Written Answers Nos. 614-634
614. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a procedure for a person (details supplied) will be expedited as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53275/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
615. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the supports available to families with adult children with mental health difficulties that are at risk of homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53278/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
616. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for patients referred from primary care to dermatology services for assessment of potentially cancerous moles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53280/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
617. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health if supports will be made available to move people with dementia to nursing homes closer to their families; even if it is outside their catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53289/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe selection of a nursing home of preference is a matter determined by the applicant and/or their respective families and there are currently no supports available outside of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS). The transfer of residents from one nursing home to another does not fall within scope of the NHSS and is a matter between the resident/family representative and the respective nursing homes.
In order to secure a transfer, the resident and/or their representatives must first establish whether there is any vacancies at their preferred nursing home and whether they can be accommodated. The nursing homes in question should then be in a position to organise the transfer of the resident.
An important consideration is there may be contractual arrangements between the resident and the nursing home within the contract of care in respect of notice period for discharge which must be adhered to in order to avoid paying unnecessary fees. Neither the Department of Health nor the HSE are a party to these contracts which are concluded between the nursing home operator and the resident.
It is also important to keep your local Nursing Home Support Office informed to ensure that NHSS funding continues to follow the resident. It is important to note that transfer from one facility to another will have no impact on the resident’s contribution to the cost of their own care, which will remain the same regardless of the nursing home they chose to reside in.
618. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when building of the surgical hub at Letterkenny University Hospital will commence; the expected time frame for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53291/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the surgical hubs to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
619. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 953 of 30 September 2025, the reason Ireland has not advocated deletion of Article 1 paragraph 10(a). [53296/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April 2023, the European Commission proposed an ambitious Revision of the EU General Pharmaceutical Legislation.
On the 4th June 2025, after two years of negotiations on the file, the Council of the European Union agreed their Mandate to enter into negotiations with the Parliament and the Commission.
The Council's mandate was agreed for both the proposal for a Directive on the Union code relating to medicinal products and a Regulation laying down Union procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and establishing rules governing the European Medicines Agency. This mandate was supported by 26 Member States, including Ireland.
The wording in Article 1(10)(a) of the Commission’s proposal maintains the text in the current Directive. The Council’s agreed mandate in June did not propose any change to the wording contained in the Commission’s proposal.
The European Parliament adopted its position in April 2023, proposing hundreds of amendments to the texts, including the deletion of Article 1(10)(a) of the Directive.
Trilogue negotiations between the Institutions are now underway with a view to reaching political agreement on all elements of this important and complex legislative package later this year. Ireland is working intensively with the other Member States to ensure that the final text will provide Europe with a modernised regulatory system for medicines which is in the interests of patients and maintains a strong, innovative pharmaceutical sector in Europe.
620. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of older persons who have applied for home care support through the HSE and who are awaiting the allocation of home care in each county, in tabular form; the average wait time for same; and her views on the sustainability of the section 39 model in this respect. [53299/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
621. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints made to HIQA in respect of nursing homes in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of adverse findings made in each of those years; and the counties in which there were the highest per capita incidence of complaints made. [53300/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Chief Inspector of Social Care and the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is the national independent regulator of designed centres for older people including public community nursing units and private nursing homes.
Department of Health officials directed this query to HIQA who have advised the following:
"HIQA was established under the Health Act 2007, as amended, to promote safety and quality in the provision of health and personal social services for the benefit of the health and welfare of the public. HIQA’s regulatory role is to regulate designated centres for older people, people with a disability and special care units. HIQA also regulates medical ionising radiation exposure and monitors standards in acute and community hospitals and private hospitals, some children’s social care services and permanent international protection accommodation services (IPAS) centres.
In addition, HIQA has no statutory remit to manage or respond to individual complaints, this is the statutory responsibility of the service provider. However, while we are unable to investigate or resolve individual complaints, we do welcome feedback about centres and services under our remit. We call this ‘unsolicited information’.
