asked the Minister for Health if his Department approves of the survey of Dublin gay and bisexual men being carried out by the Gay Health Action Group; and if his Department provided funding for the survey.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gay Health Action Group Survey.
6.
The question of my approval of the survey does not arise. In general terms I should say that I will give careful consideration to the results of any survey which would add to the information available nationally and internationally on the HIV infection. The survey is not being funded by the Department of Health.
Is the Minister aware that a report of the survey was contained in the Irish Medical Times? Will the result of that survey be made available to the Minister's Department?
We have an interim report. I understand that the final report will not be available until the end of June.
From whom?
From the Gay Health Action Group. The report will be studied in conjunction with all the other reports prepared and research being carried out at present.
Would the Minister say whether his Department were approached for funding for this survey? Was the decision not to give funding for the survey based on any legal considerations within his Department?
No, the organisation was met by officials of my Department in November 1987 when no commitment to funding was given. The question of our approach to HIV viruses generally is based on the information available to us both nationally and internationally from our own research. In the current year it has been decided that the two areas of priority will be drug abusers and to ensure information is available to school leavers in this year.