129. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to urgently regulate the administration of dermal fillers as committed to in the programme for Government; when such regulation or legislation will be introduced; if she and her Department will engage with stakeholders regarding the best way to protect the public; if her Department received research from the Health Research Board on international best practice; if so, when she will publish same and her Department's response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28374/26]

Sentiment score: 0.31

My question relates to the regulation of the administration of dermal fillers in this country. Obviously, millions of euro is spent each year on beauty and cosmetic treatments. The vast majority are topical external treatments, but some are medically invasive. Unfortunately, there is something of a wild west out there in terms of who can administer these treatments. The incorrect administration, particularly of dermal fillers, can literally be the difference between life and death. Certainly, we have a lot of stories coming to us of people developing sepsis, permanent scarring and other impacts. What is the Government doing to regulate and protect people accessing these treatments?

Sentiment score: 0.05

There seems to be a legal lacuna in this regard. The HPRA does not regulate the administration of clinical practice, and HIQA is obviously not looking at this either. I am conscious there are people out there – many of whom are in my constituency - accessing these treatments for a little as €60, whereas other practices charge in excess of €250. A lot of people are being lured in by the prices. It is a potential question of life or death or of serious injury. We need to see the report. It was commissioned in 2025 and I have been submitting parliamentary questions about it. I ask for a bit of urgency in publishing that report.

Sentiment score: -0.08