Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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401. To ask the Minister for Health if he will investigate the possibility of testing for chagas disease in bone marrow donations in order to facilitate those from Latin America to make donations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26871/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In November 2022 the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) introduced Individual Donor Risk Assessment (IDRA) for all donors. IDRA has enabled the IBTS to ask the same health and lifestyle criteria questions to all existing and potential new donors. This means that any deferrals are applied based on the donor’s individual specific risk profile.

To register to become a bone marrow donor, you must meet the normal eligibility criteria to become a blood donor. There is also one additional difference regarding age criteria. Whereas you can become a new blood donor up until the age of 65, to become a bone marrow donor, you must be aged between 18 and 45, and be willing to remain on the panel until you are 55.

To be eligible for the Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Register, a person has to be eligible as a blood donor. This may pose challenges to people from certain geographical areas. The IBTS donor selection process, which includes relevant testing, is under constant evaluation and active review, in light of scientific evidence, emerging infections and international evidence, to ensure the ongoing safety of blood and the products derived from it.