Written Answers Nos. 764-785
764. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if she will provide data regarding the number of WTE audiologists working within older persons services in CHO2 area as of 16 June 2026; and if she will provide the same figures as of 30 June 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47374/26]
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.
765. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if third-party insourcing will end as a practice within the HSE on 30 June 2026, as per the HSE Review of Insourcing and Outsourcing published in June 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47379/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI Have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
766. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 737 of 21 April 2026, if the new community nursing unit at St Finbarr's, Cork has been handed over to the HSE; if not, if the unit will be handed over before the end of Q2 2026 as previously indicated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47380/26]
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.
767. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the person or body that authorised the transmission of sensitive patient safety video material to the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner on 22 May 2026 (details supplied); if the material was viewed before transmission; if she personally considered the governance issues raised before that transmission; and if not, her reasoning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47382/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health received correspondence which indicated that it related to matters arising from a protected disclosure and therefore appeared to fall within the protected disclosure framework.
Accordingly, the material was transmitted, on an administrative basis by officials of the Department, to the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner under section 8 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended. The Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner operates independently in the handling and follow-up of matters referred to it.
The transmission was undertaken in line with established procedures for the handling of correspondence of this nature. In this context, the Department does not assess the substantive merits of the information in advance of referral.
The material in question was not viewed by the Department prior to its transmission. In line with the principles underpinning the Protected Disclosures framework, which place a strong emphasis on confidentiality and the protection of identity, access to material of this nature is limited to the minimum necessary for administrative handling.
As the matter was handled in accordance with these procedures, it was not the subject of personal consideration by the Minister.
768. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health with respect to two incidents (details supplied), if she accepts that a Garda referral does not, of itself, constitute an independent external review of patient safety governance, escalation pathways, executive visibility or pattern-recognition systems within the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47383/26]
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.
769. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health with respect to two incidents (details supplied), the reason her Department relied on the Health Service Executive's own conclusion that appropriate enquiries had been undertaken; if the concern raised by the Irish Patients Association were considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47384/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra770. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will now establish an independent external review into the governance concerns arising from two incidents, including the reasons the matter did not reach Health Service Executive chief executive officer level until raised externally (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47385/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 769 and 770 together.
The Department of Health was contacted last year in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy. Given the nature of the correspondence, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the HSE was requested to examine the matter and meet with the person raising the concerns. That meeting took place in November 2025. Following that, the former CEO confirmed to the Department that he was satisfied that he had appropriately enquired into and taken action in relation to the concerns expressed to him. My Department considers that this matter has been examined at the most senior level in the HSE and appropriately addressed through the relevant processes.
771. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the reason a newborn baby (details supplied) has remained in Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street since 28 May 2026 without a clear diagnosis or definitive treatment plan; the steps being taken to establish the cause of the child's condition; the reason there appears to be delays and inconsistencies in treatment decisions, including the consideration of surgical intervention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47409/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter relating to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
772. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by a parent (details supplied) regarding a lack of communication and consent in the care of their infant in Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, including instances where changes to oxygen support, feeding methods, and treatment plans were made without informing or consulting the parent; the protocols in place to ensure parental involvement in clinical decision making; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47410/26]
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.
773. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if a review will be carried out into the circumstances surrounding the birth and immediate postnatal care of a baby (details supplied) at Mayo University Hospital, including concerns that signs of distress were not acted upon promptly; the outcome of any such review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47411/26]
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.
774. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for diagnostic procedures and surgical interventions for infants presenting with respiratory difficulties in Children's Health Ireland hospitals; whether delays in decision making or treatment are being monitored; the measures being taken to ensure timely care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47412/26]
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.
775. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if any further review of insourcing and outsourcing has been conducted since publication of the June 2025 HSE Review of Insourcing and Outsourcing and the introduction of new controls; if so, the amounts spent on both insourcing and outsourcing over that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47399/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
776. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health the annual expenditure incurred by the HSE on International recruitment campaigns, relocation packages, recruitment agencies and associated supports for each of the years 2023 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [47416/26]
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.
777. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health her plans to introduce a publicly funded vaccine programme for shingles for persons aged over 75 years-of-age. [47417/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland 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
The current NIAC guidelines state that the shingles vaccine may be considered for those aged 65 years and older, due to the greater burden and severity of disease in this age group and in those aged 18 years and older at increased risk of shingles.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has carried out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. HIQA’s HTA examined the evidence on the clinical effectiveness and safety of shingles vaccines. The cost effectiveness and budget impact were also reviewed, along with the ethical, social and organisational implications of including the vaccine in the adult immunisation schedule.
HIQA published this HTA on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that adding the shingles vaccine to the routine immunisation schedule, at the vaccine price at the time, for all adults aged 65 years and over would not be cost effective and would be associated with a substantial budget impact.
