Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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1042. To ask the Minister for Health his new policy and the revised criteria for donating blood; and the date upon which gay persons can present themselves to blood transfusion services in order to perform their civic duty [24476/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Having reviewed the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) report regarding a change in deferral policies for blood donation by men who have sex with men, I have accepted its recommendation to reduce the current lifelong ban from donating blood to a one-year deferral. I have also accepted its recommendation to defer those with a history of a sexually transmitted infection for five years after that infection.

My officials are engaging with the IBTS on the development of a plan to support the implementation of this change in blood donation policy and to communicate the policy change clearly to all potential blood donors and recipients of blood and blood products, as well as to the general public.

A date for implementation of the amended policy has not been finalised at this stage.