Written Answers Nos. 1175-1197
1175. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of ongoing concerns regarding overcrowding and inadequate postnatal facilities in a hospital (details supplied); the measures being taken to improve conditions for mothers and newborn babies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32950/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1176. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if her Department has assessed the impact that overcrowded postnatal wards and sleep deprivation may have on the recovery and wellbeing of new mothers in maternity hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32951/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1177. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to increase postnatal capacity and improve accommodation standards for mothers in maternity hospitals nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32952/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1179. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if there is a review into patient experience and conditions within maternity hospitals, including overcrowding, recovery environments and supports for families during and after childbirth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32954/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1175, 1176, 1177 and 1179 together.
As the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1178. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the investment that has been allocated in recent years toward improving infrastructure, patient space and family facilities within a hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32953/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
1180. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if the HSE can revise the current medical card application forms to more clearly capture disability-related expenses, and to allow applicants to present a complete account of their financial circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32957/26]
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.
1181. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether a person (details supplied) will receive home help support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32958/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1182. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to reduce the waiting time for patients to claim refunds for medication from the HSE raised by a person in Kildare south (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32970/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1183. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1727 of 18 March 2026, if she will clarify whether a family farm that is included in the nursing home support scheme (fair deal) may be leased while the applicant is availing of the scheme; and if the ownership of such a farm may be transferred in the third year of participation. [32977/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplicants to the Fair Deal scheme are not restricted in how they or their representatives continue to use their own property. In the case of farmland, this includes whether or not to lease or transfer the property to another person.
Nevertheless, nursing home residents and their representatives are encouraged to carefully consider their personal circumstances and the potential consequences of their decisions and it is advisable to make an informed decision before making any commitments to lease or transfer their property.
In determining an applicant’s contribution to the cost of their own care, transferred assets and income, defined as assets or income transferred to another person up to five years before a person's application to the scheme, are also assessed.
Under the NHSS Act, responsibility lies with the Health Service Executive to consider each individual application and accept it or reject it on the basis of legislation and operational guidelines.
It is important to inform the HSE via the network of local Nursing Home Support Offices in the event of a material change in an applicant’s circumstances.
Contact details of local Nursing Home Support Offices can be found at the following link:
www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/fair-deal-scheme/contact/.
1184. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Health not withstanding current EU Commission delegated regulations (EU) 2016/127, if she will consider financial assistance or subsidy schemes to combat cost-related barriers to access to formula for mothers who are unable to breastfeed for medical reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32994/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Health is acutely aware of the importance of ensuring that infants who cannot breastfeed for medical reasons receive safe and appropriate nutrition, and acknowledges the financial pressures faced by some families.
Under current EU and national legislation, including the regulatory framework governing infant and follow-on formula, the provision of State financial supports or subsidies for infant formula is prohibited, as such measures would be incompatible with EU law, which strictly restricts the promotion of breast-milk substitutes. These measures are designed to protect, promote and support breastfeeding, in line with public health objectives.
In this context, the Department of Health does not provide financial assistance or subsidy schemes in respect of infant formula.
Notwithstanding these constraints, the Minister remains committed to supporting maternal and infant health through a range of measures, including the provision of clear, evidence-based guidance to parents and healthcare professionals, and continued investment in maternity and child health services.
Any future consideration of changes in this area would need to be consistent with EU law and Ireland’s long-standing public health approach to infant feeding. There are no plans to introduce financial assistance or subsidy schemes for infant formula.
1185. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the lack of physiotherapy services currently available in the Clifden area, County Galway; the actions that will be taken to address this issue and ensure that adequate physiotherapy services are restored for those in need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33033/26]
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.
1186. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health to outline her Department's plans to increase transport options for people who are medically vulnerable to get to medical appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33076/26]
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.
1187. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health if she will outline her Department's plans to address the challenges facing Ireland given the ageing demographic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33078/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1188. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting a home help package in Tipperary, by length of time, in tabular form. [33088/26]
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.
1189. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant psychiatrist posts currently filled within Tipperary mental health services. [33089/26]
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.
1190. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the average length of time taken by the HSE Drugs Group to issue a final reimbursement decision following receipt of a National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics Health Technology Assessment in each of the past five years; whether her Department has assessed the impact of these timelines on patients with rare diseases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33125/26]
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.
1193. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health in light of the Health Products Regulatory Authority confirming that over 750,000 dosage units of falsified and illegal medicines were detained in 2025, with a thirty-fold increase in unauthorised GLP-1 type products, whether her Department has assessed the extent to which restricted access to authorised, reimbursed GLP-1 treatments through the HSE is driving patient demand for unauthorised products sourced online; the steps being taken to ensure equitable and timely access to authorised GLP-1 medicines for clinically eligible patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33128/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to investing in new medicines. Budgets 2021-2025 allocated an additional €158 million for new drugs, which has facilitated the introduction of 263 new medicines, to date. 72 of these new medicines were for rare diseases. Budget 2026 allocated €30 million of funding available for new drugs to be allocated from the overall additional €217 million in funding allocated for medicines.
