Naoise Ó Cearúil
Ceist:186. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to implement the Men’s Health Action Plan 2024 to 2028; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52432/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Strategies
Ceisteanna (186)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the National Men’s Health Action Plan was launched on November 18th, 2024. The plan aligns with Sláintecare and the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan and is supported by a range of HSE functions and partner agencies. The plan contains a number of actions which are targeted at specific population groups of men as a means of engaging them in initiatives that seek to address individual lifestyle and health behaviour change. In addition, the plan acknowledges the important role that systemic and structural factors play in shaping men’s health outcomes.
To support the implementation of the actions contained within, the HSE received approx. €200,000 in Budget 2025 to recruit a National Lead for Men’s Health and a further €100,000 to support programme development. The recruitment process was completed in July by the HSE and the National Lead was appointed in late September. Further, the HSE have an additional €400k in base funding that is utilised to support the ongoing work in relation to Men’s Health and drive the implementation of the Men’s Health Action plan.
In addition, my department provides funding of 400k to the Irish Men's Sheds Association to support the national office and deliver the Sheds for life programme for members of the local Sheds.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (187)
John Connolly
Ceist:187. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase the number of community nursing home beds in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51260/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (188)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:188. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in developing a new national drugs strategy; if she will ensure that adequate financial support is provided for family support services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52460/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The process of developing the next National Drugs Strategy is ongoing. This is informed by extensive consultations with stakeholders, including drug task forces. See: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/28cd583a/Stakeholder_consultations.pdf
I recently published the draft national drug strategy, developed by an expert steering group and a reference group of frontline services and people with lived experience. The draft strategy sets out an integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug and harmful alcohol use.
I have agreed to share the draft strategy with the Joint Committee on Drug Use to inform their deliberations and will take cognisance of any recommendations they make in their final report, in the finalisation of the National Drug Strategy.
The next steps in finalising the National Drug Strategy are as follows;
- a public consultation to gather the views of the public on the draft strategy.
- a process of engagement to review the regional governance structures for the strategy and to ensure their alignment with the HSE Health Regions. This process will include all stakeholders, including the HSE and the drug task forces. This process will be concluded by June 2026.
I aim to bring the finalised strategy and action plan to Government for approval in July 2026.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Ceisteanna (189)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:189. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of procedures that have been carried out in Northern Ireland under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52383/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that 11,486 procedures were carried out in Northern Ireland from 2019 to end September 2025.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (190)
Grace Boland
Ceist:190. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the interim measures being put in place to support mothers experiencing severe perinatal mental health difficulties while the dedicated mother and baby unit is under development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52380/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services( SPMHS) is now available in all 19 maternity hospitals nationwide, SPMHS provides support to pregnant women and women with a baby up to one year old, with an existing or new mental health problem. Funding to date of €3.6 million has resulted in 6 consultant led multidisciplinary teams are in place across major maternity hospitals (Coombe, NMH, Rotunda, Galway, Cork, Limerick), with 13 spoke sites staffed by perinatal mental health midwife posts.
A key priority in the Model of Care is to develop a Mother and Baby Unit. Work is ongoing by the HSE to progress the development of a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) for Ireland, an inpatient mental health service with relevant maternity support to allow women to stay with their babies during their mental health treatment. A feasibility study on the MBU at St Vincent’s Hospital is currently under consideration by the HSE. My Department continues to support the HSE as it aims to put in place an MBU as soon as possible.
With reference to the specific information requested as this is an operational issue, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
Pharmacy Services
Ceisteanna (191)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:191. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the drastic impact that the ending of reason one and reason four for phased dispensing in the recent community pharmacy deal will have on vulnerable older persons and those with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52428/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 does not remove phased dispensing.
Phased dispensing was introduced in 1996 for patient safety reasons. The supply of medication in instalments can support patients prescribed certain high-risk medications who are at risk of medication misadventure if these medications were to be supplied on a monthly basis, as is the norm under the community drug schemes. Where a phased dispensing claim is submitted, the current requirement is that an item must be dispensed across multiple supply occasions. Community pharmacies receive additional payments in respect of phased dispensing.
