John Brady
Ceist:1247. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on plans to add further condition to the heal prick test for newborn babies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33391/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 6 May 2026
Ceisteanna (1247)
Freagraí scríofa
As Minister for Health, I am committed to supporting Ireland's screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health outcomes 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 11 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.
Incremental progress continues to be made on the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (NNBSP). In April 2026, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) were successfully added to the NNBSP.
I would note that any proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes are facilitated through established evidence-driven protocols. The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that provides advice to me, 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.
NSAC considers and assesses the evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important that we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
In 2025, at the request of NSAC, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) commenced a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to consider the addition of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia to the NNBSP. NSAC are scheduled to make a recommendation to me in this regard before the end of 2026.
Additionally, NSAC have referred a group of organic acidaemia disorders to HIQA for evidence review, these include:
• Methylmalonic Acidaemia (MMA)
• Propionic Acidaemia (PA)
• Isovaleric Acidaemia (IVA)
The three conditions will be considered in a single HTA, which will commence once the review of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia has concluded.
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.