Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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593. To ask the Minister for Health her views on whether there is a need for a cross-departmental approach in respect of rare disease policy in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49732/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in December 2023, the Minister for Health established the National Rare Disease Steering Group which was tasked with developing a new National Rare Disease Strategy for Ireland. The National Rare Disease Strategy was launched on August 27th, 2025.

The Strategy outlines 11 recommendations that seek to take a life course approach to meet the needs of the estimated 300,000 people living with a rare disease in Ireland. To ensure these recommendations can be implemented, there are a number of areas that will require a cross-departmental approach.

Work is currently underway to finalise the membership of the Implementation Oversight Group and thematic working groups, as necessary, to drive the implementation of the Strategy. My Department is engaging with officials within the relevant Departments to appoint appropriately senior representatives within these working groups.