Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I welcome this Bill. Any legislation that offers a streamlining of services and greater efficiencies within the health sector is deserving of welcome and commendation and I fully support the Minister's efforts in this regard.

The Bill transfers responsibility for the procurement of clotting factor concentrate products used in the treatment of haemophilia and other disorders from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, to St. James's Hospital where, as the Minister explained, the national haemophilia centre is based. The logic of this is self-evident. I welcome that agreement was reached last year to facilitate the transfer arrangements agreed between the IBTS, St. James's Hospital, the HSE and the Minister's Department. I also welcome that this change has been supported by the Irish Haemophilia Society.

When this change was first reported last year it was stated that, based on the same volume of products being used, savings of the order of some €3 million would be made in 2011, with an increase of €1.5 million to come in 2012, amounting to €4.5 million, and by a further €1.5 million in 2013. My reading of that is €6 million. In the Minister's opening remarks on Second Stage he indicated that product use has increased rather than remaining static; there is certainly no decrease. He also stated that in spite of the additional demand actual savings in respect of the specific products have been recorded. This poses a question. Not to be in any way obstructive but, for clarification, is this work in progress, is it a proposition in the offing to follow the passing of this legislation or has it already happened? The Minister might clarify the position and state what the up to date actual savings are in 2012 and the projected future savings.

The savings involved are considerable. On the face of it they indicate a serious lack of efficiency in past practice. I note from the Minister's remarks that this example must encourage further exploration, investigation and examination of practices across the board within the Department in order to identify and establish what other areas of greater efficiency and savings can be undertaken. It is reasonable to ask, given all the knowledge there is and the many years this practice was the case, why it was allowed to continue. We must also ask if there are other inefficiencies and potential savings within the system. I welcome the Minister's indication that he will pursue these matters. I hope they are identified and that many such savings and improved streamlining of services across the board can be identified and rectified in a clinical manner. I emphasis "clinical manner" because I believe it is a far preferable way of achieving savings than the current slash and burn approach of the Government across so many Departments, not least in health services.

I cannot let the occasion go by without making reference to that small group of women who received contaminated anti-D products through the Irish Blood Transfusion Service on the birth of their children. They have developed health issues consistent with those testing positive for Hepatitis C even though they test negative. We are talking about a cohort of fewer than 30 women. I have raised this matter with the Minister on a number of occasions and he responded on 6 December. I asked the Minister to take action to provide to these women the cards issued under the Health (Amendment) Act 1996.

The card designated for women who tested positive following the administration of contaminated anti-D products offers additional health and social supports over and above what they would normally enjoy as holders of medical cards. This is of great importance and the card also has a lifetime application. There is no review process and the cards are for the lifetime of the designated holder. That cannot be addressed in the context of this legislation but we are talking about the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and products that came through that organisation into our health services. It would be remiss of me if I were not to appeal to the Minister to recognise the serious situation these women find themselves in, showing all the symptoms of those who test positive but, for whatever inexplicable reason, they are recorded as negative for the virus. The Minister should re-examine this with a real heart and a wish to be as accommodating as possible. I hope the Minister will respond favourably before we conclude the debate on Second Stage. I have no doubt that we will have to address this again unless, at some point, the nettle is grasped and these women's needs are provided for.

I support this Bill on Second Stage and I will support it as it proceeds through each of the Remaining Stages. There is nothing further for me to say but that I wish it a fair wind. I am anxious to hear the Minister's response on the particular question I raised about the current position, the transfer and the up-to-date information on the assessed savings currently and in the future.

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