Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. He is correct in saying that we experienced a higher decline in transplant rates compared with many European countries, due in part to the reallocation of staff and resources from the donation and transplantation system to intensive care units to aid the Covid-19 response. An additional €2.25 million has now been provided for organ donation and transplant services since 2020. That includes funding for a total of 30 whole-time equivalent staff and included in that are seven organ donation nurse managers, five advanced nurse practitioners, five theatre nurses, associate registrars, two senior house officers, two consultants and a specialist perfusionist.

The programme for Government includes legislating for an opt-out system of organ donation.

This legislation is a priority for Government and work on the drafting of the Bill is progressing in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and Office of the Parliamentary Counsel with a view to publication as soon as possible. The aim of that Bill is to make organ donation the norm in Ireland and that in situations where the opportunity arises, consent will be deemed unless the person has, while alive, registered a wish not to become an organ donor.

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