Written Answers Nos. 76-105
88. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the immediate plans to increase the current resources at the Mater hospital to reduce the waiting time for those seeking an oncology appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52563/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mater Hospital is one of eight designated cancer centres and has a range of services for cancer patients, including rapid access clinics for Lung, Prostate and Symptomatic Breast Disease, also providing surgical and medical oncology.
While the Mater is meeting the national targets for its lung rapid access clinics and is improving waiting times for patients accessing systemic therapies, there have been significant delays for patients referred to the Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinic.
At the beginning of July I wrote to the REO and the manager of the Mater Hospital expressing my concerns over the performance of the SBD Clinic. I also discussed the issue with the hospital management directly.
Since then, the Mater has implemented a number of measures to improve access and waiting times.
A revised mammogram-first initiative is being implemented, providing additional mammography and clinical assessment, in parallel with increased Triple Assessment Clinics.
This has reduced waiting times for patients with urgent referrals from 16 down to 4 weeks.
Within current referral rates the service is on track to meet the 10 working day KPI by the end of the year. The number of patients waiting for urgent appointments has also reduced from 700 to 165.
The HSE National Cancer Control Programme continues to work with the hospital on pathways and triage guidelines and has allocated additional resources in 2025 to provide expanded Consultant Radiologist hours at the Mater.
89. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status on a medication being available on the drugs payment scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52014/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for his question.
I recognise the importance of providing the best care possible to patients with this condition. Women’s Health has been and will be a focus of mine since taking this office. We have made real progress in improving the healthcare available to women in Ireland.
Veoza (Fezolinetant) is a treatment for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS, e.g. hot flashes, night sweats) associated with menopause.
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. Upon reimbursement a medicine is added to the national drug schemes, for example, the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) or the Medical Card.
In terms of Veoza®, a completed health technology assessment (HTA) was received by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) from the company, Astellas Pharma, on the 20th August 2025, 16 months after it was commissioned by the HSE. This was following proactive engagements by the HSE to the company encouraging the submission of a fully completed HTA.
A drug or treatment cannot be added to the reimbursement list in the absence of a completed HTA being received from a company. The HSE endeavours to process pricing and reimbursement applications as efficiently as possible.
The HSE has advised that the application remains under consideration.
Under the Drug 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 those who are not eligible for a medical card but incur ongoing expenditure on medicines.
90. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the provision of urgent care clinics (details supplied) and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51127/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for his question.
There are currently 15 injury units in operation nationally which can be accessed by the general public. They treat injuries that are not life-threatening and are unlikely to need admission to hospital.
They can help with many of the injuries people go to the emergency department for. For example, broken bones, dislocations, minor burns, x-rays, plaster casts, and wound care can all be treated in an injury unit.
As such injury units play an important role in supporting Emergency Departments by reducing unnecessary attendances at Emergency Departments.
This Government is committed to further reducing Emergency Department overcrowding and enhancing emergency and urgent care services nationwide, as set out in the Programme for Government.
As Minster for Health, my key priority is to provide a 7-day health service to the public. The provision of fully integrated teams across community and acute services is key to delivering safe and timely care in the most appropriate setting over seven days. The provision of injury units throughout the country is a key element of this.
This year will see the standardisation of the opening hours of injury units to ensure a consistent 7-day service from 8am to 8pm and the delivery of two new injury units in Athlone and Carlow.
91. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the progress at transforming the health service into a seven-day-a-week service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52186/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDemand for health services and emergency department (ED) attendances is at an all-time high, driven by population growth and changing demographics. While we’ve invested heavily and increased health system staffing by over 24% since 2020, our focus must now shift to maximising that investment—delivering care efficiently, where and when it’s needed.
People do not just get sick during working hours Monday to Friday. As Minister I am committed to delivering a seven-day health service, ensuring people can receive the care they need when they need it.
Expanding to seven-day operations means having senior decision-makers on site evenings and weekends, improving patient flow, extending diagnostics, reducing waiting times and trolley numbers, and offering community-based alternatives to hospital care.
