Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1399. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, the status of recruitment of the recently approved posts of National Director for Genetics and Genomics, Bioinformatics Lab Director, two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16538/23]
View answerIn 2023, the Government allocated €2.7 million to the implementation of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland. 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 National Genetics and Genomics Strategy was identified in the HSE' 2023 Letter of Determination as a key initiative to be delivered. This was reinforced in the HSE's National Service Plan, which identifies the publication and roll out of the Strategy as a key objective this year.
National Office for Genetics and Genomics Posts
To accelerate the establishment of the National Genetics and Genomics Office, interim appointments will be made for the senior positions. The Interim Director for the National Genetic and Genomic Office has now been appointed. The recruitment process for the Interim National Laboratory Director, Interim National Clinical Director, and Interim National Bio-Informatics Director for the National Genetic and Genomic Office have commenced, all three of these posts have been advertised and interviews are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks. Recruitment for management and administrative posts for the National Genetics and Genomics Office also funded will be advertised in the coming weeks.
Front-line Resources
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. Recruitment for some front-line posts allocated for 2023 will begin in tandem with the development of the model of care. Once the model of care is developed, it will inform where additional front-line resources are allocated.
