asked the Minister for Health the structure of the Medico-Social Research Board; the objects of its research; and if its researchers and assessors have statistical, medical and administrative training.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medico-Social Research.
6.
asked the Minister for Health what four hospitals are at present included in the Medico-Social Research Board investigation; if information is being acquired on site by interview and inspection or if it is being acquired by submission of oral or documentary evidence to a central office; if it is intended to survey all remaining hospitals; if so, how long it will take; and if any intervening reports will be issued.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
The Medico-Social Research Board was set up by the Minister for Health under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1961. The board, of which the chairman is Professor Patrick Lynch, has 11 other members distinguished in the fields of medicine, sociology and statistics. Copies of the Order S.I. No. 80 of 1965 (Pr. 8264) are in the Library.
I am informed that further details of the board's staff and of the research being undertaken, including the hospital in-patient inquiry referred to by the Deputy, will be given in their first report which is due for publication shortly. I shall arrange to have a copy of this report sent to the Deputy when available. The hospitals in which the in-patient inquiry has already commenced are Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin, the Galway and Limerick Regional Hospitals and the County Hospital, Cashel.
The inquiry, as I told the Deputy in reply to a question two weeks ago, is being extended to other hospitals as rapidly as possible.
Who is the director of this unit?
I have not got the name of the director of this particular survey.