Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which has been a hidden difficulty for many women for many years. It is great to see it mentioned so freely in the Seanad yesterday and in the Dáil today. I thank her for raising it. It is estimated that one in ten women will be affected by endometriosis and although not all women will be symptomatic and not all women will experience it in the same way, it can be really debilitating for some women and our health service should support those women in every way possible.

Treatment for endometriosis ranges from everyday pain medication and hormone treatments to surgical interventions. Budget 2024 provided an allocation with a full year cost of €2.175 million for 2025, which brings the total investment for endometriosis care to more than €5 million since 2021. The development of a national endometriosis framework was announced in 2023 and the HSE has advised that framework is nearing completion. I know that women with endometriosis have a keep interest in seeing that framework, as they rightly should. The HSE is engaging with all stakeholders in its attempt to finalise the framework.

The clinical pathway for endometriosis care spans primary, local and specialist hospital care. Not everybody needs specialist hospital care but for those who do, they absolutely need it. The model of care ensures treatment through supraregional specialist centres with a support network of five regional endometriosis hubs. The HSE has advised these sites are currently taking referrals and providing treatment pathways. The supraregional sites offer specialised care to more complex cases. It is a good thing to note that 1,150 new patients were seen across those sites in 2024, though I imagine there are more in need.

Personally, I am committed, as I know this House is, to fully implementing the Women's Health Action Plan 2024-2025 to continue to improve women's health outcomes and experiences.

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