Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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561. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 468 of 5 November 2019, if he will provide an update in respect of bloodspot screening cards that were retained without consent from 1984 to mid-2011. [29070/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has received confirmation from the Office of the Chief Executive of Children’s Health Ireland that the relevant 1984 - 2011 Bloodspot Screening archive was disposed of on 16May 2023.

This is in line with a long-standing agreement with the Data Protection Commissioner, which has been informed of this outcome.

The final implementation of this disposal was delayed somewhat due to the impact of the pandemic, and the efforts of colleagues in CHI and the HSE for the progression and conclusion of this work are acknowledged.

To note, newborn screening cards obtained after July 2011 comply with Data Protection legislation. Parents/guardians receive information on how the screening cards are to be used and the duration for which they are to be retained. Children’s Hospital Ireland have also confirmed a process has been put in place for the disposal of cards going forward.