Thursday, 27 Nov 2025

Health Services Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (481)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

481. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for speech and language therapy for a child (details supplied) will be expedited. [66856/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Primary Medical Certificates

Ceisteanna (482)

John Connolly

Ceist:

482. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of primary medical certificates approved per county in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67192/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (483)

Eoghan Kenny

Ceist:

483. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the status of a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67213/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I want to reiterate my support for the proposal for an integrated homeless services hub in Cork city and am committed to working with the Department’s Capital Infrastructure Unit and with HSE South West to secure funding under the capital plan.

The proposal is a joint initiative between Cork City Council and HSE South West aimed at addressing the health and social needs of the people who are homelessness in Cork.

I recently met with HSE Estates on this matter, and can confirm that an e-tender for an expression of interest from potential accommodation providers has been published. HSE Estates will liaise with Department of Health as the project develops.

I am committed to strengthening integrated care pathways to meet the chronic health needs of people who are homeless based on an inclusion health model, to achieve better health outcomes and reduce the incidence of premature death.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (484)

Robert O'Donoghue

Ceist:

484. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of any plans for the establishment of rapid access diagnostic clinics for pancreatic cancer, similar to those for lung, breast, and prostate cancer; if she is aware of how transformative these clinics have been for the aforementioned cancer diagnoses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66763/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (485)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

485. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66764/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Officials in my Department have been in touch with CORU and have asked that a response to the question raised be communicated directly to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (486)

Robert O'Donoghue

Ceist:

486. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she plans to roll out a national awareness campaign for pancreatic cancer; if such a campaign would provide material for both medically trained and non-medically trained (patients, family, friends, carers) individuals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66766/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatments.

The Government has allocated significant funding of €105 million, including €23 million in 2025, to the National Cancer Strategy since 2017 to support cancer services and improve outcomes for patients. This includes allocating funding to screening programmes, cancer treatment and survivorship services.

This funding has enabled the recruitment of over 670 staff to our national cancer services, including 200 nursing staff, 100 consultants, and 180 health and social care professionals in designated cancer centres. Funding in 2025 will support recruitment of 179 additional staff to national cancer screening and treatment services.

Capital funding of over €140 million has been used since 2017 to provide state of the art radiation oncology facilities to establish a National Cervical Screening Laboratory, and to update cancer infrastructure in chemotherapy wards and lab facilities. This year’s capital plan includes €12.13m for radiation oncology projects along with further funding for the design and construction of Oncology Day Units and chemotherapy infrastructure.

Pancreatic cancer is the 9th most diagnosed invasive cancer, accounting for 2.5% of invasive cancer diagnoses. Early pancreatic cancer rarely presents with specific or classic red-flag symptoms, such symptoms typically appear only in advanced stages of the disease. Around 600 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed in Ireland each year.

In line with Recommendation 21 from the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, surgery for pancreatic cancer has been centralised to two cancer centres: A national centre in St Vincent’s University Hospital and an associated centre in Cork University Hospital and significant work has been done to improve the awareness and treatment of pancreatic cancer in Ireland.

The NCCP have completed scoping the requirements to develop a pancreatic pathway from primary care through tertiary care.

The first version of the NCCP genomic test directory for cancer was published in July 2024 with the publication of the test directory for colorectal and ovarian cancer. It has now been expanded to include the Pancreatic cancer also.

The test directory comprises a list of clinical indications for genomic testing for cancer patients and is focused on clinically actionable findings.

A number of new testing pathways have been introduced in line with HSE reimbursement approval of new Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) indications. These include direct ordering of BRCA testing by medical oncologists to support prescribing of PARP (Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase) inhibitors in prostate cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer which allows timely access to testing for patients to help inform treatment decisions.

Survival rates for patients have improved greatly and OECD data shows that cancer mortality rates in Ireland are falling faster than the EU27 average and faster than our economic peers.

