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 begin by acknowledging the concerns raised in the recent "RTÉ Investigates" programme on forensic mental health services. While I am not a clinician, my responsibility is to maintain public confidence in this essential service for a highly vulnerable group of patients and for the dedicated staff who care for them. I have asked the HSE for full reports on the cases highlighted in the programme, particularly those involving the Central Mental Hospital. I have also asked that all appropriate care options for the individuals featured be examined. I recognise the pain expressed by the families who took part. Their lived experience matters and it motivates me to continue improving the system. It is important to restate that the Central Mental Hospital is a hospital, not a prison.”
“The Senator's point is well made that we should not allow them to get to the point of emergencies. The Minister for Health has a meeting this week on dentists. I saw it in her diary. She is putting a focus on this at the moment to see if we can get some sort of solution to provide more care to those that need it sooner than we are doing at the moment.”
“There is nothing the Senator is saying that I disagree with. The Government invests annually in oral healthcare with a figure of €240 million this year alone. Over €20 million has been allocated to waiting list initiatives for contracted orthodontic care, resulting in more than 5,200 removals from waiting lists since 2020. This includes a dedicated orthodontic surgery programme that has delivered treatment for an additional 206 patients to date. This funding will continue in 2026 with a further €2.85 million being provided. I understand exactly where the Senator is coming from. It was part of primary school for all of us to get oral hygiene care. I appreciate that for some families it might be a step too far if they have an issue. However, children will be looked after if they have an emergency.”
“The impact for the patient can be wide-ranging, with some experiencing very little impact on the incisors, but a common presentation is sensitivity in the molars. Depending on the enamel area impacted, management of these teeth can be challenging. Enamel is designed to protect the inner layers of the tooth including the nerve tissue, with MIH patients often experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold due to these enamel defects. The treatment ranges from preventive management through fluoride applications right through to managed extractions at an appropriate age range. These children may present as emergencies from associated sensitivity.”
“The Minister acknowledges that the current system, which was developed in the 1990s in response to the identified oral healthcare needs at that time, must be modernised and aligned with current needs. The national oral health policy sets out the vision for oral healthcare services in Ireland and has two key goals: first, to provide the supports to enable every individual to achieve their personal best oral health; and, second, to reduce oral health inequalities across the population. The Senator raised MIH, which she has lived experience of and knows a lot more about than I do. It is a specific pattern of enamel defects in adult teeth. While there is no definitive cause, it is thought that the defects are due to issues arising at the time of development of these specific teeth.”
“It was interesting when I met the Belgian minister for health in Brussels, I think it was in 2023. It was during a St. Patrick's day visit. At that time we were just coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic. I recall asking the Minister what his most pressing concern was at the time and he said it was the lack of dentists in Belgium. We have population growth here. In 2015, we had 900,000 children in the country; now we have 1.2 million. It is so important. Everyone knows that there is nothing worse than a toothache. This situation is challenging. Last year, over 146,000 new patients were assessed in the public dental service, including approximately 100,000 under targeted programmes in schools and special care programmes with over 46,000 others attending for emergencies.”
“The Minister is aware that there are currently backlogs in the HSE’s child oral health examination programme, which has meant that the sixth-class groups are being prioritised. As the Senator said, it used to be second class, fourth class and sixth class I recall all my children getting the fissure seals, which make such a difference when they are heading into their teenage years. The Government is committed to addressing the immediate difficulties patients are experiencing in accessing oral healthcare services. The Senator asked an awful lot of questions at the end and they are the driving questions we have at the moment regarding why some dentists do not take public patients. We are losing people when they are trained. They decide to work abroad. People who come here for excellent training go back to their home countries.”
“I thank the Senator for articulating a pressing issue. It is a question I have answered many times in the Seanad and the Dáil. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. I am grateful to her for the opportunity to address the issue of access to oral healthcare services for children, including orthodontic treatment. The HSE oral healthcare service aims to provide an oral examination and necessary treatment for children at ages approximating to second and sixth class and, in some cases, fourth class. Emergency care is provided for children of all ages up to 16 and for those with complex and additional needs. The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients with the most severe and complex treatment needs.”
“The State has also affirmed that no survivor should ever be regarded as having a criminal record simply because they were placed in an industrial school, and the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, has clarified this and will issue formal certificates to confirm it. As these commitments are implemented, this moment must represent more than an apology. It must be a turning point, one grounded in dignity, justice and a continuing duty to ensure survivors receive the compassion and support they deserve. What happened to them was wrong and I hope today brings some small comfort to them all.”
