Vol. 468 No. 4
249 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided to the Royal College of Surgeons for research into hepatitis C; the reason for the delay in the publication of the results of the research; his views on the delay; and the steps, if any, he intends to take to expedite the publication of the research. [15993/96]
254 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health the assurance, if any, he can give to the victims of hepatitis C that the research work, carried out by former professionals at the Royal College of Surgeons, is now available to this group of women; the date of which it has been made available; if not, available to date, the date on which it will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16028/96]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 254 together.
No public funding has been provided to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland for research into hepatitis C. The specific research to which I presume the Deputy is referring will, inter alia, contribute to a wider research project which is being supported by my Department and involves all six centres at which patients with hepatitis C are treated. The purpose of this project is to create an integrated clinical database. Work on the project is proceeding on schedule and no delays have occurred as a result of the matter to which the Deputy appears to be referring.
When this research is complete it is anticipated that its findings will be submitted for publication in line with usual scientific/medical research procedures.
