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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Children's genetic and genomic strategy

Summary

Deputy Naughten raises Children’s Health Ireland’s national strategy for accelerating genetic and genomic services. The Minister says he will ensure a reply is issued and clarity is provided on the continued service.

On behalf of the Regional Group, I want to be associated with the best wishes for Deputy Whitmore. We hope to see her back in the House soon. I also thank Martin Murray for his 22 years of service in the House. Many Members may not realise the reason his boxing skills were headhunted in the House was because, in a previous Dáil, we had a colleague, former Deputy Joe Higgins, who handcuffed himself to one of the seats. That is why we needed Martin's particular skills and I wish him well in his retirement.

Children's Health Ireland has produced a national strategy for accelerating genetic and genomic medicine to build a strong national genetic service. That was launched in December 2022. We cannot do that without having basic laboratory facilities. When the children's hospital is relocated from Crumlin, the existing laboratory will remain behind. The Government has decided to redevelop that site and there is now no home for our genetics laboratory in this country. I raised this issue with the Tánaiste on 9 May and asked him where this laboratory would be based. He promised me he would come back to me but a month later I am still waiting for information on where this laboratory will be based.

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I apologise that I do not have that information to hand but we will follow up and make sure a reply is issued to the Deputy and, more importantly, that there is full clarity on the continued provision of what is a vital service. We agree with the Deputy on that so we will respond promptly.

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