Written Answers Nos. 461-480
461. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to accelerate the availability of oncology generics and biosimilars to reduce cost barriers for the public health system; and whether legislative or regulatory reform is being considered in this regard. [52832/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the importance of timely access for patients to new medicines. The Programme for Government contains a suite of measures on medicines, which we aim to progress over its lifetime. Access to medicines is the focus of a number of workstreams across my Department.
Budgets 2021-2025 allocated an additional €158 million for new drugs, which facilitated the introduction of 238 new medicines in that period. 97 of these are for use in oncology. The HSE in its decision making considers the 5-year budget impact of each new medicine notwithstanding that the budget of the HSE is set on an annual basis. The year 1 costs of most medicines represent a fraction of the overall costs of those medicines when fully introduced.
In 2023 a review of the drug reimbursement process was published. It found that the process was operating as intended and within international norms. Recommendations from the review have now been implemented. A pricing and reimbursement application tracker has been launched to improve transparency. In 2024 an additional 34 staff were recruited to enhance capacity across the pricing and reimbursement system.
Access to medicines requires industry and the State to work together, through timely assessment, and reasonable pricing with fully completed HTAs (Health Technology Assessments). The Government encourages pharmaceutical companies to submit timely applications for reimbursement.
My Department is looking at reimbursement systems across the European Union and working closely on access to medicines with Beneluxa partners, where we have had previous success.
As outlined in the Programme for Government, consideration will be given to early access mechanisms for medicines. These mechanisms and their effects are complex and must be evaluated carefully.
462. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients precluded from accessing CAR T-cell treatment due to the current age restriction on the treatment, per county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52849/25]
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.
464. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the acquisition of a site for the new primary care centre in Rathdowney, County Laois; the timeframe for when it will be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52870/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
465. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health her plans to introduce a dedicated daytime GP home visit service in the Dublin 12 area, in view of concerns raised by persons regarding the lack of access to such services for elderly and vulnerable individuals during regular daytime hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52893/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish model of general practice is based on private practice, GPs providing GP services in Ireland currently are private practitioners. The HSE does not directly employ GPs for the provision of GP services.
Most GPs hold a GMS contract with the HSE to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. All persons aged 70 and over are eligible for a GP visit card.
Under the GMS contract, GPs must be available to provide services in their practice premises or by way of domiciliary visits, as appropriate, for their medical card and GP visit card patients. They must also make arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum/deputy, for urgent cases outside of these hours. It is a matter for the GP to decide whether it is appropriate to see the patient in his/her surgery or in the patient's home based on clinical need.
There is currently no plan to introduce a dedicated daytime GP home visit service. Introduction of such a service would require careful consideration regarding of, amongst other things, who would be eligible for the service, the model of service to be provided, as well as its impact on local GP capacity and service delivery under current GMS scheme.
It is worth noting that the Government have undertaken measures to increase the number of GPs practising across the country and to thereby improve access to GP services. These measures include significant additional investment in general practice under the 2019 and 2023 GP GMS Agreements, successive increases in new entrant GP training places, and the ongoing recruitment of GPs from abroad under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme.
466. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the current structure of stroke recovery services within the HSE; and the supports in place for patient's post-discharge. [52916/25]
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.
467. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE ensures continuity of care for stroke survivors who are discharged from hospitals or rehabilitation units but still require ongoing therapy. [52917/25]
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.
468. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the way in which the country’s main neurological hospitals (including Beaumont) select patients to participate in clinical research [52918/25]
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.
469. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to expand opportunities for stroke survivors to participate in trials or innovative treatments. [52919/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra470. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to establishing a national programme for stem cell transplant trials for stroke recovery in partnership with the HSE and RCSI [52920/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together.
The HSE National Stroke Strategy 2022-2027 aims to modernise and reform stroke services in line with Sláintecare policy and address the challenges facing Ireland from population ageing and the predicted increase in the total number of strokes right across Europe, including Ireland. The strategy provides a blueprint for required investment in stroke services over the five-year period from 2022-2027.
