Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
199. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1475 of 18 April 2023, if he will clarify whether he has plans to recruit more personnel beyond the 'two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors' in response to population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26730/23]
View answerThe Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics and genomics services in Ireland. In 2023, the Government allocated €2.7 million to the implementation of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland. This allocation included the establishment of a National Office of Genetics and Genomics and the appointment of key staff. Staff appointments included two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors.
The HSE has been actively progressing the implementation of this Strategy, with recruitment for the allocated posts in currently underway. As part of the implementation plan, one of the key outputs for 2023 is the development of a model of care for genetics and genomics. This model of care will be developed in alignment with the Regional Health Areas and will serve as a needs assessment for frontline staff to support a national genetics and genomics service.
The Interim National Director and Interim National Clinical Director are responsible for progressing this model of care. Once the model of care is developed, it be brought to the Implementation Steering Group for review and finalisation. It will then be used to inform where additional frontline resources are allocated in 2023 and 2024.
