Written Answers Nos. 1062-1080
1062. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if she will meet with a person (details supplied) who has been awaiting support for access to mental health services, occupational therapy and social work to resolve and help progress the situation. [14935/26]
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.
1063. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health if there is currently an assessment of needs officer in place in County Galway [14936/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a recruitment matter we have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy
1064. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health if there is currently an assessment of needs officer in place in County Roscommon [14937/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a recruitment matter we have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy
1065. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health for an update on the upcoming national obesity strategy and the cardiovascular strategy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14940/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCardiovascular 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. 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 closely with EU colleagues, contributed to the development of a new Council Conclusion on the improvement of cardiovascular health, adopted on 3rd December 2024, marking a strong political commitment to tackling cardiovascular disease across Europe. This engagement demonstrates Ireland’s commitment to cardiovascular health, ensuring that national priorities align with European efforts to reduce the burden of CVDs.
On 16th December 2025, the European Commission published Safe Hearts – the EU Cardiovascular Plan, a landmark initiative aimed at reducing premature deaths by improving prevention, early detection, and treatment, while also driving innovation. Ireland’s active role in shaping these policies reflects our ambition to strengthen cardiovascular health outcomes for our population and contribute to a healthier Europe.
On April 8th 2025, the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services was published. The comprehensive, evidence-based report provides 23 key recommendations around cardiac health policy. It offers both a data-driven analysis and a clear roadmap for reforming cardiac services across the country. Department 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 was prioritised in Budget 2025, which allocated 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. This investment facilitates the initial steps in cardiac services reform and will support the development of a new cardiovascular strategy as committed to in the Programme for Government. 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, full year costs of €5m to Stroke services 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.
The current Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025).
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and the overall aim is to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the impact of overweight and obesity on health outcomes for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address the obesity epidemic.
Under OPAP, Ireland put in place a comprehensive, cross-Government strategy to address obesity and overweight. Since 2016 significant progress has been made in delivering on the Ten Step Programme of OPAP and to drive policy initiatives and actions, ranging from health promotion and education initiatives and obesity prevention measures through to establishing services to treat and manage obesity within the health care system.
The current Healthy Ireland Framework concluded at the end of 2025. A review of the Framework was carried out last year to assess the effectiveness of the framework and to prepare for the development of a new framework. A public consultation for the development of a new Healthy Ireland Framework will be launched in 2026. The current OPAP also ran through to the end of 2025. The Department began the process of developing a successor strategy at the beginning of 2025. Over the course of the year, the Department worked alongside a strategic consultancy to facilitate stakeholder engagement for the development of a new obesity strategy. This included stakeholder workshops, focus groups and hosting an online public consultation. The public consultation was an opportunity for members of the public, stakeholder groups and organisations to share their experience, observations and proposals for a new obesity policy for Ireland. Following on from the closing of the consultation, and a strategy consultation document summarising the main themes of the responses to the consultation was submitted to the Department for consideration. This strategy consultation document will be used to help inform the development of the new national obesity strategy, which will be published in 2026.
1066. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health her views on whether her Department is considering expanding funding for Level 2 obesity services under the HSE’s obesity model of care; if this will be considered in the upcoming National Obesity Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14941/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025).
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and the overall aim is to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the impact of overweight and obesity on health outcomes for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address the obesity epidemic.
Under OPAP, Ireland put in place a comprehensive, cross-Government strategy to address obesity and overweight. Since 2016 significant progress has been made in delivering on the Ten Step Programme of OPAP and to drive policy initiatives and actions, ranging from health promotion and education initiatives and obesity prevention measures through to establishing services to treat and manage obesity within the health care system.
In 2021, Sláintecare Healthy Ireland in the Department of Health, working with the HSE and local authorities and community agencies, launched the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme to provide increased health and wellbeing services in 24 community areas across Ireland. This Programme employs a Community Food & Nutrition worker in each of the communities that have been identified as disadvantaged, who work to improve community health and wellbeing in the community areas by addressing the issues of poor diet and food poverty.
The Department also provides funding to support the Integration of Childhood Obesity Services in Primary Care through an Education programme that is delivered by a multidisciplinary team in Children’s Health Ireland. The Programme facilitates development of a network of health professionals around the country who are trained in line with the international recommendations and are committed to the delivery of evidence-based treatment for child and adolescent obesity.
