828. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the funding provided for endometriosis services between 2021 and 2025 on an annual basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53167/26]

The Department of Health and the HSE do not allocate funding by individual condition or disease. This is a deliberate policy approach, consistent with Sláintecare and international best practice, which seeks to support integrated care pathways rather than separate disease-specific funding silos. Funding is instead allocated across services and care pathways, allowing resources to be directed to where they can have the greatest impact for patients. Accordingly, a specific annual funding allocation for endometriosis services is not separately identified.

Instead, funding is provided to the HSE through its overall allocation and is deployed across services on based on population need and national priorities. Since 2020, current Health funding has increased from approximately €18 billion to €25.8 billion in 2026, an increase of almost €8 billion or 43%. Over the same period, the funded HSE workforce has increased from approximately 101,000 WTE at the beginning of 2020 to 136,606 WTE funded in 2026. This investment supports improvements in services across the health system, including services utilised by women with endometriosis.

Significant progress has been made in recent years to improve care for women with endometriosis. Key developments include the establishment of specialist endometriosis centres and regional hubs, the expansion of multidisciplinary supports, the publication and implementation of the National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis, the development of specialist care pathways, expansion of surgical capacity, access to treatment abroad in appropriate cases, accreditation of specialist centres, enhanced clinician training and education, and the establishment of structures to ensure patient involvement in service development.

Activity levels within specialist endometriosis services have continued to increase as these new services and pathways have been implemented. The HSE National Service Plan 2026 includes the continued implementation of the National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis as a priority area.

The Government remains committed to improving timely access to diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care for women living with endometriosis.