Shane Moynihan
Ceist:706. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the main policy achievements of her Department since 22 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50804/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Policies
Ceisteanna (706)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deputy is referred to the document attached:
policy achievements of Health Department since 22 January 2025
Misuse of Drugs
Ceisteanna (707)
Mark Ward
Ceist:707. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take in relation to nitrous oxide following the publication of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drug Use Final Report; her views on the report’s recommendations relating to nitrous oxide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50816/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Development of the successor national drugs strategy is ongoing.
I published the draft successor strategy for the period 2026-2029 on 5th February. It sets out an integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug and harmful alcohol use. It reflects the changing patterns of drug use, the associated health and social challenges, the interface with the criminal justice system, and the threats from a volatile and dynamic global drug market.
I had asked that a number of actions be taken prior to the finalisation of the Strategy:
• To ensure that everyone, including those with lived and living experience of drug use, families, communities, and service providers, could understand the proposals and share their views, she asked that a public consultation be conducted. 321 submissions were received and a report on the Findings published.
• To ensure continued collaborative working with the 24 Drug and Alcohol Taskforces, I requested that a stakeholder engagement process be put in place on the future shape of regional structures, taking in to account the new HSE Health Regions. This engagement has taken place and common ground has been agreed on the regional structures.
• To allow the Joint Committee on Drug Use to consider the draft strategy and to publish its report & recommendations so that they can inform the strategy.
A number of recommendations contained in the final report from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use pertain to nitrous oxide. The Department of Health is currently engaging with other Government Departments and State agencies to determine whether nitrous oxide could be controlled as part of the Misuse of Drugs Act, and, given the wide range of legitimate uses of this substance, what the most appropriate legislative path forward would be in this regard. The evidence on the risk to public health by the misuse of nitrous oxide is a priority concern in these considerations.
I am committed to implementing effective measures to control nitrous oxide, as part of a whole-of-government response to the challenges and threats of the global drugs market.
Home Help Service
Ceisteanna (708)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:708. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to implement home support approved in November 2025 for an elderly person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reason for the seven-month delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50825/26]
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.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (709)
Robert Troy
Ceist:709. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 563 of 7 June 2026, if she will immediately sanction the funding of treatment outside of the State in a case (details supplied). [50835/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (710)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:710. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of surgeries cancelled in Ireland in each of the past ten years; and if a breakdown by hospital can be provided on this figure, in tabular form. [50851/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when hospital appointments are cancelled, particularly in the case of clinically urgent procedures.
While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased unscheduled care demand.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, hospitals follow HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
Cancelled hospital procedures/appointments are, where appropriate, rescheduled as early as possible with priority given to patients requiring time-sensitive and urgent treatment. Patients that are cancelled are rescheduled with the next available appointment based on their clinical prioritisation, with urgent patients prioritised for access.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (711)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:711. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of agency nurses employed to work in HSE hospitals in each of the past ten years, by hospital, in tabular form. [50852/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (712)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:712. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of cancelled hospital appointments in Ireland in each of the past ten years, by hospital breakdown, in tabular form. [50853/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (713)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:713. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the amount paid out in medical compensation in Ireland in each of the past ten years; and if a regional hospital, HSE, CHO area breakdown can be provided on that figure. [50854/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer the Deputy to Table 3 contained in my reply to Parliamentary Questions No. 1073/26, 1074/26 and 1075/26 of 17 February 2026, which sets out the requested information. The position remains unchanged.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (714)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:714. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the total number of adverse incidents reported through the national incident management system in each of the past ten years; if a breakdown can be provided on the number of these incidents that resulted in death, disability, incapacity; and the number of incidents that were severe, moderate and mild, in tabular form. [50855/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (715)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:715. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the total number of adverse incidents reported to the State Claims Agency which related to the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 in each of the years since the law was enacted, and to date in 2026; if details will be provided of the outcomes of claims taken against the State in relation to the Act; the number of claims settled or ongoing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50856/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy regarding the part of the question that relates to the number of adverse incidents.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of State Authorities. The SCA has provided me with the information set out below.
The information contained within this document was extracted from NIMS, the National Incident Management System). This report is correct as of 01/07/2026.
The SCA has two ongoing claims from persons alleging that their unborn baby was wrongfully diagnosed with a condition sufficient to bring them within the scope of the Health Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018. It is inappropriate to provide the years of claims, as to do so could have the effect of identifying individual cases.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (716)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:716. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are taking or have taken cases against the State alleging that their unborn baby was wrongfully diagnosed and subsequently aborted; the number of claims notified to the State Claims Agency; the number of cases that are ongoing; and the number of cases which have been settled. [50857/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of State Authorities. The SCA has provided me with the information set out below.
The information contained within this document was extracted from NIMS, the National Incident Management System). This report is correct as of 01/07/2026.
