Vol. 534 No. 1
85 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he will take to promote greater understanding of the need for people to be organ donors having regard to the reported fall in the number of such donations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9992/01]
153 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the fact that organ demand is on the increase whilst supply of organs is on the decrease. [10165/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 153 together.
I am aware of the need to promote a greater understanding of the need for people to be organ donors. My Department is committed to raising public awareness of the positive life giving aspect of organ donation and deflecting any negative ill informed public perception which may arise resulting from recent organ retention controversies.
Figures circulated by the Irish Kidney Association indicate that the refusal rate for families who were asked to consent to transplant rose from 14% in 1999 to 35% in 2000 and the number of donors in 2000 dropped to 71 from 72 in 1999.
The Deputy may be aware that on 28 March 2001 I launched national donor forget-me-not week for the Irish Kidney Association – IKA. The association has produced an information fact file to accompany organ donor cards which clearly outlines the facts of donating and transplanting life. A national television and radio advertising campaign featuring well known Irish celebrity, Andrea Corr, is also under way.
My Department provides funding support to the Irish Kidney Association and has given a national lottery grant of £175,000 this year to help further promote the existing multi-organ donor campaign.
