Written Answers Nos. 701-722
701. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question 63241/26, the work that has been carried out by the Mid West specialist eating disorder team thus far to develop a clear integrated ARFID referral pathway for children and young people. [68120/26]
View answerThe National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders has progressed well with the total number of 16 eating disorder teams under the Model of Care now fully funded. This includes 11 teams now operational and a further 5 teams in recruitment and development, as per the Model of Care. The HSE spends over €14 million on eating disorders services annually.
Over 110 dedicated eating disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are now working on the teams across the country, treating people with eating disorders every day. Enhancement for specialist mental health services including eating disorders is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole, and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
HSE data from the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders for 2025 shows increases in activity across referrals, assessments, diagnoses and access to treatment. In 2025, over 900 referrals were received, 600 assessments were completed, with a 13% increase in the number of people starting treatment for an eating disorder. 75% of patients were assessed within eight weeks.
Our current focus is on completing and implementing the existing Model of Care and supporting the rollout of additional teams. Once this is complete, an evaluation will be undertaken, after which the Model of Care will be reviewed by the HSE.
My Department and the HSE are working to develop 22 dedicated adult beds to provide inpatient care for eating disorders, in addition to the existing 20 dedicated child and adolescent eating disorder beds.
The development of the 22 dedicated adults beds will be progressed under the governance structures of the forthcoming 10-year capital plan for mental health services, supported by funding from the National Development Plan 2026-2030. The HSE is aiming to have these beds coming on stream by 2030.
In addition, as Minister I secured funding from Budget 2026 for two new eating disorder teams, a CAMHS team to serve the South east, and an Adult team to serve counties Galway and Roscommon. This will assist more people with an eating disorder requiring access to specialist eating disorder mental health services.
As your question relates to an operational issue, it has been forwarded to the HSE for direct reply to you.
702. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to make a public umbilical cord donation available in Ireland. [68114/26]
View answerIreland does not currently operate a national umbilical cord blood bank. Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells which may be used in the treatment of certain conditions, including some blood disorders and cancers. While cord blood is a source of stem cells, it is not the sole source, and bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplants are recognised as established treatments.
Decisions regarding stem cell transplantation services and the sourcing of stem cell donations are matters for the HSE, informed by clinical expertise, service requirements and patient need. Patients in Ireland requiring stem cell transplantation may access suitably matched stem cell donations through existing national and international arrangements.
There are currently no proposals before my Department regarding the establishment of a national cord blood bank in Ireland. Any proposal in this area would require careful consideration of clinical need, operational and regulatory requirements, resource implications, international best practice and the available evidence base, informed by the advice of the relevant clinical and service planning experts.
703. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if she will increase the travel allowance for home help workers. [68113/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
704. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when home support services will commence for an older person living alone in County Donegal that was approved in February 2026; and the reason for the delay. [68109/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
705. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will provide clarity on podiatry services within County Westmeath; her views that there have been substantial cuts to this service in Westmeath over recent years; and the measures being taken by her Department to enhance this essential service. [68133/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
706. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify whether there are plans to offer permanent or fixed-term employment opportunities to persons currently on the HSE staff bank in County Kerry. [68132/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
707. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health in the context of proposals to withdraw private maternity services, the specific criteria that will be used to risk-stratify women as normal, medium or high risk; her views that it would be important for these criteria to be clearly defined and transparent, particularly if a woman's risk categorisation will determine which maternity pathway she is able to access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68129/26]
View answerMaternity care in Ireland is provided in line with the National Maternity Strategy (NMS), Creating a Better Future Together, 2016 - 2026. The Strategy sets out how to provide women-centred care, so that every woman can expect the same quality of care regardless of her location or her ability to pay, and to ensure women have choice regarding the pathway to the birth of their baby, within the context of their clinical need.
The National Maternity Strategy sets out a Model of Care for maternity services, with three care pathways tailored to the clinical needs and risk profile of each woman and her baby:
The Supported Care Pathway• is midwife-delivered and available to women with a normal risk profile.
