Richard Bruton
Question:9 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the termination of the position of national AIDS co-ordinator; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National AIDS Co-Ordinator.
The position referred to by the Deputy was held by Dr. James Walsh, a former Deputy Chief Medical Officer of my Department. Dr. Walsh was retained beyond the normal retirement age for this purpose.
With the recruitment of additional medical officers to my Department, it has been possible to assign responsibility for AIDS co-ordination to a permanent member of the medical staff. While Dr. Walsh has now retired from the Department, his valuable experience and expertise will continue to be available to us on a part-time consultancy basis. I felt this was necessary. I did not think we should lose such a member of staff and I suggested this to him.
As the Deputy is aware, the National AIDS Strategy Committee have recently been established to develop further the Government's AIDS strategy. I am chairman of this committee who have as their membership representatives from Government Departments, relevant State agencies, the voluntary sector and individual experts. The committee are, therefore, in a position to develop the AIDS strategy and have it implemented, in a co-ordinated and integrated manner.
Towards facilitating the implementation of the recommendations of the strategy committee, I recently allocated over £3 million to the health services and voluntary sector and will continue to treat the problem of AIDS/HIV as a priority issue for the health services.
Were the strategy committee consulted on the Minister's decision to abolish the position of national AIDS co-ordinator — not the original incumbent? Is the Minister not flying in the face of all advice on how to approach the problem of AIDS such as the AIDS at consultants' level report by Comhairle na nOspidéal which indicated the need for centralised earmarked funding and co-ordination as was provided by the national AIDS co-ordinator?
The national AIDS co-ordinator committee did not mention anything about this.
Were they consulted before the Minister decided to abolish the position?
Dr. Walsh went beyond retirement age quite a number of years ago.
I am referring to the position, not the person.
Please, let us hear the Minister's reply.
I recognise the problem of AIDS and the need for us to direct our attention to it. I saw figures today, not in relation to this, but I am concerned at the increase. There were 276 AIDS cases up to 21 June——
The Minister should answer the question.
——and 114 deaths.
That is not a reply to the question the Minister was asked.
I recognise the importance of it and it is a serious problem, but we are tackling it with the measures I announced and the extra funding granted by the Government. Dr. Walsh was the medical officer charged with highlighting the problem. It does not mean it will not receive the same attention and priority. It has no bearing on the person. There is another new medical officer in the Department who is as enthusiastic as Dr. Walsh. When Dr. Walsh was appointed there was no AIDS strategy committee in operation. Since then enormous work has been done in highlighting the problem and that will continue. The positive measures I announced following the report of the strategy committee will, in my view, contribute significantly to a reduction in the number of AIDS and HIV cases.
The time for Priority Questions is fast running out. If Question No. 10 is not responded to now it cannot be dealt with.