Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1663. To ask the Minister for Health when the first meeting of the newly established endometriosis advisory group is scheduled to take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57981/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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An Endometriosis Priority Actions Advisory Group, under the umbrella of the Women’s Health Taskforce, has now been established. It consists of members of the Taskforce, clinicians and patient advocates for women affected by endometriosis.

It is envisaged that the group will provide expert advice, oversight, and guidance in relation to agreed priority actions and to drive progress for improved outcomes and experiences for girls and women affected by endometriosis.

The first meeting of the group is scheduled for 30 October.

I am committed to working together to improve, in a dedicated and sustained way, how we support and treat women affected by endometriosis.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1664. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for communication to general practitioners, consultants, and other relevant clinicians to be sent; and the specific guidance or training which will be included to improve early detection and treatment of endometriosis. [57982/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Following on from the launch of the National Endometriosis Framework on 18 October 2025, I have written to all GPs, consultants and other clinicians to raise awareness of endometriosis in their clinical assessments.

The Framework will help to raise awareness of the symptoms of endometriosis and improve the time for diagnosis for women and girls presenting with indicative symptoms. The publication of the framework will be further supported by a General Practice Update for GPs to be issued by the Irish College of GPs. Recognition and medical treatment of this condition begins within the primary care setting and endometriosis is included in the core Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) training curriculum.

All consultants leading our specialist centres have undertaken structured training and training placements, either in Ireland or overseas, inclusive of the advanced surgical skills required to treat endometriosis. All gynaecologists have received the necessary training and hold the required skillset and expertise to treat and manage endometriosis at a mild to moderate level.

To further enhance education and training, our endometriosis clinical specialists are looking at a range of engagements to build ongoing and enduring relationships with international experts in this field. The HSE has secured agreement with the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) to carry out accreditation of Irish hospitals providing services for women with endometriosis.

A two-year rotating Fellowship Programme has been established across the two supra-regional specialist centres and additional Fellowship opportunities are also being explored to further improve the detection and treatment of endometriosis.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1665. To ask the Minister for Health the planned timeline for the launch of the national awareness campaign on menstrual health and endometriosis; and the organisations which will be involved in its development and delivery. [57983/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I have recently approved funding for the development of a menstrual health awareness campaign, including endometriosis, which is currently being developed by the National Women and Infants Programme in the HSE. I have asked my officials to engage with the newly established Endometriosis Priority Actions Advisory Group around awareness campaigns.

The HSE have proposed an evidence-based approach to the undertaking and advancement of a national menstrual health awareness campaign. The first phase in designing this broad campaign will involve a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of current attitudes, behaviours and knowledge of all related topics. It is important that this research guides the direction of the awareness campaign, which will aim to balance information regarding what is normal versus what could be abnormal and will focus on a range of menstrual health disorders and/or associated conditions.

It is envisaged that one of the end products of the research phase will be the development of a communications strategy with recommendations for areas requiring focus.

It is essential that the woman’s voice and experience is incorporated into the design and delivery of the national menstrual awareness campaign. As each area of focus is further developed, the HSE will identify and connect with advocacy groups and support organisations to progress the relevant areas. This may involve inviting membership to new working groups or seeking input from existing working groups/advisory groups, as appropriate. It is hoped that through early engagement, consequent materials and approaches will be inclusive and responsive to woman’s needs and experiences in this area. Feedback from advocacy and support groups will support this co-design process during 2026.