Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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941. To ask the Minister for Health to outline where the €54 million in HSE savings on medicines was achieved in 2024; what medicines savings were achieved; if it was through negotiation or substitution to generics or other branded drugs; how the figure of €54 million was compiled; to provide copies of the documentation underpinning this figure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16963/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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A record of over €3 billion, nearly €1 in every 8 of public funding spent on health, was spent in 2023 on medicines. This is an unprecedented level of investment in supporting patients through the availability of the latest and wide range of medicines. The State has made an additional €128 million available for new drugs between 2021 and 2024.

Up to December 2024, this has seen 194 new medicines approved for reimbursement by the HSE including 74 oncology drugs and 49 orphan medicines for rare diseases.

For 2025 an additional €30m has been made available for new drugs funding, through efficiencies to be identified by the joint DOH-HSE Medicines Sustainability Taskforce. As Minister for Health, I will ensure that my Department, the HSE and all relevant agencies and stakeholders place a priority focus on achieving the most efficient and effective use of available resources.

The joint-Department of Health (DoH) / Health Service Executive (HSE) Medicines Sustainability Taskforce (MST) which was established in 2024 by the then Minister for Health and under the direction of the Productivity and Savings Taskforce, supports the HSE’s examination of medicines expenditure in the health service and to identify measures to maximise value from the substantial resources within the medicines budget. The focus is on generating savings where possible and ensuring that the funding available provides the greatest level of access to medicines for as many patients as possible.

In line with the Productivity and Savings Taskforce targets, the Medicines Sustainability Taskforce aimed to achieve a minimum of €20m in savings in 2024 and this was exceeded by over €30 million.

Measures identified and actioned by the Medicines Sustainability Taskforce leading to these substantial savings include a number of ongoing initiatives such as:

• Updated reference pricing lists which have led and continue to lead to the enhanced use of best value/generics by the Health Service.
• Substantial savings to be generated from patients who were initiated on or switched to Best-value Biologics (BvBs).
• Initiatives related to Continuous Glucose Monitors.

Regular updates from the Medicines Sustainability Taskforce are published on the Department of Health website.

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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942. To ask the Minister for Health to outline where the €34 million in HSE savings on management consultancy was achieved in 2024; whether contracts were renegotiated, or how the level of saving was determined; whether contracts ended or the HSE availed of less services; how much was paid to each management consultant company or partnership in 2024, and the reduction on 2023; to provide copies of the documentation underpinning this figure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16964/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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943. To ask the Minister for Health to outline where the published figure of €163 million in HSE savings on pay and non-pay costs was achieved in 2024; the main headings where savings were achieved; to provide copies of the documentation underpinning this figure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16965/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.