Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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509. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to publish a White Paper on human genomics; the status of the programme for Government commitment on the establishment of a national genomics medicine network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62473/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A research paper which considered the potential role of genomic medicine in Ireland and which reviewed genomics strategies in other countries was presented to the Department of Health management board in January 2020. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a rapid reprioritisation of the Department’s activities to manage the health and social care system’s response to the crisis. As a result of this, the matter remains under deliberation by the Department of Health.

In relation to the Programme for Government commitment to establish a National Genetics and Genomics Medicine Network, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is in the process of recruiting a Director the National Genomics and Genetics Medicine Network. Filling this position will facilitate the development of a national strategy in this area.