Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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165. To ask the Minister for Health his views on and the status of the progression of the opening of dedicated menopause clinics as of October 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50821/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government recognises that menopause is a key health issue for women in Ireland today, and work is underway to drive progress in this area which is being driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce. The Taskforce was convened in September 2019, to improve health outcomes and health experiences for women and girls.

I am committed to progress in the area of women's health, and menopause as a priority within that. In September, I announced my commitment to establish dedicated specialist menopause clinics across Ireland. These clinics will form a core part of a new approach to menopause care for women in Ireland and will be supported by enhanced community and primary care supports as well as the publication of targeted and trusted sources of information for women experiencing menopause.

The first phase of change will include the development of a dedicated specialist menopause clinic, in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street this year. The clinic will be multidisciplinary supported by GPs with a certified special interest in the area of menopause and clinical nurse/midwife specialists. In addition to seeing women who meet the clinical criteria for referral to the service, the clinical team will also provide advice and guidance to GPs in the community to support the effective management of menopausal symptoms for women closer to home within primary care. Budget 2022 has supported  further developments in menopause care by increasing the number of specialist menopause clinics from 1 clinic to 4 clinics nationally.  

Work is underway to open the specialist menopause clinic in the National Maternity Hospital, with administrative and clinical posts currently in the process of being filled. The clinic is expected to be operational in November.