Pádraig Rice
Ceist:771. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the current number of acute psychiatric inpatient beds, by location and health region, in tabular form. [56662/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (771)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (772)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:772. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of acute psychiatric inpatient beds delivered to date in 2025, by site and health region; and the number scheduled for delivery in the remaining months of 2025, in tabular form. [56663/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (773)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:773. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of post-acute specialist beds delivered to date in 2025, by site and health region; and the number scheduled for delivery in the remaining months of 2025, in tabular form. [56664/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (774)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:774. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the current number of critical care beds, by site and health region, in tabular form. [56665/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (775)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:775. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of critical care beds delivered to date in 2025, by site and health region, in tabular form; and the number scheduled for delivery in the remaining months of year. [56666/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (776)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:776. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on delivery of the 297 acute beds provided for in the HSE National Service Plan 2025, by hospital and region (details supplied); the number delivered since publication of the Plan; the number outstanding; and the timeline for delivery of the remaining beds, in tabular form. [56667/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (777)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:777. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on delivery of the 615 community beds provided for in the HSE National Service Plan 2025, by hospital and region (details supplied); the number delivered since publication of the Plan; the number outstanding, in tabular form; and the timeline for delivery of the remaining beds. [56668/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (778)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:778. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on implementation of phase one of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix; the timeline for full implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56669/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix provides an evidence-based flexible approach to determine the number of nurses and healthcare assistants required to provide safe and quality care based on patient need. Framework development comprises three phases and implementation of the Framework nationally is overseen by the HSEs national lead for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix.
Since 2018, two safe staffing policy documents have been published, Phase 1 focused on Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings and Phase 2 focused on Adult Emergency Care Settings. Phase 3 of the Framework in Community settings comprises three distinct stages: (i) Long-Term residential care settings for older persons; (ii) Community care settings; and (iii) Step-down and Rehabilitation settings.
National implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Framework is a priority for the Minster for Health and has received significant Government funding since 2020 to progress baseline implementation, resulting in over 1,700 additional registered nurses and healthcare assistants in clinical areas where the framework applies.
This includes acute adult in-patient wards and emergency departments nationally. It is estimated that approximately 2,000 posts are required to achieve baseline implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Framework nationally. The CEO of the HSE has mandated that baseline implementation of safe nurse staffing is completed for all relevant areas nationally by end 2025. Recruitment is being progressed by the HSE to achieve this.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (779)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:779. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on implementation of phase two of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix; the timeline for full implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56670/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix provides an evidence-based flexible approach to determine the number of nurses and healthcare assistants required to provide safe and quality care based on patient need. Framework development comprises three phases and implementation of the Framework nationally is overseen by the HSEs national lead for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix.
Since 2018, two safe staffing policy documents have been published, Phase 1 focused on Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings and Phase 2 focused on Adult Emergency Care Settings. Phase 3 of the Framework in Community settings comprises three distinct stages: (i) Long-Term residential care settings for older persons; (ii) Community care settings; and (iii) Step-down and Rehabilitation settings.
National implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Framework is a priority and has received significant Government funding since 2020 to progress baseline implementation, resulting in over 1,700 additional registered nurses and healthcare assistants in clinical areas where the framework applies.
This includes acute adult in-patient wards and emergency departments nationally. It is estimated that approximately 2,000 posts are required to achieve baseline implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Framework nationally. The vast majority of the additional posts required to meet baseline safe staffing in emergency departments nationally, have been recruited and are in place with the remaining posts expected by end of 2025.
The CEO of the HSE has mandated that baseline implementation of safe nurse staffing is completed for all relevant areas nationally by end 2025. Recruitment is being progressed by the HSE to achieve this.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (780)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:780. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of phase three of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56671/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix provides an evidence-based flexible approach to determine the number of nurses and healthcare assistants required to provide safe and quality care based on patient need. Framework development comprises three phases and implementation of the Framework nationally is overseen by the HSEs national lead for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix.
Since 2018, two safe staffing policy documents have been published, Phase 1 focused on Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings and Phase 2 focused on Adult Emergency Care Settings.
Phase 3 of the Framework in Community settings comprises three distinct stages: (i) Long-Term residential care settings for older persons; (ii) Community care settings; and (iii) Step-down and Rehabilitation settings.
