Written Answers Nos. 773-795
773. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to respond to a decision in the United Kingdom to make a rapid endometriosis test (details supplied) available on the NHS in England and Wales; if there are any plans to make this test available through the HSE; if so, the steps taken to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52966/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
774. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health where falls prevention classes are currently being funded nationally. [52990/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra775. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health if she will fund the national roll-out of falls prevention classes, given that 25% of hospital admissions from older people relate to falls. [52991/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 774 and 775 together.
The National Physical Activity Framework 2024-2040 provides the basis for cross-sectoral collaboration to improve population levels of physical activity and address barriers. These interventions are informed by Every Move Counts: Ireland's National Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines.
These Guidelines provide tailored recommendations for a range of population cohorts across age and ability. They recommend that all adults, including older adults (65+), are physically active for at least 2hrs 30mins a week. The Guidelines recommend that this include aerobic activity as well as activities to improve muscle strength. For older adults there is also a focus on improving balance.
There is a broad range of stakeholders, both public and private, involved in supporting the achievement of these guidelines. Multi-component activities to meet these recommendations are available in many communities, and include exercise classes, yoga/pilates and others which provide opportunities for all adults including older adults to improve muscle strength and balance. These types of programmes are widely available across the country, provided by trained exercise professionals.
The Sport Ireland funded network of Local Sports Partnerships regularly offer exercise programmes for older adults, some will have a specific focus on falls prevention, others while not specifically focusing on falls prevention will include a range of physical activities that promote muscle strengthening and balance.
In addition, the HSE recently launched a Get Active Programme in the HSEApp. This is a 10 week physical activity behaviour change programme that aims to engage inactive adults. At the end of the 10 weeks, participants will be meeting the national guidelines. The programme includes a range of exercises/physical activities that promote muscle strength and balance. The key target audience for the programme are adults aged 40+.
Some older adults also benefit from tailored falls prevention programmes such as FAME or OTAGO. These programmes are available in a small number of areas across the country. The HSE has been engaged with UCC on a research project to explore avenues for the expansion of these programmes across the country.
776. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health if she will increase funding to an organisation (details supplied) to allow it expand daycare immediately. [52992/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
777. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health the reason tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is authorised for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but not covered by the medical card, long-term illness scheme or drugs payment scheme. [52993/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to investing in new medicines. Supported by €158 million of funding in Budgets 2021-2025, the State delivered access to 250 new medicines. 70 of these were for rare diseases. Budget 2026 allocated €217 million additional investment in medicines, including €30 million in funding for new medicines. This has, as of June 2026, delivered access to 26 new medicines, including 5 for rare diseases.
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. The HSE robustly assesses 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.
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. The HSE considers the criteria set out in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 prior to making any decision on pricing / reimbursement.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®):
Weight management
The HSE received an application for pricing and reimbursement of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) on the 24th June 2024 from Eli Lilly (the applicant) indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 (obesity) or 27 kg/m2 to < 30 kg/m2 (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes mellitus).
• The first step in the process is the submission of a Rapid Review dossier (a clinical and economic dossier) to the NCPE for assessment. The HSE commissioned the Rapid Review process on the 24th June 2024.
• The NCPE Rapid Review assessment report was received by the HSE on the 30th July 2024. A full HTA was recommended to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) compared with the current standard of care.
• The HSE commissioned a full HTA on the 27th August 2024 as per agreed processes.
• The HTA was completed by the NCPE on the 3rd December 2025. The NCPE recommends that tirzepatide, as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial BMI of: 30kg/m2, or 27kg/m2 to < 30kg/m2 in the presence of at least one WRC be considered for reimbursement if cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments: www.ncpe.ie/tirzepatide-mounjaro-hta-id-24024/
• The HSE CPU is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications. The HSE CPU has met with the applicant to discuss this application and commercial negotiations are ongoing.
This application remains under consideration with the HSE. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
778. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the introduction of new tests as approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in Britain (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52995/26]
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.
779. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the amount of State funding that has been allocated to research on adenomyosis in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53000/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra780. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has commissioned or funded any research into the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of adenomyosis in Ireland; if she will provide details of any such research; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53001/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 779 and 780 together.
My Department funds health research through the Health Research board, a state body under the aegis of the Department of Health.
As the lead funding agency for health and social care research, the HRB operates through a combination of project and programme grants, capacity building initiatives, collaborative research networks and infrastructure investment.
The total amount of HRB funding that was expended via bottom-up calls on adenomyosis research (based on responses to competitive calls) in the last five years is approximately €217,728 and comprises one grant made through the Applied Partnership Awards scheme.
