Written Answers Nos. 350-371
350. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health her views on the planned CORU revised standards of proficiency for the psychotherapy profession; if she will meet with an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64143/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. With extensive experience in introducing regulation to health and social care professions for the first time, CORU has already established twelve registers for a range of professions.
CORU’s work ensures the protection of the public by regulating the work of over 30,000 health and social care professionals.
Counsellors and psychotherapists perform a vital role, providing therapeutic care to often vulnerable people. Regulation is being introduced to these professions to protect the public, ensuring that care provided is of a consistently high standard and always by suitably qualified individuals.
The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board (CPRB) was established in 2019 and since that time has been working to progress regulation of both professions.
The CPRB undertook extensive research, analysis, and public consultation to introduce regulation of each profession for the first time. The public consultation process received over 700 submissions, including from professional bodies. This comprehensive process recognised the differences in scope and complexity of practice between the two professions and ensures that the threshold standards and qualification levels set for each accurately reflect the competencies required for safe and effective practice, while strengthening public protection.
In line with the CPRB’s statutory responsibility to assess, balance and consider all perspectives before reaching a final evidence-based decision, the Board carefully considered every submission received and determined the final Standards and Criteria that now underpin entry to the registers for both counsellors and psychotherapists, including those received from professional bodies. This open, structured and inclusive process demonstrates CORU’s clear commitment to transparency, accountability, evidence-based decision-making, and, above all, the protection of the public.
I requested officials from my Department to meet with the Irish Council for Psychotherapy, which they did on 27th August.
CORU also met with this organisation on 14th July and again on 5th November.
I am confident that CORU’s work will bring clear benefits for public protection. The framework has been designed to strengthen standards of practice while ensuring that training pathways and workforce supply are not adversely affected.
I am assured that CORU will continue to engage closely with stakeholders, including professional bodies as the regulatory process advances, keeping public protection at the centre of this work.
I am eager to see this work progressed so that this very important profession is finally regulated, in the interest of public protection.
351. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when she will respond to urgent correspondence issued to her by this Deputy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64145/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI only recently received separate correspondence on this matter. I have asked the HSE for a report relating to this individual case and I will respond in writing to the Deputy in due course.
352. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health if training is mandated by the HSE for doctors and nurses on existing contracts to recognise signs of domestic, sexual, gender violence and coercive control in patients and family members; the details of the training; the number of times this training is required for an attendee; the number of persons which have attended this training per year since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64147/25]
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.
353. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health if training is mandated by the HSE for student doctors and nurses to recognise signs of domestic, sexual, gender violence and coercive control in patients and family members; the details of the training; the number which have attended the training per year since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64148/25]
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.
354. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the number of patients from Kildare north currently on an outpatient waiting list at Naas General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64190/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I published the Waiting List Action Plan (WLAP) for 2025 in February, representing this Government’s continued commitment to reducing waiting times for patients and improving access to hospital care.
With the multi annual action plan approach, we are progressing towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
My Department is engaging with the HSE and NTPF to develop the action plan for 2026, building on the progress delivered to date, renewing the focus on improving waiting times for patients, and considering the learnings from the challenges that arose in 2025.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, the NTPF has provided my Department with the attached information providing the number of patients with an area of residence in Kildare, (data is not collected on a constituency basis), currently on an outpatient waiting list at Naas General Hospital.
355. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent psychologists, by grade posts that were actually filled within CHO2 primary care psychology services from 2023 to-date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64201/25]
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.
356. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant dermatologists and dermatology registrars based at Mayo University Hospital in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64202/25]
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.
357. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants within the State who are specialists in chronic intestinal failure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64203/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
358. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health if she will report on the provision of dermatological services in Monaghan Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64206/25]
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.
359. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health if there are public health risks associated with residual chlorine levels in Irish drinking water, particularly in relation to disinfection by-products such as trihalomethanes and chlorates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64211/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive advices on drinking water, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
360. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if HSE estates has received a site survey for telecommunications works at a hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64270/25]
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.
361. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a CT scan service in Monaghan Hospital; if a feasibility study has been conducted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64279/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCavan General Hospital and Monaghan Hospital operate as a single entity with integrated managerial and clinical governance systems, care pathways, and support functions. Cavan and Monaghan Hospital currently has two CT scanners and one MRI scanner located in Cavan General Hospital. Access to a CT scanner and MRI scanner is prioritised on clinical need.
All capital projects in the HSE must progress through the different stages of the Infrastructure Guidelines. At the initial stage, a business case is submitted which includes the service requirements being developed by the hospital delivering the service. This ensures value for money is achieved.
