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.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,499 lines we hold for Mary Butler, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 50.
“Then, throughout Part 4 of the Bill, those definitions are used as a shorthand instead of spelling out each type of Child Care Act order or arrangement it refers to in longhand each time. The three definitions are "relevant carer", "relevant consulted carer" and "relevant notified carer". While I appreciate that these amendments are complex on the face of it, they are necessary to ensure that all of the complexities between this Bill and the Child Care Act are understood and addressed. This Bill has to work for children in all settings, which is really important. That includes children who are subject to different orders and arrangements under the Child Care Act. These amendments ensure that the role of parents and the role of Tusla are fully understood in the Bill and that the rights and entitlements of parents and Tusla are recognised.”
“That Department sought additional minor amendments, primarily related to the rights of Tusla to be notified of certain actions such as admission and discharge when a child is in the care of Tusla. Another goal of these amendments is to make the Bill more readable. The Mental Health Act and the Child Care Act are complex and officials in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and my Department have worked hard to streamline the references to the Child Care Act in this Bill. As Deputies can see, the amendments will introduce three definitions at the start of the Bill that set out the different roles and entitlements of parents, guardians and Tusla regarding children, depending on the age of the child and his or her admission status.”
“The amendments in this grouping all relate to the care and treatment of children. Amendments Nos. 7, 14, 15, 33 and 38 all relate to definitions. The later amendments in this grouping insert these definitions later in the Bill. Amendment No. 14 inserts a new definition of "guardian" to ensure consistency with the understanding of "guardian" in other enactments. Amendment No. 15 inserts a definition of "guardian ad litem " to be consistent with the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022. Amendments Nos. 33 and 38 insert definitions for "relevant carer", "relevant consulted carer" and "relevant notified carer". These amendments were introduced on Report Stage in the Seanad following further consultation between officials in my Department and the Department of children.”
“From these very close readings of the Bill, I introduced a significant number of technical amendments on Report Stage in the Seanad to address typographical and grammatical issues, ensure consistency across sections and improve clarity. This grouping relates to these amendments. While it is a very large grouping, it does not contain policy changes.”
“This is the last opportunity to amend and improve the Bill. Considering this, I gave additional time to allow for more reviews and readings of the Bill to take place. The Bill is over 200 pages long and contains 268 sections. On Committee and Report Stages in the Dáil and on Committee Stage in the Seanad, I introduced a large number of amendments at each Stage to improve the Bill, based on continued consultation with stakeholders. Considering the size and complexity of the Bill, as well as the many amendments that had been introduced, I gave additional time for officials in my Department, the Attorney General's office and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to read through the Bill line by line.”
“I believe there are around 180 amendments in this grouping, so I will not repeat them. While there is a significant amount of amendments in this grouping, they all relate to smaller amendments. These amendments are being introduced to provide clarity or for consistency with wording elsewhere. There are no policy changes in this grouping. To pick some examples from this group, amendment No. 55 inserts a comma after the word "means", amendment No. 64 deletes a comma after the word "particular", amendment No. 174 deletes a line and amendment No. 171 inserts that same line earlier in the section. After the Bill passed Committee Stage in the Seanad, officials across my Department and across the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, the Attorney General’s office and the Bills office reviewed the Bill line by line.”
“These amendments ensure that children who are the subject of care orders can access mental health services on the same basis as children who are not in care, and that there are pathways for these children into inpatient admission and treatment under the Mental Health Act.”
“This grouping relates primarily to definitions being inserted that are in the Child Care Act 1991. This is similar to the grouping we discussed before the previous grouping. For example, amendment No. 5 moves the definition of "care order" from Part 4 of the Bill to section 2 instead. Amendments Nos. 11 and 16 insert definitions of "emergency care order" and "interim care order" into the Bill. In both cases, the definitions refer to the existing definition for both in the Child Care Act 1991. The later amendments in this grouping are minor in nature and insert references to care orders later in the Bill.”
“The Bill contains mechanisms to ensure that treatment can be given to a child where the child refuses treatment or treatment is refused on the child's behalf by way of application to the court. This can only be done where the child's life or health is at immediate or serious risk. It ensures that treatment pathways will remain open for children and young people who are very unwell and at immediate risk of serious damage to their health or loss of life.”