Under OPAP, funding has been provided for numerous initiatives and programmes aimed at implementing the actions set out in OPAP. The Department of Health has also committed to funding the HSE Model of Care for the Management of Overweight and Obesity, which sets out how the healthcare for children, young people and adults living with overweight and obesity in Ireland should be organised and resourced now and in the future. In Budget 2025, additional funding was secured to complete Phase 1 of the HSE model of care. The Department will continue to fund the Model of Care as part of the new obesity strategy being developed, and consideration for any potential further funding or expansion of the Model of Care will be considered during the drafting of the strategy.
The Department began the process of developing a successor strategy at the beginning of 2025. Over the course of the year, the Department worked alongside a strategic consultancy to facilitate stakeholder engagement for the development of a new obesity strategy. This included stakeholder workshops, focus groups and hosting an online public consultation. The public consultation was an opportunity for members of the public, stakeholder groups and organisations to share their experience, observations and proposals for a new obesity policy for Ireland. Following on from the closing of the consultation, and a strategy consultation document summarising the main themes of the responses to the consultation was submitted to the Department for consideration. This strategy consultation document will be used to help inform the development of the new national obesity strategy, which will be published in 2026.
1067. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if she will fully implement the recommendations of the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group that by early 2026, her Department will establish a clinical trials advisory council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14942/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for this opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to expanding the number of clinical trials in Ireland. Doing so will greatly increase patients' access to innovative life-saving treatments. In that regard, it is my intention to fully implement the Final Recommendations of the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group, whose Final Report I launched in November last year.
My Department officials will shortly begin the process of establishing the Clinical Trials Advisory Council (CTAC) with expert membership drawn from across the sector. The first objective of the CTAC will be to develop the detailed implementation plan for the NCTOG's other recommendations. Implementing the NCTOG's Final Recommendations will help create a more agile and streamlined system for clinical trials whilst maintaining the highest standards of data and patient protection, in addition to supporting the expert workforce needed to administer growing numbers of clinical trials. Improving the clinical trials sector in Ireland is aligned with measures proposed in the European Commission's new Biotech Act Part 1, with the net result of greatly expanded and diversified clinical trials taking place in the State. This is aligned with European moves to ensure that the wider biotech sector is competitive and fosters innovation and will also align with the upcoming National Life Science Strategy which is currently being developed by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment.
1068. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she has any updates on incentives to expand and improve access to GP care in rapidly developing towns, such as Skerries; if she has any plans to reassess the existing cap on GMS or GP visit cards in light of recent population growth not meeting the demand for GP care; if she is aware of any existing or future mitigation measures for recipients of GMS or GP Visit Cards who have difficulty accessing care due to the financial barriers and the existing patient caps around GMS or GP Visit Cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14959/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs 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 2,600 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further 637 GPs do not hold a GMS contract but hold some other contract(s) with the HSE for the delivery of health services.
As per the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to increasing the GP workforce. Work is ongoing in this regard, 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 to, amongst other things, increase payments to GMS GPs and supports for GP practices. 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. In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. Under the IMG programme, the placement of GPs is targeted to rural and underserved areas.
The issue of further potential measures to support GP practices is being considered under the Strategic Review of General Practice which is currently underway. The review is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity and will consider possible mechanisms to attract GPs to rural and underserved areas.
Under the terms of the GMS and GP Visit Card contract the maximum number of medical card or GP visit card patients that a GP can have on their GMS panel is 2,000, or 2,200 if the GP also holds an under 8 contract, except for in exceptional circumstances where the HSE decides to apply a higher limit. There is no minimum number of patients specified for a panel. The State does not prescribe the number of private patients that may be registered with a GP; this is a matter for individual GP practices.
As of December last, 82 GMS GP panels held over 2,000 GMS patients equating to only approximately 3 percent of total GMS panels.
Where a medical card or GP visit card holder, or a person eligible for either card, experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE Eligibility Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list in accordance with the GMS contract. Persons who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with.
1069. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health there is a model of care for allergies; if one will be developed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14965/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of a model of care for allergies is a matter for the Health Service Executive, and as such I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1070. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the allocation of theatre time by speciality, together with details of the utilisation of that allocated time for University Hospital Galway; if every allocated hour of theatre time is being fully utilised by each speciality; the recorded periods during which allocated theatre time was not used; the duration and reason where available, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14969/26]
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.
1071. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she will outline the steps to ensure that an organisation (details supplied) continues to be supported into the future, given its role in delivering oral health prevention programmes for vulnerable groups across Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14989/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1072. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she recognises the importance of the oral health prevention programmes delivered by an organisation (details supplied) in DEIS primary schools, work with the traveller community and with Men’s Sheds; and if she will outline whether additional funding or resources will be made available to enable the foundation to expand its work with children in DEIS schools, and other vulnerable groups particularly in areas of high need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14990/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1073. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses in Rowlagh health centre; the number of vacancies; the areas they cover; the areas that are without a public health nurse service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14991/26]
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.
