Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason she stated in a reply to Parliamentary Question No. 316 on 30 September 2008 that the newborn screening programme for cystic fibrosis was going ahead in 2008 in view of the fact that the relevant reply from the Health Service Executive says that the HSE are looking for funding for this programme for 2009; if her attention has been drawn to this change of date for this essential programme; her views on the length of time it has taken for this programme to be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35228/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I advised the Deputy in my reply of 30th September that the Health Service Executive Service Plan for 2008 included provision for the implementation of a plan for screening newborns for cystic fibrosis and commencement of screening by the end of 2008.

My Department is now advised that it will not be possible to commence the screening programme as planned in 2008. The position will require to be reviewed in the context of the total level of funding available to the HSE in 2009.