Vol. 515 No. 5
65 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which his Department is increasing awareness of the need for people to carry kidney donor cards; the comparative costs of maintaining a person on dialysis compared to the costs associated with a transplant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6489/00]
The Irish Kidney Association, with the support of National Lottery funding allocated by my Department, conducts an ongoing national organ donor campaign and produces a multi-organ donor card. This has contributed to Ireland's position of having one of the highest rates of organ donation in Europe. The association's public awareness programme is recognised throughout Europe as being very effective and has been used as a model for donor campaigns in other countries. Notwithstanding our strong record in this area I am concerned by a reported decline in organ donation and transplant rates in this country last year. I have been informed by the Irish Kidney Association that, in collaboration with other donor support groups, they are in the process of launching a new campaign aimed at heightening public awareness of the importance of organ donation. I would stress the continued need to highlight the importance of organ donation and the resulting benefits for patients who are fortunate to receive a transplant.
I have been informed by Beaumont Hospital that the approximate cost of maintaining a patient on haemodialysis is £30,000 per annum and maintaining a patient on peritoneal dialysis is £25,000 per annum. This compares with a cost of £20,000 for a kidney transplant with a continuing cost of £5,000 each year after transplantation.
