Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 1

Written Answers. - HIV Virus.

Tony Gregory

Question:

115 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, (i) the approximate number of persons infected with the HIV virus in the Dublin area, (ii) the approximate number in the north inner city area of Dublin, (iii) the State-funded facilities available in the north inner city to HIV sufferers and (iv) the medical services available to HIV sufferers in the north inner city area of Dublin.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

At present, data in respect of HIV in Ireland is based on the number of tests which have been confirmed as positive by the virus reference laboratory, UCD. This monitoring shows that almost 1,200 samples have tested positive for the virus. I accept that this figure does not represent the full picture regarding the level of HIV infection present in the population but is useful as an indicator of trends in the progression of the infection, in particular amongst specific groups of the population and as a basis for the planning of programmes and services in this area. The data is based on voluntary testing and is anonymous and does not, therefore, indicate the area in which the individuals reside. I am concerned, however that more precise data is available in relation to the infection and towards providing this, the sub-committee of the National IDS Strategy Committee will be making recommendations to me on, inter alia, a mechanism to monitor HIV on a regional, as well as on a national basis. I would accept, however, that the majority of infected persons reside in the Dublin area.

The Deputy will be aware that I announced recently that an additional £2 million approximately will be spent during the current year on services for AIDS/HIV and illicit drug use in the Dublin area. This will supplement the State funding already provided to services in the city area of Dublin provided by the Eastern Health Board and the voluntary sector. As regards the medical services currently available to HIV sufferers in the north inner city, these are largely provided by the Drug Treatment Centre at Trinity Court, Beaumont Hospital, the AIDS Resource Centre in Baggot Street and at St. James's Hospital. I am aware that persons from the area who require these services have to travel outside the area to avail of them and I have taken steps to ensure that appropriate medical services are available within the area. These steps include the putting in place of a consultant-led Infectious Disease Service for AIDS/HIV at the Mater and Beaumont Hospitals. The process for filling the consultant post has commenced and I expect the service to be operational in the near future.