Vol. 430 No. 2
104 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the great need for a genetic counselling service in Ireland, he will give a commitment for the provision of a proper genetic counselling service in order to meet the need; and if so, when he will make a financial contribution to providing a good service.
I am aware of the need for the establishment of a medical genetics counselling service in this country.
The Deputy will be pleased to learn that I have provided £410,000 in the 1993 revenue allocation to Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin for the development of a national medical genetics counselling service. A medical genetics consultant is being recruited at present to head up the service.
This new service will be backed up by a medical genetics laboratory which will be able to test for all medical genetics conditions. The counselling arising from referrals to the centre will be non-directive in nature.
As soon as the detailed arrangements for the national centre have been finalised, I will be considering how best the service might be organised on a regional basis.
