Written Answers Nos. 354-380
354. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the timeframe for payments to be made as a result of the WRC payment agreement which was ratified by members in May 2025 and applies to workers in community and voluntary organisations including Section 39, Section 56, Section 10 and Section 40; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49443/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
355. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health if she will consider additional financial supports for community and voluntary organisations including Section 39, Section 56, Section 10 and Section 40 through their annual service level agreements with the HSE to assist with inflation costs & statutory sick pay costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49444/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra356. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the age limit for eligibility for access to CAR T-cell therapy in Ireland; the reasons for such an age limit; her plans to expand access across all age groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49445/25]
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.
357. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the plans to add PHP1B (Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1B) to the long-term illness benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49446/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions to be covered by the Scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
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. 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.
The issue of granting medical card eligibility based on having a particular disability or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (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 families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
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 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.
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%.
358. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the supports available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49447/25]
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
359. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health to outline the follow-up care provided for person (details supplied); and if an urgent appointment will be expedited. [49448/25]
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
360. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will cover the cost of providing a splint for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49449/25]
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.
361. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the businesses or persons that provide private assessments for children referred by the HSE, relative to determining a diagnosis for autism, ADHD, Asperger's, and, other such conditions; the cost of this service and the amounts paid by the HSE in each of the past five years; if the professional qualifications and standards of those providing the assessments have been checked and verified; if all assessments are carried out in person with the parents present or via online meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49453/25]
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.
362. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on hospital waiting lists nationwide as of September 2025; how this compares to September 2024; the number of consultant posts that remain vacant across the HSE; and the actions being taken to address these vacancies ahead of the 2025 2026 winter season. [49454/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the number of patients on waiting lists, adult and child waiting list information by hospital, specialty, and time band is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
With regard to the Deputy's query about consultant posts, as of 30 June 2025 there are 4,336 filled consultant posts in the health service. This is made up of 3,858 posts filled by permanent consultants and 478 filled by temporary, locum and agency staff. There are currently 312 approved vacant posts.
As well as increasing the number of training places, there are a number of talent and attraction initiatives to increase the candidate pool, examples of which are:
• The HSE has developed a suite of webinars for Higher Specialist Trainees (HST) students to encourage them to take up vacant posts - Recording is available on the HSE Career Hub.
• Webinars for international applicants to support them in their recruitment journey and encourage them to these posts in Ireland - The most recent was on the 9th of September, which had registration numbers of 400. This recording will be available on the HSE Career Hub and can be accessed by and shared with any potential applicants.
• Targeted marketing has been conducted in difficult to fill positions, a close collaboration between the local clinicians and HSE HR - These were not just about marketing the jobs but also the lifestyle. This has been conducted for Psychiatry in Donegal and CAMHS in Kerry, and also for Breastcheck screening services and a number of hospitals.
• To support Doctors in developing their career in the HSE, the HSE has published a suite of career pathways on the career hub.
• There are also a broad range of other talent attraction and retention initiatives, which encompass all clinical professions, including the development of a suite of international supports and targeted initiatives to attract home Irish graduates.
363. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the number of Ukrainian doctors who are now registered to practice in Ireland; the process to achieve registration; and to provide data on the types of registration awarded. [49482/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny qualified doctors wishing to practise medicine in Ireland are required to first register with the Medical Council, and the Council is obliged to ensure that all doctors it registers meet the necessary standards to practise medicine here.
Officials from my Department, the HSE and the Medical Council have been actively supporting doctors fleeing the war in Ukraine to gain registration and take up employment in Ireland. These supports have included funding to cover the cost of the PRES exams, specialist English language training, online access to Continuing Professional Development resources while registration is pending and access to HSE training materials.
Doctors from Ukraine, depending on their qualifications and experience, may apply for registration in the General, Specialist, or Supervised Division. Doctors can seek registration in the General Division via the PRES route. To gain full registration, doctors must pass both a computer exam (known as the PRES 2) and a clinical skills exam (known as the PRES 3). Alternatively, doctors can seek Specialist Registration which entails an evaluation of their training and experience.
