Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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98. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware there are long waiting lists for vasectomies in the public health system in many parts of the State; if he will establish a national contracts and payments system for vasectomies to end the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7667/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Vasectomy is considered a safe and very effective method of permanent contraception, provided through a quick surgical procedure. Some public hospitals provide this service, with fewer than 50 persons on the hospital waiting lists. However, as I understand most vasectomies are performed in the community by external providers including by trained GPs.

The development of a standard contract for the public provision of vasectomy services by GPs is a component of the HSE streamlining and coordination agenda under the 2019 GP Agreement. Relevant issues such as training and standards will be addressed within the process of developing that contract.

Pending the development of a standard contract, local health areas can and have entered into service arrangements with GPs for the provision of vasectomy services without charge to medical card patients. The HSE’s National Service Arrangement documentation has schedules specific to vasectomy services, helping standardise such arrangements.