This project aims to address the high overlap between gynaecological conditions and mental health difficulties by developing an evidence-based, integrated model of care. Through research, service design, staff training, and a pilot mental health service for pelvic pain, it seeks to improve holistic mental and reproductive healthcare for women.
My Department has also made €2 million from the Women’s Health Taskforce fund available through the HRB for women’s health research. This is expected to fund approx. ten research projects (a maximum of €200,000 per project) over 12–24 months as part of the Applied Partnership Awards - Women's Health (APA-WH) 2026 scheme. Applications in any aspect of women’s health research are eligible and applications in four priority areas have been encouraged - including the area of menstruation, which would encompass adenomyosis. The successful awards will be announced later in 2026.
781. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to improve data collection on adenomyosis, including the number of women diagnosed with the condition annually; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53002/26]
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.
782. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE intends to develop clinical guidance or educational resources specifically relating to adenomyosis for primary care practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53003/26]
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.
783. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health whether adenomyosis is included in the HSE's MISE (Menstrual Information Specialising in Endometriosis) Education Programme; if not, whether consideration will be given to including information on the symptoms, diagnosis and impact of adenomyosis in future MISE training materials; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53004/26]
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.
784. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if she will consider bringing trial adenomyosis drugs under the drug payment scheme or offering compensation for women who avail of these trial drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53005/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 devices.
There is a National Application, Assessment & Decision Process for new medicines which is underpinned by Primary Legislation (Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013) put in place by the Oireachtas. The HSE must comply with the relevant legislation when considering investment decisions around new medicines.
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 patients in Ireland.
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.
Pharmaceutical companies are required to submit formal applications to the HSE if they wish for their medicines to be added to the list of reimbursable items / funded via hospitals. The decision of pharmaceutical companies to market licensed medicines i.e. whether or not to submit a formal application, is outside the control of the HSE.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a centralised agency of the European Union (EU) responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines in the EU. The EMA plays an integral role in the authorisation of medicines in the EU via the centralised procedure. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority responsible for the regulation of human medicines in Ireland. A company can submit an application for a marketing authorisation directly to the HPRA if the product in question is not required to be approved through the centralised procedure.
As outlined above, the national assessment and decision process for pricing and reimbursement cannot commence in the absence of marketing authorisation.
785. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if she will expedite the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53010/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
786. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently on the waiting list for an orthopaedic consultation in County Galway; the steps her Department is taking to reduce this waiting list and shorten waiting times for patients in need of orthopaedic services; the measures planned to improve access to such consultations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53012/26]
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.
787. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults from County Clare currently awaiting an appointment with primary care psychology and CAMHS services, broken down by waiting time, for the end of June 2025 and end of June 2026; and the measures being undertaken to reduce waiting times. [53031/26]
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.
788. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Health the number of GP vacancies in County Clare at the end of June 2025 and the end of June 2026; the number of GMS patients currently without an assigned GP; and the steps being taken to improve access to GP services across the county. [53032/26]
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.
789. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status and details of the new ambulance base in Waterford; the next steps for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53057/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
790. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that survivors of industrial schools who hold enhanced medical cards are being charged for the preparation of blister packs for their prescribed medication; if she considers it appropriate that these vulnerable patients should incur such charges despite their enhanced entitlement to healthcare; if she will ensure that blister pack dispensing is provided free of charge to enhanced medical card holders who require it on clinical grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53060/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2026 I announced the introduction of a new patient-centred medicines optimisation support framework which commenced on 1 June 2026.
Under this new framework, medical card holders in vulnerable patient groups (including those with diagnosed cognitive impairment or dementia, intellectual disability, physical impairment or those patients at risk of medication misuse) can be supported with optimisation aids where indicated. The reform ensures that resources are targeted towards those who genuinely need them
If, after an assessment, a pharmacist determines, using their professional and clinical judgement, that a medical card patient requires a blister pack for clinical or patient safety reasons, it will be provided without charge.
It has also been agreed that all medical card patients who were getting a blister pack free-of-charge in August 2025 (i.e. immediately prior to the Community Pharmacy Agreement (CPA)) can continue to receive those supports free of charge.
791. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the funding to a service (details supplied). [53061/26]
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.
792. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the funding to a post (details supplied). [53062/26]
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.
793. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on a primary care centre (details supplied). [53063/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
794. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on a site (details supplied). [53064/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
795. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting will take place between CUH, UHL and CAMHS Limerick under the new autism rules and the National Autism Innovation Strategy, for a case involving suspected autistic catatonia; to list the statutory rights and obligations that require these services to share information quickly (details supplied); the exact timeframe within which communication between CUH, UHL and CAMHS must occur under these rules; and to confirm the date communication began, or if not yet begun, the exact date it will commence. [53065/26]
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.
