David Cullinane
Ceist:31. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when she will bring forward comprehensive adult safeguarding legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17632/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegislative Programme
Ceisteanna (31)
Freagraí scríofa
On 9 December 2025, Cabinet approved Ireland’s first ever National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding in the Health and Social Care sector. Publication of the policy is a commitment in the Programme for Government. The policy framework will extend across all public, private and voluntary health and social care services.
Included are a range of both legislative and non-legislative measures that will significantly expand and strengthen existing supports and protections for adults at risk of harm across the health and social care sector. The Government has approved the development of legislation to underpin these commitments and my Department has commenced the drafting of a General Scheme of a Safeguarding Bill.
Key legislative commitments that will be addressed in the general scheme include:
• The Health Service Executive (HSE) will have responsibility for leading and coordinating adult safeguarding across the sector and will have statutory functions, duties, and powers to underpin this role.
• Current safeguarding structures within the HSE will be strengthened and legislation will provide that they will operate independently in the performance of their functions.
• New powers of entry for safeguarding and protection teams and powers to obtain court protection orders.
• The Health Information Quality Authority's (HIQA’s) remit will be extended to include independent oversight and monitoring of adult safeguarding services for the Health and Social care sector delivered by the HSE.
• New obligations for service providers including undertaking risk evaluations, developing, and publishing adult safeguarding statements and ensuring staff are appropriately trained.
• The introduction of mandatory reporting in specified circumstances.
• The National Independent Review Panel (NIRP) process for adult safeguarding learning reviews for serious incidents will be strengthened and placed on a statutory footing.
• Strengthened cooperation between service providers and relevant state agencies.
The policy framework also sets out a range of non-legislative commitments to strengthen adult safeguarding across the sector, which will complement the proposed legislation. The HSE’s Chief Social Worker has been charged with developing an implementation plan for the policy framework, which will set out the detailed work that will be undertaken to take forward these commitments, including to prepare for the forthcoming legislation.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (32)
Joe Cooney
Ceist:32. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm the date of the site acquisition for Option B at UHL; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17546/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In December 2025, Government gave its approval 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 B recommends the extension of the UHL hospital campus to comprise the existing Dooradoyle site and another site, in proximity to UHL. The Minister has mandated the HSE to secure an available, appropriate adjacent site to the Dooradoyle campus. This is being progressed in line with HSE governance for property acquisitions in the usual way.
It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time due to the potential for an adverse effect on confidential and contractual negotiations that the HSE may have to enter into.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (33)
Liam Quaide
Ceist:33. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints relating to mental health services that have been submitted through the Your Service, Your Say complaints system in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; whether any audits or reviews have been carried out on these complaints, including assessments of complainant satisfaction with the resolution process; and if so, whether the findings of these audits or reviews will be published. [17535/26]
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.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (34)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:34. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the plans her Department has to upgrade existing primary care centres or provide new primary care centres in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17295/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (35)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:35. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an appraisal of the work that has been carried out on a review of the drugs reimbursement scheme and the creation of an early access scheme as per Programme for Government commitments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17474/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State has successfully negotiated new Framework Agreements on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines with Medicines for Ireland (MFI) and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA). These Agreements include commitments that will enable faster medicines access for patients in Ireland. These agreements include commitments to reaching pricing and reimbursement decisions within 180 days, excluding stop-clocks.
As part of the Agreement talks, the State and the pharmaceutical sector have agreed to establish a strategic partnership on the development of a sandboxed early access programme for rare diseases.
This will be a proof of concept initiative, aligned with the commitments in the Programme for Government. The mechanisms involved are complex, and the potential impacts must be carefully considered to ensure any future system is fair, effective, and sustainable.
My officials in the Department are examining reimbursement systems in use across the European Union
The Programme for Government (Securing Ireland's Future) contains a suite of measures on medicines which my officials will seek to progress over the lifetime of this government.
This demonstrates the Government’s commitment to enhancing access to medicines for patients across Ireland.
