Paul Murphy
Ceist:8. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the action that will be taken against surgeons who performed unnecessary surgeries on children at CHI. [34934/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (8)
Freagraí scríofa
As Minister, I cannot comment on individual surgeons in CHI, the appropriate avenues for addressing issues with individual health professionals is a matter for their employer and/or referral to the appropriate professional regulatory body.
Following the publication of the Thomas audit report on DDH surgery, my Department wrote to the HSE to clarify if there are any issues relevant for the Medical Council, and if so, if the report has been referred to the Council for their review and any appropriate next steps. The HSE has responded to say they are awaiting an update from CHI on this.
It is my understanding that as a Minister I am precluded from making a complaint in my official capacity. However, I met with the Medical Council last week and requested that they take a more proactive approach in relation to patient safety issues to ensure that all our regulatory system works together to address any issues arising and prevent future incidents as much as possible.
With regard to the current arrangements for any child requiring surgery for DDH, a cross-site pre-op surgical meeting is already in place since early March 2025 in CHI and NOHC. Any child who is listed for a hip surgery, is now discussed at this MDT meeting prior to surgery. All surgeons who perform hip surgeries in CHI, are a part of this MDT, which is also attended by two international experts who observe and participate in the meetings.
In relation to retrospective review of cases to determine the indications for surgery, the HSE is establishing an Expert Panel for this purpose. The HSE is engaging with international experts and expects to have this process established later this year.
Question No. 9 answered orally.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (10)
David Cullinane
Ceist:10. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when she will commence sections of the (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 to give effect to retrospective recognition of parentage for children who are already resident in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34748/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that commencing this complex and far-reaching legislation is a priority for Government.
I also know, Deputy, that you share that objective. I would at this point like to acknowledge your supportive and collaborative approach to progressing work on this.
As you will appreciate there are a number of moving parts involved and I am pleased to say that all are progressing at pace.
The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was signed into law by the President in July 2024, having passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas.
This will introduce specific regulation of the AHR sector in this country for the first time and also includes internationally ground-breaking provisions in respect of surrogacy.
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.
Accordingly, in October 2024 the Government approved the drafting of a Bill, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill, to legislate for provisions in respect of these issues, as well as making other necessary changes to the AHR Act 2024. Formal drafting of the Bill has been intensive and is now 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.
Full commencement of the 2024 AHR Act will also require a fully established and operational Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA) being in place. I am pleased to say that significant progress has been made to make this happen.
Clearly, this interdependence means that the Government’s priority, which is to commence the AHR legislation in its totality as soon as practicable, is impacted by how quickly we can progress the AHR Amendment Bill.
I know there are children and families at the centre of this who keenly await legislative and legal clarity and the appropriate protections afforded by parentage being put in place for them.
Work will continue on refining and improving the Bill over the next couple of months with the aim of introducing it in the early days of the autumn term.
Questions Nos. 11 to 13, inclusive, answered orally.
National Children's Hospital
Ceisteanna (14)
David Cullinane
Ceist:14. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of workforce preparedness for opening the new children's hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34745/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This new hospital will be state of the art and will have an impact on children, young people, and their families in Ireland for decades to come.
It will be the hub in a network of care across the country, working with the regional paediatric units in Cork, Galway, and Limerick and the local paediatric units. This approach will ensure that children and young people can receive care as close to home as possible, as envisaged by Sláintecare.
Discussions between my Department, the HSE, and CHI are at an advanced stage in terms of finalising the workforce requirements for the new children’s hospital.
Given that there will be expanded services in the new hospital such as the neonatal ICU service, the CAMHS beds, as well as the increased numbers of theatres and procedure rooms; there is agreement that this will have an impact on the workforce required for the hospital.
I can assure the Deputy that talks are near conclusion following which any additional staffing will be sought as part of annual national service planning.
We are also focusing on the longer view. We are looking at what our workforce needs over the next number of years to develop a system that is integrated, patient centred, and built around the needs of every child and their families.
In addition to workforce discussions, CHI is ensuring workforce preparedness through formal staff engagements, which started in March 2023. Between then and January this year, over 2,600 staff attended a variety of events including immersive engagement sessions, workshops, and site visits.
The commissioning team is focused on engagement with clinical and operational staff with approximately 200 engagement meetings conducted in 2025 to date. Invaluable subject matter expertise has contributed to important decisions relating to the future operations of the new hospital.
Emergency Departments
Ceisteanna (15)
David Cullinane
Ceist:15. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the resourcing requirements and timeframe for 24/7 urgent and emergency cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34746/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recently visited the University Hospital Waterford and saw first-hand the state-of-the-art infrastructure supporting its cardiac services. Government is committed to progressing cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and has invested significantly in providing the resources required to support the delivery of enhanced and extended cardiac services.
Construction projects with a total cost of €64 million have been completed at University Hospital Waterford. Part of this investment has been a significant focus on developing cardiac services, particularly cardiac catheterisation laboratory services at the Hospital.
