Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the budget for medical research is protected in view of the quality research that is undertaken and the added value contributed by medical charities to the State contribution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41872/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I am a strong supporter of health research and believe it makes significant contributions not only to the achievement of health research goals but to broader social and economic ones. This has been acknowledged in the Renewed Programme for Government and in the Action Plan for Health Research. That Plan recognises the significant level of investment made by medical research charities in this country.

In recent years funding has been made available from the allocation to the Health Research Board towards the joint funding scheme operated in conjunction with medical charities. However, the allocation to health agencies in 2011, including the Health Research Board, will be determined after the Budgetary process is concluded. I am not in a position to provide details of any funding which might be available for medical research or to medical charities engaged in research at this stage of the process.