Written Answers Nos. 306-324
306. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the number of employees in her Department at the end of December 2025, broken down by grade, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22867/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following is the number of staff that were employed in the Department at the end of December 2025 by grade.
|
Grade |
Head count |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
6 |
|
Principal Officer |
46 |
|
Assistant Principal |
144 |
|
Administrative Officer |
99 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
87 |
|
Executive Officer |
148 |
|
Clerical Officer |
91 |
|
Services Officer |
3 |
|
Special Advisers to Minister and Minister of State |
4 |
|
Total |
629 |
307. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of employees in each of the agencies under her Department's remit at the end of December 2025, broken down by grade, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22889/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the Department’s officials have asked the agencies to respond directly to you on this matter.
308. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is considering any measures to address the lack of childcare places available in towns and villages such as Portumna, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22914/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 25% from the 2021/22 programme year. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the third programme year (2024/25), the allocation for Core Funding allowed for a 6% increase in capacity. Budget 2025 secured funding for the fourth programme year (2025/6) to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year (2026/7) for a further expansion in supply of 4.2%.
This increased investment will allow increases in the natural growth of the sector driven both by new services joining the sector and existing services offering more places and/or longer hours to families.
The total allocation for Core Funding in 2026/2027 programme year will increase to €436.54 million, an additional €43.90 million on the current full year allocation.
The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner Services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises. The Scheme will deliver up to 1,500 full-day care places for 1- to 3-year-olds.
Following on from the success of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, a further Building Blocks scheme will open for applications in 2026. This round of capital funding will focus on funding extensions to existing premises to allow for increased numbers of children to be offered places on a full-time basis. Community and private providers who are currently Core Funding partner services will be eligible to apply for this scheme. I expect to announce details of the next Building Blocks scheme in the coming weeks.
Separately, I recently announced €135 million of capital investment over the coming five years for State-led services to provide high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative.
One of the capital programme's stated objectives is to improve accessibility in rural areas where early learning and childcare supply is not meeting demand.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
The Department also funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance. The contact details for the Galway County Childcare Committee may be found at: www.galwaychildcare.com/
309. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the review of childminding regulations will take place. [22967/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla.
The childminding-specific Regulations are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. The regulations differ substantially from regulations for centre-based childcare.
Childminders were consulted on and involved in all aspects of the development of the regulations. Both the Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, and the Advisory Groups that have supported it, have included childminders, as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland.
The 2024 Act, under which the timeframes are established, provides for a transition period of three years, to September 2027, before registration becomes mandatory. This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
The Department has committed to undertake a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations during the transition period. The review will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders. The review will provide an important opportunity to learn lessons from initial experiences with the regulations.
As I have said previously, the review will commence as early as possible in 2026. The timing of the review is crucial. In addition to hearing from childminders who have not yet registered, it is important that the review adequately captures, and benefits from, the experiences of those who have registered and been through the registration process and who have operated within the new Regulations.
The Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, which includes individual childminders as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland, met on Tuesday evening (24 March), when they reviewed a new Communications Plan devised to strengthen engagement and registration of childminders.
The Steering Group also reviewed plans for the Review of the Initial Implementation of the Childminding Regulations, which we hope to commence shortly.
310. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she will take to ensure a child (details supplied) has a place in afterschool services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23055/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 25% from the 2021/22 programme year.
This is particularly the case with school age childcare services. Estimated enrolments in school-age childcare, based on Sector Profile data, have grown by 77% over the last three years.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the third programme year (2024/25), the allocation for Core Funding allowed for a 6% increase in capacity. Budget 2025 secured funding for the fourth programme year (2025/6) to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year (2026/7) for a further expansion in supply of 4.2%.
This increased investment will allow increases in the natural growth of the sector driven both by new services joining the sector and existing services offering more places and/or longer hours to families.
The total allocation for Core Funding in 2026/2027 programme year will increase to €436.54 million, an additional €43.90 million on the current full year allocation.