“An important aspect of the Bill is that 16- and 17-year-olds will be permitted to make decisions about their care and treatment, in the same way as for physical health treatment. Any person younger than 16 years old must have their views listened to and considered but, ultimately, it is the decision of any child's parents or guardian as to whether treatment is given. This is true of any area of healthcare, not just mental health. Where a 16- or 17-year-old is unable to consent to treatment, consent can be given by their parents or guardian. The Bill sets out the different responsibilities and entitlements of young people and their parents or guardians in great detail in Part 4.”
“This grouping relates to amendments Nos. 4 and 8, which relate to the definition of "child". The policy behind the definition is not being changed. A child is a person who is under 18 years of age. There is no law in Ireland that defines a child as being younger than 18 years of age. A child is legally considered to be anyone under the age of 18. I am aware that, depending on the type of health service accessed, young people are sometimes considered to be adults from the age of 16 or 18. This Bill only relates to mental health services and, in mental health services, a young person is treated by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, CAMHS, until the age of 18. This is how it is defined in the law and how it operates in services.”
“The amendments in this grouping relate to definitions in sections 2 and 11. These definitions are either being moved from one section to another section, or are being introduced because they reference definitions in the Child Care Act 1991. For example, amendment No. 45 introduces a definition of voluntary care arrangement that links directly to its definition in the Child Care Act 1991. Amendment No. 42 does the same thing for supervision orders. Amendment No. 28 moves the definition of permitted absence from section 39 to section 2. There was no change in policy. This is just tidying up the Bill so it reads better.”
“These amendments, and amendments in later groupings, will ensure that children in care can access inpatient mental health services on the same basis as any other child.”
“This amendment includes children who were the subject of care orders or other types of orders under the Child Care Act 1991 at the point of their admission to the mental health service, but whose Child Care Act orders have lapsed during their admission. This will ensure that all children formerly in the care of Tusla will be accounted for and that there will be open lines of communication between the HSE and Tusla. We will discuss a number of different groupings today that relate to children and the alignment between the Mental Health Act and the Child Care Act. At every point during the development of these amendments, the Department of children was consulted to ensure that the rights of children who are in the care of Tusla will be fully vindicated.”
“The amendments in this grouping relate to references to parents and, where relevant, the Child and Family Agency, throughout the Bill. Officials in my Department carried out extensive consultation with their counterparts in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality throughout the legislative process and I brought a number of amendments to the Seanad arising from this consultation. All the amendments in this grouping relate to references to parents and-or Tusla and their right to be informed about the care and treatment of their child under the Mental Health Act. Amendment No. 275 introduces a new section to ensure that notification is made to Tusla by the HSE when children have their detention extended or when they are discharged from a mental health service.”
“The amendment to the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will allow a registered proprietor of an inpatient mental health service to make an application directly to the Circuit Court under Part 10 of the 2015 Act, where a person has been assessed as lacking capacity under the Mental Health Bill 2024.”
“We have aligned the Bill with the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act, the Child Care Act and the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act. Finally, we have provided for transitional provisions to allow for the smooth transition from the current Act to the new one. Amendments Nos. 1, 457 and 465 to 471, inclusive, to the Family Courts Act will amend the definition of family law proceedings to include court proceedings under the Mental Health Bill 2024 that relate to children. This will ensure that all the protections that are built into the Family Courts Act for children will be extended to children subject to court proceedings under this Act.”
“I am pleased to be here this afternoon for the final Stage of the Mental Health Bill 2024. Following more than 40 hours of debate in both Houses, I am very proud of the final version of the Bill being brought before the Dail today. Following extensive Committee Stage debate in this Chamber and in the Seanad, we have made a number of improvements to the Bill that I think all Deputies will welcome. We have introduced new sections to regulate pharmacological restraint, which was a priority for many Members. We have introduced additional safeguards in relation to consent to treatment for adults. We have made changes to the criteria for involuntary treatment and treatment without consent. We have included a statutory right to information on advocacy supports.”
