Mary Butler
Waterford · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Major improvements are happening across services: enhanced access to proactive and preventive healthcare to support a better quality of life; the embedding and upscaling of women's health initiatives put in place through the implementation of the previous women's health action plans, including, as the Senator knows, free contraception, sp…”
“In relation to any proposal, a proposal for a new location requires a detailed business case, a premises, support from the regional HSE management, and the necessary funding to resource the staffing of the service. That is where I come into it and what I will be trying to do.”
“We are currently working closely with it to support the expansion of Jigsaw services to Waterford and the south east, as well as to County Clare. The location of Waterford was picked because we have no services in the south east at all. It is great that we will have the hub and spoke model the Senator spoke about.”
“That is where I do not agree with the Senator. I believe €180 million of funding ring-fenced for women's health, when we have come from a low base, is absolutely unbelievable.”
“The plan will build on our knowledge of women's health through research and innovation and will spotlight important areas such as endometriosis and cardiovascular health. Recently, the Minister announced €2 million in funding for women's health research.”
“This plan will continue to focus on how we can improve access to specialist endometriosis care and treatment. As the Senator knows, we have established two super-regional specialist centres, one in Tallaght University Hospital and another in Cork, alongside the development of five regional endometriosis hubs.”
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“I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (without debate) - Motion re Proposed Approval by Dáil Éireann of the Data Protection Act 2018 under (Section 60(6)) and (Section 51)(3)) Regulations 2026 (without debate) - Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform (without debate) - International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (to conclude after the first round, not to exceed 3 hours and 34 minutes) - Financial Motion by the Minister for Finance [2026] (Financial Resolution No. 1 (to be brought to a conclusion within 60 mins, and any divisions claimed to be taken immediately) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Cancer Services, selected by Sinn Féin.”
“I thank the five parties and groupings for their comments. As they know, the Business Committee will meet at 11 a.m. tomorrow. We will certainly try to facilitate the statements on Bessborough, although it will not be this week as the Minister is away. We will certainly try to facilitate them next week. In relation to the cost of energy, Sinn Féin has a Private Members' motion this evening. The Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy O’Brien will be here for that. The Order of Business stands.”
“the proceedings on the Second Stage of the Media Regulation Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned at the end of the first speaking round and the following arrangements shall apply: ( a ) the first-round speeches shall be in accordance with the table below (to be read across); ( b ) where speeches conclude before the 3 hours and 24 minutes have elapsed and no other member is offering, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes, whereupon proceedings shall be brought to a conclusion; and ( c ) members may share time. Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 20 20 20 12 4 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 20 12 4 20 12 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 4 20 12 4 20”
“notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: ( a ) no motion for a Committee report pursuant to Standing Order 111 or private member's Bill pursuant to Standing Order 169 shall be taken; ( b ) private members' business pursuant to Standing Order 168(1) shall be taken for 2 hours following proceedings of the Media Regulation Bill 2026; and ( c ) topical issues shall be taken on the conclusion of private members' business, and the Dáil shall adjourn on the conclusion of topical issues; and 2.”
“the Statements on International Women's Day shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: ( a ) the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the sequence contained in the table immediately below (to be read across); ( b ) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and ( c ) members may share time Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 25 15 10 10 3 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 10 10 3 9 10 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 3 9 10 3 5 In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that: 1.”
“notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: ( a ) Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) shall not be taken, and Government business shall commence at the time when Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach would normally be taken; ( b ) private members’ business shall be taken following the Statements on International Women’s Day; ( c ) Parliamentary Questions to a Minister other than the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) shall not be taken; and ( d ) topical issues shall be taken on the conclusion of private members’ business; and 2.”
“I move: Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements on International Women's Day (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Energy and Fuel Costs, selected by Sinn Féin. Thursday's business shall be: - Media Regulation Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn at the end of the first speaking round) Thursday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Structural Reform of Child Welfare Governance, selected by Independent Technical Group. Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business: In relation to Wednesday’s business, it is proposed that: 1.”
“In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed: 1. that notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of yesterday, in relation to Thursday's business, the Second Stage of the Media Regulation Bill 2026 shall be taken on Thursday, 19 March 2026, and Statements on the Situation in the Middle East shall be taken immediately following the sos and the order shall resume thereafter. 2. the Statements on the Situation in the Middle East shall not exceed 3 hours and 32 minutes and the arrangements shall be as set out in the first revised report of the Business Committee.”
