I propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 340 and 341 together.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of people suffering from polycystic kidney disease is not routinely collected by my Department. However, I have asked the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the chief executive officers of the health boards to examine the matter and to reply directly to the Deputy.
However, the number of hospital in-patient admissions with a principal diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease in 1999 was 43 and in 2000 was 69. The figures for 2001 are not yet available and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.