“As Minister of State, I am committed to doing whatever I can to right the wrongs of mental health services in Kerry. The Government is determined to recognise the trauma of what Maurice, the two Marys and Miriam all endured with the apology and the package of supports for survivors. We are committed to a strengthened suite of supports, extending access to tailored health services, counselling, physiotherapy, education payments and compassionate assistance in housing and funeral costs. We are totally committed. I hope these measures can meet the very real needs raised by survivors and reflect the State’s responsibility to respond meaningfully.”
“I want to mention Mary Donovan, Mary Dunlevy Greene, Miriam Moriarty Owens and Maurice Patton O'Connell. I met Maurice a few years ago. He is the parent of Jason, who is upstairs looking down. I met Maurice when his son was overprescribed medication in south Kerry child and adolescent mental health services. Maurice has outlined Jason’s lost years as a result of the overprescribing, and during really difficult times for himself, Maurice put his family first to advocate for them. I will always remember his powerful advocacy in relation to children who were harmed in Kerry. I hope the Government’s response to what happened in Kerry will deliver for Jason and others and they can go on and have better years. I can only imagine the horror that Maurice is enduring in having to fight the State on two fronts .”
“I stand today to add my support to the State apology to the victims of horrendous abuse in industrial and reformatory schools. There are not enough words to outline the abuse and absolute horror suffered by these survivors and all victims of abuse. Many of those have lived and suffered in silence. They suffered the stigma for decades and have struggled with pain and anguish. These were children placed in these industrial schools. We know they suffered the most horrendous mistreatment but they had courage and conviction – especially those who undertook a lengthy hunger strike outside these gates – to ensure their most awful experiences were finally heard. They shared their lived experience and still share their living experience. I hope today is one of the better days of their living experience.”
“We are making progress but I do appreciate that it is very difficult. We have looked specifically at children coming out of CAMHS teams into adult teams. That is a challenge in some areas where the teams are not in place. There are over 100 dedicated clinicians working in eating disorder teams now, with a ring-fenced budget.”
“I thank the Deputy for her question. In fairness, she has always been a strong advocate for supports for those with eating disorders. It is the most debilitating mental health illness that you can have. We have made progress over the past five years. Some 95% of all those with an eating disorder are treated in the community. We have 14 of the 16 teams funded; 11 of them are in place and we are recruiting the other five. Two more were announced in budget 2026. I know the Deputy will be happy to hear that yesterday, as part of the capital plan, a provision was made for adult eating disorder beds, 20 beds in total. We will base eight of them in St. Vincent's. We have agreement from the board of St. Vincent's do to that. Six will be in the south east, more than likely Cork, and six in the north west, maybe around the Roscommon area.”
“Nobody can stand over a situation where people have to wait for that length of time. We will see if we can do anything to expedite that, and there might be a cancellation or something like that. It would make a big difference. We will have the funding for the waiting list initiative. It will be in place and will make a significant difference. I have no doubt the South Infirmary will receive its fair share with regard to the 12 orthopaedic surgeons being put in place and the surgical hub being opened in the third quarter. I am happy to engage with the Deputy on the two cases he raised.”
“I thank the Deputy for the manner in which he has raised this issue. I can give him a bit of good news. The HSE south-west region employs 12 whole-time equivalent consultant orthopaedic surgeons based at Cork University Hospital and the South Infirmary Hospital. One vacant whole-time equivalent post is due to be filled by March 2026, which should have an impact. To return to the waiting list, in the last six months, 3,174 people have come onto the waiting list, and a significant number are waiting over 18 months. The Deputy might send on the details of the two cases that he raised, and we will see if we can do anything to expedite that. The quality of life of somebody who is waiting for orthopaedic surgery is very much impaired, especially people in their later years.”
“Accordingly, the multi-annual action plan approach targets the delivery of additional capacity for patients in the public and private systems through a co-ordinated approach by the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund. The NTPF works with hospitals throughout the country to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable, long-waiting patients.”
“That should make a significant difference. I was delighted to see that it will open in quarter 3 of this year. There are several hubs that are midway through construction, and the sooner we get them open, the better. They will not be affected by issues in the acute level 4 hospitals or, for example, by procedures having to be cancelled because of staffing. We can already see the impact they have made in Dublin. Until the capacity is in place in the public system to meet the increased levels of demand being experienced, it is appropriate that we make use of all available additional capacity to ensure that patients have access to the care they need.”
