Written Answers Nos. 368-389
368. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE posts that remain unfilled in Kenmare Community Hospital, County Kerry; what are these posts; the impact of these unfilled posts; the measures being taken to fill them; the length of time this will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38596/26]
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.
369. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE posts that remain unfilled in Dingle Community Hospital, County Kerry; what are these posts; the impact of these unfilled posts; the measures being taken to fill them; the length of time this will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38597/26]
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.
370. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE posts that remain unfilled in University Hospital Kerry, County Kerry; what are these posts; the impact of these unfilled posts; the measures being taken to fill them; the length of time this will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38598/26]
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.
371. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE posts that remain unfilled in St. Columbanus Community Hospital, County Kerry; what are these posts; the impact of these unfilled posts; the measures being taken to fill them; the length of time this will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38599/26]
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.
372. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE posts that remain unfilled in Killarney District Hospital, County Kerry; what are these posts; the impact of these unfilled posts; the measures being taken to fill them; the length of time this will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38600/26]
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.
373. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE posts that remain unfilled across all aspects of the ealth service throughout the country; what are these posts; the impact of these unfilled posts; the measures being taken to fill them; the length of time this will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38601/26]
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.
374. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the average and longest waiting times for access to augmentative and alternative communication assessments and devices within the mid-western region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38612/26]
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.
375. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant respiratory physicians based at University Hospital Limerick who are currently only dealing with and treating public patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38613/26]
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.
376. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the current coverage offered by sexual assault units; her plans to provide nationwide coverage; the number of units presently in operation; and the number of planned units to be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38611/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, this PQ is referred to the HSE for direct response to the deputy.
377. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to issue a full discretionary medical card to all cancer patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38622/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn per week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
People under 70 are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after deduction of tax, PRSI and Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Detailed guidelines are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/assessment/
People aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. However, those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high medical costs. Details are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/over-70s/
The issue of granting medical cards on the basis of illness or a disability was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card - in particular, to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford. Further information regarding emergency medical cards can be found at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/emergency-medical-cards/
Separately, I can advise the Deputy that, since 2015, medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer. Further information can be found on the HSE’s website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/children-with-cancer/
I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
378. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2863 of 14 April 2026, in respect of each CAMHS social worker, psychologist or occupational therapist post identified as vacant for more than one year; the most recent date on which recruitment was attempted; the recruitment route used, including whether this was through a HSE national panel, local process, agency recruitment or otherwise; the reason in any case where no recruitment has been attempted; and whether further recruitment is planned, in tabular form. [38624/26]
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.
379. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on Action 3 of the HSE position paper on FASD Prevention, published in September 2022, namely “Advise Government on further development of legislation and regulations to reduce accessibility, availability and affordability of alcohol in line with WHO SAFER initiative and WHO Global Action Plan on Alcohol” led by HSE Health & Wellbeing; the specific measures undertaken to date; the current status of implementation; the timelines for any outstanding elements due to be completed within five years of publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38658/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
380. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is continuing to incur rental costs for portacabins located at Galway Airport that were put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic; if so, to provide a breakdown of all expenditure associated with these units, including rent, maintenance and any related costs, for each of the past six years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38663/26]
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.
381. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that an organisation (details supplied) is facing imminent closure due to a lack of core funding; the immediate actions being taken by her Department or the HSE to prevent the cessation of these services, given that liquidation proceedings are due to commence on 5 June 2026; and if she will approve an emergency, time-limited funding allocation of €40,000 to allow the organisation to continue operating while a longer-term funding solution is explored. [38664/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge the valuable work undertaken by community based counselling services across the country, such as Helplink.
Funding to voluntary and community organisations is arranged through the section 39 process via local HSE Mental Health Services, once necessary criteria are met and where a need has been identified. All such organisations must make an application for Section 39 funding, which is then assessed by local HSE Mental Health Services and will be advanced or not depending on a variety of conditions, such as the organisation supplying the required information, local operational and clinical considerations, and HSE budgetary constraints.
In any negotiations between HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, governance arrangements and independent board of directors details are required, so that HSE can undertake necessary due diligence. Local HSE are always available to provide guidance to any organisation on the necessary work to comply with the requirements ahead of consideration of HSE funding of their organisation.
Prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE need full and complete details on the corporate governance of an organisation, such as information on the board responsible for independent oversight of the management of an organisation, along with an organisation's annual financial statements which comply with the most recent statutory deadlines, as well as details of what clinical governance structures are in place.
These are essential and appropriate steps on the road to providing funding to any organisation. The HSE is not in a position to provide funding in the absence of information necessary to provide assurance on corporate and clinical governance. These are the same requirements of all bodies to whom the State provides public funding.
On 19th May I met with Helplink, along with Minister Grealish and my officials, to discuss the situation and various options to support them will be explored. Any HSE funding support could only occur subject to the requirements outlined above.
382. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for an orthopaedic operation that was cancelled in April 2026 at Sligo University Hospital; the reason the surgery was cancelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38674/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
383. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who having been referred to University Hospital Limerick, department of ophthalmology for cataract surgery eighteen months ago, has yet to receive an appointment date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38680/26]
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.
384. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason funding has been taken from a construction project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38682/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter (there is not a current capital project for a third theatre at SIVUH being progressed under the Capital Plan 2026), I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
385. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health whether chronic asthma is a condition covered under the long-term illness scheme; if not, the rationale for not including it under the scheme; if she will consider adding asthma to the conditions supported by the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38692/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions to be covered by the Scheme. Further information, including the list of conditions, can be found at:
www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lti/about/
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
Individuals and families in Ireland may be entitled to the following schemes:
• General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme (medical card). Eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
• In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
• Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.
The issue of granting medical card eligibility based on having a particular disability or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
386. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health whether chronic asthma is a condition covered under the long-term illness scheme; if not, to provide the rationale for not including it under the scheme; if consideration is being given to adding asthma to the conditions supported by the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38693/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions to be covered by the Scheme. Further information, including the list of conditions, can be found at:
www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lti/about/
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
Individuals and families in Ireland may be entitled to the following schemes:
• General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme (medical card). Eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
• In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
• Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.
The issue of granting medical card eligibility based on having a particular disability or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
387. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will provide the long planned for new primary care centre for Raheen, Limerick, which would also include the mental health services currently based at Willowdale in Raheen; and if she will provide increased funding for the current Willowdale building which is in need of renovation. [39370/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
388. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether the workforce projection model published in December 2025, which projects a shortfall across all modelled professions, including nurses, midwives and medical practitioners by 2040, has been updated to incorporate data from each of the past five years; the professions beyond the seven currently modelled that are expected to be included in the next iteration of the model; when the next published update of the workforce projections will be available; whether a feasibility analysis on the education expansion required to close projected gaps has been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39371/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra389. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to address concerns regarding reductions in adult education provision in certain education and training boards, including Galway and Roscommon ETB, where it is reported that classes have been cut, teaching staff have lost employment and learners have been left without provision; to provide an assessment of the potential impact of these developments on learner numbers and access to services; to clarify his Department's approach to the recognition, employment conditions and workforce planning of adult education tutors; and the way in which the introduction of the adult educator grade addresses issues of further parity within the further education and training sector [38506/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for raising the matter of provision of adult education in Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB).
Firstly, I wish to advise that I am aware of the issues you have highlighted. However, it is important to provide some context, as well as details regarding the specific situation in GRETB.
As you know, the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) provide free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for those who needs support in developing English language proficiency. Courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, as well as advanced or professional ESOL.
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, significant temporary funding was allocated to support ESOL provision for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. These temporary allocations enabled ETBs to meet urgent and exceptional levels of demand during the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians in Ireland.
While this temporary funding facilitated a rapid expansion of ESOL classes across the country, it was always intended to be time-bound. I wish to acknowledge the fact that ETBs and their staff showed significant commitment, flexibility and creativity in responding to this unprecedented demand, and their efforts supported thousands of newly arrived individuals in integrating into Irish communities.
In terms of temporary ESOL funding, in 2025, SOLAS provided €2 million to Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) in relation ESOL. GRETB advised that a total of €2.28 million was spent on ESOL during that year. This funding allocation allowed for 2,750 unique learners to avail of ESOL courses in 2025.
It is important to note that ESOL provision has not ceased. ESOL programmes continue to be delivered across all ETBs within their core allocations. GRETB, for example, forecasts that approximately 3,100 beneficiaries will access ESOL provision in 2026, according to its draft Annual Service Plan.
The cessation of the temporary funding for ESOL provision is not a cut to overall funding. This funding was explicitly non-core and time-limited, and its conclusion does not alter the core allocation. In line with Budget 2026 parameters, funding for ESOL has returned to its 2021 core allocation level of €4.2 million. However, SOLAS' overall funding allocation to GRETB has increased from €49.175 million in 2020 to €65.707 million in 2026.
SOLAS and Education and Training Boards Ireland have been engaging with ETBs in recent months to assess the impact of the cessation of temporary ESOL funding. SOLAS has advised my officials that ETBs are assessing how best to adapt provision within their core allocation. SOLAS is establishing a working group to examine the impacts of the transition away from temporary funding and to explore approaches to maximise ESOL provision within the annual allocation.
Turning to the grade of Adult Educator more generally, the creation of the grade in 2024 was the culmination of many years of work by the Department, in close collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), and with the strong support of the unions SIPTU and TUI.
This new grade provides a standardised pay scale, delivering incremental progression for Adult Educators. Progress has been made in the regularisation of these posts with the introduction of a consistent method for awarding Contracts of Indefinite Duration across ETBs and the provision of access to leave schemes, paid leave and access to the appropriate public sector pension scheme. Tutors who choose to assimilate onto the new contract will benefit from these standardised terms. Those who do not will remain on their existing contractual arrangements.
With respect to individuals employed at this grade, ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for staffing matters. They are required to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to manage any issues that may arise, which are in line with employment legislation, where relevant.