“The Minister for Health has led on this and put the inquiry in place. Cheap political points will not help any of the victims of Shine. The Minister has done this with compassion, effectiveness and due diligence. She has listened to the lived and living experience of many victims, those people of all ages who were wronged and those who were wronged while availing of health services. We have to have a little bit of fairness. The Minister is trying to deal with issues she inherited. She has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months to put this in place and it is an honour and privilege to work beside her. The Minister is not the person who has harmed anyone. I ask for a little bit of fairness.”
“By the time of his retirement, he was already the subject of multiple allegations of sexual abuse. Dignity4Patients has been campaigning on behalf of the victims for many years. The organisation has long sought a full inquiry into the sexual abuse of patients and in the past year has sought a commission of investigation. For decades, victims and survivors of Michael Shine have carried trauma and sought recognition and accountability. Their strength and willingness to continue pressing for the truth must be met with compassion, seriousness and action. I commend the Minister for Health on how she has had to deal with issues that arose before she ever came into this office. Michael Shine retired in 1995, yet Deputy Ó Murchú blamed this Government for those issues, which is very strange.”
“Yesterday, two public statutory inquiries into scoliosis and spina bifida care and Michael Shine were announced. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has appointed facilitators to begin work aimed at establishing two public statutory inquiries. Remy Farrell SC has been appointed as the facilitator with regard to scoliosis and spina bifida at CHI. Lorcan Staines SC has been appointed to work as facilitator on the abuse carried out by the convicted sex offender Michael Shine. Michael Shine, a former surgeon, worked in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, from 1964 until 1995. In March 1995, the CEO of the hospital was made aware of a complaint of abuse against Mr. Shine by the North Eastern Health Board. Mr. Shine took leave while the complaint was being addressed and subsequently retired in October 1995.”
“As I said, €4 billion, which is a huge proportion of the overall spend of our health budget, is spent on medicines. We will keep the situation under constant review and I will speak to the Minister on the Deputy's behalf.”
“In line with this, the introduction of the shingles vaccine to the immunisation programme in Ireland is again being actively considered for a cohort of immunocompromised individuals in line with NIAC advice and cognisant of the cost-effectiveness of market pricing and available funding, so that is welcome. The Deputy will also be aware that the immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of NIAC. The information I have, and I have no doubt they looked at it for those aged 50 and the whole way up, is that the HTA found that vaccinations could be cost effective for those aged 75 and 80 if the price of the vaccine was reduced by 80%. I will certainly raise this again with the Minister for Health. It is kept under constant review.”
“I understand the points the Deputy makes. I agree with many of them but we must stop and think. He says the vaccine would cost €500 per person. We have an ageing population. We actually have more than a million people over 65. The Deputy can quickly do the maths to see what that would cost. Following detailed consideration of the findings of the HTA in 2024, it was determined that the introduction of the shingles vaccine to the immunisation schedule in Ireland could be considered if and when the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable. I think there is an onus, too, on the companies that provide the vaccine to come to the table. That is an important element of it.”
“Decisions regarding increased spending relating to a change in one area could impact the provision of other health technologies and treatments within the healthcare system, the cost-effectiveness must be considered in any decision-making process. The Department considered the findings of the HTA in 2024 and determined that the introduction of the vaccine could be reconsidered when the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine was confirmed as being more favourable. I will come back to the Deputy with more information.”
“This is an area I know quite a bit about because I was Minister of State with responsibility for older people for four and a half years and I can remember dealing with it at the time. HIQA's HTA was published on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that including the shingles vaccine in the routine immunisation schedule, at the vaccine price at the time, for all adults aged 65 years and over would not be cost-effective and would have a substantial budget impact. While the HTA found that the introduction of the shingles vaccine was not cost-effective based on the cost of the vaccine, it found that it could be cost-effective for vaccination of those at 75 years and 80 years if the price of the vaccine was reduced by 80%. The healthcare budget is finite and this year alone we will spend €4 billion of the €28 billion health budget on medicines.”
“A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner. The use of the HTA facility assists decision-makers in assessing the merits and potential shortcomings of a new health technology, policy or service based on accurate and reliable evidence. The Minister for Health advises that following a request from her Department, HIQA carried out a HTA on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. The HTA examined the evidence on the safety and clinical effectiveness of shingles vaccines. The cost-effectiveness and budget impact were also reviewed, in addition to the ethical, social and organisational implications of including the vaccine in the adult immunisation schedule.”
