Written Answers Nos. 50-70
50. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of additional posts being allocated to mental health services under the HSE National Service Plan for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5030/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2026 is nearly €1.6 billion, which is the sixth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. As I confirmed shortly after the announcement of Budget 2026, an additional 300 whole-time-equivalent staff have been allocated for mental health services in 2026.
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; youth mental health and CAMHS, and expanding the National Clinical Programmes.
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 2025, including that for Mental Health.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
51. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health her plans to address recruitment and retention challenges within dental services, particularly in the HSE Public Dental Service; the way in which the Department intends to ensure that workforce capacity will meet public demand for dental care into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5037/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of recruitment and retention challenges which are discussed and reviewed at monthly performance engagement meetings with the HSE.
The HSE have advised that recruitment processes must be robust given the dental services it provides to the public, including to the most vulnerable in society. This includes matters such as Garda clearance and police clearances from other jurisdictions, alongside engagement with the relevant professional regulators to validate professional qualifications. Notwithstanding efficient recruitment processes, these specific requirements impact on overall recruitment timelines, but are necessary to ensure protection of the public.
On a positive note, €4m has been invested by the Government to support the addition of 15 HSE dental staff across dentists and dental nurses to deliver oral healthcare in the community. Of these 15 posts, 8 have been complete, 3 have campaigns underway, and 4 have not yet been filled.
My Department intends to address workforce capacity by further engaging with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) with regards to increasing the capacity of Irish/EU students in University College Cork, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College Dublin.
As part of this engagement, the Department of Health has received a proposal for funding from University College Cork to establish a dental outreach centre. This would enable the training of additional undergraduate students in the dentistry programme, in a primary care setting, benefiting both Irish and EU students. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and DFHERIS to try and progress this proposal with a view to maximising both Irish and EU places to enhance workforce capacity in Ireland, as well as increased service provision.
Furthermore, officials in my Department have recently received a draft proposal to increase the number of dental places at the Dublin Dental University Hospital, located at Trinity College Dublin. This will require further discussion and agreement between my Department and DFHERIS
The Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) commenced its new Bachelor of Dental Surgery Programme in September 2025. The RCSI has informed us that its intake is 30 students, 21 of whom are Irish/EU students. The RCSI has secured an agreement with the HEA to expand its intake to 35 Irish/EU student places by 2027. Over time, this will expand domestic graduate output by approximately 25% and contribute to workforce sustainability. Overall, the RCSI has indicated that it will produce 75 graduate dentists per annum when fully operational.
My Department remains committed to ensuring that our oral healthcare system is supported by a steady and sustainable pipeline of highly skilled graduates. Ensuring adequate capacity to train future dentists is part of the Government's commitment to workforce planning that supports the health and wellbeing of our population. By enhancing our future workforce, we are taking steps to ensure that the National Oral Health Policy is implemented.
52. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the plans in place for delivering more surgical hubs to provide elective care across the regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4981/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Elective Care Programme is increasing scheduled elective care capacity. The separation of emergency and elective care can lead to fewer cancellations and fewer delays for elective care caused by seasonal surges, localised outbreaks, and surges in emergency attendances. Reduced waiting times for elective cases can lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life for those individuals being treated and for their families. The greater elective care capacity created will also release capacity in existing hospitals for inpatient and emergency activity.
The first phase of this new elective care capacity is being delivered through a network of surgical hubs, followed in the longer term by national Elective Treatment Centres in Cork, Galway, and Dublin. Together these will form a national network of elective care facilities across the country.
The Surgical Hubs are based on the successful Reeves Day Surgery Unit which opened at Tallaght University Hospital in 2020. The Mount Carmel surgical hub opened in South Dublin in February 2025 and more than 3,000 procedures were delivered there last year. Five further hubs are due to open in 2026, in North Dublin (Swords), Galway, Cork, Waterford and Limerick. A Design Team will commence the design phase for two further hubs in Sligo and Letterkenny in 2026.
53. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health for a full review and expansion of the current free HRT scheme to ensure medications for individuals who are HRT contraindicated are included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5050/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the State-funded Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) arrangement, the current provision is for free HRT products for the treatment of menopause symptoms as this is the most commonly used treatment for managing menopausal symptoms and has shown to be the most effective intervention.
It is important to acknowledge that there are women who are contraindicated for the use of HRT in treating their menopause symptoms, and there are women who choose not to take HRT in some instances. In these cases, it is important to discuss options with a GP, or in some cases an oncologist, to decide the best course of action for the treatment of these symptoms.
Some women experiencing more complex symptoms, including those who are contraindicated for the use of HRT, may be referred to one of our Specialist Menopause Clinics for continued care free of charge.
There are no plans to expand the scope of this arrangement at this time.
54. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to address audiology waiting lists in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5071/26]
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.
55. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the number of new WTE posts per discipline identified for Longford/Westmeath per CHN with the additional funding announced by the Minister for Health in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4487/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational issue this I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
56. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure that Saint Anne's ward in Saint Vincent’s nursing unit in Mountmellick, County Laois is kept in use when the new wing is open to allow for the capacity of the hospital to go from 58 to 83; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4438/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt. Vincent's Community Nursing Unit, Mountmellick, Co. Laois, is a public nursing home that currently provides 56 long-stay beds and 1 short-stay bed.
Phase one of the current capital project at St. Vincent’s is substantially complete and consists of a new two-storey development containing fifty single en-suite rooms, adjacent and linked to the existing facility.
When complete, St. Vincent’s will be registered for 58 beds, which includes the 8-bed dementia unit in the existing building, which will continue to operate.
HSE Older Persons Services are currently in the initiation phase of project planning for the utilisation of the old building, taking account of the demand for additional rehab and long and short-stay beds in the CNU.
The current residents in St. Anne’s ward will transfer to the new building. Future uses of St Anne’s ward will form part of the assessment in respect of the future use of St. Vincent’s campus.
The scale and scope of future additional phasing of capital works at St. Vincent’s is currently being reviewed by the HSE, and once completed, the specific scope for Phase 2 of the capital project will be determined.
57. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the number of medical, dental, nursing, midwife and health and social care positions currently vacant in St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4434/26]
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.
58. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if she will report on the provision of orthodontal services in the north-east region; the reasons for delays in accessing services; and her proposals to ensure adequate service levels. [4899/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
59. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health if there is a programme or plan in place to address the general practitioner shortage in the Wicklow–Wexford area and throughout the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3418/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to expand GP services in Kilkenny and Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4435/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 102 together.
GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients, and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in any area.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,598 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further 634 GPs do not hold a GMS contract but hold some other contract(s) with the HSE for the delivery of health services. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE put a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care for the area concerned.
Work is ongoing to increase the number of GPs practicing across the country and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients.
Over €340 million in additional annual investment in general practice has been provided under the 2019 and 2023 GP GMS Agreements. The Agreements provide for increased GP capitation fees, increased and new supports for practices, as well as new fees for additional services. Specific supports are available for eligible practices in rural areas and in areas of urban social deprivation. These measures make a career in general practice here more attractive. The 2023 Agreement also provided for the expansion of GP visit card eligibility in 2023 to all children under 8 years of age and all those who earn up to the median household income.
The annual intake of doctors into the GP training programme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available in 2024 and again in 2025. The number of new entrant training places is to increase again this year by 50 places to 400. As a result, the number of GP graduates has increased in recent years and will continue to increase in the coming years.
In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. As of end of Q3 2025, there were 115 IMG GPs within the programme placed in general practice and a further 39 had completed the 2-year programme. The placement of IMG GPs is targeted to rural and underserved areas.
60. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the reason ostomy products are not included on the long-term illness scheme; if ostomy products were ever considered for the long term illness scheme; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3641/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The list of ostomy appliances which have reimbursement support can be found on pcrs.ie
The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions to be covered by the Scheme.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependents may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
The issue of granting medical card eligibility based on having a particular disability or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
The HSE advises that the drugs, medicines and non-drug items reimbursable under the LTI Scheme are intended for the treatment of the primary condition.
The Core Lists were developed following detailed consultation with Medical Officers, HSE Pharmacists and the HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP). The HSE is satisfied that all medicines that should be necessary for the treatment of each primary LTI Scheme condition are provided on these Core Lists. Core Lists are reviewed every few years to ensure that they reflect current prescribing practices and treatments of the primary illness
There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the DPS threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
61. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children seeking an appointment with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Balbriggan; the measures being taken to reduce these waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5053/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
62. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health the action being taken on foot of the recent “Ireland’s Future Health and Social Care Workforce” report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4969/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s Future Health and Social Care Workforce paper sets out the vision and long-term plan for the health and social care workforce. The paper sets out an evidence-based strategic direction for the health and social care workforce for the next 15 years. It details twenty actions to be taken in the years ahead to address future workforce challenges in addition to building on actions already committed to by Government in recent years. These actions sit under five interconnected pillars; Plan, Build, Optimise Performance, Recruit & Retain and Invest.
The paper builds on the roadmap set out in May 2025 by the Minister for Health in the Path to Universal Healthcare – Sláintecare & Programme for Government 2025+. The Sláintecare Vision is to build capacity, improve access, improve service quality and enable reform.
It is not feasible nor practical to assume that the workforce will continue to grow in line with the increasing demand. Reforming our care pathways with a person-centred approach that is built around the patient and the staff and exploring strategies to improve healthcare team performance, efficiency and quality of care will bolster our efforts to meet future demand.
