Health Services Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023

Tuesday, 11 July 2023

Questions (842)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

842. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund and recruit more permanent genetic counsellor posts to the cancer genetics department in St. James's Hospital, in line with international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34317/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. In 2023, the Government allocated €2.7 million to the implementation of this Strategy. This allocation included the establishment of a National Office of Genetics and Genomics and the appointment of key staff. Staff appointments included a National Director for Genetics and Genomics, a Bioinformatics Lab Director, two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors. The focus on recruiting genetic counsellors was prioritized in 2023, as it was identified as a key area of need by patients in the Strategy development process.

To date, four genetic counsellor posts have been allocated with recruitment processes underway. These allocations have been based on immediate need and, in line with the principles of Sláintecare, spread across the Health Regions. The location of these posts are as follows:

• HR B & RHA C - St. James Hospital / St. Vincent’s University Hospital

• HR A - Beaumont hospital

• HR F – Galway University Hospital

• HR B – Children’s Health Ireland

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. The Interim Director and Interim National Clinical Director will be responsible for progressing this model of care. Once developed, it will inform where additional frontline resources are allocated.