Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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680. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the review of veterinary laboratories being carried out was initiated by his Department or by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9956/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department agreed some years ago with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to review its regional laboratories as an action under the Croke Park Action Plan. However, having concluded that regional laboratories should not be viewed in isolation, my Department decided to extend the review process to include its central laboratories which are located at Backweston, Co. Kildare.

My Department therefore tasked a Working Group led by Professor Alan Reilly to undertake this broader review with the following Terms of Reference:

1. To define the laboratory services and expertise that DAFM requires at present and in the foreseeable future;

2. To consider how these laboratory services and expertise can best be delivered; and

3. Outline an implementation plan, including timescale, for proposed changes.

The report of this Working Group is now being considered by the Department, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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681. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will open the regional veterinary laboratory in Sligo after the review of the veterinary laboratories. [9957/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department's Regional Veterinary Laboratory at Doonally, Sligo, continues to provide a laboratory diagnostic service to the North West region.

My Department commissioned a Working Group led by Prof. Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of the Department’s Laboratories (which are located at Backweston, Sligo, Limerick, Cork, Athlone and Kilkenny).

The 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 farmers and

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

My Department is currently consulting with all relevant stakeholders.

A decision on any of these recommendations will await the outcome of this consultative process. In the case of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories, any decision will also be informed by a cost benefit analysis of the various options that have been proposed for their future development.