Written answers
Thursday, 2 May 2024
Department of Health
Health Services
Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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47. To ask the Minister for Health the reason funding has not been provided to reopen a service (details supplied). [19710/24]
Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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As this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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48. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered broadening the scope of screening programmes to address more effectively the undetected treatable conditions, which if caught earlier would enhance health lives and reduce health costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19862/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am fully committed to supporting our population 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.
It is important to be aware that any decisions about changes to or expansion of our screening programmes will be made on the advice of the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This is an independent expert group that considers and assesses 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.
NSAC is an independent expert group that considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. Its role is crucial in ensuring that Ireland has 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.
Significant progress has been made on the expansion of the NBS Programme since I became Minister for Health. As the Deputy will be aware, last year I approved recommendations from the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) for the addition of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to the NBS programme, which will bring the number of conditions screened for in Ireland to 11, once the implemented. I would highlight that this will represent a 37% increase achieved under the lifetime of this Government.
NSAC is conscious of the constantly changing landscape regarding screening and holds regular Calls for Submissions, which invite all stakeholders, including members of the public, HSE and other medical professionals, to make proposals for the introduction of new population-based screening programmes or changes to existing programmes in Ireland. The third and most recent Call for Submissions closed on 1 March 2024. All submissions are carefully considered by the Committee as per its work programme.
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