“That would be normal. I will look for more information in relation to the blitz clinic initiative because I am a very conscious of the growing waiting list. I will revert to the Deputy. I will talk to the Minister.”
“It is disappointing that a post that has been advertised for almost two years has still not been able to be filled for various reasons. It is important to note that recruitment to the consultant post remains ongoing. In parallel, a multidisciplinary working group has been established involving consultants from University Hospital Waterford. The national clinical lead for ophthalmology is that piece of the jigsaw that the Deputy mentioned as regards the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. That would be the person. Across all definitions in health, we have a national clinical lead. To have the national clinical lead involved at this level is important. The targeted blitz clinic initiative is being progressed. We do not have the details here, but I would expect that would include public and private to try to get the waiting lists down.”
“I was delighted to see a vacancy in south Kerry child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, that had been vacant since 2014 being filled only recently. It had been supported by locums up until that. The HSE has tried everything to try to get this post filled. It went out to the British Medical Journey . However, I am pleased to see that this targeted blitz clinic initiative is being progressed to urgently address the significant waiting list backlog for patients in south Tipperary. Hopefully, that will have an impact while the recruitment process is under way in parallel.”
“While recruitment to the consultant post remains ongoing, a multidisciplinary working group has been established involving consultants from University Hospital Waterford and the national clinical lead for ophthalmology. In addition, a targeted blitz clinic initiative is being processed to urgently address the significant waiting list backlog for patients in south Tipperary. I take on board every word that the Deputy said in relation to over 2,000 children waiting, with many of them under four years of age. That early intervention is absolutely crucial. We accept that. Sometimes, it is difficult for different reasons to get the specialist consultant into a particular area. That is what is proving difficult in this case. As Minister for State with responsibility for mental health, I have similar challenges in various areas.”
“This process can take time, and the HSE ran two temporary recruitment campaigns in May and September 2025 to maintain services in the interim. Unfortunately, no appointment was made following these campaigns. The permanent post was advertised by the PAS in November 2025. As there were no applicants, the closing date was extended to January 2026. One application was received but following shortlisting, the candidate did not progress to interview. The post was advertised in the British Medical Journal . In parallel, the HSE has advertised clinical optometrist and orthoptist posts, a process that closed in January. Filling these roles will help support the resumption of optical services in south Tipperary.”
“These services continue until a child reaches 16 years of age. In addition, the community ophthalmic services scheme, which has been in place since 1979, allows medical card holders aged 16 and over to access care from contracted ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic physicians, optometrists or dispensing opticians. The HSE has confirmed that the community ophthalmic post in south Tipperary - University Hospital Waterford - became vacant in October 2024 following a planned retirement. In 2025, the post was regraded to that of consultant in medical ophthalmology to align with the national clinical programme for ophthalmology. Permanent consultant posts are advertised through the Public Appointments Service, PAS.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this again and for his continued advocacy in relation to this situation. It is one that I am very familiar with, as our two constituencies align along a border. I have met one of the nurses who works in the service and who has advocated strongly as well. I just happened to meet her one day. On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which he has highlighted a number of times. As the Deputy is aware from previous replies, every effort has been made to recruit staff to this service, but these efforts have not been successful to date. The HSE provides free optical services to preschool and national school children who are referred through child health and school health examinations and are identified as having sight problems.”
“I agree with Deputy O'Sullivan about the overall system, the process and meaningful engagement. I will be speaking to the Minister about this again. The sooner the commercial proposal from the company comes in, the sooner a decision can be made. There is not a Deputy in the House who has not been touched by Aoife's case and those of others who are awaiting this drug. Did the Deputies get my response? Was it circulated?”
“I concur with both Deputies. We are speaking about this really important drug and 200 people, their families and their parents want to know what is going to happen and are hanging on our every word. I take all that on board. While I know this has been going on for two years, the HSE did not receive the information from Biogen until July 2025. We are still waiting for the commercial proposal from the company. That remains outstanding. That is the situation at the moment. I am glad Deputy O'Sullivan has engaged with the company to see if we could get some movement on this. We have an agreement in relation to some drugs. We have the Benelux agreement, which allows us to get really good value in procuring drugs. However, it is different for drugs for rare diseases. You need a number of elements to work together.”