I recently announced €135 million of capital investment over the coming five years for State-led services to provide high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030.
The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government. The initial approach is on purchasing and refurbishment of buildings given that this is a faster route to delivery in the short term. However, the option of building new facilities will also be considered over subsequent years.
The Department is assessing sites and buildings which align with the goals of the programme and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.
The Department also funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance. Contact details for the Waterford Childcare Committee may be found at: cccw.ie
311. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to reopen the building blocks extension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23062/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe revised National Development Plan has allocated €197 million for capital investment in early learning and childcare over the next five years. This funding will be used in part to provide additional early learning and childcare places through future capital programmes, which will primarily focus on implementing the commitment to capital investment in State-owned early learning and childcare facilities, in addition to further investment in supports for the expansion of existing providers as well as other initiatives to support the quality of provision.
The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme 2025 is currently in operation.
Following on from the success of this scheme, a further Building Blocks scheme will open for applications in 2026. This round of capital funding will focus on funding extensions to existing premises to allow for increased numbers of children to be offered places on a full-time basis. Community and private providers who are currently Core Funding partner services will be eligible to apply for this scheme.
I expect to announce details of the next Building Blocks scheme in the coming weeks.
Separately, the Department is embarking on programme of capital investment in State-led early learning and childcare which will make investment in buildings to support the expansion of full day places, particularly for young children. This investment will constitute purchase and/or fit out of buildings depending on the specifics of particular projects. Details of this programme were announced by the Department on 21st January.
312. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the options available to support a person (details supplied) who has significant communication needs and unique academic abilities; if funding for a bespoke education or learning support package can be accessed through the fund for students with disabilities or any other scheme; the process by which such supports may be applied for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23063/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Education and Youth.
313. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the main policy achievements of her Department since 22 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23070/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
314. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant psychiatrist at CAMHS, Marino, Dublin 3; and the average waiting time for same. [22771/26]
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.
315. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the cohort of women who are unable to take HRT due to a history of breast cancer, but for whom the drug veoza provides essential relief from vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause; if she will consider the inclusion of veoza in the drug payment scheme (DPS) as some women are being forced to abandon its usage given the prohibitive cost on top of the DPS payments they incur monthly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22497/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
316. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Health if she will address the ongoing concerns regarding the availability, accessibility, and adequacy of endometriosis services for women in County Louth; the actions her Department is taking to improve diagnosis, specialist access and treatment capacity for women in Louth who are disproportionately affected by delays in women’s healthcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22509/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 18 October 2025, I launched the National Framework for the management of Endometriosis. The Framework sets out for the first time in Ireland a defined clinical pathway for women with endometriosis, which spans primary to secondary care to specialist complex care in tertiary settings.
Central to the Model of Care is the principle of presumed diagnosis, proposing that a woman presenting with symptoms should be treated on the presumption that she has endometriosis.
This model acknowledges that women are the most reliable narrators of their own symptoms and pain and reduces delays in the management of symptoms as well as the overall impact of this disease.
Funding of over €5 million was invested in endometriosis services between 2021 and 2025.
Two supra-regional specialist centres, in Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) and Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), have been established for the management of complex endometriosis cases.
Regional Specialist Centres for moderate cases have been established in the Rotunda, the Coombe, and Limerick, with clinics under further development in Galway and the National Maternity Hospital. All endometriosis sites are operational and taking referrals.
As Louth is part of the HSE Dublin and North East Region, endometriosis referrals from regional gynaecology services in Louth would be directed to the Rotunda’s regional specialist centre in the first instance, and then onwards to Tallaght’s supra regional specialist centre for more complex cases if required.
In addition to the implementation of the Framework, I also mandated several actions to expedite access to care for women impacted by endometriosis. Significant progress has already been made:
• The HSE carried out over 140 additional surgeries in Q4 2025 for women waiting for surgery.
• An additional colorectal surgeon has been successfully recruited by the HSE in CUMH and is being actively recruited for TUH.
