HSE South West

Take Action Now

Ireland does less newborn screening than 75% of European countries1. 5 years of promises and only 1 new test delivered2. The lives of ~200 Irish children could be saved or improved each year3. It’s time to Get Rare Aware and make a change.

The limited services and resources available for newborn screening dramatically impacts the life of every child born in Ireland, and particularly those with a rare disease:

  • A timely diagnosis preserves the health of babies for longer4
  • A delayed diagnosis has a significant financial impact on families4
  • The conditions tested for in newborn screening are actionable5


It is not acceptable for the Irish healthcare system to fail our children in the first days of their lives. Please take this opportunity to contact the Oireachtas members that represent constituents in your area. It’s time to Get Rare Aware and demand action.

HSE South West

Cork, Kerry

Fill in the form below for those in the catchment area for HSE Dublin and South East. Click submit and the email opposite will be sent on your behalf to all TDs and Senators representing patients in your area.

Dear Deputy/Senator,

It is not acceptable for the Irish healthcare system to fail our children in the first days of their lives. At present, Ireland screens newborn babies for less diseases than 75% of European countries, making us a significant negative outlier. Although many promises have been made since the establishment of the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee in 2019, only 1 new test has been delivered in the intervening 5 years. 

Newborn screening directly impacts the lives of every child born in Ireland and a comprehensive program could lead to ~200 babies’ lives being saved or improved each year. The benefits of newborn screening are widely known and include the following:

  • Screening and early diagnosis ensures earlier treatment and better health for life
  •  Delayed diagnosis has a significant financial impact on families
  • The conditions tested for in newborn screening are actionable


Ireland needs a comprehensive newborn screening program that is adequately resourced and ensures that babies born in Ireland are screened for the European average of 18 conditions at a minimum. Please support all of the families in your constituency by calling for a comprehensive newborn screening program that will meet our children’s needs today and tomorrow.

Yours faithfully,

[Your name will be auto-inserted here]

List of TDs and Senators who will receive your mail

Mr David Stanton, Cork East, TD
Mr James O’Connor, Cork East, TD
Mr Pat Buckley , Cork East, TD
Mr Sean Sherlock, Cork East, TD
Mr Colm Burke, Cork North-Central, Minister
Mr Mick Barry, Cork North-Central, TD
Mr Pádraig O’Sullivan, Cork North-Central, TD
Mr Thomas Gould, Cork North-Central, TD
Mr Aindrias Moynihan, Cork North-West, TD
Mr Michael Creed, Cork North-West, TD
Mr Michael Moynihan, Cork North-West, TD
Mr Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Cork South-Central, TD
Mr Michael McGrath, Cork South-Central, Minister
Mr Simon Coveney, Cork South-Central, TD
Mr Jerry Buttimer, Cork South-Central, Senator
Mr Micheál Martin, Cork South-Central Tánaiste
Mr Christopher O’Sullivan, Cork South-West, TD
Ms Holly Cairns, Cork South-West, TD
Mr Michael Collins, Cork South-West, TD
Mr Denis O’Donovan, Cork South-West, Senator
Mr Tim Lombard, Cork South-West, Senator
Mr Brendan Griffin, Kerry, TD
Mr Danny Healy-Rae, Kerry, TD
Mr Michael Healy-Rae, Kerry, TD
Mr Pa Daly, Kerry, TD
Ms Norma Foley, Kerry, Minister
Mr Ned O’Sullivan, Kerry, Senator

Campaign Partners

This initiative is brought to you by Rare Diseases Ireland
and Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd

Rare Diseases Ireland

Carmichael House, North Brunswick Street,
Dublin 7, D07 RHA8, Ireland

Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd

3004 Lake Drive
Citywest Business Campus, Naas Road
www.roche.ie

References

M-IE-00001774, Date of Preparation: March 2024 | Privacy Notice | Cookie Notice | Terms & Conditions