Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 3

Written Answers. - Down's Syndrome Births.

Tony Gregory

Question:

51 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health, arising from his reply to Parliamentary Question on 22 March 1995, if there has been an increase in births of children with Down's Syndrome in view of the fact that 23 were born in 1990 in Wexford and 13 were born in 1994 in County Clare; and if this increase warrants an investigation by his Department. [6634/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): It is my understanding, based on information supplied to the Department, that the figure quoted by the Deputy in relation to Wexford is the cumulative number of such births since 1990.

The incidence of births of children with Down's Syndrome varies considerably both from year to year and between regions. There is no evidence available to the Department which suggests that the incidence of such births is increasing. However, I have asked the Department to review the current arrangements for the collection of the relevant data.