Question:
120 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the additional measures which can be taken to encourage people to make their organs available for transplant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19176/01]
Written Answers. - Organ Donation.
I am aware of the need to encourage people to make their organs available for donation and to promote a greater understanding in this regard. I am committed to raising public awareness of the positive life-giving aspect of organ donation and deflecting any negative ill informed public perception which may have arisen due to recent organ retention difficulties.
In this regard I was pleased to provide funding of £175,000 in March to support the Irish Donor Network initiative called the Forget-Me-Not week. The initiative seeks to heighten donor awareness through a national television and radio advertising campaign and the issuing of donor cards.
The number of donors in 2000 dropped marginally to 71 from 72 in 1999. There were 30 donors for the six month period from January to June 2001 compared with 33 for the same period in 2000.
I will continue to support positive initiatives aimed at maintaining and increasing organ donation rates here.