I am aware of the recent comments made by the Master of the Coombe Hospital in relation to the level of funding allocated to women's health in this country. Substantial funds have been allocated to the major maternity hospitals in recent years. Last year a budget of £1.2 million was approved for the development of a new three storey block, including operating theatres and a delivery suite at the Rotunda Hospital. This year I have approved the provision of a capital grant for the upgrading of the out-patients' department of the Coombe Hospital. The hospital is currently seeking new tenders for this work.
Apart from these substantial capital investments, additional funds were made available last year for the opening of a new mammography facility at Castlebar General Hospital. This year additional funds have also been made available for the purchase of replacement mammography equipment in University College Hospital, Galway, and for the running of a new mammography unit in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. A capital grant of £60,000 was also made available to Holles Street Hospital towards the purchase of ultrasound equipment in respect of a cordocentesis service this year.
A pilot programme of breast cancer screening is at present underway. This programme is part of a network of pilot schemes on breast cancer screening currently underway within the European Community, and is partly funded by my Department. The outcome of this study will obviously play a major role in relation to any decision to establish a national programme.
In recent times, my Department have also made grants available to the following voluntary organisations concerned with the advancement of women's health: the Federation of Services for Unmarried Parents and their children for an information booklet; the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for the development of a leaflet on women and smoking; national association for the Ovulation Method in Ireland (NAOMI) for the development of a leaflet on family planning; Tipperary Childbirth Research Trust for the production and development of a booklet on miscarriage; the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association for the production of a very informative booklet; the Mater breast cancer screening pilot project for publicity materials; Council for the Status of Women for the production of a report of a seminar on women's health and a seminar on women and smoking; the Miscarriage Association and the Endometriosis Society for production of leaflets; the Rotunda Hospital for the production of audiotapes for menopausal women; La Leche League, to cover the cost of attendance of delegates at the INO conference on breast-feeding and Association for Improvements in Maternity Services (AIMS) to assist with compilation and production of a Guide to Maternity Services in Ireland.
Also, the following publications relating to women's health are available on request from the health promotion unit of my Department: Book of the Child; Menopause; Gynae Book; Hysterectomy; Cystitis; Women and Alcohol; Diethylstilboestrol — Ask your Mother and Smoking and Pregnancy.
In the present AIDS awareness convenience advertising campaign specific messages are targeted at women through women's clinics by the placement of AIDS awareness messages in these venues.