“The national immunisation advisory committee guidelines state that the Shingrix vaccine may be considered in those aged 65 years and older, due to the greater burden and severity of disease and post-herpetic neuralgia in this age group and in those aged 18 years and older at increased risk of shingles. It should be noted that in advance of any change in policy, the Minister can request that the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, carry out an evaluation of the impacts of a potential policy change. HIQA has a statutory remit, under the Health Act 2007, to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of health technologies, providing advice to the Minister for Health on budget impact, organisational and social aspects and ethical and legal issues. These evaluations take the form of health technology assessments or HTAs.”
“I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this matter in the House. Varicella is a common and highly infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. This virus is associated with two distinct clinical syndromes, varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, and herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. Primary infection with the varicella zoster virus results in varicella, after which the virus becomes latent in the body's nervous system. The virus may reactivate after a period, sometimes several decades later, resulting in herpes zoster or shingles, as we know it. Currently, a non-live, recombinant shingles vaccine called Shingrix is available in Ireland and is administered as a two-dose vaccine.”
“The college will initially be based at the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy, pending development of the new site that we spoke about in Midleton. I know the Deputy is genuinely concerned about that particular region and I will speak to the Minister later today and tell her the Deputy raised the matter in relation to east Cork in the Dáil today. It is a vast area, covering all the way from the Waterford boundary, all the way up to the Limerick boundary and right across Cork but the additional capacity that has been added overall should help.”
“I join with the Deputy in extending my thanks and that of the Department of Health to the staff of the NAS for their commitment and dedication to patient care in east Cork and across the whole country. I was just checking as the Deputy was speaking. In 2025, the following additional resources were added to the south-west region. Twelve paramedics and 12 emergency medical technicians were deployed to the south-west region. Seventeen staff were allocated to the region in 2025 under agency conversion to the following locations: Cork city, four; north Cork, two; west Cork, one; east Cork, one; and Kerry, nine. The new college campus in Cork will have its first intake of student paramedics starting in January 2026.”
“I suggest the Deputy put some of the specific questions he asked regarding the number of call outs and times into a parliamentary question.”
“I should also add that investment in 2026 will also see significant increases in NAS capital funding, including €34 million for renewal and expansion of the fleet of emergency ambulances and other response vehicles. In addition, the provision of a replacement ambulance station for Midleton is at the design feasibility stage. I know this is very important to the Deputy and other Government colleagues in that area. Overall investment in recent years has also seen total NAS staffing rise to 2,470 at the end of December 2025, which is a rise of 28%. Notwithstanding that, I appreciate the issue raised by the Deputy concerning east Cork, which is a vast area bordering my own county of Waterford. There are a lot of people on the border area there between Dungarvan west and into Youghal.”
“Regarding the south west, including east Cork, additional NAS resources for 2026 will include additional emergency vehicles in Cork city and Killarney as well as a further intermediate care vehicle in Bantry. Further investment in 2026 will also include an additional community paramedic post to the region to provide care for lower acuity older patients. The Deputy will be aware that NAS has also established a new NAS tertiary education training facility in Cork to further support paramedic education and training. I am delighted to learn that the first intake of student paramedics took place in January of this year, which has increased overall training capacity by 20%. That is very welcome. I know it will take a while for them to come through.”
“Additional HEMS support is provided in the region by the Irish Coast Guard, RCG, search and rescue service from its bases in Waterford and Shannon on an "as available" basis. As the Deputy will be aware, this Government has continuously invested in NAS with significant increases in investment in recent years. Government investment in 2026 will support HSE plans to further increase capacity in NAS with 263 new posts representing an investment of €20 million. This will help to improve emergency ambulance response performance, provide for additional intermediate care service capacity and further development and expand NAS alternative care pathways, including community paramedic services right across the county.”
“The region is also served by several NAS alternative care pathways designed to treat patients at the most appropriate level of clinical need while avoiding unnecessary patient conveyances to busy hospital emergency departments where it is not clinically necessary. These pathways include the Pathfinder "See and Treat" service located in Cork, the NAS National Emergency Operations Centre Clinical Hub "Hear and Treat" service, the community paramedic service, and NAS intermediate care services. Further emergency response capacity in the region is provided by the Government-funded Southwest Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, HEMS, operating out of Rathcoole in County Cork.”
“On behalf of the Minister, I thank Deputy McCarthy for the opportunity to update the house on ambulance service provision in east Cork. I thank him for the manner in which he raised it and am sorry to hear about the person who passed away. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Ambulance Service, NAS, serves east Cork on a 24-7 basis through a highly skilled workforce of paramedics, advanced paramedics and emergency medical technicians; a fleet of modern emergency ambulances, intermediate care vehicles and rapid response vehicles; and 12 ambulances bases covering the entire county of Cork.”