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (487)

Paula Butterly

Ceist:

487. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Health for an update in relation to the development of the new cardiovascular plan following the April 2025 publication of the National Review of Cardiac Services (NRCS); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66769/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a range of conditions including heart attack and stroke. It remains a leading cause of death in Ireland and significant hospital bed days. CVD claimed the lives of almost 10,000 people in Ireland in 2023 and is estimated to cost the Irish state €1.7 billion annually, with 46% of this being direct healthcare costs.

Ireland has made progress in tackling CVD. Today, CVD mortality is about half of the levels of 1995, however, CVD still accounts for 27.8% of all deaths in Ireland. However, the absolute number of CVD cases has increased due to the rise in population and Ireland’s ageing demographics. CVD imposes significant social and personal costs for patients including reduced quality of life, and potential lost earnings.

Irish officials working with EU colleagues contributed to a new Council Conclusion on the improvement of cardiovascular health adopted on 3rd December 2024, marking a strong political commitment towards improving cardiovascular health across Europe. We expect the EU Cardiovascular Plan will be published shortly. This is an initiative by the European Commission to tackle cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading cause of death in the EU. Its objectives include reducing premature deaths by improving prevention, early detection, and treatment, while also boosting innovation.

CVD and its management are prioritised through national policy, strategies, and clinical programmes, which include models of care for stroke, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure and chronic disease management. The Programme for Government (PfG) 2025 commits to “Building on the existing National Cardiovascular Policy, we will develop a new and more ambitious plan enhancing patient care and timely access across all regions.”

On April 8th, the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services was published. This comprehensive, evidence-based report provides 23 key recommendations to inform future cardiac health policy. It offers both a data-driven analysis and a clear roadmap for reforming cardiac services across the country. DoH officials are now working closely with the HSE to progress the implementation of these recommendations. This is a complex, multiyear reform programme that will ensure a comprehensive and deliverable approach in achieving outcomes.

Cardiovascular health has been prioritised in Budget 2025, which allocates over €9 million in full-year funding to support vital cardiovascular initiatives. Budget 2025 allocated €4 million full year costs, and 45 WTEs to progress cardiac services. To date, 28 of these 45 WTEs have been prioritised and 5.1 WTE posts have been accepted. This investment facilitates the initial steps in cardiac services reform and will support the development of a new cardiovascular strategy in the longer term. In the short term, we will deliver enhanced cardiac services and develop the necessary structures to ensure success in the longer term.

With regard to services for stoke, the National Stroke Strategy was published in 2022 and over €13m has been allocated to its implementation to date. The Stroke Strategy aims to modernise our Stroke services in line with Sláintecare and ensure the future readiness of services given our ageing demography and the predicted rise in stroke incidence in coming decades. Most recently in Budget 2025, of the €9m invested in Cardiovascular Health, full year costs of €5m were allocated which will provide 56 WTEs to strengthen Acute Stroke units and expand the Early Supported Discharge Team network from 11-15 teams nationally.

Addiction Treatment Services

Ceisteanna (488)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

488. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the investment being made in rehabilitation and addiction services in County Kerry, given reports of increased drug use in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66771/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Deputy may wish to consult a directory of drug and alcohol services per county on www.drugs.ie/services or an interactive map which provides contact details for 456 services and information on the types of treatment available on www.drugsandalcohol.ie/services_map.

As the specific question relating to rehabilitation and addiction services in County Kerry is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (489)

Robert O'Donoghue

Ceist:

489. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the extended waiting list time for an appointment for a person (details supplied); if there are any updates available for this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66773/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (490)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

490. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who having been referred to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of endometriosis is yet to receive an appointment date for surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66804/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a range of conditions including heart attack and stroke. It remains a leading cause of death in Ireland and significant hospital bed days. CVD claimed the lives of almost 10,000 people in Ireland in 2023 and is estimated to cost the Irish state €1.7 billion annually, with 46% of this being direct healthcare costs.

