asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funds for the new test which will detect the presence of the AIDS virus even when the antibodies are not present.
Written Answers. - AIDS Test Funding.
186.
The test for the AIDS virus, as opposed to the test for the anti-bodies to the virus, is extremely complex and time consuming to perform, is not fully researched, and is not designed for mass screening.
My Department will continue to monitor developments in screening methods for the AIDS virus and for AIDS anti-bodies. As soon as a suitable mass screening test for the virus becomes available it will be introduced.