Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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875. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the Government provides sufficient research support in relation to understanding antimicrobial resistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51004/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, antimicrobial resistance is a very significant global challenge which is best addressed within a One Health context. This recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant and environmental health. It requires a coordinated response across all sectors to effectively address the challenge

Ireland’s second One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2021 – 2025, known as iNAP2 was jointly published by the Department of Health and my Department in November 2021.

Promoting and supporting research into AMR related issues is one of the 5 key objectives in both the previous and current One Health national action plan.

Under iNAP2, the Department of Health have commissioned research on the Economic Burden of AMR and the use of Point of Care Testing to guide antimicrobial prescribing. In addition, the Students and Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) competition was launched this month for early career healthcare professions to showcase their research on AMR and infection prevention and control.

The Health Research Board co-ordinate and administer the Joint Programming Initiative JPI AMR in Ireland. This is a global collaborative organisation and platform, engaging 28 nations to curb AMR with a One Health approach since 2011. The goal is to shape cohesive and coordinated AMR funding and actions that maximise on resources and reduce duplication of research. The HRB has been involved in this joint programming initiative since January 2017 and is represented on the Management Board and funds calls that align with the HRB strategy.

JPI AMR coordinates national public investments and funds transnational research and activities within the six priority areas of the shared JPIAMR Strategic Research and Innovations Agenda (SRIA) – therapeutics, diagnostics, surveillance, transmission, environment, and interventions. JPIAMR is seeking and supporting solutions to decrease transmissions of resistant bacteria, and to lessen the burden of AMR on a global scale.

Since joining JPI AMR in 2017, Irish researchers have been partners in four transnational projects and eight Networks funded via JPIAMR, in the areas of transmission, surveillance and the environment, across five separate funding calls. In addition to projects focussed on human health supported by HRB, projects in the areas of animal health and environment have been supported by my Department and the EPA. This has been possible as HRB, DAFM and EPA are partners in ERA NET Co-Funds committing funding for relevant joint calls, to enable Irish researchers to participate in the competitive process.

HRB funding support to Irish JPIAMR participants exceeds €750,000.

Ireland has recently confirmed its commitment to the European Commission for the One Health AMR Partnership and will work with the relevant co-ordinators to contribute to the development of the partnership application.

In the agricultural sector, my Department has provided funding and support for research to investigate the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance in the animal health sector. Research projects funded and completed during the lifetime of Ireland’s first national action plan, iNAP1 include investigations of respiratory disease on Irish pig farms, associated risk factors and the relationship between performance, welfare and antimicrobial use, research on antimicrobial use and resistance in the pig and poultry industry, research to improve biosecurity on pig farms through utilisation of specific biosecurity tools and use of antimicrobials in animal health on the island of Ireland: knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. Under iNAP2, research continues to be funded on several projects such as investigation of dietary manipulation to reduce the need for antimicrobials in the pig sector, quantifying antimicrobial use on Irish dairy farms, development of salivary and environmental biomarkers to manage antimicrobial use and resistance in pigs and implementation of behavioural interventions in dairy and pig farms.

Recognising the One Health aspect of AMR, research in relation to the role of the environment in the dissemination and spread of AMR has been also included in both action plans, with the majority of funding being from the Environmental Protection Agency, however my Department is funding one specific project carrying out AMR surveillance on soil. AMR continues to be included in my Department's annual research call.

I am satisfied that very significant work, including promoting and supporting research, is being carried out in Ireland in response to this very One Health challenge, however this work will need to continue and adapt into the future.