asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the total amount of money devoted during the past five years to medical research by Government grant and through Sweepstake funds; and if he proposes to increase the amount, which is considered to be totally inadequate, to meet the requirements of those endeavouring to improve the lot of sufferers from cancer, tuberculosis, rheumatism and other diseases.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sweepstake Funds and Medical Research.
The total amount is £30,700. Grants for medical research are reviewed at intervals, and the requests of the Medical Research Council are invariably carefully considered. It is not proposed to depart from this policy.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when the grant of £30,000 was made and if any increase has been made during recent years or will be in the early future?
That is an entirely separate question. The grant of £30,700 is the aggregate grant over a period of five years.
The Minister cannot say whether it will be increased at an early date or not?
No. The answer is complete.
The Minister cannot give any promise that it will be increased?
Grants are reviewed at intervals and the requests of the Medical Research Council are invariably carefully considered.
There is no promise to increase the grant.