Blood Donations

Tuesday, 24 November 2015

Ceisteanna (402)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

402. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to lift the permanent deferral policy currently enforced by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in which persons who have resided for 12 months or more in total and cumulatively in Britain and or the six counties between 1980 and 1996 are excluded from making a blood donation; the data source used to justify and base this exclusion which has been cited as necessary in order to reduce the risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, CJD, transmission; the potential increase in donations if the ban was lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41535/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The remit of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system. Blood, and the products derived from it, are an integral facet of healthcare delivery. A major objective of the IBTS is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both donors and recipients of blood and blood products.

The IBTS has implemented a permanent deferral policy in regard to blood donation for people who resided for 12 months or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996. This policy was introduced in 2004 following the first confirmed case of vCJD transmission via blood transfusion in the UK. It is implemented as a precaution against the risk of transmission of vCJD through blood transfusion. There is no test for vCJD and confirmation that someone had the disease is only possible post mortem.

The IBTS reviews its existing deferral policies drawing on available scientific evidence, risk assessments, a regular review of infectious disease incidence and the practice and experience of other transfusion services. The IBTS will continue to ensure that its deferral policies remain current and appropriate for the maintenance of a safe blood supply.