Frances Fitzgerald
Question:451 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health the date on which the National Aids Strategy Committee last met.
Written Answers. - Policy on HIV/AIDS.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:452 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he will set up an independent body to monitor and evaluate progress in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:453 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he intends to appoint a national aids co-ordinator.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 451, 452 and 453 together.
The National Aids Strategy Committee was established in late 1991 to provide a broadly-based structure within which the national aids strategy would be developed and implemented on an inter-sectoral basis. The committee, of which I am chairperson, consists of individual experts in the area of AIDS/HIV: representatives of the voluntary sector working in AIDS/HIV and drug misuse, respectively; of the statutory sector working in AIDS/HIV and officials from the health boards and the Departments of Health, Education and Justice. The committee has worked through four subcommittees dealing with prevention, care and management, HIV surveillance and anti-discrimination. These committees are comprised of representatives from a wide range of voluntary and statutory bodies. A significant number of meetings under the aegis of these committees were held in 1992. The last plenary meeting of the main committee was held in April 1992. I have convened a further plenary meeting for next month. In the light of the reports which I will receive at that meeting I will consider the way forward.