Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
497. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the €7.5 million allocated in Budget 2024 for "new services", specifically the amount designated for expanding newborn screening; if plans for implementing SMA screening will be included in the HSE Service Plan for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5085/24]
View answerBudget 2024 saw an allocation of €100 million for a variety of new service developments across the Health service, aimed at improving patient access and the affordability and quality of healthcare, as well as delivering key reforms. In addition to this funding, a further €92 million was allocated to the Health Vote in the Revised Estimates for 2024, to fund a number of additional new service developments across a range of service areas.
The HSE has submitted its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024 to myself as Minister, which is currently being reviewed. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of the funding provided for new service developments in 2024 will be available. Engagements in relation to the NSP are ongoing between my Department, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the HSE with a view to approving the Plan at the earliest possible juncture.
Following its approval, the NSP will be published as soon as possible following laying before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
With regards to newborn screening, I am conscious that additional investment is required to enable the continued expansion of the Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NBS) Programme. This factor was specifically noted in the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) recommendations for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). In this regard, I am pleased to confirm that an additional €700,000 of new development funding has been secured in Budget 2024 to support the HSE to advance the work of the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme next year. This is a positive reinforcement of my commitment to Newborn Screening.
