Written Answers Nos. 864-882
865. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when an application will be processed and payment made to a person (details supplied) through the cross-Border directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45078/26]
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.
866. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if HIQA provide a 'provisional registration' of a new health building before obtaining full registration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45079/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHIQA was established under the Health Act 2007 and a large part of its statutory remit is the registration and inspection of designated centres.
Designated centres include nursing homes, residential centres for children or adults with disabilities and special care units for children and young people. Anyone who runs a designated centre must register that centre or renew the registration of that centre with the Chief Inspector of Social Services in order to operate it.
In granting an application to register a designated centre, the Chief Inspector must be sure that the intended provider will comply with the required regulations and standards. Where the Chief Inspector is satisfied that a centre will comply with the required regulations and standards, then an application to register is granted.
The Health Act 2007, as amended, and the associated registration regulations set out the requirements for registration, which the Chief Inspector and providers must comply with. The legislation however does not provide for 'provisional registration.
867. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the supports available for the collection of used incontinence pads for elderly vulnerable people with medical conditions for whom an ordinary refuse collection is not sufficient to meet their needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45081/26]
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.
868. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health the reason consideration of reimbursement for skyclarys was not included in the agenda for the 10 June 2026 meeting of the HSE's corporate pharmaceutical unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45086/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
869. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of claims rejected by the PCRS for respiratory medications, including salbutamol, ipratropium, steroid inhalers and nebuliser products, in each year from 2020 to date; the financial value associated with those rejected claims; the number subsequently resubmitted and paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45089/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter and under 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, this question has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
870. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department, or the HSE, intends to develop a comparative performance framework or dashboard to monitor differences between the six health regions in respect of expenditure, workforce allocation, waiting times, service delivery outcomes and operational decision-making; and if not, how she is assured that significant regional variation is being identified and addressed. [45094/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to an ongoing programme of healthcare reform under Sláintecare, which aims to improve the delivery of healthcare services in Ireland by enhancing access to high-quality care, reducing waiting times, and lowering the costs faced by patients in accessing services. This reform is supported through sustained leadership at multiple levels and is underpinned by robust frameworks for performance, accountability and implementation, as well as analytical oversight and monitoring tools, including regular reporting and data visualisation dashboards that provide national, regional and service-level insights into health system performance.
From an operational and governance perspective, the primary performance framework in place is the HSE National Service Plan (NSP) (about.hse.ie/publications/hse-national-service-plan-2026/). The NSP sets out, on an annual basis, the services the HSE will deliver, how Government priorities and policies will be progressed, and the performance targets against which delivery is measured. Performance monitoring processes under the NSP are cascaded and aligned across the Health Regions, National Services and other HSE functions. This ensures a coherent view of performance across the system and provides appropriate checks and balances to assess how resources are delivering impact. My Department plays a central role in overseeing performance through ongoing engagement with the HSE in relation to NSP delivery. Reporting against NSP targets is published in the National Performance Report (about.hse.ie/publications/national-performance-report-november-2025/). This year, more detailed comparative data is being developed to support decision-making and accountability while enabling improvement actions at all levels of the system.
In relation to broader health system performance, including population health outcomes, workforce capacity, accessibility, cost to patients, and service delivery, the Health System Performance Assessment (HSPA) framework is a reliable framework that provides an overall view on the performance of Ireland’s Health system. While this framework is designed to provide performance assessment at an aggregate national level, it complements operational performance monitoring arrangements which offer regional breakdowns.
From a governance perspective, the HSE Performance and Accountability Framework (about.hse.ie/api/v2/download-file/file_based_publications/PAF_2025.pdf/) /] is in place to ensure that the HSE can deliver on its performance remit and that individual functions are held to account for their performance. Responsibility and accountability for the services provided within the six HSE Regions lies with the respective Regional Executive Officers (REOs). In addition, a range of nationally delivered services are overseen by the National Director for National Services and Schemes and the Chief Clinical Officer.
In terms of oversight and monitoring tools, both my Department and the HSE have made significant progress in recent years in leveraging administrative data to develop analytical dashboards aimed at improving transparency, supporting productivity, and enhancing patient care. One example is my Department’s publicly available productivity dashboard for hospitals (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-for-health-publishes-interactive-productivity-dashboard-for-all-hospitals/), which provides interactive visualisations across a range of areas, including:
• Demographics;
• Expenditure and workforce inputs;
• Hospital activity;
• Composite activity outputs;
• Productivity-enabling KPIs;
• Waiting lists; and
• Hospital administration analysis.
This dashboard supports cross-regional comparison and enables analysis of key inputs and outputs across the health system. It provides policymakers, researchers and the public with the ability to assess performance across Health Regions on a consistent and transparent basis. In addition, a range of other dashboards are used operationally within the health service to support ongoing monitoring, management and oversight across service areas.
871. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether private home support providers operating under the home support authorisation scheme are subject to announced or unannounced compliance inspections; the number of compliance inspections, audits, reviews or investigations conducted in each year since the scheme commenced; the number of providers found to be non-compliant; the sanctions available to the HSE in cases of non-compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45095/26]
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.
872. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1237 of 19 May 2026, if there are any plans to develop a whole-of-Government national strategy on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) (details supplied); the timeline being worked towards; if any work has been carried out to date to implement Action 1 of the 2022 HSE Position Paper on FASD prevention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45114/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFoetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and can lead to lifelong challenges with learning, behaviour, health, and social skills.
My Department raises awareness about the risks of alcohol, including during pregnancy. This work focuses on prevention and health promotion, helping to reduce alcohol use and limit harm to people, families, and communities. Under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, and new labelling rules introduced in 2023, all alcohol products must now carry health warnings. These include a clear symbol warning about the risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant. The HSE provides training to help healthcare staff talk to women about lifestyle risks such as smoking, alcohol, drug use, poor diet, and physical inactivity.
Depending on their needs, children, young adults, and families living with FASD may need support from different services, including primary care and mental health care. Primary Care comprises the health or social care services in the community, outside of hospital. It includes GPs, Public Health Nurses, and a range of other services which may be required by children with additional needs. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are available for young people and their families who are experiencing mental health difficulties that affect their ability to function in day-to-day activities.
As Minister for Health, I am committed to ensuring this Government delivers the appropriate services for each person with FASD in line with their needs.
873. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she has received confirmation that consultants on the public-only consultant contract are covered by the State's clinical indemnity scheme for private work carried out in public hospitals, in breach of their contracts; to confirm if the scheme applies to entire hospitals rather than individual consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45115/26]
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 Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) is based on the concept of enterprise liability whereby the health enterprise/hospital is indemnified in respect of the vicarious liability of its employees, whether hospital consultants, NCHDs, nurses, midwives, or allied healthcare professionals. Thus, hospital consultants who are legacy contract holders, possessing contractual rights to a mixture of public and private practice in a public hospital, are indemnified by the CIS which indemnifies their employing hospitals. Public hospitals which employ consultant doctors in the care and treatment of patients, no matter what contract the employee consultant doctors hold, are indemnified by the CIS. Because the CIS indemnifies the health enterprise/hospital in respect of its vicarious liability for consultant doctors, it does not and cannot draw a distinction between contract holders.
Public only obstetric consultants, who do not have an entitlement to private practice in public hospitals, may conduct private practice at an off-site health facility but such private obstetric practice is not covered by the CIS as it is not subsumed under the concept of enterprise liability. The public only contract holder obstetrician who conducts private practice at an off-site facility must purchase indemnity, from a Medical Defence Organisation or insurer, for such private practice.
874. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if Parkinson's, brain health and neurodegenerative conditions will be specifically included in Ireland's health briefs and agenda for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45116/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time, from 1 July to 31 December 2026. The Irish Presidency will take forward an ambitious agenda, focused on the core themes of competitiveness, values and security: Ní neart go cur le chéile - Strength with unity.
The Irish Presidency Health Agenda, under the theme “investing in health to enable competitiveness,” reflects a strategic commitment to strengthening the EU’s global competitiveness while ensuring high-quality, effective healthcare delivery for European citizens.
The Presidency Programme is structured around three areas of strategic focus.
First, Ireland will lead discussions on the future of medicines, promoting innovation in life sciences, clinical trials, and regulatory frameworks to support both competitiveness and sustainable access to treatments.
Second, the Presidency will highlight evidence-based prevention strategies and address health inequalities. We will progress negotiations on the Council Recommendation on health checks for cardiovascular diseases which is expected to be published later this year; as well as facilitating exchanges on early detection and integrated care, and increasing focus on women’s health, recognising its broader societal and economic impact.
Third, Ireland will prioritise the implementation of digital health systems and data sharing. Progressing the European Health Data Space will be key, enabling secure, interoperable data use to support research, innovation, and the development of safe and effective AI in healthcare.
Overall, the agenda positions health as a key driver of competitiveness, sustainability, and improved outcomes across the EU.
While Parkinson's disease, brain health and neurodegenerative conditions are not specifically included in the Health brief, the Joint Meeting of Chief Medical officers, Chief Nursing Officers and Chief Dental Officers which will take place on 15-16 October, will focus on how incremental, early interventions across the medical, nursing and dental sectors can drive lasting change, exploring how a proactive life-course approach to health can transform systems and support long-term sustainability.
