asked the Minister for Health if she will consider making finance available to the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association to enable very necessary research to be carried out urgently into the causes of sudden infant deaths or cot deaths.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Sudden Infant Deaths.
5.
The Irish Infant Death Association have not sought funds from my Department to finance research into the causes of sudden infant death.
The Medico-Social Research Board, whose activities are financed by my Department, have been carrying out research in this area since 1979. An additional £20,000 was made available to the board this year to finance further research into the causes of sudden infant death.
I am sure the Minister will agree that this matter is a cause of great concern to young parents. The grant of £20,000 referred to by him was made available by Deputy Woods when he was Minister. I should like the Minister to state what is his policy with regard to future grants and, above all, the continued funding of the project.
This is a matter that will be kept under review. The research is being carried out on an ongoing basis and I agree it should be supported financially. This is being done.
The Minister has agreed with me that this is an important and urgent matter and is of great concern to thousands of young parents. Is he in a position to give a firm commitment at this stage as to when he is likely to make further finance available? Will he come to the House in the near future with some definite information regarding grants and finance for this project?
It is not possible for me to give any undertaking in that regard for the future. As I stated in my reply, the Medico-Social Research Board have been involved in this matter and they made the application — not the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association, as was stated by the Deputy in his question. I have given a commitment that this matter will be reviewed in the circumstances prevailing at the time. I agree that research should continue and that it should have the support of my Department. I am sorry I cannot give a commitment to the Deputy regarding the amount to be provided in the future. It is not possible for me to do that.
Is the Minister aware that an application was forwarded to his Department in recent weeks? Will he state his reaction to that?
I am not aware of any recent application as referred to by the Deputy. Therefore, I cannot comment on the matter. However, if an application was made I can assure the Deputy it will be considered sympathetically.
Perhaps the Minister will look into the matter?