Written Answers Nos. 1119-1135
1119. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether full funding has been formally approved and allocated for the complete staffing complement required to operate the dementia-specific unit at Heather House Community Nursing Unit at full capacity; and if not, the shortfall. [32746/26]
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.
1120. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the staffing model originally developed for a 104-bed facility has been revised to reflect the reduction in capacity to approximately 102 beds and the dementia unit reduction from 19 to 17 beds; and to provide the updated model. [32747/26]
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.
1121. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any patients in the State currently have access to omaveloxolone, marketed as Skyclarys, for Friedreich’s ataxia through compassionate use, named patient access, hospital-level approval, exceptional funding, or any other interim access mechanism pending a final HSE reimbursement decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32771/26]
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.
1122. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of patients in the State known to the HSE or the Department of Health who are clinically eligible for treatment with omaveloxolone, marketed as Skyclarys, for Friedreich’s ataxia; and if this number has informed any budget impact assessment. [32772/26]
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.
1123. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has a target timeline for completing reimbursement decisions in respect of orphan medicines or medicines for progressive rare diseases; and if no such target exists, whether one is under consideration. [32773/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1124. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has any escalation process where a reimbursement application concerns a progressive neurological condition in which delay may lead to irreversible deterioration. [32774/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1125. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has considered international reimbursement or access decisions in respect of omaveloxolone, marketed as Skyclarys, including decisions in France, Italy, Germany or other comparable European countries, as part of the Irish reimbursement process. [32775/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1129. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any statutory, contractual, policy or administrative time limits apply where a marketing authorisation holder has been invited to submit a commercial proposal for a medicine but has not yet done so. [32779/26]
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.
During the pricing and reimbursement process where a marketing authorisation holder (MAH) is invited by the HSE to submit a commercial proposal in respect of a medicine, there are no statutory or contractual time limits specified in legislation that require the MAH to submit such a proposal within a defined period.
There are also no formal policy or administrative deadlines that compel a company to engage in, or conclude, commercially confidential discussions once an invitation to submit a proposal has issued. Engagement in pricing and reimbursement negotiations is a matter for the company, and the timing of any submission is at the discretion of the company. In the absence of a commercial proposal from the MAH, a pricing and reimbursement application cannot proceed.
The Department of Health and the HSE continue to encourage early and constructive engagement in the process by companies to facilitate timely access to new and innovative medicines for patients.
1131. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that the HSE is in ownership of a swimming pool facility at Elm Park, Dublin 4; and her plans to ensure that it be preserved to provide additional swimming facilities for the local community. [32789/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has acquired a portfolio of properties at Elm Park Green to support the provision of service delivery. Elm Park Green is also to be a key enabler for the delivery of the new National Maternity Hospital through the provision of accommodation for a number of decanted services, currently located in St Vincent’s University Hospital. In addition, there is significant demand from existing HSE services to be accommodated within this area, the planning of which will be supported by feasibility studies and spatial planning.
The “pool” building at Elm Park Green, whilst initially designed for the provision of a swimming pool, is actually a shell and core structure which is currently filled in with a suspended floor i.e. currently no “pool” exists. To convert this building to a fully operational swimming pool will require significant investment.
As part of the feasibility assessment and spatial planning process, the HSE is currently in the process of offering the available accommodation including the “pool” building at Elm Park Green to internal HSE stakeholders (service providers). In the event that there is no requirement internally, the HSE will then commence a disposal strategy.
The HSE adheres to its statutory obligations and is required to offer surplus assets in the first case to the Land Development Agency and then to other State stakeholders (including Local Authorities) under DPER Circulars 11/15 Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets & 17/16 Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property. It is only when there is no interest expressed by other State entities that a property is placed on the open market.
1132. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason an internal review has not been commissioned regarding one of two complaints (details supplied) submitted to St. James’s Hospital, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32790/26]
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
1135. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any engagement she has had with families or support groups for people suffering from Friedrichs ataxia in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32793/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFriedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is a rare genetic neurological condition characterized by slowly progressive ataxia and neuropathy with onset usually in the teenage years.
The Minister for Health regularly meets with patient advocacy and representative groups, including those suffering from rare diseases. In addition officials in the Department, the HSE and CHI have regular engagement with patient advocacy and representative groups.
The Minister for Health attended a briefing in Leinster House on Friedreich’s Ataxia on 24th February 2026. The briefing was led by a group of people who have been diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia and their family members.
The briefing event showed the many challenges and obstacles that currently exist for those diagnosed with the illness, and the Department will resolve to ensure implementation of the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025 – 2030 and its vision, to ensure that all people living with a rare disease have access to equitable, inclusive, safe and cross-sectoral care throughout their life journey that will enable them to reach their full potential and to live their best lives.