Phase 3 (i) of the Framework is now at an advanced stage of development for long-term residential care settings for older people and has been overseen by a national taskforce. The framework was tested nationally across a selection of public, private and voluntary long-term residential care settings for older persons and the testing was underpinned by a programme of research. Based on this evidence, policy development is underway and is expected to be completed towards the end of 2025.
In relation to the second stage in Phase 3 which applies to community care settings, work has commenced to determine a model of community nursing that will deliver and align with Sláintecare. A research team has been engaged, and an implementation oversight structure is currently being established to progress this phase of the framework.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (781)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:781. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent by her Department to conduct tendering processes for public infrastructure projects in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56695/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (782)
John McGuinness
Ceist:782. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early date for surgery can be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56710/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Budget 2026
Ceisteanna (783)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:783. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of new community beds provided for in Budget 2026. [56732/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Budget 2026
Ceisteanna (784)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:784. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the 500 additional nursing homes places committed to in Budget 2026 will be in the public or private sector. [56733/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.
Budget 2026 provides for an additional €92 million increase for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) to expand services, meet rising costs and improve quality.
This investment provides for an estimated increase of 500 clients in the NHSS scheme for 2026. There are currently in excess of 24,000 participants in the scheme. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term residential care, whether that is provided by the private/voluntary sector or the public sector, remains accessible and affordable for everyone and that people continue to be cared for in the most appropriate settings.
Budget 2026
Ceisteanna (785)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:785. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of new acute hospital beds provided for in Budget 2026. [56734/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
For 2026, 172 new acute beds are planned to open, alongside the construction of four new surgical hubs in Galway, Limerick, Cork, and Waterford.
In addition, we will expand Virtual Acute Wards across five sites, supporting more flexible, home-based care for patients who would otherwise require hospital admission. The five sites are: Galway, Mercy, St Luke's Kilkenny, Drogheda and Tullamore.
Budget 2026
Ceisteanna (786)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:786. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the Laura Brennan programme will be restarted as part of the Budget 2026 public health initiative to increase immunisation. [56735/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Laura Brennan HPV Catch-up Vaccination Programme ran from December 2022 to December 2023.
Increasing vaccination uptake rates in the routine HPV vaccination programme is vital in order for Ireland to achieve elimination of cervical cancer by its target date of 2040. The World Health Organisation has set a target for all countries to ensure that 90% of girls are vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15 years.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is a preventative measure, it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes exposed to HPV infection. Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school.
In 2025, the HSE is running a pilot programme which will focus on improving the HPV vaccination rates among underserved communities, including Traveller, Roma and migrant groups living in Ireland. The pilot will provide access to targeted information and support that facilitates these groups to make an informed choice in relation to vaccination.
In July 2025, I agreed to put in place an HPV catch up vaccination programme in schools for older school students who had missed out on getting the vaccine in first year. The HSE is also currently exploring options to identify a suitable delivery model for those aged under 25 who have left school. Funding and resources from Budget 2026 will be considered as part of the preparation of the HSE National Service Plan for 2026.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (787)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:787. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the hours of operation for the new specialist nursing teams (ANP and CNS) in emergency departments of all model 4 hospitals, out-of-hours; and to confirm if it will stop operations at 2 am, seven days a week. [56736/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The total allocation for mental health services in 2026 is almost €1.6 billion, an increase in budget of over 50% since 2020.
This increase in funding for mental health services represents a significant investment which will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, and our national suicide and self-harm reduction strategy Connecting for Life, across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, through to specialist mental health services.
This year’s budget provided the opportunity to focus on investing in crisis support and suicide prevention in particular with new measures worth over €15m annually announced for 2026.
I have funded the establishment of new specialist mental health nursing teams to be based in the emergency departments of all Model 4 hospitals at a cost of €2.8m. These teams will comprise of Advanced Nursing Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists and it is intended they will operate during the peak out-of-hours footfall period from 6pm-2am. I intend to begin extending these teams to Model 3 hospitals in future budgets, and also extending their operating hours following evaluation of their performance.
