Written Answers Nos. 1044-1067
1044. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if an appointment can be expedited for a person in Kerry who is suffering with vision problems and debilitating nerve pain since June 2025 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34175/26]
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.
1045. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if consideration can be given to the urgent circumstances of a patient in Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34185/26]
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.
1046. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health to provide data in relation to the extent of the alarming rise in coercive abortion in Ireland; and if she will outline plans to examine the problem, determine its scale and identify measures to help bring an end to this form of violence against women and their unborn babies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34205/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical practitioners providing termination of pregnancy services are obliged to comply with the Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics. The Guide includes information on the principles underpinning consent and the importance in ensuring that patients have given full and informed consent prior to a procedure or examination.
The HSE’s National Consent Policy, revised in December 2022 also contains extensive guidelines for health practitioners and includes information on decisions made under duress. These apply to all medical procedures, including termination of pregnancy.
There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that arise.
1047. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure on agency staffing across the public health service in 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by Health Region and staff category; and the proportion of this spend directly attributable to vacancies as distinct from absence or activity demand. [34208/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1048. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the vacancy rate, expressed as a percentage, across the public health service by staff category and Health Region as of the most recent reporting period; and the methodology used to calculate same. [34209/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1049. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent posts currently recorded as "regional commissioning in progress" across each Health Region; the timeline for the allocation of these posts; and whether any of these posts relate to existing vacancies rather than new service developments. [34210/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1050. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to examine a report that explores how Ireland can transform its public health system by shifting power closer to communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34215/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1051. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health her views on the recent nationwide survey carried out by an organisation (details supplied), and the recommendations based on the findings; the actions that will be initiated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34216/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Arthritis Ireland survey referenced by the Deputy gives us an understanding of the lived reality of people living in Ireland with arthritis in 2026.
It provides a valuable insight into the lived experience, including challenges relating to diagnosis, access to specialist care and the wider impact on quality of life, employment and mental well-being.
Arthritis affects approximately 1 in five people during the during their lifetime. The findings point to the importance of early diagnosis and timely access to appropriate care. The survey also highlights the role of good communication between patients and clinicians as well as the importance of self-management supports, such as physical activity.
It should be noted that the survey gives the views of those who chose to participate and may not necessarily represent all people living with arthritis. However, it does provide useful insight into patient experience which the Department will consider alongside other evidence sources.
Improving access to care, strengthening chronic disease management alongside supporting people to live well are key priorities for government. Work in this area continues across the health system, aligned with Slaintecare, and includes a significant focus on integrated care, community supports, early intervention and improved patient engagement.
1052. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2778 of 14 April 2026 (details supplied), if she will confirm the length of time these vacancies have existed; if they will be filled in a temporary capacity pending permanent appointments; her views that there will be additional vacancies due to sick leave and maternity leave, and that the HSE has a 9.57% absence rate for staff who work in patient and client care positions; her views on whether patients are receiving the best care and service, with this level of vacancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34226/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1053. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health when the recommendations of a report (details supplied) will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34232/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatments. Successive National Cancer Strategies have delivered continuing improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients. This is shown by the steady increase in 5-year survival rate from 44% for those diagnosed in 1998 to 65% in 2022.
Since its launch in 2017, the Government has allocated €105 million to the current National Cancer Strategy to support cancer services and improve outcomes for patients. This is in addition to over €140 million in Capital investment in cancer infrastructure. In the intervening years very significant progress has been made in improving cancer services and there are now over 220,000 people living with or beyond cancer, 50% more than there were a decade ago.
The current Strategy, which was published in June 2017, contains 52 recommendations. To date, 43 of these have been implemented and the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is continuing to progress the remaining nine. These will continue to drive further reforms and service improvements in this final year of the Strategy. Prior to developing the next National Cancer Strategy, an evaluation will first be carried out in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the NCCP and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland.
Ireland also remains committed to engaging with European partners on the EU Beating Cancer Plan and international analysis such as that provided in the report linked will be important in designing and implementing an effective future strategy.
