Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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871. To ask the Minister for Health the reason funding was removed from the existing health research board funded national clinical trials office (details supplied) before an alternative was put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51471/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The National Clinical Trials Office (NCTO) was established as a collaboration between seven university-based clinical research facilities with funding committed by the Department of Health via the HRB. The funding was for a fixed three-year period, which expired earlier this year. This coincided with the work of the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group which was established by my predecessor Minister Donnelly, with the aim of expanding the clinical trials sector in Ireland.

The NCTOG completed its activity at the end of June, and its Final Recommendations were approved by Government at the end of July. The NCTOG's Final Report, which will be published shortly, will give greater detail into the appropriate steps towards implementing those recommendations including the establishment of a Clinical Trials Advisory Council which will be tasked with overall implementation of the NCTOG's Final Recommendations including the establishment of a new clinical trials body.

The new governance structures outlined will provide a focal point for all organisations and stakeholders wishing to conduct clinical trials in Ireland, as well as patients seeking information and links to participate in clinical trials. The new structures will also strengthen our national framework and mechanisms to engage in the clinical trials space at national and EU level whilst expanding the Irish clinical trials sector, and increasing patient access to innovative and life-saving medicines and medical devices, and growing our country's prominence as a host for high-quality clinical trials. These activities are in line with the Programme for Government 2025 commitments, and are aligned with our new National Rare Disease Strategy, the EU Life Sciences Strategy, and our forthcoming National Life Sciences Strategy.