At a recent workshop with HSE leaders from acute and community settings, we reviewed progress on implementing POCC provisions and seven-day working. The meeting marked a key step in preparing for full rollout across health regions.
Encouraging results are already emerging. EDs have seen reduced trolley counts and conversion rates despite rising attendances—Letterkenny University Hospital reported a 24% year-to-date drop in trolley numbers. Weekend consultant presence is enabling earlier discharges and shorter stays; in the Midwest, weekend discharges rose over 50% in July 2025 compared to July 2024.
Expanded theatre and diagnostic access is boosting capacity, cutting cancellations, and accelerating urgent and scheduled care. Outpatient waiting lists have fallen significantly, with most regions meeting or exceeding national targets. At the Mater Hospital, Saturday specialist reviews saw 1,815 patients, with 546 discharged the same day—reducing average stay by 0.5 days.
I will continue engaging with each region to monitor delivery. The priority now is implementation—activating key services during evenings and weekends to ensure patients receive timely, appropriate care.
92. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the handover date for the new children’s hospital; if there is a compliant programme of works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52531/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOpening the National Children’s Hospital Ireland (NCHI) is a top priority for Government. Everything possible is being done to achieve this.
Substantial completion of the hospital is informed by BAM’s programme of works and its delivery against that programme. It is for BAM to clearly state when it will complete this hospital.
On 28 August, BAM provided the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) with a programme update. This is under review by the Employer’s Representative to determine compliance with the contract. The NPHDB continues to withhold 15% of payments to BAM, for BAM’s failure to provide a contractually compliant programme of works.
The NPHDB has been consistent that the largest factor contributing to delay is BAM’s continued failures to deliver against its own programme and to resource the project appropriately.
I have been clear; BAM needs to provide the resources necessary to complete all rooms to the contractual standard. Completed rooms must be handed over to NPHDB in a logical, zoned, and timely manner.
On 18 September, BAM committed to new dates to provide additional early access beginning on 3 November for Phase 1. BAM also committed to provide the balance of the 30% of additional early access areas in the Hot Block, Phase 2, by the end of November. The NPHDB has advised that, on 30 September, in a meeting with the Chief Operating Officer of BAM UK and Ireland, BAM reaffirmed its commitments to those dates.
This early access will enable CHI to minimise potential challenges during the post substantial completion phase by easing operational commissioning pressure.
I welcome the fact that BAM has now committed to enabling additional early access for CHI in early November. I expect them to live up to this commitment and drive on to substantially complete the hospital soon thereafter.
I look forward to visiting the site again as CHI are provided with this additional early access.
93. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the decision by the HSE and University Hospital Waterford to discontinue the provision of coronial post-mortems at University Hospital Waterford with effect from 1 January 2026; the alternative arrangements, if any, planned for the south-east region (details supplied); if she will make urgent representations, in consultation with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to ensure that this essential service continues to be provided locally, promptly and within the existing modern mortuary facilities at University Hospital Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47943/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra94. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health for an update on the HIQA independent review to inform decision-making around the design and delivery of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the mid-west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52183/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHIQA published their independent and expert review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the HSE Mid West Region on Tuesday 30th of September.
I firstly want to acknowledge the substantial work undertaken for this review by HIQA, the ESRI, the Expert Advisory Group and all the stakeholders who contributed to the various workstreams, in particular to the public consultation.
The HIQA report clearly identifies that the lack of sufficient acute inpatient beds in UHL and the Mid West region is the core issue that needs to be addressed urgently.
The report presents three options for how to best address the capacity gap. These include the expansion of capacity at UHL on the Dooradoyle site (Option A); the extension of the UHL hospital campus to include a second site in close proximity under a shared governance and resourcing model (Option B); and the development of a Model 3 hospital in HSE Mid West, providing a second emergency department (ED) for the region (Option C).
I am progressing with Option A immediately, as it will yield required inpatient capacity within a shorter timeframe, thereby addressing the immediate risk to patient safety. An additional 96 bed block is due to open in the coming days, and we hope to get positive planning permission for the next block of 96 beds shortly.
