Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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588. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the timelines for the publication of the forthcoming Life Sciences Strategy; if it is intended that the strategy will be published in advance of Ireland's EU Presidency in 2026; and given the strong connection between innovation and funding, whether the strategy will examine how innovation is valued through new pricing and reimbursement structures. [58127/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The life sciences sector is one of the strongest drivers of our economy, fuelling both growth and exports. It combines a thriving indigenous enterprise base with some of the world's largest multinational companies, underpinned by a continually advancing world-class research ecosystem. Today, the sector employs over 100,000 people across the country.

As set out in the Programme for Government my Department is committed to publishing a National Life Sciences Strategy. This Strategy will be suitably coherent, ambitious and responsive to emerging opportunities at a national, EU and global level.

My Department has recently launched a public consultation to ensure that key stakeholders have the opportunity to input into the development of the Strategy. The consultation sets out a number of themes relating to scope, objectives, areas for opportunities and alignment with the European Life Sciences Strategy that was published in July. I would encourage all interested stakeholders to submit observations.

The development of the Strategy will require strong cross-departmental engagement and close collaboration is vital to its success. As the Strategy is being drafted, we will work closely with the Department of Health on matters related to pricing and reimbursement for which it has responsibility.

The effective timeline for the delivery of this Strategy is dependent on a number of factors such as scope which will be informed by our public consultation.