Written Answers Nos. 453-483
453. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to review the case of a person (details supplied); her views on a compensation scheme for long-Covid patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50441/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Taoiseach met with health unions on Thursday, 30 April. Following that engagement, the Taoiseach has asked the HSE to ensure that management discretion under the Critical Illness Protocol is actively and compassionately applied in cases involving long COVID, so that staff continue to be supported while Government considers what further longer-term measures may be appropriate.
This matter remains under active consideration across Government, including by the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Social Protection, with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Social Protection having met in recent weeks to discuss ongoing supports; they welcomed the progress to date, noting that a significant number of staff have been supported in returning to work, with others continuing to receive support through the public service sick leave scheme.
454. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the actions her Department can take to assist a person (details supplied) who is on dialysis and ready to be stepped down from a hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50443/26]
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.
455. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the reason Cork University Maternity Hospital does not have a dedicated haematologist providing care for pregnant women (details supplied); if there are plans to provide a dedicated post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50444/26]
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.
456. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health her response to the closure of a clinic (details supplied) where many individuals were receiving care for ADHD; the response of the HSE to this closure to ensure continuity of care for those individuals, particularly in receipt of medication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50445/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraADHD has long been recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and it is now known to persist into adulthood. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Prior to the development of our National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD, there were no public ADHD services for adults in Ireland, and building up these services is my focus.
This National Clinical Programme is based on multi-disciplinary community teams to diagnose and treat ADHD in adults. As Minister, I'm proud to have launched the Model of Care for Adult ADHD and to have resourced the establishment of the teams envisioned by the Model of Care. The ADHD Programme is funded with total funding of over €5 million on a recurring annual basis. As a result, there are 11 community based teams funded, with 8 teams are currently operational with the remaining teams in recruitment listed below. This includes an ADHD team which covers Cavan/Monaghan/Louth/ Meath which opened in November 2025. Funding was secured by myself as Minister in Budget 2025 to facilitate the rolling out of the total number of ADHD teams envisaged in the Model of Care.
Operational ADHD Teams
• Sligo/Leitrim/Donegal
• South Dublin/ Wicklow
• Limerick/Clare/North Tipperary
• Cork
• Kerry/West Cork
• South- West Dublin
• Midlands/Kildare/West Wicklow
• Cavan/Monaghan/Louth Meath
Community based teams in recruitment
• Waterford/Wexford/Kilkenny/Carlow/South Tipperary
• North Dublin and County
• Galway/Roscommon/Mayo
In relation to the private clinic the Deputy references, there will undoubtedly be an impact on the clinic's existing patients. In the first instance, anyone concerned should seek the support of their GP. In relation to the additional specific information requested, I have referred your question to the HSE for direct reply to you.
457. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the independent review of the effectiveness of the regulatory and legislative framework for inspecting nursing homes has been completed and submitted to the Minister of State with responsibility for Older People (details supplied); if so, the date at which the Minister received the report; if the report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50447/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPoor care, mistreatment, neglect or any form of abuse of a person living in a long-term residential care setting is completely unacceptable.
On 2nd July 2026, HIQA published the independent review of its nursing home regulatory inspection and monitoring processes, undertaken by Forvis Mazars and this is publicly available to view on the HIQA website.
The Forvis Mazars review was initiated by the Minister for Health and I, as the Minister of State for Older People and Housing, following the RTÉ Investigates programme broadcast in June 2025 which highlighted serious failings in care, staffing and oversight in a number of nursing homes.
The Minister for Health and I welcome the publication of this independent review. The findings and recommendations of the review will now be considered in detail alongside ongoing policy, regulatory and legislative reforms aimed at strengthening governance, safeguarding and quality across long-term residential care settings. A detailed implementation plan will now be developed.
The health, safety and wellbeing of nursing home residents is of paramount importance to the Government.
458. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the plans to extend the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) to include epilepsy; the assessments under way by the HSE to add epilepsy to the CDMP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50454/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. The General Practitioner (GP) Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme commenced in 2020 and has been rolled out on a phased basis to adult GMS (Medical Card and GP Visit Card) patients over a 4-year period.
The specified chronic conditions included in the programme under the 2019 Agreement were Type 2 Diabetes, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Cardiovascular Disease. The 2023 GP GMS Agreement then expanded the CDM Programme to include adult GMS patients with hypertension, and all women diagnosed with gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.
Work is currently underway to expand the Programme to include additional conditions under the various CDM programmes, including chronic kidney disease.
