Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
814. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health for her plans to outline her plans to reduce excessive waiting times for accessing genetic counselling services for individuals discharged from hospital care with a genetic diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15747/25]
View answerThe Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) is working to improve genetics and genomics services offered in Ireland in order to deliver a world-class patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and lifespan of patients.
The National Genetics and Genomics Office (NGGO) was established in 2023 to drive the implementation of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland and improve Ireland’s genetic and genomic medicine services. The Department of Health has been working closely with the NGGO to manage and implement this hugely valuable programme of change and to overcome the present and historical challenges associated with delivery of genetic and genomic medicine in Ireland.
The Department of Health has provided the resources to deliver the priorities which have been approved as part of the National Service Plan 2025 and include recruitment of front-line staff including Consultant Clinical Geneticist, Genetic Counsellors and Genetics Resource Associates.
Already this year we have seen the launch of the National Test directory for rare diseases (January 2025) which will be expanded in due course to cover wider health care areas. In addition, resources have been approved to set up laboratory elements of the service, such as the National Genomics Processing Service and to improve access to clinical services.
The Department of Health is fully committed to implementing the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland and taking the required next steps to support the NGGO in delivering on this objective, both during 2025 and beyond.
