Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

716. To ask the Minister for Health if investment has been made by the health service in CRISPR gene editing technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35866/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware CRISPR is one of the new gene editing technologies which is used mainly in research laboratories in genetic research.  The Health Research Board (HRB), which is an agency of my Department, funds a small number of research projects in this area. Projects using this type of technology include research in the area of neurodegenerative disease and breast cancer.  In addition, I am advised that a number of projects using genome editing, involving Irish researchers, are approved under the Horizon 2020 EU Programme.

Health research projects in Ireland, outside HRB funding can also take place in fora such as universities and hospitals. Information on these research projects would not be routinely collected by my Department.  The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation may fund research relevant to the Deputy's question through its research funding agency, Science Foundation Ireland.