The SCA has two ongoing claims from persons alleging that their unborn baby was wrongfully diagnosed with a condition sufficient to bring them within the scope of the Health Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018. It is inappropriate to provide the years of claims, as to do so could have the effect of identifying individual cases.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (717)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:717. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a lack of public dermatology appointments and services available to under-16s; her plans to rectify this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50887/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (718)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:718. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2214 of 9 June 2026, to confirm the number of on-site audits of agency staffing suppliers conducted by the HSE in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 individually, given that the reply addressed the year 2025 only; the precise number of instances of non-compliance identified across the six on-site audits conducted in 2025, given that the reply supplied no figure; whether those instances of non-compliance related to legislative obligations as distinct from the "non-legislative standards" referenced in the reply; if so, the number and nature of same; the proportion of the total national supplier panel represented by the "main suppliers" audited in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50898/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (719)
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh
Ceist:719. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have availed of cross border directive for treatment abroad in relation to rheumatology services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50909/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (720)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:720. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if any single national system enables the HSE to identify, across all HSE-funded sites, if a healthcare worker, whether directly employed, agency or locum, who is currently on administrative leave or has been removed from placement, is subject to a criminal investigation or an unresolved patient-safety concern. [50918/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (721)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:721. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if an urgent MRI at University Hospital Limerick will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50921/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (722)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:722. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied), who is a medical card holder and is pre diabetic, has been refused a drug prescribed by their GP; the financial supports that are available to this person in accessing this drug; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50926/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Controls are in place within PCRS on claiming processes to ensure that only HSE approved indications are reimbursed across a range of medicines. Controls are currently in place for the Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists to restrict reimbursement support to the HSE approved indication of Diabetes. This includes Victoza® (liraglutide), Ozempic® (semaglutide) and Trulicity® (Dulaglutide).
In line with the HSE reimbursement approval above, the HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) developed a Managed Access Protocol (MAP for liraglutide (Saxenda®) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adult patients, with an initial BMI of 35 kg/m2 with prediabetes and high-risk for cardiovascular disease.
This MAP outlines the criteria that must be satisfied in order for a patient to be recommended for reimbursement of liraglutide (Saxenda®); further information is available on the MMP website www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/medicines-management/managed-access-protocols/liraglutide-saxenda-/liraglutide-saxenda.html
Clinicians are required to submit an application for reimbursement support of liraglutide (Saxenda®) for their patients through an online application system.
Where there is a negative reimbursement decision, the outcome of the application can be appealed by the prescriber. Appeals can be sent directly to the HSE Medicines Management Programme at mmp@hse.ie. Appeals must be made by the patient’s clinician and should include any additional information to support the unmet clinical need for liraglutide (Saxenda®) based on failure of other treatment options.
Appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis reviewing the information provided in the initial online application and the information in the appeal submission to the MMP. A letter outlining the final reimbursement recommendation is communicated back to the clinician.
There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the DPS threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Ceisteanna (723)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Ceist:723. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if there is a timeline to revise the HSE’s IVF public funding scheme, particularly the way the eligibility criteria to avail of the program excludes families who have already undergone privately funded IVF treatments (details supplied). [50934/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
The Model of Care comprises three stages of care. These begin in primary care (GPs), progress to secondary care through the six HSE-run Regional Fertility Hubs located across the country, and, where clinically indicated, advance to tertiary care.
Patients, following consultations in primary care, are referred by their GP to their designated Regional Fertility Hub for assessment and investigation. Before making a referral, the GP will provide appropriate advice and information on lifestyle factors, carry out relevant tests and examinations, and undertake any necessary initial interventions. The GP must also be satisfied that the couple has been trying to conceive naturally for an adequate period of time. The specific access criteria to avail of services provided at a Hub are less stringent than those required to be met in order to qualify for free assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment.
Referrals for publicly-funded, privately-provided AHR treatment – including IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) and IUI (intrauterine insemination) – commenced in September 2023, subject to patients meeting the criteria agreed by my Department and the HSE.
The access criteria were developed by a multi-disciplinary group, with reproductive medicine expertise and followed consultation with experts in the field along with a review of the international evidence. These criteria are in keeping with those applied in other jurisdictions.
The terms of the publicly-funded AHR treatment initiative are underpinned by the primary policy principle of supporting couples experiencing fertility issues and, most specifically, those who have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive naturally at the time in question.
Over 4,600 couples to date have been referred by a Reproductive Specialist Consultant for AHR treatment, following extensive investigations and/or secondary level treatment within the Regional Fertility Hubs. Furthermore, the Hubs have successfully and directly managed thousands more patients presenting with fertility-related issues who have been referred by their GP. Not all couples experiencing fertility challenges actually require such advanced and invasive interventions as IVF. In this regard, it should be noted that IUI represents a significantly less invasive and less complex form of treatment which can prove to be very effective for certain cohorts of patients.
The access criteria and the terms of the AHR treatment initiative are being kept under ongoing review. Further potential changes to the access criteria or expansion of the initiative require continued extensive consultation between Department officials, colleagues in the HSE, and also with relevant specialists in the field of reproductive medicine. This will include consideration of additional funding requirements which may ensue from any proposed expansion of the initiative. However at this juncture, changes to the criterion regarding the number of previous IVF cycles / AHR procedures are not being considered.
It should be noted that supports previously available to patients who access IVF, or other AHR treatment, privately, whereby tax relief on the costs involved can be claimed under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme, continues to be provided.
In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Arrangements administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and authorised for supply to the client’s nominated community pharmacy by the High Tech Hub managed by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the client’s eligibility, i.e., Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme. The annual cost to the State of the financial support for these medicines is far from insignificant.
I want to assure you that my Department and the Government are focused, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, on ensuring that patients receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the most effective deployment of finite public resources.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (724)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:724. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting a long time for an operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50937/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (725)
Michael Murphy
Ceist:725. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will review and expand the HSE's rehabilitation aids grant scheme to provide for the funding of specialised vehicle car seats and restraint systems where there is a demonstrated clinical necessity, supported by an occupational therapist or other appropriate clinician; whether she recognises that access to safe transport is essential to enable children and adults with disabilities to attend healthcare appointments, education, therapy and community services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50943/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (726)
Conor D. McGuinness
Ceist:726. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE psycho-oncology posts that have been filled in 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [50947/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.