Vol. 481 No. 3
48 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Health and Children the locations in the State where amniocentesis procedures are available; the number of women availing of this service; and the measures, if any, he proposes to ensure that the service is more widely available in the future. [15901/97]
Amniocentesis is the term that refers to the sampling of the fluid around the foetus in the mother's uterus. The fluid may be taken for a variety of investigations. The two most common investigations that are carried out are: the assessment of bilirubin in the fluid to determine whether there is a risk of rhesus disease; and to determine the chromosomal make-up of the foetus. An amniocentesis service for the detection of rhesus disease is available at the following hospitals: The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street; The Coombe Women's Hospital; The International Missionary Training Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda; Letterkenny General Hospital; Sligo General Hospital; St. Munchin's Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick; St. Finbar's Hospital, Cork and Erinville Hospital, Cork.
The Rotunda Hospital and University College Hospital, Galway perform amniocentesis for this purpose and also to determine the chromosomal make-up of the foetus. Since the latter service commenced, approximately two years ago, a total of 224 patients have availed of it. My Department will examine any proposals from a health agency for the further development of this service, in the context of their overall priorities for new services and available funding.
