Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Dec 2002

Vol. 558 No. 5

Written Answers. - Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

305 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has declined to commit adequate funding for the post of medical director of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service; his views on the concerns raised by the management of St. James's Hospital with Comhairle na nOspidéal, that the under funding of this post is hindering the ability of the medical director of the IBTS to carry out his work at the blood service; his further views on whether it is crucial, in view of the importance of protecting the public's health and the tragic blood contamination scandals of the 1980s which occurred against a background of an under funded blood service, that adequate funding be made available for the IBTS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25093/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The post of national medical director is fully funded by the IBTS. There is no question of an issue of funding hindering him in carrying out his duties in that post.

The board of the former Blood Transfusion Service Board adopted a re-organisation plan in 1996. It was subsequently endorsed by the Government and the Finlay tribunal. One of the provisions of the plan called for its medical consultants to have sessional commitments in major acute hospitals. Discussions are ongoing between the IBTS and St. James's Hospital regarding sessional commitments for the national medical director with St. James's Hospital.