Limerick East): The Office for Health Gain was established by the chief executive officers of the health boards to carry out appropriate activities on their behalf. It is the intention in the near future to establish the office on a statutory basis under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1961.
The Irish Medicines Board was established on 1 January 1996. Its main functions are the licensing of the manufacture, preparation, importation, distribution and sale of medicinal products and to advise me and my Department in relation to such products. The board has a staff of 67 and total salary costs in 1996 were £1,691,826. It is self-funding and there is no cost to the Exchequer.
The Food Safety Advisory board was established in June 1995. Its function is to advise me and my Department and any other Government Minister on all matters relating to food safety. The board has a staff of two, one of whom is on secondment from my Department. The other staff member is a short-term contract. The board has a budget of £300,000 for 1997.
Legislation is being prepared which will provide for the establishment on a statutory basis of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The functions of the authority will be to ensure that all regulatory authorities have systems in place to promote the highest standards of food safety and hygiene and to monitor the effectiveness of such systems. It will take over the functions of the Food Safety Advisory Board.