David Cullinane
Ceist:523. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a 10% uplift in funding for recovery education. [48674/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMental Health Services
Ceisteanna (523)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (524, 525)
David Cullinane
Ceist:524. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of delivering the full complement of community CAMHS teams in line with the population recommendations of Sharing the Vision, in tabular form; the number of teams required; and the staffing complement required. [48675/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDavid Cullinane
Ceist:525. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of delivering the full complement of acute CAMHS teams in line with the population recommendations of Sharing the Vision, in tabular form; the number of teams and beds required; and the staffing complement required. [48676/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together.
All aspects of mental health care, including the specialist CAMHS service, are being enhanced in line with implementation of our mental health policy Sharing the Vision 2020-2030, our new suicide reduction policy Connecting for Life 2026-2035 and the annual HSE Service plans.
Government has provided record funding of nearly €1.6 billion for mental health in 2026. CAMHS receives approximately €191 million annually, an increase of almost 40% over the past four years. A further €127 million is provided to NGOs, many of which focus on young people. Under Budget 2026, €10 million was provided to enhance youth mental health services, including CAMHS.
Sharing the Vision adopts a flexible approach to improving CAMHS teams to best meet evolving and local needs and the structural reforms envisaged under Slaintecare now being delivered at HSE level. The improvement of CAMHS is also being progressed in the context of implementing the new HSE Child and Youth Mental Health Action Plan 2025-2027.
I have referred the Deputy's questions to the HSE for direct reply in relation to the detailed information sought.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (526)
David Cullinane
Ceist:526. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of delivering the full complement of CAMHS-ID teams in line with the population recommendations of Sharing the Vision, in tabular form; the number of teams required; and the staffing complement required. [48677/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (527)
David Cullinane
Ceist:527. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of delivering the full complement of early intervention in psychosis teams in line with the model of care, in tabular form; the number of teams required; and the staffing complement required. [48678/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Psychosis is a condition that affects the way the brain processes information, covering a range of symptoms where a person’s beliefs, thoughts, feelings, perceptions, or behaviours are affected. A person with psychosis can find it difficult to distinguish what is real, and onset is typically in late teens/early twenties.
Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) is an evidenced-based approach that can transform the experience and outcomes of young people facing psychosis. The EIP Programme is funded with over €5 million total funding on an annual recurring basis. As a result, 5 adult multi-disciplinary teams are now operational, with an additional CAMHS team in place. 4 additional EIP teams are in the process of recruitment and development based on funding I secured as Minister in recent Budgets 2025/2026.
In relation to the issue raised in relation to your PQ as this is an operational matter, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (528)
David Cullinane
Ceist:528. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing 1,000,000 older person home support hours. [48679/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Promotion
Ceisteanna (529)
David Cullinane
Ceist:529. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the annual spend on Health Ireland initiatives, in tabular form. [48686/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Healthy Ireland is based on evidence and experience from around the world which clearly shows that to create positive changes in health and wellbeing takes the involvement of the whole of Government and all of society working together. Given the wider “health in all policies” approach of Healthy Ireland, investment across multiple sectors, through Government Departments and their agencies and in wider society, all contributes to broad health and wellbeing in line with the Healthy Ireland Framework.
Please see below the out-turn per area in 2025 for Healthy Ireland initiatives from the Department of Health in tabular form.
|
B.2 Healthy Ireland Fund |
Out-turn 2025* |
|
Healthy Cities Counties and Communities |
10,616,000 |
|
Physical Activity |
3,091,000 |
|
Obesity and Nutrition |
868,000 |
|
Mental Health |
559,000 |
|
Healthy Places |
998,000 |
|
Menstrual and Sexual Health |
625,898 |
|
Total Out-turn |
16,758,000 |
*Rounded to nearest thousand
There is overwhelming evidence that investment in prevention is cost-effective in both the short and longer term. In addition, investing in public health generates cost-effective health outcomes and can contribute to wider sustainability, with economic, social and environmental benefits. Healthy Ireland provides the central platform to address the social determinants of health that impact how well people live their lives.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (530)
David Cullinane
Ceist:530. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a 10% uplift in spending on GP services. [48687/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold agreements/contracts with the HSE for the provision of health services without charge including the GMS contract for the provision of GP care to medical card and GP visit card holders.
Under the GMS contract, GPs are reimbursed by the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) primarily on a capitation basis. They also receive fee-per-item payments for certain services and a range of financial supports.
The PCRS annual reports, available from the PCRS website, provide details of GP payments under the GMS scheme and other schemes such as the Primary Childhood Immunisation Scheme and the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme. As per the 2024 annual report, over €949 million was paid to GPs by PCRS in 2024 (with the majority paid under the GMS scheme). Full year 2025 figures will be provided in the 2025 PCRS annual report when published. Accordingly, based on the 2024 report, a 10% uplift in spending on GP services would amount to approximately €95 million.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (531)
David Cullinane
Ceist:531. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a 10% uplift in spending on private dental and orthodontic services. [48688/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (532)
David Cullinane
Ceist:532. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a 10% uplift in spending on dental screening in schools. [48689/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (533)
David Cullinane
Ceist:533. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a 10% uplift in spending on private optometry and audiology services. [48690/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (534)
David Cullinane
Ceist:534. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a 10% uplift in spending on HSE primary and community care services, by service, in tabular form; and the number of additional workers this would relate to, by grade in whole-time equivalent. [48691/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (535)
David Cullinane
Ceist:535. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the full rollout of managed clinical rehabilitation network teams in each area; the staffing complement required in each area; the estimated cost of the full rollout of the national neurorehabilitation strategy, by measure; and the associated staffing complement required, in tabular form. [48692/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (536)
David Cullinane
Ceist:536. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a 10% uplift in medical intern, GP, basic specialist, and higher specialist training places; and the number of places this would create, in tabular form. [48693/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This Parliamentary Question has been referred to the HSE for response as it relates to an operational issue.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (537)
David Cullinane
Ceist:537. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a 10% uplift in each professional trainee placement type, including but not limited to trainee psychologists; and the number of places this would create, in tabular form. [48694/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (538)
David Cullinane
Ceist:538. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a 1% uplift in the percentage of nurses which are advanced nurse practitioners. [48695/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This Parliamentary Questions has been referred to the HSE as it relates to an operational matter.
Question No. 539 answered with Question No. 447.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (540)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:540. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the reason a necessary prescribed medication (MoviPrep), which is required to prepare a patient for a colonoscopy procedure, is not covered under the medical card scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the financial burden this places on patients in receipt of disability allowance or other social welfare supports; and her plans to review or extend medical card coverage to include such essential preparatory medications in advance of hospital procedures. [48701/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 541 answered with Question No. 447.
Question No. 542 answered with Question No. 447.
Question No. 543 answered with Question No. 447.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (544)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:544. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address staffing resource shortages in the HSE South West region, identified in the Diabetes Policy and Services Review: A strategy for Better Care Diabetes Strategy (details supplied); if additional funding will be made available for the new posts identified in the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48707/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (545)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:545. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if her Department will commit to publishing the Prior Information Notice for an organisation (details supplied) by the end of July 2026; if her Department will commit to publishing the full tender packet for the organisation by the end of September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48709/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (546)
Colm Burke
Ceist:546. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether her Department is proposing to split the alignment in pay scale between the management (ADON/assistant director of nursing) and clinical grades (ANP) in an upcoming pay review; the rationale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48710/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Question No. 547 answered with Question No. 447.