Ireland has made progress in tackling CVD. Today, CVD mortality is about half of the levels of 1995, however, CVD still accounts for 27.8% of all deaths in Ireland. However, the absolute number of CVD cases has increased due to the rise in population and Ireland’s ageing demographics. CVD imposes significant social and personal costs for patients including reduced quality of life, and potential lost earnings.

Irish officials working with EU colleagues contributed to a new Council Conclusion on the improvement of cardiovascular health adopted on 3rd December 2024, marking a strong political commitment towards improving cardiovascular health across Europe. We expect the EU Cardiovascular Plan will be published shortly. This is an initiative by the European Commission to tackle cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading cause of death in the EU. Its objectives include reducing premature deaths by improving prevention, early detection, and treatment, while also boosting innovation.

CVD and its management are prioritised through national policy, strategies, and clinical programmes, which include models of care for stroke, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure and chronic disease management. The Programme for Government (PfG) 2025 commits to “Building on the existing National Cardiovascular Policy, we will develop a new and more ambitious plan enhancing patient care and timely access across all regions.”

On April 8th, the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services was published. This comprehensive, evidence-based report provides 23 key recommendations to inform future cardiac health policy. It offers both a data-driven analysis and a clear roadmap for reforming cardiac services across the country. DoH officials are now working closely with the HSE to progress the implementation of these recommendations. This is a complex, multiyear reform programme that will ensure a comprehensive and deliverable approach in achieving outcomes.

Cardiovascular health has been prioritised in Budget 2025, which allocates over €9 million in full-year funding to support vital cardiovascular initiatives. Budget 2025 allocated €4 million full year costs, and 45 WTEs to progress cardiac services. To date, 28 of these 45 WTEs have been prioritised and 5.1 WTE posts have been accepted. This investment facilitates the initial steps in cardiac services reform and will support the development of a new cardiovascular strategy in the longer term. In the short term, we will deliver enhanced cardiac services and develop the necessary structures to ensure success in the longer term.

With regard to services for stoke, the National Stroke Strategy was published in 2022 and over €13m has been allocated to its implementation to date. The Stroke Strategy aims to modernise our Stroke services in line with Sláintecare and ensure the future readiness of services given our ageing demography and the predicted rise in stroke incidence in coming decades. Most recently in Budget 2025, of the €9m invested in Cardiovascular Health, full year costs of €5m were allocated which will provide 56 WTEs to strengthen Acute Stroke units and expand the Early Supported Discharge Team network from 11-15 teams nationally.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (496)

Louis O'Hara

Ceist:

496. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health the reason medical card patients are being charged for routine blood tests by their general practitioners despite being covered by the medical card scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66849/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders.

Under the terms of the GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess". Persons who hold a medical card or a GP visit card are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services.

The issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services is complex given the numerous reasons and circumstances under which blood tests are taken. Clinical determinations as to whether a blood test should be taken to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition are made by the GP concerned. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or a GP visit card to be charged for clinically necessary blood tests.

The HSE has previously communicated to GMS GPs on this matter, however the relevant GP representative body, the IMO, does not agree with my Department’s and the HSE’s position regarding the provision of routine blood tests under the GMS contract. The issue of certain GPs charging GMS patients for necessary blood tests has previously been raised with the IMO. It has not yet proven possible to achieve agreement that no charges for clinically necessary blood tests would be applied in any circumstances.

Blood tests undertaken in the context of the GP Chronic Disease Management programme are covered by the fees paid to GPs by the HSE for this care.

Where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes they have been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services (i.e. a blood test to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition) by their GP, or has been charged for a blood test provided under the Chronic Disease Management programme, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of a GMS patient, shall contact the GP concerned and carry out an investigation into the complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by that GP.

Fees charged by GPs outside the terms of the GMS contracts (and other HSE GP held contracts) are a matter of private contract between clinician and patient

Health Strategies

Ceisteanna (497)

Louis O'Hara

Ceist:

497. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health the funding which has been allocated to deliver the National Stroke Strategy from 2022 to date in 2025, by year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66843/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (498)

Louis O'Hara

Ceist:

498. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health the actions her Department is undertaking to implement the recommendations of the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services report published in April 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66844/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services (NRCS) was published on 8th April. The NRCS provides a detailed, evidence-driven analysis of cardiac services across the Country. An implementation plan is currently being developed for the recommendations of the Review.

