Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cost of running the Irish Blood Transfusion Service Stillorgan clinic, County Dublin; its hours of opening; the turnover in regard to the amount of blood acquired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16293/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Irish Blood Transfusion Service transferred the operation of its donor clinic in Dublin from Mespil Road to D'Olier Street in November 2000. A significant number of people did not to continue to donate due to the change of location to the city centre. Research undertaken by the IBTS found that one of the most quoted reasons for not returning to donate was the length of time donors had to queue at the clinic. The IBTS, therefore, decided to open a clinic in Stillorgan operating on an appointment basis. The clinic opened in December 2003 and continues to develop. The cost of running the Stillorgan clinic in 2004 was €603,435. There were 3,447 units of blood donated at the clinic during the year and the potential income from these donations was €830,400.

The opening hours for the Stillorgan clinic are as follows:

I have been informed by the IBTS that it is currently reviewing the operation of the Stillorgan clinic and will be taking a series of measures to increase donations at the clinic.