Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 5

Written Answers. - Disease Surveillance Unit.

Monica Barnes

Question:

36 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Health whether he plans to establish a disease surveillance unit for Ireland which was recommended as a priority by the Working Party on Public Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

66 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the action which has been taken to date to establish a department of public health in each health board area as recommended by the Working Party on Public Health.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 66 together.

I have agreed in principle to the establishment of a regional public health function in all health boards to be headed by a Director of Public Health who will be a member of the health board management team and it is intended to open discussions with the relevant staff organisations in relation to this in the near future. In the meantime active consideration is being given to the need to improve the current procedures for monitoring infectious diseases.