asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the need for continuing research in medical science, he will consider increasing the present grant for such research.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Research Grant.
The grant at present payable for medical research is guaranteed to the end of 1955. It was fixed after consultation and in agreement with the Medical Research Council and in the circumstances I do not propose to increase it.
I think the Minister will appreciate that most of this sum allocated is being utilised at present in T.B. research. The Minister will, perhaps, further appreciate that a good deal of medical research is going on in the sphere of antibiotics by reason of recent discoveries. Would the Minister not, therefore—in view of these recent discoveries—consider increasing this grant? The Biological Society in Dublin state that they have not sufficient funds to carry on with.
Can the Minister indicate the amount of the grant at the moment?
The amount is £21,000. It has been considerably increased in recent years. I discussed this matter with the Medical Research Council and we agreed upon a certain amount. I think it would be entirely unreasonable to go back to them and say that some Deputies think they are not doing enough, that they should do more and that they should take more money.
When did the Ministerdiscuss the matter with the Medical Research Council? Was it recently?
No, two years ago—but the grant was fixed for four years ahead.
Surely the Minister will agree that circumstances have somewhat altered in that period.
If the Medical Research Council thought so, I am quite sure they would come back to me about the matter.