asked the Minister for Health the efforts he has made to support the work of ISIDA to date and the plans, if any he has to develop that support next year.
Written Answers. - Irish Sudden Infant Death Association.
53.
The Deputy will be aware that I met with representatives of the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association in July last and I expressed my support and that of my Department for the excellent work being carried out by the association in such an important area. In furtherance of my support for the association's work I subsequently requested the Health Research Board to establish a national cot death register for 1988 as sought by the association. The board have since raised a number of issues in relation to the register which are currently being addressed by my Department.
An annual grant payable through the Eastern Health Board has been maintained at £1,000 despite the current financial constraints which apply throughout publicly funded services generally. I also suggested to the association other possible sources which might be pursued to raise additional funding. I also recommended to the association initiatives they might consider in order to assist their educational and research programmes. My recommendations in the research area have been pursued by the association.
My support of the work of the association is ongoing and will continue in 1989. Until such time as I am appraised of the development programme of the association for next year I am not in a position to be more specific at this time in relation to developing further support for their work.