€10m announced for health research programmes

Minister for Health Mary Harney today announced €10m funding for research programmes, including the development of a national imaging centre.

The funding for the Health Research Board (HRB) will be used to support people, programmes and infrastructure projects which will improve patient care and encourage economic development, the board said.

Speaking at the HRB Clinician Scientists Awards in Dublin, the Tánaiste said the level of investment by the Government supported the recommendations made in the ‘Making Knowledge Work for Health’ report published in 2001.

“Today’s health research is tomorrow’s health service,” Ms. Harney said.

The capital funding is the highest ever provided to the Health Research Board, which has revenue funding of €27m for this year.

During 2005, €6m will be spent on research programmes and grants.

There will also be additional investment in strategic research and development awards, which are designed to lead to an improvement in health service delivery and patient care.

The remaining €4m will go on infrastructure projects including a national imaging centre and the development of a ‘gene library’ as a research for genetic research.

HRB chief executive Ruth Barrington said people benefited from health research every time they were treated for a medical condition or accessed health services.

“This €10m will complement significant funding from other research bodies and will deliver better health for people and generate profitable business,” Dr Barrington said.