Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1956.To ask the Minister for Health if further consideration will be given to the pre-budget 2025 submission of a national organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35989/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to promoting cardiovascular health and has invested in cardiovascular services to achieve this. The Government acknowledges the vital support, education, and advocacy offered by the Irish Heart Foundation and other patient support groups.

Thanks to continued investment in Health Services, Ireland has seen a decline in the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since 2012, the mortality rate from heart disease has been reduced by 38%, and mortality from stroke has been reduced by 48%.

Many patient services are embedded in policy, including the National Stroke Strategy 2022-2027 for which the government has provided over €7.3m to date.

In 2022 and 2023, the HSE's National Heart Programme sponsored two CVD risk prevention projects with the Irish Heart Foundation supported through the Enhanced Community Care Programme.

Her Heart Matters’ is a national women’s cardiovascular health promotion campaign run by the Irish Heart Foundation and supported by the Women’s Health Fund. The campaign aims to raise awareness around symptomology and gender differences in CVD.

The State, via the HSE, provides funding to the Irish Heart Foundation and other cardiovascular support agencies of approximately €530,000 through Service Level Agreements and Grant Aid Agreements, of which €380,000 has been allocated to Irish Heart Foundation in 2024.

The HSE advise that an additional once-off sum of €400,000 has been allocated to the Irish Heart Foundation in 2024. This is dedicated to a high-risk CVD prevention programme which has demonstrated its effectiveness by enhancing healthcare provision, clinical outcomes, and health behaviours in patients living in deprived communities.

We welcome the Irish Heart Foundation's 2025 pre-Budget submission and recognise the importance of advocacy and support groups and their value as a partner in Ireland’s health systems.