Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 April 2017
624. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his estimate of the increase in organ transplants that can be expected; if there are enough doctors to keep up with this increase in transplant surgeries; his views on whether funds should be devoted to acquire additional doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18222/17]
View answerMy Department is working closely with HSE's Organ Donation Transplantation Ireland (ODTI) to support initiatives aimed at increasing the levels of organ donation and transplantation. This has included the allocation of increased funding in recent years. Additional staff have been recruited to foster a culture of organ donation, to optimise conversion rates and to ultimately increase the number of transplants that are carried out. My Department considers that organ donation and transplant services are sufficiently resourced at present.
The number of deceased organ donations will always fluctuate depending on the donor opportunities that arise. The emphasis is on endeavouring to ensure that we avail of all opportunities that arise for organ donation.
