John Gormley
Question:278 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to criticisms made of his Department's AIDS strategy by Cáirde; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18436/00]
Written Answers. - National AIDS Strategy.
I received a copy of Cáirde's report "HIV/AIDS – A Fresh Approach" which was launched earlier this month and I am aware of the comments made by Cáirde regarding the national AIDS strategy. Cáirde is represented on the national AIDS strategy committee and its care and management sub-committee. Membership of NASC also includes representatives from the Departments of Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform, health boards and voluntary organisations. Cáirde has requested that the Departments of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Tourism, Sport and Recreation should also be involved in formulating strategy.
The committee comprises 28 members at present and efforts are being made to streamline the work of the committee and its sub-committees to ensure that members' valuable time is not spent dealing with issues which do not relate to their area of expertise. I understand that the issue of membership of the committee is being discussed at present and the proposal to broaden it to include the Departments suggested by Cáirde will be considered in this context.
It is important to point out that my Department's representative on NASC, who is chairman of the national drugs strategy team, has close links with the Departments of Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. A number of common issues emerge in that forum in the context of social exclusion, poverty and family supports. In addition, my Department is represented on the interdepartmental group which reports to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion and through this group there are ongoing links with all other relevant Departments.