“I move: That, pursuant to Standing Order 223(1), the following Committees may complete their consideration of the Estimates for Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 2026, standing referred to them pursuant to Standing Order 222(2), later than the eightieth day and not later than the one hundredth day, being the 27th day of March, 2026, after the Estimates had been so referred: — the Select Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport (Vote 33); and — the Select Committee on Education and Youth (Vote 26).”
“I thank all the Whips for their comments on the fishing community, the termination of pregnancy, Iran, Shannon Airport and energy costs. The Order of Business stands as set out and as circulated to all the Whips. However, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will come in during the week to take statements on Iran and I will engage with the Whips in the afternoon.”
“the proceedings on the Second Stage of the Media Regulation Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned at the end of the first speaking round and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the first-round speeches shall be in accordance with the table below (to be read across); (b) where speeches conclude before the 3 hours and 24 minutes have elapsed and no other member is offering, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes, whereupon proceedings shall be brought to a conclusion; and (c) members may share time. Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 20 20 20 12 4 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 20 12 4 20 12 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 4 20 12 4 20 Total 3 hours 24 mins”
“with consequential effect on the commencement time for the Second Stage of the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018, and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and (b) the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 18th March, 2026; and 2.”
“the Order of referral of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 to the Select Committee on Health, is hereby discharged, the Bill shall be taken in Committee of the whole Dáil and the proceedings on Committee and remaining Stages of the Bill shall commence no earlier than 8.30 p.m. and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Health. In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that: 1. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: (a) topical issues may be taken earlier than 7.24 p.m.”
“the resumed proceedings on the Second Stage of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at the end of the first speaking round and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the speaking slots from Tuesday’s arrangements for the first round shall be continued from the point at which they were adjourned; (b) on conclusion of the first-round speeches, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time; and 6.”
“the Statements on Scoliosis and Inquiries shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the sequence contained in the table immediately below (to be read across); (b) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time; Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 25 15 10 10 3 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 10 10 3 9 10 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 3 9 10 3 5 Total 2 hours 15 mins 5.”
“the Statements on Post Office Closures shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the sequence contained in the table immediately below (to be read across); (b) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time; Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 25 15 10 10 3 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 10 10 3 9 10 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 3 9 10 3 5 Total 2 hours 15 mins 4.”
“notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: (a) the time allotted for Government Business shall be extended in accordance with the arrangements for that business and the Dáil may sit later than 9.30 p.m.; (b) in the event that Second Stage of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 concludes before 8.30 p.m., the sitting shall stand suspended until 8.30 p.m., when the order of business shall resume with the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; and (c) the weekly division time shall be taken on the conclusion of proceedings on the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025; 2. notwithstanding anything in Standing Order 177(2), the proceedings on Second Stage of the Online Safety (Recommender Algorithms) Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 2 hours 3.”
“the proceedings on the Second Stage of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026, shall be interrupted and stand adjourned either after 1 hour, or where no further member is offering, and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the first speaking round shall be in accordance with those contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); and (b) members may share time. Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 20 20 20 12 4 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 20 12 4 20 12 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 4 20 12 4 20 Total 3 hours 24 mins In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that: 1.”
“the Statements on Seachtain na Gaeilge shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the sequence contained in the table immediately below (to be read across); (b) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time; and Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 25 15 10 10 3 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 10 10 3 9 10 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 3 9 10 3 5 Total 2 hours 15 mins 5.”
“notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: (a) the time allocated to Government business shall be extended in accordance with the arrangements for that business and the Dáil may sit later than 10.48 p.m.; and (b) private members’ business shall be taken following proceedings on the Second Stage of the Assisted Decision-making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026, with consequential effect on the commencement times for the items following in the ordinary routine of business; 2. the proceedings on the Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2026 shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; 3. the proceedings on the Motion re Consideration of Estimates by Committees shall be taken without debate; 4.”
“Thursday's business shall be: - Media Regulation Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn at the end of the first speaking round) Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018, sponsored by Deputy Gary Gannon. Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business: In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that: 1.”
“Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements on Post Office Closures (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Statements on Scoliosis and Inquiries (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 (Second Stage, resumed) (to conclude at the end of the first round, not to exceed 2 hours and 34 minutes) - Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 (Committee and remaining Stages) (to commence no earlier than 8.30 p.m. and to conclude within 1 hour and 30 minutes) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Second Stage of the Online Safety (Recommender Algorithms) Bill 2026, selected by Independent and Parties Technical Group.”
“I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2026 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Consideration of Estimates by Committees (without debate) - Ráitis maidir leis an Ghaeilge chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a chomóradh (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn after 60 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Tithíocht Gaeltachta, selected by Sinn Féin.”
