Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 296: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the cost of building and commissioning the new Dublin centre of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service; if the sum was in excess of the budgeted figure; if so, the precise excess; the annual operational costs; and the annual number of donations processed, separately for the Dublin and Cork centres of the said board. [15541/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The original estimated total project cost, covering fees, construction and equipment, for the board's new headquarters at the construction commencement date of June 1998 was €46,091,492.

During the contract the fitting out of the nucleic acid amplification technology testing component of the project was deferred when it became evident that developments and enhancements in the technology were imminent. The NAT contract was carried out in 2003 and the estimated total final project cost is €49 million. The final account for fit-out has not yet been agreed.

The annual operational costs of the IBTS headquarters is €1,748,000 and broken down as follows:

The annual number of donations processed is 103,000 in Dublin and 43,000 in Cork.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 297: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the Irish Medicines Board has reported any deficiencies in the operation of the Dublin centre of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in the past five years; if so, the date of the report, the nature of the perceived problem and the remedies taken to specify the problem; and the date by which the matter was rectified in each instance. [15542/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In March 1997 Mr. Justice Finlay published a report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Blood Transfusion Service Board. He recommended that the IMB should inspect the centres in Dublin and Cork at least twice annually and report their results to the Minister for Health.

Since 1997 the IMB has reported to the Minister each year and the reports were subsequently laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. Each report focuses on ongoing activities during the year and assesses their conformity with prevailing standards of good manufacturing practice in accordance with Directive 91/356/EC and other relevant standards of quality assurance. The reports draw attention to issues of non-compliance in both centres and also acknowledge improvements and developments in the service. The IBTS responds to each report with details on corrective actions and a timescale for implementation. I have arranged to have copies of all reports sent to the Deputy.

From the reports it is evident that the IBTS has undergone a major change with new processes and facilities being developed. In the earlier years the IMB reported persistent GMP deficiencies in a number of areas including quality management, personnel, processes and equipment, documentation and quality control. More recent reports acknowledge a "steady improvement in the GMP compliance of the IBTS." The reports acknowledge that the opening of the new national headquarters in James's Street, Dublin, contributed significantly to the improvement.