Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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2220. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the rollout of National Perinatal Genomics Service; the new public services that will be introduced and made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19783/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Government and I are fully committed to improving genetic and genomic services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland is to build a strong patient and family-centred national genetics service that can be accessed equitably across the country and lifespan of patients.

The Strategy identifies several key strategic areas of focus that, when achieved, will transform existing services including genetic and genomic testing. The HSE’s National Genetics and Genomics Office (NGGO) is working to achieve the following:

• Coordinating a national approach to genetics and genomics
• Ensuring patient and public involvement (PPI) and partnerships
• Building the genetics and genomics workforce for the future
• Enhancing genetic and genomic clinical services
• Strengthening infrastructures to drive advances in genetics and genomics.

Perinatal genetics is a clinical service that focuses on the evaluation diagnosis, management and treatment of anomalies before birth.

In 2023, an operational model for a National Perinatal Genomics Service was proposed. The delivery of this model will be supported by two additional funded Consultant Medical Geneticists.

The National Maternity Hospital have in place a consultant who is providing a level of perinatal genetics service pending the successful recruitment of the approved permanent consultant posts.

Through Budget 2025, €2 million of new development funding has been allocated to further develop maternity services in line with the National Maternity Strategy, and to further expand this service. This will fund additional Genetics Counsellors and Administrative Support staff to increase the capacity of the new teams once established, to ensure timely national coverage. These posts will be advertised once permanent Consultant posts are in place to support the implementation of the National Framework.

For the question relating to available services, as the HSE's National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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2221. To ask the Minister for Health the referral pathways available to a person in CHO3 seeking perinatal genetics and genomics services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19784/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.