Written Answers Nos. 277-301
277. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether she is satisfied that the recent decision not to provide an automatic transition to permanent contracts for newly qualified paramedics will not negatively impact frontline ambulance capacity and response times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17405/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra279. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has advised her of any risks to service delivery arising from potential attrition of newly qualified paramedics as a result of uncertainty regarding permanent employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17407/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 279 together.
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
278. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the current number of approved whole time equivalent paramedic posts within the National Ambulance Service; the number filled; the number vacant; and the projected staffing requirement for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17406/26]
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.
280. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the average ambulance response times in each HSE region in 2024 and to date in 2026; whether workforce shortages have been identified as a contributing factor in any region, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17408/26]
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.
281. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether she will direct the HSE and the National Ambulance Service to provide a clear and time bound pathway to permanent employment for paramedic trainees in order to protect frontline capacity and patient safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17409/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGraduates completing the programme in 2026 will be eligible to apply for permanent vacancies and new development posts in areas prioritised for expansion, based on service activity and operational need. On 6th February, the HSE advised the trade unions of challenges in progressing Year 3 Paramedics to permanent posts under the current processes. During this engagement, NAS outlined three specific elements of the existing process that require amendment to ensure that vacant, funded positions can be filled in a timelier manner. These changes are necessary to enable the successful Year 3 cohort to apply for available funded positions as they arise.
Graduates play a vital role in maintaining workforce capacity by filling vacancies arising from retirements and promotions, as well as supporting the creation of new posts linked to new service development under the National Service Plan. To ensure continuity of service delivery during this recruitment process, temporary contract extensions have been put in place for current graduates. All access to permanent employment within NAS is governed by the HSE’s employment and expenditure controls applicable in any given year.
Each year, the NAS undertakes a competitive recruitment process to select a cohort of Student Paramedics to complete the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Paramedic Studies and progress to registration with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC). The 2025 campaign generated significant interest, attracting more than 1,000 applications. This structured education and training pathway provides the HSE with a sustainable pipeline of newly qualified and registered Paramedics.
282. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an occupational therapy appointment for a child (details supplied) whose mother has been waiting an extensive period of time for intervention; if she will outline a timeline for the occupational therapy treatment plan for this child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17425/26]
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.
283. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the opening of Ballybay primary care centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17426/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
284. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list to see an orthopaedic surgeon in Ireland, per hospital, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17427/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, adult and child waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
285. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the implementation of a National Radiation Therapy Machine Replacement Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17429/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Plan for Radiation Oncology (NPRO), an equipment replacement programme is currently in place across St Lukes Rathgar, St. James’s Hospital campus and Beaumont Hospital along with a phased expansion at Beaumont. The replacement programme is being progressed under the National Development Plan and is included in the Capital Plan 2026 and the Health Sectoral Plan 2026 -2030.
There are 23 Linear Accelerators (linacs) ranging in age from three to 18 years old, located across five public hospital locations: St Luke's Rathgar, Beaumont, St James, Galway University Hospital and Cork University Hospital.
State of the art radiation oncology centres opened in Cork and Galway in 2019 and 2023 respectively, representing €120 million capital investment. The linear accelerators at St Luke's Rathgar, Beaumont and St James’s Hospitals were installed between 2008 and 2016.
The HSE advises that the typical lifespan of a Linac is 10 - 15 years, although some can be used for longer. The lifespan of a machine depends on many factors, including the type of linac, how it is used, how it is maintained and the manufacturer support lifespan including software upgrades.
The Preliminary Design process for linac replacement within the St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network in Dublin is ongoing. In addition, tenders for the main contract for the Beaumont Phase 2 expansion and replacement project are due to issue in the coming weeks.
286. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on her Departments plans to establish a National Radiation Therapy Machine Replacement Programme, to replace the current regional model (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17430/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Plan for Radiation Oncology (NPRO), an equipment replacement programme is currently in place across St Lukes Rathgar, St. James’s Hospital campus and Beaumont Hospital along with a phased expansion at Beaumont. The replacement programme is being progressed under the National Development Plan and is included in the Capital Plan 2026 and the Health Sectoral Plan 2026 -2030.
There are 23 Linear Accelerators (linacs) ranging in age from three to 18 years old, located across five public hospital locations: St Luke's Rathgar, Beaumont, St James, Galway University Hospital and Cork University Hospital.
State of the art radiation oncology centres opened in Cork and Galway in 2019 and 2023 respectively, representing €120 million capital investment. The linear accelerators at St Luke's Rathgar, Beaumont and St James’s Hospitals were installed between 2008 and 2016.
The HSE advises that the typical lifespan of a Linac is 10 - 15 years, although some can be used for longer. The lifespan of a machine depends on many factors, including the type of linac, how it is used, how it is maintained and the manufacturer support lifespan including software upgrades.
The Preliminary Design process for linac replacement within the St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network in Dublin is ongoing. In addition, tenders for the main contract for the Beaumont Phase 2 expansion and replacement project are due to issue in the coming weeks.
287. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to establish a ring-fenced annual fund of €15–20 million to implement a ten-year national replacement cycle for linear accelerators and to create a national oversight body responsible for equipment planning, procurement, and installation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17431/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra288. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if her Department will consider putting in place a National Radiation Therapy Machine Replacement Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17432/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if her Department will consider the putting in place of a National Radiation Therapy Machine Replacement Programme, to replace the current regional model, as without a structured national linac replacement programme, access to modern, safe radiotherapy in Ireland will continue to be determined by geography rather than clinical need, entrenching inequity and placing patient outcomes at avoidable risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17433/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Plan for Radiation Oncology (NPRO), an equipment replacement programme is currently in place across St Lukes Rathgar, St. James’s Hospital campus and Beaumont Hospital along with a phased expansion at Beaumont. The replacement programme is being progressed under the National Development Plan and is included in the Capital Plan 2026 and the Health Sectoral Plan 2026 -2030.