Alongside the official programme of meetings and events taking place during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, a programme of Associated Presidency Events will take place across Ireland and internationally. Currently there are two co-related events scheduled to take place:
• 36th Alzheimer Europe Conference on 27-29 October; and
• Neurology at the Forefront of Innovation in Knowledge Based Healthcare Across Europe on 22 July.
875. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the total number of consultants in each maternity hospital and unit broken down by those who switched to the public-only consultant contract (POCC) since its introduction, those who remained on a non-POCC, and those who entered the HSE since 2023 under the POCC, by site and speciality, in tabular form. [45117/26]
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.
876. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 519 of 7 May 2026, the way in which the external expert panel will assess the pathway by which children came to be considered for surgery if certain matters are not reviewed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45118/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
878. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to extend an emergency medical card to a patient who is terminally ill (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45124/26]
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.
879. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on plans to increase the number of dental hygienists in Ireland and to allow them to make a greater contribution to oral healthcare in Ireland. [45147/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to note that dental hygienists were removed from the Ineligible Occupations List last month by my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. Accordingly, dental hygienists are now eligible for General Employment Permits in Ireland. This measure will increase the stock of dental hygienists who can practice and work here in Ireland.
To hire a non-EEA national, employers must secure a job offer and pass a Labour Market Needs Test (advertising the role locally first). Applicants must also register with the Irish Dental Council to practice.
The National Oral Health Policy envisages moving oral healthcare services to a more prevention-focused model. In this model, dental hygienists could provide preventative elements of the oral healthcare services to both children and adults. However, the number of training places for dental hygienists in Ireland is currently limited, with approximately 20 dental hygiene places per annum between University College Cork and Dublin Dental University Hospital at Trinity College Dublin. We are working to address this.
One of the Programme for Government commitments is to increase the number of healthcare college places including in dentistry which I am committed to advancing to ensure our healthcare system is supported by a steady and sustainable pipeline of highly skilled graduates.
My Department regularly engages with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) to discuss the expansion of training places with regards to oral healthcare professionals including dental hygienists. In that context, I understand that officials from DFHERIS are engaging with University College Cork to discuss in detail its proposal to establish a community-based dental outreach centre in North Cork, and to advance this important project.
The proposal, which includes a request for capital investment from my Department will support an increase in undergraduate capacity in dentistry, dental hygiene and dental nursing training places.
My Department has also received a draft proposal to increase training places for oral healthcare professionals including dental hygienists at the Dublin Dental University Hospital at Trinity College Dublin. This will require further discussion to progress this proposal with the aim to maximise the benefit this proposal will have in terms of increasing the number of oral healthcare professionals in Ireland, as well as increased service provision.
I am keen as Minister for Health to enhance the contribution that dental hygienists can make and I want to see the role of dental hygienists amplified. I have instructed my Department to accelerate the necessary consideration of this matter and work is ongoing on this.
My Department officials have met with the Irish Dental Hygienists Association earlier this year to discuss proposals for direct access for dental hygienists. Following this meeting, a policy paper has been developed with a view to advancing direct access for dental hygienists. Direct access must be safe and of course add value for patients.
There is ongoing engagement between my Department and the Dental Council as the regulator to discuss direct access and we are committed to progressing proposals to utilise dental hygienists who are important part of our oral healthcare workforce.
Alongside this, engagement with DFHERIS and the Higher Education Authority is ongoing to expand our oral healthcare workforce capacity in a sustainable and strategic manner, as well as exploring capacity regionally across the Technological University sector. By enhancing our future workforce, we are taking steps to ensure that the National Oral Health Policy is implemented.
880. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health if she is satisfied that all consultants on public only consultant contracts are only carrying out public work; if any hospital apart from the Rotunda Hospital has advised her that this was not the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45148/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe welcome the decision of the Board of Governors of the Rotunda to bring the hospital’s arrangements into line with Government policy on the terms of the Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC). A key objective of the POCC is to support equitable access to high-quality maternity care for all women and babies, regardless of their ability to pay. Its consistent implementation is central to that aim.
The HSE has been asked to conduct a full review to ensure that compliance with the terms of the POCC, specifically that no on site private practice is being conducted by POCC consultants whose transitional arrangements have concluded. To date, no other hospital has confirmed that private practice by POCC consultants has been permitted
Together, we can all now focus on continuing to deliver the very best care for all women and babies and implement reforms that strengthen our public health service for all.
881. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting time for access to home help supports in each county; and the number of persons currently on waiting lists in each county. [45149/26]
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.
882. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the reasons that are contributing to the waiting lists, and the allocation of home help supports across the State; the specific measures to seek to reduce those waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45150/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
