Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is the statutory body with responsibility for the national blood supply.

In terms of full-time blood donation clinics, the IBTS operates 3 fixed whole blood donation centres (2 in Dublin and 1 in Cork) and 2 platelet apheresis clinics (Dublin and Cork). The opening hours of these centres are spread across the working week, Monday to Friday generally between the hours 10am to 6pm (or later). The times vary to align with donor availability and preferences.

The IBTS also operate 6 mobile collection clinics that operate Monday to Thursday and frequently on Sundays (based on Public holidays etc.). These are based strategically around the country to facilitate local blood collection. The regional teams are based in Ardee, Tuam, Carlow, Limerick, Cork and Dublin.

The IBTS operate over 2000 clinics annually in over 260 venues, ensuring that the main population centres around the country are visited and facilitated.

The act of donating blood is an altruistic one and the IBTS does not offer any financial rewards to encourage donors to donate. It is not the intention of the IBTS to offer incentives either financial or in the form of vouchers to encourage people to donate blood or platelets. This policy of voluntary unpaid donation is very much in line with most other countries and governing bodies including the European Blood Alliance (EBA), which the IBTS is a member of.

To recognise the altruistic act of blood donation, the IBTS have a series of milestone acknowledgements of donor contributions, including special ceremonies throughout the year when the IBTS honours donors who have given 50 and 100 (and beyond) donations.