Written Answers Nos. 177-212
177. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she plans to begin implementation of the National Diabetes Strategy by providing funding to create a regional diabetes clinical lead post in each HSE health region. [67489/26]
View answerThe Diabetes Policy and Services Review: A Strategy for Better Care was launched on the 21st of May.
assets.gov.ie/static/documents/a41e7d5d/Diabetes_Policy_and_Services_Review_-_A_Strategy_for_Better_Care.pdf.
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.
178. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she intends to remove the specific criteria of 'insulin initiation from the start' that is preventing approximately 500 to 700 people with a clinical diagnosis of type 1 diabetes from accessing continuous glucose monitoring. [67488/26]
View answer188. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health her response to a campaign (details supplied). [67442/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 188 together.
Continuous 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.
The Diabetes Policy and Services Review: A Strategy for Better Care was launched on the 21st of May. It provides a detailed assessment of our current diabetes services and sets out series of recommendations and actions to improve diabetes care delivery. This includes access to diabetes technology based on clinical need, such as continuous glucose monitoring.
The HSE is currently working to develop an implementation plan for the strategy, in cooperation with my Department, to ensure that the recommendations are followed through at national level and throughout the Health Regions.
180. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to outline the process that will be used to initiate patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia on a treatment (details supplied); and to confirm if all neurologists currently treating patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia across Ireland will be authorised to prescribe this treatment from the commencement date. [67485/26]
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.
181. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the reason for recent changes to the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland’s (RCPI) Basic Specialist Training recruitment process; to respond to concerns (details supplied); if she has engaged with the RCPI regarding this change; and if there are any plans to introduce transitional arrangements. [67484/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
184. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to ensure adequate funding and resources are allocated to the Dental Health Foundation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67474/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
185. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason contracted printers are used to print medical cards; the yearly cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67533/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
186. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for an initial appointment across primary and community care services at 31 August 2025 and 2026, nationally, by HSE health region, integrated healthcare area and county where held, by service, age group and waiting-time band; and the average, median and longest waiting time for each service where available, in tabular form. [67545/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
187. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department attendances; the average time to admission; the waiting-time distribution; the number and percentage of patients waiting more than 12 hours; more than 24 hours; the number and percentage leaving without being seen or before completion of treatment, for the period 1 January to 31 August in 2025 and 2026, nationally and by hospital, with separate figures for all patients and patients aged 75 years and over; and the number of admitted patients awaiting an inpatient bed for more than six, 12 and 24 hours after the decision to admit, where held, in tabular form. [67546/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
189. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health to provide the current waiting list figures for home care, both new packages and additional hours being sought, in County Roscommon and County Galway; the average waiting time; the length of time they have been waiting; and those longest waiting [67422/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
190. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for diagnostic scans and other centrally reported diagnostic tests, at 31 August nationally, by HSE Health Region and by hospital or diagnostic service, broken down by waiting-time band including waits of more than six, 12 and 18 months; and the average, median and longest wait where available; and the details of outsourced scans, in tabular form. [67579/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
191. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people on CAMHS and CAMHS ID waiting lists at 31 August in each of the years 2025 to 2026, nationally, by HSE Health Region, Integrated Healthcare Area and team, broken down by waiting-time bands ; and the average, median and longest waiting time, in tabular form. [67577/26]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond direct to the Deputy as soon as possible in relation to the detailed operational information sought.
192. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people approved for home support but awaiting commencement, the number receiving less than their approved allocation, the total number of approved hours not being delivered per week, and the average, median and longest waiting time, at 31 August in each of the years 2025 to date in 2026, nationally, by HSE Health Region, Integrated Healthcare Area, county where held and age group, in tabular form. [67574/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
193. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of outsourcing arrangements for children's spinal surgery and paediatric orthopaedics; the participating hospitals, including international hospitals; the number of children referred, assessed, treated and awaiting treatment through each arrangement for the period 1 January to 31 August 2026 and the equivalent period in 2025; and the expenditure incurred under each arrangement, in tabular form. [67571/26]
View answerI am cognisant of the challenges families have faced in relation to paediatric orthopaedic services, in particular spinal services, and I am actively driving multiple efforts to address these challenges.
Several initiatives are underway to help improve access to services including a ringfenced theatre, additional outpatient clinics, and national and international outsourcing to maximise capacity.
Following the completion of a tender process CHI has established international outsourcing pathways with SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital, and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Minnesota. CHI continue to ensure that patients are informed of the option to have their procedure carried out in an international hospital.
The Paediatric Spinal Services Management Unit, led by a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, and supported by wider Multi-Disciplinary Teams, ensures patients are prioritised correctly for surgery and works to continue to reduce waiting times.