In addition, I have also allocated additional funding to expand the roll out of Crisis Resolution Services comprising Crisis Resolution Teams and 'drop-in' Solace Cafes. All of the new Crisis Resolution Services have been allocated to areas with Model 3 hospitals; Donegal, Kerry and the Midlands. This investment of over €4m evidences my commitment to expanding alternative crisis care pathways to emergency departments. I have also allocated funding for addition Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses to be recruited, funding for Traveller suicide prevention initiatives, and funding for community organisations including a substantial allocation to Pieta. Further, I have funded the recruitment of 19 specialist CAMHS doctors for emergency liaison and out-of-hours care.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2026, including that for Mental Health.
Budget 2026
Ceisteanna (788)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:788. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of additional IBLC lactation consultants committed to in Budget 2026. [56737/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority, both for the Department of Health (DOH) and for the HSE. The Healthy Ireland Framework, Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy, all emphasise the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
The HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan 2016-2021 is the framework for progressing supports for breastfeeding in Ireland. A HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan Implementation Group was established to oversee delivery of the plan, and a national breastfeeding coordinator was appointed as lead. The Department of Health works closely with the HSE National Breastfeeding coordinator in the implementation of HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2021, which was extended out to 2025.
As indicated in the Programme for Government 2025 "Securing Ireland's Future" the Department of Health intends to build on the work of the HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan through the development of a new "whole of Government" strategy.
A Breastfeeding steering group has been established to research and design the development of a whole of government breastfeeding policy. This group is made up of colleagues from the Department of Health, HSE, IPH and other experts in this field.
In Budget 2026, funding has been allocated for five additional lactation consultants. Once the recruitment process is complete towards the end of 2026, this will bring the total number of lactation consultants in the HSE to 69.1 WTE. The Department remains committed to increasing breastfeeding supports to all mothers and families in Ireland.
It is envisioned that a new Breastfeeding strategy will be published in 2026.
Budget 2026
Ceisteanna (789)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:789. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health whether funding has been provided in Budget 2026 for the operation of 37 currently unused beds in a facility (details supplied), under the social inclusion heading. [56738/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health provided an additional €1m to HSE Dublin and Midlands in 2024 to enable the Dublin Simon Community to open a state-funded community care facility for people who are homeless, with an initial capacity of 51 beds.
The Department provided a further €4.9m to the HSE Dublin and Midlands in 2025 to meet the full year costs of the 51 beds. In addition, in July of this year, the Depart and the HSE agreed to further increase in the capacity of the facility by 12 beds, to a total of 63 beds. This brings to €8.5m the combined Dept of Health and HSE investment in the facility to-date. This enhanced capacity will deliver c 900 treatment episodes per annum, which could potentially benefit one in five of the single homeless population in Dublin.
The four clinical programmes provided in the facility are: Alcohol & Benzodiazepine Detox, Blood Borne Virus stabilisation, low threshold Addiction Recovery and Step Up Step Down (Intermediate Care).
The Department is currently considering a business case from the HSE Dublin and Midlands to open a further 12 beds, for an additional investment of €1.84m. The business case is being assessed in the context of the 2026 Estimates. The Minister will make an announcement on the business case shortly.
The Department is committed to incrementally expanding the capacity of the community care facility, depending on three factors:
• the availability of additional resources,
• the demand for the additional services,
• the effectiveness of the facility in facilitating a pathway out of homelessness.
An evaluation of the facility is proposed for 2026, and this will inform decisions on the further expansion of capacity at the facility.
The Department is committed to incrementally expanding the capacity of the community care facility, depending on three factors:
• the availability of additional resources,
• the demand for the additional services,
• the effectiveness of the facility in facilitating a pathway out of homelessness.
An evaluation of the facility is proposed for 2026, and this will inform decisions on the further expansion of capacity at the facility.
The Deputy should be aware that the Department allocates in excess of €50m for the provision of healthcare services for people who are homeless. Furthermore, I have announced additional funding of €1.53m in Budget 2026 to improve access to health services for people living in emergency homeless accommodation and those at risk of becoming homeless, on a national basis.
I firmly believe that in order to achieve better health outcomes for people who are homeless, we must provide a clear pathway by which people are supported to exit homelessness and to begin the journey to recovery and to a healthier and meaningful life.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (790)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:790. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health the number of specialist orthodontist posts that have been filled within CHO7 dental services in the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [56739/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (791)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:791. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health the amount of revenue generated via restaurant sales at the Mater Hospital in the years of 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [56740/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.