Vol. 474 No. 3
99 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health his views on the need to monitor and research infectious diseases; if he supports the view that each health board should set up a special infectious diseases task force in order to address this serious issue; if he will make the necessary additional finance available to each health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2871/97]
, Limerick East): Health boards are statutorily responsible for the control of infectious diseases and each health board has a department of public health which is staffed by specialists in public health. The functions of these public health departments include surveillance of and planning of programmes and setting of targets for the prevention and control of communicable diseases.
However, I recognise that there is a need for a national communicable disease surveillance unit to provide a comprehensive broad based approach to the prevention of disease. The objectives of the unit would include the co-ordination of a central network of surveillance of communicable diseases, collaborate with international surveillance agencies etc. The Department of Health is currently considering the organisational and structural issues involved in conjunction with the relevant agencies and professional interests.
