Written Answers Nos. 975-994
975. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of medical and clinical vacancies currently in MRH, Tullamore; the details of the vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45606/26]
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.
976. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the proposed reconfiguration of the hydrotherapy pool area at MRH Tullamore has been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45607/26]
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.
977. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the details of all surgeries that were cancelled or rescheduled on an annual basis in MRH, Tullamore in each of the years 2016 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45608/26]
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.
978. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the plans to approve the weight loss medications ozempic and mounjaro for inclusion in the drugs payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45657/26]
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 HSE have been asked to provide an update.
The HSE is committed to providing access to as many medicines as possible, in as timely a fashion as possible, from the resources available (provided) to it.
The HSE robustly assesses applications for pricing and reimbursement to make sure that it can stretch available resources as far as possible and to deliver the best value in relation to each medicine and ultimately more medicines to Irish citizens and patients.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds.
There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and / or reimbursed. The HSE considers the criteria set out in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 prior to making any decision on pricing / reimbursement.
The Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The membership of the HSE Drugs Group includes public interest members. Pharmacoeconomic reports are reviewed by the HSE Drugs Group along with the outputs of commercial negotiations, and any patient group submission(s) received. The HSE Drugs Group considers all of the evidence and makes a recommendation to the HSE Senior Management Team.
The decision making authority in the HSE is the HSE Senior Management Team. The HSE Senior Management Team decides on the basis of all the demands it is faced with (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new use of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®):
Weight management
The HSE received an application for pricing and reimbursement of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) on the 24th June 2024 from Eli Lilly (the applicant) indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 (obesity) or 27 kg/m2 to < 30 kg/m2 (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes mellitus).
• The first step in the process is the submission of a Rapid Review dossier (a clinical and economic dossier) to the NCPE for assessment. The HSE commissioned the Rapid Review process on the 24th June 2024.
• The NCPE Rapid Review assessment report was received by the HSE on the 30th July 2024. A full HTA was recommended to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) compared with the current standard of care.
• The HSE commissioned a full HTA on the 27th August 2024 as per agreed processes.
• The HTA was completed by the NCPE on the 3rd December 2025. The NCPE recommends that tirzepatide, as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial BMI of: 30kg/m2, or 27kg/m2 to < 30kg/m2 in the presence of at least one WRC be considered for reimbursement if cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments: www.ncpe.ie/tirzepatide-mounjaro-hta-id-24024/.
• The HSE CPU is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications. The HSE CPU has met with the applicant to discuss this application and commercial negotiations are ongoing.
This application remains under consideration with the HSE. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
In terms of the specific details of the reimbursement of semaglutide (Ozempic®):
Controls are in place within PCRS on claiming processes to ensure that only HSE approved indications are reimbursed across a range of medicines. Controls are currently in place for the GLP-1 agonists to restrict reimbursement support to the HSE approved indications.
Reimbursement approval is in place for semaglutide (Ozempic®) for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise as monotherapy when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance or contraindications and in addition to other medicinal products for the treatment of diabetes under the General Medical Services and Long Term Illness Scheme from the 1st September 2018.
Ozempic® does not currently have an EU marketing authorisation for the treatment of weight loss alone. Off-label prescribing of GLP-1 agonists are not supported for reimbursement under Community Drug Schemes.
It is incumbent on the company to apply to the appropriate regulatory body for a marketing authorisation to extend the licence for Ozempic® for the treatment of weight loss.
Once this is granted the HSE will process and assess any pricing and reimbursement application ,if received from the company, as efficiently as possible.
979. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently awaiting an initial assessment at the south Tipperary memory clinic, Cashel; the length of time each cohort of patients has been waiting, in tabular form by 0–three months, three–six months, six–nine months, nine–12 months and more than 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45675/26]
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.
980. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently awaiting a follow-up review appointment at the south Tipperary memory clinic; the length of time patients in each cohort have been waiting, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45676/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
981. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals received by the south Tipperary memory clinic that have not yet received an appointment; the average number of referrals received per month in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45677/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
982. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the approved staffing complement for the south Tipperary memory clinic, by grade and whole-time equivalent, including consultant, nursing, allied health professional, psychology and administrative posts; the number currently filled; the number vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45678/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
983. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the details of the full-time administrative post which the HSE has advised has been approved for the south Tipperary memory clinic; whether the post has been advertised; whether the post is full-time; the date on which it was advertised or is expected to be advertised; the expected recruitment timeline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45679/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
984. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the additional staffing resources that have been sanctioned for the south Tipperary memory clinic since January 2026; the grades involved; the current status of recruitment for each post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45680/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
985. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the specific actions identified by the HSE as necessary before the south Tipperary memory clinic can reopen; the status of each action; the expected completion date for each action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45681/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
986. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has set a target date for the reopening of the south Tipperary memory clinic; if not, when such a target date will be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45682/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
987. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether a clinical risk assessment has been conducted regarding the closure of the south Tipperary memory clinic; whether delayed diagnosis of dementia and cognitive impairment has been assessed as a patient safety risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45683/26]
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.
988. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE proposes to reduce the backlog of 450 patients awaiting an initial assessment and 168 patients awaiting follow-up appointments at the south Tipperary memory clinic; whether a recovery plan has been developed; the target dates for clearing the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45684/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
990. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health when an updated National Positive Ageing Strategy will be published; the resources that will be allocated to its implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45713/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to supporting positive ageing across the life-course as well as to enabling older people to continue to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
We have taken great strides in achieving these objectives in recent years. The reorientation of the model of care into the community, which is central to the ongoing Sláintecare reform of our health and social care system, is fundamental to enabling people with care needs to live independently in their homes and communities. Initiatives such as the Enhanced Community Care programme, the on-going development of the statutory home-support scheme, the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme and the diversification of housing options for older people are all supporting this paradigm shift.
More broadly, the on-going implementation of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (2016), the National Mental Health Promotion Plan: Pathways to Wellbeing 2024–2030 and the National Physical Activity Framework 2024–2040 is playing a vital role in enabling healthy ageing.
My Department provides funding to a number of organisations across the local government, community and voluntary sectors which play a key role in supporting older people and in enabling healthy, active and autonomous ageing. That in 2019 Ireland became the first country to be formally designated as ‘age-friendly’ by the World Health Organization bears testimony to our success in this endeavour.
Nevertheless, the Government recognises the imperative for a robust and considered policy response to the challenges and opportunities presented by our ageing population, which is an achievement to be celebrated. Accordingly, in fulfilment of the commitment in the Programme for Government (2020), we established an independent Commission on Care for Older People in March 2024. The Commission is chaired by Professor Alan Barrett (Economic and Social Research Institute) and is comprised of independent experts. In Budget 2026 €0.735 million was allocated to support the work of the Commission.
The Commission is charged with examining the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and with making recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a cross-departmental group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life-course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports.
The work of the Commission is being advanced through three modules which will run consecutively. In November 2025 the Commission concluded its work on Module 1 on the effectiveness, adequacy and efficiency of the care and supports which are currently provided within the health and social care system for older people. The Module 1 report, which details lessons learnt for Module 2, is currently being finalised.
In January 2026 the Commission commenced its work on Module 2, through which a framework for the overarching strategic development of health and social care services and supports for older people that advances national strategic objectives will be prepared.
The Commission has met 39 times to date, in addition to which an extraordinary meeting with HIQA was convened following the broadcasting of ‘RTÉ Investigates: Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes’ on 4th June 2025.
Further information on the Commission’s work is available on the Government of Ireland’s website at www.gov.ie/commissiononcare.
991. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she will provide immediate assistance in securing respite care for a person (details supplied); the steps that can be taken to ensure they receive the necessary care as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45714/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
992. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to expedite a dental appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45719/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
993. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting on a dental appointment in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45720/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
994. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE have carried out an internal review or investigation into the impact of the three-day waiting period provision within the existing abortion legislation, including input from women who continued their pregnancies after an initial consultation about abortion with a GP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45721/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with statutory and Government commitments an independent review of the operation of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, including the 3-day wait, was initiated at the end of 2021.
The final report of this review made a range of recommendations, most of which are operational in nature with some proposing legislative change. The operational recommendations are being progressed and significant progress has been made.
Decisions in relation to the legislative recommendations require careful consideration.