The Assisted Care Pathway• is shared care between medical and midwifery staff and is for women with an elevated risk profile.
The Specialised Care Pathway• is a consultant-led service for women deemed to be high risk at booking.
The model of care provides appropriate pathways to ensure that mothers, babies, and families get the personalised care that they need.
Through the National Maternity Strategy, we have significantly expanded midwife-led care for women with normal-risk pregnancies via the Supported Care Pathway through the funding of more than 390 additional nurses and midwives.
This pathway is available in all 19 maternity units and offers a community-focused model of care, enabling women with uncomplicated pregnancies to access birth options across hospital alongside birth units/home from home rooms, community, or home settings.
The National Maternity Strategy aims to ensure that appropriate care pathways are in place in order that mothers, babies, and families get the right care, at the right time, by the right team and in the right place.
If a woman does not choose a pathway, the default is a shared care approach. This means the woman will attend antenatal appointments in her maternity hospital and be cared for by midwives under the supervision of a consultant obstetrician and medical team.
Under the specialised care pathways all mothers identified as high risk pregnancies are led by a named consultant within a multi-disciplinary team of midwives and other specialists.
In most pregnancies, care is straightforward and can be safely delivered through midwifery-led and multidisciplinary models, supported by consultant-led oversight when needed.
We will continue to listen to women and drive improvements across maternity services, building on the significant progress and investment to date driven through the National Maternity Strategy. This includes delivering a successor to the Strategy, as outlined in the Programme for Government.
708. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health to outline why there is currently a recruitment freeze on midwifery posts in University Hospital Galway (details supplied); and the rationale for not filling vacant midwifery posts. [68146/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
709. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when an Adult Speech and Language Therapist will be appointed in County Leitrim. [68150/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
710. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health further to PQ6452/26 and staffing in Thurles CMHT, for an update on the supplementary panel for the Clinical Nurse Manager post, which recently closed. [68151/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
711. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health to consider bringing forward legislation to provide free universal access to blister packs for patients from pharmacies. [68183/26]
View answerIn March 2026 agreement was reached between my Department, the Irish Pharmacy Union, and the HSE, regarding a significant reform of phased dispensing arrangements alongside the introduction of a new medicine optimisation support service (MOSS). This MOSS is available free of charge for specified vulnerable patient groups who are also medical card holders, where the pharmacist deems it clinically appropriate.
Under this service, blister packs are available for relevant patients, but they are just one of the supports which are available under the MOSS. Blister packs are not the optimal support for every patient. In addition, certain medicines (e.g. oro-dispersible tablets, medicines which are only taken on an “as required” basis) are not suitable to be supplied in blister packs.
Details of the changes can be found in the Department’s Press Release on 31 March 2026 -Reforms announced to phased dispensing and enhanced medicine supports under the Community Pharmacy Agreement (CPA). www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/reforms-announced-to-phased-dispensing-and-enhanced-medicine-supports-under-the-community-pharmacy-agreement-cpa/ Further information and frequently asked questions can also be found here: Medicine Optimisation Support Service
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/services/medicine-optimisation-support-service/
From 1 June 2026, medical card holders in the following vulnerable patient groups may be supported to receive a range of tailored supports, free-of-charge, where the pharmacist deems it clinically appropriate:
• Patients with physical impairment affecting the ability to use conventional packaging (who do not have carers that could support them to use original packs)
• Patients diagnosed with cognitive impairment or dementia who have carers to support them (including home care) by prompting them to take their medications at the appropriate intervals
• Patients with an intellectual disability.
• Patients who, for social inclusion reasons, including homeless or marginalised people, are unable to appropriately manage their medication.
• Patients who are on high-risk medicines and are at risk of misuse and/or abuse of those medicines.
Importantly, all patients who were receiving blister packs free-of-charge prior to the Community Pharmacy Agreement (in August 2025) can continue to do so.
