Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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382. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, following the recently completed review of the veterinary laboratory services, he will ensure that all such facilities remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9450/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Department tasked a working group, led by Prof. Alan Reilly, and comprising senior officials, with undertaking a review of its laboratory services, including both its Central Laboratory complex in Backweston, Co. Kildare and its network of Regional Laboratories in Athlone, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo. The ultimate objective of this review is to assist the Department in developing a long-term strategy for its laboratories that builds on existing capability and expertise in animal health, food safety and plant sciences, and ensures that it achieves both operational and scientific excellence.

The Working Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on:

- Oversight and co-ordination of the laboratories activities

- Re-organisation of Divisions and support functions within the Central Laboratory complex

- Options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories - with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability but with the over-riding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmersand

- Human resources management within the laboratories - with a focus on grading structures, career development opportunities and workforce planning.

Consultation on this report has commenced with the Department’s laboratory-based staff and their representative organisations. Laboratory management has also met with a number of farming representatives and further consultation will shortly take place with other stakeholders. A decision on implementation of the Working Group's recommendations will await the outcome of this consultative process. In addition, as regards the Regional Laboratories, any decision will also be informed by a cost-benefit analysis of the various options that have been proposed.