Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which treatment in respect of Crohn's disease, here or worldwide, is advancing; if patients here can avail of the most advanced treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39830/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. It can affect any area of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine. Common symptoms of Crohn's disease include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and rectal bleeding. It has been estimated that Crohn's affects one to three per 1,000 adults in Western countries. Crohn's disease affects males and females equally. The precise cause of Crohn's disease is as yet unknown but there appears to be both genetic and environmental components.

Treatment of Crohn's disease depends both on the site of the gastrointestinal tract affected, the severity of the inflammation and whether this is complicated by infection. Care is best coordinated by a multidisciplinary team involving medical and surgical gastroenterologists, dieticians and clinical nurse specialists with an interest in nutrition and stoma care. Treatment is determined on a case by case basis and may include specific drug therapy and surgery and nutritional support.

There have been significant advances in drug therapy for Crohn's disease over the last 20 years. Specific drug therapies have included corticosteroid therapies, aminosalicylates such as Asacol and Pentasa, antibiotics and immunosuppressive therapy. More recently a class of drugs known as tumour necrosis factors agents have been used for the treatment of Crohn's disease. Infliximab is a member of this family of agents and was first used for the treatment of Crohn's disease in the USA in 1998.

Advances in the medical treatment of Crohn's disease are ongoing. Research is ongoing to facilitate targeted delivery of medication specifically to the site of the disease. Improved understanding of the causes of Crohn's disease will lead to the development of further drugs such as the necrosis factors agents which are targeted at specific points in the inflammatory pathway. Bone marrow transplantation and gene therapy are also undergoing research as possible treatment for Crohn's disease.

Surgery is considered for those patients whose disease does not respond to drug or dietary measures. In addition undernourished patients or those who have undergone bowel surgery may require additional protein and nutrient supplementation. All these therapies are available for the treatment of patients with Crohn's disease in Ireland.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which he proposes to assist, by way of direct funding, the efforts of various community groups involved in the fight against drugs with particular reference to outreach, treatment of diversionary programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39845/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.