Written Answers Nos. 1669-1690
1669. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide the current number of public dentists and the current waiting lists for public dentistry, by local area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1968/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1670. Deputy John Cummins asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the expansion of State-funded IVF treatment, as announced in budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1974/25]
View answer1671. Deputy John Cummins asked the Minister for Health the criteria that will apply to families seeking to avail of State-funded IVF treatment who already have a child born previously through privately funded IVF treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1975/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1670 and 1671 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) in order to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This Model of Care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., the six Regional Fertility Hubs located across the country) and then, where necessary, AHR (assisted human reproduction) treatment (e.g., IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) and ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection)), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the Model of Care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of six Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks covering the entire country, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with fertility-related issues at this level of intervention. Patients are referred by their GPs to their local Regional Fertility Hub, which provides a range of treatments and interventions.
Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care relates to the introduction of AHR treatment, including IVF, provided through the public health system at tertiary level.
Appropriate funding has been made available to support access to AHR treatment via HSE-approved private providers. As well as IVF and ICSI, this allocation is also being used to provide, initially through private clinics, IUI (intrauterine insemination), which can, for certain cohorts of patients, be a potentially effective, yet less complex and less intrusive form of treatment.
Referrals for AHR treatment by private providers commenced in September 2023. Criteria prospective patients should meet in order to access fully-funded AHR services and the services to be initially funded were agreed by the Department and the HSE and subsequently approved by Government in July 2023. More details on public fertility services, including information on the publicly-funded AHR treatment initiative, are available from the HSE at: www2.hse.ie/conditions/fertility-problems-treatments/fertility-treatment/
As I have previously stated publicly, the access criteria and the AHR treatment scheme generally are being kept under ongoing review as new evidence becomes available and an understanding of how the service provision is working in practice emerges. I have committed to extending the service provision in two particular respects in 2025. However, the specific details in respect of any finalised agreed changes to the access criteria or the scheme more broadly require further extensive consultation between my officials, colleagues in the HSE and also with relevant specialists in the field of reproductive medicine.
I want to reassure the Deputy 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 public health system.
1672. Deputy John Cummins asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient residential beds available in each county, for the years 2020 to 2024, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1976/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1673. Deputy John Cummins asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds available in each county, for the years 2020 to 2024, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1977/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1674. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progress being made on the construction of a ten-bed extension to the department of psychiatry, Drogheda, County Louth; the timeline for the delivery of the extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1982/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1675. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progress being made to return the CAMHS in Dundalk and north Louth to full operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1983/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1676. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the efforts being made to ensure Ozempic is available to all those with a prescription for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1984/25]
View answerThank you for your question in relation to the availability of Ozempic.
Semaglutide (Ozempic®) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist licensed for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise.
The Department is aware of previous recurrent shortages of Ozempic, during 2023 and 2024, and appreciates the stress and inconvenience that shortages of medicines can cause for patients and healthcare professionals alike. Thusly managing and mitigating medicine shortages is the subject of several workstreams across the Department and wider health service.
Ireland has a multi-stakeholder Medicines Shortages Framework in place, operated by our medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on behalf of the Department of Health. The framework aims to help prevent potential shortages from occurring and to reduce the impact of shortages on patients by coordinating the management of potential or actual shortages as they arise. Stakeholders in this framework include the HPRA, the Department, the HSE, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, wholesalers, patient representative groups and marketing authorisation holders.
A recent shortage of Ozempic 0.25 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen, was resolved on 10th January 2025. The HPRA has not been notified of a current shortage of Ozempic.
However, in the event that patients or their carers are unable to source a medicine, the Department would advise they discuss possible alternatives with their doctor pending the resumption of normal supply.
The HPRA maintains a list of current and resolved shortages. on its website: www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/medicines-information/medicines-shortages. The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information.
1677. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the provision of a primary care centre in Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1985/25]
View answerAs 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.
1678. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the average emergency department waiting times, broken down by hospital, in the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [1994/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
1679. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the average emergency department waiting times in Kerry in the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1995/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
1681. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the life plan for intellectually disabled or autistic children of parents who are now older and want to put services in place for their children for their future. [2014/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1682. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a day care facility in Cork city to cater for homeless people who exit night-time accommodation and have nowhere to access support or day-time safe areas. [2015/25]
View answerI convened a meeting between officials from the Dept of Health and Dept of Housing and the promoters of the Cork Integrated Inclusion Health Hub (IIHH) in October 2024. I welcomed the excellent collaboration between the Cork City Council and the HSE to develop this comprehensive proposal to address the health and social needs of people who are homeless in Cork city.