There are now 45 Ukrainian doctors on the Medical Council register having passed the PRES 3 exam.
364. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be considered for CAR T- cell therapy in St. James’s Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49487/25]
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.
365. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if the neurorehabilitation centre in Bray, County Wicklow is now fully operational; if not, when it is expected to become fully operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49488/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality and should be directed to that Department.
366. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health if she will consider the introduction of a free shingles vaccine for older people, in particular those over 66 years-of-age, in line with best practice in other European countries; if her Department has carried out an assessment of the health and cost benefits of a national shingles vaccination programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49489/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraShingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) recently carried out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.
HIQA’s HTA examined the evidence on the clinical effectiveness and safety of shingles vaccines. The cost effectiveness and budget impact were also reviewed, along with the ethical, social and organisational implications of including the vaccine in the adult immunisation schedule.
HIQA published this HTA on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that adding the shingles vaccine to the routine immunisation schedule would not be cost effective and would be associated with a substantial budget impact.
Given that the healthcare budget is finite and decisions regarding increased spending relating to a change in one area could impact the provision of other health technologies and treatments within the healthcare system, the cost-effectiveness must be considered in any decision-making process.
My Department has considered the findings of this HTA and determined that the introduction of the vaccine could be reconsidered when the cost effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable.
367. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of food-business notifications, by county, which have been lodged with HSE environmental health for school meal providers since 2023; the number of on-site and off-site providers; and the number of inspections and enforcement actions taken in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025. [49513/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive, National Environmental Health Service, to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
368. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the proportion of providers serving schools that have documented HACCP systems verified by inspection; to publish compliance rates with Reg. 852/2004; and to provide trend data and typical non-conformances found. [49514/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive, National Environmental Health Service to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
369. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to publish HSE guidance issued to schools on mandatory written allergen information for non-prepacked foods, including the 2025 update to FSAI guidance note 28; and to detail audit findings on compliance in schools. [49515/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the central competent authority for the enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. This includes the Regulations on allergen information for non-prepacked foods. The HSE National Environmental Health Service carry out inspections of food businesses to verify compliance with food legislation under service contract with the FSAI.
As information regarding inspections to verify compliance with food legislation is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy on the parts of the question relevant to the HSE.
The FSAI has also advised that Guidance Note No. 28, “Food Allergen Information for Non-Prepacked Foods in Ireland (Revision 2)” was published on 25 June 2025 and is available for download on the FSAI website: www.fsai.ie/publications/guidance-note-28-food-allergen-information-for-non.
370. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has participated in the Department of Social Protection-led review of the 2017 nutrition standards; to provide documented advice on aligning Ireland's standards with US added-sugar limits and sodium targets, and with Nordic models specifying the percentage of daily energy from the school meal; and to provide timelines for adoption. [49516/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide any nutrition surveillance of meals served under the scheme (macro- and micronutrients, free sugars, salt, fibre), including independent laboratory verification since 2023; and if no surveillance was carried out the reason for the absence of monitoring. [49517/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra372. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the food-environment controls that exist for vending, tuck shops and fund raising on school premises (sale of HFSS products); the means by which they are enforced; and to provide the legal basis and inspection data since 2023. [49518/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the HSE estimates of the health impact (BMI, anaemia, dental caries, attendance) of high-sugar options in school meals; and whether you have recommended added-sugar caps aligned to the USDA final rule. [49521/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra376. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department supports legislating for statutory school-meal nutrition standards and inspection powers; and if not, to provide the evidence base. [49522/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question Nos 370, 371, 372, 375 and 376 together.
A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) - A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan - was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025). It was developed in recognition of the growing need for a coordinated policy response to the increasing problem of obesity in Ireland.
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the overall burden 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.
