Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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339. To ask the Minister for Health to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); the status of deliberations of the National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group's report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66622/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Uro-gynaecological (transvaginal) mesh devices have been widely used for the past two decades for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. While many patients have benefitted from mesh implant procedures, over time it has emerged both nationally and internationally that women have experienced complications associated with these products which have impacted on their health and quality of life.

In July 2018, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) asked the HSE to pause all vaginal mesh surgical procedures where clinically safe to do so, pending implementation of recommendations as set out in his report on The Use of Uro-Gynaecological Mesh in Surgical Procedures.

In 2023 the HSE established a National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group. The focus of this group was to review and assess implementation of the CMO’s recommendations and assess the appropriateness of resuming uro-gynaecological mesh procedures. The Department received an updated report from the group in February 2025.

Officials in my Department are currently liaising with the HSE and other stakeholders as part of an evidence-based process to determine whether to re-introduce the procedure. As this is an extremely complex issue it is not possible to give a timeline for decision at present.

While uro-gynaecological mesh procedures are paused in countries such as Ireland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, the procedure remains available in some European countries. The Department is aware that a small number of women have applied to the Treatment Abroad Scheme for funding to travel for mesh procedures in the EU/ EEA/ Switzerland.

The Treatment Abroad Scheme is a European Union-wide scheme which is designed to ensure that all EU/European Economic Area (EEA) public patients, including Irish patients, have access to the same level of medical expertise and treatments, regardless of their State of residence. Where a treatment is available in the EU/EEA or Switzerland, but not in the patient’s home State (or not available within a reasonable timeframe), a patient may apply for funding under the Treatment Abroad Scheme to travel for the treatment.

Women’s health is a key priority for the Department of Health. I understand the impact the pause on the use of uro-gynaecological mesh has on women who wish to avail of this surgery, however the Department must take a safety-first approach to this issue