Written answer
Healthcare Policy
Ireland will advance the EU cardiovascular health-check recommendation during its Presidency, implementing cardiac-services reforms and developing a national cardiovascular strategy aligned with Safe Hearts Plan.
3490. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed Council recommendation on cardiovascular health checks arising from the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan published in December 2025; if this file will be progressed during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union; the steps being taken to align national policy with that plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61546/26]
Comment on this
The Presidency’s health agenda, under the theme “investing in health to enable competitiveness,” reflects a strategic commitment to strengthening the EU’s global competitiveness while ensuring high-quality, effective healthcare delivery for European citizens.
We will progress the negotiations on the Council Recommendation on health checks for cardiovascular diseases which is expected to be published by the European Commission in Autumn 2026.
Ireland welcomes the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, the “Safe Hearts” Plan, and in particular, a focus on disease prevention, innovation and health equity to improve cardiovascular health. These align with Ireland’s ambitions in this area.
The Safe Hearts Plan signalled that the European Commission will publish a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive in 2026. It is not expected before later in 2026. Ireland strongly supports the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive and has previously urged the European Commission to publish a proposal as soon as possible.
The Programme for Government places a strong focus on cardiovascular health, and we have committed to the development of a national cardiovascular strategy.
The Safe Hearts Plan contains 10 ambitious and impactful flagship initiatives and will support all EU Member States to implement existing or develop national cardiovascular plans now and throughout 2027.
In Ireland, we will do this first through implementing the recommendations of the National Review of Cardiac Services (NRCS) while also incorporating them into a new National Cardiovascular Plan as committed to in the Programme for Government.
The NRCS was published in April 2025. The NRCS provides a detailed, evidence-driven analysis of cardiac services across the Country. The Review is evidence based and consulted with a wide range of stakeholders and sets out a comprehensive road map for cardiac services development and reform. Additional funding has enabled initial reform in cardiac services and will support the development of a new cardiovascular strategy in the longer term.