“If I had all the money in the world I would not be able to find all the staff in the world to open those beds this year but I will do it incrementally, like I do everything incrementally. It is something I have worked on. It is amazing, when we talk about the National Forensic Mental Health Service, because it does an extremely good job. It is very rarely in the media and it is a difficult job it does. I commend each and every one of those who do this work.”
“That is the other point. I have to make sure there is a pathway for them as well. I also want to touch on the ten beds that were designed at the time for the forensic CAMHS unit and we are not seeing the demand for that at all. There were not 170 beds per se that were going to be provided just for people who come through the Prison Service. We have CAMHS, forensic, the ICRU and also people with enduring mental health conditions who have to come through the system. Additional capacity will be provided this year. An additional 26 beds will be provided, which will go a long way towards dealing with the waiting list. I have also provided funding for further in-reach in Limerick, which will see 11 of the 12 prisons receiving mental health supports. I do not want to see anybody on a waiting list. We will work on that.”
“I have provided €2.8 million to fund 30 additional staff to open the first ten beds. It is not one member of staff per bed. These are really dedicated staff. We already have two psychiatric intensive care units, PICUs, open in the country. The National Forensic Mental Health Service is not only there for prisoners or those who come through the court system. There are people living in this country with enduring mental health conditions and about 10% of those patients are in the National Forensic Mental Health Service because they are patients and not prisoners; they are detained patients. This crossover is not being acknowledged; this is a hospital. Some people with enduring mental health conditions might have been institutionalised 30 or 40 years ago and at this stage they might need that forensic mental health support.”
“I do not think the Senator listened to my answer, to be fair. I am ambitious enough and I can give him the response because I am the person who secured the funding last year to hire 45 additional very specific staff to work in the national forensic hospital. It is not that these staff are sitting on unemployment lists all over the country; they are hard to get. That is the first point. We recruited 45 of them, including 41 to open 18 beds. We opened two beds in December and will open the other 16 on a gradual basis, which is ongoing at the moment. We should have those additional 16 beds opened by the end of March. The beds in the intensive care rehabilitation unit are different kinds of beds and this has been lost in the whole debate. These are the sickest people in society and they have come through the courts system.”
“This year’s funding will bring the National Forensic Mental Health Service workforce to approximately 580 staff. When the ICRU beds open later this year, the campus will operate 140 beds, an increase of 45 beds and almost 47% more capacity compared with Dundrum. The investment will significantly reduce the current waiting list of 38 people in prison who need hospital care. We also have two psychiatric intensive care units at Carraig Mór in Cork and the Phoenix Centre in Dublin. While these provide short-term intensive care, ICRUs offer both intensive treatment and longer term rehabilitation.”
“The National Forensic Mental Health Service was permitted to recruit directly and filled most of these specialist posts in record time. There were 45 posts - 41 for the hospital and four for in-reach into prisons. These beds will open gradually over the coming weeks and months. Two beds opened in December and other beds will open in the next few weeks. When all 130 beds are operational, overall Central Mental Hospital capacity will have increased by 37% since late 2022. In budget 2026, I allocated a further €2.8 million to fund 30 additional staff to open the first ten beds in the new ICRU. Bringing these beds into use will support smoother patient movement through the Portrane campus’s different levels of care, helping create space for further admissions.”
“This state-of-the-art campus, one of the best, if not the best, of its kind in Europe, was delivered with €212 million in Government capital investment. The 170-bed complex includes a 130-bed Central Mental Hospital, a 30-bed intensive care rehabilitation unit, ICRU, and a ten-bed forensic child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, unit. It was always intended that the full capacity at Portrane would become operational on a phased basis because these are very dedicated specific staff. There are currently 114 operational beds at the Central Mental Hospital, a 20% increase on the former Dundrum hospital. In budget 2025, I secured €2.1 million to recruit the staff necessary to open the remaining 18 Central Mental Hospital beds - 112 were operational at the time.”
“Its purpose is to provide treatment, support rehabilitation and enable a safe, carefully managed return to the community where appropriate. Demand for forensic mental health services has grown significantly in recent years, including increased need for inpatient beds at the Central Mental Hospital in Portrane. The HSE actively manages the admission waiting list and works closely with the Irish Prison Service to prioritise those with the most urgent clinical needs. The first piece of legislation I moved at the end of 2020 was the legislation to support those living in the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum to be transferred to Portrane. In 2022, I opened the new Central Mental Hospital at Portrane, transferring 93 patients from the old Dundrum facility.”