Written Answers Nos. 740-761
740. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to enact legislation to include socio-economic disadvantage as a ground for discrimination under equality legislation, particularly in light of a report (details supplied) which showed that one of the highest categories of discrimination was on the basis of socio-economic background; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34531/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2024, Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which includes a number of legislative provisions arising from the review of the Equality Acts. At the same time, approval was granted, in principle, for the introduction of a new equality ground of socio-economic disadvantage in Ireland’s equality legislation, subject to the completion of an assessment of the potential costs for the Exchequer and of the Enhanced SME test examining the potential impact on SMEs of the introduction of such an equality ground.
Department officials are currently advancing this work. Detailed work has already been undertaken on the definition of disadvantaged socio-economic status drawing on many sources, including:
• academic studies from Ireland and abroad,
• submissions relating to this topic received as part of the Review of the Equality Acts,
• recent Private Member’s Bills, and
• the definitions in the legislation of other jurisdictions, and rulings made in these jurisdictions on equality cases.
My Department is currently engaging with relevant stakeholders. I will shortly brief Government on the outcome of a test which evaluates the impact on SMEs of the introduction of the new ground.
741. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if she will consider extending the current income support scheme for healthcare workers with long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33514/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) have been very clear that this was the final extension that would be granted, and as such, the Special Scheme will conclude on 30th June 2025.
742. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health to reconsider the ending of the special leave with pay scheme, for health care workers who contracted Covid in the workplace and are now suffering serious, long-term disability, such disability affecting their career, their financial, psychological and physical health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33515/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) have been very clear that this was the final extension that would be granted, and as such, the Special Scheme will conclude on 30th June 2025 .
This matter had been referred to the Labour Court on 11th of June 2025. As this is an on going Industrial Relations matter it would be inappropriate to comment any further.
743. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost to fully staff two additional ADHD teams. [33523/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraADHD has long been recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and it is now known to persist into adulthood. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
This National Clinical Programme is based on multi-disciplinary community teams to diagnose and treat ADHD in adults. As Minister, I am proud to have launched the Model of Care for Adult ADHD and to have resourced the establishment of the teams envisioned by the Model of Care. The ADHD Programme is funded with total funding of over €5 million on a recurring annual basis. As a result, there are 8 teams funded, with 7 teams are currently operational and one team in recruitment. Additional funding has been secured by myself as Minister in Budget 2025, to roll out all further teams envisaged in the Model of Care.
In relation to the information requested regarding the cost of ADHD teams, as this is an operational matter , I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
744. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in emergency medicine that were on duty within the accident and emergency Department of University Hospital Limerick for each night of the week commencing 9 June 2025. between the hours of 8pm and 8am, in tabular form. [33524/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
745. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged under 13 awaiting dental screening in CHO3, in tabular form. [33525/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
746. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the current resources and staff allocation to Limerick Palliative Care, including the provision for home care palliative care and residential palliative care; and the current vacancies within this service. [33526/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
747. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of temporary locations used for the Covid vaccine rollout that are still being rented in each county; the cost per county for rent since all Covid restrictions were lifted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33530/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
748. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the long wait times for urgent appointments in the BreastCheck at the Mater Hospital, including the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33531/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI share the Deputy's concern at the unacceptably long waiting times to access the Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinic at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH) and the way in which this was communicated to women. I understand that there have been longstanding recruitment challenges at the MMUH Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinic but these have now stabilised.
As services operate at full capacity, any disruption to services can lead to a backlog that will take some time to clear. I have contacted MMUH and the HSE Regional Executive Officer requesting that an urgent plan be put in place to improve waiting times for the women concerned.
749. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to clarify the options available to women who have cancer and require breast surgery as regards their access to support services including breast protheses, and, in particular, whether they can attend any facility which is approved by the HSE regardless of where they are located; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33533/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
750. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to reimburse cost or part cost of private medical procedures incurred by people before the cross-Border Directive scheme and Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme were introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33540/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) provides rules for the reimbursements to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State, and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level. The European Union (Application of Patients’ Rights in Cross-Border Healthcare) Regulations 2014 were signed on 14 May 2014 and commenced on 1 June 2014, and subsequently the HSE is in the position to operate the terms of the Directive in Ireland. Under the terms of the CBD, patients in Ireland can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA country for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The patient may access the overseas service in either the public or private health sector of the country they choose to receive the service in. The patient pays for the treatment and claims reimbursement from the HSE at the cost of that treatment in Ireland or the cost of it abroad, whichever is the lesser. The HSE, in fulfilling its role as the National Contact Point (NCP) in Ireland, provides information for patients on the operation of the CBD, including on its website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/cross-border-directive/
The principal function of the National Contact Point is to facilitate exchange of information for patients concerning their rights and entitlements relating to receiving healthcare in another Member State, in particular the terms and conditions for reimbursement of cost and the procedures for accessing and determining those entitlements.
The Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme (NIPHS) has been in effective operation since 1 January 2021. This Scheme was introduced to mitigate the loss of access to care from private providers in Northern Ireland under the EU Cross Border Directive, which ceased to apply as a result of Brexit. The current administrative scheme enables persons ordinarily resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland. Such healthcare will be reimbursed at the cost of providing that treatment in the State or the cost of same in Northern Ireland, whichever is the lesser.
Patients are advised to contact the HSE NI Planned Healthcare office directly for further information on individual applications for reimbursement under the NI Planned Healthcare Scheme. Further information and contact details are available on the HSE NI Planned Healthcare website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/niphs/. Where a person accesses private healthcare in Ireland there is no facility for the cost of that care to be reimbursed by the public health system.
751. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of the new Obesity Policy and Action Plan, due to be published in early 2026; whether a public consultation on the new iteration of the policy and action plan will be conducted in the coming months, in advance of publication; if so, the timing for that consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33551/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Healthy Weight for Ireland, the current Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025).
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and the overall aim is to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the impact of overweight and obesity on health outcomes for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address the obesity epidemic.
Under OPAP, Ireland put in place a comprehensive, cross-Government strategy to address obesity and overweight. Since 2016 significant progress has been made in delivering on the Ten Step Programme of OPAP and to drive policy initiatives and actions, ranging from health promotion and education initiatives and obesity prevention measures through to establishing services to treat and manage obesity within the health care system.
The current OPAP runs through to the end of 2025 and a successor Obesity Policy and Action Plan will be due at the beginning of 2026. The Department is at an early stage of preparing the next OPAP. In January the Department held a workshop with Government departments, agencies, public health bodies, advocacy groups and academics to identify some of the key themes to consider as part of the development of the next OPAP.
Following a recent tender, consultants experienced in strategy development, stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation, and obesity-related healthcare policy have now been appointed to assist in developing the new Obesity Policy and Action Plan.
As part of this work, the consultants will facilitate focus groups with key stakeholder groups once the vision and strategic goals for a new policy have been identified by policy makers, informed by evidence. We also anticipate conducting a public stakeholder consultation.
It is expected that a new obesity policy will be published in early 2026. The Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, includes a commitment to develop a new Obesity Policy and Action Plan.
752. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health to provide the details of funding being allocated to each cancer support service (as announced by her predecessor in October 2024), by county, in 2025; to specify whether this funding is recurrent; when each service will receive this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33570/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
753. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the report recommendations from an organisation (details supplied); the actions she will take to action these recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33575/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to acknowledge receipt of the Irish Lung Fibrosis Associations: ‘Achieving Equity: Innovating Lung Fibrosis Care in Ireland’ report. My Department will give this document due consideration as part of its ongoing and future engagements with both stakeholders and the HSE.
Funding of €500k was allocated for pulmonary fibrosis in budget 2025 which will be utilised to further develop services in this area. Stakeholder engagement, inclusive of considering the above report, will form a vital part of further developing services for Lung Fibrosis.
The HSE has completed recruitment of an Interstitial Lung Disease Clinical Advisor, a role crucial to progressing work in this area. The successful candidate took up post earlier this month, establishing the appropriate governance and leadership to drive work in this area.
The Department of Health remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for people living with Lung Fibrosis.
754. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding frontline workers who are suffering from long Covid; if she proposes to extend the current deadline of 30 June 2025 for support payments to those in this position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33584/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme was put in place for 12 months in July 2022 to support eligible staff who were impacted by Long-Covid. At the request of my Department, approval to extend the Special Scheme was granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) a number of times, it was extended for a further 12 months at the end of June 2024 on the existing terms for the existing cohort of employees already being supported by it.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) have been very clear that this was the final extension that would be granted, and as such, the Special Scheme will conclude on 30th June 2025.
755. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the reason a number of projects submitted by a service (details supplied) for the HSE national lottery grant scheme were unsuccessful; whether this decision can be appealed by the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33585/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
756. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if her Department or the HSE have considered implementing a standard procedure where GP practices and medical centres are in direct contact with health insurance providers so that there is no requirement for the patient to contact their health insurance provider to seek a reimbursement for the cost of their medical treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33600/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am responsible for the legal framework governing the health insurance market in Ireland. This is a voluntary market that operates under the principles of community rating, open enrolment, lifetime cover and minimum benefit.
Minimum benefit means that all health insurance contracts must provide a certain minimum level of cover for inpatient and outpatient hospital treatment. This approach is designed to be equitable and fair, by ensuring that all consumers obtain an appropriate minimum level of health insurance cover regardless of what plan they purchase. The Health Insurance Act, 1994 (Minimum Benefit) Regulations 1996, require insurers to offer a minimum benefit to customers in every insurance policy. A health insurer is free to provide additional benefits outside of the minimum benefits.
Insurers may exclude certain services and providers in their policies, provided they remain in compliance with the Minimum Benefit Regulations. Insurers are free to contract selectively with healthcare providers and are not required to cover treatment by any particular healthcare service provider, whether public or private, in line with Irish and EU competition law.
These decisions are taken by health insurers on the basis of commercial decision-making. It is important to note that I have no role in the commercial decisions or operational arrangements of private health insurance providers. These are matters for the insurers themselves, operating within the regulatory framework overseen by the Health Insurance Authority (HIA).
Patients are advised to check with their health insurance provider in advance of treatment to confirm the extent of their cover for the proposed treatment. This ensures clarity on any potential out-of-pocket expenses and helps avoid delays in claims processing.
757. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will extend the long-Covid scheme for healthcare workers who are unable to return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33604/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme was put in place for 12 months in July 2022 to support eligible staff who were impacted by Long-Covid. At the request of my Department, approval to extend the Special Scheme was granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) a number of times, it was extended for a further 12 months at the end of June 2024 on the existing terms for the existing cohort of employees already being supported by it.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) have been very clear that this was the final extension that would be granted, and as such, the Special Scheme will conclude on 30th June 2025.
Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell beyond that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.
Employees who did not qualify for the Special Scheme but are also impacted by Long-Covid may also utilise the supports of the sick leave scheme.
The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.
758. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the specific measures being taken to improve access to trauma-informed mental health care for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, particularly outside of major cities such as Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33624/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a key priority of government to develop and delivery recovery-focused, trauma-informed mental health services and supports for the whole population, and with a focus on the needs of the individual and those of priority groups, including people who are homeless.
Ireland's national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision: A mental health policy for everyone (2020-2030), details trauma-informed service delivery as one of four key service delivery principles of: recovery, trauma-informed, human rights and valuing & learning.
The Policy and the latest Implementation Plan 2025-2027 details trauma-informed service delivery as:
• Everyone at all levels of the mental health services and wider mental health provision has a basic understanding of trauma and how it can affect families, groups, organisations, communities and individuals. People delivering services recognise the signs of trauma, which may be gender-, age-, or setting-specific.
• Services respond by applying the principles of a trauma-informed care. Staff in every part of the organisation change their language, behaviour and policies to take into consideration the experiences of those who have trauma histories, including staff members themselves.
• A trauma-informed approach resists traumatising or re-traumatising service users and staff. Staff are taught to recognise how organisational practices may trigger painful memories for service users with trauma histories. Applying a trauma-informed approach does not mean that everyone with a mental health difficulty or everyone using mental health services has experienced trauma. It simply means that the service system needs to be aware of and respond to the presence of trauma in people who may be using a wide variety of supports.
The HSE’s Office of Mental Health Engagement and Recovery are currently developing a guidance document ‘Towards Trauma Informed Practice: A Guidance Document for Irish Mental Health Services’ which will provide a knowledge base to support the implementation of trauma aware services across mental health services. It is envisaged that this work should in future encompass all health services, and not just mental health services.
Sharing the Vision (StV) recognises the need for a whole-of-population, whole-of-government approach to the delivery of mental health services. It builds on the achievements of A Vision for Change, with a focus on a wider, cross-sectoral service provision appropriate to whole population needs. StV contains 100 specific recommendations of varying complexity and timeframes.
In line with Sláintecare, the policy aims to provide “the right care in the right place at the right time”. Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum, from mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.
