504. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the status of an update for survivors of the vaginal mesh controversy; if a scheme or some level of assistance will be offered to women left in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8771/24]

I understand that complications from a mesh implant are very distressing and painful for those women involved and since the emergence of this matter, the ongoing priority focus for the Department of Health has been to ensure that all women experiencing mesh related complications receive high quality, multi-disciplinary and patient-centred care. Women’s health remains a key priority for the Government and the Department of Health continue to focus on prioritising the care needs of women affected by mesh related complications.

In 2023 the HSE established a National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group to oversee vaginal mesh implants in our HSE acute hospitals in terms of both primary implant surgery and tertiary complications services. The focus of this group is to review and assess implementation of the recommendations as set out in the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO’s) report ‘The Use of Uro-Gynaecological Mesh in Surgical Procedures, 2018’ and assess the appropriateness of resuming uro-gynaecological mesh procedures, cognisant of international developments and approaches in this complex area.

The focus for the HSE and the Department of Health remains the full implementation of the CMO’s Report on The Use of Uro-Gynaecological Mesh in Surgical Procedures and ensuring that women who require aftercare following mesh complications receive high quality, multi-disciplinary patient centred care in accordance with the evidence and supported by robust clinical governance mechanisms.

The Department of Health is committed to ensuring women’s health services receive consistent expert and focused attention and it is important that both current and future service provision aligns with the needs of patients. The HSE Oversight Group has now submitted its draft report to Department of Health and officials are actively liaising with the HSE on a number of important aspects of this work to ensure comprehensive implementation of the CMO’s Report.

Listening to the experiences of women affected by mesh remains a key priority for the Department of Health. Officials in the Department of Health continue to engage with both Mesh Survivors Ireland and Mesh Ireland to better understand the needs and supports required for women who have complications following mesh.

In terms of mesh-related service developments and supports, through additional funding first provided in 2020, the HSE established a National Mesh Complications Service. Further details on this service and supports are available from the HSE and I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy on this matter directly.