There are no plans at present to extend the CDM programme beyond the current expansion. Further expansion of the Programme to include additional conditions would require rigorous clinical assessment and engagement with various stakeholders, including the GPs delivering the service.
459. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have received appointments and the condition for which they were treated under the HSE's Chronic Disease Management Programme in 2025, and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50455/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra460. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the annual cost associated with the implementation of the Chronic Disease Management Programme in 2025, and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50456/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 460 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
461. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the supports available to residents in an independent living facility, given that they are no longer eligible for blister packs free-of-charge following reforms (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50457/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing successful negotiations between my Department, the Irish Pharmacy Union and the Health Service Executive, a significant reform of phased dispensing arrangements alongside the introduction of a new patient-centred medicines optimisation support framework came into effect on 1 June 2026.
The reforms are designed to strengthen supports for vulnerable GMS (medical card) patients and will ensure a more robust system. The reforms see rigid phased dispensing fees replaced with a more flexible patient focused model - which empowers pharmacists to use their professional judgment to support patients most in need. It will also reduce administrative burden and further support the profession in the delivery of frontline patient care.
Under these most recent reforms, vulnerable patient groups, who are medical card holders, including those with diagnosed cognitive impairment or dementia, intellectual disability, physical impairment or those patients at risk of medication misuse will now be supported, where appropriate, with a range of tailored supports, free of charge, including:
• adjustments to facilitate use of original packaging.
• medication reminder systems.
• administration charts.
• installment dispensing; and
• blister packs where clinically necessary.
Blister packs will remain a last resort in line with the international evidence due to associated risks including reduced patient autonomy and potential safety concerns. Where clinically required, and deemed appropriate, blister packs will be provided free-of-charge to eligible medical card patients, in identified cohorts.
Importantly, all patients who were receiving phased dispensing or blister packs free-of-charge prior to the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 (in August 2025) will continue to do so.
462. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place for private eye clinics in University Hospital Galway (details supplied); if these are being run exclusively by consultants on non-public only contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50458/26]
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.
463. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the completion and opening of a National Mother and Baby Unit for perinatal mental health care; the current status of the project; the estimated cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50459/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is now available in all 19 maternity hospitals nationwide, providing support to pregnant women and women with a baby up to one year old, with an existing or new mental health problem. Funding of €5 million annually has established 6 consultant led multidisciplinary teams across major maternity hospitals (Coombe, NMH, Rotunda, Galway, Cork, Limerick), and 13 spoke sites staffed by perinatal mental health midwife posts. There are now over 75 funded posts in SPMHS nationally.
Under Budget 2026, I secured an additional €640,000 to recruit two additional consultant psychiatrists for the Programme’s busiest sites, the Rotunda and Holles Street, to meet growing demand for the service.
The HSE are progressing a review of the Model of Care for SPMHS, with a Steering Group due to be established shortly and a refreshed model published later this year. The key objective of this refresh is the provision of equivalent service to the major hospital sites as for the other 13 spoke sites, and this will be the focus of this second phase of the Model of Care.
A key priority under this Model of Care is to develop a Perinatal Mother and Baby Unit (PMBU). Work is ongoing by the HSE to progress the development of an PMBU for Ireland, an inpatient mental health service with relevant maternity support to allow women to stay with their babies during their mental health treatment.
To meet the needs of new mothers with moderate to severe mental illness, the PMBU must be sited at a location with access to a maternity hospital as well as an acute mental health unit. This will ensure there is always mental health and maternity expertise available. As such, it is envisaged that the PMBU will be developed on the grounds of St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, and a feasibility study is currently underway to determine a location within the campus, with the study due to conclude shortly. The outcome of the study will form the basis for the next key decisions on the project.
I recently met with the HSE Estates team responsible for the development of the project, along with the Executive Clinical Director for the area. I stressed the need to prioritise the development of the Unit which will be funded from the €470m NDP capital allocation I secured for mental health 2026-2030. Separately, the HSE Midwest Region has also included plans to develop a Perinatal Unit on the UHL campus as part of its own capital plans. Both projects will also be included in the forthcoming 10-year capital plan for mental health.
With reference to the information requested as this is an operational issue, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
464. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the timeline for an expansion of the free contraception scheme to all people in reproductive age; to provide any costings that have been carried out by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50460/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Free Contraception Scheme (FCS) for women ordinarily resident in Ireland, was launched in 2022. Its remit has been expanded gradually from 17-25 initially to include women aged from 17 to 35 inclusive currently. Approximately €45m is allocated to support the scheme in 2026 and approximately 2,450 GPs, primary care, family planning and student health centres and just over 1,900 community pharmacies are participating in the scheme currently, countrywide.
