Written answers

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Department of Health

Departmental Funding

8:00 pm

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 638: To ask the Minister for Health the level of funding that has been provided to the issue of tackling osteoporosis in each of the past five years; if he will provide a breakdown of same; the level of funding that has gone to the Irish Osteoporosis Society in those years; the amount of funding the Irish Osteoporosis Society has sought in each of those years; if he has carried out an assessment of the practical impact of cuts to the funding of the Irish Osteoporosis Society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36122/11]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive does not gather figures on the level of funding specifically provided for tackling Osteoporosis as there is no specific allocation for Osteoporosis treatment or prevention; however, the Health Service Executive have an extensive programme of work aimed at reducing the burden of this disease among the Irish population. This programme includes work across hospital, primary care and community settings involving geriatricians, services for older people, primary care and health promotion specialists. All of the above have implied responsibility for prevention, treatment and care. Services provided range from bone density scanning to falls prevention programmes and the issue has been identified as a key priority by all regions in the last 4 years and again for 2012.

From a disease prevention and management perspective, the Health Promotion Services incorporate this specific topic across all its programmes. Specifically these are Dietetic treatment and education programmes (72 Community Dietitians are employed), smoking cessation (as smokers are at greater risk of developing this disease), physical activity programmes (as exercise strengthens bone and muscle thus preventing development of osteoporosis), women's health programmes as this population group are most at risk and many other community programmes across the spectrum of risk factors for Osteoporosis.

With regard to the funding provided to the Irish Osteoporosis Society, below are the details provided to me by the HSE:

Allocated: Sought

€128,000 in 2006

€250,000 in 2007

€250,000 in 2008

€225,000 in 2009

€205,000 in 2010 €225,000

€150,000 in 2011 €205,000

Finally, I have requested my officials and the HSE to meet with the Irish Osteoporosis Society in the coming weeks.

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