These vulnerable patient groups will be supported, where appropriate, with a range of tailored MOSS supports including:
• Adjustments to facilitate use of original packaging. These include, for example:
• Reminder charts,
• Administration charts,
• Winged bottle caps / easy open lids,
• Labelling adjustments,
• Alarms (such as notifications on mobile phones),
• Tablet splitters.
• Dosette boxes.
• Instalment dispensing; and
• Blister packs where clinically necessary.
Importantly, blister packs will remain a last resort in line with the international evidence, due to associated risks including reduced patient autonomy and potential safety concerns.
The reforms ensure that resources are targeted towards those who genuinely need them and recognise community pharmacists as vital partners in patient safety and medicines optimisation. Empowering the pharmacist to engage with these patients, in such an individualised manner, will ensure that these patients are supported to manage their medicines in an individualised way. Utilising the skillset of pharmacists in making this decision is considered the most appropriate mechanism by which to oversee access to blister packs for patients.
The new MOSS fee arrangement will support pharmacists in this role, giving them greater flexibility to decide what optimisation supports are most appropriate for clinically indicated medical card patients.
Patients are encouraged to talk to their pharmacist about any difficulties they may have in managing their medicines. Supports to help patients take their medicines are varied. Pharmacists will be able to advise patients of the different options that are available to help with medicines management, and about the risks and benefits of different supports, in order to determine the most appropriate one for each individual patient.
712. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with the HSE and relevant professional bodies to establish a timeline for reviewing accreditation requirements, rather than waiting for the completion of the statutory regulation of psychotherapy. [68218/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
714. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm whether accreditations (details supplied) will be considered in the development of future professional standards and recruitment frameworks, taking account of CORU’s Standards of Proficiency for Psychotherapists. [68216/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
716. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with the HSE to review recruitment criteria for counselling and psychotherapy posts to recognise accredited cognitive behavioural psychotherapists (details supplied); the reason this accreditation is not accepted for certain HSE positions; and whether it will be considered in relevant grade code reviews and workforce planning. [68214/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter we have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
717. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to address prolonged waiting times in the emergency department at University Hospital Kerry; the current staffing and bed capacity within the emergency department; whether additional staffing, bed and diagnostic capacity is planned; and the measures being taken to reduce delays in diagnostic imaging and the reporting of results for emergency department patients. [68257/26]
View answerAs the issue raised is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
718. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health her plans to tackle overcrowding in the emergency department at St. Vincent's University Hospital; and if she has commissioned research on the specific impact of overcrowding on patients with moderate, as opposed to urgent and acute, disease or injury seeking emergency treatment, across the country with a view to ensuring better outcomes for such patients. [68265/26]
View answerI would like to assure the deputy that every measure is being taken to ensure that overcrowding is kept to a minimum in St Vincent’s University Hospital and all our hospitals.
The UEC Operational Plan is currently in operation, and one of the 4 pillars of the plan is hospital avoidance. This focuses on supporting patients in settings other than the Emergency Department and avoiding the need for inpatient care.
Amongst the initiatives involved in the plan are:
• Vaccine Preventable Illness, promote uptake of Influenza, Measles and COVID-19 vaccinations to improve compliance for all target groups including Healthcare Workers Specialist Care in the Community
• Community Specialist Teams (CSTs) for Chronic Disease Management.
• GP Out of Hours Work with GP Out of Hours Services to maintain/increase GP OOH contacts and reduce the level of GP OOH referrals to EDs
• NAS Care Pathways Maximise usage of existing NAS alternative care pathways
• Injury Units to provide a 7-day service, 8am to 8pm including Bank Holidays
Vaccination, good hand hygiene, and appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette remain important measures to help prevent the spread of infection and reduce pressure on Emergency Departments. Mask wearing can also provide additional protection, particularly when disease incidence is high, and individuals who choose to wear one should be supported in doing so.
Timely discharge is critical to maintaining patient flow and the efficient and effective utilisation of inpatient resources, as well as ensuring patients clinically fit for discharge are in appropriate settings for their healthcare. We are investing in enhanced discharge planning, community supports, and step-down facilities to ensure patients can leave acute hospital settings safely and promptly.
