Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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847. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the medical evacuation programme from Gaza; how she envisions the programme continuing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37594/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his query in relation to the medical evacuation to Ireland of paediatric patients from Gaza.

I can advise the Deputy that on 18 September 2024, the Minister for Health announced that Ireland would receive up to 30 paediatric patients through Egypt, in response to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) request to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The paediatric patients are selected by the HSE and CHI from the WHO medevac approved list, and Ireland opts into this response on a case-by-case basis, subject to the treatment capacity in the HSE and CHI.

Ireland has a strong tradition of providing humanitarian assistance, including through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Irish Aid humanitarian and development assistance programme, and the HSE Global Health Programme

12 WHO paediatric patients have been medical evacuated to Ireland so far, along with 12 mother/carers and 21 accompanying family members. All 45 family group members are receiving treatment for illnesses incurred as a result of living conditions in Gaza.

Planning is ongoing with the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the next medical evacuation operation, aiming to reach the 30 WHO patients as per Ireland’s commitment, taking into account lessons learned from the first two evacuation operations.