Aisling Dempsey
Ceist:210. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health her plans for further reductions in the drugs payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28387/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (210)
Freagraí scríofa
The Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) ensures that expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical appliances does not exceed a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. Currently, the DPS threshold is €80, so no individual or family pays more than that a month on approved prescribed medicines or medical appliances. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Consideration of further changes to the DPS threshold will be made in the context of current healthcare priorities and the budget available.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (211)
Shay Brennan
Ceist:211. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms that are in place to ensure that high cost oncology medicines are prescribed in the most cost effective manner without compromising patient outcomes. [28353/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Government is committed to providing timely access to new and innovative medicines to all patients. The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 provides a rigorous process for the assessment of new medicines for reimbursement.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines. This ensures that the right medicines are chosen, and approval is at a sustainable price.
There are a suite of measures in place to ensure that high-cost oncology medicines are prescribed in the most cost-effective manner without compromising patient outcomes.
These measures include online platforms and electronic management systems, such as the HSE PCRS National Drug Management System (NDMS) and the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) Oncology Drug Management System (ODMS), that are designed to ensure that oncology and other high-tech hospital medicines are properly documented and that hospitals are reimbursed accurately by the HSE. Enhancements to these systems are ongoing.
Oncology medicines reimbursed under the High Tech Arrangements are currently being deployed to the High Tech Hub infrastructure. The 1st deployment took place in February 2026 with the next deployment scheduled for May 2026. The High Tech Hub will enhance the oversight of cost-effective prescribing. As an ordering and management function, the High Tech Hub ensures full transparency with prescribing, ordering and supply.
Other supports for cost-effective prescribing in cancer include the increasing availability of biosimilars for certain high-cost oncology biologic medicines, which offer opportunities for significant cost savings. To encourage and support their appropriate use, the HSE has published guidance on the use of biologic and biosimilar medicines in acute hospital settings linked here: assets.hse.ie/media/documents/HSE_Guidance_for_Biologic_and_Biosimilar_Medicines_use_in_Acute_Hospitals.pdf.
The HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) has implemented Managed Access Protocols for certain high-cost oncology medicines, including larotrectinib and entrectinib, aligned with reimbursement criteria.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (212)
Sean Fleming
Ceist:212. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase the number of consultants in emergency medicine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28356/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (213)
John Connolly
Ceist:213. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health whether a design team have been appointed to design the two new blocks to be developed at University Hospital Galway as part of the masterplan project for the site of the hospital; the content and capacity of the new blocks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28220/26]
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.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (214)
Michael Murphy
Ceist:214. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason no waiting list reduction targets have been set for orthodontic assessment and treatment in south Tipperary and the south-east for 2026 and 2027, despite waiting times of up to 82 months; whether she will now commit to introducing clear, time-bound targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23517/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (215)
Séamus McGrath
Ceist:215. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to expand acute bed capacity at Cork University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28380/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (216)
Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin
Ceist:216. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health the reason the CAHMS teams in Wicklow and north Wexford are operating without a full team, noting that Lucena CAHMS is currently staffed between 62-63% and Wexford north currently has vacancies, with one post vacant for eight months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21271/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The current Programme for Government makes several commitments to improving all aspects of youth mental health care, including the specialist HSE CAMHS service.
This has been underpinned by the significant additional funding I have secured for youth mental health over recent years, including under Budget 2026, and the emphasis I have placed on better outcomes for mental health under the agreed HSE Service Plan 2026. The objective of improving access to care, and of reducing waiting lists, is also being progressed in the context of implementation of Sharing the Vision 2020-2030 and the three year HSE Child and Youth Mental Health Action Plan published in February 2025.
I, and the Government, fully appreciate the significant service improvements that have been made by all CAMHS staff over recent times and the real difference that this continues to make for many vulnerable children and their families.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond direct to the Deputy as soon as possible in relation to the operational details sought.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (217)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:217. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the current plans regarding Erkina House, Rathdowney; the future plans the HSE has for the building; the use that is being considered for it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28401/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Ceisteanna (218)
Edward Timmins
Ceist:218. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Health the status of the national treatment purchase fund for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28464/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) continues to support the public hospital system by commissioning treatment for long-waiting patients on acute hospital waiting lists through the Waiting Time Action Plan 2026.
The NTPF has a budget of €200 million for for 2026. With that allocation it has undertaken to deliver 143,000 episodes of patient care; 100,000 OPD appointments, 23,000 IPDC procedures and 20,000 GI Scopes.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (219)
Brian Brennan
Ceist:219. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for progress of the proposed primary health care centre for Gorey, County Wexford; if she will confirm that funding is available to progress this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28456/26]
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.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (220)
Jen Cummins
Ceist:220. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase the number of public health nurses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27853/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Public Health Nurses are employed by the HSE to deliver safe, quality and person-centred community nursing care across a person's life.
As of February 2026, there were 1518 whole time equivalents (WTE) Public Health Nurses employed in the HSE. This is an increase of 26 Public Health Nurses since December 2023.
