Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2025
95. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason clinics in Romania and Greece that currently provide the majority of treatment abroad services to women travelling from Ireland were excluded from the list of clinics under the new ESAIS [64374/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 18 October I launched the National Framework for the management of Endometriosis. I am fully committed to building capacity and expanding endometriosis services in Ireland. Funding of over €5 million has been invested in endometriosis services since 2021. The HSE’s budget for 2026 will be €27.4 billion, an increase of 6.2% on 2025. This investment will enable expansion and improvement in our health services, including endometriosis.
In the interim, the HSE is providing additional support for women with access to treatment abroad. The HSE Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme was opened on 18 October. This demand led scheme is available to women who are waiting on an Irish waiting list for endometriosis surgery.
The scheme will cover the cost of approved appointments, surgery and some travel costs. A HSE list of approved healthcare centres has been made available on the HSE website.
The primary concern for the selection of endometriosis centres abroad is patient safety and clinical efficacy. The HSE list of approved healthcare centres abroad have been selected based on recognised accreditation. All centres on the list have been accredited by either the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy or the European Endometriosis League.
The current list of approved clinics is being kept under continual review. The HSE is establishing an endometriosis clinical advisory group. This group will include international expertise and will assess other possible clinics for inclusion. This assessment and review process will also cover clinics in Romania and Greece.
