Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2564. To ask the Minister for Health if she will urgently intervene in the case of a child (details supplied) who has been refused access to incontinence products by the HSE on the basis of a blanket age threshold; if she will ensure discretion is exercised in such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40890/25]

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.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2565. To ask the Minister for Health to set out the current policy governing the provision of incontinence products to children with disabilities; the minimum eligibility age; and whether provision below that age is permitted on the basis of medical need. [40891/25]

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.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2566. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the consultation undertaken with clinicians, families or disability advocates prior to the reported increase in the age threshold for incontinence product provision by the HSE. [40892/25]

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.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2567. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown, by year and CHO area, of the number of children under four who have received incontinence products via the HSE in the past five years. [40893/25]

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.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2568. To ask the Minister for Health whether she has assessed the additional financial burden on families of children with disabilities arising from limited access to incontinence products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40894/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical products and services under the Community Funded Schemes (CFS) to persons with full eligibility (as set out in the Health Act 1970, as amended) free of charge following assessment by a relevant health professional.

The HSE oversees the provision and supply of incontinence wear products for eligible persons across Ireland as part of the CFS. Provision is based on an appropriate clinical assessment and a determination of the most appropriate products that will meet the individual’s needs. The provision of clinically appropriate incontinence wear products to eligible persons is operated by each Region under a national tender arrangement.

The HSE advise that this is a person–centred delivery system, which allows the individual or their carer to vary both the time of delivery, and the amount of product delivered according to their specific needs. It is also possible to alter the location for a particular delivery should the need arise.

The HSE also utilise the service provided by public health nurses and continence nurse advisors, to assess individual patient needs in order to ensure that the supply of incontinence wear products is appropriate. Governance arrangements have been strengthened through the implementation of an integrated electronic management system to support the ordering, supply, and distribution of incontinence wear products across all healthcare settings, including the home delivery service.

The HSE also advise that, in circumstances where a person does not hold full eligibility (such as a medical card or a Long-Term Illness scheme card), reimbursement support for incontinence wear products is provided under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS).

The DPS ensures that expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical appliances (including incontinence wear) does not exceed a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The current DPS threshold is €80 per month. While there are no set limits on the quantity, the DPS claim must be supported by a valid prescription for such products.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2569. To ask the Minister for Health to set out the processes available to families to appeal the refusal of incontinence supports for a child with complex or lifelong needs. [40895/25]

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.