I am advised that Cavan and Monaghan Hospital has not submitted a business case for a CT scanner. The Hospital does not have plans to seek additional CT capacity as clear clinical pathways exist that support the region.
Cavan General Hospital made an application to the HSE National Equipment Replacement Programme to replace the existing MRI scanner located in the Radiology Department. The project has been approved and works are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
362. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ENT surgeons based at University Hospital Waterford in the years of 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [64295/25]
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.
363. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE occupational therapists, by grade, based at Dungarvan primary care centre in the years of 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [64296/25]
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.
364. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health to outline the amount of HSE funding paid to a company (details supplied) from 2020 to 2025 to date; to provide a breakdown of funding per HSE area, per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64313/25]
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.
365. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the reason income limits for persons aged over 70 applying for a full medical card have not been revised in recent budgets; if she accepts that the current income thresholds are no longer reflective of the significant rises in the cost of living, energy, insurance, inflation and healthcare expenses; and if she will outline any plans to review these limits to ensure a fairer and more realistic assessment for older people, who are disproportionately affected by these increases as they often live on fixed or modest retirement incomes, with limited capacity to supplement their income. [64324/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. Detailed guidelines are available at: Assessment for a medical card - HSE.ie.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. The weekly gross medical card income thresholds for people aged 70 and over are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high medical costs. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card - in particular, to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.
To ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
366. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the reason the special leave with pay scheme for healthcare workers affected by long-Covid is due to end on 31 December without a suitable replacement; if she acknowledges that directing workers who are on phased or part-time return-to-work programmes into the standard sick leave scheme will require them to go fully out sick in order to receive income, despite clinical guidance that phased return is the safest and most appropriate option; the measures that will be put in place to prevent affected workers from being pushed into financial distress and from losing progress made in rehabilitation; and if she will urgently revise the policy to ensure continuity of care for staff and patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64331/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAfter a hearing in the Labour Court in June, it was recommended that a final extension of the current Special Scheme to the 31st of December 2025, at which point anyone remaining on the scheme should transition to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme. Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell beyond that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support. The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted. The HSE have confirmed that the portion of the week not worked may be covered by sick pay or paid annual leave (subject to the employee's consent).
367. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health when the new build at Midleton Community Hospital will be open; if it will be fully staffed from the opening day; if she will provide the opening date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64342/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
368. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts his Department is making to address the low uptake of apprenticeship places for the Travelling community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64039/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra369. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts his Department is making to address the low uptake of suitable apprenticeship places for Travelling women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64040/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra372. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to address the low uptake from employers taking on Traveller apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64044/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 368, 369 and 372 together.
Inclusiveness is a key goal in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, with specific initiatives to support under-represented groups such as Travellers.
The Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme (TAIP) was established in 2023 and is administered by the Irish Traveller Movement. It is funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and provides targeted support to members of the Traveller community when accessing and completing apprenticeships. This support is delivered through a €3,000 bursary, structured across three streams:
• New apprentices
• Existing apprentices
• Those attending pre-apprenticeship programmes
There are also grants of €2,000 for employers who take on Travellers as apprentices.
Since the programme started, a total of 150 grants have been approved across all streams.
TAIP actively engages employers across the public and private sectors through regular meetings and social media activity to promote Traveller participation in apprenticeships and to champion workplace diversity. In September 2025, over 40 employers attended TAIP’s “Traveller Employment – Recruitment and Retention” for employers session, as part of the IBEC Inclusive Leadership Forum. This was TAIP’s second employer training of the year.
Engaging with Traveller women is a key objective of the TAIP. In Q3 this year, the TAIP launched its Traveller Women in Apprenticeships poster and delivered a workshop on this theme to Galway Traveller Movement staff, in collaboration with Galway Technical Institute and the Galway Roscommon Educational Training Board Traveller and Roma SIT Officer, with two further workshops scheduled for Q4 2025. As of the end of September, women accounted for 21% of individuals expressing interest in the TAIP.
Boosting women’s participation in apprenticeships remains a priority, supported by a dedicated gender bursary to encourage female entrants. Since the department’s inception, the share of women among apprentices has grown from 5% to 10% of the total population.
370. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts his Department is making to address the low uptake from employers taking on disabled people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64041/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs discussed with the Deputy, this question presented does not fall under the remit of DFHERIS.
371. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts his Department is making to address the shortage of guidance counsellors at ETBs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64043/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartment officials have contacted the Deputy’s office directly who advised that this would be a matter for the Department of Education and Youth.