The Review consulted with a wide range of stakeholders; collected and analysed data to provide recommendations around cardiovascular health policy, patient-centred care integrated with our Sláintecare vision, capital investment to support non-invasive diagnostics and imaging as well as structural reform to develop regional cardiac networks, national comprehensive cardiac centres and leadership and governance.

Recent trends in the demand for cardiac services reflect changes in population health. Significantly, the demand for emergency cardiac interventions is declining, and the need for non-acute services (e.g., those with chronic cardiac disease and/or CVD risk factors) is increasing.

The NRCS provides the foundations to build on existing National Cardiovascular Policy, and the development of a new and more ambitious plan to enhance patient care and timely access to cardiac care across all regions.

The Review makes 23 recommendations. The Minister has accepted these, and an implementation plan is in development. An immediate action is the establishment a national governance structure.

The budget commits €4 million in full-year costs to reform how we deliver cardiac services. This has enabled initial reform in cardiac services and will support the development of a new cardiovascular strategy in the longer term.

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Ceisteanna (499)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

499. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended each SATU, in tabular form, in the past five years. [66860/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.

Health Strategies

Ceisteanna (500, 501)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

500. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the evaluation process for the current National Cancer Strategy will commence; the person in her Department is responsible for this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66865/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Colm Burke

Ceist:

501. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the consultation process for the next National Cancer Strategy will begin; the stakeholders that will be involved in the development of the next strategy; the person in her Department who is responsible for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66866/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 501 together.

International evidence shows that successive cancer strategies lead to better outcomes for patients. Since its launch in 2017, the Government has allocated €105 million to the national cancer strategy to support cancer services and improve outcomes for patients. Since then, very significant progress has been made in improving cancer services and there are now over 220,000 living with or beyond cancer, 50% more than a decade ago.

The current National Cancer Strategy runs from 2017 to 2026. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme will continue progressing the current strategy’s recommendations throughout its final year. Planning has begun for an evaluation of the current strategy and, as previously, the evaluation team will be external to the Department of Health. The evaluation will inform the development of the new strategy next year.

Question No. 501 answered with Question No. 500.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (502)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

502. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the impact the 34 new FTE staff for the medicines reimbursement system have had on reimbursement application timelines; the costs associated with creating these new positions in 2024, 2025 and projected costs for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66867/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Department of Health, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are now in formal negotiations with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and with Medicines for Ireland (MFI), as part of the process to agree successor Framework Agreements on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines (FASPM).

Officials are at present, actively engaging with the pharmaceutical industry to secure the successor multiyear Framework Agreements on behalf of the State. Due to the commercially confidential nature of these negotiations the State is unable to comment on these negotiations at this time.

An independent review published in 2023 determined that Ireland’s pricing and reimbursement process operated in line with international norms.

The State values its productive partnership with the pharmaceutical industry and this is evidenced by the ongoing collaboration and the investment in new capacity in the pricing and reimbursement system last year which was a key recommendation on foot of the outcome of the Mazars Review.

This investment encompassed additional significant resourcing which was allocated for 34 additional staff across the pricing and reimbursement system. Of these 34 additional staff, 16 additional staff were recruited into the NCPE, which represented an 80% increase in staffing.

In line with the significant increase in staffing, as of August 2025, the estimated cost for 36.5 WTE within the NCPE is €3.67 million for 2025.

Given the specialised skill set required for these new roles, recruitment was a complex endeavour which only reached completion in the second half of 2024. As a result, the full impact on the speed of the assessment of new medicine applications will soon become evident.

The allocation of significant additional resourcing and staffing to the NCPE is in addition to the development and launch of a HSE medicines pricing and reimbursement tracker to enhance transparency in the pricing and reimbursement system.