I remain open to the other two options presented and will consider them fully, especially in light of the continuing population growth in the region.
95. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health for an update on the planned new ambulance base for Gorey, County Wexford. [52566/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for this question, and I recognise his tireless efforts and close engagement with stakeholders on the provision of healthcare services in Gorey.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) Capital & Estates, in collaboration with the National Ambulance Service (NAS), have identified and agreed on a suitable facility for use as a NAS ambulance base, and are in the process of securing approval to purchase same, subject to planning approval being obtained.
This facility will require a Capital Investment to fit it out as a purpose-built Ambulance Base.
The NAS and HSE Capital and Estates have completed the necessary documentation to facilitate the progression of this project in Q4 2025.
The HSE is working to appoint a design team in Q4 2025, with the aim of developing and submitting a planning application in early 2026 to progress this project.
96. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the progress on increasing the number of GPs and GP practices across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52210/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of measures have been taken in recent years to increase the number of GPs practising across the country, thereby increasing access to GP services. As per the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to continuing this work.
Under the 2019 and 2023 GP GMS Agreements, over €340 million in additional annual investment into general practice has been provided for. The Agreements provide for, amongst other things, significant increases in capitation fees for participating GPs, improved practice supports, and fees for new services such as the GP Chronic Disease Management Programme. This increased level of investment helps make working as a GP in Ireland a more attractive career for doctors.
Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available last year and again this year. As a result, the number of GP graduates has increased in recent years and will continue to increase in the coming years.
Furthermore, the recruitment of GPs from abroad continues under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. As of the end of Q2 2025, 122 IMG GPs are placed in GP practices, and a further 23 have competed the programme. The placement of IMG GPs is targeted to rural and underserved areas where increases in GP capacity are needed most.
Between 1st July and 26th September the Medical Council registered 2,631 additional doctors. This figure would include general practitioners. The Council also reduced the actual process duration (time from complete application to decision) to 4 weeks for a number of registration pathways.
I welcome the improvement in these timeframes and acknowledge the progress made by the Medical Council.
The currently underway Strategic Review of General Practice is examining the range of issues affecting general practice, including issues related to GP capacity. Following its completion, a final report will be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice into the future.
98. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health her views on a commission of investigation into the activities of a person (details supplied) in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52344/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to state from the outset that the abuse of trust and attack on the dignity of patients by Mr. Michael Shine was a terrible betrayal by Mr. Shine of his patients. Government has the deepest of sympathy and concern for all victims of Michael Shine.
I met with the Dignity4Patients support Group on 30 April 2025. I was grateful to the victims of Michael Shine for meeting with me and for the opportunity to listen to them.
Following that meeting, I asked Dignity4Patients to set out the particular issues it would like addressed in a short paper. I appreciate the time and effort that went into compiling the response, including the engagement on the part of victims and survivors. The issues set out in the paper have been carefully considered and I expect to receive a paper from officials imminently on the matter.
On receipt of the paper, I am committed to engaging with Government colleagues to finalise the next steps regarding an appropriate and bespoke response to the issues raised by and the needs identified by Dignity4Patients on behalf of the victims and survivors of Michael Shine. I will continue to engage with the Dignity4Patients Group on the matter.
99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of the promised new primary care centre on Inisbofin, following the transfer of land on which the airstrip is located from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in October 2024; the timeline for the delivery of the primary care centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52337/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA central objective of the Programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated health care with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services to enable a “home first” approach.
Primary Care Centres play an essential role in the delivery of that objective and significant progress has been made in the delivery of these centres nationally.
The HSE is committed to providing a HSE own-build Primary Care Centre in Inisbofin.
To progress the project a number of property transactions are required to facilitate the development of a Primary Care Centre on Inisbofin.
The transaction for the property transfer from Galway County Council to Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has completed. Legal proceedings for the transfer of ownership of the land to the HSE have not yet finalised. HSE are working with their legal agents to progress the final aspect of the transfer of these lands to the HSE as expediently as possible.
