Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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610. To ask the Minister for Health if he will take action to promote the expansion and accessibility of the heel-prick test, which is lifesaving for the most vulnerable newborns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62018/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population. The expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NBS) Programme is a priority for me.

I am aware of how difficult it is for parents whose children have received a diagnosis of a rare disease, and how challenging daily life can be for them, their families and their children. Advances in technology and treatments for many of these rare but serious conditions are continually emerging, which is very welcome for the families and carers of these children.

Decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, such as the NBS Programme, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. In addition to the scientific and technological information required to make evidence-based decisions, there are ethical, legal and societal issues which arise when planning an enduring population-based screening programme of this nature. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

Significant progress has been made by the Committee which has recently published its work programme. The Committee works closely with the HSE, HIQA, clinicians and patient advocates in its approach to consideration of the expansion of population-based screening in Ireland. Most notably, the NBS Programme was expanded earlier this year and now screens for nine conditions following a recommendation from the NSAC to add ADA-SCID to the Programme.

A number of newborn conditions are undergoing active consideration by the NSAC., and a recommendation regarding further expansion of the NBS before the end of 2022 is expected. The final report from HIQA on its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) for the addition of a tenth condition (SCID), was presented to the NSAC at its December meeting.

I look forward to recommendations from the Committee shortly, and remain committed to the further expansion of screening in Ireland in accordance with internationally accepted criteria and best practice.