“This report included submissions made by patient organisations. These submissions will form part of the data that the HSE considers. The HSE invited the applicant to commence price negotiations and offered a range of dates to the company. The HSE has advised this meeting took place on 12 February 2026 and, as of the most recent update from the HSE in April, a commercial proposal from the company remains outstanding. I checked with the Minister's Department last night in this regard and I know the Taoiseach has engaged with her. Where we are at the moment is that a commercial proposal from the company remains outstanding, which I know is frustrating, but it is important to put the timelines on the record of the Dáil.”
“This ensures that the right medicines are chosen and that approval is at a sustainable price. The HSE received an application for pricing and reimbursement for Skyclarys from the applicant, Biogen Idec (Ireland) Limited, on 1 August 2024. After receiving a completed rapid review assessment report from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, the HSE commissioned a full health technology assessment on 25 September 2024. A fully completed dossier, which is required to allow the NCPE to conduct a pharmacoeconomic assessment of the pricing and reimbursement application, was not received from Biogen until July 2025. The NCPE proactively engaged with the applicant company and submitted the finalised health technology assessment report to the HSE on 16 December 2025. It is important that we look at the timelines.”
“This will be a proof-of-concept initiative aligned with the commitments in the programme for Government and the national rare disease strategy. Regarding Skyclarys, I will provide some background for our colleagues and then address the Deputy's question. Omaveloxolone, sold under the brand name Skyclarys, is a medication licensed by the European Medicines Agency to treat Friedreich’s ataxia in patients aged 16 years and over. Friedreich’s ataxia is a rare inherited disease that causes damage to the nervous system. Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The Act provides for a rigorous process for the assessment of new medicines for reimbursement.”
“The strategy outlines a comprehensive framework designed to enhance diagnosis, treatment and support for people living with rare diseases, aiming to improve quality of life, promote equitable access to healthcare, and foster innovation in rare disease research and treatment. It also emphasises the importance of access to orphan medicines among its key recommendations. The State has signed two new framework agreements on the supply and pricing of medicines from 2026 to 2029, following successful negotiations with the pharmaceutical industry, that will provide stability and certainty to the sector. Building on this achievement, the State and the pharmaceutical sector have agreed to establish a strategic partnership on the development of a sandbox early-access programme for rare diseases.”
“I thank both Deputy O'Sullivan and Deputy O'Hara for raising this important issue. I spoke on this in the Seanad a couple of weeks ago. I acknowledge Deputy O'Sullivan's advocacy on rare diseases in the past six years. As we all know, the State acknowledges the importance of access to new and innovative medicines for patients living with a rare disease. Budgets 2021 to 2025 included dedicated funding for new medicines of €158 million. Budget 2026 allocated an additional €30 million of funding available for new drugs. From 2021 up to March 2026, this has enabled the HSE to approve reimbursement for 263 new medicines, including 72 new medicines for the treatment of rare diseases. As Members are aware, the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030 was launched last year.”
“I move: That, notwithstanding the Orders of the Dáil of 3rd day of March, 2026, and 25th day of March, 2026, and pursuant to Standing Order 223(1), the following Committee may complete its 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 hundred and sixty-fifth day, being the 31st day of May, 2026, after the Estimates had been so referred: — the Select Committee on Education and Youth (Vote 26).”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann, in accordance with Article 15.1.3° of the Constitution, hereby determines that the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy may meet in Wexford Town, County Wexford, on a date in 2026 to be decided by the Committee, in order to hear from community groups, locals and stakeholders on the progress made at Lady's Island Lake; provided that, pursuant to Standing Order 115(4), Members may participate in such meeting from within the parliamentary precincts by means of the videoconferencing platform approved and provided by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.”
“As the Ceann Comhairle knows, during the Business Committee meeting last Thursday, there were very few issues with the Order of Business. There was a request for additional time. It was facilitated. All issues raised here today can be discussed. I think only Deputy Collins raised the issue of short-term lets last Thursday. In relation to mental health, I will be in the Dáil tomorrow for another four hours. That will bring to 38 hours the amount of time given to discuss the Mental Health Bill over the past few weeks. Deputy Collins is more than welcome to attend. The Order of Business stands.”