Primary Care Services
Ceisteanna (36)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:36. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health her plans to expand primary care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17523/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Seirbhísí Sláinte
Ceisteanna (37)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:37. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Health an bhfuil sé fós i gceist aici leanúint den chinneadh Ospidéal an Choim a athlonnú chuig suíomh Ospidéal San Séam in aice láimhe amach anseo, in ainneoin ráitis le déanaí go raibh athmhachnamh á dhéanamh ar an mbeartas iomlán maidir le hospidéal máithreachais a lonnú le chéile le hospidéal géarmhíochaine; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [16467/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Leagann caighdeáin idirnáisiúnta agus náisiúnta béim ar an ngá atá ann seirbhísí máithreachais a eagrú ar bhealach a chinntíonn gur féidir le mná a bhfuil cúram géarmhíochaine nó cúram criticiúil ar leibhéal níos airde de dhíth orthu rochtain a fháil air go tapa agus go hiontaofa, le prótacail shoiléire le haghaidh géarú cúraim agus aistrithe. Is é an prionsabal sin atá mar bhonn agus mar thaca ag beartas comhshuite an Rialtais seo agus ag an gcaoi a gcuirtear i bhfeidhm é go praiticiúil.
Is é sin an fáth go bhfuil infheistíocht shuntasach á díriú againn ar thógáil an Ospidéil Náisiúnta Máithreachais nua in aice le hOspidéal Naomh Uinseann.
Tá pleanáil ar bun freisin chun Ospidéal Máithreachais Ollscoile Luimnigh a chomhshuí le hOspidéal Ollscoile Luimnigh, agus an tionscadal ag céim na measúnachta faoi láthair.
Idir an dá linn, leanann Ospidéal na Cúmba de chúram a thabhairt do líon suntasach ban, naíonán agus teaghlach, le beagnach 6,600 breitheanna in 2025. Dá bhrí sin, táimid tiomanta infheistíocht leanúnach a dhéanamh i gcampas reatha Ospidéal na Cúmba. Áirítear leis seo le trí bliana anuas forbairt saotharlainne nua, uasghrádú agus athchóiriú ar bhardaí, agus forbairt ionaid bhreithe nua atá ag céim na measúnachta faoi láthair.
Bhain Ospidéal na Cúmba tairbhe freisin anuraidh as cur i bhfeidhm an Chórais Bhainistíochta Chliniciúil Máithreachais agus Nuabheirthe (taifead sláinte leictreonach iomlán), agus fuair sé maoiniú do sheirbhís nua Mhoil Iarbhreithe Pobail, a sheol mé go hoifigiúil i mí Feabhra.
Táimid tiomanta na bealaí is praiticiúla agus is láithrí a leanúint chun beartas comhshuite a chur i gcrích agus athchóirithe níos leithne sa chóras seirbhísí máithreachais ag dul chun cinn fós i gcomhréir le beartas an Rialtais.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (38)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:38. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health her plans to ensure that every public hospital across the country has the appropriate number of staff and spaces in emergency departments to assess mental health emergencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17635/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Crisis mental health supports, including those with 24/7 coverage, are currently provided across a number of settings and services, including hospital based services, out of hours services such as CAMHS on call, and non-governmental organisation services such as crisis phone and text supports, funded by HSE Mental Health Services.
The National Implementation and Monitoring Committee for Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone (2020-2030) is currently overseeing a piece of work by the HSE Implementation Group to bring together the range of available out-of-hours and crisis services and supports, with a view to aligning and streamlining supports and identifying any potential gaps in service provision. It is envisaged that this work will form the basis of an Adult Crisis Response Framework. This project is currently in an advanced state of preparation and is expected to be initiated formally before end-2026.
In addition, as Minister, I have overseen the rollout of a range of out of hours supports for people experiencing mental health difficulties as alternatives to Emergency Departments.
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 6 pilot Crisis Resolution Teams currently operational in Galway, Sligo/Leitrim, Cork city (two teams), Waterford City and County, South Dublin/Wicklow. The Limerick Crisis Resolution Team is due to commence operations this year.
