Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy might clarify in his response and I will try to be more useful. I will answer about the new genetics and genomics strategy, which will address exactly the issues the Deputy has raised. A number of important developments are under way. I start by acknowledging the premise of the question, which is that Ireland's genetics and genomics services are not where they need to be. We need to expand the heel prick test. Les Martin and others have done significant work on that. We need to expand our capacity for genetic sequencing, personalised medicine, foetal medicine and in various other areas. A number of developments are under way.

Last year, I launched the first national strategy for accelerating genetics and genomics medicine. It aims to build a strong patient and family-centred service. For this year, I approved just under €3 million to implement the strategy. In fact, I was just talking to the chief clinical officer about that this morning. This includes a national office for genetics and genomics, 16 new staff, a national director, a bioinformatics laboratory director, genetics counsellors and genetics consultants. Another important step in improving genetics services is understanding the genetic staffing needs and genetic testing capacity. This will be achieved through the creation of a national testing directory for genetics and genomics. It is subject to live procurement. It will map the current genetic tests conducted across Ireland, allowing for more transparent referrals. I think this will address exactly the point I hope the Deputy is raising.

See this speech in context