Monitored Dosing Systems are systems that enable the individual medicine doses to be organised according to the prescribed dose schedule. These are sometimes referred to as blister packs. The State has never agreed to fund Monitored Dosing Systems.
However, a practice has built up whereby the use of Monitored Dosing Systems are charged as if for phased dispensing. The State has never agreed to this. Phased claiming was never intended to be used to submit claims in lieu of the provision of Monitored Dosing Systems.
Whilst Monitored Dosing Systems may have a role for some patients there is significant uncertainty around the robustness of the evidence supporting its use. The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics carried out an evidence assessment which indicated that the evidence was, at best, equivocal to support such a programme.
Significant expenditure is therefore being incurred where it was never intended by the State. It has been agreed to introduce improved controls in this regard and to limit the use of phased dispensing to specified high risk drugs, where a patient safety concern may exist.
Phased dispensing support is currently available under the GMS (medical card) Scheme for the following reasons:
• Reason 1 - at the request of a patient's physician.
• Reason 2 - due to the inherent nature of a medicinal product i.e. product stability and shelf life.
• Reason 3 - where a patient is commencing new drug therapy with a view to establishing patient tolerance and acceptability before continuing on a full treatment regime.
• Reason 4 - in exceptional circumstances where the patient is incapable of safely and effectively managing the medication regimen.
Under the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, from January 2026, phased dispensing under reason 1 and 4 will be limited to a defined set of high-risk medication classes. These are:
• Psychotropics;
• Opioids;
• Codeine; and
• Pregabalin and gabapentin.
The approved list of medications under these classes will be provided by the HSE in due course.
For reasons 1 and 4, by focusing phased dispensing reimbursement on the medication categories on the approved list, phased dispensing payments can be targeted to medications with the highest risk or potential for misuse.
Phased dispensing fees will remain payable as per current arrangements under reasons 2 and 3 and will not be subject to the approved list.
The salient point here is that appropriate phased dispensing is not being removed in this Agreement.
The introduction of improved controls around phased dispensing is being done in a way which puts patient safety first and allows the State to repurpose €20m of funding to be used to implement new patient-centred services.
It remains open to pharmacies to charge patients for the use of Monitored Dosing Systems as a private service.
Alcohol Advertising
Ceisteanna (192)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:192. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health her views on the advertising of zero-alcohol products in locations where alcohol advertising is prohibited under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (details supplied); her views on whether such advertising is a breach of the 2018 Act; if she will take steps to address this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52411/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Enforcement of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 is a matter for the enforcement body designated under the Act, the National Environmental Health Service of the HSE. I have no role in determining contraventions of the law as the the application and enforcement of the Act is solely a matter for the National Environmental Health Service.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (193)
Martin Kenny
Ceist:193. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if her Department will provide funding for a multiple sclerosis community worker for Sligo and Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52012/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (194)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:194. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if she is confident that the 4,000 to 4,500 new and refurbished inpatient hospital beds across the country that have been committed to in the programme for Government will be delivered by 2029; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52427/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This Government is committed to delivering additional inpatient capacity for our Health Service. Capital investment is critical to achieve the ambitions of Sláintecare and the Programme for Government 2025.
In July of this year, Government published the National Development Plan Review, the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State. While sectors of energy, water, transport and housing are prioritised, the updated NDP provides capital allocations to Departments across Government to fund a range of social and economic infrastructure priorities. Building on a strong track record of infrastructure delivery and significant increases in capital expenditure in recent years, the substantially enhanced NDP provision for the health sector of €9.25 billion 2026-2030, agreed with the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation) , will support the delivery of equitable, accessible and high-quality healthcare across Ireland. This funding will deliver a range of health strategic investment priorities including in-patient capacity across our hospitals aligning to the ambition of the Programme for Government. In addition to the NDP funding I secured and to ensure the continued successful delivery of the NDP and Programme for Government commitments, M/PEIPSRD also provided assurances that should there be underspends evident in the overall NDP allocations in year, these will be considered for allocation to Health.
