Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021
631. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a national link with Northern Ireland for cross-Border paediatric pathology services; if a service level agreement or another such agreement will be established or is being discussed or developed to ensure paediatric pathology services are available on the island in both jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54523/21]
View answer632. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of times he or his officials have met or discussed the matter of cross-Border paediatric pathology services with their counterparts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54524/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 631 and 632 together.
In 2018, my Department and the Department of Health of Northern Ireland agreed to explore the feasibility of establishing an all-island service model and training model for perinatal and paediatric pathology. Preliminary engagement was held in 2019, which indicated a number of issues relevant to establishing the feasibility of an all-island model which will require further consideration and assessment to establish the scope for collaboration.
While the pandemic response has taken precedence over the last 18 months and the need to focus resources on managing the response to COVID-19 remains ongoing, there has been limited capacity to progress this issue since 2019. However, both Departments of Health have committed to recommence collaboration on this matter as soon as it is feasible to do so.
