Robert Troy
Ceist:1068. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure a treatment and procedure plan is urgently put in place for a person (details supplied). [34382/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1068)
Freagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1069, 1216)
Barry Ward
Ceist:1069. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any mechanism in place within her Department that allows for civil servants to transfer on secondment to an equivalent role within the European Union, without negatively impacting their pension and other employment rights; her views on the merits of such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34425/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:1216. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the structured role community pharmacies are envisaged to play in the promotion of organ donation awareness throughout the year, given that the clinical lead of Organ Donation Transplant Ireland (details supplied), has specifically identified Ireland's network of over 1,800 community pharmacies as a significantly underutilised asset in embedding organ donation awareness into everyday Irish life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35184/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1069 and 1216 together.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34425/26 and 34443/26 together.
The Department of Health supports a range of opportunities for staff to gain experience in EU and international policy environments, including assignments with Ireland’s Permanent Representation in Brussels and Geneva. These roles, such as Health Counsellors and Health Attachés, contribute to advancing Ireland’s interests in EU and wider international health fora.
In addition, opportunities arise for officials to serve as Seconded National Experts (SNEs) within European Union institutions, including the European Commission. These roles are circulated periodically, and suitably qualified staff are encouraged to apply. Such assignments operate within established Civil Service secondment frameworks. In the case of temporary secondments, including SNE roles, officials remain employees of the Civil Service, and arrangements are in place to ensure that pension entitlements, continuity of service and core employment rights are protected in accordance with standard public service provisions.
In relation to permanent roles within EU institutions, these positions are filled through open competitions conducted by the EU institutions themselves. Where a civil servant takes up a permanent post, they generally resign from the Irish Civil Service. In such cases, accrued public service pension benefits are preserved in line with relevant pension arrangements; however, further service does not accrue under the Irish public service pension system, and terms and conditions of employment are thereafter governed by the receiving institution.
I recognise the value of both temporary and permanent opportunities within EU institutions, which support skills development, strengthen professional networks, and enhance Ireland’s capacity to engage effectively in shaping health policy at EU and international level. My Department will continue to encourage participation in such opportunities as part of building capability across the health system.
Health and Safety
Ceisteanna (1070)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1070. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a cumulative or population-level public health risk assessment has been conducted in respect of repeated manganese exceedances in drinking water in Cork city since 2024; and if not, whether such an assessment will now be undertaken. [34482/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received from Department.
Health and Safety
Ceisteanna (1071)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1071. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of recorded manganese exceedances in Cork city drinking water since 2024, including duration, concentration levels, and estimated population exposure in each case. [34483/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels and the Minister has no function in relation to this matter, under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. This is entirely an operational matter for Uisce Éireann. In addition, there is an independent regulator to protect customers (the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities).
Health and Safety
Ceisteanna (1072)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1072. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any specific risk assessment has been undertaken in respect of infants, bottle-fed babies, and young children in areas affected by manganese exceedances. [34484/26]
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.
Health and Safety
Ceisteanna (1073)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1073. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to clarify which body holds primary responsibility for public health protection where repeated exceedances of drinking water contaminants occur; and the way in which accountability is coordinated between the HSE, Uisce Éireann, and the Environmental Protection Agency. [34485/26]
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.
Health and Safety
Ceisteanna (1074)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1074. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the current reliance on World Health Organization guidance in respect of manganese exposure has been independently reviewed or adapted for Irish population conditions. [34486/26]
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1075)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:1075. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the reason focal therapy treatment has not been accepted as a treatment for prostate cancer. [34493/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1076)
Shay Brennan
Ceist:1076. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health when the review of the physician associate role will be published; the reasons for the repeated delays to its publication since the original due date of 31 October 2025; the current status of the HSE embargo affecting the recruitment of physician associates; the expected timeline for lifting this embargo; and the steps her Department and the HSE will take to provide clarity to students, graduates, and working physician associates regarding regulation, employment pathways, and integration into the health service [34496/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Independent Review of the role of Physician Assistant in the Irish Public Health System has been published. The HSE shared the review with stakeholders on 5 May 2026 and it was published on the HSE website on 6 May 2026. The report is available at: https://about.hse.ie/publications/report-of-the-independent-review-of-the-pa-role-in-the-irish-public-health-system/.
The HSE is moving to an implementation phase focused on strengthening governance, role clarity and national consistency. Engagement is ongoing between the HSE and officials in my department to facilitate a recruitment pathway for Physician Assistants. Once finalised, a new HSE grade code and salary scale will require approval from my department and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. Every effort will be made to expedite this process. However, it is not possible to give an exact timeline at this point.