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 and Sligo and Waterford. An additional Solace Café has recently established this year in 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.
As the question raises operational issues, I have also referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (39)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:39. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if she will set out a clear and unambiguous statement on the medium-term location for the Rotunda Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17508/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This week, I met with the Rotunda and the HSE and agreed that a new planning application will be submitted by the Rotunda. I issued a clear statement on the future of the Rotunda Hospital on 3 March.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (40)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:40. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the plans her Department and the HSE have to increase the number of GPs in Laois and across the State; the progress made to have a cohort of directly employed GPs providing primary care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17087/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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. There are currently 2,601 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further 636 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 practising across the country and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to explore the recruitment of HSE employed GPs.
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, amongst other things, 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.
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.
A Strategic Review of General Practice is currently underway, led by my Department and with support from the HSE. The review is examining the issues effecting general practice, including issues related to GP capacity, and will consider further possible mechanisms to attract GPs to rural and underserved areas. When completed the review will set out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.
The Strategic Review also giving consideration to the possible role of HSE employed GPs, as part of the wider examination of the GP capacity issue. It should be noted that any proposed model involving salaried GP positions would require careful consideration to ensure the required level of service could be provided for medical card and GP visit card holders as well as private patients.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (41)
Grace Boland
Ceist:41. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the criteria that an area must meet in order to have a dedicated D Doc service established; given the population of the Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, Lusk and surrounding areas, if she plans to establish a D Doc service in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16941/26]
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.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (42)
Pa Daly
Ceist:42. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if she will report on the discretionary card; if it will be expanded to include criteria other than the means test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16502/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (43)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:43. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the transition pathways from CAMHS to AMHS, particularly for children with eating disorders where continuity of care is critical; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17507/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders has progressed well with the total number of 16 eating disorder teams under the Model of Care now fully funded. This includes 11 teams now operational and a further 5 teams in recruitment and development, as per the Model of Care. The HSE spends over €14 million on eating disorders services annually.
Over 110 dedicated eating disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are now working on the teams across the country, treating people with eating disorders every day. Enhancement for specialist mental health services including eating disorders is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole, and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
HSE data from the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders for 2025 shows increases in activity across referrals, assessments, diagnoses and access to treatment. In 2025, over 900 referrals were received, 600 assessments were completed, with a 13% increase in the number of people starting treatment for an eating disorder. 75% of patients were assessed within eight weeks.
Our current focus is on completing and implementing the existing Model of Care and supporting the rollout of additional teams. Once this is complete, an evaluation will be undertaken, after which the Model of Care will be reviewed by the HSE.
The HSE report on inpatient bed capacity required for eating disorders was forwarded to my Department for consideration in July 2025. Accordingly, the recommendations for enhanced bed capacity for eating disorders have now been included in the National Development Plan.
In addition, as Minister I secured funding from Budget 2026 for two new eating disorder teams, a CAMHS team to serve the South east, and an Adult team to serve counties Galway and Roscommon. This will assist more people with an eating disorder requiring access to specialist eating disorder mental health services.
With reference to the specific information requested as this is an operational issue , I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
Eating Disorders
Ceisteanna (44)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:44. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health which of the new eating disorder teams will cover the children of Westmeath. [16781/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders has progressed well with the total number of 16 eating disorder teams under the Model of Care now fully funded. This includes 11 teams now operational and a further 5 teams in recruitment and development, as per the Model of Care. The HSE spends over €14 million on eating disorders services annually.
Over 110 dedicated eating disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are now working on the teams across the country, treating people with eating disorders every day. Enhancement for specialist mental health services including eating disorders is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole, and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
HSE data from the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders for 2025 shows increases in activity across referrals, assessments, diagnoses and access to treatment. In 2025, over 900 referrals were received, 600 assessments were completed, with a 13% increase in the number of people starting treatment for an eating disorder. 75% of patients were assessed within eight weeks.