All unsolicited information (UROI) received is acknowledged, logged and examined by HIQA. If the information relates to a service within HIQA’s remit, it is reviewed by an inspector to establish if the information received indicates a risk to the safety, effectiveness, and management of the service, and the day-to-day care the resident or patient receives. Unsolicited information received can help inform HIQA’s work to:
- ensure services continue to meet high standards of care for patients and residents
- consider how well providers handle complaints and use them as opportunities to improve care for patients and residents
- identify any trends or patterns that could indicate that something unacceptable is happening in a service
- make decisions when registering and or renewing the registration of designated centres.
If HIQA considers that the service provider may not be compliant with the regulations and or national standards, we can respond by:
- asking the service provider to submit additional information on the issue
- requesting a plan from the service provider outlining how the issue will be investigated and addressed
- using the information on inspection
- carrying out an unannounced inspection to assess the quality and safety of the care being provided in the service.
In addition, where the information indicates that people may be at immediate risk, HIQA will use its full legal powers and report the incident, where appropriate, to An Garda Síochána, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) or the Health Service Executive (HSE’s) Adult Safeguarding Team."
Total number or UROIs per year about designated centres for older people
|
- |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025(to 30 September) |
|
Total UROIs received |
1213 |
1024 |
978 |
1107 |
1021 |
894 |
Number of UROIs per county per year about designated centres for older people
|
County |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 (to 30 September) |
Total per county 2020-2025 YTD) |
|
Carlow |
9 |
16 |
14 |
19 |
9 |
9 |
76 |
|
Cavan |
20 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
5 |
7 |
57 |
|
Clare |
49 |
34 |
48 |
45 |
43 |
48 |
267 |
|
Cork |
112 |
138 |
109 |
160 |
87 |
55 |
661 |
|
Donegal |
34 |
29 |
25 |
36 |
26 |
26 |
176 |
|
Dublin |
353 |
220 |
218 |
271 |
269 |
257 |
1588 |
|
Galway |
48 |
59 |
70 |
78 |
67 |
28 |
350 |
|
Kerry |
44 |
31 |
34 |
51 |
26 |
22 |
208 |
|
Kildare |
100 |
73 |
61 |
72 |
70 |
47 |
423 |
|
Kilkenny |
23 |
27 |
25 |
27 |
22 |
34 |
158 |
|
Laois |
8 |
18 |
12 |
8 |
12 |
51 |
109 |
|
Leitrim |
7 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
19 |
|
Limerick |
26 |
41 |
30 |
37 |
41 |
40 |
215 |
|
Longford |
7 |
6 |
15 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
51 |
|
Louth |
42 |
27 |
22 |
21 |
44 |
16 |
172 |
|
Mayo |
28 |
27 |
26 |
26 |
17 |
18 |
142 |
|
Meath |
81 |
52 |
47 |
44 |
53 |
34 |
311 |
|
Monaghan |
12 |
7 |
10 |
10 |
0 |
6 |
45 |
|
Offaly |
17 |
19 |
12 |
12 |
27 |
11 |
98 |
|
Roscommon |
32 |
24 |
22 |
11 |
14 |
17 |
120 |
|
Sligo |
8 |
10 |
9 |
11 |
5 |
13 |
56 |
|
Tipperary |
33 |
45 |
29 |
29 |
45 |
61 |
242 |
|
Waterford |
16 |
23 |
36 |
53 |
17 |
12 |
157 |
|
Westmeath |
12 |
12 |
12 |
7 |
10 |
10 |
63 |
|
Wexford |
37 |
45 |
45 |
33 |
65 |
39 |
264 |
|
Wicklow |
55 |
30 |
36 |
26 |
38 |
24 |
209 |
622. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the building of the surgical hub at Sligo University Hospital will commence; the expected time frame for the building of the surgical hub to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53304/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the surgical hubs to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
623. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health the engagement her Department has undertaken with racialised women in the development of women’s health policies and strategies, including through task forces, consultations, or other forums such as the Women’s Health Task Force and ‘radical listening’ sessions; to provide details of how participants are selected; the extent to which racialised women can access these processes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53311/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health and its Women’s Health Taskforce are committed to improving health outcomes and experience of healthcare for all women in Ireland and this is reflected in the ongoing work in relation to the Women's Health Action Plan 2022 – 2023 - gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/womens-health-action-plan-2022-2023/ - and Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 Phase 2: An Evolution in Women’s Health - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/womens-health-action-plan-2024-2025-phase-2-an-evolution-in-womens-health/.