The NDP funding envelope will support the progression of key health sector priorities across the sector and the country including progressing and delivery of acute bed capacity projects. The HSE is planning this additional capacity aligned with the In-Patient Hospital Capacity Plan. There are a number of considerations and critical dependencies that interact to influence the delivery of health infrastructure including capital funding levels, Infrastructure Guidelines, statutory planning and public procurement requirements, and market and construction sector capacity that can respond to and deliver in-patient bed capacity projects at site and regional level. The operational delivery will also be dependent recruitment of necessary staff to bring this new capacity into service.
Emergency Departments
Ceisteanna (195)
Keira Keogh
Ceist:195. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Health the measures in place to alleviate staff shortages in the accident and emergency department in Mayo University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52392/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (196)
John Paul O'Shea
Ceist:196. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health for an update on the development for 24 new inpatient beds in Mallow General Hospital, which received €7.5 million in capital funding during 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52407/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Question No. 197 answered with Question No. 130.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (198)
Liam Quaide
Ceist:198. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the staffing benchmarks she is aiming to implement in primary care services for young people where waiting lists across disciplines are in crisis; if she will accordingly suspend the Pay and Numbers Strategy and undertake a comprehensive recruitment drive based on those benchmarks, as well as recruiting additional staff in the short and medium term to help address waiting lists that now far exceed the capacity of a fully staffed service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52503/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is important to recognise that overall activity within the eight core primary care therapies is significant. Almost 1.4 million patients were seen in 2024. However, I fully acknowledge that waiting lists for primary care therapies have increased significantly.
I am very conscious of the vital role that primary care therapies play for children and adults. I am acutely aware of the central role that these services play in offering the opportunity for early and cost-effective interventions for children and young people.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the increased pressure and demand on primary care therapy services is related to an increase in referrals, the increasing complexity of presentations (leading to longer interventions), and challenges related to recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals in general and specialist services in the community.
Building on successful local initiatives, I have asked the CEO of the HSE to now put measures in place to scale-up those initiatives at a national level to address Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech & Language Therapy waiting lists.
Beginning immediately, I am asking the HSE to reduce the waiting times for these three therapies, to less than 10 months. This will be a massive improvement on where we are now as approximately one third of our patients are currently waiting over a year for a service. This will remove over 60,000 people from the Waiting Lists across these three therapies.
Furthermore, this Government is committed to building capacity in primary care therapy services, outlined in the Programme for Government by recruiting and retaining additional staff numbers, promoting advanced practice roles for health and social care professionals, and increasing the number of college places for health and social care professions.
Taken together these effort will address the waiting lists for primary care therapies in both the short and medium-term.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (199)
Tom Brabazon
Ceist:199. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the plans for a new acute hospital in north Dublin. [52390/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received from Department.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (200)
Louis O'Hara
Ceist:200. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with the National Ambulance Service regarding the need for a rapid response vehicle at Tuam ambulance base, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52190/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (201)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:201. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health for an update on CAMHS services in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52237/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is a priority for me, and for Government, to ensure that children who need services can access them and access them on time. This is in line with our national mental health policy Sharing the Vision, our suicide reduction strategy Connecting for Life, and the HSE Annual Service Plan 2025.
Year-on-year funding for mental health services increased from €1.3 billion announced in Budget 2024 to almost €1.5 billion in 2025. This represents a 10.7% annual increase. CAMHS nationally receives approximately €167 million annually, with a further €110 million provided to NGOs, many of which focus on youth mental health. Under Budget 2025, an additional €2.9 million will support CAMHS to increase core staffing, develop a new CAMHS Emergency Liaison Service and expand CAMHS Hubs to improve crisis cover for services.
CAMHS is a secondary care specialist service for those aged up to 18 years, who have a moderate to severe mental health difficulty. Access to CAMHS is on the basis of prioritised clinical assessment, in line with the CAMHS Operational Guidelines which are available on the HSE website. All referrals to CAMHS are assessed by a multidisciplinary team. Approximately 2% of the population require support from this specialist service with over 90% of mental health needs requiring treatment in a primary care setting.
I established the National Office for Child and Youth Mental Health in the HSE to improve leadership and all aspects of care across youth mental health. The Office published its new Youth Mental Health Action Plan in February last. This ambitious plan for comprehensive reform across all youth mental health services, including the specialist CAMHS service, will deliver services which are safer, effective, easier to access and which offers appropriate support at all levels when needed.
