Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Since May 2022, babies are being screened for nine conditions, up from eight previously. Last year, the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, approved recommendations from the national screening advisory committee to add a further two new conditions to the programme. This would bring to 11 the number of conditions screened for as part of what is commonly known the heel-prick test in Ireland, which is a 37% increase. A total of €1.4 million of new development funding has been allocated this year to support the expansion of the programme. The implementation of these two conditions to the newborn screening programme is under way involving close and regular co-ordination between the HSE and Department of Health on an ambitious timeline to ensure that validation of the additional tests begins in 2024. I understand how difficult it is for parents whose children have received that diagnosis. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

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