Press Release: Wednesday 21 February 2024
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has today announced increased funding of €1.6 million in 2024 for organ donation and transplant services. The funding is being provided as the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill will complete its passage in both Houses of the Oireachtas later today. The Bill will then be sent to Uachtarán na hÉireann for signing.
The Minister expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the development and passage of the Bill, including healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, legal experts, and members of the Houses.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly said:
“It has been great to see such cross-party support for the Human Tissue Bill as it progressed through the Houses. The passage of this Bill is a meaningful moment for healthcare in Ireland. This Bill enshrines respect – respect for the generosity of donors and their families, and respect for the dignity of the deceased.”
The Bill represents a significant step forward in the regulation of human tissue use in Ireland. It provides a robust, transparent, and ethical legal framework for the donation of organs for transplantation, the carrying out of post-mortem examinations, the use of bodies and body parts for anatomical examination and education, and the public display of bodies and body parts.
To support and maximise the outputs from progressing this Programme for Government commitment, the Minister for Health is today confirming the additional €1.6 million of new development funding for services.
This funding will support the implementation of the early phases of the 2024-2026 Organ Donation Transplant Ireland’s (ODTI) Strategic Plan, with the goal of increasing organ availability for transplantation, reducing the existing transplant waiting list of 601 people, funding the expansion of the National Potential Donor Audit (PDA), and promoting organ donation through the implementation of the Human Tissue Bill and a public awareness campaign.
Minister Donnelly concluded:
“Now we turn our attention to the important business of commencing the legislation and increasing opportunities for people waiting for an organ donation. The Human Tissue Bill along with the additional €1.6 million funding underlines my commitment to supporting organ donation and transplant services in Ireland. I look forward to the positive impact this will have on the lives of patients waiting for transplants.”