• The HSE Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme was opened on 18 October 2025.
• I have written to all GPs, consultants and other clinicians to raise awareness of endometriosis.
• A national campaign around menstrual health is in development, including endometriosis.
• An Endometriosis Advisory Group has been established, which includes patient advocates. This group held their first meeting on 30 October 2025 and is meeting on an ongoing basis.
• €2 million in funding has been provided for research into all aspects of women’s health, but particularly for projects on endometriosis.
• Two education officers have been engaged to deliver the comprehensive MISE (Menstrual Information Specialising in Endometriosis) programme which aims to educate people, particularly in schools, sports clubs and workplaces, on menstrual health, with a specific focus on endometriosis.
The HSE’s budget for 2026 will be €27.4 billion, an increase of 6.2% on 2025. This investment will enable expansion and improvement in our health services, including endometriosis services through the HSE National Services Plan (NSP). The HSE NSP for 2026 has prioritised the implementation of the National Framework for the management of Endometriosis.
Women affected by endometriosis may also be waiting on general gynaecology waiting lists. Waiting times have decreased significantly following the introduction of the multi-annual Waiting List Action Plan approach in September 2021. In February 2026, 77% of women were waiting less than six months for a gynaecology outpatient appointment in comparison to 55% in September 2021. This is despite overall general gynaecology referrals more than doubling from just over 50,000 in 2020 to almost 110,000 in 2025.
Louth’s outpatient gynaecology waiting list has also reduced by 27% since September 2021.
317. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review correspondence (details supplied); if she will address the concerns raised in relation to access to appropriate mental health supports and services; if she will provide an update on the referral made to mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22525/26]
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.
318. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health when a response to a query of 9 March 2026 will be issued concerning a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22527/26]
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.
319. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the help available for people who are recovering from drug addiction and receive methadone and need complex and critical dental treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22535/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
320. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health if the HSE are aware of the risks to dental health from the use of methadone; the steps she is taking to address the issue; and the steps she is taking to ensure patients are well informed when choosing a treatment plan. [22536/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
321. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the specific steps are being taken to ensure the HSE recognises the “time-critical” nature of Friedreich’s ataxia during the current price negotiations for skyclarys; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22549/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra366. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health the status of her Department's plans regarding reimbursement of a medication for a rare, progressive neurological condition (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22734/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 366 together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices, therefore, I have asked the HSE for an update on this matter.
The HSE has advised that it is committed to providing access to as many medicines as possible, in as timely a fashion as possible, from the resources available (provided) to it.
The HSE robustly assesses applications for pricing and reimbursement to make sure that it can stretch available resources as far as possible and to deliver the best value in relation to each medicine and ultimately more medicines to Irish citizens and patients.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds.
There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and / or reimbursed.
The HSE considers the following criteria prior to making any decision on pricing / reimbursement, in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013:
(1) The health needs of the public,
(2) The cost effectiveness of meeting health needs by supplying the item concerned rather than providing other health services,
(3) The availability and suitability of items for supply or reimbursement,
(4) The proposed costs, benefits, and risks of the item or listed item relative to therapeutically similar items or listed items provided in other health service settings and the level of certainty in relation to the evidence of those costs, benefits and risks,
(5) The potential or actual budget impact of the item or listed item,
(6) The clinical need for the item or listed item,
(7) The appropriate level of clinical supervision required in relation to the item to ensure patient safety,
(8) The efficacy (performance in trial), effectiveness (performance in real situations) and added therapeutic benefit against existing standards of treatment (how much better it treats a condition than existing therapies) and,
(9) The resources available to the HSE.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of omaveloxolone (Skyclarys®):
The HSE received an application for pricing and reimbursement of omaveloxolone (Skyclarys®) on the 1st August 2024 from Biogen Idec (Ireland) Limited (the applicant) for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older.