Moving forward, the Department of Health is enhancing our ability to plan with a strong focus on a good foundation of workforce data, data on health professionals in training and a cross-Government collaborative approach including ongoing engagement and collaboration with the Departments of Further and Higher Education, Children, Disability and Equality, Education and Youth and Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
The Government is committed to significantly expanding student places in healthcare-related programmes in Higher Education Institutions. Our goal is to identify a steady state and a short to medium term target of student place expansion that would gradually increase the domestic supply of healthcare workers whilst also acknowledging capacity constraints within HEIs and clinical placement infrastructure.
Since 2022, more than 1,300 additional training places have been delivered across priority health and social care disciplines, with a further 600 places on track for 2026. Significant funding in these priority disciplines of health and social care has been secured for 2025–2026 and beyond, and Department of Further and Higher Education officials and the HEA are progressing further expressions of interest to the higher education sector to expand training capacity where it is most needed.
An Expression of Interest (EOI) process for HSCPs is scheduled to be conducted by the HEA in early 2026. This will provide an important opportunity for Higher Education Institutions to propose new training programmes and expand existing ones in high-priority areas related to the Health, Disability and Education sectors.
We need to ensure that at a minimum, we are supplying enough graduates to replace the existing workforce. This is a long-term undertaking, and the recently published Ireland’s Future Health and Social Care Workforce paper outlines the case for change and how we will achieve this.
The paper is available through the following link - Minister for Health publishes paper on Ireland’s Future Health and Social Care Workforce
63. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health to provide a full update on plans to increase hospital bed capacity in Cork city. [4682/26]
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.
64. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the capital allocation for the Finglas primary care centre to date; in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4881/26]
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.
65. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of children referred by the HSE to private approved centres for psychiatric assessment and treatment in each of the years 2024 and 2025; to provide a breakdown of the data, by age, gender, reason for admission, admission status (voluntary or involuntary), and length of stay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4975/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
66. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in recruiting additional dentists and improving public dental services in Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4882/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
67. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progress of the provision of a primary health centre in Dundalk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3642/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
68. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the number of students expected to avail of the next phase of the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4885/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
69. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the steps that she is taking to increase the number of HSE community nursing home dementia beds which have decreased by 12% between 2020 and 2024, to increase community dementia respite beds, and to build capacity to address forecasting suggesting that the number of people with the condition in Ireland will more than double by 2050; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4911/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to improving services for the rising number of people living with dementia in Ireland and for their family carers. The 2025 Programme for Government commits to including dementia specific provision across all new Community Nursing Units, alongside a commitment to build more public nursing home beds.
A working group has been convened to develop a new Capacity Plan for the delivery of additional public long-term residential care beds for older people. It is intended to publish the Long-Term Residential Care Additional Capacity Plan in early 2026. Delivery of additional beds will be subject to prioritisation and the availability of funding. The programme is included for progression in the NDP Health Sectoral Plan 2026-2030, published in Nov 2025. Consideration of the additional dementia-specific bed requirement will be included as part of this programme of work.
The Programme for Government also includes specific commitments to increase the provision of dementia services including day care, day care at home, dementia diagnostic services, young onset dementia supports, home support and dementia adviser services, as well as the development of an Irish Dementia Registry. The Government has been working in partnership with the HSE and the voluntary sector to progressively increase the amount and range of services provided to people with dementia in line with the HSE Dementia Model of Care. These services include new dementia diagnostic services, a national dementia adviser service, a national network of Memory Technology Resource Rooms, new dementia day care services, the introduction of dementia day care at home and the rollout of activity clubs for people with young onset dementia. Development of an Irish Dementia Registry commenced in mid-2025.
In relation to respite specifically, both centre-based and home-based day care as well as activity clubs for young onset dementia provide a break from caring for family carers, while also providing meaningful activity and social stimulation for the person with dementia. It is acknowledged that a range of respite options are required to meet the needs of people with dementia and their families, and this includes both residential and in-home respite services.
As this is a service-related matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
70. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health when a national diabetes strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4890/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra124. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if she will report on the work of the Diabetes Policy and Services Review Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4889/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 124 together.
The Government is committed to developing a strategy for diabetes care, as outlined in the Programme for Government.
Following the publication of the Terms of Reference for a Review of Diabetes Policy and Services, a Steering Group made up of representatives of the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and Diabetes Ireland, was established in July 2024 to lead on the Diabetes Policy and Services Review.
The Diabetes Policy and Services Review report has been drafted and submitted to the Department of Health for consideration. Decisions on the next steps in relation to the report will follow this consideration.
The report sets out a number of recommendations for development of services at national and regional levels, including in relation to better supporting people living with diabetes.
