asked the Minister for Health if the incidence of gastroenteritis in Dublin is above the average for European cities of similar size; and, if so, what steps are being taken to curb the disease.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Incidence of Gastroenteritis.
55.
The information available as to the international incidence of gastroenteritis in children is not such as to enable a definite reply to be given to the first part of the Deputy's question. Gastroenteritis is not a precisely defined disease and any attempts at comparative statistics in this field must be treated with reserve.
Returns of gastroenteritis in children under two years of age show a significant incidence of the disease in Dublin. This position has in fact been under examination by a committee of the Medical Research Council and I expect to receive their report next year.
As practical steps to assist in controlling the disease, the public health nurses employed by the Dublin Health Authority advise mothers with young children of the importance of washing hands after going to the toilet and after attending to the toilet needs of young children and of the necessity of keeping babies' food uncontaminated from the same sources. This advice is given each time the nurse visits a mother with a baby.
It is a pity the next Question on the Order Paper is not being answered orally.
Is there any way in which we can have the next Question answered orally in an attempt to bring "Old Mischief" and the Government as a whole down from outer space?