1054. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available for an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34238/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1055. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to give consideration to providing free vaccines for an older person on a pension (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34244/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is informed by the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC considers the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland as well as international best practice in relation to immunisation when developing its advice.
The current NIAC guidelines state that the shingles vaccine may be considered for those aged 65 years and older, due to the greater burden and severity of disease in this age group and in those aged 18 years and older at increased risk of shingles.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has carried out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. HIQA’s HTA examined the evidence on the clinical effectiveness and safety of shingles vaccines. The cost effectiveness and budget impact were also reviewed, along with the ethical, social and organisational implications of including the vaccine in the adult immunisation schedule.
HIQA published this HTA on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that adding the shingles vaccine to the routine immunisation schedule, at the vaccine price at the time, for all adults aged 65 years and over would not be cost effective and would be associated with a substantial budget impact.
While the vaccine is considered safe and effective, its protective effect diminishes over time. HIQA also noted the substantial budget impact associated with vaccination. If made available to everyone aged 65 and older, vaccination would cost €218 million over five years.
Whilst the HTA found that the introduction of the shingles vaccine was not cost effective based on the cost of the vaccine, it found that it could be cost effective for vaccination of those at 75 years and 80 years if the cost of the vaccine was reduced by 80%.
Given that the healthcare budget is finite and decisions regarding increased spending relating to a change in one area could impact the provision of other health technologies and treatments within the healthcare system, the cost-effectiveness must be considered in any decision-making process.
My Department considered the findings of this HTA in 2024 and determined that the introduction of the vaccine could be reconsidered when the cost effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable.
I can confirm that the introduction of the shingles vaccine to the immunisation schedule in Ireland is again being actively considered for a cohort of immunocompromised individuals, in line with NIAC advice and cognisant of the cost effectiveness of market pricing and available funding.
1056. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to urgently improve CCTV/security at Cork University Hospital so as to ensure that vehicles belonging to members of staff and indeed the public are not vandalised, tires slashed and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34252/26]
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.
1057. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health further to a number of previous requests, to give a public apology to the hundreds of families that have been affected by the CAMHS Scandal in county Kerry, both north and south (details supplied). [34260/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Maskey Report published in 2022, examined deficits in relation to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in South Kerry. The review identified that 240 young people did not receive the standard of care they should have from CAMHS. The HSE issued a public apology and offered meetings to all affected in South Kerry. The Government also introduced a non-adversarial route for children and their families to seek compensation for the shortfall in care received.
I initiated the North Kerry Lookback Review following the publication of the Maskey Report in 2022 in relation to CAMHS in South Kerry. The HSE published this latest Lookback Review on 18 February 2026. Again, the HSE issued a public apology to the young people and their families affected in North Kerry, including in letters to impacted families.
My priority since I initiated the North Kerry Lookback Review has been the best interests of the children, young people and their families and to have this report published as quickly as possible. Throughout the Lookback process all young people and families have had access to on-going support, including the open disclosure helpline and a Clinical Liaison Support Team.
During the review, any young person whose file showed major or moderate potential for harm in the care provided to them was invited to an individual Open Disclosure meeting. These meetings offered families an opportunity to hear the findings of the review of their file and to give feedback on their experience of the service and to receive an apology directly from the HSE for the deficits in care.
As I have indicated on several occasions since the publication, I was seriously concerned with the findings of this report. However, I am satisfied that HSE South West has taken the necessary steps to address the deficits in care experienced by children and young people as highlighted in this report and in the Maskey review.
On 26 March last, I approved a scheme to provide compensation to children and young people in North Kerry who were identified as having suffered harm in the Review. Importantly, in extending the existing South Kerry compensation scheme, I also ensured that it covers any young person who may become eligible as the HSE undertakes a further file review. I wanted to guarantee that if a young person is identified as having suffered harm through the review of their file, they can apply to the scheme immediately.
Given that there is now increased governance, regular care and prescribing audits, standardised practice and a dedicated workforce, I am assured that the service now is significantly improved and that the necessary safeguards have been put in place to ensure that similar risks do not happen again.
