Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2025
548. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the actions her Department has taken to encourage CHI to adopt the findings and advice of the repatriation of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant services to Ireland: a Health Technology Assessment – February 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67498/25]
View answerIn 2023, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the repatriation of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant (allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)) services to Ireland. The HTA was undertaken following a request from the HSE and examined the choice of treatment location for children with certain rare, inherited conditions who require stem cell transplants.
A HTA systematically gathers evidence to assist a decision-maker, such as the HSE, in informing policy choices on adopting, funding, or disinvesting in a health technology. The conclusions and information in a HTA are advisory and form just one element informing the decision making. A HTA cannot, for example, determine if there is adequate budget available to fund a new technology.
As the HSE commissioned this HTA, and the implementation of recommendations is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