“The Government remains fully committed to increasing elective care capacity through the elective ambulatory care programme. This is being delivered in two phases: with a national network of surgical hubs in the first instance to meet medium-term demand and capacity and, in the longer term, a national network of elective treatment centres in Cork, Dublin and Galway. In Cork, construction of the surgical hub at CUH is well advanced and is expected to open in quarter 3 of this year. Once fully operational, it is anticipated that the hub will deliver annual activity of 8,000 day-case procedures, 5,700 minor operations and some 18,500 outpatient appointments. The Deputy will know that the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, published the capital plan today, and that €34.5 million was allocated to complete the surgical hub in Cork.”
“Orthopaedic services are provided in Cork by Cork University Hospital and South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, with CUH being the trauma centre and South Infirmary providing elective procedures. I was interested to read that the waiting lists in CUH and the South Infirmary are like chalk and cheese. There are currently 199 patients waiting for an outpatient appointment at CUH and 7,444 patients waiting at the South Infirmary. Staffing at the South infirmary has increased by 232 whole-time equivalents since the end of December, from 804 to 1,033, an increase of 28%. The budget increased from €62 million in 2020 to €97 million in 2025, which is a significant increase of 56%. The Deputy can see that a lot of investment has gone in, although the demand is still significant.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I welcome the opportunity to address the House. The Government recognises that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures are too long, not only in Cork, but in hospitals throughout the country. The multi-annual action plan approach was initiated in September 2021 to substantially reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times. Since the commencement of the action plan approach, the health service has seen significant progress in reducing the length of time patients are waiting, including a reduction of 56%, or 157,000, in the number of patients waiting over 12 months.”
“I have noted all the comments from the various Whips. I will facilitate an urgent debate in relation to CAMHS. I was in Kerry on Thursday and Friday of last week. I felt it was important to respond to the parents first. We will put that on the agenda for next week. In relation to the other requests for debates, this week we are facilitating statements on fisheries and homelessness, which were sought two or three weeks ago. We can give consideration to all the requests that have been made at the Business Committee on Thursday, like we do every Thursday but, unfortunately, no matter what is put on the agenda, it is never agreed. In relation to SNAs, there is a Private Members' motion this evening and the Minister will take statements in the Dáil tomorrow. There is also a Private Members' motion before the Seanad.”
“the Statements on Homelessness shall not exceed 3 hours and 32 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 35 25 15 15 5 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 15 15 5 12 15 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 5 15 15 5 8 Total 202 mins”
“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 Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that: 1. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, topical issues may be taken earlier than 7.24 p.m. with consequential effect on the commencement time for the Motion re Report entitled “First Interim Report” of the Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence, Committee on Artificial Intelligence, and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and 2.”
“the Statements regarding an apology related to childhood abuse (hunger strikers) shall not exceed 1 hours and 44 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows: (a) statements shall be in accordance with the sequence contained in the table immediately below (to be read across); and (b) members may share time; and Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 20 10 8 8 3 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 8 8 3 6 8 SF ITG Gov OM Mins 3 6 8 5 Total 104 mins 4. the resumed proceedings on Committee Stage of the International Protection Bill 2026 shall be taken no earlier than 6.21 p.m. and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 11 p.m.”
“the Statements on Special Needs Assistants 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 135 mins 3.”
“when the order of business shall resume with the Statements regarding an apology related to childhood abuse (hunger strikers) (c) 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.; and (d) the weekly division time shall be taken on the conclusion of proceedings on the International Protection Bill 2026; 2.”
“notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: (a) Government business shall commence at the time when the SOS pursuant to Standing Order 25(1) would normally be taken, and the sitting shall stand suspended on conclusion of the Statements regarding an apology related to childhood abuse (hunger strikers) either for 1 hour or until 6.21 p.m. whichever is the later; (b) in the event that the Statements on Special Needs Assistants conclude before 3.37 p.m., the sitting shall stand suspended until 3.37 p.m.”
“the Statements on Fishing Quotas 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 135 mins In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that: 1.”
“Thursday's business shall be: - Statements on Homelessness (not to exceed 3 hours and 32 minutes) Thursday evening business shall be the Motion re Report entitled "First Interim Report" of the Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence, sponsored by the Committee on Artificial Intelligence. Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business: In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that: 1. 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 on the conclusion of the Statements on Fishing Quotas, with consequential effect on the commencement times for the items following in the ordinary routine of business; and 2.”
“I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Statements on Fishing Quotas (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Special Needs Assistants, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements on Special Needs Assistants (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Apology related to childhood abuse (hunger strikers): Statements (to commence no earlier than 3.37 p.m. and not to exceed 1 hour and 44 minutes) - International Protection Bill 2026 (Committee and remaining Stages) (Amendment No. 15, resumed) (to commence no earlier than 6.21 p.m. and to conclude at 11 p.m.) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Expanding Access to General Practitioner Care, selected by Social Democrats.”
