asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the large number of asthma sufferers in the country; if he accepts the need for special education programmes and additional research to investigate the incidence of asthma; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Asthma Sufferers.
167.
My Department, through its Health Promotion Unit, has provided funds to the Asthma Society of Ireland for the printing of their Asthma Information Booklet, which is currently available in pharmacies throughout the country. This funding amounted to over £11,000.
In addition, the Minister for Labour has also issued, through the National Industrial Safety Organisation, a publication on occupational asthma, which alerts the public to the occupational hazards encountered in certain working environments.
I am having pursued the question of specific research into asthma with a consultant physician in a major Dublin hospital.
The main priority in services for asthma sufferers is to ensure the continuing availability of adequate treatment facilities. About 40 per cent of asthma sufferers have medical cards and therefore receive all drugs and medicines free of charge. I propose to introduce a new drug cost subsidisation scheme for non-medical card holders, the benefits of which will extend to asthma sufferers.