Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Oct 2001

Vol. 543 No. 1

Written Answers. - Health Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

189 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he has taken or is likely to take to restore public confidence in view of the international health scares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25817/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the recent suspected anthrax scares in this country.

At my request a committee under the chairmanship of Professor Bill Hall, Director of the Virus Reference Laboratory, was recently established to prepare an operational plan which would be implemented in the event of a biological attack on this country. The committee agreed that in preparing a plan it will be necessary to identify the level of risk of such an attack and that the plan should reflect the risk identified. The committee considered that as the risk of a primary attack on this country was low a plan should therefore, be prepared to cater for a secondary attack.

While work on the detailed plan is progressing a specific protocol to deal with a suspected anthrax attack was prepared, at my request, in light of the recent anthrax attacks in the United States. I launched this protocol on Wednesday 17 October. Prior to the launch of the protocol I met with members of the committee as well as the gardaí, fire services and Defence Forces. During this meeting the roles of the various bodies were clearly defined and agreed. In addition, I spoke with my counterpart in the UK in order to ensure the absolute safety of our plan. He confirmed that the protocol was similar to that in place in the UK.

The protocol was prepared by the expert committee and deals with the procedures to be adopted in the event of a suspected anthrax attack including patient treatment and management, post exposure guidelines etc. Guidelines for individuals and companies on how to deal with a suspect package believed to contain anthrax are included in the protocol.

The protocol is a work in progress and is being revised on an ongoing basis as a result of feedback to the committee. The protocol and guidelines are available on my Department's web site – www.doh.ie.

To date, all suspect samples returned after analysis have proved negative. However, I can assure the Deputy that sufficient quantities of the antibioticCiprofloxacin have been secured to treat patients in the event of exposure to anthrax.

My colleague the Minister for Defence, Deputy Michael Smith, is currently chairing a task force for emergency planning. The role of the task force is to ensure a co-ordinated and comprehensive response in relation to these matters.

The committee chaired by Professor Hall is in the process of finalising a protocol for dealing with other biological agents and this will be issued in the near future.

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the public that the risk of an anthrax attack in this country is considered to be low and that the guidelines are being issued as a precaution.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

190 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals for upgrading health centres in County Kildare which have not been improved in the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25818/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of health centres to meet the needs of local communities within its functional area is a matter for each health board, including the Eastern Regional Health Authority. In the case of County Kildare, this responsibility rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

As with each of the other boards, the Eastern Regional Health Authority has been notified of the annual indicative funding available under the national development plan for the period 2001 to 2006 to facilitate the financing of capital projects, including health centres. The identification and prioritisation of projects which may proceed within the indicative funding is a matter for the authority.

In the circumstances I have asked the chief executive officer of the authority to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.