Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 1

Written Answers. - Blood Transfusion Service.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

207 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the recent Irish Medicines Board report which stated that the Cork centre of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service had short-comings and deficiencies, including a basement used for storage which was prone to flooding; and the steps he will take to rectify the matter. [29343/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The Irish Medicines Board reports to me on an annual basis in respect of its inspections of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. Three annual reports have been received to date, the most recent being in respect of the year ended December 1999. In its inspections, the IMB follows the requirements of good manufacturing practice which encompasses such items as quality management, personnel, premises and equipment, documentation, production and quality control.

In relation to the Cork centre, my Department made available capital grants totalling £524,000 to the IBTS during 1998 and 1999 to enable it to provide a new components processing laboratory and other improvements at the centre. In its report for 1999, the IMB noted that while the components area of the Cork centre is now of an acceptable standard a number of other problems remained, including the basement area used for storage referred to by the Deputy. My Department has been advised that deficiencies in the areas identified by the IMB have been or are being rectified by the IBTS. Specifically, the IBTS has already identified the need for further capital investment in the Cork centre and has approved an outline planning brief. A more detailed planning brief is now being prepared and a project team has been established within the IBTS.

My Department will consider any application from the IBTS for further capital investment in the Cork centre as a matter of priority.