This government is fully committed to supporting improvements and advances in stroke services and will build on the €13.5m in funding allocated to the HSE National Stroke Strategy since its publication in 2022.
Clinical trials are an established component within the Education and Research Pillar of the HSE's National Stroke Strategy 2022-2027. My department has supported the development of clinical trials among stroke survivors, providing funding via the HRB to the Stroke Clinical Trials Network Ireland (SCTNI), which was co-funded by the Irish Heart Foundation. The SCTNI was also a key leader in establishment of the European Stroke Organisation Trials Alliance (ESOTA), expanding our reach internationally and helping grow patient access to new trials. In terms of a decision to establish a national programme for stem cell transplant trials for stroke recovery, the potential for a dedicated national structure is a continuous discussion among key partners.
The expert clinicians and researchers are actively considering the evidence-base and scale of work being undertaken, as well as the country's established expertise and suitability. The focus is on how best to advance this area of emerging science by ensuring any future initiative aligns with existing national mechanisms for clinical trials and the goal of harmonising trial technologies and methodologies across relevant disciplines.
With specific regard to participation of stroke survivors, the HRB Stroke Clinical Trials Network Ireland continues to support and undertake clinical trials for stroke survivors. However, in order to expand opportunities for stroke survivors to participate in clinical trials and access innovative treatments, it is necessary to address challenges that have limited the start-up of clinical trials generally in Ireland. The expert National Clinical Trials Oversight Group (NCTOG) has recently completed its 12-month period of discussions and analyses and produced a set of Final Recommendations which were approved by Government at the end of July.
It is my intention to progress all of the NCTOG's recommendations, which are highly ambitious and strategic in terms of transforming the clinical trials sector in Ireland. The recommendations cover key priority areas which will create sector-wide strengthening of the national framework and mechanisms for supporting clinical trials. This will, in turn, increase the numbers of clinical trials taking place in Ireland and improve patients' access to innovative treatments, including stroke patients and enhance our global prominence as a host for high-quality clinical trials.
The first priority area of the NCTOG Final Recommendations relates to establishment of a Clinical Trials Advisory Council (CTAC), which will oversee the establishment and setup of a National Clinical Trials Body. These new governance structures will provide a focal point for organisations and stakeholders wishing to conduct clinical trials in Ireland, while also supporting patients to access information and links to participate in clinical trials. Naturally, these initiatives will require concerted effort and coordination between government, academia, industry, and the public, and as such will be the subject of intensive work over the coming months and years. I look forward to updating Government on the progress of the Council as we seek to implement the NCTOG recommendations in full.
471. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health if infrastructure limitations, such as theatre allocation, are preventing the development of stem cell treatment trials for stroke patients; and the way in which these barriers might be addressed. [52921/25]
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.
472. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to international approaches, such as the Australian or UK models, for stroke rehabilitation; and if Ireland plans to adopt similar practices [52922/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra473. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure that the condition of "stroke" receives the same level of attention and research investment as other neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s. [52923/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 472 and 473 together.
This government is fully committed to supporting improvements and advances in stroke services including the area of research and will build on the €13.5m in funding allocated to the HSE National Stroke Strategy since its publication in 2022.
The HSE National Stroke Strategy 2022-2027 aims to modernise and reform stroke services in line with Sláintecare policy and address the challenges facing Ireland from population ageing and the predicted increase in the total number of strokes right across Europe, including Ireland. The strategy focuses on the entire pathway of patient care under four key pillars; (1) stroke prevention; (2) acute care and cure; (3) rehabilitation and restoration to living; and (4) education and research.
Progress has been made in early stroke rehabilitation. The HSE will shortly publish a new report, Early Supported Discharge (ESD) for Stroke 2022 to 2023.
Early supported discharge teams are multidisciplinary teams who provide stroke rehabilitation in the persons home and is proven to reduce disability and improve independence post stroke. ESD means stroke survivors have therapy, social work and nursing support at home so they can leave hospital earlier. They are more independent, spend less time in hospital and are more likely to avoid long-term residential care.
