Written Answers Nos. 521-540
521. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health of the Section 39 disability service providers that received sustainability funding, the number that have the funding incorporated into their recurring annual funding allocation; the number of those service providers that are in HSE Dublin and south-east region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54443/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
522. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the names of the Section 39 disability service providers within the HSE Dublin and south-east health region that received sustainability funding, together with the amount allocated to each provider; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54444/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
523. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the names of the Section 39 disability service providers within the HSE Dublin and south-east health region whose applications for sustainability funding were unsuccessful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54445/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
524. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health if she will commit to providing the funding necessary in Budget 2027 to fill all posts needed to fully implement the Diabetes Policy and Services Review: A strategy for Better Care Diabetes Strategy in South Tipperary (details supplied). [54454/26]
View answerThe []https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/a41e7d5d/Diabetes_Policy_and_Services_Review_-_A_Strategy_for_Better_Care.pdf was launched on the 21st of May.
This is Ireland’s first national strategy for diabetes, marking a major milestone in diabetes care in Ireland. It provides a detailed assessment of our current diabetes services and sets out series of recommendations and actions to improve diabetes care delivery. The recommendations cover four key themes:
• Service Development
• Affordability and Access to care
• Better support for people living with diabetes
• Digital Healthcare
The recommendations are marked in the strategy as either short, medium or long-term goals. Short-term refers to recommendations which can be implemented within three years. Medium term recommendations can be implemented within five years, and long-term recommendations are those that will take longer than five years to fully implement.
The HSE is currently working to develop an implementation plan to ensure that the recommendations are followed through at national level and throughout the Health Regions.
Discussions relating to the 2027 Estimates process are underway and will not be concluded until closer to the date of the Budget. The HSE National Service Plan will be published after the budgetary process concludes.
Under the new HSE regional structure, the Department allocates the overall HSE budget and staffing ceiling. The detailed operational decisions on how those resources are deployed within and across Health Regions are a matter for the HSE.
While annual policy priorities and performance expectations are set out in the National Service Plan, the HSE, and specifically the REOs, are accountable for delivering these priorities in their Regions within their budget allocations. The Department does not specify funding or staffing line-by-line for individual services. Instead, the Department sets the overall budget and required outputs, and the HSE is responsible for prioritising its resources to meet the agreed targets.
525. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the total amount paid by the HSE to agency staffing providers in each of the past five years, broken down by each provider and the amount paid in each year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54469/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
526. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the number of agency staff engaged by the HSE in each of the past five years and the associated expenditure incurred, broken down by each public acute hospital and by staff category, including nursing and midwifery, medical and dental, health and social care professionals, healthcare support, management and administration, and all other categories, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54470/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
527. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has examined the patient-injury compensation systems in Denmark, Sweden and Finland, under which patients may apply for compensation without having to establish clinical negligence through court proceedings; if she will consider introducing a similar system in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54471/26]
View answerIn September 2024, the Department of Health published the report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Rising Cost of Health Related Claims, along with two ancillary reports, ‘Plaintiff experiences of the medico-legal environment in Ireland (UCC)’ and ‘A comparative analysis of clinical negligence claims in a range of jurisdictions (HRB)’. The Report, along with examining the financial costs, placed a strong emphasis on the human cost of litigation.
As part of their research, the Expert Group examined injury compensation systems as they operate in other jurisdictions.
I am committed to ensuring that the recommendations in the Report are implemented without delay. This work is currently in progress, overseen by an Interdepartmental/Agency Implementation Group, chaired by the Department of Health, and comprised of membership from relevant Government Departments and agencies, including the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Courts Service, State Claims Agency and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
A detailed Implementation Plan was published in October 2025. The majority of agreed short-term actions have been completed, with work continuing on medium and long-term actions. The Implementation Group continues to meet regularly to drive progress, monitor delivery against agreed actions and timelines, and report in line with its terms of reference.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of State Authorities.
528. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if she will commission an independent examination of the costs, benefits and practical requirements of establishing a no-fault patient-injury compensation scheme in Ireland, including the potential impact on patients, legal costs, the length of time taken to resolve claims and expenditure by the State Claims Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54472/26]
View answerIn September 2024, the Department of Health published the report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Rising Cost of Health Related Claims, along with two ancillary reports, ‘Plaintiff experiences of the medico-legal environment in Ireland (UCC)’ and ‘A Comparative analysis of clinical negligence claims in a range of jurisdictions (HRB)’. The Report, along with examining the financial costs, placed a strong emphasis on the human cost of litigation.
The report identifies six strategic priorities, which aim to reduce the requirement for litigation in healthcare, improve the litigation process for those taking this path and to reduce costs. It sets out a comprehensive set of recommendations that span a range of government departments and agencies.
The Department is committed to ensuring that the recommendations are implemented without delay. This work is currently in progress, overseen by an Interdepartmental/Agency Implementation Group, chaired by the Department of Health, and comprised of membership from relevant Government Departments and agencies, including the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Courts Service, State Claims Agency and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
A detailed Implementation Plan was published in October 2025. The majority of agreed short-term actions have been completed, with work continuing on medium and long-term actions. The Implementation Group continues to meet regularly to drive progress, monitor delivery against agreed actions and timelines, and report in line with its terms of reference.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of State Authorities.
529. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health when the successor to the National Cancer Strategy 2017–2026 will be published; the current stage of its development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54474/26]
View answer530. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the consultation process that will be undertaken in developing the next National Cancer Strategy; which patient organisations and stakeholders will be invited to participate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54477/26]
View answer531. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health whether childhood, adolescent and young adult (CAYA) cancer will continue to be recognised as a distinct priority within the next National Cancer Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54479/26]
View answer532. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the measures being considered in the next National Cancer Strategy to improve survivorship services for childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer patients, including psychosocial supports, management of late effects and quality-of-life outcomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54481/26]
View answer533. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in publishing the successor to the National Cancer Strategy 2017–2026; whether an interim plan will be put in place if the current strategy expires before a new strategy is published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54483/26]
View answer534. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health whether a steering group or advisory committee has been established to oversee the development of the next National Cancer Strategy; if so, the membership of that group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54484/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 529, 530, 531, 532, 533 and 534 together.
The 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.
535. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to publish or provide the addendum report referred to in the supplementary note on the Department of Health's 2021 Annual Report of abortion statistics, which stated that "the Department will prepare an addendum report to update the notification figures" (details supplied) in order to address the recognised under-reporting of the number of abortions in the Department of Health Annual Report for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54491/26]
View answerUnder Section 20 (1) of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, a notification of each termination of pregnancy carried out under the legislation must be notified to the Minister within 28 days of it being carried out.
My Department has acknowledged that it is reasonable to conclude, based on the information available, that the number of terminations of pregnancy notified to the Minister was substantially lower than the number of terminations carried out in 2021. In the preparation of the 2021 Annual Report and the associated processing of the notifications received, Department officials identified the lower number of notifications received compared to 2019 and 2020. In response, my Department engaged with the HSE with a view to identifying any underpinning reasons for this reduction.
It is recognised that 2021 was an enormously challenging year for the health service. Not only was the system dealing with the incredible challenge posed by COVID-19 pandemic, but it was also hugely impacted by the cyber-attack on the HSE. This attack meant that many healthcare facilities had to manage their services, referrals and other standard practices in the absence of established digital solutions. It is reasonable to assume that the combination of these events contributed to the shortfall in notifications received for the year.
Annual Reports have been published for the years 2019-2025 inclusive, and are available on the Government of Ireland website at []www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/collections/annual-reports-on-notifications-in-accordance-with-the-health-regulation-of-termination-of-pregnancy-act-2018/.
My Department regularly engages with the HSE and service providers to ensure as far as practicable the accuracy and integrity of the notification process.
536. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to provide the total number of blood transfusions per year carried out in maternity hospitals, from 2016 to 2025; the reasons transfusions may be needed in maternity units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54492/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
537. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 942 of 16 June 2026, to provide the number of claims for reimbursement via the primary care reimbursement scheme for a patient’s first visit for purpose of termination of pregnancy during 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of claims for combined termination procedure and aftercare during 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54493/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
538. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health her plans to improve waiting times for patients referred to the Centre for Obesity Management in St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown from its current six years to a maximum of 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54498/26]
View answerIt is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach initiated in September 2021 is focused on improving waiting times for patients, and the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) 2026, embodies the Government’s commitment to reducing waiting times for patients, thereby improving access to hospital care. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
These improvements have been achieved against the backdrop of increased demand for planned care services. Addressing this increased demand, while also working to sustainably reduce waiting times will require the health service to deliver more core activity through improved productivity and efficiencies, through ongoing reform and new enabling supports, and through targeted additional capacity.
The WTAP sets out six overarching and interconnected targets, which will be achieved through the delivery of 36 actions under the themes of “Reforming Planned Care”, “Enabling Planned Care” and “Capacity Optimisation”.
With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
539. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the plans for a facility (details supplied) on Cork Street Dublin 8. [54501/26]
View answerThe Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate. The HSE has a significant property portfolio extending to circa 4,300 buildings across circa 2,300 locations throughout the country. The health estate is varied and complex and the HSE actively manages its evolving property portfolio. Decisions in respect of vacant properties are informed by HSE service management and based on an understanding of current or future healthcare service needs in the relevant area. A building may be vacated by one service with a view to refurbishment for an alternative use or a property may be maintained for future service expansion at a specific location for demographic or service requirements.
Following extensive review, the property known as the James Weir nurses home, or Weir Home, on Cork Street in Dublin 8 was identified by the HSE a number of years ago as surplus to its requirements and it was decided to dispose of the property. The disposal of Weir Home is being carried out in line with statutory obligations, including the Land Development Agency Act 2021, Department of public expenditure Circular 11/2015, the protocols for the transfer and sharing of State property assets and Department of public expenditure Circular 17/2016 on the policy for property transactions by State bodies. The Department of public expenditure circulars require all State bodies to update the State Property Register with details of all properties that are surplus to their requirements and available for occupation or disposal.
The HSE offered this property to all State stakeholders through the property mapping register viewer site of the Office of Public Works. The HSE engaged with all expressions of interest from State bodies in relation to the property. However, after this engagement process, no other State body chose to acquire Weir Home from the HSE. While one State stakeholder expressed interest, this transaction did not proceed.
The HSE will now progress to disposal of this property on the open market in line with Department of public expenditure circulars and the HSE's property protocol. The HSE continues to engage with the Department of Health, the Department of housing, the Land Development Agency, local authorities, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and the Department of An Taoiseach in relation to its surplus assets as part of an all-of-government approach to increasing housing stock.
540. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the reason a second health technology assessment (HTA) is required from the producers/suppliers of spinraza to treat those over 18 years with spinal atrophy when it is already approved and administered to those over 18 who commenced the treatment prior to their 18th birthday; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54504/26]
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.
