Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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161. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that were taken to address the issues raised in a review (details supplied) of the National Centre for Medical Genetics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48817/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Donnai-Newman Report on the Review of Genetics Services in Ireland (2014) was commissioned by the HSE to recommend improvements in the governance, management and future development of the genetic services. The report made several recommendations, the vast majority of which focused on the internal team working and clinical governance issues at Our Lady’s Children's Hospital Crumlin. The report resulted in 56 actions to be undertaken by the HSE and Crumlin Hospital. The HSE has confirmed that 31 of these actions have been implemented and 16 are currently being implemented.  

An external multi professional team, led by an experienced NHS UK Health Manager, has been assisting the Department of Clinical Genetics at Crumlin to deliver an improved service for patients and clinical service users. There continues to be investments in the recruitment of extra staff resources and the purchase of new equipment to assist with the implementation of improvements to the service.

A key recommendation of the Donnai-Newman Report was that a Steering Group should be set up to develop a National Genetic and Genomic Medicine Network that reflects best international practice. This Steering Group was established by the HSE in early 2015. Their report  included recommending the appointment of a National Director of the National Genetic and Genomic Medicine Network and a Clinical Laboratory Director. The HSE National Service Plan 2018 includes a commitment to commence development of the National Genetics and Genomic Network. These key posts, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, will inform the development of the national strategic direction for genetic and genomic medicine services, including genetic services.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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162. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the genetics department in Our Lady's Children’s Hospital, Crumlin is located in the hospital in view of the fact it provides a national service to adults; the governance structure which applies to this department; and his plans to establish this as a stand alone unit within the HSE. [48818/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The service for medical genetics in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, established in late 1994, provides services for patients and families in Irelandaffected by, or at risk of, a genetic disorder. The service is under the governance of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.  It is recognised that there have been rapid and progressive developments in genetics and genomic medicine in recent years and that it is an area of medicine that will continue to rapidly develop.

In 2014, a review of the laboratory and clinical genetic services at Crumlin was commissioned by the HSE. The report made recommendations relating to the genetic services at Crumlin and also recommended that investment should be made in developing a contemporary solution for clinical and laboratory genetics & genomics for the country.

Following on from that  report  a Steering Group was  established by the HSE in  2015 to develop a plan for the genetics & genomics national network. Recommendations included the appointment of a National Director of National Genetic and Genomic Medicine Network and a Clinical Laboratory Director. The HSE National Service Plan 2018 includes a commitment to commence development of the National Genetics and Genomic Network. These key posts, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, will inform the development of the national strategic direction for genetic and genomic medicine services, including genetic services.