Written Answers Nos. 302-325
302. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Health if any policy or regulatory provision exists that restricts the ability of general practitioners to prescribe hormones to transgender patients; and, if so, the legal basis for this restriction. [38288/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe prescribing of medicines, treatments, or therapies to a patient is a clinical determination made by the medical practitioner concerned based on their medical expertise and patient knowledge.
As per Section 34 of the Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct & Ethics, a medication, treatment or therapy should only be prescribed when the medical practitioner has an adequate knowledge of the patient’s condition and believes that such prescription is indicated.
The Government is committed, as per the Programme for Government 2025, to ensuring a transgender healthcare service that is based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion.
My department has provided funding to the HSE in 2024, 2025 and this year for the establishment and development of the National Clinical Programme for Gender Healthcare. This programme is developing an updated clinical Model of Care with the aim of designing clinical pathways to deliver safe and effective health and social care for those seeking gender affirming healthcare services. This work will also inform an implementation plan for its delivery.
Developing a model of care for Gender Healthcare Services is a complex process and the HSE and my department are working closely together to support the process, ensure transparency and keep the patient at the centre of the process.
303. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the timeline for a decision by the HSE drugs group regarding the reimbursement of risdiplam for adults living with spinal muscular atrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38289/26]
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.
304. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of guidance on mixed-gender wards and accommodation in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38290/26]
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.
305. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health her views on a patient with a history of osteoporosis who is faced with a wait of over a year for a publicly funded DEXA scan while being offered immediate access on payment of €100 (details supplied); whether this practice undermines the principle of care being provided on the basis of medical need rather than ability to pay; and the action she will take to ensure patients are not placed in this position. [38305/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra306. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the expected completion date for the new hospice facility in Drogheda; whether an interim community palliative care model will be funded and operational in the Ardee-Drogheda-Dundalk corridor pending its opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38307/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra307. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of assaults recorded against healthcare workers, by incident category in each of the years from 2021 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, by region, in tabular form. [38417/26]
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.
308. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for braces through or funded by HSE dental services, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38418/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
309. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for dentures through or funded by HSE dental services, by region and by waiting timer; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38419/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
310. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for chronic pain management through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38420/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for dermatology consultations and treatments through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38423/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for hernia surgery through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38426/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for gallbladder surgery through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38427/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra318. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for varicose veins surgery through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38428/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra319. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for kidney stone removal through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38429/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra321. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for cataract surgeries through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38431/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for hip or surgeries through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38432/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310, 313, 316 to 319, inclusive, 321 and 322 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.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach was implemented in September 2021 to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
National waiting list information by hospital, specialty, and time band is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information. The published information includes the number of patients on the Outpatient (OPD) and Inpatient and Day Case (IPDC) waiting list for dermatology.
The specific information requested by the Deputy that is not readily available on the NTPF website has been provided to my Department by the NTPF, and is set out in the tables at the link below, by hospital and Time Band.
311. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for an endometriosis specialist appointment through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form [38421/26]
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.
312. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for hearing tests and equipment through or funded by the HSE, by region, and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38422/26]
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.
314. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for ADHD assessments through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38424/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraADHD has long been recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and it is now known to persist into adulthood. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
This National Clinical Programme is based on multi-disciplinary community teams to diagnose and treat ADHD in adults. As Minister, I'm proud to have launched the Model of Care for Adult ADHD and to have resourced the establishment of the teams envisioned by the Model of Care. The ADHD Programme is funded with total funding of over €5 million on a recurring annual basis. As a result, there are 11 community based teams funded, with 8 teams are currently operational with the remaining teams in recruitment listed below. Funding was secured by myself as Minister in Budget 2025 to facilitate the rolling out of the total number of ADHD teams envisaged in the Model of Care.
Operational ADHD Teams
• Sligo/Leitrim/Donegal
• South Dublin/ Wicklow
• Limerick/Clare/North Tipperary
• Cork
• Kerry/West Cork
• South- West Dublin
• Midlands/Kildare/West Wicklow
• Cavan/Monaghan/Louth Meath
Community based teams in recruitment
• Waterford/Wexford/Kilkenny/Carlow/South Tipperary
• North Dublin and County
• Galway/Roscommon/Mayo
In relation to the additional specific information requested , as this is an operational matter , I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
315. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for counselling appointments through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38425/26]
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.
320. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for incontinence care and support through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38430/26]
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.
323. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the level of income raised by each HSE and section 38 acute hospital through private practice-related income in each year 2021 to 2025; and the level of private practice activity in each hospital in each year, in tabular form. [38433/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, this PQ has been referred to the HSE to respond.
324. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the level of expenditure, by expenditure category, on medical negligence claims including awards and fees and other expenditure types, for each year 2021-2025 and so far in 2026, in tabular form. [38434/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury and third-party property damage claims on behalf of State authorities.
The SCA has provided me with the information set out below.
The information contained within this document was extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The following table contains the transactional amounts paid by the State Claims Agency under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme, that are associated with claims and a small number of incidents and inquests. It excludes claims recorded against other designated schemes. This amount is inclusive of VAT.
It includes payments between 01/01/2021 and 30/04/2026 and is correct as of 01/05/2026.
|
Transaction Type |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (to end of April) |
|
Damages |
278,444,654 |
275,546,426 |
251,830,045 |
192,663,075 |
210,218,229 |
66,206,561 |
|
Agency Legal Costs |
24,983,346 |
23,021,004 |
28,304,046 |
31,942,823 |
31,218,593 |
12,234,817 |
|
Plaintiff Legal Costs |
43,062,795 |
53,096,047 |
61,579,819 |
68,662,595 |
64,853,120 |
21,887,819 |
|
Expert Costs |
7,307,562 |
7,944,956 |
10,646,566 |
12,103,868 |
13,413,353 |
4,644,609 |
|
Grand Total |
353,798,356 |
359,608,434 |
352,360,476 |
305,372,361 |
319,703,295 |
104,973,806 |
325. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the level of expenditure on private hospital services, by region in each year 2021 to 2025 and in 2026 to date, in tabular form. [38435/26]
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.