The three-year Plan sets out a clear roadmap for the Department and HSE to ensure children and families have equitable and timely access to high-quality mental health care, including better links with Primary Care and Disability Services, and greater use of e-mental health responses. My aim is that services will be better connected and easier to navigate, with increased focus on the rights of young people and their families. The development of a Single Point of Access for all child and youth mental health referrals in partnership with disabilities, primary care, and voluntary and statutory agencies is a key priority within the new Action Plan.
I recently commenced a series of visits to all HSE Regional Health Areas, including the South West, to meet with the Regional Executive Officers and their staff to focus on improvements to all aspects of Youth Mental Health care, to identify areas where increased activity is needed, and also areas of innovative and positive service delivery. This includes improving access and reducing CAMHS waiting lists particularly for those waiting over 12 months. I have stressed also, the importance of filling all approved posts for each CAMHS team to ensure the effective delivery of services.
I am closely monitoring developments in relation to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in North Kerry, including the timeline for the completion of the Lookback Review. The HSE has indicated to me and the Department that the Review will be made available as soon as possible, acknowledging that necessary due diligence and related processes must be adhered to in the finalisation of the Review.
I will continue to work closely with the HSE Child and Youth Mental Health National Office to drive reform of CAMHS nationally to ensure that this key specialist service which benefits so many young people and their families each year is safe, accessible, child-centered, and delivered to the highest of standards.
The Deputy will appreciate that primary responsibility for the provision of services at local level is a matter for the HSE. The Deputy may therefore wish to approach the local HSE direct in relation to any detailed operational information specifically regarding service improvements underway or planned in County Kerry.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (202)
Mark Ward
Ceist:202. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the proposed new primary health care centre for Rowlagh; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52506/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (203)
Erin McGreehan
Ceist:203. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to enhance and expand services at Louth County Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52345/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Louth County Hospital Dundalk and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda are part of the HSE Dublin and North East Health Region. Both hospitals operate conjointly, with an integrated managerial and clinical governance system, care pathways, and support functions.
These hospitals are planning for the future to safeguard against the increasing demand of their growing catchment area. Anticipated population growth, particularly among those aged over 75, along with any potential reconfiguration of acute services, highlights the need to expand capacity and capability.
To meet this challenge, projects have been developed in Louth County Hospital which include, theatre access for Ear, Nose and Throat procedures and a Uroflow Clinic for Urology services. Additionally, a new procedure room will open in 2026 to enhance Day Services. These developments compliment the already significant investments in Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda.
Question No. 204 answered with Question No. 164.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (205)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:205. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the initiatives she is putting in place to increase the number of GPs in County Laois; the timeline; the funding allocated for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51531/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients, and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
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. As of August, there are no GMS vacancies in Co. Laois.
It is acknowledged that there is limited access to GP services in certain areas. Work is ongoing to increase the number of GPs practising in the State and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients across the country.
Significant increases in investment in general practice have been provided under the 2019 and 2023 GP Agreements. Under the 2019 GMS GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by over €210m. This has provided for increased GP capitation fees, increased supports for practices and new fees for additional services such as the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) programme.
Additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was further increased by approximately €130 million under the 2023 GMS GP Agreement. The 2023 Agreement further increased GP capitation fees, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a grant support for additional staff capacity as well a practice staff maternity leave support. It also provided for the expansion of GP visit card eligibility in 2023 to all children under 8 years of age and all those who earn up to the median household income.
The annual intake of doctors into the GP training programme 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.
Lastly, a Strategic Review of General Practice is underway. The review, with input from key stakeholders, 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 underserved areas. 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.
Home Help Service
Ceisteanna (206)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:206. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the plans the Government has in place to address the large number of people in County Donegal on waiting lists for home support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52382/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (207)
Edward Timmins
Ceist:207. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Health to consider automatic qualification (removal of means test) for a medical card for lung fibrosis patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52553/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Medical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.
The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease 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 possible to list and prioritise conditions for medical card eligibility as such an approach risks creating inequity by diagnosis or condition. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a patient’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card or GP visit card – including to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card or GP visit card.
I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other relevant issues.