Our current focus is on completing and implementing the existing Model of Care and supporting the rollout of additional teams. Once this is complete, an evaluation will be undertaken, after which the Model of Care will be reviewed by the HSE.
The HSE report on inpatient bed capacity required for eating disorders was forwarded to my Department for consideration in July 2025. Accordingly, the recommendations for enhanced bed capacity for eating disorders have now been included in the National Development Plan.
In addition, as Minister I secured funding from Budget 2026 for two new eating disorder teams, a CAMHS team to serve the South east, and an Adult team to serve counties Galway and Roscommon. This will assist more people with an eating disorder requiring access to specialist eating disorder mental health services.
With reference to the specific information requested as this is an operational issue, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
Period Poverty
Ceisteanna (45)
Marie Sherlock
Ceist:45. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if she will take steps to rectify the current situation in which sanitary products are not available in every hospital and ward in the country when they are requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17506/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
To answer the Deputy’s question, My Department implemented a pilot project in Sligo University Hospital in 2025 with the objective of providing period dignity in hospitals by providing free period products in publicly accessible bathrooms, as per the recommendations of the Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper, the Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, 2025 and the Women’s Health Action Plan, 2022-2023 and 2024 - 2025.
The project was rolled out in early 2025 and funding was provided to the value of €16,147.54. During the roll out phase 22 female toilets in the high traffic areas of the hospital were fitted with dispensers and supplied with period dignity products. Phase 2 of the pilot project will commence shortly where an additional 22 toilets will be equipped with dispensers and period dignity products. The funding allocated for this will be €27,992.50 this includes €16,147.54 to install and stock dispensers in the further 22 toilets in SUH, plus €11,845.00 to stock the previous 22 toilets that were equipped with dispensers in phase 1 of the project. I am hoping to build on the success of this project and roll out similar initiatives in the future.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (46)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:46. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to address the fact that ambulances are regularly queued outside hospitals waiting to hand over patients to ED staff, and that national response targets have not been met since October 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17525/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (47)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:47. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health her plans for six priority acute mental health units in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17521/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister, I have set out my priorities for capital projects for 2026, with over €40m allocated to initiate and progress mental health infrastructure projects this year.
The funding represents another record level of investment in 43 separate mental health capital projects across the country, with annual investment set to increase further over the next four years.
I am prioritising the development of three regional adult Eating Disorder Inpatient Centres to provide improved access to specialist public beds in Cork, Dublin and the North West. The new facilities will provide specialist inpatient eating disorder care closer to home people who are acutely unwell and reduce the HSE’s current reliance on private placements.
Another key priority is the development of Ireland’s first Perinatal Mother and Baby Units to support the mental health of pregnant women and new mothers. Funding has been allocated to advance the establishment of a Perinatal Mental Health Unit which will be co-located with the new National Maternity Hospital on the St Vincent’s University Hospital campus in Dublin. In addition, HSE Mid-West are progressing plans for six-bed Perinatal Mental Health Unit on the St Joseph’s Hospital campus in Limerick.
As Minister I am determined to drive progress to redevelop six priority Acute Mental Health Units in 2026 to provide an improved therapeutic and recovery-focused environment for people admitted for mental health treatment. This includes new and upgraded facilities in Waterford, Roscommon, Cork, North Dublin, Kildare and South Dublin.
Funding has also been allocated to progress the development of new departments of psychiatry for Cavan General Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny.
A new 10-bed specialist Community Mental Health Unit has been included in the plan for Wexford to provide intensive short stay care and treatment to people experiencing mental health difficulties in the county.
The investment for 2026 is the first tranche of funding to be allocated from an overall total of €470m earmarked for mental health projects in the National Development Plan 2026-2030.
A 10-year Capital Plan for Mental Health will be published this year which will set out a strategic investment plan to maximise the unprecedented level of investment in the mental health capital estate.
As your question relates to an operational issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to you.