The prevalence of mental health difficulties and issues regarding access to services for people experiencing homelessness are well documented. Sharing the Vision contains two recommendations that seek to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Recommendations 58 and 59 are under the remit of the Mental Health Services Workstream. A mapping exercise is currently being undertaken for recommendations 58 and 59 to map the existing level of mental health supports and services across the country, e.g., where they are located, what is the nature of the support/service offered etc. This is being carried out via two surveys; one targeting specific mental health supports and services often provided or funded via regional HSE Social Inclusion functions and a second survey examining how general adult mental health services engage and work with service users experiencing homelessness. Initial findings indicate substantial regional variety and a diverse and uneven range of services of services available around mental health support for people experiencing homelessness. These include:
• Specialist mental health teams for people experiencing homelessness: There are two teams in the Dublin area that provide dedicated community mental health support to people experiencing homelessness.
• Inclusion Mental Health team: Based out of St. James Hospital, providing mental health supports (including outreach) to people experiencing homelessness.
• Adult Homeless Integrated Team: Cork based service that takes an integrated approach. Includes a Community Nurse, GP, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Consultant Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist, Counsellors and Addiction Counsellors.
• Safety Net: Primary care service for people experiencing homelessness as well as other vulnerable group in Dublin area. Includes in-reach and outreach services
• Other regional variations: Some areas have dedicated GP and mental health nursing supports.
• Housing First: Housing First (HF) is a recovery-focused, evidence-based approach to ending homelessness. It provides housing as a basic human right, without requiring preconditions such as sobriety or readiness. This approach supports individuals with long-term homelessness and complex health needs, including mental health.
• Counselling: Dublin Simon Community provides a Sure Steps counselling services part funded by NOSP and the HSE.
• General adult community mental health teams: In some areas, particularly outside larger urban centres, the general adult services provide mental health care to people experiencing services. These teams are currently being surveyed regarding their experience in this regard.
• De Paul Ireland
De Paul Ireland provides services to individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness across Ireland (North and South). They offer a range of support including emergency accommodation, longer-term housing solutions, and various support services aimed at helping people rebuild their lives. De Paul Ireland partners with various mental health services to ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness receive the professional support they need.
In March 2025 DePaul launched Headstrong, De Paul’s framework for delivering Mental Health supports across the De Paul services.
De Paul receives funding from the HSE to support the delivery of the following services:
NFMHS - 4 Services
Dublin - 11 Services (8 w/ DRHE & 4 HSE alone)
Cork - 2 Services w/ Cork City Council
SE - Waterford, Wexford, Carlow w/ Local Authorities
Midlands - Longford w/ Local Authority
HHPA - Dublin & Cork
• ACCES team is a homeless mental health team set up in 2004. ACCES stands for Assertive Community Care Evaluation Services. The aim is to support patients’ mental health and advocate for housing.
The Department of Health and HSE are working closely with other Departments, including the Department of Housing, to ensure that wrap-around services and supports - including mental health supports - are available for people who are homeless. It remains a key priority for government to deliver improvements, enhancements and needed reforms to the state's health offering for people who are homeless, aligned with our national mental health policies and strategies.
759. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health if her Department has a designated head of procurement; if each agency or public body under her Department’s remit also has a designated head of procurement; and if so, to list those entities, along with the name or grade of the person holding that role. [33643/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have a designated head of procurement. It operates a devolved procurement function whereby each business unit is responsible for the procurement of their own goods, services and any related contracts, following advice from the Procurement Officer and the Office of Government Procurement.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
760. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the number of staff within her Department and its agencies who hold a formal procurement qualification or certification (for example, CIPS, NFQ Level 6 or higher in procurement, EU public procurement training), broken down by organisation, in tabular form. [33661/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a devolved procurement function whereby each business unit is responsible for the procurement of their own goods, services and any related contracts, following advice from the Procurement Officer and the Office of Government Procurement.
Both of my Department's procurement advisors have attended external certificate level procurement training courses. They also regularly attend OGP, CSSO, SCA and EPA briefings/information events when they are available.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
761. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health if her Department and each agency or public body under its remit uses a formal contract management system or procurement tracking platform; to list the systems in use; and if they are centrally monitored or independently operated. [33679/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the procurement process, my Department's Procurement Officer ensures that tender details and contracts are notified and updated as required. These are recorded on an internal contract management spreadsheet system which is centrally monitored and updated.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
