Minister for Health issues reminder to participate in the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) call for submissions

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD is today reminding people that the National Screening Advisory Committee’s 2025 Call for Submissions is due to close on Friday 12 September 2025.

NSAC is the independent committee which makes recommendations to the Minister for Health on the introduction of new screening programmes or changes to existing programmes.

The Call for Submissions is an annual process that invites members of the public and health professionals to make submissions on Ireland’s screening programmes. These submissions are important in informing the work programme of the Committee and in shaping screening policy.

Minister Carroll MacNeill said:

“Population health screening programmes are vital for early disease detection and better treatment outcomes, often reducing mortality. The Government is committed to expanding these programmes, and submissions provide essential evidence for NSAC recommendations. I encourage everyone to participate.”

The NSAC Chair, Dr Suzanne Crowe said:

“With the closing date for the 2025 Call for Submissions fast approaching, I would like to again encourage anyone with a proposal for a new screening programme or a suggested change to an existing screening programme to consider making your submission before Call closes on Friday 12 September 2025.

“I would like to thank everyone who has made a submission to date. These are a vital part of ensuring Ireland’s national screening programmes remain evidence-based and responsive to the needs of the population. The Committee looks forward to considering all submissions received in detail at meetings later this year.”

Mr Jonathan O’Grady, Public Voice representative on the Committee, said:

“The annual Call for Submissions is a key opportunity for individuals, advocacy groups and clinicians to bring forward conditions that may benefit from national screening. I want to encourage everyone to take part, especially those who feel underrepresented or who have lived experience to share. The stronger the submissions, the stronger our national screening programmes will ultimately become.”

Ms Lora Ruth Wogu, Public Voice representative on the Committee, said:

"Screening is one of the most powerful tools we have to change lives. By making a submission, we have an opportunity as advocacy groups and patient communities to ensure that the voices of families are heard and that conditions are put forward to NSAC for consideration."

The 2025 Call for Submissions will remain open until 5pm on Friday 12 September 2025. Full details on how to make a submission are available on the NSAC website.

Any queries with regards to the Call for Submissions process can be emailed to NSAC_Secretariat@health.gov.ie.

ENDS //

NOTES TO EDITOR

NSAC, established late 2019, is the independent advisory committee which advises the Minister and Department of Health on all new proposals for population-based screening programmes and changes to existing programmes.

It meets three to four times per year. Members are appointed by the Minister for Health on a voluntary basis, with representation across a diverse range of areas of expertise.

The six current population-based screening programmes are as follows:

• Newborn Bloodspot Screening
• Newborn Hearing Screening
• BreastCheck
• CervicalCheck
• BowelScreen
• Diabetic RetinaScreen

For further details on the submission process and how applications are considered by the Committee, please visit the NSAC website or contact the Secretariat directly at NSAC_Secretariat@health.gov.ie.