Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:118 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a national genetic counselling service.
Written Answers. - Genetic Counselling Service.
Liz O'Donnell
Ceist:135 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to establish the promised genetic counselling service.
Liz McManus
Ceist:137 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if he will provide facilities for genetic counselling for people who need this counselling.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 135 and 137 together.
The position is that in January 1992 the then Minister for Health announced that £250,000 was being made available for the establishment of a new major medical genetics centre in this country. The new centre which is in the process of being established at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin will provide a range of services and the medical genetics counselling provided will be non-directive in nature. I am pleased to report that a Consultant Medical Geneticist is currently being recruited to direct this service, and will have responsibility for the day to day running of the Unit. Additional laboratory and support staff will also be recruited later this year.
In relation to the further development of the medical genetics service, two additional medical genetic counselling centres outside of the Dublin area will be developed as resources permit.