“the Statements on Supports for Hauliers and supply chains 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”
“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. with consequential effect on the commencement time for Second Stage of the Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Voting Rights in Presidential Elections) Bill 2025, 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, 6th May, 2026; and 2.”
“the proceedings on the Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Fingal and Wexford County Councils) (Parts of Administrative Areas) Order 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply thereto: (a) the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:- — opening speech by a Minister or Minister of State – 10 minutes; — speeches by representatives of Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, Social Democrats, Independent and Parties Technical Group, and Independent Technical Group – 7.5 minutes per party or group; — speeches by non-party/group members – 7.5 minutes in total; and — a speech in response by the Minister – 5 minutes; (b) members may share time; and (c) any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately.”
“the proceedings on the amendments from the Seanad to the Mental Health Bill 2024 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 4 hours, and any amendments from the Seanad not disposed of shall be decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments to the Seanad amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Health 3. the proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 2 hours 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; and 4.”
“notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: (a) the Dáil may sit later than 9.30 p.m. and shall adjourn on the conclusion of the weekly division time; and (b) the time allotted for Government Business shall be extended in accordance with the arrangements for that business, with consequential effect on the commencement time for the weekly division time, which may be taken on the conclusion of the proceedings on the Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Fingal and Wexford County Councils) (Parts of Administrative Areas) Order 2026; 2.”
“the proceedings on the Motion re Consideration of Estimates by Committees shall be taken without debate; and 5. the Statements on the Consultation process of Our Rural Future Policy 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 In relation to Wednesday'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 conclusion of the Statements on the Consultation process of Our Rural Future Policy, with consequential effect on the commencement times for the items following in the ordinary routine of business; 2. the proceedings on the Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; 3. the proceedings on the Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of meeting of the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy in Wexford shall be taken without debate; 4.”
“Thursday's business shall be: - Statements on Supports for Hauliers and supply chains (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Voting Rights in Presidential Elections) Bill 2025, sponsored by Deputy Peadar Tóibín. Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business: In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that: 1.”
“Wednesday's business shall be: - Mental Health Bill 2024 (Amendments from the Seanad) (to conclude within 4 hours) - International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026 (Report and Final Stages) (to conclude within 2 hours) - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Fingal and Wexford County Councils) (Parts of Administrative Areas) Order 2026 (to conclude within 1 hour and any division demanded to be taken immediately) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Family Law Transparency, Child Welfare, and Reform of the In Camera Rule, selected by Independent Technical Group.”
“I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of meeting of the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy in Wexford (without debate) - Motion re Consideration of Estimates by Committees (without debate) - Statements on the Consultation process of Our Rural Future Policy (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Strengthening Workers' Rights, selected by Sinn Féin.”
“This Bill, which will establish a legal duty to share information, represents a significant opportunity to move towards a more connected health service that fully embraces the potential of quality electronic health data collected in the health system every day. In so doing, it will lay the foundations for a much more innovative and efficient health service which, above all, centres on the patient. I thank all Deputies for their engagement and for their contributions to the debate on and support in respect of this significant legislation. I look forward to its enactment.”
“Seanad amendment No. 4 relates to the power of the HSE to use the electronic health record for specified public interest purposes. As the Minister outlined on Second Stage in the Seanad, there are a number of critical building blocks on the path to the full digitalisation of health records. One is the patient app, which now has over 157,000 users.”
“Our health system needs a robust and proven identifier in order that health information can, effectively and reliably, be associated with the right individual. This is essential for care and treatment as well as patient safety. As part of this, the Bill aims to enhance patient safety through stronger identification processes, including best-practice use of the personal public service number and eircode to uniquely identify patients.”
“I thank Deputies for attending this evening and for their continued support of the Bill. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, brought forward a small number of amendments on Committee Stage in the Seanad to strengthen a number of important provisions, the details of which I can set out briefly. Seanad amendments Nos. 1 and 2 relate to the power of the HSE under the Bill to request health information for important public interest purposes beyond treatment and care.”
“I would be happy to talk to the Deputy about those too. It is something I am acutely aware of and it is raised a lot. I thank the Deputy for raising it today.”