“That is where I am finding a really significant barrier. I hope the standard access portal being set up across the country at the moment will help. I am happy to take it offline------”
“I thank the Deputy for respecting the fact of the report being published later this evening. We can arrange a briefing for health spokespersons on that. I will brief the Kerry Deputies as well this evening. There are challenges in CAMHS, but 225,000 appointments were issued last year to people who attend. Some people get a really good response from CAMHS. As regards the point the Deputy made in relation to CAMHS and intellectual disabilities, I set this model of care up in 2023, led by Dr. Amir Niazi, who was clinical director. Since then, we have started to fund it. This year alone, I put €1.5 million in recurrent funding into it for 15 new posts. We are coming from a low base and we are also trying to break down the silos between the CDNTs and CAMHS for children with a dual diagnosis.”
“I would be of the mind that if you are going to have an elective hospital with overnight beds, that colocation is important beside a model 4 hospital. Maybe that is the reason behind it but I am only thinking out loud. This is my sixth year in the Department of Health. I understand that decisions are made at times. A lot of people are on waiting lists for elective surgery. We have already delivered two new surgical hubs that are operational. A couple more will come on stream this year. I think what is being proposed for Galway is both. This states clearly that the Minister remains committed to developing the elective hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin but while we await those, the surgical hubs will be in place. That will take down a huge amount of capacity for his constituents who are waiting for treatment.”
“I thank the Deputy. In relation to the elective treatment centres, known as elective hospitals, the HSE and the Minister remain committed to developing these in Cork, Galway and Dublin. They will take longer to develop. In the short term, as the programme has developed and evolved, the HSE has determined the most appropriate design for the new facilities. The introduction of the surgical hubs was not originally envisaged when elective hospitals were first proposed. The significant additional capacity being provided by those hubs has been an important factor in determining the model for the centres going forward. I am not in a position to answer the Deputy's question. I have been in Merlin Park previously visiting mental health services but I cannot answer the Deputy's question in relation to where it will be located.”
“The plans we have in place are already making a real difference and helping to drive down waiting times. I look forward to the Deputy’s continued engagement on these issues.”
“The development of the elective-only facilities I have outlined will also mean that capacity is freed up in existing hospitals for more complex or emergency acute cases. I understand where the Deputy might have had confusion in relation to how many theatres there are. When the surgical hub was proposed for Waterford, it was designed to have two. It has since been upgraded to four. It will be operational by the end of the year. There is a real push for these surgical hubs. Two of them are open in Dublin. They are being built around the country to take pressure off the acute hospitals. These will be staffed separately. Sometimes elective surgeries are cancelled. This will not be the case. I hope the Deputy can see that we are committed to improving elective care in Ireland.”
“The new elective treatment centre in Merlin Park will have six operating theatres - I think the Deputy referred to two - five endoscopy procedure rooms and ten minor operation procedure rooms. This is a significant addition of capacity and will make a real difference to patients. This is not a reduction in ambition. I want to be clear about that. As the Deputy knows, there are no beds at elective facilities and there is no intention to provide them. These are not for inpatient care. These are for people to get the procedure they want and to get them home to their own beds in a timely manner - in and out the same day. The intention is for the elective facilities to provide day case procedures and treatments, for example, those which do not require an overnight stay. Patients will arrive at and leave the facility on the same day.”
“As the programme has developed and evolved, the HSE has determined the most appropriate design for the new facilities. The introduction of the surgical hubs was not originally envisaged when elective hospitals were first proposed. The significant additional capacity being provided by these hubs has been an important factor in determining the model for the centres going forward. I understand the HSE has been considering how best to deliver elective care at Merlin Park. As the Deputy is aware, the HSE is considering extending the surgical hub. I understand that the design team is working through this and further details will be available in due course. The HSE expects to be in a position to apply for planning permission in the middle of this year.”
“In relation to the surgical hubs, developments are well under way and a new hub is due to become operational at Merlin Park later this year, along with hubs in Cork, north Dublin, Limerick and Waterford. This will build on the success of the two hubs already opened, namely, the Reeves Day Surgery Centre in Tallaght and Mount Carmel surgical hub facility in south Dublin, which have reduced waiting times. The Galway hub will deliver thousands of procedures and treatments every year. As announced last July, surgical hubs are also in development for Sligo and Letterkenny to provide additional day theatre capacity in the west and north west. In relation to the elective treatment centres, also known as elective hospitals, we remain committed to developing these in Cork, Galway and Dublin.”
