Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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748. To ask the Minister for Health the number of genomic labs in the State and their locations; if his attention has been drawn to the proposed closure of the genomic lab in Crumlin; the reasons for the closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36617/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As stated previously, the Government and I are fully committed to developing a robust patient and family centred genetics and genomics service in Ireland and increasing genomic laboratory capabilities for the betterment of patient diagnostics and care.

In relation to the number of genomic laboratories in Ireland, the majority of Model 4 hospital-based laboratories perform a range of genetic and genomic tests. These laboratories are accredited to the appropriate European standards by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB).

There are a small number of publicly funded laboratories that have ‘Genetics’ included in their scope of accreditation, including those located at Beaumont Hospital, CHI at Crumlin and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. Genetic tests are also included under the scope classification for Chemical Pathology, Haematology, and Histopathology and Cytopathology with relevant accreditation in place for laboratories covering these areas located at Cork University, St Vincent's University Hospital and St James’s Hospital.

Currently none of these public laboratories has the genomic testing capability for more advanced techniques such as Whole Exome Sequencing, which sequences the protein coding regions of genes, or Whole Genome Sequencing, which offers a comprehensive analysis of the full genome.

In relation to the proposed closure of the genomic lab at CHI Crumlin, the National Genetic and Genomic Medicine Network Strategy Group provided a report to the HSE outlining the future of genetic and genomic services in Ireland. It recommended that a national approach to clinical and laboratory genetics and genomics should be developed. It also highlighted that the existing laboratory in CHI Crumlin was not designed to deliver a national function in this regard.

The National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland was published in 2022 and the HSE’s National Genetics and Genomics Office (NGGO) was set up in 2023 to drive implementation of the strategy. The strategy outlines a way forward for genetics and genomics in Ireland including coordinating an approach to delivering a national service and strengthening infrastructure to drive advances in genetics and genomics.

The HSE’s NGGO is continuing to progress implementation of the strategy and is currently in the process of identifying a sustainable model for delivering genetic and genomic testing care in Ireland, which includes assessing the capacity needed, and demand for, a sustainable genomics laboratory service that meets patients’ needs.

In the meantime, CHI and other acute hospitals will continue to provide genetic testing services.

[Minister's Office to add text here to confirm/reject whether a statement will be made by the Minister]