A Women's Health Taskforce was established by the Department of Health to improve women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare in September 2019.
The Taskforce has modelled “open policy making” working in a collaborative way, involving policy makers, clinicians, international partners, advocates, health experts and the voices of women through workshops, research and outreach.
The Taskforce has listened to, engaged with and worked with individuals and organisations representing women across the country. This feedback has informed Ireland’s women’s health plans.
The Women’s Health Taskforce has more than 30 members from all grades and divisions within the Department of Health. Members external to Government Departments include the National Traveller Women’s Forum and the National Women’s Council, which maintains an extensive network of women and women’s advocacy groups representing ethnic minorities. The NWC has built an established and trusted relationship with these groups and provides consistent advocacy through their participation with the Women’s Health Taskforce.
Listening:
Hearing diverse voices and experiences is vitally important in informing the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce and in supporting the development of the Women’s Health Action Plans. In order to develop the most comprehensive plan that represented all demographics of women in Ireland, the Women’s Health Taskforce engaged in a number of important consultations.
The National Women’s Council of Ireland facilitated a series of four workshops with a total of 50 marginalised women of different backgrounds, including:
• Disabled women (17)
• Women of Minority Ethnicity (19)
• Women Living in Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Communities (9)
• Women Survivors of Violence and Abuse (9)
Participation in these workshops was based on self-identification with the theme of the respective workshop and a “radical listening” approach was deployed to ensure that women could share openly on their experiences of the healthcare system. A number of concerns were raised by the women in each of the workshops; all of which were recorded and considered when developing the Women’s Health Action Plan. While the National Women’s Council focused solely on marginalised women in their workshops, a further “radical listening” exercise was completed with women across all ages and backgrounds that was attended by 200+ participants. Results of these listening exercises can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/significant-milestone-as-minister-donnelly-publishes-a-report-of-womens-voices-on-womens-health-following-a-radical-listening-exercise-this-year/
In September 2019, the Women’s Health Taskforce engaged with members of the public via their Webpage, asking the following question: “If I could make one change to improve health outcomes for women and girls in Ireland, it would be…”. This consultation received over 500 responses, and this was used to inform the early work of the Taskforce.
Additionally, the Women’s Health Taskforce mailbox has served as an important communication channel to the Taskforce for members of the public, advocacy groups, individuals, and other stakeholders. Many emails received are from members of the public sharing their experiences of women’s healthcare in Ireland.
Women's Experiences of Healthcare in Ireland Listening Forum 2025:
As part of the Women's Health Action Plan 2024-2025 Phase 2: An Evolution in Women's Health, a new "Patient Voice" listening exercise, to hear from women about their experiences of our healthcare services over recent years, was conducted in April 2025.
The Women's Experiences of Healthcare in Ireland Listening Forum, in partnership with the National Women's Council of Ireland, consisted of two workstreams.
1. Workstream A, led by the Department of Health, focused on broad engagement with women from various backgrounds. This included women in all their diversity in both online and in-person engagements. The approach differed from workstream B in that the recruitment process was not targeted at specific communities or at women with specific experiences.
A recruitment survey was published by the Department of Health to receive applications from those interested in participating in the Forum. There was a number of demographic questions in this survey: age, geographic location, ethnic background. Further to this, women were asked about the services they have experienced and whether they represent a group/organisation with a specific interest in any health area.
