Alan Kelly
Ceist:764. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the reason the HIQA review into hospital services in the midwest was not published in May as she committed to. [31882/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Communications
Ceisteanna (764)
Freagraí scríofa
HIQA wrote to me on May 28th to update on the timeline for completion of their final report regarding the review of hospital services in the Mid West region. This review will provide advice to me, as Minister for Health, to inform decision-making around the design and delivery of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the Mid West.
Overall, the HIQA work on the review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the HSE Mid West region has progressed very well and the workstreams undertaken by HIQA to inform the advice are complete.
The completed workstreams include: review of the national policy landscape; analysis of relevant health system data; regulatory inspections of UHL and of other hospitals and services in the Mid West; substantial stakeholder engagement including a public consultation which received 1,121 submissions; a number of international evidence syntheses targeted to address relevant research questions have been undertaken.
However, a critical dependency for completion of the advice and a final report from HIQA is the input from the national and regional demand and capacity projections being undertaken by the ESRI for the Department.
HIQA have updated me that, given the ESRI regional capacity projections work will not be completed until later in the summer, this will impact on the timeframe for delivery of HIQA’s advice to me and the final report.
The revised timeline for completion of the HIQA final report will therefore be September 2025, contingent on the completion of the ESRI reports within the expected timeframe. The final report will be published.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (765)
John Brady
Ceist:765. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if she plans to develop an oral immunotherapy service for those with severe allergies; and if so, the timeline for this rollout; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31910/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Pharmacy Services
Ceisteanna (766)
Conor Sheehan
Ceist:766. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health when she intends to publish and implement guidelines from the pharmacy regulator on pharmacy charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31916/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Transparency in pricing for patients and members of the public is desirable and empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their care, and the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) has previously published information on pricing transparency, available on its website.
In April 2025 I requested the PSI to consider the development of appropriate guidelines so that patients have an improved understanding of the fees that they pay in respect of the products they are dispensed and the services they use in pharmacies.
The PSI is scheduled to consider proposed draft guidance on Pricing Transparency at its upcoming meeting on the 26 June 2025, with a view to subsequently issuing this for public consultation prior to formal approval at the next subsequent meeting.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (767)
David Cullinane
Ceist:767. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists working in primary care in Waterford; the number on leave; if cover has been provided (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31917/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (768)
Conor D McGuinness
Ceist:768. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists based at University Hospital Waterford in the years of 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [31918/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (769)
Conor D McGuinness
Ceist:769. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE community general nurses based in Waterford in the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [31919/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Assisted Decision-Making
Ceisteanna (770, 771, 848)
Aisling Dempsey
Ceist:770. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health the reason all provisions of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 must be commenced together; and the length of time the process take. [31929/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAisling Dempsey
Ceist:771. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health the reason the previously agreed schedule for the commencement order for the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was changed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31930/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAisling Dempsey
Ceist:848. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the appointment of the chief executive of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority, given the closing date is 19 June; and once appointed, whether the chief executive will have the authority to extract sections of the proposed legislation and implement them individually. [32356/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 770, 771 and 848 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was signed into law by the President on July 2nd 2024, having passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The primary purpose of this complex and far-reaching legislation is to regulate fertility clinics providing treatment such as IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) and IUI (intrauterine insemination) and ensure that assisted human reproduction (AHR) practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight. Therefore, the AHR Act 2024 encompasses the regulation for the first time of a wide range of practices undertaken in Ireland, including: the use and donation of gametes and embryos for AHR and research; pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos; posthumous assisted human reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA), as provided for in the legislation, is a key aspect required for the effective regulation of this sector.
The AHR Bill as initially published also included provisions in respect of domestic altruistic surrogacy. However, the final AHR Act 2024 also includes substantive new provisions in respect of the regulation of future surrogacy arrangements undertaken by Irish residents in other jurisdictions and the recognition of parentage arising from certain past domestic and international surrogacy arrangements (‘retrospective surrogacy’ provisions).
While the AHR Act 2024 was progressing through the Houses of Oireachtas, issues were identified which required further consideration and consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. Formal drafting of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill – which is largely concerned with outstanding issues of parentage and citizenship but also seeks to make other necessary amendments to various sections of the AHR Act 2024 itself, including in respect of the ‘retrospective surrogacy’ provisions – is at an advanced stage, led by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, in conjunction with officials from my Department, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
At one point the possibility of commencing certain sections of the AHR Act 2024 (in relation to ‘retrospective surrogacy’ provisions) was being explored. However, it was subsequently agreed that it was more practical and legally pragmatic to commence all Parts concurrently. I recently met with relevant advocacy groups and advised them of the position.
Full commencement of the 2024 AHR Act will require a fully established and operational AHRRA being in place and the enactment of some necessary amendments and additional provisions contained in the AHR Amendment Bill.
