Vol. 515 No. 4
132 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has asked the Irish Medicines Board the reason the Blood Transfusion Service Board has been informed that it no longer requires the replacement of the components laboratory; and if he will be proceeding with the provision of a new centre in Cork as demanded by the Irish Medicines Board in 1997. [6447/00]
In my reply to a question from the Deputy on 8 February 2000 I outlined the position in relation to the licensing requirements of the Irish Medicines Board relevant to the facilities at the Cork centre of the Blood Transfusion Service Board. In October 1997 the IMB specified as a condition of the manufacturer's licence that the components laboratory at the Cork centre should be upgraded or replaced; the IMB did not seek the provision of a new Cork centre. It is a matter for the BTSB to determine how best to meet regulatory requirements in a manner acceptable to the IMB. My Department made available during 1998 and 1999 capital grants totalling £524,000 to the BTSB to enable it provide a new components processing laboratory and other improvements at the centre. In the light of these developments, the IMB advised the BTSB last December that the replacement of the components processing laboratory at the Cork centre was no longer considered necessary. The IMB has deleted the special condition specified in the licence to which I have referred and has not specified any other condition which relates to capital projects at the centre. In the light of the factual position I have outlined, my Department has not questioned the decision of the IMB which is the independent regulator in these matters.
Notwithstanding the IMB's decision, the BTSB considers that further capital investment in the Cork centre is desirable and has approved an outline planning brief in this regard. A more detailed planning brief is now being prepared and a project team has been established within the BTSB. As the Cork centre is located on the campus of St. Finbarr's Hospital, the BTSB has written to the Southern Health Board seeking discussions in relation to its leasehold interest in the site.
My Department will consider any application from the BTSB for further capital investment in the Cork centre as a matter of priority.
