Written Answers Nos. 290-319
290. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps the Government is taking to implement the recommendations of the Ombudsman for Children’s report ‘Child Death Review: The Case for a National Statutory Review Mechanism for the Deaths of Children in Ireland’. [54103/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra291. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality which Government Department has been designated as the lead Department responsible for the development and implementation of the statutory child death review mechanism. [54104/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra292. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a timeline for the establishment of the statutory child death review mechanism, including expected dates for publication of draft legislation, stakeholder consultation and commencement of operations [54105/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the coordination taking place between the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Health and other relevant agencies to ensure the child death review mechanism is comprehensive and effective. [54106/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra294. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the measures that will be included in the statutory mechanism to ensure bereaved families are supported, consulted and kept informed throughout the review process. [54107/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 290 to 294, inclusive, together.
The death of a child, whether at home, in care, known to state services or in aftercare, is a tragic event that deeply affects family, friends, carers and staff connected to the child and local communities. When tragic events occur, Tusla works with the families and provides emotional or psychological supports from internal or external sources as appropriate. Legal supports may also be provided through the Legal Aid Board, and Tusla continues its engagement with families, providing financial or other supports.
In circumstances where families are affected by the death or another serious incident involving a child known to or in the care of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, such cases are notified to the National Review Panel (NRP). This is a standard process, as set out in the operational guidance, published by the then Department of Children in August 2021.
The NRP is independent in the performance of its functions, making findings of fact and producing reports that are objective and independent of Tusla. The NRP produces reports that are factually based and identify points of learning to improve services provided to children and families.
Since its establishment the NRP has played a critical role in identifying systemic issues, obstacles to good practice, and areas for learning to improve services.
I welcomed the publication, in April, of the Ombudsman for Children’s report entitled Child Death Review: The Case for a National Statutory Review Mechanism for the Deaths of Children in Ireland.
I am conscious however that the data outlined in the report highlights that deaths of children in care are a small subset of the overall number of child deaths occurring in the State. Engagement with colleagues across Government to identify the most appropriate lead organisation continues. Engagement with the Ombudsman and his office will continue in the coming period also.
In this context, it is not possible, at this time, to share a timeline, or specific measures relating to the establishment of a National Child Death Review Mechanism. However, it would be expected that strong communication and support for affected family members would be a crucial component to the delivery of such a mechanism.
Officials from my Department are currently engaged with their counterparts in Tusla and the Chair of the NRP in respect of reviewing and updating the NRP's Guidance.
Once this review of the Guidance is complete, officials will further engage with Tusla and the NRP in respect of agreeing a future structure for the NRP within the context of the broader child death review landscape.
295. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the pay increase for early childhood educators as agreed in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53991/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPay is one of a number of issues impacting the early learning and care and school-age childcare workforce. The level of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners does not reflect the value of their work for children, families, society and the economy.
As the State is not the employer of staff in the sector, neither I nor the Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.
The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders.
I acknowledge the Joint Labour Committee is independent in its functions, and I do not have a role in its statutory negotiation processes. However, outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. In this programme year 2025/26 Core Funding will increase by 6% to €350 million with an additional €45 million in ring-fenced Core Funding provided to support early learning and care services in meeting the increased cost of minimum pay rates in the sector.
As announced on Friday the Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail Alan Dillon has confirmed his intention to sign a new Employment Order for Early Years Educators and School-Age Practitioners.
The Order will revoke the 2024 Order currently in operation for the sector and will commence on 13th October 2025.
It will provide for increases in new minimum hourly rates of pay as follows:
• Early Years Educators and School Age Childcare (SAC) Practitioners - from €13.65 currently to €15.00 per hour;
• Early Years Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators – from €14.70 currently to €16.00 per hour;
• Early Years Graduate Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and Graduate School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators – from €16.28 currently to €17.50 per hour;
• Deputy/Assistant Manager – from €16.49 currently to €18.00 per hour;
• Centre Manager - from €17.33 currently to €19.00 per hour;
• Graduate Centre Manager from €18.11 currently to €20.25 per hour.
The Employment Regulation Orders apply to approximately 35,000 staff in the Early Years and School-Age Childcare sector. It is estimated that 67% of those working in the sector will see their wages increase as a result of the new minimum pay rates.
296. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to extend and improve paternity leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54019/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant improvements have been made in the entitlements to both paid and unpaid leaves in recent years, including by extending paid parent's leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their baby during their earliest years.
The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides the relevant parent (other than the mother of the child) with 2 weeks paid paternity leave.
Under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, working parents are now entitled to nine weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Parent's Leave is an individual separate entitlement and is non-transferable between parents.
Under the Parental Leave Acts, 26 weeks unpaid leave can be taken by an employee who is a relevant parent to take care of a child. The upper age limit of the eligible child has been increased in 2019 to the age of 12 or of 16, where the child has a disability or long-term illness which allows a parent more time in which to avail of the extended leave entitlement.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 complements existing family leaves and other entitlements already in place and provides additional flexibility to ensure that parents and carers can be supported to balance their working and family lives. Under this legislation, parents and carers have a right to request flexible working in line with Article 9 of the Directive EU 2019/1158. Five days leave per year for medical care purposes was also introduced under this Act.
Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families and are also mindful of the impact of the leaves on workplaces.
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to examine the possible extension of parent's leave and benefit and additional flexibilities. Presently, the next National Strategy for Women and Girls is in development and will consider ways to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work. It will provide a framework for examining any changes needed to current family leave entitlements.
297. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the role of her Department in supporting the use of school buildings for childcare, after-school services and breakfast clubs, particularly in areas of high demand such as north County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54111/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
The early learning and childcare sector has expanded significantly in recent years; enrolments increased by 19% between 2022 and 2024 and registrations of new services have increased. This is particularly the case with school age childcare services with 261 new school age childcare services having opened in 2024. Estimated enrolments in school-age childcare, based on Sector Profile data, have grown by 56% over the last two years.
However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
The use of school buildings is a matter for the owners of those buildings. Last year, the Department of Education published Procedures on the use of school property and school sports facilities outside of school hours. This document provides encouragement and guidance to schools to make available facilities for early learning and childcare and other community purposes when not required by the school.
This Department supports the operations of ELC and SAC services, whether in school buildings or elsewhere, through a range of funding streams. The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the previous programme year, the allocation for Core Funding allowed for a 6% increase in capacity. Additional funding was secured in Budget 2025 to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Core Funding supports services to defray both staff and non-staff costs.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial supports to parents to help reduce the cost of early learning and childcare. The Scheme has undergone a number of enhancements in recent years to further improve affordability for parents. These include the extension of the Universal subsidy to all children under 15 and two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy, which is now worth €2.14 per hour. Families in receipt of an income assessed subsidy receive a greater deduction per hour from their fees. These enhancements have helped to result in a positive growth in the number of families benefitting from NCS subsidies and the expansion of the sector.
298. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department provides funding or logistical support to community or private providers seeking to operate services from school buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54112/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents reduce the cost of early learning and childcare in the form of a subsidy paid directly to the childcare provider. Subsidies are available for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. The minimum rate available to all families in Ireland is €2.14 per hour, which is available for up to 45 weekly hours. Depending on the child's age and the family's income, an additional income assessed subsidy may be available to provide additional support.
All Tusla registered providers are eligible to offer the National Childcare Scheme and avail of the supports the subsidy provides. Services are eligible for the same supports irrespective of if they are a community or private provider or if they operate in school buildings. Together for Better includes Core Funding, the National Childcare Scheme, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), Access and Inclusion model (AIM) and Equal Start.
Core Funding is a grant for early learning and childcare providers towards their operating costs and is designed to improve affordability, quality, accessibility and sustainability. It is a supply-side funding stream, paid directly to providers that is distributed in a fair and reasonable manner and is related to services’ costs of delivery. The calculation of the grant is the same for all services nationwide.
The majority of Core Funding is distributed to services via:
* The Base Rate – Based on a service’s staffed capacity which considers their opening hours, operating weeks, age group of attendees, and number of places available.
Places do not need to be filled, but the correct number of staff as set out in the regulations must be in place.
* Graduate Premiums – Provide funding in support of graduate-led provision. The calculation is based on the number of graduate Lead Educators and graduate Managers in a service and the hours worked by these staff.
* Targeted Measures – These are in place to channel additional State support towards small and sessional services such as a play schools, Naíonraí or Montessori's. The targeted measures include a flat rate top up for sessional only services. There is also a minimum allocation for all centre-based early learning and care and/or school age childcare providers, regardless of how small they are.
