asked the Minister for Health (a) the infant mortality rate among (1) members of the travelling community and (2) the community generally and (b) the average life expectancy among (i) members of the travelling community and (ii) the community generally.
Written Answers. - Infant Mortality Rate.
184.
Statistics on life expectancy and infant mortality among members of the travelling community are not currently available.
A research project is, however, in progress under the auspices of the Health Research Board to investigate the health status of the travelling community. Resulting from this study it is expected that national figures and life expectancy and infant mortality among travellers will be available by the end of this year. For the community as a whole, the most recent figures indicate an infant mortality rate of nine deaths per 1,000 births registered in 1986. The latest life tables for Ireland relate to the period 1980-82 and indicate life expectancies at birth of 70.1 years for males and 75.6 years for females.