asked the Minister for Health the number of cot deaths for each of the last five years; his views on (a) the establishment of a national cot death register and (b) cot death research; the level of State support which he proposes to provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Cot Deaths.
46.
The number of deaths recorded in the relevant reports on vital statistics as being due to sudden infant death syndrome is as follows: 1982, 157; 1983, 139; 1984, 132; 1985, 133; 1986, 154. I am supportive of the establishment of a national cot death register. It is my intention to have in place such a register in 1988 which of course will be subject to review as to its value and desirability in subsequent years.
I will be making a grant of £2.3 million available to the Health Research Board in 1988 to perform its statutory functions which are to promote, assist, commission or conduct medical, health and health services research. It is open to persons or organisations who wish to conduct research on specific aspects of sudden infant death to request appropriate funding from the board. I understand that a number of such projects are at present under consideration by the board. Decisions in relation to such matters are a matter for the Health Research Board.