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Research Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Questions (351)

Alan Dillon

Question:

351. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding for research into motor neuron disease. [10108/22]

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Written answers

Since 2012, the Health Research Board (HRB) has invested €9.1 million in research on many aspects of Motor Neuron Disease (ALS), through a variety of funding schemes that build capacity and leadership in ALS research in Ireland and generate new knowledge on many aspects of ALS. In addition, €3.2 million of the €9.1 million investment came from co-funding by the Irish charity Research Motor Neuron and European Joint Programming Initiatives, in particular the Joint Programme in Neurodegenerative Diseases which the HRB has been supporting participation in since 2011. Given the global impact of motor neuron disease, joining forces with European partners gives Irish researchers access to expertise and infrastructures outside of Ireland to advance their research.

Research has variously focused on gaining a better understanding of the causes of ALS; looking for diagnostic tools and potential treatments; population-based analysis of the environmental and genetic factors in ALS; healthcare and palliative needs, services and outcomes for patients with ALS; and improving cognition and daily function. In terms of active awards, the HRB has commitments of €1.4 million for research specific to ALS and plan to participate in upcoming Joint Programme in Neurodegenerative Diseases in the coming years, as well as supporting ALS research through its own schemes.

The HRB has invested a further €8.4 million since 2012 on research into understanding the aetiology of neurodegeneration more broadly and the most appropriate approach to services, with almost half (€4.8 million) of that investment in awards that are currently active. Of this funding, €6.8 million was co-funding from Wellcome Trust and European Joint funding programmes.

All funding schemes are run as open, competitive calls and all eligible applications are internationally peer-reviewed by experts in the field. Only those deemed to be of high quality, and for which funding is available, are supported. Given that the HRB disburses public monies, this is a very important process to enhance the possibility of positive outcomes from the research, and guard against waste and unusable research results. The HRB does not ring-fence funding for specific conditions and applications in all disease areas are welcome.

The Research Motor Neuron Ireland website (rmn.ie/current-research/) also lists an extensive list of research projects and funding sources, including the Health Research Board, through the HRB-HRCI Joint Funding Scheme.

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