Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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267. To ask the Minister for Health if he has made a decision regarding Ireland's participation in the EU4Health Joint Action on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease; if the decision is not to participate in the joint action as a full member, if he will consider making a commitment for Ireland to become an observer member on this joint action, in order that the Government can track the benefits of the joint action with a view to future full participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9356/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department participates actively in the EU4Health Steering Group and Programme Committee, and together with its aegis bodies including the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Health Research Board (HRB), works to bring possible support measures under EU4Health to the attention of health authorities and eligible stakeholders. So far, Ireland has nominated national competent authorities (NCAs) for 16 of 21 Joint Actions (JAs) under the 2021 and 2022 EU4Health annual work programmes. NCAs have also been nominated for the two JAs that have opened so far under the 2023 work programme.

I am pleased to advise that Ireland’s application for the EU NCD Initiative - Joint Action Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (JACARDI) was successful and Ireland is now participating in three different work packages under this action.

The aim of the JA, to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and related risk factors, both at personal and societal level, targeting or addressing the specifics of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes alongside the health determinants is aligned with Sláintecare and a number of the reforms required to deliver it. The collaboration as part of the EU’s Healthier Together initiative is a significant opportunity for Ireland to share and learn across Member States with similar burdens of cardiovascular disease.

The Report on Ireland’s National Review of Cardiac Services is imminent and will recommend the optimal configuration for cardiac services in Ireland with the reforms required to meet current and future patient need. The work packages under JACARDI that Ireland have signed up to will inform and support this Report and the objective to reduce the burden of CVDs.