Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1718. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the €9 million in full-year funding allocated in budget 2025 to support vital cardiovascular initiatives has impacted the cardiac services reform strategy; the way in which this investment has contributed to the development of a new national cardiovascular strategy; and when the implementation plan for this strategy will be published. [58125/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a range of conditions including heart attack and stroke. It remains a leading cause of death in Ireland and significant hospital bed days. CVD claimed the lives of almost 10,000 people in Ireland in 2023 and is estimated to cost the Irish state €1.7 billion annually, with 46% of this being direct healthcare costs.

Ireland has made progress in tackling CVD. Today, CVD mortality is about half of the levels of 1995, however, CVD still accounts for 27.8% of all deaths in Ireland. However, the absolute number of CVD cases has increased due to the rise in population and Ireland’s ageing demographics. CVD imposes significant social and personal costs for patients including reduced quality of life, and potential lost earnings.

Irish officials working with EU colleagues contributed to a new Council Conclusion on the improvement of cardiovascular health adopted on 3rd December 2024, marking a strong political commitment towards improving cardiovascular health across Europe.

CVD and its management are prioritised through national policy, strategies, and clinical programmes, which include models of care for stroke, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure and chronic disease management. The Programme for Government (PfG) 2025 commits to “Building on the existing National Cardiovascular Policy, we will develop a new and more ambitious plan enhancing patient care and timely access across all regions.”

On April 8th, the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services was published. This comprehensive, evidence-based report provides 23 key recommendations to inform future cardiac health policy. It offers both a data-driven analysis and a clear roadmap for reforming cardiac services across the country. DoH officials are now working closely with the HSE to progress the implementation of these recommendations. This is a complex, multiyear reform programme that will ensure a comprehensive and deliverable approach in achieving outcomes.

Cardiovascular health has been prioritised in Budget 2025, which allocates over €9 million in full-year funding to support vital cardiovascular initiatives. Budget 2025 allocated €4 million full year costs, and 45 WTEs to progress cardiac services. To date, 28 of these 45 WTEs have been prioritised and 5.1 WTE posts have been accepted. This investment facilitates the initial steps in cardiac services reform and will support the development of a new cardiovascular strategy in the longer term. In the short term, we will deliver enhanced cardiac services and develop the necessary structures to ensure success in the longer term.

With regard to services for stoke, the National Stroke Strategy was published in 2022 and over €13m has been allocated to its implementation to date. The Stroke Strategy aims to modernise our Stroke services in line with Sláintecare and ensure the future readiness of services given our ageing demography and the predicted rise in stroke incidence in coming decades. Most recently in Budget 2025, of the €9m invested in Cardiovascular Health, full year costs of €5m were allocated which will provide 56 WTEs to strengthen Acute Stroke units and expand the Early Supported Discharge Team network from 11-15 teams nationally.

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1719. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which her Department will be involved in the preparation of the forthcoming Life Sciences Strategy; and whether her Department will have a leadership role in the delivery and implementation of that strategy. [58126/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for this opportunity to highlight the collaboration between my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, who are leading on the upcoming National Life Sciences Strategy. DETE has recently launched their public consultation, and responses to this will shape the scope and objectives on the development of this important strategy. Health is a key sector within the Life Sciences and my Department is working in close collaboration with DETE, and other relevant Departments and Agencies to ensure health related priorities play a key role in both informing the development of the Strategy but also how we ensure effective implementation of the Strategy to support innovation across our health services and ultimately provide for better patient outcomes.