The number of new cases of HIV/AIDS reported in the Republic fell from 79 in 1996 to 41 in 1998, with a significant decrease in the number of drug-users contracting the virus.
The Eastern Health Board annual report shows the total number of drug abusers presenting with AIDS in 1998 was only 11, representing a drop of 66 per cent from two years earlier.
According to the chief executive officer of the board, Mr Pat McLoughlin, the reduction could be attributed in part to preventative initiatives instigated by the boards, such as methadone treatment and needle exchange programmes.
"We were not, of course, in a position to solve all problems or to meet all expectations during the year but we made real and concrete progress in many areas."
Some 600 additional treatment places were provided in 19 new treatment locations around the
State, with, according to the report, "considerable progress . . . in forging links with local communities to ensure that local heroin addicts receive treatment in their own local areas".
Cases of suspected child abuse reported to the board also declined, from 2,028 in 1997 to 1,719 last year. Some 113 additional day places and 53 residential services were provided during the year for persons with intellectual disability. These facilities now cater for more than 7,000 people in the EHB region.
During the first year in which the Eastern Health Board was given responsibility for civil marriages, 539 civil marriages took place at the new centre for civil marriages at the Sir Patrick Dun's complex.
The new Asylum Seekers Unit provided almost 4,000 asylum seekers with a range of services in 1998 including emergency accommodation, medical screening and counselling support.
The report is the last to be published by the Eastern Health Board as it will soon be broken into three regional authorities to deal with the growing needs of area.