Written Answers Nos. 874-894
874. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the status of an application submitted in January 2026 (details supplied) under the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28583/26]
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.
875. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person will be examined (details supplied); if a hospital appointment will be expedited. [28584/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
876. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if she will outline the engagements her Department has had with professional bodies representing athletic therapists who have approached her Department seeking regulation; the process by which professions not designated under existing regulatory frameworks can obtain statutory regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28626/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, work is ongoing in my department to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future. The framework will modernise our approach to professional regulation both in terms of how decisions are made regarding professional regulation and the ways in which we regulate professions. The framework will be informed by an evidence and risk-based approach to regulation in line with requirements set out in the EU Proportionality Test Directive.
The issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex and this is therefore a significant project requiring considerable research and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
It should be noted that statutory regulation forms a part of a system of assurance that the Department utilises to mitigate risk posed to the public by the practise of health and social care professions. Many professions employed in the health service, including in the HSE and the publicly funded sector, are not subject to statutory regulation. For example, audiologists, clinical measurement physiologists, medical physicists, play therapists and play specialists, and perfusionists are among the non-regulated groups which are currently employed by the HSE.
Regulation of additional individual professions, including athletic therapists, is not planned until the risk-based assessment framework is place in compliance with best practice, international evidence, and the Proportionality Test Directive. Once the framework is in place, professions will then be assessed. Work to develop the framework and to assess professions is likely to take a number of years.
My officials have met with the professional body representing athletic therapists (Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI)) on a number of occasions. Officials also attended the World Federation of Athletic Therapy and Training’s World Congress in October 2025. Officials are currently engaging with relevant stakeholders regarding the development of the framework. In that context, ARTI and other professional bodies representing unregulated professions attended a workshop in the Department of Health in March of this year.
877. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she can urgently intervene in a case (details supplied) and, in light of the circumstances, allow for urgent dental treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28627/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
878. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive has conducted a formal public health risk assessment regarding repeated exceedances of manganese levels in drinking water in Cork city; and if she will provide the findings of any such assessment. [28638/26]
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.
879. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive has established any clinical monitoring, surveillance, or screening measures for populations potentially exposed to elevated manganese levels in drinking water in Cork city, particularly in relation to neurological impacts in children; and if so, to detail same. [28639/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
880. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive has issued any formal public health guidance or advisories in relation to manganese exposure in drinking water beyond general discolouration advice; and if she will provide copies of all such guidance. [28640/26]
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.
881. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive has assessed the adequacy of current public information advising that “clear water is safe to drink” in circumstances where clear water samples have exceeded EU and WHO manganese thresholds; and if any revisions to public health messaging are under consideration. [28641/26]
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
882. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive has determined any threshold or criteria under which a “Do Not Consume” notice should be issued in relation to manganese contamination in drinking water; and if she will outline the decision-making framework applied. [28642/26]
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.
883. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive has engaged in formal correspondence with any public bodies regarding concerns about manganese exposure in Cork drinking water since 2024; and if she will provide details of such correspondence and any recommendations made. [28643/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
884. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive maintains a national dataset of exceedances of heavy metals, including manganese, in drinking water and associated public health responses; and if she will provide the most recent available data. [28644/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
885. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28660/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being collated and will be issued to the Deputy as soon as possible.
886. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 423 of 5 February 2026, the status of an application for pricing and reimbursement (details supplied); if the HSE is still considering this application; the projected timeline for a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28668/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra887. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 885 of 24 March 2026, if the remit of the external expert panel can be expanded should systemic issues become evident during the course of their work (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28670/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
888. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 884 of 24 March 2026, to clarify which body is responsible for preparing and assembling case materials for the external expert panel (details supplied); if this function sits with Children’s Health Ireland, the HSE or another body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28671/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
889. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 884 of 24 March 2026, if the external expert panel has the ability to request or obtain additional clinical records, imaging or documentation beyond the materials assembled in advance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28672/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
890. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to respond to a concern regarding reviews into paediatric orthopaedics (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28673/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile phase one of the Nayagam Review focused on a risk assessment of the practice of an individual Consultant, phase two is a much wider review of the Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Service at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) and other specified Dublin hospitals. This includes a review of the governance, systems, processes, capacity and access to that service, and will provide insight into clinical decision-making across paediatric orthopaedics.
The HSE CEO has established the National Oversight Improvement Steering Group for CHI to co-ordinate oversight of the range of matters of focus in CHI, including the implementation of recommendations from completed reviews and upcoming reports, including the Nayagam review.
The Government has also agreed to a statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services. Mr Remy Farrell has been appointed as the facilitator to consult with stakeholders on scoping the content of potential terms of reference for this inquiry. The scoping exercise has commenced and when complete, further Government approval will be sought for the final terms of reference. This inquiry will also form part of the wider reflection on paediatric services in CHI.
891. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the full sequence of hip-related interventions is assessed as a single clinical pathway, or only as separate procedure-specific reviews (details supplied); if so, the person or body that holds responsibility for ensuring that such end-to-end oversight occurs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28674/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
892. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the date on which she anticipates the new National Children's Hospital to be substantially completed by; if she or her officials have been notified by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board of a further delay in completion; and if she has communicated with the delivery contractor in March and or April 2026. [28687/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOpening the National Children’s Hospital Ireland (NCHI) is a Government priority. Everything possible is being done to ensure this world-class hospital will open as quickly as possible, on behalf of children, young people, and their families.
The Minister for Health has been clear that the responsibility for committing to, resourcing, and delivering this project sits squarely with BAM Ireland, and the State will not reduce the pressure or dilute that accountability. The State cannot accept a hospital that is not completed to the correct standards.
In February 2026, BAM submitted a programme of works, with a Substantial Completion date of 30 April 2026. While initially deemed compliant with the contract by the Employer’s Representative, the independent body responsible for administering the contract, it was ultimately found to be non-compliant, as BAM Ireland failed to deliver works as committed.
On 24 March, BAM informally advised the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) that it expects to meet the substantial completion “standard” by 30 April but with some exceptions to areas and operational systems. Crucially this does not represent substantial completion as BAM had previously committed to achieve by that date. This will be the 19th time BAM has shifted its Substantial Completion date over the last 6 years.
On 27 March, the Employer’s Representative (the independent third party responsible for administering the contract), requested BAM to submit a new programme. The NPHDB has advised that this has yet to be provided by the contractor.
Achieving Substantial Completion is essentially a ‘volume exercise,’ to complete over 5,700 rooms. To date, 3,118 of 5,728 rooms have reached the contract standard (c.54%). If BAM Ireland continually misses its room completion targets, then it is clear that it needs to increase resources to turn that slippage around.
In February 2026, the Minister for Health wrote to the Chair of the Supervisory Board of Royal BAM Group nv (the Dutch parent company of BAM Ireland) stating that the continued delays are unacceptable and unequivocally setting out the urgent need to deliver and resource the project as it had committed. In March, the Minister again wrote to the Royal BAM Group nv requesting a meeting without delay to discuss how and when BAM Ireland intends to complete this critical project.
On 13 March, the Minister, with HSE and NPHDB officials, met with senior representatives from Royal BAM Group nv including CEO Ruud Joosten. BAM committed to increasing resources on site and across contractors, and to provide clarity on early-access dates previously promised to CHI.
On 31 March, the Minister again met Senior BAM UK and Ireland executives at the site, reaffirming the State’s position, seeking a realistic update on when the previously promised clarity on when CHI will get access to the Hot Block (which includes critical care and theatres) and increased resources to complete the building. During the visit to the site, the Minister expressed her dissatisfaction of the visible lack of resources on site.
On 8 April, the Minister wrote to Royal BAM Group nv again, seeking an update on both when early access to the Hot Block will be provided and how and when BAM Ireland will be increasing resources on site. The Minister has yet to receive a satisfactory response.
The project is close to completion, but what is needed now is certainty, productivity, and delivery from BAM.
893. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health if any service providers in Meath west have submitted Disability Support Management Advisory Team forms to the HSE. [28709/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
894. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health the reason there are currently no community cancer support centres based in Meath; and when will one be delivered. [28710/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 recognises cancer support centres as a valuable resource, providing access to support to cancer patients and their families outside of the acute care setting. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) works closely with a network of Community Cancer Support Centres, particularly in regard to the psycho-oncology models of care and the implementation of survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer.
Community Cancer Support Centres (CCSCs) are voluntary and charity organisations delivering services directly to cancer patients and their families that emphasise the importance of quality of life during and after cancer treatment. These services can be availed of free of charge and in local communities. The NCCP Revised Best Practice Guidance for CCSCs was published in March 2022.
The NCCP Alliance of CCSCs was also established in 2022. The NCCP Alliance is a HSE initiative which aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services. This programme promotes participation in capacity-building activities and communication and networking forums aimed at ensuring that community-based cancer support services are integrated.
The NCCP operates an activity-based funding model for organisations who have joined the NCCP Alliance. Additional funding of €5.5 million was allocated in 2026, which supports members of the NCCP Alliance. Some centres and groups also receive funding resources through their local Community Healthcare Organisations in the HSE.
Voluntary organisations in Meath wishing to join the NCCP Alliance are advised to engage with the NCCP to ensure that they meet the required governance, clinical and service delivery standards and to submit an application for membership in line with the Alliance's established criteria and quality framework.
