Vol. 486 No. 2
21 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, which has been made by the National AIDS Strategy Committee on whether HIV should be included on his Department's list of infectious diseases; and if he will make HIV a notifiable disease. [2093/98]
The National AIDS Strategy Committee is due to meet in the coming weeks. The question of making HIV a notifiable disease will be discussed at that meeting. I will await receiving the views of the committee before making a decision on this important matter.
22 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is proposed to establish a national infectious disease surveillance unit; the terms of reference, if any, of this unit; and when it will be established. [2042/98]
29 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is proposed to establish a national infectious disease surveillance unit; the terms of reference, if any, of this unit; and when it will be established. [2041/98]
143 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children whether it is proposed to establish a national infectious disease surveillance unit; the terms of reference of this unit; and when it will be established. [2335/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 29 and 143 together.
I have approved the establishment of a national disease surveillance unit. The unit will, initially be established on a non-statutory basis for an interim period not exceeding three years. During this period the unit will operate under the aegis of the Eastern Health Board following which it will be established on a statutory basis. The management board under which the unit will operate has been appointed. The first meeting of the board will be convened shortly to arrange the recruitment of the unit's director.
The national disease surveillance unit will provide a comprehensive broad based approach to the prevention of disease. Initially it will be responsible for the surveillance of communicable diseases e.g. meningitis, tuberculosis, food-borne diseases and MRSA.
