asked the Minister for Labour the estimated number of man days lost per annum due to illness caused by brucellosis.
Written Answers. - Occupational Brucellosis.
432.
It is not possible at present to give a reliable estimate of the number of man-days lost due to occupational brucellosis. However, my Department are in touch with the Department of Social Welfare about the possibility of obtaining more detailed statistics of absences due to industrial diseases notified under the Occupational Injuries Act. I am hopeful that it will be possible in due course to give the type of information sought by the Deputy.
I should add that a survey was conducted recently by the Department of Labour and Trinity College, Dublin, of the occupational risk of meat workers in respect of brucellosis. The purpose of this survey was to provide indications of exposure to the disease and to identify preventive measures. As a result of the survey, guidelines on preventive measures have been issued to employers and workers in meat and protein plants.