Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1827. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure the full financial resourcing and implementation of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 recommendations around genetic services, reducing genetic testing wait times and best optimise the health benefit advancements in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38786/23]
View answer1828. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support ring-fenced funding to implement a hub and spoke model with genetics expertise within the dispersed oncology system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38787/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1827 and 1828 together.
In line with Recommendation 6 of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 and to support the implementation of Recommendation 19 of the Strategy, a Model of Care for Hereditary Cancer was launched in June of this year. This will inform the development of services for the identification and management of people with an inherited cancer predisposition.
The Government’s commitment to implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is evidenced by significant investment in recent years. New development funding of €20 million was allocated in 2021 and a further €20 million was provided for 2022. This funding has facilitated work in the area of hereditary cancer genetics, including:
• Recruitment of staff to cancer genetics services.
• Development of GP referral guidelines for breast family history.
• Completion of a needs assessment for those with a BRCA gene alteration.
• Development of online training for health care professionals delivering mainstreamed BRCA testing, i.e. genetic testing embedded in oncology services.
• Recommendations on universal tumour testing in certain types of cancer for possible Lynch Syndrome, an inherited condition which causes people to have a higher risk of developing certain colorectal cancers.
In 2023, the Government allocated €2.7 million to the implementation of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland. This allocation included the establishment of a National Office of Genetics and Genomics and the appointment of frontline staff.
In April 2023, a Steering Group for the implementation of the Strategy was operationalised. Chaired by the Chief Clinical Officer, Colm Henry, this multi-stakeholder group is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of the Strategy’s implementation.
Representatives of this group include members of the National Office and Bioinformatics team, Department of Health representatives, clinicians, researchers, state agency representatives and patients. This work has been divided into the following four workstreams:
1. The Genetics and Genomics Operating Model
2. Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
3. Testing and Guidance Directory
4. Data and Bioinformatics
These workstreams will deliver key outputs associated with each area in the Strategy and report back to the Implementation Steering Group on progress.
Funding for current expenditure, including genetics services, is allocated on an annual (single-year) basis through the Estimates process with future levels of funding considered as part of the national estimates and budgetary process. Decisions on the funding of cancer genetics services are being made in the context of the Estimates process for 2024.
