3274. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the training or guidance provided to GPs regarding the recognition and management of premenstrual dysphoric disorder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55504/26]

The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is the body responsible for education and training in general practice. The college 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 Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), provide evidence-based guidance on the diagnosis and management of premenstrual disorders, including PMDD.

These frameworks outline approaches to diagnosis, such as prospective symptom tracking across menstrual cycles and recommend a stepped, multidisciplinary model of care involving general practitioners, gynaecological specialists, and mental health professionals.

It is worth noting that a menstrual health awareness campaign is currently being developed by the HSE's National Women and Infants Health Programme. The HSE have proposed an evidence-based approach to designing and undertaking this broad campaign. The first phase involved a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of current attitudes, behaviours and knowledge of all relevant topics.

This important research will underpin and guide the direction of the awareness campaign, which aims to balance information regarding what is normal versus what could be abnormal, and will focus on a range of menstrual health disorders and associated conditions. A key product out of this research phase will be the development of a communications strategy with recommendations on specific areas requiring focus.

I have also approved funding for the HRB Applied Partnerships Award Scheme specifically for Women’s Health. 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, including PMDD, was 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. The HRB received a strong response and assessments are ongoing. We are confident that multiple awards will be recommended later this year.