Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 1

Written Answers. - AIDS Groups' Finding.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

128 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that (a) the Dublin Aids Alliance is the only voluntary organisation providing support and information concerning HIV and AIDS and that the service they provide is becoming ever more crucial considering tripling in the amount of heterosexual AIDS cases from July 1990 to July 1991 (b) the urgent need for funding has not been dealt with by the Government and (c) the Dublin AIDS Alliance has not received any funding from any Government bodies; when the necessary funding will be allocated and the very serious problem of AIDS be properly addressed; and if he will make a statement of his intentions in this matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The Dublin AIDS alliance is only one of a number of organisations providing information, counselling and support sevices in the Dublin area. My Department are in regular contact with the organisation and have had a number of discussions recently with the alliance in relation to their activities and role. An application for funding has been made by the alliance and a decision on this will be made in the near future. To date the alliance have received funds from the AIDS fund which in 1990 and 1991 amounted to £30,000.

As regards the general issue of Government AIDS strategy, I am satisfied that our strategy to date is in line with all of the requirements to deal with the evolving epidemiology of the disease and I can assure the Deputy that it will be developed to ensure that the matter is addressed, comprehensively and effectively.

As part of the Governments strategy the Eastern Health Board have appointed an AIDS co-ordinator to oversee the provision of all services involved in the area and I understand that he has been in touch with the alliance in relation to the EHB's AIDS programmes. I am sending the Deputy a copy of the AIDS strategy for his information.