The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, announced five grants for research into hepatitis C and blood utilisation yesterday.
Speaking in Trinity College at the first international conference on hepatitis C, Mr Martin named the recipients of grants from the new €1.6 million Health Research Board fund.
Dr Anthony Staines, senior lecturer at the department of epidemiology in University College Dublin, will conduct research reviewing transfusion practice and blood usage in hospitals in the Republic.
"It is important that initiatives currently taking place within the health service to improve blood transfusion and blood utilisation practices are underpinned by high-quality research," the Minister said.
Prof Cliona O'Farrelly, director of research laboratories at St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, will investigate why some patients with certain types of the hepatitis C virus are resistant to current treatments.
Mr Martin emphasised the unique collaboration between healthcare professionals and patients in organising the conference. He said: "It is a testament to the members of the support groups who represent the men, women and children infected with hepatitis C through the administration within the State of blood and blood products that out of their own suffering they have come together to organise this event.
"The international conference is a tribute to their commitment and dedication to highlight the issues faced by persons living with hepatitis C."