Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The national strategy for accelerating genetic and genomic medicine in Ireland outlines a clear approach to developing a sustainable patient- and family-centred genetics and genomics service. As I said, it is important that we increase laboratory capability in Ireland and invest in the infrastructure to drive this advancement. An important element to this is developing a national approach to genetic testing in Ireland. The current focus of the work is on the assessment of existing capacity and need. Beyond 2024 planning will continue for the development of a national centre. Consideration will be given to appropriate locations for such a centre. The decision on a specific location has not yet been made.

The development of a national approach will help build a service that is more efficient, future-proofed and sustainable. I assure the Deputy and the House that wider genetic and genomic testing will continue to be carried out at existing sites in the meantime. I also reiterate the commitment of the Minister and the Government to improving these services in Ireland and creating an equitable patient- and family-centred service. I appreciate the Deputy's raising the matter.

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