3272. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health whether premenstrual dysphoric disorder is explicitly recognised within the Women's Health Action Plan and Women's Health Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55502/26]

The Women’s Health Action plans together with significant investment, have resulted in important improvements to women’s health services in Ireland. The work of the Women’s Health Taskforce and the implementation of these Action Plans has also increased awareness of many women’s health issues, both among the public and amongst healthcare professionals.

Improved supports for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) has been included in both Women's Health Action Plans since first publication in 2022. This includes initiatives such as:

• 19 Ambulatory gynaecology clinics are open and operational with two more in development.

• In relation to healthcare professional awareness and training, the Irish College of GPs develops and delivers education on a range of community gynaecology topics including PMDD. Education is delivered in a range of formats from the large-scale webinar to the in-depth skills-based education in blended, modular format. This is CPD education, which is also available to GPs in training. PMDD is included as a mandatory topic in this course. The Community Gynaecology Course promotes effective communication skills in relation to a range of Gynaecological conditions and procedures.

• The Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology’s published clinical guidelines on ‘Management of Premenstrual Syndrome’, provides clinicians with a comprehensive tool to diagnose and treat severe PMS. Management of Premenstrual Syndrome - 2017 - BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology - Wiley Online Library (https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1471-0528.14260)

• Specifically on menstrual health, my Department has included this topic in a number of surveys and research reports.

The 2022 Healthy Ireland Survey included a module on menstrual health and period poverty, which asked about the prevalence of adverse period related symptoms significant enough to cause women to miss out on activities of daily living (for example, school, college, work, sports or social activities). The results indicated that 51% of women currently having periods had missed activities of daily living on occasion because of period symptoms, and that 24% had experienced period poverty. The Healthy Ireland Survey reports and questionnaires can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/collections/healthy-ireland-survey-documents/#:~:text=Below%20are%20all%20the%20relevant%20Healthy%20Ireland%20Survey,2015%20-%202023%20are%20available%20here%20on%20data.cso.ie.

• Similarly, a shorter module on menstrual health and period poverty was included in the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study, which found that 60% of girls old enough to have periods had missed school on occasion because of period symptoms and that 10% were impacted by period poverty. The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study can be accessed at: www.universityofgalway.ie/hbsc/hbscireland/.

• The Healthy Ireland and HSE National Social Inclusion Office teams have recently set up linked websites on the topic of menstrual health and period poverty/period dignity. The HSE site links to the HSE’s clinical advice on periods and to information leaflets.The HSE Period Dignity site can be accessed here: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/primarycare/socialinclusion/about-social-inclusion/news/hse-period-poverty-pilot.html.

The Women’s Health Action Plan 2026:2027:Phase 3 which was launched on 8th July includes:

• A menstrual health awareness campaign is currently being developed by the HSE's National Women and Infants Health Programme. The HSE is currently undertaking baseline research to establish the current knowledge and awareness levels in relation to menstrual health. The results of this research will directly inform focus areas for the roll out of this National Menstrual Health Awareness Campaign. Knowledge and awareness of PMDD are included within the scope of this piece of work. It is hoped that broader awareness will encourage girls and women who need advice or guidance in relation to possible signs or symptoms of a (pre)menstrual disorder to seek help early, allowing care to commence in line with clinical guidelines and best practice and in turn improve outcomes and quality of life.

• €2 million in funding for women’s health research. Up to €1 million from the Department of Health’s Women's Health Fund will be made available for the Women’s Health Applied Partnership Scheme for both 2026 and 2027.

Menstrual health is one of the priority research themes identified.

The research call went out to the research community in January 2026 with a deadline submission date was the end of March 2026. We are confident that multiple awards will be recommended later this year.

• We will continue to listen by considering and taking on board results of national and international surveys.

In collaboration with the Women’s Health Taskforce, I am committed to listening to and working for women in order to improve the health experiences and outcomes for women and girls in Ireland.