027 will be the same as for last season. That is, RSV immunisation will be offered to babies born in-season and infants aged 6 months old or younger at the start of the RSV season, in line with NIAC advice.
401. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost placed on the cost of obesity in Ireland annually; the way in which it is measured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53944/26]
View answerThe current Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025).
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and the overall aim is to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the impact of overweight and obesity on health outcomes for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address obesity.
Under OPAP, Ireland put in place a comprehensive, cross-Government strategy to address obesity and overweight. Since 2016 significant progress has been made in delivering on the Ten Step Programme of OPAP and to drive policy initiatives and actions, ranging from health promotion and education initiatives and obesity prevention measures through to establishing services to treat and manage obesity within the health care system.
Neither the Department of Health nor the Obesity National Clinical Programme (NCP) in the HSE centrally collate an estimated annual cost of treating obesity and obesity-related conditions across the health service. Data on healthcare expenditure is held across a number of distinct systems and organisations. Costing and activity data for hospital care is compiled by the Healthcare Pricing Office (HPO), who may be in a position to advise on hospital activity associated with obesity-related conditions. Information relating to the cost of reimbursable medicines used in the management of obesity, falls under the remit of the HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP).
402. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the absence of an Irish health technology assessment on the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors for persons with type 2 diabetes, she will request that her Department engage with the HSE and the Health Information and Quality Authority to scope a rapid HTA for defined cohorts of persons with type 2 diabetes who may benefit from CGM technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53950/26]
View answerContinuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems provide an alternative approach to self-monitoring of blood glucose (using blood glucose test strips with an associated blood glucose meter). These CGM systems comprise of sensors, transmitters and a mechanism to display the results (readers/receivers or smart device application).
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. The HSE has advised that the HIQA Rapid HTA of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus was published on 29th September 2023.
The HTA recommended the establishment of a single managed access programme for all CGM systems for all individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus regardless of age, noting that such a system would need clearly defined criteria for access. Following on from the recommendations in this HTA, the HSE-MMP, in conjunction with the HSE-PCRS, and with the support of the HSE Chief Clinical Officer, introduced an online reimbursement application system for all CGM sensors on 1st December 2023.
Reimbursement support for CGM sensors at this point in time is based on the HIQA HTA and is for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus regardless of age, who have required insulin from the outset.
To date, a HTA of CGM sensors for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus or other types of diabetes has not been undertaken in Ireland. Therefore, there is limited information to support the extension of reimbursement to these patient groups, including cost-effectiveness assessment and budget impact of same.
The HSE has identified preferred CGM products based on cost-effectiveness to manage this expenditure. A second review of CGMs is taking place which will include an update of the preferred CGM sensors evaluation.
On the 21st of May, The Diabetes Policy and Services Review: A Strategy for Better Care was launched by the Minister for Health.
This is Ireland’s first national strategy for diabetes. It sets out recommendations for action in relation to type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy and paediatric diabetes. The strategy marks a major milestone in diabetes care in Ireland, representing the development of a unified approach to the delivery of diabetes care.
403. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health for an update on the HSE's review of preferred continuous glucose monitoring sensors; when she expects the review to be completed and published; whether a revised timeline has been agreed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53951/26]
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
404. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to support a pre-budget submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53975/26]
View answerAs Minister of State, I receive a large volume of pre-budget submissions each year. I value the partnership, input and efforts of voluntary and community organisations, and I take each submission into consideration as part of the Estimates process.
The Department is engaging in dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the HSE in relation to the 2027 Estimates process. Until these discussions are concluded, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter. However, I am committed to ensuring the continued enhancement of mental health services through the allocation of additional funding for mental health in 2027.
The Government's clear commitment to enhancing mental health services is demonstrated by significant funding increases in recent years. I would note that Budget 2026 provided a record allocation for mental health services of almost €1.6 billion, representing an increase of more than 50% since I assumed the role of Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health in 2020.
The additional funding for current expenditure provided under Budget 2026 for the Health Vote was €1.5 billion, bringing the total current allocation to €25.8 billion. This included funding to maintain existing levels of service and to support new service developments, including the recruitment of 300 additional whole-time equivalent staff within Mental Health services during 2026.
Budget 2026 marked the sixth consecutive year of increased investment in mental health services. This sustained growth in funding has supported continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with Sharing the Vision, Ireland's national mental health policy, and Connecting for Life, the national suicide and self-harm reduction strategy. These investments support a broad continuum of care, from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention through to specialist mental health services.
Recent budgetary investment has enabled a continued focus on priority areas, including crisis support and suicide prevention, youth mental health and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and the expansion of the National Clinical Programmes.
Importantly, as budgets increase, we must ensure that robust plans and strategies are in place so that resources are used effectively and efficiently for the benefit of people using our mental health services. All aspects of mental health services continue to be improved and developed through Sharing the Vision in the short, medium and longer term. Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum, from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention through to acute and specialist mental health service delivery over the period 2020–2030.
405. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review the case of the persons (details supplied); the reasons they were awarded GP visit cards rather than full medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53976/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
406. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if she will give detailed consideration to nudget 2027 proposals by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54016/26]
View answerDecisions on the funding of cancer services next year are being made in the context of the Estimates process for 2027. The points raised in all Pre-Budget Submissions will be noted and all stakeholder views will be considered during the Service Planning process for 2027.
