Robert Molloy
Ceist:15 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that the grant in aid of £1.775 million for 1993 for the Health Research Board is adequate.
Written Answers. - Medical and Health Research.
Seán Barrett
Ceist:150 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Health the proposal, if any, he has to enhance the level of Government investment in medical and health research in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 15 and 150 together.
The Health Research Board is funded by a grant from my Department's Vote: in 1992 the amount of this grant was £1.7 million while the corresponding figure for 1993, which was announced in the Estimates published on 17 February last, is £1.775 million — an increase of 4.4 per cent.
Deputies will appreciate that against the background of the present financial climate this is a reasonable increase.