An additional 26.7 WTE PHN posts provided for in Budget 2025 were recruited through the PHN sponsorship programme for September 2025 with an expected qualification timeframe for August 2026.
Budget 2026 has provided for an additional 3,300 whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff in the Health Service Executive (HSE), with all six Health Regions empowered to utilise resources strategically in a way that meets the needs of their communities. Each Regional Executive Officer will continue to prioritise, recruit and replace staff within their approved number as appropriate, including Public Health Nurses. At the start of this year, two regions, HSE Dublin & North East and HSE Dublin & Midlands advertised for PHN recruitment.
In 2024, to attract more nurses to specialise as Public Health Nurses, existing Nurses who wish to enter the Public Health Nurse Sponsorship Programme can now remain on their current salary scale.
The Public Health Nurse scale was also merged with the Clinical Nurse/Midwife Manager 2 grade along with the extension of the salary scale to one further point and the addition of a Long Service Increment.
These measures have contributed to an increase in the number of applicants to the programme in 2024 and 2025. In addition, over the lifetime of the current Public Service Agreement, public health sector staff, including Public Health Nurses, will receive a pay rise of 9.25%.
This Government remains committed to providing continued investment in the nursing and midwifery workforce and ensuring that public health nursing is available for all patients who need this care as outlined in the Programme for Government.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (221)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:221. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason for the continued failure to open the dementia unit in Heather House, and the crisis building in Cork’s nursing home waiting list. [28232/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received from Department.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (222)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:222. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the reason the Model of Care for Women with Endometriosis has not yet been fully implemented nationwide; the funding and staffing commitments her Department will make in 2026 to ensure equitable access to advanced endometriosis services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28224/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 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.
The Framework provides for the development of a more holistic and comprehensive approach to care for women with endometriosis in Ireland. It outlines a system where women with endometriosis should have ready access to services that are effective, timely and safe, and enable the lowest level of clinical intervention that is required for each woman, at the easiest point of access. Many endometriosis cases can be managed at primary care level in the first instance, while some patients will require additional multi-disciplinary support at secondary care level.
Regional Specialist Centres for moderate cases have been established in the Rotunda Hospital, the Coombe Hospital, and University Hospital Limerick, with clinics under further development in University Hospital Galway and the National Maternity Hospital.
Two supra-regional specialist centres, in Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) and Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), have been established for the management of complex cases.
All endometriosis sites are operational and taking referrals. Additional funding was provided last year to expand these services through the recruitment of more personnel to provide multidisciplinary care at both supra-regional and regional level, including clinical nurse specialists, dietitians, physiotherapists and psychologists.
The HSE has carried out an analysis of the short-term and medium-term requirements to build adequate capacity, improve clinical pathways and increase expertise within our endometriosis services.
The HSE’s budget for 2026 will be €27.4 billion, an increase of 6.2% on 2025, allowing for expansion and improvement in services and the recruitment of 3,300 additional staff. The necessary expansion of endometriosis services is provided for through the National Service Plan.
The HSE has allocated 65 Whole-Time Equivalent (WTE) staff out of the 3,300 additional staff for 2026. The HSE has advised that this recruitment may take up to 18 months.
In addition to 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.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (223)
Martin Daly
Ceist:223. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of GP vacancies in Roscommon-Galway; and the incentives that are in place to recruit and retain GPs in rural communities. [28490/26]
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. Currently there are 2,611 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further 633 GPs do not hold a GMS contract but hold some other contract(s) with the HSE for the delivery of health services.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE put a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care for the area concerned. As of February, there are three GMS vacancies in County Galway and two in County Roscommon.
Work is ongoing to increase the number of GPs practicing across the country and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients.
Over €340 million in additional annual investment in general practice has been provided under the 2019 and 2023 GP GMS Agreements. 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.
GMS GPs working in rural areas who meet the qualifying criteria receive an annual rural practice support allowance under the Rural Practice Support Framework. The 2019 GP Agreement increased this practice support package for rural GP practices by 10%. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking. In addition, a new locum support initiative commenced in May last year, providing GPs in receipt of rural practice supports with access to a streamlined locum sourcing service.
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. Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme which targets the placement of IMG GPs to rural and underserved areas.
Lastly, it is worth noting that a Strategic Review of General Practice is underway. The review, with input from key stakeholders, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice, including issues related to GP capacity, and will consider possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to rural and underserved areas. Following its completion, a final report will be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.
Cancer Services
Ceisteanna (224)
Louis O'Hara
Ceist:224. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health her plans to improve cancer care in the west of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28154/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Cancer Services
Ceisteanna (225)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:225. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health her plans to address infrastructure and capacity deficits for cancer services as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28468/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatments.
This Government has invested more than €105m in cancer services under the National Cancer Strategy, including €23 million in 2025. Over 670 staff have been recruited to cancer services under the current strategy. State of the art radiation oncology centres opened in Cork and Galway in 2019 and 2023 respectively, representing €120 million capital investment.
Under 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. This programme will replace linear accelerators at St Luke's that were installed between 2008 and 2016. 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.
Significant Government investment is being provided to expand healthcare education provision from 2025–2026 as a key part of addressing future supply of healthcare professionals and ensuring Ireland can meet growing healthcare needs.
