Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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1976. To ask the Minister for Health when a report in relation to a person (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18501/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service issue I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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1977. To ask the Minister for Health if a report in relation to a person (details supplied) will be commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18502/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service issue I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1978. To ask the Minister for Health if early detection screening programmes for heart valve disease or structural heart disease will form part of the recommendations of the unpublished review of cardiac services in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18512/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to supporting our population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.

It is important to highlight that any decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, or the introduction of new programmes, will be facilitated through established protocols. The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that considers proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes. NSAC assesses the evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria, before making recommendations to myself as Minister for Health. The rigorous processes utilised by NSAC are critical to ensure that our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

NSAC has previously received proposals through its Call for Submission process, calling for the introduction of a screening programme for Structural Heart Disease. However, after reviewing the submissions received, NSAC decided not to refer the applications for further consideration by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

NSAC holds annual Calls for Submissions, which invite all stakeholders, including members of the public, HSE and other medical professionals, to make proposals for the introduction of new screening programmes or changes to existing programmes in Ireland. Should significant evidence have emerged on screening for Structural Heart Disease when the next Call is launched later this year, a revised application will be considered accordingly.

I am delighted to say that the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services (NRCS) was published on 8th April and contains a number of recommendations specific to Structural Heart Disease. The report is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/publication/837d0-national-review-of-adult-specialist-cardiac-services-in-ireland/ . The Review makes recommendations for the organisation of services and workforce required to deliver structural heart disease care, but does not make a specific recommendation for screening of these conditions. The HSE are currently developing an implementation plan to support the delivery of the Review’s recommendations.

I would like to emphasise that population screening programmes are for people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact a medical professional.