Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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974. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding any review into the care provided for women that suffer from endometriosis; the actions she will take to ensure that existing care policies are improved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39490/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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This Government has invested over €5 million for specialist endometriosis care since 2021.

This has funded 2 supra-regional tertiary centres and five supporting regional hubs. The supra-regional centres are managed from Cork University Maternity Hospital and Tallaght University Hospital. Regional hubs operate from the Rotunda Hospital, the Coombe Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital, University Maternity Hospital Limerick and University Hospital Galway. Specialist sites are staffed by multi-disciplinary teams delivering a patient centred service.

This investment has ensured that women with endometriosis can receive the level of care they need. The five regional hubs are accepting referrals for moderate cases and supra-regional sites are accepting referrals for complex, severe cases of endometriosis.

Over 1,150 new patients were seen through our specialist endometriosis services in 2024. More than 300 surgical interventions were provided between August and December 2024 and over 200 between January and March of this year.

€2.175 million has been allocated to our specialist endometriosis services in 2025. This investment is supporting the further expansion of this very important specialist service with recruitment of 18.6 Whole Time Equivalent staff positions ongoing.

In parallel to the expansion of our endometriosis services, a National Framework for Endometriosis is in the final stages of development.

The Framework sets out a defined clinical care pathway for women with endometriosis. The HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme has led on its development in conjunction with endometriosis specialists and in consultation with stakeholders including the Irish Council for General Practitioners and the Endometriosis Association of Ireland.

The Framework marks the first step in developing a more holistic and comprehensive approach to care for women with endometriosis in Ireland. The HSE will work with the clinical community and patient advocates to review and monitor the impact of the Framework and ensure that Ireland keeps abreast of international best practices and emerging scientific evidence in the area of endometriosis care.

The publication of the National Clinical Practice Guideline: Assessment and Management of Endometriosis in March 2025 will support the delivery of evidence-based, standardised care for women impacted by the disease.

Investment to date underpins the Programme for Government commitment to continue to expand specialist services in endometriosis and improve the care provided to women with endometriosis in Ireland.