Vol. 507 No. 2
137 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the assistance, if any, his Department is giving to people suffering from epidemolyin bullosa; and if funds will be made available for research into this condition and for the support services offered by Debra Ireland for sufferers and their families. [16375/99]
The provision of funding to voluntary agencies providing health services to people with physical and sensory disabilities is a matter for the relevant health board. The health boards are empowered, under section 65 of the Health Act, 1953, to provide grant assistance towards the running costs of organisations such as Debra.
The provision of funding for research into conditions such as epidermolysis bullosa is a matter for the health research board. I understand that the health research board did support research on this disease over a three year period in the early 1990's and a total of £33,000 was provided by the board for that purpose.
In 1998, I provided £3,000 and the Eastern Health Board provided £1,000 by way of once-off grant assistance from lottery funds to the Debra organisation.