Department of Health officials engage on an ongoing basis with colleagues in the HSE, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we train enough graduates with the skills necessary to support the delivery of health and social care services and to develop a strategic approach to workforce planning for the health sector.
In November 2025, I published the Department of Health’s [Sectoral Plan for 2026-2030] under the National Development Plan (NDP). The Sectoral Plan sets out infrastructure investment priorities for the next five years, building on a strong track record of delivery to support the provision of equitable, accessible and high-quality healthcare across Ireland.
This includes planned investment in cancer care infrastructure and in 2026, we will:
• Support the commitment in the Programme for Government, as set out in the National Development Plan 2021–2030, for the development of cancer centres, including Galway, to enhance services in the West and Northwest region.
• Submit planning permission for the Oncology Day Unit at Cavan General Hospital, and progress the design of units at Tallaght University Hospital, Kerry University Hospital, and the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore.
• Continue to support the development of Aseptic Compounding Units at Cork University Hospital and Cavan General Hospital.
• Progress the design of a new Aseptic Compounding Unit at Mayo University Hospital and proceed to tender for a unit at Letterkenny University Hospital.
• Advance the Shared Island co-funded Daisy Lodge paediatric cancer care respite project in Mayo, which is due to commence on site in 2026.
• Progress national cancer infrastructure planning for oncology day wards, inpatient oncology, cancer diagnostics, and outreach and community cancer service delivery, consistent with Sláintecare and the National Cancer Strategy.
•
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (226)
Catherine Ardagh
Ceist:226. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health her strategy for the delivery of primary care centres in rural areas and in deprived urban communities, with the objective of improving GP recruitment and retention in those locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28354/26]
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.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (227)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:227. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health when the review into GP services will conclude; and if the HSE will retender the SLA for Cork out of hours service on its conclusion. [28231/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health with support from the HSE is currently undertaking a Strategic Review of General Practice. Significant progress has been made under the review, and the review is to be completed this year. Following its completion, a report will be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice into the future.
The review is examining the range of issues affecting general practice, focused around five themes: GP Training, GP Capacity, the eHealth Agenda, Out of Hours Reform, and the Support Model for General Practice.
GPs contracted under the GMS scheme are required by their contract to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them for urgent GP care outside of normal practice hours. Most GPs participate in GP out of hours co-operatives as a means of meeting this contractual requirement.
Although the HSE provides funding to support out of hours co-operative services through service level agreements (SLAs), GP out of hours co-operatives are private organisations. South-West Doctor-on-Call Limited, known as SouthDoc, provides out of hours GP services for Counties Cork and Kerry.
Out of hours services are a function of the GP GMS contract, ensuring an effective and integrated service approach across daytime and out of hours GP services. The strategic review will provide an assessment of the challenges affecting general practice and will make recommendations for a more sustainable general practice model, including in relation to out of hours GP services, as part of a primary care focused health service and in line with the Sláintecare vision on access. Following the completion of the review and the report being presented to me, the report will be subsequently published.
Food Labelling
Ceisteanna (228)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:228. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her Department plans to tighten regulations on food labelling in light of recent exposes showing widespread mislabelling of foreign produce as Irish either on the packaging or on the shelf labels in supermarkets in Ireland. [19983/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The overarching legislative framework for food information to consumers is Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC). Under this EU Regulation, the general rule is that the indication of the country of origin or place of provenance is mandatory where failure to indicate this might mislead the consumer as to the true country of origin or place of provenance of the food.
Where a food label provides any suggestion or indication of the origin of the food, then country of origin rules apply. Origin information can be indicated on a label by statements/words, pictures (map, scene), symbols (flags), words/terms or colours/designs that refer to a geographical origin. Where the country of origin or place of provenance rules apply, it is the responsibility of the food business operator to ensure that the information that is provided on the label is accurate, clear and easy to understand for the consumer. This applies to food which is prepacked for the final consumer and to food which is being sold as a food ingredient to other food business.
All EU legislation in the area of food labelling is harmonised at EU level, meaning that the same rules and standards apply across all Member States. This harmonisation ensures consistency and transparency for consumers, facilitates trade within the single market, and helps prevent misleading practices by setting clear requirements for labelling and country of origin information. National authorities are responsible for implementing and enforcing these harmonised regulations in their respective countries.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has statutory responsibility for the enforcement of food legislation in Ireland under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998, which covers the labelling of foods.
Enforcement is carried out primarily through service contracts with official agencies acting on behalf of the FSAI. These include the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA).
Compliance with food labelling requirements is verified through routine inspections and targeted official controls carried out by the official agencies.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (229)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:229. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will meet with an organisation (details supplied); and if she will outline the HSE's plans in relation to treatments for early onset Parkinson's disease. [28489/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My officials have met with representatives of the group referred to by the Deputy who raised some important issues facing younger people diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Advocacy organisations like the group referred to by the Deputy play a crucial role in supporting people living with long term neurological conditions and I endeavour to meet with groups like these where possible. As the other part of the question relates to HSE planning, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.