“I hope I will be able to give the Deputy some clarity. I thank him for asking the question, which I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Health. I acknowledge the Deputy's dedication to the people of Galway and beyond on raising these important health issues. I can assure him that the Government is committed to increasing elective-only day case capacity through the elective ambulatory care programme. This is being delivered in two phases, a national network of surgical hubs in the first instance to meet medium-term demand and capacity and, in the longer term, a national network of elective treatment centres in Galway, Cork and Dublin.”
“It has undertaken discussions with a private agency and a scoping exercise is being conducted in this regard, acknowledging the long waiting list and the likes of the two kids the Deputy mentioned who have been waiting two years which is simply not good enough. I thank the Deputy and I will follow up on this again.”
“I can confirm that the post was upgraded to that of consultant medical ophthalmologist and obviously that may be one of the reasons it was not as sought after as it was. Several recruitment campaigns have been run and to date the HSE has been unable to fill the post. The post is funded as well, so it is not a financial issue. Several eligible candidates have applied in the latest recruitment campaign, which closed on 21 January. Shortlisting will commence on 27 February, with interviews anticipated to take place in mid-March 2026. The HSE has also engaged with the Royal Victoria Ear and Eye Hospital in Dublin with a view to supporting Tipperary south.”
“For emergencies, a scoping exercise is under way. I am actually pleased to hear that there were several applications which we did not have previously.”
“The HSE has advised that patients from the Tipperary south area who have been unable to receive eye care due to this vacancy may, for urgent eye care issues, be referred to the eye service via the emergency department in University Hospital Waterford and that all patients have been notified of this additional referral pathway but I acknowledge that is not a suitable pathway for children. It is difficult presenting to a hospital like that. The HSE has also engaged with the Royal Victoria Ear and Eye Hospital in Dublin with a view to supporting Tipperary south. It has undertaken discussions with a private agency and a scoping exercise has been conducted in this regard. Personally, I would much prefer to see the consultant in place and services resume. I know that the Deputy wants that as well.”
“The HSE acknowledges the impact on patients, both children and adults, caused by the current vacancy and has further advised that it readvertised this position in the Irish College of Ophthalmologists with a closing date of 21 January 2026 and, positively, several eligible candidates have applied. Shortlistings will commence on 27 February with interviews anticipated in mid-March 2026. The HSE expects to fill the role in the near future. The HSE has also confirmed that a clinical optometrist and orthoptist post were also advertised, with a closing date of 19 January. The recruitment of these positions will ensure the resumption of optical services for those living in the south Tipperary region.”
“In line with the national clinical programme for ophthalmology model of eye care and the modernised eye care pathway - this is important - the community ophthalmologist physician post has been upgraded to the position of consultant medical ophthalmologist. Following a recruitment process to fill the post in south Tipperary, an interim appointment was made in July 2025. Unfortunately, the successful candidate subsequently declined the post prior to the commencement date. I am telling the Deputy everything he knows, but I want to put it on the record. Unfortunately, a second recruitment campaign in late 2025 resulted in no candidates being shortlisted.”
“The community ophthalmic services scheme, COSS, is a national fee-per-item scheme which was introduced in 1979. Under the COSS, medical card holders aged over 16 years can be seen by local ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic physicians, optometrists or dispensing opticians who have entered into a contract with the HSE to provide services. The HSE has advised that the community ophthalmologist physician post, as the Deputy has referred to many times, became vacant in October 2024 due to a retirement. As he knows, our constituencies border each other and this has been raised with me as well. I met one of the nurses while I was out and about one day in west Waterford, close to Clonmel, and it was raised with me. I just happened to come across the nurse working in the services and she explained to me how difficult it had become.”
“On behalf of the Minister for Health, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I acknowledge the number of times he has raised it. I have answered him several times in relation to this. As I go through the answer, for anyone listening in, it will become very clear that every effort has been made to try to recruit staff, but the HSE just has not been able to do so. As the Deputy knows, the HSE provides optical services free of charge to preschool children and national school children referred from child health service and school health service examinations who are discovered to have sight problems. These children are referred to the appropriate optical care, which will continue to be provided until the child has reached the age of 16 years.”
“There were 3,300 this year: 300 for mental health and 3,000 for all other definitions. They are able to decide and determine whether they want to prioritise a certain speciality. I will certainly follow up on this for the Deputy because it is very difficult for young children with eczema, psoriasis or acne, or teenagers with acne. Looking at the waiting lists, they are quite long. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter; it is a really important one first thing this morning.”