Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will roll out a neonatal screening service for cystic fibrosis to ensure early diagnosis of the condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39334/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The report of the Working Group established by the HSE on Services for People with Cystic Fibrosis was recently published on the HSE's website. Amongst its recommendations was that a neonatal screening programme should be established.

A Steering Group, 'Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis', was established in June 2009, under the Chairmanship of Professor Gerry Loftus, Professor of Paediatrics, Galway. The Steering Group has broad membership from key stakeholders and experts in the field of cystic fibrosis and they will ensure that the operational work that is required to implement the Screening Programme will take place.

Currently, expert advice from other jurisdictions that have introduced newborn screening for cystic fibrosis is being examined to ensure that Ireland will be in line with the most up-to-date international best practice. In addition to the design of the newborn screening programme, including appropriate quality and governance arrangements, uniform data collection procedures will be developed for the collection of blood samples carried out in maternity units and community care areas. These actions will be supported by training for all relevant staff and development of appropriate health promotion material for parents/guardians and relevant service providers. An annual audit process is also being put in place.

It is anticipated that the implementation of the newborn screening for cystic fibrosis programme will commence next year.