In 2018, a second cardiac catheterisation laboratory was approved for University Hospital Waterford. The second Cath Lab opened on 4th of September 2023 and operates 5 days per week Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm. 24 posts were provided to support the opening of the second cath lab.
In September 2022, the opening hours for the original cath lab were extended to 8 am – 8 pm, Monday to Friday. In March 2024, the Government announced provision for 19.5 staff in total to complement existing services and to extend the opening hours of one Cardiac Cath Lab at University Hospital Waterford to a seven day, 8.00am – 8.00pm service. After a successful recruitment campaign and discussions with the clinical teams, the 7-day service went live on March 18th, 2025.
I commend the collaborative advocacy of local TDs from across the political spectrum, along with the tireless efforts of local patient groups and staff.
The final step in service expansion is the introduction of a full 24/7 out-of-hours emergency cardiac service. I am pleased to confirm that I have directed the HSE to progress this.
We are working with both the hospital and the HSE to ensure the appropriate resourcing, bringing University Hospital Waterford in line with other centres providing emergency cardiac care. We expect this work to be completed by the end of 2025, subject to the availability of the necessary specialist workforce.
Question No. 16 answered orally.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (17)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:17. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if it is her intention to bring Children’s Health Ireland under the remit of the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34602/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There has been a succession of extant and pending reports which have raised corporate and clinical governance concerns at CHI.
In response, I have moved to strengthen structures at CHI by appointing two members of the HSE Board to the Board of CHI. Work is also ongoing to ensure a smooth transition to a new chairperson and the filling of the other vacancies.
Further, the Service Level Agreement between CHI and the HSE has been strengthened, and there is increased involvement from the Dublin Midlands Regional Executive Officer. This includes the establishment of the HSE CHI Improvement Steering Group to coordinate oversight of a range of matters of focus at CHI.
Further arrangements are also being considered, designed to support CHI’s new CEO to enable her to continue with the transformation programme which involves the significant work ongoing to commission and transition services to the new children’s hospital.
The CHI CEO is currently restructuring the Clinical Directorates, and the recruitment of clinical specialty leads, with appropriate management and leadership responsibilities, is ongoing. In addition, a Clinical Transformation Director was appointed in September 2024, a new Director of Operations commenced in June, and a new Deputy CEO is due to commence in the coming weeks.
We are at a crucial stage in the children’s hospital programme and significant upheaval at this stage could create substantial disruption, or delay to this project. Strengthening governance through enhanced performance monitoring provides oversight without destabilising operations.
It is important that CHI is given the support and the time to continue the significant reform underway across both current services and in preparation for the New Children’s Hospital.
Question No. 18 answered orally.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (19)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:19. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of individuals who have been approved for home care hours in Mayo but have yet to have hours released to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35002/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Improving access to home support is a priority for this Government with the budget for home support in 2025 standing at circa €838 million, the largest allocation ever. This is an increase of nearly €122 million on Budget 2024 and an increase of over 70% compared to the 2020 budget of €487m.
In the Mayo area for the month of May 2025, the HSE reports that there were 1,588 people availing of home support services with over 51,198 home support hours delivered. The waiting list at the end of May for the Mayo area stood at 265 people with 149 people waiting for their home support package to commence. The remaining 116 people are currently in receipt of home support services and are waiting for additional home support hours.
The number of clients in receipt of the service has decreased recently due to the non-availability of Health Care Support Assistants. The HSE has assured my Department that they are actively recruiting carers on an ongoing basis and have engaged with provider organisations to encourage them to do the same.
Advertisements for these positions are issuing in the next week for multiple locations across Mayo with panels in place for other areas to replace posts as they become vacant through staff retirements or resignations.
We in Government remain committed to supporting the recruitment of Home support workers within the sector nationally.
Mental Health Policy
Ceisteanna (20)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:20. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health for a report on Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone' Implementation Plan 2025 - 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34708/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Sharing the Vision is Ireland’s 10-year ambitious, multifaceted national mental health policy to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports for the whole of the population, through a focus on the needs of the individual. The policy recognises the need for a whole-of-government approach to the delivery of mental health services and supports, making mental health everybody's business, not just that of the Department of Health or the HSE.
The policy contains 100 recommendations for the development of Irish mental health services and supports to be delivered from 2020 to 2030. The policy is currently guided by the Implementation Plan for 2025-2027, a detailed and comprehensive document which I launched in Dublin Castle April of this year, and which is available to review on the Department of Health website.
Sharing the Vision aims to put the people who use services and their families to the front and centre of our focus and I want to acknowledge the involvement of lived and living experience in the design, delivery and oversight of Sharing the Vision and of the new implementation plan.
I will publish the next scheduled twice-annual policy implementation progress report for Sharing the Vision in the coming days. All previous reports are available to view on the Department of Health website, ensuring accountability and transparency in policy delivery.
Question No. 21 answered orally.