Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
1043. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide all recommendations from the National Screening Advisory Committee since 2019 regarding the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63152/25]
View answer1044. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide the recommendations from the National Screening Advisory Committee since 2019 regarding the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme that have not been implemented; to provide details of when the recommendation was made and when it will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63153/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1043 and 1044 together.
As Minister for Health, I am determined to support our screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
Currently, all babies (between 3 and 5 days old) are offered newborn bloodspot screening (generally known as the ‘heel prick’ test), which tests for nine rare but serious conditions that are treatable if detected early in life. The Programme for Government commits to continually reviewing the number of conditions babies are screened for.
I would highlight that any changes to Ireland’s screening programmes will be facilitated through established, evidence-driven protocols. The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that considers proposed changes by assessing the evidence robustly and transparently, and against internationally accepted criteria, before making recommendations to myself as Minister for Health.
The rigorous processes utilised by NSAC are critical to ensure that our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards.
Progress continues to be made on the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (NNBSP). Since its inception in 2019, NSAC have made three recommendations in relation to the expansion of the NNBSP.
In 2022, screening for Adenosine Deaminase-Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID) was introduced. In 2023, two additional recommendations from NSAC on the introduction of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) were approved. An additional €1.4 million of new development funding was allocated in Budget 2024 to support the implementation process for SCID and SMA.
In terms of the current status, the HSE has advised that the equipment needed to enable the roll-out testing for SCID and SMA has been purchased, delivered and successfully installed at the newborn screening laboratory and significant progress continues with regards to the laboratory verification process. The recruitment process to hire the additional staff required to support the expansion of the NNBSP has been completed and work continues on developing screening pathways for both conditions.
Once both conditions have been fully implemented, the number of conditions screened for in Ireland will increase to 11.
I am acutely aware of how difficult it is for parents, families and children who have received a diagnosis of a rare disease, and how challenging daily life can be for them. This is why I remain committed to the further expansion of screening in Ireland, in accordance with internationally accepted criteria and best practice.
