Written Answers Nos. 294-313
294. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to outline the HSE's policy on the integration of qualified engineering expertise into capital project planning at acute hospitals; the way in which compliance with that policy is monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48151/26]
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.
295. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to identify the role which carries technical engineering responsibility in acute hospitals, where critical engineering systems provide life-essential support to patients (details supplied); the qualifications required of the person in that role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48152/26]
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.
296. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has a national governance framework for the management of capital projects at acute hospitals, including defined roles and responsibilities for the acceptance and sign-off of infrastructure against national standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48153/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
297. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the minimum standards that apply to out-of-hours engineering cover at Level 3 and Level 4 acute hospitals; if she will confirm that those standards are being met across the HSE's hospital network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48154/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
298. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the oversight that exists to ensure that National Incident Management System (NIMS) reports filed by clinical and technical staff are properly investigated; the mechanisms, if any, to prevent a report being voided at hospital management level without independent review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48155/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
299. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if any accountability mechanisms exist for HSE compliance with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) recommendations; the actions that have been taken in respect of a decision issued on agreed terms in August 2023 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48156/26]
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.
300. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if a review has been conducted at Connolly Hospital following the fire safety breaches, emergency department power failure, and delays to capital infrastructure (details supplied); if any remediation has been put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48157/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
301. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dentists, dental nurses and dental hygienists posts filled at Ballymun Primary Care Centre as of 16 June 2026, in tabular form. [48168/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
302. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE physiotherapists posts filled at Ballygall Health Centre as of 16 June 2026, in tabular form. [48169/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
303. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE adult occupational therapists posts filled at Wellmount Health Centre as of 16 June 2026, in tabular form. [48170/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
304. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to appoint a permanent dermatologist to University Hospital Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48172/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
305. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to address an issue with senior nurse management who are awaiting a pay review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48177/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the matter referenced relates to the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery, published in 2022. There is currently an ongoing process surrounding two specific recommendations of the Review:
recommendation 42, which states that
“Align the salary of a single Director of Nursing in each of the nine Model 4 hospitals to that of the Area Director of Nursing for Mental Health.”
and recommendation 43 which states that
“The Hospital Banding System currently in place to be discontinued. A revised approach for determining Director of Nursing/Midwifery and Assistant Director of Nursing/Midwifery grading across the system to be implemented. This should take into account the revised roles, scope, and responsibilities in the context of Sláintecare and the reforms required to provide integrated and universal healthcare. The number of grades to be rationalised to eight salary scales, the details to be determined between the relevant parties in the context of the next public service pay agreement.”
These recommendations are relevant only to Director and Assistant Director Nursing and Midwifery grades. The Review explicitly notes that there are “14 DON/M and ADON/M” in need of reform. No other grades are mentioned.
While it may be disappointing for some of those grades who are not included in this process, the publication was clear.
A process of engagement in relation to recommendations 42 and 43 began in 2023 and engagement is continuing. The Department is working hard to reach a resolution on this process and has been actively engaging with nursing unions to do so.
While the process has taken some time, it must be acknowledged that an offer was made in respect of this process to the unions last year, which would have provided for a 6% average increase to those affected. This offer was not accepted and discussions continue.
The inclusion of further grades in this process would amount to a cost increasing claim and, as such, is prohibited under the terms of the Public Sector Agreement 2024-2026 – outside of the Local Bargaining process.
The Local Bargaining process, which provides an allocation of €38 million for nursing-related claims, represents the only appropriate mechanism through which matters relating to grades outside the scope of Recommendations 42 and 43 may be progressed.
306. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health whether GPs can currently refer directly for gynaecological pelvic MRI under the GP Access to Community Diagnostics scheme. [48205/26]
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.
307. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the reason gynaecological pelvic MRI is not available through GP referral where other MRI indications, including orthopaedic pelvic indications are available. [48206/26]
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 Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE intends to review GP access to gynaecological pelvic MRI as part of the National Endometriosis Framework and wider women's health policy. [48207/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra310. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE will create a direct GP referral pathway to specialist gynaecological imaging for suspected endometriosis or complex pelvic disease, if direct GP access is not proposed. [48209/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 310 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
309. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health whether gynaecological pelvic MRI will be added to GP access pathways under appropriate clinical criteria. [48208/26]
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.
311. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has reviewed the cost and patient impact of funding endometriosis-related care abroad compared with investing in improved diagnostic and treatment pathways here. [48210/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ESAIS was established by the HSE as a temporary measure to support patients requiring surgery for endometriosis who are on a waiting list for the surgery in Ireland but do not have a date for surgery. It aims to allow these patients to access the surgery they need, by facilitating their attendance at a specialist centre abroad, with costs covered by the HSE. This is planned to be operational over a limited period of time while improved diagnostic and treatment pathways in Irish services for endometriosis are being scaled up in accordance with the National Endometriosis Framework.
On 18 October 2025, I launched the National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis. The Framework sets out for the first time in Ireland a defined clinical pathway for women with endometriosis, which spans primary to secondary care to specialist complex care in tertiary settings.
Funding of over €5 million was invested in endometriosis services between 2021 and 2025.
Two supra-regional specialist centres, in Tallaght University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital, have been established for the management of complex endometriosis cases.
Regional Specialist Centres for moderate cases have been established in the Rotunda, the Coombe, and Limerick, with clinics under further development in Galway and the National Maternity Hospital. All endometriosis sites are operational and taking referrals.
In addition to the implementation of the Framework, I also mandated several actions to expedite access to care for women impacted by endometriosis. Significant progress has already been made, including:
• 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.
• Q1 2026 showed substantial increases in referrals, clinics and new patient throughput across the network of specialist endometriosis services.
• An additional 65 whole-time-equivalent healthcare professionals have been prioritised through the HSE National Service Plan 2026 to expand and fully implement the framework.
• The HSE Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme (ESAIS) was opened on 18 October 2025. ESAIS has facilitated women to access surgery abroad in five different countries across Europe to date.
• €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.
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.
312. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a date on which the ANP-ADON pay link will be formally protected (details supplied); if she will provide the reasons for the prolonged delay in resolving this matter; the basis on which any proposed limitation of back pay is being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48219/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the matter referenced relates to the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery, published in 2022. There is currently an ongoing process surrounding two specific recommendations of the Review:
Recommendation 42, which states that
“Align the salary of a single Director of Nursing in each of the nine Model 4 hospitals to that of the Area Director of Nursing for Mental Health.”
and Recommendation 43 which states that
“The Hospital Banding System currently in place to be discontinued. A revised approach for determining Director of Nursing/Midwifery and Assistant Director of Nursing/Midwifery grading across the system to be implemented. This should take into account the revised roles, scope, and responsibilities in the context of Sláintecare and the reforms required to provide integrated and universal healthcare. The number of grades to be rationalised to eight salary scales, the details to be determined between the relevant parties in the context of the next public service pay agreement.”
These recommendations are relevant only to Director and Assistant Director Nursing and Midwifery grades. The Review explicitly notes that there are “14 DON/M and ADON/M” in need of reform. No other grades are mentioned.
A process of engagement in relation to recommendations 42 and 43 began in 2023 and engagement is continuing. The Department is working hard to reach a resolution on this process and has been actively engaging with nursing unions to do so.
While the process has taken some time, it must be acknowledged that an offer was made in respect of this process to the unions last year, which would have provided for a 6% average increase to those affected. This offer was not accepted and discussions continue.
The inclusion of further grades in this process would amount to a cost increasing claim and, as such, is prohibited under the terms of the Public Sector Agreement 2024-2026 – outside of the Local Bargaining process.
The Local Bargaining process, which provides an allocation of €38 million for nursing-related claims, represents the only appropriate mechanism through which matters relating to grades outside the scope of Recommendations 42 and 43 may be progressed.
313. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the average waiting list timeframe for hip replacement surgery in a hospital (details supplied) by persons waiting six months, 12 months, 18 months and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48253/26]
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.
