Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
836. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health her plans to expand the medical cannabis access programme to include chronic pain conditions, including endometriosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68856/26]
View answer893. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if she supports expanding the medical cannabis access programme, MCAP, to ensure that more people affected by severe chronic illnesses can access cannabis in circumstances where other treatments have failed to relieve symptoms; and if she supports expanding MCAP to support those who have been impacted by endometriosis. [68953/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 836 and 893 together.
The Medical Cannabis Access Programme was established following the recommendations of the Health Products Regulatory Authority 2017 publication of "Cannabis for Medical Use - A Scientific Review" which advised that due to evidential reasons a programme could be established for the treatment of three conditions with un-authorised cannabis products.
1. Refractory Epilepsy
2. Spasticity as a result of MS.
3. Nausea as a result of spasticity
The MCAP was to be subject to review after a 5 year trial period. The purpose of the Review of Access to Cannabis for Medical Use is to provide evidence-informed advice to my Department and I on access to cannabis-based products for medical use in Ireland, including the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) and the Ministerial Licence Scheme, and to make recommendations to inform long-term national policy.
The Group will:
• Review the current operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme and the availability of Schedule 2 Cannabis products.
• Examine the appropriateness to expand the range of conditions covered by the programme, where sufficient evidence exists that cannabis may prove beneficial.
• Review the current access to Schedule 1 Cannabis products and the current operation of the ministerial licence.
• Develop a national policy on access to, and the administration of cannabis products that are subject to ministerial licence.
The Review Group is comprised of a range of medical specialists and experts and patient representation.
To support the Review of Access to Cannabis for Medical Use my Department commissioned the Health Research Board (HRB) to undertake an international evidence review as a key input to the process.
The HRB subsequently published its review in 2024, entitled The Efficacy and Safety of Medicinal Cannabis in Adult Populations.
The Review group will consider the evidence included therein and will also engage with relevant expert stakeholders, including patients and/or their families, to inform the Review through consideration of lived experience.
Finally recommendations will be made to the Minister in relation to the topics listed above, including whether or not to expand the programme.