The scheme covers the cost of consultations with GPs, primary care, student health and family planning centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Reimbursement List, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs: injections, intra-uterine devices and systems (coils) and implants) and emergency contraception in addition to the contraceptive Pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and check-ups are also free of charge under the scheme.
Access to free contraception is also available on an emergency basis through the National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP), enabling maternity units, hospitals, postnatal clinics, and Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs) to provide free contraception to patients who might have difficulty accessing the scheme through primary care. NWIHP advise that at least 3,000 women accessed free contraception through their services in 2025. Similar supports for accessing contraception are in place with the Women’s Health Service, which supports people working in the sex trade. The Women’s Health Service supported over 330 women in 2025.
The Report of the Working Group on Access to Contraception, published in 2019 and available on the Department’s website, laid the foundations for the introduction of the Free Contraception Scheme. In addition to recommending the phased introduction of free contraception, the report also noted that policy proposals must also focus on accessibility, education and workforce capacity as well as cost.
In this regard, another initiative to expand capacity within the FCS is to make additional services available through pharmacies. The landmark Community Pharmacy Agreement, launched in 2025, supports expanding pharmacy services, delivering safe, efficient and accessible healthcare, across Ireland. The Common Conditions Scheme, allowing access to treatment for 8 common conditions through pharmacies, was publicly launched in January 2026.
The Agreement supports pharmacy prescription of contraception, under defined clinical circumstances, for which some legislation, the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 2024 (the 2024 Act), is already in place.
In order to enable pharmacy provision of contraception to be delivered free of charge under the FCS, the legal framework for the FCS must be amended to include prescribing pharmacists. The Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026 has just been published on the Oireachtas website and will be progressed through the Houses.
Research has been undertaken recently to support monitoring of the scheme. The Healthy Ireland Survey, 2025, published last November, examined contraceptive choices, noting a rise in the use of LARCs, especially hormonal coils, after the age of 35. Work is ongoing within NWIHP develop and finalise a scheme to train more staff in the acute sector to fit LARCs, and the ICGP’s LARC training scheme continues to train more GPs. The Survey also shows that awareness of the scheme was high in age-groups eligible to access it (86% in 18-25 and 74% in 26-34 year-olds). The Healthy Ireland Survey, 2025 can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/publications/healthy-ireland-survey-2025/.
Qualitative research was published in April, 2026, in partnership with the National Women’s Council of Ireland and TCD, supported by the Women’s Health Fund, to assess awareness of, and access to the scheme amongst key groups. The current age limits and GP access were identified as significant barriers, along with issues affecting specific cohorts of the population. The Report can be accessed here: www.nwci.ie/learn/publication/an_investigation_into_womens_experiences_of_the_free_contraception_scheme.
The Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, the National Sexual Health Strategy, 2025-2035, the Sláintecare 2025+ Plan and the Women’s Health Action Plans all commit to further sequential expansion of the scheme, such that it encompasses the full reproductive age-range within the lifetime of this Government. Any decision relating to further expansion of the scheme must be considered through the Estimates process in advance of the annual Budget each year.
In terms of additional costs of expansion, there is reasonable certainty that 36-40 year-olds could be included at costs of approximately €5m, based on current service costs for women aged between 30-35 and Healthy Ireland Survey data on contraception use indicating reasonable consistency in use patterns between 25-44 (an age range in which 6-7% of respondents reported not using contraception as they were actively trying to conceive). There is significantly more uncertainty beyond this age-range and indications of significantly higher LARC use beyond the early 40s; given the need to further expand healthcare professional training, we recommend a continued phased approach.
While contraception provided through the FCS is very effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy, hormonal contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The National Condom Distribution Scheme supports both STI prevention and accessible contraception.
Free condoms can be accessed through the national network of STI clinics, participating charities and NGO partners and on participating 3rd level campuses. Since 2023, free condoms have also been supplied with orders for free home STI testing kits. The NCDS is open to those aged 17 and above. Over 1.2m condoms were distributed in 2025. The NCDS is being expanded on a phased basis to pharmacy consulting rooms, to further enable contraception availability through pharmacies. Efforts to make NCDS condoms available through more GP consulting rooms are also ongoing.
465. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeons based at Tallaght University Hospital as of 24 June 2026; 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. [50470/26]
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.
466. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE administrative staff, by grade posts filled at Springfield-Tallaght primary care centre as of 24 June 2026. in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50471/26]
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.
467. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE speech and language therapists, by grade posts filled at Kilnamanagh/Tymon primary care centre as of 24 June 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50472/26]
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.
468. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dietitians, by grade posts filled at Killinarden health centre as of 24 June 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50473/26]
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.
469. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE can, through its National Environmental Health Service, make health-based submissions to An Coimisiún Pleanála on wind farm applications (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50488/26]
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.
470. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the imminent closure of a service (details supplied) in Castlebar, County Mayo on 30 June 2026; the engagement her Department or the HSE have had regarding this closure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50744/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra471. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the reason a service (details supplied) is closing while its Galway service has been permitted to continue on a temporary basis; whether the HSE was involved in this decision; and if any criteria or assessment informed the differential treatment of services in Mayo and Galway. [50491/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra472. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether an impact assessment has been carried out regarding the closure of a service (details supplied), specifically, the impact on service users in rural parts of County Mayo, including Achill, Erris, and Blacksod; and if not, if such an assessment will now be undertaken as a matter of urgency. [50492/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra473. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the alternative counselling and psychotherapy supports available in County Mayo for individuals currently accessing a service (details supplied); the current waiting times for these services; and whether she is satisfied that there is sufficient capacity to meet demand following the closure. [50493/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra475. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether concerns have been raised with the HSE regarding governance, communication, and decision making within a service (details supplied); whether the HSE has sought clarification from the board of the service in relation to these matters; and if any conditions are attached to current or future funding. [50495/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra476. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to a service (details supplied) in 2024, 2025, and to date in 2026; whether additional funding options were explored to prevent the closure of the Castlebar service and if further funding or supports can be made available to restore the service. [50496/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether any proposals from local stakeholders, including public representatives, counsellors, and community groups, to retain a service (details supplied) were considered; whether the HSE engaged with these stakeholders; and the reason these proposals did not result in a continuation of services. [50497/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra478. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the basis on which a service (details supplied) has been permitted to continue operating until September; whether there is a longer-term plan for this service; and if similar temporary measures could be applied to restore services in Mayo. [50498/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra479. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the immediate actions that can be taken to prevent a gap in service provision in County Mayo following 30 June; whether emergency or interim supports will be put in place; and if she will urgently engage with the HSE and a service (details supplied) to secure continuity of care. [50499/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra480. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of any other counselling service in County Mayo offering a seven-day, 9am–9pm model similar to a service (details supplied); and if not, the plans to provide equivalent accessible services. [50500/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra481. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has received complaints or concerns regarding the communication practices of a service (details supplied) in relation to service users and staff; and if oversight mechanisms will be strengthened to ensure transparency in publicly funded services. [50501/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question No 470,471,472,473,475,476,477,478,479,480 and 481 together.
I acknowledge the valuable work undertaken by community based counselling services across the country, such as Helplink.
Funding to voluntary and community organisations is arranged through the section 39 process via local HSE Mental Health Services, once necessary criteria are met and where a need has been identified. All such organisations must make an application for Section 39 funding, which is then assessed by local HSE Mental Health Services and will be advanced or not depending on a variety of conditions, such as the organisation supplying the required information, local operational and clinical considerations, and HSE budgetary constraints.
In any negotiations between HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, governance arrangements and independent board of directors details are required, so that HSE can undertake necessary due diligence. Local HSE are always available to provide guidance to any organisation on the necessary work to comply with the requirements ahead of consideration of HSE funding of their organisation.
Prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE need full and complete details on the corporate governance of an organisation, such as information on the board responsible for independent oversight of the management of an organisation, along with an organisation's annual financial statements which comply with the most recent statutory deadlines, as well as details of what clinical governance structures are in place.
These are essential and appropriate steps on the road to providing funding to any organisation. The HSE is not in a position to provide funding in the absence of information necessary to provide assurance on corporate and clinical governance. These are the same requirements of all bodies to whom the State provides public funding.
On 19th May I met with Helplink, along with Minister Grealish and my officials, to discuss the situation and various options to support them are being explored by the HSE and my Department. Any HSE funding support could only occur subject to the requirements outlined above.
As your PQs referenced operational matters, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to you.
474. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health her views on the potential widening of inequalities in access to mental health services between rural counties such as Mayo and urban centres; and the steps she will take to ensure equitable access to timely mental health supports across all regions. [50494/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister my commitment to enhancing mental health services is demonstrated by funding having increased by over 50% since I came into this Office.