With regard to the regulation of Physician Assistants, work is ongoing in my department to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of the health and social care workforce into the future. 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. There are no plans in place to progress regulation of individual professions until the framework is in place. The department is currently engaging with relevant stakeholders, including professional bodies representing unregulated professions, on the development of the framework.
My officials and I continue to engage with colleagues in the HSE on the Physician Assistant role in Ireland.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (1077)
Colm Burke
Ceist:1077. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether a lease has been signed by the HSE for the Mayfield Ballyvollane Primary Care Centre with the developer of the facility in view of the urgent need for this facility due to the large housing developments in construction in the area and the fact that planning permission was granted for the facility in December 2025; if a lease has not yet been signed, is there an agreed timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34501/26]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (1078)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Ceist:1078. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health when she expects to make a determination on the future of the RSV immunisation programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34503/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland'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.
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.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1079)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1079. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she will establish a centralised reporting mechanism within the HSE to record all cases in which healthcare professionals are subject to criminal investigation for serious offences, including sexual offences; and if she will outline a timeline for its implementation. [34527/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1080)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1080. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she has sought the outstanding data from the remaining HSE regions in respect of cases involving criminal investigation of healthcare staff since 2015; and when a complete national figure will be available. [34528/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1081)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1081. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether formal national criteria exist governing the suspension or reassignment of healthcare professionals subject to criminal investigation for serious offences; and if she will publish those criteria. [34529/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1082)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1082. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what national oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure consistent application of precautionary measures across all HSE regions where healthcare staff are under criminal investigation. [34530/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1083)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1083. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the estimated average cost to the State of an outpatient appointment that is classified as "did not attend"; the total estimated annual financial impact of such missed appointments in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34531/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1084, 1085, 1086, 1087, 1088, 1089, 1090)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1084. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what assessment her Department or the HSE has undertaken of the impact of outpatient "did not attend" appointments on waiting list volumes and waiting times; and if she will provide any reports, modelling or analysis in this regard. [34532/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:1085. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the proportion of outpatient appointments classified as "did not attend" that are subsequently rebooked; the average time delay introduced to a patient's care pathway as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34533/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:1086. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a national policy, framework or target exists in relation to reducing outpatient "did not attend" rates; if so, to outline same; and if not, whether such a policy is under consideration. [34534/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:1087. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the measures currently in place to reduce outpatient "did not attend" rates, including SMS reminders, phone confirmation systems, digital check-in, or overbooking policies; and the evidence base or evaluation of their effectiveness. [34535/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:1088. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health why outpatient "did not attend" data is not routinely reported on a weekly basis or at individual hospital level, as opposed to aggregated monthly regional reporting; and whether more granular reporting exists within the HSE but is not published. [34536/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:1089. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE has undertaken any benchmarking of outpatient "did not attend" rates against comparable EU or OECD health systems; and if so, to provide details of such comparisons. [34537/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:1090. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what governance, oversight or accountability structures are in place within the HSE to monitor outpatient "did not attend" rates; including whether these are reported to senior management, the Department, or the HSE Board. [34538/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1084, 1085, 1086, 1087, 1088, 1089 and 1090 together.
It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I published the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) for 2026 on January 30th, as part of this Government’s ongoing commitment to improving access to hospital care and reducing waiting times for patients.
Since the commencement of the multi-annual Action Plan approach in September 2021, significant progress has been made in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
These improvements have been achieved against the backdrop of increased demand for planned care services. Addressing this increased demand, while also working to sustainably reduce waiting times will require the health service to deliver more core activity through improved productivity and efficiencies, ongoing reform and new enabling supports, and through targeted additional capacity.
The 2026 plan recognises the importance of managing “Did Not Attends” (DNAs), which in the context of planned care, is where a patient has been issued with an appointment and fails to attend. The Plan sets out that reducing the rate of DNAs improves efficiencies in the management of planned care and potentially creates additional capacity.
The standardised process for the administrative management of DNAs is set out in Section 7.2 of the OP Waiting List Management Protocol 2022 as published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).
Under the 2026 Action Plan, there will be a focus on applying DNA management to fully comply with the NTPF waiting list protocol and a specific metric around compliance for outpatient DNA management is being developed in line with the National Service Plan.
The 2026 Plan also sets out that HSE Communications and Access Programme will research and scope a DNA Media campaign in 2026 to increase public awareness of importance of attending their planned appointment.
The Deputy may also wish to note that a number of papers setting out behavioural insights into DNAs have been published by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) and are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/collections/health-research-and-statistics-behavioural-insights/
In relation to the particular queries raised relating to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 1085 answered with Question No. 1084.
Question No. 1086 answered with Question No. 1084.
Question No. 1087 answered with Question No. 1084.
Question No. 1088 answered with Question No. 1084.