Information and Communications Technology
Ceisteanna (48)
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Ceist:48. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the timeline for full implementation of the digital and data-driven reforms outlined in the Waiting Time Action Plan 2026, including virtual engagement, electronic referral systems and AI-supported waiting list management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17543/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I published the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) for 2026 on January 30th, as part of this Government’s ongoing commitment to improving access to hospital care and sustainably reducing waiting times for patients. Progressing this objective will require the health service to deliver more core activity through improved productivity and efficiencies, through ongoing reform and new enabling supports, and through targeted additional capacity.
The WTAP sets out six overarching and interconnected targets, which will be achieved through the delivery of 36 actions under the themes of “Reforming Planned Care”, “Enabling Planned Care” and “Capacity Optimisation”.
The Enabling Planned Care theme encompasses 11 actions focused on a number of digital and enabling technologies and tools that will support and facilitate the longer-term reform of waiting lists. This includes a range of initiatives such as: the further implementation of the endoscopy reporting system and further roll out of endoscopy electronic referral system; continued expansion of virtually-based patient engagement; further implementation of Artificial Intelligence and automation processes to support the management of certain aspects of waiting lists; use of data mining solutions to improve capacity utilisation; continuing to embed enhanced data visualisation dashboards across hospitals and Health Regions to improve productivity and performance oversight and further roll out of features within the HSE Health App to support waiting list management.
All of these digital initiatives are part of a wider programme of work to implement the Digital for Care strategic framework that provides the roadmap for how we plan to reform and modernise the health service by leveraging digital solutions.
As the WLAP was only published at the end of January its still to early to report progress on specific initiatives such as listed by the deputy but we can report that in relation to 'virtual engagement' the acute virtual ward in Galway is now live, meaning we have at least one SVW in all six health regions, virtual engagement, in relation to 'electronic referral systems' the HSE continue to exploit this capability to eliminate paper process and more important speed up the waiting list process through the sue of electronic referrals. In relation to AI-supported waiting list management, this capability is being expanded into all hospitals as an effective means of streamlining processes and removing unnecessary manual interventions that can lead to avoidable delays.
With the 2026 WTAP, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual Action Plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
The implementation of the WTAP 2026 will be overseen by the Waiting List Task Force, which is co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and the CEO of the HSE. Effective oversight, through this governance structure, will help to reduce waiting times and bring us closer to having a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
Hospital Investigations
Ceisteanna (49, 90)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:49. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she agrees that affected families should lead in drafting the terms of reference for the statutory inquiry into spinal care at Children’s Health Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17738/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:90. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when the statutory inquiry into spinal care at Children’s Health Ireland will begin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17737/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 90 together.
The Government agreed on 18th November 2025 to a statutory public inquiry into matters at Children's Health Ireland. The Government also agreed to the appointment of a facilitator, as an initial step to consult with stakeholders on scoping the content of potential terms of reference for an inquiry.
I have appointed Mr Remy Farrell SC as the facilitator to conduct this scoping exercise. On the Attorney General's recommendation , Mr Farrell was appointed due to his appropriate stature, experience and willingness to undertake this role.
He commenced his work on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 and the exercise will run for up to 16 weeks. The scoping exercise is to consider the existing information, consult with stakeholders, seek to avoid duplication with other relevant reports or other statutory processes and to make recommendations regarding the scope, breadth and format of an inquiry, and the content of potential terms of reference.
Mr Farrell is a high respected Senior Counsel with extensive experiences in sensitive and complex matters. He will lead a structured programme of engagement designed to ensure that the voices of families are central to this process. While Mr Farrell is known for his expertise in complex legal matters, what is most needed here is his ability to approach sensitive issues with humanity and respect.
I have met with and listened to many families and children who have been affected by issues in the delivery of spina bifida and complex scoliosis services and I want to ensure them that their voices are being heard. I encourage the families to engage meaningfully with the scoping exercise, as their experiences, insights and perspectives are essential to shaping an inquiry that genuinely reflects their needs.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (50)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:50. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health when the primary care health centre in Dundalk is expected to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17608/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.