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
194. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and percentage of ambulance handovers completed within 20 minutes and the number and percentage taking more than 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 120 minutes, together with the total ambulance crew hours lost to delayed handover, for the period 1 January to 31 August in each of the years 2022 to 2026, nationally and by hospital, in tabular form. [67570/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
195. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the ambulance response performance for high-acuity emergency incidents for the period 1 January to 31 August in each of the years 2022 to date in 2026, nationally, by HSE or National Ambulance Service region and by county of incident where held, broken down by the applicable current clinical-status category; the incident volume, median response time, 90th percentile response time and longest response time; and the number and percentage of incidents with a response time exceeding 30, 60 and 120 minutes and meeting the applicable response-time target, in tabular form. [67567/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
196. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of assaults recorded against healthcare workers and patients for the period 1 January to 31 August in each of the years 2022 to 2026, nationally, by HSE Health Region and by facility where available, broken down by incident type including physical, verbal and sexual assault, and by reported level of harm; the number of staff working days lost following assault; the number of incidents referred to An Garda Síochána; and the number resulting in prosecution where known, in tabular form. [67564/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
198. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the gross income received from car-parking charges at each public and voluntary acute hospital for each full year 2021 to 2025 and for the period 1 January to 31 August in 2025 and 2026; the number of paid parking spaces; the applicable hourly, daily and weekly tariffs; the number and value of exemptions, reductions or validations; the amount retained by the hospital and by any private operator or contractor; and the expenditure incurred on operating the parking facilities, in tabular form. [67559/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
199. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average bed occupancy rate in each public and voluntary acute hospital for the period 1 January to 31 August of 2025 and 2026; the national and HSE Health Region average for each period; the number of days on which occupancy exceeded 85%, 90% and 95% in each hospital where available; and the number of days on which full capacity protocols were in operation in each model three and model four hospital, in tabular form. [67557/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
200. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital-initiated appointment cancellation for each quarter in each of the years 2022 to date in 2026 by hospital, broken down by reason for hospital-initiated cancellation, in tabular form. [67553/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
201. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the expenditure by the HSE and public hospitals on privately provided MRI, CT, ultrasound, endoscopy and colonoscopy services in each year 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by provider, modality and referring hospital; the number of tests purchased and average unit cost; and the corresponding public-sector capacity and activity by modality and region where held, in tabular form. [67627/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
202. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the overtime expenditure and overtime hours in each public and voluntary acute hospital for each year 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by staff group; the number of rostered shifts left unfilled by hospital and staff group; and the number of shifts filled through agency staffing or other temporary arrangements, in tabular form. [67625/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
204. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of medicines which entered the HSE reimbursement process in each year 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the number which received a final reimbursement decision; the average, median and longest time spent at each stage from reimbursement application and pharmacoeconomic assessment to final decision; the number and duration of clock stops; the number and percentage completed within the applicable administrative or process target; and the equivalent figures separately for orphan medicines, medicines for rare diseases, oncology medicines and all other medicines, in tabular form. [67623/26]
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; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
205. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to address the issue that patients in Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar will not have access to nurse led clinics provided from the Diabetes Day Centre due to lack of suitably qualified nursing staff. [67632/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
206. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons eligible, invited and screened in each of the years 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026 in respect of BreastCheck, CervicalCheck and BowelScreen; the relevant target number, screening interval or participation target and actual performance against each target; the number and percentage whose screening interval exceeded the applicable programme target; and the figures nationally, by HSE health region and by county where available, in tabular form. [67622/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
208. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of personal-data breaches recorded by the HSE and public and voluntary hospitals for each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026, nationally, by HSE health region and facility where available, broken down by breach category; the number of persons affected; the number involving health or other special-category personal data; and the number notified to the Data Protection Commission, in tabular form. [67615/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
209. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of serious reportable events and other serious patient-safety incidents recorded in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026, nationally and by hospital or facility, by incident category, including wrong-patient or wrong-site procedures, retained foreign objects and other applicable serious reportable event categories, and by level of patient harm; the number of related investigations completed and outstanding; the median time to complete an investigation; and the number of recommendations arising from such investigations which remain overdue, in tabular form. [67614/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE); the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
210. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals and clinical sites required to certify compliance with the Public-Only Consultant Contract 2023; the number which have completed such certification; the number where non-compliance has been identified; the number of consultants identified as undertaking private work on public sites contrary to the terms of their contract; the number operating under an exemption, derogation or transitional arrangement; and the remedial or financial action taken, by hospital or clinical site, in tabular form. [67613/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
211. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital consultants at 31 August 2026, nationally and by hospital or principal clinical site, specialty and contract type; the number and percentage employed under the Public-Only Consultant Contract 2023; the number and percentage of such consultants rostered as part of their core contracted hours to work after 5pm on weekdays and on Saturdays; and the number of consultant sessions actually delivered during such extended hours in 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [67612/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
212. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of reports that approximately 88 intern nurses (details supplied) were interviewed for nursing positions in Galway University Hospital in 2026, but that fewer than ten were offered employment; if she will clarify the number interviewed; the number offered positions; the number currently awaiting contracts or confirmed start dates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67596/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