1074. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will urgently expedite an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied). [14993/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1075. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if other HSE Inclusion Health Clinics have been opened (details supplied); if so, the locations; if there are plans to establish further HSE Inclusion Health Clinics; if so, the proposed locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14999/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1076. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if screening for spinal muscular atrophy will be included in the national newborn bloodspot screening programme before the end of March 2026, as cited by a leading paediatric clinician in recent media coverage (details supplied); the preparations currently underway to ensure this timeline is met, given that more than two years has elapsed since the decision was taken to include SMA in the heelprick test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15000/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1110. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health for an update on the progress made in terms of the expansion of the national newborn bloodspot screening programme (NNBSP), in particular the addition of severe combined immunodeficiency and spinal muscular atrophy to the NNBSP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15167/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1076 and 1110 together.
As Minister for Health, I am determined to support our screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
Currently, all babies (between 3 and 5 days old) are offered newborn bloodspot screening (generally known as the ‘heel prick’ test), which tests for nine rare but serious conditions that are treatable if detected early in life. The Programme for Government commits to continually reviewing the number of conditions babies are screened for.
Incremental progress continues to be made on the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (NNBSP). In 2023, two recommendations from the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) on the addition of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to the NNBSP were approved.
In Budget 2024, an additional €1.4 million of new development funding was provided to support the SMA/SCID implementation process. Once both conditions have been fully implemented, the number of conditions screened for in Ireland will increase to 11.
In terms of the current implementation status, the HSE has advised that the equipment needed to enable the roll-out testing for SMA and SCID has been purchased, delivered and successfully installed at the newborn screening laboratory and significant progress continues with regards to the laboratory verification process. The recruitment process to hire the additional staff required to support the expansion of the NNBSP has been completed and work on developing screening and treatment pathways for both conditions is in its final stages. It is expected that screening for both SCID and SMA will commence in early Q2 this year.
In relation to concerns raised around the length of the implementation process, it should be emphasised that Ireland is not taking longer than other comparable countries to assess and implement additions to the NNBSP.
The Health Council of the Netherlands first recommended screening for SMA in 2019 and implementation was completed three years later in October 2022. In the United States of America, it took six years to fully implement SMA screening after it was added to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) in 2018. In the United Kingdom, screening for SCID and SMA have been under consideration by the UK National Screening Committee since 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Nevertheless, I am acutely aware of how difficult it is for parents, families and children who have received a diagnosis of a rare disease, and how challenging daily life can be for them. This is why I remain committed to the further expansion of screening in Ireland in accordance with internationally accepted criteria and best practice.
1077. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health whether there are notable regional variations in approval rates for a primary medical certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15014/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Department of Finance will respond to the question on the number of persons awarded a primary medical certificate on appeal as this concerns the operations of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal which is operated by the Revenue Commissioners, under the remit of the Minister for Finance. The remaining elements of the PQ will be addressed by the HSE.
1078. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health the approximate percentage in recent years of applicants for a primary medical certificate suffering with Parkinson’s Disease (details supplied), which have been granted at initial stage or on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15015/26]
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.
1079. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of the funding application for the Cork city homeless hub (details supplied); the reason for the delay in a decision; the timeline for funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15016/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe integrated inclusion health hub in Cork City is a joint initiative between HSE South West and Cork City Council aimed at addressing the health and social needs of the growing number of people who are homelessness in Cork.
The HSE Capital Plan 2026 provides €1.3 billion for healthcare building and equipment that will deliver benefits all over the country. This significant investment in health infrastructure underlines the Government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare in an equitable way to all who need it.
The plan commits to expand facilities for vulnerable and marginalised groups. It contains a commitment to 'progress completion of the Integrated Homeless Services Hub in Cork City in conjunction with Cork City Council'. HSE Estates recently published an e-tender for an expression of interest from potential accommodation providers as the first step in that process. HSE Estates will liaise with the Department of Health as the project develops. I am strongly committed to strengthening integrated care pathways to meet the complex health needs of people who are homeless in Cork and on a nationwide. basis.
1080. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if it can be ensured that occupational, or older persons, services in CHO8 supply a suitable wheelchair to a person (details supplied). [15018/26]
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.
