Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 201: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the protocol for the disposal of haemochromatosis patients blood by general practitioners and hospitals respectively; when she envisages that the blood bank will accept blood from haemochromatosis patients; her plans to introduce a screening programme for haemochromatosis; the funding available for such screening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36912/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Disposal of blood and other clinical-healthcare waste materials in hospitals is expected to be carried out in accordance with guidelines entitled Segregation, Packaging and Storage Guidelines for Healthcare Risk Waste, the most recent edition of which was published by my Department's hospital planning office in April 2004. General practitioners must make arrangements to have healthcare risk waste disposed of in accordance with environmental and health and safety regulations.

I understand that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, does not currently accept blood donations from people with haemochromatosis. Blood donors must donate on a voluntary basis and a significant reason why donations are not taken from people with haemochromatosis is that blood is taken from them as part of the treatment for their condition rather than for the specific purpose of donating. The IBTS is working with the Irish Haemochromatosis Association to identify practicable solutions that would address the concerns of people with haemochromatosis in this regard.

My Department has been informed by the Irish Haemochromatosis Association that a proposal for a screening programme was developed by St James's Hospital in conjunction with the IBTS, but was not successful in obtaining research funding from the Health Research Board in 2005. I am unsure whether another application will be made for funding in 2006.