These teams particularly target the goal of reduced disability and ESD is an internationally recognised model of best care for patients with mild to moderate deficits post stroke. The National Clinical programme has led the development of this model in Ireland.
Funding allocated to strategy has allowed for the expansion of Early Supported Discharge (ESD) teams in the community from 6 to 11 teams (target is 21 ESD teams nationally), it is envisaged that 15 teams will be operational by end 2025.
ESD also improves bed capacity in stroke units. More than 800 people benefited from the initiative in 2023. This is an increase from 370 patients in 2019 with the expansion to 11 sites, where a median of 22% patients are now discharged via ESD. Approximately 25% of stroke patients are eligible for ESD.
474. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the number of recipients of the flu vaccine for each of the past four years, by county or geographical area; by age category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52924/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HSE, are responsible for collating vaccination uptake rates. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
475. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a SUSI grant application for a person (details supplied) will be reviewed. [52626/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAssessment of means under the Student Grant Scheme 2025 is based on gross income from all sources, of the applicant and their parent. No deduction is giving for outgoings, with the exception of pension contributions, legally enforceable maintenance payments and employment related expenses as approved by Revenue (Article 22 (5) of the scheme refers).
Additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) to pension schemes and private pension or retirement products, paid in the reference period only, within the limits allowed by the Revenue Commissioners, that appear on your Statement of Liability, (formerly P21) may be considered as deductibles for the purpose of assessing reckonable income under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme 2025 (Article 22 (5) refers).
All pension contributions not deducted at source, will show in Panel 3 in the Statement of Liability. Contributions to company schemes deducted at source by your employer cannot be considered as a deductible for grant purposes as stated in the above legislation as the reckonable income assessed in this instance is net of the pension contributions.
An official from my Department has advised that the 2025/2026 application for grant funding by the student referred to by the Deputy was finalised and as per letter to the student dated 17 April 2025, they were awarded the Non-Adjacent Band 3 Rate of Maintenance Grant, together with 100% Student Contribution or Tuition Fees, as applicable to them.
The student requested an internal review by the awarding authority, SUSI on 7 May 2025 as they believed their mother’s pension contributions had not been deducted from their total household reckonable income. An official has advised that the student’s mother’s pension contributions were in fact deducted from reckonable income. The student was advised that their award could not be improved in a letter dated 8 May 2025.
The student appealed to SUSI on 20 May 2025, and as per the letter to the applicant dated 26 May 2025, the Appeals Officer upheld the decision of the awarding authority.
An appeal was submitted to the Independent Student Grant Appeals Board (the Board) by the student referred to and the appeal was considered by the Board on the 1st of July 2025 and upheld the decision of the awarding authority and the SUSI appeals officer. The determination of the Board was communicated directly to the student on that date.
I trust this clarifies the situation and I wish the student well in her studies.
476. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he supports the introduction of a national training voucher scheme that would support employers, and particularly SMEs, in addressing both the direct and indirect costs of training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52660/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OECD Ireland Skills Strategy Review (2023) recommended that Ireland strengthen incentives for employers to participate in lifelong learning. My Department is working closely with Skillnet Ireland on a scheme aimed specifically at supporting SMEs in this respect. The aim of the scheme is to support small and medium enterprises to upskill and reskill in areas of critical skills needs, to ensure that the workforce has the necessary skills for the future. As SMEs often lack the resources (time, money, HR function etc) to help their staff upskill and reskill, it is important that they are supported to ensure that this happens.
However, current training supports provided to businesses through the National Training Fund (NTF) include targeted and flexible upskilling options under SOLAS’ Skills to Advance initiative. These options include micro-qualifications to ensure that enterprises can respond to the rapidly changing world of work, advances in technology and tackling climate change.
