Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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401. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to remove the ban on blood donations from males who have previously engaged in sexual intercourse with other males, as enforced by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service; if the details of the data source used to justify and base this exclusion, which has been cited as necessary in order to reduce the risk of infected blood entering the blood supply; the potential increase in donations if the ban is lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41534/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The remit of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system. Blood, and the products derived from it, are an integral facet of healthcare delivery. A major objective of the IBTS is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both donors and recipients of blood and blood products.

In response to a request from the Chief Medical Officer of my Department, the IBTS submitted a paper earlier this year setting out options for future policy in relation to MSM as blood donors. The IBTS was subsequently asked to build on this report, including through appropriate engagement with relevant organisations.

As part of this process the IBTS has engaged professional statistical consultants to develop a model on how to quantify changes in risks to patients from window period HIV transmission, or from the transmission of other emerging infections, in the event of changes in MSM deferral policies. This work, which includes detailed analysis of international evidence with the aim of finalising a specific recommendation, is ongoing. I have asked that this analysis be completed and a report submitted as soon as possible.

The IBTS reviews its existing deferral policies drawing on available scientific evidence, risk assessments, regular review of infectious disease incidence and the practice and experience of other transfusion services. They will continue to ensure that its deferral policies remain current and appropriate for the maintenance of a safe blood supply. The IBTS has informed my Department that a change in the MSM deferral policy is not likely to have a significant impact on the number of donations.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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402. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to lift the permanent deferral policy currently enforced by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in which persons who have resided for 12 months or more in total and cumulatively in Britain and or the six counties between 1980 and 1996 are excluded from making a blood donation; the data source used to justify and base this exclusion which has been cited as necessary in order to reduce the risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) transmission; the potential increase in donations if the ban was lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41535/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The remit of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system. Blood, and the products derived from it, are an integral facet of healthcare delivery. A major objective of the IBTS is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both donors and recipients of blood and blood products.

The IBTS has implemented a permanent deferral policy in regard to blood donation for people who resided for 12 months or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996. This policy was introduced in 2004 following the first confirmed case of vCJD transmission via blood transfusion in the UK. It is implemented as a precaution against the risk of transmission of vCJD through blood transfusion. There is no test for vCJD and confirmation that someone had the disease is only possible post mortem.

The IBTS reviews its existing deferral policies drawing on available scientific evidence, risk assessments, a regular review of infectious disease incidence and the practice and experience of other transfusion services. The IBTS will continue to ensure that its deferral policies remain current and appropriate for the maintenance of a safe blood supply.