Written answers

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Health Services

Photo of Pádraig RicePádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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2119. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 498 of 20 March 2025, if her Department will provide additional resources and equipment for the neurology assessment and nerve conduction study testing for amyloidosis (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19379/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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There are a number of challenges with the diagnosis and treatment of Amyloidosis in Ireland due to the range of ways those with queried amyloidosis present. This means that patients will often attend a wide variety of specialities before receiving appropriate testing and a formal diagnosis.

The HSE Amyloidosis Model of Care was approved in 2022. Since then, there has been progress with the approval of pharmacological treatments included in this model of care, where relevant, through the HSE’s medicines management approvals process. However, there are a number of areas identified in the model of care that required funding in order to progress to implementation. Funding was sought to support the phased implementation of this model through the HSE’s national service planning process in 2023. Unfortunately, this new service development submission did not secure funding at that time.

However, the Deputy will be aware that a new National Rare Disease Strategy is currently under development and funding of €1.5m has been provided for rare diseases in Budget 2025 with an additional €5m provided to support the implementation of this Strategy. This funding will be utilised for the benefit of all people living with a rare disease, including those with living with Amyloidosis. I understand it is the HSE’s intention to consider how a portion of this funding could support Amyloidosis, this will be considered within the wider context of the implementation of the above Rare Disease Strategy.

Should the HSE identify a specific continuing service need, they can bring forward proposals to be prioritised in line with current policies and available funding, which includes seeking the resources required to address this need. Additionally, should a new service development be required, the HSE can bring forward proposals as part of the annual service planning process.

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2120. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for the delivery of 24/7 interventional cardiology services at University Hospital Waterford; the additional WTE requirement for same; the existing WTE and headcount, and the basis on which the positions are filled whether permanent, temporary, contract, or vacant, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19396/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer 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.

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