Intensive work is ongoing in relation to the commencement of all the provisions in the complete AHR legislation, including in respect of further progressing the establishment of the AHRRA. It should be emphasised that the AHR legislation will provide for the introduction, for the first time, of a new regulatory environment for a wide range of complex practices within Ireland and, indeed, in respect of surrogacy and donor-assisted human reproduction procedures, potentially even some undertaken in other jurisdictions.
It is important that establishing a new state agency in this environment is done in a way that can allow it to operate effectively in order to deliver its statutory functions.
Regarding the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the AHRRA, the Deputy would be aware that the competition for selection is run by the Public Appointments Service, and I cannot comment on that process.
Additionally, the commencement of various sections of the 2024 AHR Act are the responsibility of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Minister for Social Protection.
The Deputy will appreciate that at this point I cannot give a definitive timeline for the commencement of the complete AHR legislation, or the appointment of a CEO of the AHRRA; however, I can assure her that I wish to both continue to advance this much-needed legislation and set up the regulatory authority as soon as practicable.
Question No. 771 answered with Question No. 770.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (772)
Aisling Dempsey
Ceist:772. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health if pay increases for section 39 workers, under the recent agreement reached at the WRC to fund health, social care and homeless sector employers, will automatically take effect, or if the organisations concerned need to reapply for funding. [31931/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an administrative matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the minister directly.
Question No. 773 answered with Question No. 747.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (774)
Ged Nash
Ceist:774. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if she will give an update on waiting times for under-18s for Orthodontist services in Drogheda and Dundalk and if there are plans in place to reduce waiting times for these services in these areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31935/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (775)
Brian Brennan
Ceist:775. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the progress of a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31944/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (776)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:776. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if urgent help will be provided for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal to access CAMHS and other support services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31946/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (777, 860, 862, 880, 894)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:777. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to expediting the approval process for a medicine that assists in the treatment and progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31948/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Mark Ward
Ceist:860. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if givinostat (details supplied) will be made available for children Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32395/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDavid Cullinane
Ceist:862. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health whether an application for reimbursement has been received for a medicine (details supplied); the status of the application; if funding is available to make this medicine available to patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32416/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:880. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she and her Department will consider expediting the approval of givinostat to assist in the treatment of those who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32513/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:894. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the approval of the givinostat (brand name duvyzat), for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Ireland; if she will provide a timeline for implementation in Ireland; and the length of time the reimbursement process will take. [32595/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 777, 860, 862, 880 and 894 together.
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 devices; therefore, I have asked the HSE for an update in this matter.
The HSE has advised that there is a National Application, Assessment & Decision Process for new medicines which is underpinned by Primary Legislation (Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013) put in place by the Oireachtas. The HSE must comply with the relevant legislation when considering investment decisions around new medicines.
The HSE must robustly assess applications for pricing and reimbursement to make sure that it can stretch available resources as far as possible and to deliver the best value in relation to each medicine and ultimately more medicines to Irish citizens and patients.
There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and / or reimbursed.
Pharmaceutical companies are required to submit formal applications to the HSE if they wish for their medicines to be added to the list of reimbursable items / funded via hospitals. The decision of pharmaceutical companies to market licensed medicines i.e. whether or not to submit a formal application, is outside the control of the HSE.
In terms of the specific details of an application for pricing and reimbursement of Givinostat (Duvyzat®):
On 25th April 2025, the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a conditional marketing authorisation for Givinostat (Duvyzat®) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in ambulant patients, aged 6 years and older, and with concomitant corticosteroid treatment. On the 6th June 2025 the European Commission granted EU conditional marketing authorisation for Givinostat (Duvyzat®) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
A pricing and reimbursement application has not yet been received by the HSE for Givinostat (Duvyzat®).
As outlined above, the national assessment and decision process cannot commence in the absence of a pricing and reimbursement application submission to the HSE.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (778)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:778. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE psychologists based at Newbridge primary care centre in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [31962/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (779)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:779. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the WTE staff, by job title, at the minor injuries unit at Naas General Hospital; the number of vacancies, by job title, currently at the MIU; and the estimated timeframe for filling each of those vacancies, in tabular form. [31963/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (780)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:780. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the current and capital funding required for the purchase of an additional helicopter for the HSE helicopter emergency medical service. [31964/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (781)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:781. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE occupational therapists based at Athy primary care centre in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [31965/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (782)
Barry Heneghan
Ceist:782. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing additional measures to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of essential medications for infants, including for common conditions such as reflux, particularly in cases where newborns may not yet have a PPS number and are not fully covered under the drugs payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31984/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. A pharmaceutical company can apply to the HSE for reimbursement for a specific indication (use) of a specific licensed medicine. Medicines can have more than one licensed (market authorised) indication and each indication represents a separate application. In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the 2013 Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. Possession of a medical card entitles people to access prescribed medicines subject to the payment of a small prescription charge. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Under the DPS, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (783)
Barry Heneghan
Ceist:783. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 673 of 27 May 2025, if she will confirm whether the HSE intends to continue the expansion of social prescribing services, including into areas of Dublin that do not currently have access to such services, particularly in the Killester, Clontarf-Raheny area, given the importance and impact of the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31985/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.