Vol. 445 No. 7
244 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of incidences of tuberculosis in the country in the past 12 months; his views on whether there is a need for any special initiatives to deal with the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1138/94]
My Department will be compiling the notifications of new cases of tuberculosis in the past 12 months following the resolution of the recent dispute with public health doctors. I will forward this information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
A working party under the chairmanship of the Chief Medical Officer of my Department is currently examining all aspects of tuberculosis including notification, surveillance, treatment, and contact tracing procedures. Their aim is to ensure that there is an appropriate framework to deal with all problems associated with tuberculosis. I expect the group to present its report to me in the near future. The Deputy can be assured that I will act promptly on the findings of the working party.