With funding from the NTF, Skillnet Ireland supports over 26,000 businesses and 97,000 employees each year through its 69 Skillnet Business Networks. Skillnet Ireland engages with industry stakeholders to ensure that skills and talent provisions reflect the needs of businesses and their workers.
The NTF also contributes to Enterprise Ireland’s training on Leadership and Management Development programmes.
Current NTF funding to the HEA includes provision for Springboard+ which provides free and heavily subsidised upskilling and reskilling opportunities through higher education. Springboard+ courses are provided in independent and private HEIs. In order for a course to be considered for Springboard+ funding, the course provider must (among other things) demonstrate clear evidence of engagement with enterprise and industry partners.
In relation to the NTF Act, minimal amendments are required to ensure that the new NTF expenditure announced in Budget 2025 can be provided from 2026 onwards. It is important to note that the purposes of the NTF will not be amended, which are to raise the skills of those in employment, provide training to those who wish to acquire skills to take up employment and provide information in relation to skills requirements in the economy.
477. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on proposals to introduce professorship grades at technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52683/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science have been working to progress reform of academic staffing structures in TUs since their establishment under the TU Act, 2018, in the main following recommendations of the TURN Report (2019) and OECD (2022).
The academic grades currently in operation in the TU Sector, have been transferred from IoTs and are not suitable for a university and as such hinder the potential of TUs to realise their full potential. In particular, the absence of professorial grade in TUs undermines their mission, competitiveness, and ability to attract talent (for example through the current Global Talent Initiative) and funding, in that research funding is primarily awarded to research performing organisations. From both an educational and research perspective, it is critical that Technological Universities can retain and attract talent and compete with the traditional universities.
As the Deputy will be aware this is a Programme for Government commitment, and there is strong support across government at the highest levels to introduce professorial grades in the shortest possible timeframe. This was confirmed at a recent Cabinet meeting.
As Minister I, and my officials, have engaged extensively on this matter, including with the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department is currently awaiting a response from DPER on a proposal to introduce this grade without further delay.
478. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has met formally with the CEO of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board in the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52805/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not had the opportunity to meet with the CE of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) since my appointment as Minister in February. My Department’s responsibility for the Further Education and Training (FET) sector is exercised through SOLAS under the Further Education and Training Act 2013. However, given the significant investment my Department makes in ETBs, I do engage with their representatives when invited, to support strategic alignment and collaboration.
As the Deputy was advised in the response to PQ 38797, both Minister Harkin and I have visited most of the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country since being appointed. We have found these engagements to be deeply informative and valuable in supporting our understanding of the delivery of FET at local and regional levels. I did meet the Director of FET and the Director of Organisation Support and Development from DDLETB earlier this month when I visited a Community Training Centre in Dun Laoghaire. I remain committed to availing of further invitations and opportunities, and should an invitation be extended to meet with the CE of DDLETB, it would, of course, be considered subject to my availability.
479. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if a group (details supplied) will be provided with multi-annual funding commencing with budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52757/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra480. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if a group (details supplied) will be provided with multi-annual funding commencing with budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52758/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 479 and 480 together.
Community cafés are a vital part of many communities. I recognise the enormous benefit and impact that these social enterprises have in both urban and rural locations, offering training and employment opportunities, a place to volunteer and providing, in many cases, an important ‘hub’ where members of a community can meet and enjoy each other’s company. In particular, they have proved to be a lifeline for those most marginalised in our communities, for example, the elderly, those with a disability, and the unemployed.
My Department's National Social Enterprise Policy, Trading for Impact 2024-2027, is committed to helping cultivate strong and impactful social enterprises, including community cafés. This policy contains 57 measures to be delivered under 5 objectives, many of which provide support to the sector and the type of businesses represented by this group.
Measure 12 under the Policy commits, over its lifetime, to deliver loan/grant funding schemes for social enterprises through my Department's programmes including the Community Services Programme (CSP), the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), PEACEPLUS, and LEADER. Many of these programmes can be accessed through the groups' Local Development Company, as a first step.
