Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014
356. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the roll-out of improved organ transplant networks which was provided for as part of budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36642/14]
View answerAn extra allocation of €2.9 million was made in 2014 to facilitate an increase in the levels of organ donation and transplantation through the appointment of 19 whole-time-equivalent personnel. The appointees will include consultants, organ donation nurse managers, organ procurement officers and quality officers. They will work to foster a strong culture of organ donation, optimise conversion rates and ultimately increase the number of life saving transplantations that are carried out each year.
At this point the quality managers have been recruited and progress is being made towards the appointment of the other staff. It is hoped to fill all posts by early 2015 and to achieve a significant increase in transplantation numbers that year.
