Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1205. To ask the Minister for Health to examine the example of the hospital appointments system in the Netherlands (details supplied); if such a system will be utilised in Irish hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48126/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Deputy, thank you for sharing your experience at the Erasmus Medical Centre, which is an excellent example of how the design of good processes and the implementation of digital technology can have an obvious benefit to patients (and indeed hospitals) if deployed correctly. The majority of hospitals in Ireland use the same single patient administration system (PAS) that is somewhat limited in terms of these capabilities. However, in response to the need to improve patient flow and enable patients to have more control over their own appointments, the company that owns iPMS procured an Irish company with a proven track record in this area and is integrating these capabilities into the core PAS product. This work is complemented by initiatives within hospitals themselves to put in place self service registration capabilities (ie ticket and screens) and patient flow systems. Our 'Digital for Care' strategy, published in 2024, www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/digital-for-care-a-digital-health-framework-for-ireland-2024-2030/ places a particular spotlight on how to better enable patients to manage their own health and to be better informed. Initiaties such as what you witnessed in Rotterdam are entirely aligned with the strategic objectives of Digital for Care.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1206. To ask the Minister for Health to prioritise in the Budget 2026 the chronic shortage of respite beds in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48127/25]

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 as soon as possible.