asked the Minister for Health in respect of the State agencies directly under his aegis, the action which they have taken to establish a five year development plan to develop overseas services on a consultancy basis relating to the skills and experience of the State agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter indicating (a) the number of contracts, if any, which have been obtained and (b) the approximate value of the work which has been obtained.
Written Answers. - State Agencies Overseas Services.
242.
Overseas consultancy work within the health sector is generally confined to the Irish Health Services Development Corporation which was set up by the National Development Corporation under the aegis of the Department of Industry and Commerce and to other similar commercial bodies based mainly on their individual initiatives and contacts abroad.
The State agencies under my aegis, which are involved in overseas services on a consultancy basis are the Blood Transfusion Service Board and An Bord Altranais. In the case of the Blood Transfusion Service Board it has been exploring links with other similar type agencies in order to develop overseas services on a consultancy basis. In this regard, it has made a specific offer to assist a Middle Eastern country in developing its staff and services and it is awaiting a response from the country concerned. In the case of An Bord Altranais it has been involved in this area for a number of years. It is currently providing training courses, both specialist and general, for nurses from a number of Middle Eastern countries including Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar. Their most recent contract involves provision of specialist nurse training in Ireland for students from Malaysia. The total value of these contracts is estimated at £150,000 in the current year.