In the meantime, and in anticipation of the completion of the transfer of property, the HSE have appointed a Design Team for the project. The Design Team is currently working through Preliminary Design to be concluded in Q4 2025/Q1 2026, with the aim of lodging of a planning application in Q2 2026.
As the Deputy is aware, Inishbofin is a Special Area of Conservation. Therefore there are a number of site-specific assessments required in order to preserve the island's conservation status and reduce any environmental impact. HSE advise that environmental impact assessments are currently underway but some are determined by the time of year.
A more definitive timeframe for the provision of the Primary Care Centre on Inisbofin will be clarified as the project progresses through planning and design.
100. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a 30% rise in the incidence of tuberculosis in the past year; if she will provide an update on the implementation of ‘Striving to End Tuberculosis: A strategy for Ireland 2024-2030’; if she will publish an implementation plan and provide the necessary funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52409/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health concern both globally and in Ireland. While Ireland is a low-incidence country, recent figures show a rise in cases. There were 226 cases reported in 2023 and 289 in 2024. So far in 2025, 218 cases have been notified. My Department and the HSE continue to monitor the situation closely. The HSE works with partners and communities to raise awareness, especially among people at higher risk.
In 2024, the HSE published Striving to End Tuberculosis: A Strategy for Ireland 2024–2030. This five-year plan is Ireland’s first national TB strategy. It is aligned with WHO targets of reducing incidence by 80% and deaths by 90% by 2030.
A detailed implementation plan, developed by the National TB Advisory Committee is guiding delivery.
The HSE is progressing implementation through existing services and resources. Work is underway to introduce a selective BCG vaccination programme next year. An updated TB Resources Report will align staffing and funding with current needs. New national TB guidelines are also being developed, with completion expected by end-2025.
People with TB are benefiting from shorter, more tolerable treatments. Multidisciplinary teams are expanding access to care and support. Enhanced surveillance, including genome sequencing, improves outbreak response and data quality.
These actions demonstrate the progress made in delivering the national TB strategy.
102. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when Givinostat will be available to people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; if cross-border and early access programmes have been considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51163/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the importance of providing the best care possible to patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In terms of givinostat (Duvyzat®) my Department is closely following the developments in relation to this active pricing and reimbursement application.
I met with the families of children with DMD and their representative body, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, in July to discuss their plight.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines.
Givinostat, sold under the brand name Duvyzat®, is a medication used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in ambulant patients aged 6 years and older. Conditional marketing authorisation was granted on the 6th June by the European Commission.
I met with my Italian counterpart at the EPSCO Council meeting in June in Luxembourg to ask him to encourage Italfarmaco to submit a pricing and reimbursement application to Ireland.
On the 6th August 2025 an application was received by the HSE.
The HSE and NCPE has proactively engaged with the company in relation to the application, to ensure it is processed as efficiently as possible. Following the conclusion of a Rapid Review by the NCPE on the 14th August 2025, a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) was commissioned by the HSE on the 26th August 2025.
The company met with the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) on the 30th September 2025 to assist the HTA process. The HSE has advised that the pricing and reimbursement assessment is ongoing.
In terms of any cross-border initiatives a drug or treatment must be approved for reimbursement by the HSE in order for it to be funded outside the State.
The Programme for Government gives a commitment to investigate new methods for faster reimbursement of certain treatments. The Department of Health is currently working on options to be considered by looking at various access schemes across Europe. This work is ongoing.
103. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the proportion of HSE staff currently employed in acute services and the proportion employed in community health services; the equivalent figures at the end of 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52219/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE’s most recent Employee Census reported that in August 2025 the number of staff working in HSE Acute services equated to 79,076 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE). The number of staff working in Community services in August 2025, inclusive of Disabilities services, was 59,338 WTE.
The equivalent figures for December 2019 were 60,393 WTE for Acutes services and 51,928 WTE for Community services.
