asked the Minister for Health if he proposes to make any additional funds available for medical research; if he will reconsider the 43 per cent cut in medical research grants in 1989; and the procedures he has in mind to monitor the effects of the recent clinical trials legislation on medical research.
Written Answers. - Medical Research.
65.
The Health Research Board are the statutory agency to which Exchequer funding is allocated for health research, including medical research. The level of such funding for this year is set out in the Book of Estimates and I do not propose to allocate additional funding to the board for medical research.
The question of the disbursement of the Exchequer funding in the form of medical research grants is, of course, a matter for the board having regard to its priorities for research generally.
Alternative arrangements in relation to the continued involvement of the board in information systems are under discussion at present.
In addition, I propose to establish a small group representative of the various sectors to review the operation of the Control of Clinical Trials Act, 1987, which will report to me as soon as possible.