Eoin Hayes
Ceist:2186. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for registration with the Irish Medical Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74472/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Data
Ceisteanna (2186)
Freagraí scríofa
The Medical Council is the regulator of doctors in Ireland and maintains the Register of Medical Practitioners - the register of all doctors who can practise medicine in Ireland. In order to protect patients, it has a responsibility to ensure that all doctors registered to practise medicine in Ireland meet the requirements to practise, as set out in the Medical Practitioners Act 2007
The number of registration applications received by the Council in 2025 as of 18th December 2025, was 5,734 of which 2,073 were under assessment* and 570 awaiting assessment at that date.
The Medical Council has observed a continuous increase in the number of applications for registration, and this is reflected in the growing number of registered doctors year on year since 2021 as shown in the table below.
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Registered Medical Practitioners (At Year End) |
25,959 |
27,520 |
28,329 |
31,911 |
36,649 |
This increase in applications has impacted on turnaround times and the Medical Council is addressing this issue through the recruitment of additional resources and the implementation of more streamlined processes. This has resulted in significant improvements in turnaround times as can be seen from a comparison across the main registration routes in the table below.
|
Registration Route |
Maximum Application Processing Time (weeks) January – July 2025 |
Maximum Application Processing Time (weeks) December 2025 |
|
General Registration |
|
|
|
EU Qualified |
22 weeks |
4 weeks |
|
UK Qualified |
22 weeks |
4 weeks |
|
COE (Non-EU Qualified) |
69 weeks |
23 weeks |
|
Specialist Registration |
|
|
|
EU /UK Qualified |
22 weeks |
4 weeks
|
* includes applications that were missing information or where documentation has been requested, where an application is under consideration by a Council Committee and where an applicant is required to complete the PRES 3 examination prior to being deemed eligible for registration.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (2187)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:2187. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the position regarding CAMHS services in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74485/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Strategies
Ceisteanna (2188)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:2188. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will consider adding Jorveza (Budesonide) to the drugs payment scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74512/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (2189)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:2189. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be made for a child (details supplied) with CAMHS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74521/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (2190)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:2190. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify the reimbursement claims for services under the PCRS scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74530/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (2191)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:2191. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of cases recorded (details supplied) for a medical service in each of the years from 2019 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74531/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As The Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply.
Question No. 2192 answered with Question No. 2159.
Question No. 2193 answered with Question No. 2159.
Question No. 2194 answered with Question No. 2159.
Question No. 2195 answered with Question No. 2159.
Question No. 2196 answered with Question No. 2159.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (2197)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:2197. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of any mental health service funded by the HSE that is utilising AI generated content in response to service users; if she will investigate the recent media reports of same; and the current policy for service providers are in relation to same. [74569/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (2198)
Barry Ward
Ceist:2198. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 916 of 16 December 2025, if she is conscious of the specific work done by an organisation (details supplied) that sets it out from community first responder groups; if she will meet with the CEO to discuss the work this organisation does regarding emergency response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74575/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy was advised in response to Question 916 of 16 December, I am aware of the work carried out by the charity noted in the Deputies question and my Department has been in correspondence with the CEO of the charity concerned in regard to its services. I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) has also been in contact with the charity concerned and I am informed that a meeting is in the process of being arranged between the HSE and the charity.
Primary Care Services
Ceisteanna (2199)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:2199. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of children under five years of age in County Mayo currently being supported through primary care teams, this year and each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74584/25]
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (2200)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:2200. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the Departments with responsibility for the diagnosis, intervention therapy services, awareness raising, education and prevention of the condition and support for those with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the plan to recognise it as a disability. [74593/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable, neuro-developmental disorder. FASD is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and can lead to lifelong challenges with learning, behaviour, health, and social skills. Initiatives are ongoing which focus on prevention and health promotion, helping to reduce alcohol use and limit harm to people, families, and communities. This includes alcohol labelling, national guidance, and training for healthcare staff.
Depending on their needs children, young adults, and families living with FASD may need support from different services across multiple Departments, including primary care, disability services, and mental health care.
