Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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834. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on information sought during the summer from the Department of Health in the North in relation to cross-Border work ongoing in scoping the paediatric pathology services in both jurisdictions with a view to creating one cross-Border service; the timeframes relating to the overall project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54863/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to fostering collaboration with Northern Ireland on healthcare, research, training and education to achieve improved health outcomes for everyone on the island of Ireland.

I discussed the potential for the development of perinatal and paediatric pathology services for the island with Minister Nesbitt earlier this year. There are acknowledged challenges with these services, particularly with recruitment due to the global shortage of specialists.

In light of these challenges, an agreement has been reached to progress a collaborative all-island approach to the design of services capable of serving both jurisdictions.

Officials from both Departments and relevant clinical leads from both jurisdictions met in May and July to progress this work collaboratively to ensure that the design of this service can benefit people across the island.

I remain committed to continuing collaboration on the design and development of this services.