Participation in Core Funding is optional, but it remains open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding.
299. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will urgently provide a public update on Ireland’s position regarding ratification of the UNCRC second optional protocol, including a clear time frame for action within 2025, given the pressing international and child protection context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54155/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will give an immediate assurance that Ireland will ratify the UNCRC second optional protocol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54350/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 301 together.
The Government is firmly committed to ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Ireland signed the Second Optional Protocol in 2000, and the Government is committed to taking the further step of ratifying it as soon as possible. In Irish treaty practice, the State must be in a position to meet the obligations it assumes under the terms of an international agreement from the moment it enters into force. Often it will not be possible for the State to meet these obligations without first taking steps required by domestic law, or otherwise, enabling it to do so.
Following consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, several legislative measures have been implemented by the Department of Justice which were necessary to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. Enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 were significant steps on the pathway to the ratification of the Optional Protocol.
The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 (number 28 of 2024) was signed into law on 17 July 2024, which amends the Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act 1996 and the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008; and provides for related matters, for the purposes of giving effect to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. Ireland is almost ready to ratify following the introduction of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024.
Officials in my Department have met with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to advance this matter, and to ensure readiness across all relevant Departments, with the aim of progressing ratification of the Optional Protocol in 2025. My Department is currently engaging with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure that all relevant legislative provisions have been made to proceed with ratification.
300. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has given further consideration to undertake an audit of early learning and childcare facilities, which have been granted planning permission as part of large scale residential development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53826/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
The Guidelines are intended to ensure a consistent approach to the treatment of planning applications in respect to the land use planning aspects of early learning and childcare provision.
The Programme for Government commits to reviewing the 2001 Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities to ensure early learning and childcare spaces are provided and put into use.
The 2024 Planning and Development Act and the publication of the National Planning Framework now provide a strong basis from which to pursue this work.
An Early Learning and Childcare Planning Matters Working Group, with officials from this Department; the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage; and the Department of Education and Youth, was established in 2024 and has met on a number of occasions in 2024 and 2025.
Meetings have been held since summer 2025 with members of the working group with officials from different local authorities who were nominated by the City and County Managers Association Planning and Land Use Committee. My officials have been advised that a full audit of facilities granted planning permission would be highly resource intensive at a time when there are substantial other demands on these resources. Other routes to build out the picture of how the 2001 guidelines have been implemented are now being pursued.
This engagement with nominated planners was effective in identifying a number of important considerations for the review and is now informing a wider engagement with local authorities. These issues include ensuring that buildings developed on foot of the guidelines meet the needs of the local population and are fit for purpose; and balancing the need to ensure sufficient provision for children and families, regardless of the size or housing type of the development, with ensuring that buildings are effectively operated as intended.
In parallel, planning is underway to capture the views of other stakeholders who will have an interest in the revised guidelines.
I have engaged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss how best to support and inform the drafting of revised guidelines under the new Planning and Development Act.
The approach more widely to ensuring appropriate levels of early learning and childcare supply is core to the work of this Department and will be further articulated in the context of the Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare system that Government has committed to publishing.
302. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the extent to which Ireland contributes to European commission expert groups covering the healthcare sector; the identities of Irish representatives to these groups; the value these groups provide when it comes to policy making; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54209/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEuropean Commission Experts Groups’ members are usually selected through public calls for applications. The only exceptions are public authorities (Type D and E members).
• Type D - Member States’ authorities - national, regional or local.
• Type E – other public entities , such as authorities from non-EU countries (including candidate countries), EU bodies, offices or agencies, and international organisations.
Ireland has representatives (senior civil servants or senior officials in aegis bodies) in the European Commission various experts’ groups, in the healthcare area. For example, see the non-exhaustive list of expert groups below:
• European Commission expert group on public health (PHEG) and its subgroups on mental health, vaccination, cancer and NCDs; and network of expertise on long COVID,
• Biotechnologies Experts Group,
• Critical Medicines Alliance,
• Expert Group on Medical Devices,
• Expert Group on Global Health in Development Cooperation,
The register of Commission Expert Groups is available from this link: https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/
Experts Groups play a critical role in shaping EU policy, especially in complex and technical areas like healthcare:
• They provide specialist, science-based advice that helps the Commission to deliver evidence-based policy making,
• bring in external, up-to-date knowledge and help interpret emerging trends,
• ensure that diverse perspectives are considered.
303. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is still waiting on knee surgery in Cappagh Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53964/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
304. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether primary care psychology services in an area (details supplied) were closed in March 2025 due to no psychologists being in post; if the service remains closed for this reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53972/25]
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.
305. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologist posts currently filled in a primary care service (details supplied); the number of posts currently vacant; the efforts being undertaken regarding recruitment for vacant psychologist roles; when it is envisaged any vacant posts will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53973/25]
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.
306. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on the waiting list for primary care psychology services in an area (details supplied); the number of children referred to the service but not placed on the waiting list, and the reason for same, to include the number that were deemed not in need of services by the HSE; and the number of families that did not consent after the referral was made, in tabular form. [53974/25]
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.
307. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of children that have been removed from the assessment list for the primary care psychology services waitlist in an area (details supplied); as a result of failing to fill out and return a form to the HSE in the specified timeframe, in tabular form. [53975/25]
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.
308. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the recruitment process to fill the post vacated by a doctor (details supplied); the current interim arrangements in place to ensure continuity of paediatric ophthalmology services for families in south Tipperary; whether patient files have been transferred to Waterford as suggested by the HSE; and the steps being taken to ensure that children previously assessed as high-risk are prioritised in scheduling appointments. [53992/25]
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.
309. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the nature of refurbishment works that were carried out at location (details supplied) in each of the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53993/25]
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.
310. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the recruitment campaign for the consultant ophthalmologist position in south Tipperary is being advertised as a temporary position; the reason this post is not being advertised as a permanent position, making it more attractive; the number who have applied for the post in this new recruitment campaign; the number who applied for the post in the last recruitment campaign; whether it is correct that four people applied for the position; the reason a panel was not formed and the position offered to one of the other applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54016/25]
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.
311. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health where children require appropriate eyecare and cannot be seen by a consultant ophthalmologist in the area, if there are any areas where children receive vouchers towards the cost of their eye care; if she will outline all the schemes available under which families can receive vouchers to assist them with the cost of their eye care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54017/25]
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.
312. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will approve treatment for a constituent (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54026/25]
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.
313. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the proposed project to test wastewater to measure the levels of illicit drugs and their metabolites excreted in urine; the means by which she expects this project will inform policy and local responses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54062/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe drug market is continually evolving, with new and more dangerous substances emerging regularly. Wastewater analysis has the unique potential to identify and monitor emerging trends for a wide-ranging number of health issues including the detection of viruses and the surveillance of the use of prescription medications and controlled substances. Through sampling a source of wastewater, such as a sewage influent to a wastewater treatment plant, scientists can measure the levels of illicit drugs and their metabolites excreted in urine, which can then be used to estimate the quantity of drugs consumed by a community. By formally testing, it can identify the true spectrum of drugs being consumed rather than relying on individual recollection or belief such as through general population surveys. As a result, wastewater analysis has provided the most accurate evidence of substance use in countries and has been adapted internationally to support drug monitoring and early warning activities.
Earlier this year, a pilot project was conducted with the support of the Sewage Analysis CORe Group Europe (The SCORE Network) which meant that Irish data was included in the annual review conducted by the EU Drugs Agency for the first time. This review identified high levels of the use of drugs used in the night-time economy such as cocaine, MDMA and ketamine, despite ketamine not being captured in other areas of research in Ireland. The project demonstrates how this method can be used to monitor trends across regions and countries and to better understand new and emerging drug trends.
The Department of Health is committed to providing harm reduction services and early warning and emergency responses to novel drugs. In 2025, the Department provided additional funding of €0.4m to the HSE for harm reduction initiatives to provide a rapid response to the threat of synthetic drugs. This funding included a wastewater drug surveillance programme, a national awareness campaign and capacity building on drug-related violence and intimidation, and extended opening hours for the supervised injecting facility. This funding rises to €0.43m in 2026.
The objective of the wastewater analysis initiative is to support the work of the HSE Emerging Drug Trend Programme, which aims to enhance current public health drug monitoring activities in Ireland to identify and respond to emerging health threats in a timely manner to reduce harms.
