Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1722. To ask the Minister for Health when the report by the Heredity Cancer Model of Care will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2372/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In line with Recommendation 6 of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 and to support the implementation of Recommendation 19 of the Strategy, a Model of Care for Hereditary Cancer is being developed. This will inform the development of services for the identification and management of people with an inherited cancer predisposition.

The Government’s commitment to implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is evidenced by significant investment in recent years. New development funding of €20 million was allocated in 2021 and a further €20 million was provided for 2022. This funding has facilitated work in the area of hereditary cancer genetics, including:

- Recruitment of staff to cancer genetics services;

- Development of GP referral guidelines for breast family history;

- Completion of a needs assessment for those with a BRCA gene alteration;

- Development of online training for health care professionals delivering mainstreamed BRCA testing, i.e. genetic testing embedded in oncology services; and

- Recommendations on universal tumour testing in certain types of cancer for possible Lynch Syndrome, an inherited condition which causes people to have a higher risk of developing certain colorectal cancers.

The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) established an Advisory Group for Hereditary Cancer which has been working to develop the Hereditary Cancer Model of Care, incorporating the identification of those with an inherited cancer predisposition and their ongoing management.

The NCCP made the draft Hereditary Cancer Model of Care available for public consultation on 13 December 2022. The consultation process remained open until 12 January of this year. The NCCP is currently in the process of reviewing the responses received on this consultation process. It is expected that the Model of Care will be finalised and published in Q2 2023.

The Department of Health and the HSE recently published the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland in December 2022. My Department and the HSE will collaborate in relation to its implementation in areas relevant to cancer predisposition and cancer treatment.