In August 2025 staff in Acute services accounted for 53.0% of all HSE staff with staff in Community services accounting for 39.8%. In December 2019 staff in Acute services accounted for 50.4% of all HSE staff with staff in Community staff accounting for 43.3%. National services and Regional Support Staff account for the balance of staffing numbers.
HSE staff growth includes:
• 7,997 Nursing and Midwifery staff working in Acute services
• 3,472 Medical and Dental staff working in Acute services.
• 1,794 additional Health and Social Care Professionals in Community services
• 2,480 Patient and Care staff in Community services.
This growth in staff numbers represents an unprecedented investment in the health care workforce. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring adequate and safe staffing across our health service. It should be viewed as a necessary and welcome development in meeting the existing and future needs of our health service.
104. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health for an update on the number of GP posts currently vacant or unfilled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52352/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. As of September 1st, there are 2,568 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE puts a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care for the area concerned.
As of June, there are 22 GMS vacancies nationwide (less than 1% of GMS panels). Of these 22 GMS vacancies, 15 are in rural areas and 7 in urban areas. It is acknowledged that GMS GP vacancies can be hard to fill in certain areas including in some rural areas.
The Government has undertaken several measures to increase GP capacity across the country and to improved access to services.
Investment in general practice has been significantly increased in recent years under the 2019 and 2023 GMS GP Agreements. The Agreements provide, amongst other things, for increased fees for GPs and supports for GP practices, including a 10% increase to rural practice supports, that makes general practice in Ireland as a career more attractive.
The annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available in 2024 and again in 2025. As a result, the number of GP graduates has increased in recent years and will continue to increase in the coming years.
In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. As of the end of Q2 2025, 122 IMG GPs are placed in GP practices, and a further 23 have competed the programme. IMG GP placements are targeted at rural and underserved areas.
Regarding further potential measures to support general practice in rural areas, this issue is being considered under the Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, currently underway and due to be completed this year, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity and will consider possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to rural and underserved areas.
105. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health for an update on the development of a new model of care for transgender healthcare services; the current timeframe for competition of this work; if she will commit to increasing the funding provided to the development of this new model in budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52410/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the provision of proper, appropriate, and integrated gender healthcare services is something that I and the HSE want to ensure is in place for those who are questioning their gender identity or are experiencing gender incongruence or dysphoria.
As per the Programme for Government 2025, the Government is committed to ensuring a transgender healthcare service based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness, and compassion.
A new clinical programme for gender healthcare has been initiated by the HSE and an updated clinical model for gender healthcare services is being developed. The Clinical lead is in place and recruitment is ongoing for the rest of the multi-disciplinary team.
The Department has provided funding of €770,000 for 2025 to support the development of the updated clinical model of care for gender.
A Clinical Advisory Group has been established and was convened in June 2025 with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and work is underway to review the evidence.
The HSE commenced the systematic review on the evidence base with respect to co-existing clinical needs in gender diverse people with support from the HSE Library Service. Interim results of this review were made available for public consultation during the month of August 2025. The HSE will now review any submissions and complete the evidence review.
Lived experience engagement design sessions, attended by a number of advocacy groups, were held in July and September. These sessions were held to inform the development of a plan to maximise stakeholder engagement.
Developing a Model of Care for Gender Healthcare Services is expected to be a complex process, and my department and the HSE will work closely together to support this process, ensuring transparency and keeping the patient at the centre.
The HSE must be given time to develop a Model of Care that is based on the best clinical evidence and that will deliver the best outcomes for persons with gender incongruence or dysphoria.
The expected completion date for the HSE Model for Gender Healthcare is 2026. This work will also inform an implementation plan for its delivery.
Funding for the HSE is approved by the Oireachtas as part of the annual Budget and Estimates process.
Work on Budget 2026 is currently in progress within my Department. Formal evaluation of priorities will occur in the coming weeks, during which a range of factors must be carefully examined before final decisions are made. My department will thoroughly review all funding requests, whether for new or ongoing initiatives. I am committed to supporting measures that bring meaningful and positive improvements to gender healthcare.
