Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 993: To ask the Minister for Health if he discussed the SARS epidemic that broke out in China in 2002 during his recent visit to China; and if so, the lessons Ireland can draw from the Chinese response to a serious epidemic. [24026/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 994: To ask the Minister for Health if his recent visit to China was recommended or approved by the Secretary General of his Department. [24027/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 995: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of his recent trip to China. [24028/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 996: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed itinerary of his recent trip to China. [24029/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 997: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all persons and their official positions that travelled to China on during his recent visit there. [24030/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 998: To ask the Minister for Health the benefits that accrued from his recent visit to China. [24031/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 999: To ask the Minister for Health if he discussed any potential investment from China into private health care provision here during his recent trip there. [24032/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1000: To ask the Minister for Health if he raised the topic of the serious health care coverage difficulties, particularly for the 300 million persons without health insurance in the country which China is struggling to cope with, during his trip there. [24033/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 993 to 1000, inclusive, together. My recent visit to China was to identify and evaluate Chinese interest in investing in healthcare in Ireland and to explore opportunities for Irish health education facilities. The trip also allowed for opportunities to promote the potential for Irish pharmaceutical companies operating in China.

As the Deputy appreciates, China represents enormous untapped potential on a range of levels. In particular it seeks investment opportunities and as Minister for Health I was keen to ascertain whether such funding could have value in the Irish healthcare system in areas such as Primary Care.

The trip was arranged through the Department of Health and while in China I had the support of officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.

The original outline itinerary is attached at the end of the reply. I also attended a number of other meetings in addition to those listed.

One of the additional meetings involved Wison biotechnology and biopharma. The company is the lead producer of vaccines in China. This major company, which is certified by the World Health Organisation, is expanding and has expressed an interest in Ireland.

Arising from meetings with the Shanghai Health Bureau and the Zhejiang Health Bureau, an invitation has issued for interested Irish medical schools of general practice to visit both regions. China is developing its primary care services on a major scale. The Jiao Tiang Children's Hospital, which I visited on the 31st of August is a 500 bed facility due to be expanded to one with 1,000 beds. The hospital carries out a very high number of cardiac operations - in 2010 over 3,000. I discussed a range of matters with senior figures in the hospital.

I also met with representatives from the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to discuss opportunities for new and existing companies in China. The discussions also involved companies targeted by the state agencies for investment in Ireland.

I had indicated my interest in going to China earlier this year to explore its potential for Irish healthcare. Such a trip does not require the approval of the Secretary General of my department but as I have already indicated the visit was organised through the Department of Health and also involved officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

I was accompanied by my Parliamentary Assistant Mr Tom O'Leary and by my Private Secretary Mr Darragh Scully. (Mr O'Leary's wife travelled with the party – meeting her own costs.)

Neither the issue of the SARS epidemic nor the issue of health cover formed part of my discussions while in China.

You will appreciate that the final costs of the trip cannot be fully identified until all invoices are received, including those from the Department of Foreign Affairs, and all Travel and Subsistence forms are certified and paid. Costs identified to date are:

Cost of Flights (2 Business 1 Economy premium) € 7,152

Cost of Hotels € 1,613

Gifts € 360

Transport * € 700 Business lunch and dinner * € 584

Total €10,409

* Estimates awaiting invoice from the Department of Foreign Affairs for transport. The lunch and dinner were paid for in local currency and the Euro figure is based on today's conversion rate.

I can provide the Deputy with the full costs of the trip when all details are available.