Written Answers Nos. 468-491
468. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to expedite the minor injuries unit for Killarney, County Kerry; when it will open to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23308/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
469. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to expedite the primary care unit for Killarney, County Kerry; when works will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23309/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
470. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to expedite the primary care unit for Cahersiveen, County Kerry; when works will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23310/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
471. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health when the new Killarney Community Hospital in County Kerry will be fully operational; the number of staff that will be employed there; the number of additional beds that will be available in the new Community Hospital; the total cost of this facility; the projected running costs going forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23311/26]
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.
472. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for right heart catheterization procedures in the Mater Hospital Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23334/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt 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 reducing waiting times for patients.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach was implemented in September 2021 to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
With the 2026 plan, 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.
National waiting list information by hospital, specialty, and time band is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: https://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.
The specific information requested by the Deputy which is not readily available on the NTPF website is set out in the attached spreadsheet.
473. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the number of schools currently registered under the Medicines for Listed Organisations framework to hold emergency medicines such as adrenaline auto-injectors for the treatment of severe allergic reactions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23373/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Emergency Medicines section of the HPRA website https://www.hpra.ie/regulation/human-medicine/patients-and-healthcare-professionals/emergency-medicines/emergency-medicines-register?data=eyJpZCI6bnVsbCwic2tpcCI6MCwidGFrZSI6MTAsInF1ZXJ5IjpudWxsLCJvcmRlciI6bnVsbH0%3D provides an overview of the legislative provisions that allow for supply and use of certain medicines to save a life or reduce distress in an emergency, sometimes referred to as ‘emergency medicines’. The overview includes information on the legislation underpinning supply and use of emergency medicines, details of the medicines within scope, and the roles of the relevant regulators. An organisation that wishes to procure an emergency medicine must notify the HPRA of its intention to do so, prior to the first such procurement. An organisation that provides the HPRA with a valid notification of its intention to procure an emergency medicine may be added to the list maintained by the HPRA and, if added, is referred to as a ‘listed organisation’. In accordance with the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015 [(SI 449/2015) ]https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/si/449/made/en/print, the HPRA publishes the list of listed organisations on its website https://www.hpra.ie/regulation/human-medicine/patients-and-healthcare-professionals/emergency-medicines/emergency-medicines-register?data=eyJpZCI6bnVsbCwic2tpcCI6MCwidGFrZSI6MTAsInF1ZXJ5IjpudWxsLCJvcmRlciI6bnVsbH0%3D . There are currently 74 listed organisations. Based on the information available to the HPRA, eight of these organisations are schools.
474. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed any barriers faced by schools in registering under the Medicines for Listed Organisations framework in order to hold emergency medicines such as adrenaline auto-injectors [23374/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for Department of Education and should be redirected to that Department.
475. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the availability of training for school staff to administer emergency medicines, including adrenaline auto-injectors, in the event of severe allergic reactions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23375/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for Department of Education and should be redirected to that Department.
476. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has considered measures to improve access to spare emergency medicines such as adrenaline auto-injectors in schools for use in cases of suspected but undiagnosed anaphylaxis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23376/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department is engaging with the Department of Education and Youth regarding preparedness in schools to respond to severe allergic reactions and other medical emergencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23377/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 476 and 477 together.
In October 2015, the Minister signed The Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 449/2015) into effect. The regulations empower schools to act swiftly if a serious allergic reaction occurs and allows for the administration of adrenaline for known or suspected anaphylaxis, to be administered by trained members of the public in emergency situations, without the need for a prescription. Of note, there is provision for organisations such as schools and workplaces to store these medications for the administration by a trained person e.g. a teachers or staff members who have completed appropriate training. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland provide guidance on the implementation of this amendment for pharmacists, and the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) has established a course for the education and training of persons to safely and competently administer adrenaline in an emergency. There is a responsibility to ensure that medications are stored and administered safely and appropriately. Those with a known risk of anaphylaxis should carefully follow their doctor’s guidance regarding carrying an adrenaline pen (‘EpiPen’) on person.
478. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2514 of 13 January 2026, to provide an update on the review of the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS); if the review of physician-delivered HEMS has been submitted to the HSE, as per the timeline previously outlined; to provide a timeline for publication (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23414/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly and as soon as possible, with any further pertinent information it may have.
479. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if prescription medications are covered on the medical card and drugs refund scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23415/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 the HSE has sole statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes therefore I have asked the HSE for an update in 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 must robustly assess 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 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.
Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation either by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
The HSE considers the following criteria prior to making any decision on pricing / reimbursement of medicines including GLP-1 medicines of 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.
Medicines are added to the formal Reimbursement List following detailed assessments which include assessment of the clinical evidence, the economic evidence and the budget impact of a decision to reimburse specific indications of a medicine. The Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) of the HSE is required to reimburse in line with approved decisions of the HSE’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The HSE is required to formally assess each medicine and each specific use of such medicines before reimbursing them.
Diabetes is one of the Long-Term Illness (LTI) conditions for which eligible LTI persons can access their medicines to treat their Diabetes free of charge. Patients diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus are entitled to be registered under the LTI Scheme.
Controls are in place within the HSE on claiming processes to ensure that only HSE approved indications are reimbursed across a range of medicines. Controls are currently in place for the Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists to restrict reimbursement support to the HSE approved indication of Diabetes. This includes Ozempic® (semaglutide) and Trulicity® (Dulaglutide). Therefore, these products are not reimbursed under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) and are confined to those persons with full General Medical Services (GMS/Medical Card) and Long-Term Illness (Diabetes Mellitus) eligibility. Ozempic® does not have a licence in the EU for weight loss.
Liraglutide (Saxenda®) 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen is the only product currently approved under Community Drug Schemes (GMS/Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS)) for weight management with a managed access system in place.
In line with the HSE reimbursement approval above, the HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) developed a Managed Access Protocol (MAP for liraglutide (Saxenda®) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adult patients, with an initial BMI of 35 kg/m2 with prediabetes and high-risk for cardiovascular disease.
This MAP outlines the criteria that must be satisfied in order for a patient to be recommended for reimbursement of liraglutide (Saxenda®); further information is available on the MMP website [Managed Access Protocols ]https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/information-healthcare-workers/medicines-management-programme-mmp/managed-access-protocols/.
Clinicians are required to submit an application for reimbursement support of liraglutide (Saxenda®) for their patients through an online application system.
Applications are reviewed by the MMP on a case-by-case basis, and a reimbursement recommendation is communicated back to the clinician or further information may be requested if required.
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) and Wegovy® (semaglutide) are not reimbursable under Community Drug Schemes as they are currently undergoing formal pricing and reimbursement assessments by the HSE.
480. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time in Cork for a hip replacement, by persons waiting six months, one year, two years and three years. [23433/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra481. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time in Cork for knee replacement, by persons waiting six months, one year, two years, three years. [23434/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 481 together.
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 reducing waiting times for patients.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach was implemented in September 2021 to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
With the 2026 plan, 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.
National waiting list information by hospital, specialty, and time band 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.
The specific information requested by the Deputy which is not readily available on the NTPF website is set out in the attached spreadsheets.
It should be noted that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate the average time to treatment of patients who have already received their care. The mean and median average waiting times provided to my Department by the NTPF and set out in the attached, are in respect of how long patients on lists have been waiting.
482. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed in July 2021, 2022 and 2023 in community psychiatry, community psychology and community CAMHS areas in County Cork, by area; and the positions recruited since January 2024 in County Cork in these sectors. [23435/26]
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.
483. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for CAMHS services in County Cork, by area; the average waiting time; and her plans to address this. [23436/26]
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.
484. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of young people on the CAMHS waiting list in Cork City for less than three months, for three to six months; for six to nine months, for nine to 12 months, for 12 to 18 months, for 18 to 24 months and for over 24 months, in tabular form. [23437/26]
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.
485. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in acute mental health wards that are occupied by persons with neurological disorders waiting to access long-term care. [23438/26]
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.
486. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of neurology specialist nurses employed at Cork University Hospital in comparison to the national guidelines; and steps the will take to address this. [23439/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
487. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatrists designated in a full-time capacity to the Carrigaline primary care centre; if there are locums; and her plans to recruit further in this regard. [23440/26]
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.
488. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists designated in a full-time capacity to the Carrigaline primary care centre; if there are locums; and her plans to recruit further in this regard. [23441/26]
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.
489. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists to be seen by a psychiatrist at the Carrigaline primary care centre, by waiting times of three, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively. [23442/26]
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.
490. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists to be seen by a psychologist at the Carrigaline primary care centre, by waiting times of three, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively. [23443/26]
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.
491. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists to be seen by mental health services including CAMHS at the Carrigaline primary care centre, by waiting times of three, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively. [23444/26]
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.
