Vol. 542 No. 2
356 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the recent decision made by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service to review its decision to ban donors who have lived in the United Kingdom due to the risk of transmission of variant CJD, following a dramatic drop in blood stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24311/01]
Since 31 March, 2001, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, has not accepted donations from persons who resided in the UK for a cumulative period of five years during the period 1980 to 1996. This has resulted in a loss of 5% of donors which is significant given the continual pressure on the IBTS to meet demands for blood supplies.
The IBTS had planned from September to defer donors who resided in the UK for one year during the period 1980 and 1996, however, this was contingent on its ability to maintain an adequate blood supply. While the IBTS has recruited more than 10,000 new donors since March, it is not sufficient to offset the anticipated 7% shortfall of donors which would occur if additional donors who resided in the UK were deferred. Decisions by the IBTS to defer donors due to a possible risk of CJD must be balanced against the need to ensure an adequate blood supply. This is the advice of the CJD Advisory Group and of the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology. The IBTS will review the situation early next year.
I am advised that the blood supply at present is better than it has been for several months due in no small measure to the generous response of donors to the Blood for Life Week which I launched on 24 September, 2001. The IBTS will continue its efforts to further improve the blood supply and increase donor support.
