Vol. 305 No. 1
asked the Minister for Health (a) the number of cot deaths in the State in each of the years 1975, 1976 and 1977, (b) the research that is being undertaken into the causes of these deaths, and (c) the Government support and assistance that is available for this research.
32.
asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position with regard to research into the cause of cot deaths.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.
Accurate statistics are not available on the number of cot deaths occurring annually in the State. This is because these deaths are not at present specifically identified in the World Health Organisation's classification of diseases which is the basis of our mortality statistics.
However, the number of deaths to infants under one year for which no obvious cause of death was available was 65 in 1975 and 85 in 1976. The corresponding figure for 1977 is not yet available.
Some research has been carried out in other countries into the causes of sudden deaths of non-specific cause in infancy. In Ireland the Department of Community Health in Trinity College Dublin has undertaken reasearch into the causes of such deaths.
I have asked the Medico-Social Research Board to assess the feasibility and need for reasearch in this area. The question of supporting further research will be decided when the board has completed its assessment.
When does the Minister expect to have a report on whether he should undertake research into this scheme?
The matter was discussed by the Medico-Social Research Board about a month ago and that board decided it would have to go into a bit more detail before deciding whether or not such research was feasible or justified and the board has set up a sub-committee to consider the question. I am afraid I cannot say when I will hear from them but I do not expect it will be too long.
Bearing in mind the mortality rate of 65 in 1975 rising to 85 in 1976, would the Minister not accept that the need for research is obvious and that funds should be made available without further ado for such a purpose?
My expert advisory body in matters of this kind is the Medico-Social Research Board and that board has the matter under consideration at the moment. The board was not in a position to give me an immediate answer having decided that the matter would need to be very carefully investigated first. I have already indicated in my reply that some research has been carried out by the Department of Community Health in Trinity College.
Without being in any way emotive about the matter, would the Minister accept that there is anguish and heartache caused to a big number of parents every year, and if money for research could in any way go towards alleviating their position by improving the situation then there should be no delay in getting such research under way straight away?
We have the result of research carried out in other countries. It is a question as to whether it is feasible, necessary or desirable to carry out research here. As I say, I have asked the expert body in this field, the Medico-Social Research Board, to let me know if this is necessary and desirable.
The Minister does not take a very urgent view of it but could I press him to——
That is a statement, not a question, and I reject the statement. I have asked the expert body in this immediate area for an opinion and I have to be guided by the experts.
I am not suggesting——
We cannot pursue this indefinitely.
——the Minister is not doing his job but I get a feeling the matter is being kicked for touch a bit.
That is not a question.
I reject the Deputy's suggestion.
Will the Minister assure the House he will try to obtain this report as to whether he should institute research at the earliest possible date?
The Medico-Social Research Board is a very high-level and important expert body and the members of that board afforded this matter immediate attention when asked by me.
When were they asked?
In February.
After my last question.
No. It was after a statement by the Department of Community Health at Trinity College.
The Minister told the House he would make funds available the last time.
The people in Trinity College said funds should be voted for this research and I immediately asked the Medico-Social Research Board to look into this matter.