The most recent Budget continued this trend, with the total allocation for mental health services for 2026 to almost €1.6 billion. The major focus was on improving support for people in mental health crisis both in hospitals and in the community through an additional €15m for crisis supports and suicide prevention.
Significant and much needed investment, alongside the unwavering and steadfast work of our staff are underpinning the successful implementation of Sharing the Vision and Connecting for Life and making a real difference to everyone using our services.
This includes ensuring as a priority the equitable distribution of mental health services to meet the needs of people who need to access services at a national level.
You will see this vision and the Department's action plan in Ireland's new Strategy to reduce suicide and self harm, which was launched by Minister Butler on May 27th: [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/irelands-strategy-to-reduce-suicide-and-self-harm-connecting-for-life-20262035/]
Domain 3 of this Strategy centres on implementing effective responses for people in suicidal distress or with experience of self-harm. Updates on the Strategy's implementation will be available at the above web address.
I am also outlining below for your information the following:
• Rollout of counselling supports/ talk therapies.
• Mental Health crisis supports
Crisis mental health supports, including those with 24/7 coverage, are currently provided across a number of settings and services, including hospital based services, out of hours services such as CAMHS on call, and non-governmental organisation services such as crisis phone and text supports, funded by HSE Mental Health Services.
The National Implementation and Monitoring Committee for Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone (2020-2030) is currently overseeing a piece of work by the HSE Implementation Group to bring together the range of available out-of-hours and crisis services and supports, with a view to aligning and streamlining supports and identifying any potential gaps in service provision. It is envisaged that this work will form the basis of an Adult Crisis Response Framework. This project is currently in an advanced state of preparation and is expected to be initiated formally before end-2026.
In addition, as Minister, I have overseen the rollout of a range of out of hours supports for people experiencing mental health difficulties as alternatives to Emergency Departments.
Crisis Resolution Services
The model of care for Crisis Resolution Services was developed as a direct recommendation of Sharing the Vision, Ireland’s national mental health policy. It recognises that people who are experiencing a mental health crisis need specialist services to provide timely brief intensive supports to keep people safe.
• Crisis Resolution Teams: These comprise of teams of mental health professionals who work out of hours to meet people in a crisis and provide rapid assessment and intensive intervention. There are 6 pilot Crisis Resolution Teams currently operational in Galway, Sligo/Leitrim, Cork city (two teams), Waterford City and County, South Dublin/Wicklow. The Limerick Crisis Resolution Team is due to commence operations this year.
• Crisis Cafés: Solace Cafes provide a welcoming, non-clinical safe environment in the style of a café where people can go at evenings and weekends. The Cafés provides a range of support for those who needed to use its services including crisis support, signposting, peer support, and community support. The Cafes are now open in Cork City, South Dublin and Sligo and Waterford. An additional Solace Café has opened this year in Limerick.
Additional funding has been provided for more Crisis Resolution Teams and Solace Cafes in Budget 2026, for Donegal, Kerry and the Midlands (Tullamore/Westmeath).
Further rollout of Crisis Resolution Services will focus on areas without such services to date, subject to future Estimates processes.
Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) Service
The Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) service is critically important safety net for people in suicidal crisis and the Minister fully supports the intention within the second Sharing the Vision implementation plan to expand these services to provide full coverage nationwide. These services provide a timely response to requests for assessment of patients in suicidal crisis from GPs, and the assessments often take place in primary care settings.
The SCAN service was originally developed under the National Clinical Programme for Self-harm and Suicide-related Ideation (NCPSHI) which was introduced in Irish public hospital emergency departments in 2014. Primarily delivered by clinical nurse specialists with support from a consultant psychiatrist in each hospital area, the programme supports people presenting with suicidal ideation as well as self-harm.
The model of care for the service envisages a dedicated mental health assessment room within hospitals to provide a more appropriate environment for assessments to take place. Even when the full network of alternative Crisis Resolution Services is in place, we know people in distress will still present to emergency departments for support. Given most acute mental health in-patient units are co-located with our acute hospital network, it’s important people in distress are assessed in clinically appropriate environments when they present for support. I have allocated funding for the recruitment of 12 additional SCAN nurses in 2026, with a focus on counties and areas that have not had such posts to date.
Specialist Crisis Nurses in hospitals
Under funding which I allocated in Budget 2026, the HSE will establish specialist nursing teams in the emergency departments of all Model 4 hospitals out-of-hours, made up of Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to support people in crisis. By placing specialist nursing teams in our emergency departments out-of-hours, coupled with the expansion of community alternatives such as crisis resolution teams and crisis cafes, we are fundamentally changing how we respond to the needs of people in distress.
