Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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1561. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the implementation of the Model of Care for Hereditary Cancer, the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30206/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Hereditary Cancer Steering Group oversees the implementation of the NCCP Hereditary Cancer Model of Care.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) published the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland (the Strategy) in December 2022. In alignment with Sláintecare, the Strategy outlines a vision for a sustainable, patient and family centred genetics and genomics service that is equitable and available to patients throughout their lifespan, across the country.

The National Genetics and Genomics Office (NGGO) was established in 2023 to implement the Strategy. The NGGO identified six priority deliverables for 2024 that were aligned to the Strategy’s themes and the related areas of focus.

Working groups have been developing networked services, including a pathway to a national multi-disciplinary team; agreeing template job descriptions for new roles and seeking funding via the service planning process; working to operationalise mainstreamed genetic testing; developing e-learning to support health care professionals; and developing patient information material.

Work is progressing to implement mainstreamed genetic testing, as per the Hereditary Cancer Model of Care, in a number of cancer centres by Q3 this year. This will make pre-test counselling and genetic testing available through the treating oncology team, for certain patients with a diagnosis of cancer, including breast cancer. This work is being supported through the development of the regional workforce, agreement of national testing criteria, consent form and education programmes.

Posts in the National Service Plan 2025 to support the implementation of the Model of Care include two genetic counsellors, three service support staff (two data manager/ admin staff and one national MDT coordinator), four advance nurse practitioner posts and two consultant medical oncologists with a special interest in genetics.

The NCCP are due to publish an implementation report on The Hereditary Cancer Model of Care by the end of this year.

In April 2025 the NGGO published the National Genetics and Genomics Office Annual Report 2024 which goes into detail of the progress so far and planned future developments: (www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/national-genetics-and-genomics/about-the-national-strategy-for-accelerating-genetic-and-genomic-medicine-in-ireland).