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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 2

Written Answers. - Health Research.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

60 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the recent consultation document produced by the Health Research Board which suggested that there was no overall strategy for health research here and that funding for this purpose was inadequate; the steps, if any, he will take to deal with these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5501/00]

The recent consultation document – Making Knowledge Work for Health – Towards a Strategy for Research and Innovation for Health – to which the Deputy is referring was prepared by the Health Research Board at the invitation of my Department and it has been widely circulated to interested parties. The purpose of this consultative process is to develop research as a means to achieve the major goals of the health services and to maximise the potential of the health research community. When this is completed, my Department will work closely with the Health Research Board to address the issues identified.

Though the level of funding available for health research in this country compares unfavourably with countries at a similar stage of development and with similar health services, the funding available for health research has steadily increased in recent years. The report of the science, technology and innovation advisory council – STIAC report – recommended that the HRB's funding be increased to £5 million. The board's revenue allocation for 2000 is £6.803 million. In addition I am also allocating £700,000 capital funding for research equipment. Both of these figures represent increases of approxi mately 32% and 40% respectively over last year's figures.
In addition, biotechnology is one of the two areas on which funding from the technology foresight fund, now established by Government, will be concentrated and I am confident that health research will benefit significantly from this funding.
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