Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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We will continue with questions. I have a number of questions around newborn screening and the heel prick test. I understand there are nine conditions currently screened for newborn babies using the heel prick test and that, in 2023, the Government approved two more, namely, spinal muscular atrophy, SMA, and severe combined immunodeficiency, SCID. Funding was approved in 2024 but it is still not provided. There was an implementation team set up by officials in the HSE and staff in Temple Street Children's Hospital, but it still has not happened. Has Ms McGrath heard from the Department or the HSE on whether there is an updated timeline for the expansion of the screening programme? I see Professor Barry wishes to comment.