Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Photo of Grace BolandGrace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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3103. To ask the Minister for Health the plans to improve the treatment of patients with symptoms of endometriosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43226/25]

Photo of Grace BolandGrace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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3109. To ask the Minister for Health the plans to expand endometriosis care for women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43232/25]

Photo of Grace BolandGrace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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3110. To ask the Minister for Health the plans to open more endometriosis hubs across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43233/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 3103, 3109 and 3110 together.

It is recognised that endometriosis is a significant health issue for women in Ireland today and work is underway to improve services in this area. The Programme for Government commits to continue to expand endometriosis specialist services. Endometriosis has been recognised as a priority workstream on evolving women’s health support services and is included in the Women's Health Action Plan 2024-2025.

The Government has invested over €5 million in specialist endometriosis care since 2021. Two supra-regional specialist centres have been developed for the management of complex endometriosis, supported by five regional hubs for moderate cases. Recognising the wide-ranging impact of the condition, multi-disciplinary teams have been funded to deliver holistic, person-centred care. These include consultant roles in colorectal, urology, and radiology, along with women’s health physiotherapists, dieticians, psychologists, specialist nurses, and healthcare assistants.

The HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme has led on the development of the National Endometriosis Framework in conjunction with endometriosis specialists and in consultation with stakeholders including the Irish Council for General Practitioners (ICGP) and the Endometriosis Association of Ireland.

The Framework identifies how care for women with endometriosis is being delivered, from primary care to local hospital care to specialist complex care by multidisciplinary teams. The Framework is being implemented on a phased basis and will be published shortly.

The HSE has recently published new Clinical Guidelines for Assessment and Management of Endometriosis which provide clear referral pathways and guidance for medical professionals.

Endometriosis specialist services are expanding as recruitment continues with funding of over €2 million provided this year. Investment is supporting additional personnel to provide multidisciplinary care at both supra-regional and regional level. As services continue to expand further investment may be needed as additional needs are identified.

Photo of Grace BolandGrace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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3104. To ask the Minister for Health the total numbers of patients referred to the endometriosis hubs nationwide since they opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43227/25]

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.

Photo of Grace BolandGrace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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3105. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients referred to the endometriosis hubs by location since their opening, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43228/25]

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.

Photo of Grace BolandGrace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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3106. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the age ranges of patients referred and receiving treatment in the endometriosis hubs nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43229/25]

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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