Vol. 519 No. 6
56 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether science and medical research should be included in the list of acceptable expenditure items for the national lottery beneficiaries fund; the representation of medical research charities on the Health Research Board; and the consideration made by him in this regard. [13353/00]
141 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether science and medical research should be included in the list of acceptable expenditure items for the national lottery beneficiaries fund; the representation of medical research charities on the Health Research Board; and the consideration made by him in this regard. [14397/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 141 together.
The proposal that science and medical research be included in the list of acceptable expenditure items for national lottery funds can best be considered in the context of the national strategy on health research being undertaken by the Health Research Board and expected to be completed by July 2000. Factors relating to the development of this strategy which will be taken into account include the PREST and CIRCA reports currently being completed which will provide information on infrastructure and funding for research, including an analysis of spending on health related research.
As the Deputies may be aware the board works closely with other health agencies with a mandate for research and with voluntary organisations in order to avoid duplication and maximise the return on funding for research. The issue of medical research charities representation on the Health Research Board can also be considered in the context of the development of the national strategy on health research.
