909. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has reviewed the cost and patient impact of funding endometriosis-related care abroad compared with investing in improved diagnostic and treatment pathways in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47884/26]

I am committed to expanding specialist endometriosis services, improving support services for women with endometriosis and promoting awareness of endometriosis, both among the public and crucially within our own health services.

On 18 October 2025, I launched the National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis. The Framework sets out for the first time in Ireland a defined clinical pathway for women with endometriosis, which spans primary to secondary care to specialist complex care in tertiary settings.

Developed by the HSE's National Women and Infants Health Programme, the Framework marks the first step in developing a more holistic and comprehensive approach to care for women with endometriosis in Ireland.

Funding of over €5 million was invested in endometriosis services between 2021 and 2025.

Two supra-regional specialist centres, in Tallaght University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital, have been established for the management of complex endometriosis cases.

Regional Specialist Centres for moderate cases have been established in the Rotunda, the Coombe, and Limerick, with clinics under further development in Galway and the National Maternity Hospital. All endometriosis sites are operational and taking referrals.

In addition to the implementation of the Framework, I also mandated several actions to expedite access to care for women impacted by endometriosis. Significant progress has already been made, including:

• The HSE carried out over 140 additional surgeries in Q4 2025 for women waiting for surgery.

• An additional colorectal surgeon has been successfully recruited by the HSE in Cork and Tallaght, strengthening our complex care capacity.

• Q1 2026 showed substantial increases in referrals, clinics and new patient throughput across the network of specialist endometriosis services.

• An additional 65 whole-time-equivalent healthcare professionals have been prioritised through the HSE National Service Plan 2026 to expand and fully implement the framework.

• The HSE Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme (ESAIS) was opened on 18 October 2025. ESAIS has facilitated women to access surgery abroad in five different countries across Europe to date.

• €2 million in funding has been ringfenced for research into all aspects of women’s health, including endometriosis. This is the first time Irish research funding has been dedicated specifically to women’s health

• Two education officers are working across the country to deliver the comprehensive Menstrual Information Specialising in Endometriosis (MISE) programme which aims to educate people, particularly in schools, sports clubs and workplaces, on menstrual health, with a focus on endometriosis.

• Two permanent two-year endometriosis fellowships have been funded, with the first two candidates due to complete their fellowship in July of this year. Both fellowship positions will be recruited for on a recurring basis, ensuring a pipeline of expertise into public endometriosis services.

In relation to treatment abroad, ESAIS was established by the HSE as a temporary measure to support patients requiring surgery for endometriosis who are on a waiting list for the surgery in Ireland but do not have a date for surgery. It aims to allow these patients access the surgery they need in a timely manner, by facilitating their attendance at a specialist centre abroad, with costs covered by the HSE. This is planned to be operational while Irish services for endometriosis are being scaled up in accordance with the National Endometriosis Framework.