3211. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if her Department has examined population cardiovascular health check programmes operating in other jurisdictions, including the programme in England under which adults aged 40 to 74 are invited for assessment every five years; if any such examination has considered applicability in this State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60550/26]

3492. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if her Department has assessed the population health check model operated in England (details supplied); if any such assessment has examined, the applicability of that model in this State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61539/26]

3493. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if she has considered introducing systematic invitation by age cohort for cardiovascular risk assessment, as distinct from the current opportunistic case finding model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61537/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3211, 3492 and 3493 together.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a range of conditions including heart attack and stroke. It remains a leading cause of death in Ireland and significant hospital bed days. CVD claimed the lives of almost 10,000 people in Ireland in 2024.

Ireland has made progress in tackling CVD. While CVD mortality is now approximately half the level recorded in 1995, it remains a leading cause of ill health, with major impacts on patients and their families. The absolute number of CVD cases has increased due to the rise in population and Ireland’s ageing demographics. CVD imposes significant social and personal costs for patients including reduced quality of life, and potential lost earnings.

The National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services (NRCS) was published in April 2025 and provides a detailed, evidence-driven analysis of cardiac services across the Country. The Review which consulted with a wide range of stakeholders sets out a comprehensive road map for cardiac services development and reform. To support implementation of the recommendations, €9 million in full-year funding was allocated to support vital cardiovascular initiatives. Following publication of the NRCS, the HSE’s National Heart Office (NHO) developed a three-year implementation plan.

On 16 December 2025, the European Commission published Safe Hearts – the EU Cardiovascular Plan, a landmark initiative aimed at reducing premature deaths by improving prevention, early detection, and treatment, while also driving innovation. The plan emphasises shifting from treatment to prevention, and among other things calls for stronger action against tobacco and smoking. The plan encourages Member States to develop or implement standalone or integrated national cardiovascular health plans by 2027.

The plan, under its Early Detection Pillar, sets out a flagship initiative to develop an EU Protocol on health checks for cardiovascular diseases. It is anticipated that later this month, the Commission will propose a Council Recommendation on health checks for cardiovascular diseases to support a common approach for Member States to develop and implement national health checks. Once published, officials will work to advance the negotiations on the Council recommendation during our Presidency term.

The Programme for Government places a strong focus on cardiovascular health and we have committed to the development of a new national cardiovascular plan. I am fully committed to advancing cardiovascular health at both EU and national level, supporting the implementation of the EU Safe Hearts Plan in Ireland, and the development of a new national cardiovascular plan. Officials are in the initial stages of developing the new plan and are actively engaging in the work required to ensure a robust and evidence-based approach.

In addition, the GP Chronic Disease Management Programme provides structured, GP-led care for adult GMS (Medical Card and GP Visit Card) patients. The chronic conditions included in the Programme are Type 2 Diabetes; Asthma; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); and cardiovascular disease (including Heart Failure, Ischaemic Heart Disease, Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), Atrial Fibrillation).

Under the CDM Opportunistic Case Finding programme, patients aged 45 years+ with chronic disease or who are at high risk of developing a chronic disease are identified on an opportunistic basis i.e. when a patient attends the GP for another issue.

Those who are identified as high risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes are enrolled in the CDM Preventive Programme and those with previously undiagnosed chronic disease(s) are enrolled under the CDM Treatment Programme. Under the CDM Treatment Programme, each patient receives two scheduled reviews with the GP in a 12-month period, each preceded by a practice nurse visit. Each review includes patient education, preventative care, medication review, physical examination, investigations, and an individual care plan.

Patients registered to the CDM Preventive Programme receive an annual GP and practice nurse visit for the active management of their risk factors. The Preventive Programme was also expanded in 2023 to include adult GMS patients with hypertension and all women who have had a diagnosis of gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.