A number of initiatives have been developed under the auspices of OPAP, some examples which promote health and well-being in school aged children include:
Nutritional Standards and the DSP led School Meals Programme
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals have been in place since its inception and were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of: Dietitians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland (INDI) , the HSE, Safefood, and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
These standards were based on Scientific Recommendations for Food-Based Dietary Guidelines developed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Public Health Nutrition Sub-Committee 2011, and updated in 2016. Goals were established for the main macronutrients (energy providing nutrients) implicated in disease prevention in Ireland – namely, total fat, saturated fat, fibre and non-milk extrinsic sugars and subsequently translated into food group portion sizes. The FSAI Public Health Nutrition Sub- Committee are currently reviewing scientific evidence in the development of food based healthy eating guidelines for adolescents and this work is due early next year. The standards for School Meals are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available on gov.ie and Safeood.ie websites.
An evaluation of the School Meals Programme was conducted in 2022 by RSM Ireland on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. The report highlighted the effectiveness of the programme, including improved school attendance and interest in learning. This is in line with results with international data showing the positive impact of school meals on academic performance through increased attendance & better concentration during class time. In addition results from the evaluation suggests the programme saves families money and time on food preparation.
In December 2024, the Department of Social Protection established an interdepartmental working group, which includes the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, to oversee and make recommendations on the operation of the scheme, including nutrition inspection and evaluation. This is a standing group which will make recommendations on matters within its remit on an ongoing basis.
In 2025, the Minister for Social Protection requested a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards, and this will be conducted by a dietitian, supervised by the Department of Health, and in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals. A report on nutritional standards is expected to be submitted to DSP by the end of this year. The dietitian has recently been appointed from the HSE to carry out a review of the nutritional standards for hot school meals with a view to developing an audit mechanism to ensure compliance.
In the meantime, the Minister for Social Protection has requested that Food Business Operators remove menu items that are high in saturated fat, sugar and salt from the school menus by end of September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted once a week at most and only when selected by the child's parents.
The Department of Social Protection has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools which includes reviewing the menu. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected onsite annually by that department. In total, 121 desk assessments were carried out in 2024. This represents a 20% total check on schools. For 2025, 400 schools will be inspected, and the desk assessments will be increased to circa 250 cases as more schools become eligible to join the programme.
These inspections assist the Department of Social Protection in ensuring standards are being met in relation to different areas of the School Meals Programme. Any future decision to introduce legislation with respect to the School Meals Scheme, would be a decision for the Department of Social Protection as they have responsibly for the Programme.
Childhood Surveillance under auspice of OPAP
Surveillance of child growth to determine population levels of children living with malnutrition, overweight and obesity is conducted through the WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). The report of the 6th Round of COSI data collection (2021-2023) was published in June 2024. It shows that one in five primary school children are now living with overweight or obesity, a small overall improvement. However, this figure remains at one in four for children in DEIS schools.
The COSI report also analysed the school environments across all participating primary schools in Ireland, which demonstrated that no primary schools had vending machines present. As secondary schools are responsible for supplementary fundraising on an individual basis, the use of vending machines as an income stream is determined by a School Principal and their Board of Management. The Department of Education would be best placed to offer further guidance on management of vending machines procurement in secondary schools.
Health Promotion Initiatives delivered through OPAP
In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine (DAFM) and Department of Education, he Department also supports the implementation of Food Dudes and the Incredible Edibles programme, which aims to teach children how to grow their own fruit and vegetables and teaching them the importance of maintaining a healthy, balanced diet by providing seed packs to primary school classes to allow them to grow their own produce.
Step 2 of the OPAP is to “regulate for a healthier environment". Changing the obesogenic environment is recognised as a critical factor underpinning the success of maintaining the population at a healthy weight.
The Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) in 2018 was introduced to help reduce rates of overweight and obesity in Ireland. An evaluation of the SSDT was conducted in 2024, this evaluation found that policy objectives of reducing sugar consumption from sugar-sweetened drinks (SSDs) and accelerating product reformulation of SSDs are being met. This has been reflected in the National Dietary consumption surveys. The 2019 National Children’s Food Survey found that free sugars make up just under 10% of children’s energy intake. This is an improvement compared to the early 2000s, when it was 16%.
Step 3 of the OPAP is to “secure appropriate support from the commercial sector to play its part in obesity prevention.” Action 3.1 of this step is to agree food industry reformulation targets and review progress.
The Food Reformulation Task Force, is a strategic partnership between the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and Healthy Ireland, established in 2022, with funding provided by the Department of Health on an annual basis in order to carry out implementation of the roadmap to drive a food reformulation strategy for Ireland. Funding was extended to 2027 for the FSAI to continue working with the food industry to reduce nutrients of concern, such as fat, salt and sugar in commonly consumed food in Ireland. In terms of sugar, their target is to get added sugars below 10% of daily energy intake, and eventually down to 5%. This work has a direct impact on the nutrition quality of commonly consumed foods by the Irish population.
The Department of Health is in the process of preparing the next OPAP, and as part of our stakeholder engagement and online public consultation, addressing the food environment has been identified as one of the key themes. As a new obesity policy is under development; this theme can be explored further. We intend to ensure that all Government Departments play a role in enabling a healthier food environment and a healthier built environment to support our children and all citizens and improve health outcomes.
373. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to publish HSE advice on minimum seated eating time needed for children to consume a hot meal safely; the communication of this to schools; and to provide any risk assessments regarding rushed eating and choking risk in infants classes. [49519/25]
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.
374. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to detail the cross-departmental governance for safeguarding pupils with serious allergies consuming externally prepared meals, including traceability of ingredient allergen information along the supply chain and recall procedures. [49520/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the central competent authority for the enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. This includes the Regulations on food information for consumers, food traceability and recalls. The HSE National Environmental Health Service carry out inspections of food businesses to verify compliance with food legislation under service contract with the FSAI.
The legislation relating to allergens in food includes Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information for consumers. This sets out the requirement to declare the use of 14 food allergens, listed in Annex II, when they have been used in the production and /or processing of foods. Food business operators (FBOs) are required to declare details of the 14 allergens present in food on all prepacked foods either in the list of ingredients where there is one, or using the word “Contains…” followed by the name of the food allergen.
For non-prepackaged food, the food allergens must be declared in accordance with the Health (Provision of Food Allergen Information to Consumers in respect of Non- Prepacked Food) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No 489 of 2014). This national legislation requires that food businesses declare the 14 EU priority allergens in written format when they are used to produce or prepare non-prepackaged food. The written information must be indicated at the point of presentation, sale or supply of the food such that it is freely and easily accessible before the sale or supply of the food. It must be provided in English or in English and Irish, in clear legible script and clearly indicate which allergens are used to produce or prepare which food items.
Furthermore, Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs sets out the general rules for food business operators on the hygiene of foodstuffs and specifies that food business operators are responsible for food safety. Chapter XII, of this Regulation requires that all food handlers are supervised and instructed/trained in food hygiene matters relevant to their work activities. In addition, Chapter IX, ‘Provisions applicable to foodstuffs’, point 9 provides that equipment used for preparing or storing foods containing allergen(s) must not be used for foods not containing that allergen(s) unless it has been cleaned and checked.
The legal responsibilities for FBOs regarding traceability and recall of food are set out in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety.
377. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health if the HSE would consider funding CAR T-cell therapy for cancer patients in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49530/25]
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.
378. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if a treatment will be made available for a person (details supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49532/25]
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.
379. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the provision of special needs dental services in Nenagh; if she is aware that the post of special needs dentist has been vacant for over a year with no replacement appointed, despite advertisements; the number of children, including those with autism, currently waiting for dental treatment under sedation or anaesthetic in the Nenagh area; the contingency plans in place to ensure access to appropriate dental care for these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49533/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
380. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49547/25]
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.