There are 23 Linear Accelerators (linacs) ranging in age from three to 18 years old, located across five public hospital locations: St Luke's Rathgar, Beaumont, St James, Galway University Hospital and Cork University Hospital.
State of the art radiation oncology centres opened in Cork and Galway in 2019 and 2023 respectively, representing €120 million capital investment. The linear accelerators at St Luke's Rathgar, Beaumont and St James’s Hospitals were installed between 2008 and 2016.
The HSE advises that the typical lifespan of a Linac is 10 - 15 years, although some can be used for longer. The lifespan of a machine depends on many factors, including the type of linac, how it is used, how it is maintained and the manufacturer support lifespan including software upgrades.
The Preliminary Design process for Linac replacement within the St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network in Dublin is ongoing. In addition, tenders for the main contract for the Beaumont Phase 2 expansion and replacement project are due to issue in the coming weeks.
290. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of a valid long-term illness card, has been informed by their pharmacy that they have deemed to be ineligible to be reimbursed for a continuous glucose monitor since early 2025, that this matter may be rectified and they deemed eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17446/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter and 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, this question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
291. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health her response to the Adam's Protocols petition that someone presenting as suicidal should not have to go through accident &emergency (details supplied) [17447/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpanding and improving mental health services and supports for people experiencing a mental health crisis is a key priority for me, the Government, and the HSE.
I have prioritised the expansion of crisis supports and resourcing of suicide prevention in Budget 2026 as a direct response to the issues raised by the Mental Health Commission thematic review, following engagement with people with lived experience and senior clinicians working on the frontline.
I have overseen the rollout of a range of out of hours supports for people experiencing mental health difficulties as alternatives to Emergency Departments. These are outlined below.
Crisis Resolution Services
The model of care for Crisis Resolution Services was developed as a direct recommendation of Sharing the Vision, Ireland’s national mental health policy. It recognises that people who are experiencing a mental health crisis need specialist services to provide timely brief intensive supports to keep people safe.
• Crisis Resolution Teams: These comprise of teams of mental health professionals who work out of hours to meet people in a crisis and provide rapid assessment and intensive intervention. There are seven Crisis Resolution Teams currently operational in Galway, Sligo/Leitrim, Cork city (two teams), Waterford City and County, South Dublin/Wicklow, and Limerick.
• Crisis Cafés: Solace Cafes provide a welcoming, non-clinical safe environment in the style of a café where people can go at evenings and weekends. The Cafés provides a range of support for those who needed to use its services including crisis support, signposting, peer support, and community support. The Cafes are now open in Cork City, South Dublin, Sligo, Waterford and Limerick.
Additional funding has been provided for more Crisis Resolution Teams and Solace Cafes in Budget 2026, for Donegal, Kerry and the Midlands (Tullamore/Westmeath).
Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) Service
The Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) service is critically important safety net for people in suicidal crisis and the Minister fully supports the intention within the second Sharing the Vision implementation plan to expand these services to provide full coverage nationwide. These services provide a timely response to requests for assessment of patients in suicidal crisis from GPs, and the assessments often take place in primary care settings.
The SCAN service was originally developed under the National Clinical Programme for Self-harm and Suicide-related Ideation (NCPSHI) which was introduced in Irish public hospital emergency departments in 2014. Primarily delivered by clinical nurse specialists with support from a consultant psychiatrist in each hospital area, the programme supports people presenting with suicidal ideation as well as self-harm.
The model of care for the service envisages a dedicated mental health assessment room within hospitals to provide a more appropriate environment for assessments to take place. Even when the full network of alternative Crisis Resolution Services is in place, we know people in distress will still present to emergency departments for support. Given most acute mental health in-patient units are co-located with our acute hospital network, it’s important people in distress are assessed in clinically appropriate environments when they present for support. I have allocated funding for the recruitment of additional SCAN nurses in 2026.
Specialist Crisis Nurses in hospitals
Under funding which I allocated in Budget 2026, the HSE will establish specialist nursing teams in the emergency departments of all Model 4 hospitals out-of-hours, made up of Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to support people in crisis. By placing specialist nursing teams in our emergency departments out-of-hours, coupled with the expansion of community alternatives such as crisis resolution teams and crisis cafes, we are fundamentally changing how we respond to the needs of people in distress.
The Department of Health and HSE will continue to advance initiatives that will improve the supports available to all those in Mental Health crisis, guided by policy.
292. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health the specific steps being taken to ensure the HSE considers the “time-critical” nature of FA during the current price negotiations for Skyclarys. [17453/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
294. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason for recent changes this month for newly qualified paramedics now having to apply for permanent positions in the HSE National Ambulance Service, when previously the long established practice was they were offered permanent positions with the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17461/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
295. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to outline plans to review the home support allowance grant rate (details supplied); if she has plans to review it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17526/26]
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.
296. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of medical staff in Wexford General Hospital trained in eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17679/26]
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.
297. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of medical staff in Wexford CAMHS trained in eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17680/26]
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.
298. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of medical staff in Wexford AMHS trained in eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17681/26]
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.
299. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the plans being considered for an interim 24/7 ED consultant presence in terms of mental health for Wexford General Hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17682/26]
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.
300. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the commencement and completion of a new ten-bed specialist community mental health unit for Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17683/26]
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.
301. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of staff, the grade employed, in general medicine at Wexford General Hospital; the number of staff vacancies currently within the department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17684/26]
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.