A tender process is currently underway to undertake a project to analyse drugs in wastewater. It is anticipated that this process will be completed before the end of 2025. The successful candidate will review national drug trends from samples obtained across a number of wastewater treatment facilities. This approach will provide real time information on drugs used at a population level and will inform the implementation of the successor national drugs strategy.
I believe that Ireland must actively monitor and respond to emerging drug trends and public health threats. This will be a core theme in the successor national drugs strategy currently being drafted.
314. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to examine the case for her Department funding specialist medical care for eating disorders abroad for a person (details supplied) which address the immediate medical risks and provide long-term treatment and outpatient programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54079/25]
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.
315. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health whether the prescription drug Yselty/Linzagolix, used in the treatment of endometriosis, is being considered for inclusion in the drugs treatment scheme; when this process will conclude; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54088/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
316. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the plans to address the HSE orthodontist waiting list, currently at five to six years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54134/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have the greatest level of need and have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Referrals for HSE orthodontic assessment are made at the sixth-class oral health assessment appointment, if the dentist determines that the child may meet the HSE's criteria. All referrals to the HSE Orthodontic Unit are assessed by an orthodontist using standardised clinical criteria. Children whose treatment need is assessed by a HSE orthodontist as being Grade 4 or Grade 5 according to the HSE’s criteria are offered treatment through the HSE. No medical card is required for this treatment.
However, there are currently delays in accessing this service and the HSE has put in place a number of measures to address waiting times. These include treatment waiting list initiatives, services improvement initiatives and access to orthodontic services outside the jurisdiction for patients who meet the HSE's criteria.
In particular, there has been significant investment of €17m between 2022 and 2024 to support access to children’s orthodontic treatment. This funding has seen the creation of a new initiative supporting access to jaw surgery for orthodontic patients and the transfer of over 4000 patients into private, community-based orthodontic treatment. These successful initiatives are being continued this year through the provision of €2.85 million in funding nationally. Through this initiative, in 2025, 144 patients have been transferred to private orthodontic care and 51 patients have received jaw surgery as part of their orthodontic treatment.
In the long term, the Government is committed to fundamentally reforming oral healthcare services, including children's orthodontic services, through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte. Budget 2025 allocated €2m for 2025, increasing to €4m in 2026, to continue the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy. This investment is going to provide an additional 15 dental staff across dentists and dental nurses to deliver oral healthcare services. The HSE is also progressing recruitment of 34.7 vacant oral healthcare whole-time-equivalents.
An implementation plan for the first phase of policy implementation to end-2027 is currently being finalised by my Department and the HSE.
317. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the progress of the additional 97 beds planned for Wexford General Hospital; a timeframe for being available to treat patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54147/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
318. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the current plans in place to modernise the health system by moving from paper-based patient records to electronic health documentation; the time frame for the roll-out of a national electronic health record system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54158/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDigital for Care: A Digital Health Framework for Ireland 2024-2030 reflects the changing landscape of health and social care in Ireland and sets out a roadmap to digitally transform health services and improve access for patients. This framework, combined with the corresponding HSE implementation roadmap, sets out a very clear path for the full digitisation of healthcare records and information systems in Ireland, as stated in the Programme for Government.
This transformation represents a fundamental shift away from traditional paper-based patient records towards modern, integrated electronic health documentation. By replacing fragmented paper systems with secure, interoperable digital records, the framework aims to deliver better continuity of care, enhance patient safety, and enable clinicians to access accurate information in real time.
Implementation of Ireland’s Digital for Care strategy is progressing at pace following its publication in May 2024. It sets out vision to enable better health outcomes through seamless, safe, secure, and connected digital health services that support both patients and providers. This vision is grounded in the principles of Sláintecare.
On foot of the publication of Digital for Care and the commitment under the Programme for Government to ‘continue to work towards the full digitisation of Irish healthcare records and information systems’. Ireland is pursuing a three-step approach to the delivery of electronic health records in Ireland, comprising a National Patient App, the National Shared Care Record and an enterprise level Electronic Health Record that will be centrally procured and configured, but regionally deployed and owned by each of the six health regions.
