Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1061. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider adding the drug lumateperone a vital medication for bipolar depression to the drugs repayment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2243/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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 and devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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1062. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a timeline for the roll out of the free HRT scheme; to outline the engagement her Department has had with a union (details supplied) in relation to the scheme in relation to the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2245/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Health, menopause has been an important health and wellbeing issue that I have prioritised, and much work has been done in this area which has been driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce and the Women’s Health Action Plans, launched in 2022 and 2024.

To support women through their menopause journeys, we have progressed various initiatives to enhance holistic and clinician supports available to women. These include:

• A GP Clinical Lead for Women’s Health established 2021, to lead on the improvement of women’s health supports in the community.
• The development of a menopause theory course for GPs and GP trainees via the Irish College of General Practitioners.
• The development in 2022 of a Quick Reference Guide on Menopause for GPs. The guide comprises of evidence-based information on the management of perimenopause and menopause in general practice by GPs and practice nurses.
• The “It’s My Time” campaign was launched in 2022, in partnership with Sport Ireland, aimed at encouraging women over 40 to increase physical activity levels, which can be helpful in managing symptoms of menopause.
• The launch, also in 2022, of a National Menopause Awareness campaign. This was a direct response to the demand from Irish women for greater knowledge and understanding of menopause as well as better access to accurate information and supports so that they can proactively manage their experience. A second phase of the campaign was relaunched in 2023 as part of the Department of Health’s Women’s Health Week.
• The launch of a dedicated webpage to provide trusted information for anyone affected by menopause in Ireland.
• In relation to making Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) more accessible and affordable, Budget 2023 announced the removal of VAT from HRT products. This came into effect from 1st January 2023.
• Six specialist menopause clinics now open for women who have complex experiences of menopause.
• In the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 Phase 2: An Evolution in Women’s Health, we are committed to expanding the operating hours of these services so more women can receive necessary treatment.
• In 2023, in partnership with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, we launched the Menopause in the Workplace Policy Framework to guide all Civil Service departments and bodies in developing their own Menopause in the Workplace Policies. My Department has subsequently published its own guidance to support Department colleagues in their menopause journey.

To enable this initiative, the was signed into law in November 2024. Under this legislation the Irish government will fund the product or medicine cost of HRT products prescribed to women to help manage any stage of menopause. For the purpose of this measure, menopause means the various stages for the treatment of menopause symptoms and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause, and medically induced menopause.

This measure is for women who have been prescribed HRT by their healthcare provider and it applies to HRT products reimbursable by the HSE under the Community Drug Schemes, including the Drugs Payment Scheme and General Medical Services Scheme.

The cost of GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing fees are not included in the measure.

The Department of Health continues to engage and work with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union on the practical implementation of the .

The goal is to introduce this measure as soon as possible.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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1063. To ask the Minister for Health her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2248/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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 and devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.