asked the Minister for Health (a) the total number of mass radiography plants in operation at present, and to what group or region they are attached, (b) the total number of persons X-rayed by these plants in 1949, 1959 and 1962, and (c) the incidence of active or suspected tuberculosis in each of those years.
Written Answers. - Mass Radiography Plants.
182.
The following are the replies to the Deputy's queries.
(a) I understand from the National Mass-Radiography Association, who provide the services for all health authorities, except Cork, that at present they employ seven X-ray plants. The country is divided into four separate regions for the purposes of the service, viz. North West Region, South West Region, South East Region and Eastern Region, to each of which a mobile unit is assigned. Another two units provide a comprehensive service for Dublin City and the remaining unit is engaged entirely on community surveys throughout the country.
The Cork Health Authority do not participate in the national arrangements as they have their own mobile X-ray plant.
(b) A mass-radiography service provided by the Dublin Corporation X-rayed 12,611 persons in 1949. A mobile mass-radiography unit of the Cork County Council went into operation in 1949. The number of persons examined by this unit in the calendar year 1949 is not available but a total of 10,928 persons were examined during the year ended 31/3/1950. The National Mass-Radiography Association was not in existence in 1949.
The total number of persons examined by the National Mass-Radiography Association in 1959 and 1962 were 303,917 and 284,737, respectively.Corresponding figures in respect of the Cork unit were: 15,863 and 19,208.
(c) The number of new cases of tuberculosis diagnosed was 7,552 in 1949, 4,005 in 1959 and 2,820 in 1962.