Launched in February 2025, the HSE Health app has now been downloaded by 140,000+ people, with 91,524 users accessing their personal health information. The v3.0 (in August 2025) release significantly expands coverage—over 1.3 million appointments for more than 870,000 patients will be visible in-app—alongside feature upgrades that deepen patient engagement and reduce missed appointments. The app has also been recognised with three national awards in 2025, underscoring its role in empowering patients and improving access. The app has been co-designed with a wide range of people who use our services, staff, and advocacy organisations, who have been active partners throughout the process. Future app features will be guided by ongoing research and engagement with patients, staff, advocacy organisations, and the public.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) completed the procurement for the National Shared Care Record (NSCR) earlier this year. The NSCR programme has now been mobilized, with the contract for building the NSCR technology platform awarded to EY, Better and Kainos. The NSCR brings together healthcare information from various sources such as hospitals, GP practices, and Community care into a single place, making them available at the point of care and self-care in read only format. By having access to key healthcare information in one place means healthcare professionals will be able to make more informed, safer decisions and to focus more time on direct patient care while patients will be better informed and empowered to manage their own healthcare.
The technology underpinning the National Shared Care Record was procured in 2024 (contract Q1 2025) and a phased roll-out of the national shared care record is due to commence in Q4 2025 in the South-East region with University Hospital Waterford and surrounding community areas. The system will then extend to other regions from 2026 with additional patient data /information being added over time. Together with the HSE Health App, investing in a NSCR means unlocking fragmented data into a powerful tool for safer, coordinated patient-centred care while laying the foundation for a modern, connected and more efficient health service as we plan for a National Electronic Health Record.
The Enterprise Electronic Health Record (EHR) is intended to support integrated care across all settings. A preliminary business case (PBC) for the National EHR has been developed by the HSE, setting out the case for the most ambitious transformation programme in the history of the health service. In accordance with DPER’s infrastructure guidelines the EHR PBC went through an independent, external assurance process (EAP) review in July and was considered COMPLIANT in all areas. There were a series of recommendations arising from the EAP process and these were accepted and will be implemented. Also, in accordance with Infrastructure Guidelines, the PBC and EAP report were reviewed by the Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG). We are continuing to engage with DPER as part of this process for major capital investment programmes.
A national enterprise EHR will allow healthcare staff to access a patient’s full medical history to support timely and appropriate care, with the ability to update information in real time. EHRs not only provide a complete digital health record of a patient’s health journey, recorded by healthcare professionals across all health and social care settings, they also incorporate workflow capabilities to automate the patient pathway and facilitate the implementation of standardised models of care. This means the EHR can map out the next steps in a patient’s treatment plan in the various care setting and support automatic referrals, ordering of diagnostics, lab tests, etc. To realise the benefits of an investment in EHRs, they must be underpinned by a clear roadmap, agreed up-front interoperability and data standards, appropriate governance and a robust business case. Deploying an EHR is not just about the technology. These are significant change programmes to transform and move from a paper based to a digitised care model.
The national EHR will be implemented across Health Regions and designed to interoperate with existing systems in acute and community services. Delivering an enterprise level EHR such as this, in every one of the six health regions, is a major undertaking and represents a significant investment by the state. Multiyear funding as part of the National Development Plan is required to ensure financing is secured, sequenced and managed against clear milestones. Delivery of the EHR is not a digital project. It is a large-scale transformation project that will be delivered through the State’s Infrastructure Guidelines process, with appropriate levels of assurance and governance.
A PIN (Prior Information Notice) was published in June 2025 informing EHR suppliers about the health service's interest in a national enterprise-level EHR systems. This process is open to all potential vendors willing to engage through this process. The consultation seeks supplier input to inform the upcoming procurement, with a contract award expected by the end of 2026 and phased implementation through to 2032.
In another important step on our way to digitised patient records, in May the HSE published the tender for the delivery of a National Electronic Prescribing (NEP) service with vendors currently being shortlisted. The new fully integrated e-prescription service will enable the secure and efficient transmission and storage of electronic prescriptions and dispensations for patients. Digital versions of medications information is a foundational component of a digital health record and importantly, a key starting point for national health services on a journey to deliver wider electronic health records for all. Data from this service (prescription and dispensing data) will be available through the HSE Health App and the NSCR in the future.
319. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has undertaken an assessment of each hospital nationwide in respect of accessibility for persons with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users; if she is aware that many hospitals still lack automatic doors throughout their facilities, creating significant difficulties for both patients and staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54159/25]
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.