I will continue to work closely with the HSE Child and Youth Mental Health National Office to drive reform of CAMHS nationally to ensure that this key specialist service which benefits so many young people and their families each year is safe, accessible, child-centered, and delivered to the highest of standards.
1058. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to provide an ambulance base in Killorglin as a matter of priority as this will significantly improve response times along with improving admission times for patients to University Hospital Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34270/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1059. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether Cork hospitals utilised surge capacity to date in 2026; and if so, which hospitals; when it was used; and whether additional security was deployed or requested. [34285/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1060. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she has engaged with the Taoiseach following his meeting with healthcare unions and workers regarding long Covid; to confirm that the application of the Critical Illness Protocol will be reviewed, following a commitment given at that meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34286/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Taoiseach met with health unions on Thursday, 30 April. Following that engagement, the Taoiseach has asked the HSE to ensure that management discretion under the Critical Illness Protocol is actively and compassionately applied in cases involving long COVID, so that staff continue to be supported while Government considers what further longer-term measures may be appropriate. The HSE have issued a circular to this effect.
This matter remains under active consideration across Government, including by the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Social Protection, with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Social Protection having met in recent weeks to discuss ongoing supports; they welcomed the progress to date, noting that a significant number of staff have been supported in returning to work, with others continuing to receive support through the public service sick leave scheme.
1061. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if she will intervene to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is suffering from a significant arthritic condition. [34287/26]
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.
1062. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm if the infant RSV immunisation programme will continue for the coming year following a HIQA assessment on cost effectiveness; the additional factors, including indirect health system costs, winter capacity pressures, and equity of access, being considered by her Department and the HSE in any decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34293/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Immunisation Programme is informed by the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, (NIAC). NIAC considers the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland as well as international best practice in relation to immunisation when developing its advice.
Public health decisions around immunisation are evidence-based and are made for the wider benefit of the population.
My Department has agreed the scope of the RSV Infant Immunisation Pathfinder Programme for 2026/2027, which will be the same as for last season. That is, RSV immunisation will be offered to babies born in-season and infants aged 6 months old or younger at the start of the RSV season, in line with NIAC advice.
My Department is currently giving consideration to the findings and options set out in HIQA's recently published HTA on RSV immunisation for infant and adults, including operational and budgetary impacts, ahead of making a policy decision on a longer-term RSV Immunisation Strategy.
1063. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when urgently required approved home support in December 2025 will commence for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34306/26]
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.
1064. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the actions that have been taken by the HSE and National Ambulance Service following recent media reports concerning allegations of sexual assault involving a serving member of the National Ambulance Service; the safeguarding procedures currently in place where serious allegations are made against staff members; the supports available to employees who report misconduct or harassment; the measures being taken to address concerns regarding workplace culture within the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34307/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1065. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to urgently intervene for the allocated care to be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34316/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1066. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health if she will comment on an issue raised by a constituent in Kildare South regarding radiation treatment (details supplied). [34327/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatments.
Under the current National Cancer Strategy, the Government has allocated €120 million direct investment in state-of-the-art Radiation Oncology centres in Cork and Galway to address radiotherapy equipment needs.
Funding has been allocated in the HSE Capital Plan 2026 to progress a linear accelerator (LINAC) replacement programme currently in place across St Luke’s Rathgar, St. James’s and Beaumont hospitals (SLRON) along with a phased expansion at Beaumont hospital. The business case for SLRON replacement programme has been approved by the HSE and in line with public procurement requirements and Infrastructure Guidelines, the HSE are now progressing the pre-tender design, planning and procurement strategy for the SLRON programme, with a view to going out to tender at the earliest practicable date. The main works project for Phase 2 of Beaumont expansion went to tender on 20 April, with a current tender submission deadline of 05 June 2026. An enabling project (ramp) is currently on site and due to complete in June.
To address future replacement needs, the Department of Health and the HSE are currently developing a Strategic Infrastructure Programme to plan for replacement and, where appropriate, expansion at public Radiation Oncology facilities. The Department will shortly engage with relevant stakeholders to advance this work.
The Minister for Health cannot intervene in individual cases. As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1067. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who is waiting on a hip replacement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34364/26]
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.