The Government remains committed to delivering the appropriate services for each person with FASD in line with their needs.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (2201, 2202, 2210, 2211, 2231, 2262)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:2201. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the funding her Department has provided for an organisation (details supplied) in relation to their work with those with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in 2023, 2024 and 2025. [74595/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSorca Clarke
Ceist:2202. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health given the level of unmet need with those living with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder and their parents/guardians if she will review the level of funding for an organisation (details supplied) for 2026 given the current level will not allow for the expansion of services despite scaling up in 2025 and also that the service is four times oversubscribed. [74598/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:2210. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if supports will be granted to keep a charity (details supplied) operating beyond the date funding for its operations is expected to cease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74666/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:2211. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if confirmation will be given for funding for 2026 to unlock essential bank support for a charity (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74674/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:2231. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with a service (details supplied) in relation to its 2025 funding allocation; if she will intervene to address the funding gap; if she will provide a multiannual funding plan to cover the real cost of delivering its vital services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74752/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Donna McGettigan
Ceist:2262. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health to ensure that an organisation (details supplied) is allocated the funding they require to expand its essential services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74856/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2201, 2202, 2210, 2211, 2231 and 2262 together.
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable, neuro-developmental disorder. FASD is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and can lead to lifelong challenges with learning, behaviour, health, and social skills. Initiatives are ongoing which focus on prevention and health promotion, helping to reduce alcohol use and limit harm to people, families, and communities. This includes alcohol labelling, national guidance, and training for healthcare staff.
Depending on their needs children, young adults, and families living with FASD may need support from different services, including primary care, disability services, and mental health care. The Government remains committed to delivering the appropriate services for each person with FASD in line with their needs.
My Department does not currently fund this organisation. Funding for all service developments is considered in the first instance as part of the annual estimates process, in the context of overall prioritisation of available funding. This process seeks to balance available funding across all service areas to achieve the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritise areas of greatest need.
Question No. 2202 answered with Question No. 2201.
Emergency Departments
Ceisteanna (2203)
Conor Sheehan
Ceist:2203. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health when she will bring a memo to cabinet to outline the implementation plan and period for option C of the review of an organisation (details supplied) into emergency care capacity at UHL; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74604/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This Government fully accepts and recognises the need to expand acute capacity in the Mid West.
Approval from the Government was granted on December 16th 2025 to progress with a blend of the proposed HIQA options necessary to respond to the challenges in the Mid West, to inform investment and to provide a short, medium and long term view to how we plan for and deliver healthcare services for the people of the region.
The Minister will progress through all three options, A, B and C contained in the HIQA report, including development of a strategic plan to invest in services.
Option A, as presented by HIQA, is being progressed at pace, with 128 additional beds having already been delivered in the Mid West since 2023. All avenues are being explored to deploy additional bed capacity as soon as possible. Current plans to increase capacity at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) will deliver up to 306 beds by the end of 2029. With additional beds planned for other Model 2 Hospitals in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s, this would represent 420 additional beds in the region from 2024 to the end of the Acute Hospital Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan in 2031.
Other measures are also being advanced to cumulatively reduce pressure on UHL including; the development of a virtual ward with capacity for 40 virtual beds, additional residential care capacity and enhanced community and primary care services, further progression of integrated care across the Mid West and the expansion of National Ambulance Services.
To progress Option B, the Minister has mandated the HSE to secure an available appropriate adjacent site to the Dooradoyle campus. This will be progressed in line with HSE governance for property acquisitions in the usual way.
Option C represents a significant and long-term service and capital development. To progress Option C, the Minister and her officials will, taking into account the progress on Options A and B, establish a mechanism to appropriately and strategically[]assess this option in early 2026 to develop a comprehensive and strategic plan for the incremental strategy of organising services and investment in healthcare services in the Mid West. The scale of this plan relative to the needs and requirements of the rest of the country will require Government support as the pace will be relative to the scale of available Capital and Revenue investment funding.
These steps will inform plans for service and infrastructure capacity in the region that will be outlined in the subsequent Memorandum for Government to be brought in 2026.