While the vaccine is considered safe and effective, its protective effect diminishes over time. HIQA also noted the substantial budget impact associated with vaccination. If made available to everyone aged 65 and older, vaccination would cost €218 million over five years.
Whilst the HTA found that the introduction of the shingles vaccine was not cost effective based on the cost of the vaccine, it found that it could be cost effective for vaccination of those at 75 years and 80 years if the cost of the vaccine was reduced by 80%.
Given that the healthcare budget is finite and decisions regarding increased spending relating to a change in one area could impact the provision of other health technologies and treatments within the healthcare system, the cost-effectiveness must be considered in any decision-making process.
My Department considered the findings of this HTA in 2024 and determined that the introduction of the vaccine could be reconsidered when the cost effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable
I can confirm that the introduction of the shingles vaccine to the immunisation schedule in Ireland is again being actively considered for a cohort of immunocompromised individuals, in line with NIAC advice and cognisant of the cost effectiveness of market pricing and available funding.
778. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to private practice consultants offering or giving gifts to public only contract consultants in return for handling their patients on days which they are absent from work or not rostered, or similar practices involving the gift or favour-giving to public only consultants for work which would have typically been billed as private work under old contracts; the hospitals where she has identified the existence of such a practice; the hospitals which she has audited to determine the extent of such a practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47429/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister has made it very clear, both publicly and directly to the Rotunda Hospital, that consultants on the Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC) are not permitted to engage in private practice within public hospitals. This position is unequivocal. There are no exemptions, arrangements or deviations from the terms of the contract. It is the Minister’s expectation that all hospitals and all consultants are fully compliant with the terms of the contract.
Where practices have arisen that are not consistent with the contract, these must cease immediately, and steps must be taken locally to ensure full compliance without delay. At the Minister’s request, the HSE is undertaking a comprehensive review across all public hospitals to ensure adherence to the POCC. The HSE will take any actions necessary to address issues identified and to ensure consistent implementation nationwide. The focus is on ensuring full compliance across the system.
779. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the total number of taxis contracted to the HSE nationwide for the most recent year for which the requested data is available; the total expenditure in respect of these contracts by the HSE; the total number of passenger journeys made; broken down by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47439/26]
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.
780. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the specific actions and targets contained within the HSE National Service Plan 2026 in relation to endometriosis services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47453/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra781. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the further expansion of specialist and regional endometriosis services that is planned under the implementation of the National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis; the timeline for the delivery of these developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47454/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra782. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the additional measures planned in 2026 and 2027 to improve access to diagnosis, treatment and specialist supports for women with endometriosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47455/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 780, 781 and 782 together.
I am committed to expanding specialist endometriosis services, improving support services for women with endometriosis and promoting awareness of endometriosis, both among the public and crucially within our own health services.
In response to gaps identified in the provision of endometriosis services and recent actions I mandated to improve service delivery, my Department developed an Endometriosis Action Plan in October 2025 which is now nearing completion.
Progress to date includes the following:
• The National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis in Ireland, was launched on 18 October marking an important milestone in the evolution of women’s healthcare in Ireland. The Framework establishes for the first time a defined clinical care pathway for women and girls living with endometriosis.
• I have been engaging directly with women and listening to their personal experiences of endometriosis. This engagement has included one-on-one meetings with women as well as a patient voice forum on Monday 1 September 2025. A second Patient Voice Forum took place on 5 March 2026.
• The HSE carried out over 140 additional surgeries in Q4 2025 for women waiting for surgery.
• An additional colorectal surgeon has been successfully recruited by the HSE in Cork and Tallaght, strengthening our complex care capacity.
• An additional 65 whole-time-equivalent healthcare professionals have been prioritised through the HSE National Service Plan 2026 to expand and fully implement the National Endometriosis Framework. This will include additional consultants, nurse specialists, psychologists, physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists, medical scientists, health care assistants and administrative staff.
• The HSE Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme was opened on 18 October 2025. ESAIS has facilitated women to access surgery abroad in five different countries across Europe to date.
• Two additional centres have been added to the HSE ESAIS approved list since its inception in October 2025, with another under the final stages of consideration.
• I personally wrote to all GPs, consultants and other clinicians to raise awareness of endometriosis.
• The Irish College of General Practitioners is completing a general practice update this year specifically on endometriosis.
• A HSE national campaign around menstrual health, including endometriosis, is in development.
• The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists held its annual conference on 6 March 2026, which focused on Endometriosis with participation from experts from across Europe.
• The National Women’s and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) will host a ‘HSE Endometriosis Services’ stand at this years’ ploughing championships to raise awareness and signpost reliable information and services.
• Clinicians continue to upskill and attend European educational events focused on endometriosis management.
