asked the Minister for Health the changes he proposes to make in the administration of the Medico-Social Research Board and the Medical Research Council; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical and Medico-Social Research.
15.
State supported research of a medical or a medico-social nature is at present carried out by two separate bodies, namely, the Medical Research Council of Ireland and the Medico-Social Research Board. With a view to a more efficient management of research resources I have proposed that all research conducted by these two bodies be brought under the management of a single statutory authority. To reach agreement on the detail of new arrangements it will be necessary for discussions to take place between representatives of my Department and the two organisations and these are at present in train.
The Minister will accept that over 60 years the Medico-Social Research Board have done excellent work and carried out very important surveys in relation to topical social problems such as alcoholism, abortion and unemployment. Will he accept that if he takes this body into his Department there will be a loss of confidence with very important professionals, particularly in relation to confidentiality and their relationship with bodies outside the country, for example, in the United Kingdom where they obtained much valuable information, particularly during the survey on abortion? Does he also accept that if this body are taken into the Department they will not be able to view problems objectively, that the Minister of the day might have his own view that a particular survey should not be carried out? Would he reconsider this decision and ensure that the Medico-Social Research Board will have an independence and leave them as a semi-State body?
I am concerned that there should be one unified body dealing with medical and medico-social research. It is in the general interest of the development of research. I would hold the view that provided the amalgamation is carried out in a sensitive way, particularly protecting the independence of the bodies concerned and their staff, a new corporate body with a budget of about £2.5 million would perform that work in a more effective way. I can assure the Deputy that the conditions of employment of the staff concerned and the general independence of the outstanding work done by both bodies will be protected fully in any corporate structure established. This is the better way of unifying and organising research in the medical and epidemiology area.
Would the Minister not accept that it would be better if these two bodies were not directly under the aegis of his Department? In the event of an amalgamation, how will the Minister ensure that each body will have sufficient funding and that the MSRC, who would seem to be the most vulnerable, will not be absorbed by the MRC?
The budgets of both these bodies come within the general allocation system of the Department of Health. Both have corporate body status and I can assure the Deputy that any misgivings in this area will be fully met. Any new corporate body will be set up with the greatest of care. This is an area in which we are spending little money on research and a great deal on services and it is very much in the best interests that we should try to improve the position.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.