Written Answers Nos. 763-784
763. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will outline when the HSE will be providing a nursing practice programme for currently registered childcare nurses who have a gap in service and require this course to return to HSE employment; and her views on the urgency to provide such courses given the current recruitment requirements within the HSE and the imminent opening of the National Children's Hospital. [68485/26]
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.
764. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the number of adult and paediatric patients with Type 1 diabetes currently on a waiting list to commence insulin pump therapy, specifically including hybrid closed-loop systems, within the CHO 8 region; if she will provide a breakdown of these figures by relevant acute hospital clinics providing diabetes services in the region, including Regional Hospital Mullingar and Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68481/26]
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.
765. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a national policy governs specifically when a hospital should engage a private ambulance provider in place of the National Ambulance Service, as distinct from the general 2011 non-ambulance patient transport policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68480/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra766. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to confirmation that the National Ambulance Services demand outstrips capacity, and that its intermediate care resources are limited, to provide an update on the National Ambulance Service intermediate care fleet establishment; the number of those posts filled, in each of the years from 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68479/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 765 and 766 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
767. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of inter-hospital and patient transports carried out by private ambulance providers on behalf of the Health Service Executive in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of these that arose because National Ambulance Service resources were unavailable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68478/26]
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.
768. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total amount paid by the Health Service Executive and by hospitals to private ambulance providers in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by hospital or hospital group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68477/26]
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.
769. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health when a hospital appointment will be made for a person (details supplied). [68505/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
770. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, is currently providing adaption-placement programmes for qualified paediatric nurses to return to service following a gap in HSE employment; and when this programme will be open for applicants. [68487/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
771. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3129 of 7 September 2026, if she will clarify a matter (details supplied). [68525/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra772. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3129 of 7 September 2026, if she can provide a timeline on when the five remaining teams planned under the 2018 Model of Care for Eating Disorder Services will be completed and fully operational. [68524/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 771 and 772 together.
The National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders has progressed well with the total number of 16 eating disorder teams under the Model of Care now fully funded. This includes 11 teams now operational and a further 5 teams in recruitment and development, as per the programmes Model of Care. The HSE spends over €14 million on eating disorders services annually.
Over 110 dedicated eating disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are now working on the teams across the country, treating people with eating disorders every day. As Minister I secured funding from Budget 2026 for two new eating disorder teams - a CAMHS team for the Southeast, and an Adult team for counties Galway and Roscommon. This will assist more people with an eating disorder requiring access to specialist eating disorder mental health services.
Our current focus is on completing and implementing the existing Model of Care for this programme and supporting the rollout of additional teams. Once this is complete, an evaluation will be undertaken, after which the Model of Care will be reviewed by the HSE.
Further, my Department and the HSE are working to develop 22 dedicated adult beds to provide inpatient care for eating disorders, in addition to the existing 20 dedicated child and adolescent eating disorder beds.
The development of these will be progressed under the governance structures of the forthcoming 10-year capital plan for mental health services, supported by funding from the National Development Plan 2026-2030. The HSE is aiming to have these beds coming on stream by 2030.
As your questions relate to specific recruitment matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
774. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify the position, where children are conceived to a same sex couple through a qualifying DAHR procedure in an Irish clinic and are then born in Northern Ireland, as to the mechanism that currently exists to ensure that the non-birth mother is recognised as their parent under Irish law; and whether forthcoming assisted human reproduction legislation will ensure that children in this situation do not lose recognition of a parent solely because they are born outside the jurisdiction. [68519/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraParts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act (CFRA) 2015 commenced in May 2020 and contain provisions relating to the regulation of donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR) which takes place in a DAHR facility in the State.
The legislation aimed to modernise family law in a way that is inclusive of and sensitive to the reality of contemporary family life and meets the needs of children living in diverse family types. The Act provided for the first time, legal recognition and pathways to parentage for same sex female couples who undertake DAHR in the State, where the child is born in the State, allowing the second intending parent in these circumstances to be included on the child’s birth certificate.
The Health Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) Act 2024 was published in July 2024 and included changes to the CFRA 2015. Further amendments to the AHR Act 2024 encompassing changes to the CFRA 2015 are included in the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill. The formal drafting of this amendment bill is at an advanced state, led by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, along with officials from my Department, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
It is proposed that provisions and amendments to CFRA 2015 included in the amending bill will address the issues of recognition of parentage such as those highlighted by the Deputy i.e. where the DAHR procedure takes place in the State but the child is born outside of this jurisdiction.
The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill will be subject to the usual legislative processes, and the provisions contained in the final draft of the amending bill will ultimately be a matter for the Oireachtas.
775. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 512 of 2 July 2026, to state whether she or the Health Service Executive has requested the Comptroller and Auditor General to conduct a value for money examination of the treatment abroad scheme; and to confirm by yes or no whether any post-operative complication, readmission or follow-up data in respect of procedures funded under the scheme is held centrally. [68555/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra781. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 506 of 2 July 2026, to confirm by yes or no whether any body other than the Health Service Executive has conducted a value for money or governance review of the treatment abroad scheme since 2020; and if no such review has taken place, to state this directly. [68557/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 775 and 781 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
777. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if she will provide the total number of patients refused private maternity care in each of the 19 maternity units since January 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68593/26]
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.
778. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if she will provide details of the waiting time between patients attending an MRI and getting the results of the scan in the Mater Private Hospital on referral from the public system; if she tracks these waiting times on a regular basis; if she has noticed any changes to the length of time patients are waiting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68592/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
779. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health To the current status of HSE pricing and reimbursement negotiations for a drug (details supplied); the expected timeline for concluding these negotiations and making the medication available under the drugs payment scheme; and the steps being taken to ensure equitable access to menopause treatment for women who cannot take HRT for medical reasons, including survivors of hormone-positive breast cancer. [68543/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra807. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a drug (details supplied) will be made available under the drug payment scheme for patients who cannot take HRT as a result of a cancer diagnosis; and the current status of the application. [68721/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra878. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if she will consider adding Veoza (fezolinetant) to the drug scheme list, to ensure women who cannot use HRT, for example due to cancer treatment, have access to an affordable non hormonal treatment for severe menopausal symptoms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68865/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 779, 807 and 878 together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines.
To commence this process, a pharmaceutical company must submit an application for a new medicine or a new use of an existing medicine, which has been granted European Medicines Agency (EMA) or Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) authorisation, to the HSE’s Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit.
Applicants must continue to engage throughout the process to ensure that the necessary evidence is available for the HSE to carry out its statutory role as a decision-maker with respect to the reimbursement of new medicines, in accordance with the Act. The Act specifies nine criteria which must be considered. These include the health needs of the public and the clinical need for the medicine. All these factors, taken together, allow the HSE to make an informed decision on new medicines.
The Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The membership of the HSE Drugs Group includes public interest members. Pharmacoeconomic reports are reviewed by the HSE Drugs Group along with the outputs of commercial negotiations, and any patient group submission(s) received. The HSE Drugs Group considers all of the evidence and makes a recommendation to the HSE Senior Management Team.
The decision-making authority in the HSE is the HSE Senior Management Team. The HSE Senior Management Team decides on the basis of all the demands it is faced with (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new use of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of fezolinetant (Veoza®):
• The HSE received an application for pricing / reimbursement on the 8th February 2024 from Astellas (the applicant) for fezolinetant (Veoza®) indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause.
• The first step in the process is the submission of a Rapid Review dossier (a clinical and economic dossier) to the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) for assessment. The HSE commissioned the Rapid Review process on the 9th February 2024.
• The NCPE Rapid Review assessment report was received by the HSE on the 12th March 2024. The NCPE advised the HSE that a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) was recommended to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of fezolinetant (Veoza®) compared with the current standard of care.
• The HSE commissioned a full HTA on the 8th April 2024 as per agreed processes.
• The HTA was completed by the NCPE on the 17th April 2026. The NCPE recommends that fezolinetant be considered for reimbursement if cost effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments. HRT is expected to provide more benefits, than fezolinetant, in individuals who can take HRT. Thus, the HSE may wish to implement prescribing guidelines should a decision be made to reimburse fezolinetant: https://www.ncpe.ie/fezolinetant-veoza-hta-id-24005/
• The HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications.
• The HSE CPU met with the applicant to discuss the application for fezolinetant (Veoza®) indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause. A proposal has been received from the applicant and is under review. The output of negotiations will be presented to the HSE Drugs Group for consideration.
The application remains under consideration with the HSE. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
780. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Health to respond to matters raised regarding a medical procedure for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [68589/26]
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.
782. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the additional costs associated with cancer, including travel, accommodation, parking, medication and loss of income, are taken into account when assessing eligibility for a medical card; and the number of cancer patients who were refused a medical card. [68597/26]
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 Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for medical cards received from persons diagnosed with cancer in each of the past five years; the number approved, refused and granted on a discretionary basis; and the average processing time for such applications. [68595/26]
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 Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if she can give an update on establishment of the adult ADHD team for the Integrated Health Areas of DNC and DNCW which is due to be in place by Q3 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68594/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of Specialist Mental Health Services, including for adults with ADHD, has been a priority since my appointment as Minister for Mental Health in 2020. As Minister, I'm proud to have launched the Model of Care for ADHD in Adults and to have resourced the establishment of the teams envisioned by the Model of Care.
The National Clinical Programme for ADHD in Adults is being implemented on a phased basis. Since the introduction of a Model of Care for the programme in 2021, over €5 million has been made available for funding ADHD posts from Programme for Government funding. This has enabled the establishment of 8 fully operational ADHD teams with 3 community-based teams currently in development.
Funding was secured under Budget 2025 for the remaining ADHD teams which will complete the specified total number of teams specified for the Model of Care.
The HSE have stated that nationwide demand for Adult ADHD services has been significantly higher than originally projected. The HSE is progressing service development on a phased basis, supported by approved funding and workforce availability.
In parallel, the National Clinical Programme for ADHD in Adults has developed a draft amended Model of Care, incorporating a stepped-care approach, informed by engagement with service users, families, clinicians and ADHD Ireland. This revised Model of Care is currently being trialled in a number of ADHD teams and will guide the next phase of service development nationally.
The HSE remains committed to developing ADHD services for adults nationally and progressing full implementation of the Model of Care to improve access to assessment and treatment across all regions.
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.
As your question relates to specific recruitment matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