• International accreditation of Irish endometriosis centres is underway, in partnership with international experts, to standardise best practice and raise clinical standards nationally.
• As part of Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency, an EU Endometriosis Conference will take place on 3 December 2026 in Dublin.
Other endometriosis developments also include the following:
• €2 million in funding has been ringfenced for research into all aspects of women’s health, including endometriosis. This is the first time Irish research funding has been dedicated specifically to women’s health.
• Two education officers are working across the country to deliver the comprehensive Menstrual Information Specialising in Endometriosis (MISE) programme which aims to educate people, particularly in schools, sports clubs and workplaces, on menstrual health, with a focus on endometriosis.
• Two permanent two-year endometriosis fellowships have been funded, with the first two candidates due to complete their fellowship in July of this year. Both fellowship positions will be recruited for on a recurring basis, ensuring a pipeline of expertise into public endometriosis services.
• Q1 2026 showed substantial increases in referrals, clinics and new patient throughput across the network of specialist endometriosis services.
With regard to the timeline for the expansion of our specialist endometriosis services, the HSE has advised that further recruitment may take up to 18 months in order to secure the necessary expertise or our specialist services.
783. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if membership of the (CTAC) Clinical Trials Advisory Council has been set; to provide full list of membership; the efforts her Department is making to ensure that Ireland is an attractive place for clinical trials; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47461/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for raising awareness of this important topic. A shortlist of candidates for the Clinical Trials Advisory Council has been prepared and is currently under review, and I anticipate appointing members to the CTAC in the coming weeks. At that time, the members will be notified and the CTAC will be announced via the Department of Health Press Office.
The CTAC will oversee the implementation of the Final Recommendations of the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group, which will help streamline the clinical trials regulatory environment in Ireland whilst maintaining the highest standards of data and patient protection, and will introduce greater predictability and efficiency that will have the overall effect of accelerating the speed at which clinical trials can gain regulatory approval and commence recruiting patients. This will contribute towards increasing Ireland's attractiveness as a host for high-quality clinical trials. Our efforts are in alignment with measures proposed in the European Commission's Biotech Act (Part 1), as well as commitments in our own Programme for Government, and will ultimately result in our population having greater access to innovative life-changing treatments.
784. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether a national diabetes registry exists in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47464/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra785. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health given the absence of a national diabetes registry in the State, the data source and jurisdiction on which her Department and the Health Service Executive base their estimate of diabetes prevalence; whether that estimate is derived by applying a diabetes prevalence rate recorded in another jurisdiction to the population of the State; the most recent year for which such an estimate has been produced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47466/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra786. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the most recent estimate held by her Department or the Health Service Executive of the number of people living with diabetes in the State, distinguishing between type 1 and type 2 diabetes; the year and data source on which that estimate is based; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47467/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra787. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the implications of the absence of a national diabetes registry for the planning and resourcing of diabetes services; whether there are plans to establish such a registry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47468/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 784, 785, 786 and 787 together.
The https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/a41e7d5d/Diabetes_Policy_and_Services_Review_-_A_Strategy_for_Better_Care.pdf, published in May this year, details the current estimates for diabetes prevalence in Ireland.
In the absence of a National Diabetes Registry, it is not possible to accurately determine overall diabetes prevalence in Ireland. National diabetes prevalence figures used in the development of the Diabetes Policy and Services Review were estimated by applying the Scottish diabetes prevalence rate of 6% to the Irish population.
Based on the 2022 CSO population data, it is estimated that 308,000 people in Ireland are living with diabetes. Of these, approximately 273,000 have type 2 diabetes (90% of all diabetes diagnosis), and approximately 20,000-30,000 adults have type 1 diabetes.
The Irish Childhood Diabetes National Register (ICDNR), established in 2008, captures incidence data on children under the age of 15 with new-onset type 1 diabetes. Almost 4,800 young people were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before the age of 15 and have been registered with the ICDNR since its launch. According to the register, the incidence of type 1 diabetes in Ireland is 37.6 cases per 100,000 population per year.
Other less common classifications of diabetes (e.g. Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young) account for a small proportion of the total population living with diabetes.
Progress has been made toward establishing a National Diabetes Registry. In 2025, a multidisciplinary team consisting of a Clinical lead, a programme manager, administrator and a data analyst was appointed to scope out and develop a National Diabetes Registry (NDR) in Ireland.
A multi-stakeholder NDR working group has been established with input from clinicians, technology and transformation, patient advocate association & data controllers. Governance structures are being established within the Population/Public Health division of the HSE.
The NDR is being developed in a multi-annual phased approach, with the initial focus on identifying the true prevalence of diabetes in Ireland. When established, the NDR will support clinicians and the health system to improve decision making for better patient care.