This involved conducting four structured listening forums including two in-person events and two online events involving 69 women from diverse ages and backgrounds. The ethnicity of the women included:
- White Irish (52)
- Black or Black Irish – African (7)
- Arab (1)
- Asian or Asian Irish – Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi (4)
- Any other white background (4)
- Other including mixed background (1)
2. Workstream B, led by National Women’s Council, was designed as a targeted initiative to capture the experiences of women facing significant structural and health inequalities and who are often categorised as “priority” groups in national policies.
This involved 73 participants taking part in listening sessions and interviews, and a Collective Event, the project engaged Traveller women, Roma women, migrant women, disabled women, LGBTQ+ communities, older women, women experiencing homelessness and addiction, and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). The ethnicity of the women included:
- White Irish (18)
- Roma (10)
- Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi (1)
- Mixed (1)
- Traveller (36)
- Any other white background (2)
- Black African (5)
The Women’s Health Taskforce recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion in all areas of healthcare. The consultation process in the development of the Women’s Health Action Plans reflects this commitment to diversity and representation of all women in Ireland.
The Women’s Health Taskforce is dedicated to listening to the voices of all women. It is important to share opinions and experiences in order to continue to make developments in women’s healthcare. Any member of the public is welcome to submit their views to the Taskforce via email to: WomensHealthTaskforce@health.gov.ie
624. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health if her Department collects, ethnicity-disaggregated data in reproductive and maternal health services; if so, to outline the categories used and how the data is utilised; if not, to provide the reason such data is not collected and the plans to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53312/25]
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.
625. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health if her Department has undertaken, commissioned, or funded any research into reproductive health outcomes for racialised women in Ireland (details supplied); if so, to provide details with specific reference to maternal health, menopause, gynaecological disorders, and reproductive cancers; if not, if her Department has considered commissioning such studies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53313/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo ask the Minister for Health if her Department has undertaken, commissioned, or funded any research into reproductive health outcomes for racialised migrant and ethnic minority women in Ireland (details supplied); if so, to provide details with specific reference to maternal health, menopause, gynaecological disorders, and reproductive cancers; if not, if her Department has considered commissioning such studies; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Significant progress and investment have been made in Women’s Health in recent years. Underscoring the Government’s commitment to Women’s Health has been the investment of dedicated additional funding of over €180 million since 2020.
This is aligned to the Government’s continued strong commitment in the Programme for Government to” further developing the transformation in women’s health care”.
The Women’s Health Action Plans have a specific action to grow the evidence base for women’s health approaches in Ireland by supporting research in this area. Addressing research gaps in women’s health has been a priority for the Women’s Health Programme in recent years with a number of research projects supported to better inform us.
The Women’s Health Fund, established in Budget 2021, along with supporting a range research initiatives that focus on areas including Family Carers, Mental Health, Cardiovascular, Breastfeeding, Menopause and migrant women and ethnic minority groups experiences of maternity services, has approved funding for a research project entitled - Decision-making, consent and women’s autonomy in reproductive healthcare.
Decision-making, consent and women’s autonomy in reproductive healthcare is a participatory study with migrant and ethnic minority women who have engaged with health care services in relation to their reproductive health at any stage of their lives, e.g. in relation to fertility, contraception, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, miscarriage, abortion, reproductive cancers, and menopause.
The Women’s Health Action Plans provides a strategic framework to prioritise women’s healthcare into the future, identifying and responding to gaps in women’s health services while also working to improve women’s experiences of healthcare, including support for vulnerable groups and initiating opportunities for further research and innovation
626. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health the way in which the forthcoming Equality Data Strategy will apply to women’s health data; the way in which it will capture the experiences of racialised women across key lifecycle stages such as menstruation, pregnancy, postnatal care, menopause, and gynaecological disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53314/25]
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.
628. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to including the advanced health care apprenticeship on the list of approved courses as per the Programme for Government's plan to create career pathways for healthcare assistants. [53329/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraProgramme for Government 2025 commits to providing a career pathway for Health Care Assistants (HCA). The Health Service Executive career pathways can be accessed via the below link. It outlines vertical and horizontal including Nurse Sponsorship for health care support staff.
careerhub.hse.ie/pathways_hca/
See also: healthservice.hse.ie/about-us/onmsd/education-and-continuous-professional-development/cpd-for-nurses-and-midwives/onmsd-sponsorship-schemes/public-health-service-employees.html
The HSE employ Health Care Assistants across both acute and community services. The eligibility criteria has been developed to ensure that suitably qualified individuals can avail of work within services. There are multiple entry routes to become a HCA, with Further Education & Training (FET) and Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses delivered in person and online. Qualifications at QQI Level 5, (Major Award) are a requirement for entry to the role.
The criteria below incorporates any equivalent qualification that is comparable to QQI Level 5. Therefore, individuals who attain qualifications through the advanced health care apprenticeship programme or individuals with relevant programmes of study greater than QQI Level 5 are eligible to apply for a role as a Health Care Assistant in the HSE.
Eligibility Criteria to work in one of the Public Hospitals is as follows:
(a) Candidates must have at the closing date for receipt of applications:
(i) The relevant health skills QQI (formerly FETAC) level 5 qualification.
OR
(ii) An equivalent relevant health care qualification or a comparable healthcare qualification as outlined in the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) NARIC Ireland framework.
OR
(iii) Be currently employed as a Health Care Assistant or a comparable role.
AND
(b) Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties of the role.
The HSE does not currently have a role/grade titled 'advanced healthcare assistant practitioner'.
629. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Health the plans to provide a public health centre within the Sandyford Business District given the rapidly growing population in the area. [53330/25]
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.
630. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the actionable plans in place to improve labouring options for women in Castlebar in the context of birthing/labouring pools; and whether there has been any public consultation on reviewing options for women. [53334/25]
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.
631. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health to examine a serious concern affecting Irish students studying physiotherapy in the Netherlands who are seeking 12-week hospital placements in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53348/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecruitment and retention of healthcare workers including physiotherapists is a key priority for the Government. Every effort will be made to assist Irish students studying Physiotherapy in the Netherlands to secure clinical placements, enabling them to register with CORU and take up positions within the Irish health service.
Officials in my department are engaging with the HSE regarding the availability of clinical placements for all HSCP students including those students who have qualified outside Ireland and who require periods of adaptation to have their qualifications recognised in Ireland. The HSE, through the National Health & Social Care Professional (HSCP) Office is working on several work-streams to support increasing capacity to deliver sustainable and scalable clinical placement opportunities for all HSCPs including physiotherapists. This work includes education resources, events, multi-pronged communications and the establishment of core teams within each region to formalise and develop regional level HSCP clinical infrastructure.
The HSE National HSCP Office is leading work to increase practice placement capacity and the availability of placements for students. Students will benefit from increased placements associated with the following developments:
Establishment of prioritised core teams within each region to formalise and develop regional level HSCP clinical placement infrastructure.
New grade codes have been introduced which will enable HSCPs to be employed on a temporary basis whilst completing periods of adaptation required to enable recognition of overseas qualifications.
Targeted communications campaign highlighting the importance of clinical placements cascaded to all HSCP at all levels with the aim of increasing the number of clinical placements available.
Ongoing support for the implementation of the HSCP Quality Framework for Sustainable Practice Education.
Development of a business case for a HSCP practice placement/compensation measures database. This will enable tracking of capacity and availability of placement opportunities.
Developing a sustainable model for training HSCPs to provide practice placements/compensation measures.
In the meantime, the students may wish to send their details to the HSE National HSCP Office (email: HSCP.NationalOffice@hse.ie), who will circulate their details to physiotherapy managers to consider if any of them are in a position to facilitate clinical practice placements.
632. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant psychiatrists based in Cork city mental health services in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [53359/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
633. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE secretaries that are part of the dermatology department of St James's Hospital in 2024 and to date in 2025; and the hours each secretary works, in tabular form. [53360/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
634. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of vacancies by job title within CAMHS in County Wicklow. [53361/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