The Year 1 cost of a new drug comes from the allocation for new medicines, but it should be noted that once these medicines are approved for reimbursement the full cost of providing them can reach multiples of this initial cost as their uptake increases.
There are a suite of measures in place to shorten the timeframe from the issue of a Marketing Authorisation on foot of a positive opinion by the European Medicines Agency to a decision on whether to reimburse the medicine by the HSE's Senior Leadership Team including the Framework Agreements on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines with Medicines for Ireland (MFI) and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA). These provide commitments towards achieving a 180-day timeline for completing health technology assessments (HTA) and reimbursement decisions following application by the Marketing Authorisation Holder. The Agreements outline a structured process towards achieving the 180-day timeline for reimbursement decisions by Q1 2029, accelerating patient access to new treatments
Under 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. HSE decisions on which medicines, including GLP-1 medicines, are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, outlined in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
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).
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®). 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 https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/information-healthcare-workers/medicines-management-programme-mmp/managed-access-protocols/ .
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.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the agency with responsibility for the regulation of medicines in Ireland and have an enforcement role with regard to illegal medicines.
The HPRA plays an active role in protecting public health by raising awareness of the risks associated with buying prescription medicines online and has repeatedly warned of the health risks associated with the use of GLP-1 medicines that have been obtained outside of the legitimate pharmacy setting and without a prescription supplied by a doctor providing professional oversight.
In relation to accessing medicines other than through the prescribed statutory routes, the HPRA advise that medicines purchased online may not contain the correct ingredients, may be unsafe, and are not subject to the safeguards that apply when medicines are supplied through recognised and regulated sources such as pharmacies.
In Ireland, it is against the law to supply prescription medicines by mail order (including through the internet). Manufacturing fake or counterfeit medicines – known as falsified medicines – is also a criminal offence.
1194. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the public awareness measures her Department and the HPRA are undertaking to alert the public to the serious health risks associated with sourcing prescription medicines through unauthorised online channels, particularly in respect of GLP-1 medicines marketed as drops or microneedle patches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33129/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the agency with responsibility for the regulation of medicines in Ireland and have an enforcement role with regard to illegal medicines.
The Department of Health supports the HPRA in the exercise of its statutory functions and continues to work closely with them to ensure regulatory oversight and to promote public awareness of the serious risks associated with sourcing prescription medicines from unauthorised suppliers.
This work includes a focus on weight-loss medication also known as Glucagon-like- peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a type of prescription medicine authorised for the treatment of diabetes or for weight management under certain conditions, or both. The HPRA works in close co-operation with colleagues from An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service. There continues to be significant inter-agency collaboration to combat the illegal supply of health products into and within Ireland. The HPRA also co-operates and shares intelligence with other regulatory and law enforcement agencies across Europe and worldwide to prevent the illegal manufacture, importation and distribution of medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics.
As part of its enforcement remit, the HPRA continues to monitor and disrupt online activity promoting unauthorised medicines, with 4,762 web pages, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages amended or shut down in 2025. This figure includes web pages linked to falsified weight loss products and the HPRA engages with website providers and social media companies in relation to the illegal online supply of weight-loss medication in Ireland.
The HPRA plays an active role in protecting public health by raising awareness of the risks associated with buying prescription medicines online and has repeatedly warned of the health risks associated with the use of GLP-1 medicines that have been obtained outside of the legitimate pharmacy setting and without a prescription supplied by a doctor providing professional oversight. It publishes dedicated consumer information on its website - available in multiple languages - clearly outlining the dangers of buying prescription medicines online, including the risks of unauthorised, falsified and substandard products.
To reinforce this messaging, the HPRA has also delivered targeted public awareness campaigns using digital and social media channels. For example, the HPRA has recently run an online campaign highlighting that medicines purchased online may not contain the correct ingredients, may be unsafe, and are not subject to the safeguards that apply when medicines are supplied through recognised and regulated sources such as pharmacies. This campaign is designed to reach people where online purchasing decisions are often made and to encourage safer choices.
In addition, the HPRA engages regularly with the media by providing factual information and public health advice through proactive engagement, press releases and in response to queries, helping to ensure that accurate, balanced messaging reaches the public.
Across all of this work, the HPRA consistently advises that prescription medicines should only be obtained through regulated channels, where appropriate medical supervision is in place, and where patients can have confidence in the quality, safety and authenticity of their medicines.
1195. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of community pharmacies in County Cork participating in the Common Conditions Service as of the most recent date available; the number of consultations delivered through the service in Cork to date; the number of pharmacies in Cork selected as Data Champions for the evaluation of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33130/26]
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.
1196. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health given that the Common Conditions Service consultation fee is currently borne by the patient, whether she will consider removing or subsidising this fee for medical card holders, particularly in areas of higher socio-economic disadvantage including parts of County Cork, to ensure equitable access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33131/26]
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.
1197. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total number of minors referred for gender-related assessment in each year from 2020 to 2026, including those referred domestically and those referred abroad through any mechanism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33138/26]
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.