• The first step in the process is the submission of a Rapid Review dossier (a clinical and economic dossier) to the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) for assessment. The HSE commissioned the Rapid Review process on the 2nd August 2024.
• The NCPE Rapid Review assessment report was received by the HSE on the 29th August 2024. The NCPE advised the HSE that a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) was recommended to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of omaveloxolone compared with the current standard of care.
• The HSE commissioned a full HTA on the 25th September 2024 as per agreed processes.
• A completed HTA was not submitted by the company until the 2nd July 2025.
• The NCPE HTA Report was received by the HSE on the 16th December 2025 which included Patient Organisation submissions from Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) Ireland and Neuroataxia CLG t/a Ataxia Foundation Ireland about omaveloxolone(Skyclarys®).These submissions will form part of the data that the HSE considers.
• The HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications.
• The HSE have advised that they have met with the applicant and await a commercial proposal at this juncture.
• The Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The membership of the HSE Drugs Group includes public interest members. Pharmacoeconomic reports are reviewed by the HSE Drugs Group along with the outputs of commercial negotiations, and any patient group submission(s) received. The HSE Drugs Group considers all of the evidence and makes a recommendation to the HSE Senior Leadership Team.
• The decision making authority in the HSE is the HSE Senior Leadership Team. The HSE Senior Leadership Team decides on the basis of all the demands it is faced with (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new use of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
This application remains under consideration with the HSE. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
322. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health the way in which the commitments in the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025–2030 and the 2026 IPHA Framework Agreement particularly the 180-day decision timeline is being applied to the case to prevent further delay in addressing the need of people with Friedreich’s ataxia. [22550/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTwo new Framework Agreements with Medicines for Ireland (MFI) and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) on the supply and pricing of medicines (FASPM) have been successfully concluded following extensive engagement and negotiation with the pharmaceutical sector.
The Agreements will enable faster access to new innovative medicines for patients. They also reflect the Government’s commitment to ensuring security of supply for essential medicines, reducing the risk of medicine shortages for patients while safeguarding the sustainability of the health services.
The Agreements benefit patients by ensuring a commitment and a structured process towards achieving a 180-day timeline for completing pricing and reimbursement decisions for medicines, accelerating patient access to new treatments. This will mean that, by Q1 2029, the HSE will make decisions on medicine reimbursement applications within 180 days net.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE), through its Senior Leadership Team has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed are made on objective, scientific, and economic grounds. There are formal processes that govern pricing and reimbursement applications for medicines and new uses of existing medicines. The HSE considers all criteria outlined in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 before making any decision on pricing/reimbursement.
In respect of Friedreich’s ataxia specifically, the HSE has received an application for Skyclarys (omaveloxolone). The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics Ireland (NCPE) has completed a Health Technology Assessment (HTA), following which the HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) has commenced commercial engagements with the applicant.
The HTA and the output of commercial negotiations along with patient group submissions received will be considered by the HSE in line with the 2013 Act.
The National Rare Diseases Strategy 2025-2030 was published by the Minister for Health in August 2025.
An Implementation Oversight Group has been launched to progress the recommendations of the National Rare Diseases Strategy. It began meeting in February 2026 to commence work-planning for the Strategy’s 11 recommendations.
Under the new FASPM, the State and the pharmaceutical sector have also agreed to develop a future strategic partnership which will support the development of a piloted early access programme for new medicines for rare diseases in line with Programme for Government commitments. Research and scoping work is underway in the Department to support the development of a pilot programme in this regard.
323. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the barriers currently faced by patients in Ireland living with lipoedema, including the absence of a published national HSE care pathway, limited access to conservative management such as compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage, and delays or difficulties accessing treatment through the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive; the steps her Department and the HSE are taking to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22557/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE working group established in 2023 to develop a national care pathway for lipoedema has completed its work; when the pathway is expected to be published; and whether patient advocacy organisations (details supplied) will be included in the development and implementation of this pathway. [22558/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 324 together.
As the matter(s) raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