The National Inpatient Experience Survey is part of the National Care Experience Programme (NCEP), a shared initiative between the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health.
The NCEP seeks to improve the quality of health and social care services in Ireland by asking people about their experiences of care and acting on their feedback. The seventh National Inpatient Experience Survey took place in 2026. People who spent more than 24 hours in hospital and were discharged during the month of May received an invitation to take part in the survey, to share their experiences of hospital care. It is expected that the findings of the survey will be published at the end of 2026. Further details can be found at https://yourexperience.ie/
As this PQ refers to St Vincent's University Hospital specifically I am referring it to the HSE for an operational answer.
719. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an orthopaedic appointment for Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway; and if the referral is an urgent or routine referral. [68261/26]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
720. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the provision for reimbursement support under the community drug scheme for a continuous glucose monitoring device will be extended beyond patients with type 1 diabetes to include patients with reactive hypoglycaemia; the number of patients affected by hypoglycaemia; and the estimated cost of including this cohort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68260/26]
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.
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.
721. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if she will provide details of the number of students who graduate each year in dentistry/orthodontics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68279/26]
View answerIn terms of the number of dental graduates in Ireland, the national capacity for dentistry courses until recently was approximately 60 Irish/EU places annually out of a total of approximately 100. This Government has worked to increase the number of Irish/EU dental undergraduate places, and there are now around 90 Irish/EU places in the academic year for 2026/27.
While progress has been made more must be done to look at how we can increase student training places further which is why my colleagues in the Department of Health have engaged with our dental schools regarding the expansion of training places. These engagements are ongoing with a view to developing potential options to facilitate further expansions.
There are now three undergraduate programmes for Dentistry, including the existing programmes in Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. This is as a result of the initial Higher Education Authority (HEA) Expression of Interest process.
It is important that any increases in training provision is achieved in a sustainable way with an evidence based understanding of the future needs of the health system. My officials have been engaging with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) regarding the potential expansion of dentistry training provision.
Part of this engagement has resulted in a proposal for funding from University College Cork to establish a dental outreach centre. This would enable the training of additional undergraduate students in the dentistry programme, in a primary care setting, benefiting both Irish and EU students. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and DFHERIS to try and progress this proposal with a view to maximising both Irish and EU places to enhance workforce capacity in Ireland, as well as increased service provision.
My Department officials have received a draft proposal to increase the number of dental places at the Dublin Dental University Hospital, located at Trinity College Dublin. This will require further discussion and agreement between my Department and DFHERIS.
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) School of Dentistry was established in September 2025 to help address Ireland’s dental workforce needs and improve access to oral healthcare. This Government is making a significant investment in this programme to address demand for dentistry services in Ireland. The programme trains future dentists in a community-based model, where students develop their clinical skills in real patient-care settings under direct supervision. The RCSI has reached an agreement with the HEA to expand the number of Irish/EU places to 28 this year. There is capacity to increase the total annual EU intake in this course to 35 places by 2027. This will represent a 60% increase on dental training places in Ireland compared to 2024.
Currently both Dublin Dental University Hospital at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Cork University Dental School and Hospital at University College Cork (UCC) offer specialist dental training. TCD offers a specialist qualification dental training which is a DChDent. UCC offers two options for specialist dental training which are the D Clin Dent in Oral Surgery and the D Clin Dent in Orthodontics.
I am aware that TCD does not have a minimum number of students, but as per Irish Committee of Specialist Training in Dentistry regulations, they cannot have more than 6 students overall in each of the DChDent programmes. Usually, TCD offers a maximum of 2 place per year. With regards to UCC its intake is 3 to 4 students for each programme every three years (i.e. new intake when the current intake is completed).
My Department remains committed to ensuring that our oral healthcare system is supported by a steady and sustainable pipeline of highly skilled graduates. Further work is underway with DFHERIS and other relevant Government Departments and the HEA to explore the potential expansion of student places across health and social care professions including dentistry.
722. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the measures she is taking to increase the number of orthodontists employed in the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68278/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