The HSE have commenced planning for further rollout to Model 3 settings, subject to future Estimates processes.
Counselling Supports/ Talk Therapies
The National Counselling Service provides free counselling therapy to adults who experienced childhood abuse or neglect, are former residents of a mother and baby home. They also provide counselling to those with medical cards, through the Counselling in Primary Care service (CiPC).
As Minister, I announced €2 million in funding in 2025 to provide access to a suite of new talk therapies and counselling supports specifically tailored for men. Access to the services began from September 2025.
This initiative is embedded within Ireland’s approach to mental health policy implementation. Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, and Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national strategy for suicide prevention, clearly state that talk therapies should be considered a first-line treatment option for most people who experience mental health difficulties.
The funding is targeted at assisting with stigma reduction and to actively encourage men who otherwise would not usually avail of counselling to seek help with their mental health, to assist men in accessing mental health services, and to provide much-needed support for men experiencing a mental health crisis.
Recent HSE data indicates from the period of Q3 2025 to Q2 2026, there has been over 2,000 referrals to this counselling service for men.
In the most recent Budget, funding was provided by myself as Minister for a new talking therapies fund for providing Community Therapy Services.
Finally, in relation to the National Clinical Programmes, targeted investment has ensured the rollout of specialist mental health services on an equitable basis nationally to meet the needs of people accessing these services. This include Clinical Programmes such as eating disorders, and ADHD which I have fully funded as Minister the total number of Teams in the Model of Care to ensure the operationalisation of those teams as soon as possible nationally.
482. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the timeline for a decision by the HSE Drugs Group regarding the reimbursement of risdiplam for adults living with spinal muscular atrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50505/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to investing in new medicines. Budgets 2021-2025 allocated an additional €158 million for new drugs, which has facilitated the introduction of 270 new medicines, to date. Budget 2026 allocated €30 million of funding available for new drugs to be allocated from the overall additional €217 million in funding allocated for medicines.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE), through its Senior Leadership Team 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 in this matter.
The HSE has advised that it 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 must robustly assess 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.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of risdiplam (Evrysdi®):
Restricted reimbursement approval is in place for risdiplam (Evrysdi®) for the treatment of 5q SMA in patients aged between 2 months and <18 years of age, with a clinical diagnosis of SMA Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3 under the High Tech arrangements from the 1st September 2023. As a condition of reimbursement, an individual patient approval system has been put in place by the HSE, to enable reimbursement for patients who meet the pre-defined criteria as per a HSE devised managed access protocol: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/medicines-management/managed-access-protocols/risdiplam-evrysdi/risdiplam-evrysdi-managed-access-protocol.pdf.
The HSE received a further application for pricing and reimbursement on the 22nd October 2025 from Roche (the applicant) for risdiplam (Evrysdi®) indicated for the treatment of 5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of SMA Type 2 or Type 3 or with one to four SMN2 copies.
Further information on the progress of risdiplam (Evrysdi®) for adult patients through the HSE assessment and approval processes is available via the Pricing and Reimbursement Application tracker available at
www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/medicines-management/managed-access-protocols/risdiplam-evrysdi/risdiplam-evrysdi-managed-access-protocol.pdf.
HSE application ID HSE100076 has been assigned to this application.
The application remains under consideration with the HSE. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
483. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health her views on the inclusion of endometriosis and related care within the eligibility criteria for the HSE critical illness protocol; and whether she is considering any review of these criteria in light of the severity and long-term impact of the condition. [50540/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo apply for CIP, the staff member must attend Occupational Health. Occupational Health on a case by case basis if medical criteria is met. Management and HR will use this assessment, along with other criteria, to decide if CIP can be granted.
Occupational Health may recommend you are fit to return to work if suitable supports are available, for example a temporary change to your duties.
Your medical condition should have at least 1 of the following:
• acute life-threatening physical illness
• chronic progressive illness that is known to reduce life expectancy
• major physical trauma that requires urgent surgical treatment
• in-patient or day-hospital care of 10 consecutive days or more
• for pregnancy-related or assisted-pregnancy-related illness, 2 or more consecutive days of in-patient care
CIP leave may also be granted even if you do not meet the medical criteria. This is at management's discretion. When making this decision, your manager will consider the occupational health report and individual circumstances.
No Illnesses are specifically named under CIP.