The IIHH would provide a centralised space in a suitable location offering a wide range of services, including access to housing supports, assertive outreach, welfare and medical care. It will also help to mitigate premature deaths among people who are homeless, with 20 such deaths recorded in the Cork region in 2020. HSE Southwest and CCC have together identified a property in the city centre which is available for a long-term lease and possible purchase. It is proposed that existing HSE services and a newly funded addiction care service will be relocated to this property, while Cork City Council commits to establish a day care service operating 7 days a week.
The proposal is aligned with the pathway to eradicate homelessness set out in Housing for All, specifically action 3.13 – strengthen integrated care pathways for people who are homeless with chronic health needs based on an inclusion health model, to achieve better health outcomes and to reduce premature death.
The HSE National Service Plan 2025 sets out a number of actions to meet the health needs to people who are homeless, including to maintain essential public health measures, consolidate advancements in healthcare delivery for people experiencing homelessness, provide health supports for 256 new Housing First tenancies and improve and expand access to healthcare services for people experiencing homelessness.
Officials in the Dept of Health are reviewing the capital costs of this proposal in the context of the HSE Capital Plan 2025, which is expected to be published shortly.
I am very supportive of the proposal and look forward to seeing it progress under the HSE service and capital plans and with the support of the Dept of Housing.
1683. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health whether it is proposed to accept the recommendations of the Marie O'Shea report into abortion services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2026/25]
View answerThe recommendations of the Independent Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 are focused on increasing access to services.
Significant progress has already been made in this regard, for instance six additional hospitals started providing termination services in 2023, an increase of 55%.
Termination services in early pregnancy (up to 12 weeks) are currently provided in 17 of the 19 maternity hospitals, with the remaining two expected to come onboard early this year.
There has also been a sustained increase in community providers, As of January 2025, there are 448 Termination of Pregnancy providers in the community. This includes 437 GP contractors and 11 women’s health services contractors.
While further rollout of services is envisaged to improve geographic spread, there is currently a good geographic spread of GPs providing the service to meet the needs of people who may need to access TOP services. There are currently GP’s providing services in each county.
Furthermore, the revised model of care which was introduced in response to the Covid pandemic, is now the enduring model of care. Under this blended approach, it is possible for one of the two consultations required for termination in early pregnancy to take place remotely.
This will alleviate the time and expense involved in travelling to the GP's surgery twice.
The cumulative effect of these measures, now in place, will substantially reduce barriers and increase access to services for those who need it.
Safe Access Legislation passed both Houses of the Oireachtas and was signed by the President on 7th May 2024 and came into effect on the 17th October 2024.
1684. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide details of any public contracts in his Department provided to companies or individuals who do not pay tax in Ireland, including the names of the contractor, value of the contract and purpose of the contract, in tabular form. [2037/25]
View answerMy Department only pays suppliers on production of a valid tax clearance certificate. My Department does not hold information as to the tax residency of suppliers as this is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
1685. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide details of any public contracts issued to a company (details supplied) over the past ten years, including the value of the contract and the purpose of the contract, in tabular form. [2055/25]
View answerMy Department has issued no contracts to the detailed companies in the last 10 years.
1686. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an MRI appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2091/25]
View answerUnder 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. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health 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 Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1687. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will establish an all-Ireland approach to rehabilitative medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2111/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1689. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position with a day care centre in Kildare South (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2121/25]
View answerThe Allenwood Day Care Centre was a service the HSE funded and was managed by St. Vincent De Paul (SVDP) through a service level arrangement to deliver the Day Care Service and a Meals on Wheels Service in the Allenwood and surrounding area which has recently closed. This decision was advised to the HSE following a meeting with the HSE on Monday 13th January, with St. Vincent De Paul advising that they can no longer provide the service.
The HSE is currently seeking alternative day care providers / services for the clients impacted by this service ceasing and have noted that all service users are currently being offered Meals on Wheels services in the interim.
1690. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position with a day care centre in Kildare South (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2122/25]
View answerThe site for Monasterevin Day Care Centre on Drogheda Street is currently in the final stages of refurbishment. The HSE has advised us that they are making every effort to complete the works at this site and are hopeful that they will have these refurbishments completed towards the end of Quarter 1 of 2025.
In the interim, Day Care services are currently being provided by Monasterevin Day Care Committee from the local GAA centre.
Once this site is operational it is planned that this site will be used by Primary Care services to provide services five days per week and part of the building will be licensed by Older Persons services to the Monasterevin Day Care Committee who will provide a day care and meals on wheels service from the building three days per week.
