Vol. 483 No. 2
6 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of sudden infant cot deaths in each of the years from 1994 to 1996; and the moneys made available for research into the causes of these deaths for the same period. [19816/97]
The number of sudden infant cot deaths registered in the years concerned was as follows: 1994, 36; 1995, 35; 1996, 28.
My Department has provided funding to the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association for the operation of the National Sudden Infant Death Register, which has been in existence since 1991 and provided much valuable information in respect of the incidence of sudden infant death in Ireland. The amounts provided towards this project are as follows: 1994, £70,000; 1995, £66,072; 1996, £40,000
A further sum of £103,231 has been provided in 1997. In 1994 and 1995 the association also received grants totalling £53,760 from my Department for a research study on the alleged link between cot death and the presence of antimony in cot mattresses.
The Health Promotion Unit of my Department provided the ISIDA with funding of £5,990 in 1995 and £5,000 in 1997 to facilitate the printing of information booklets and posters alerting parents to the factors which may contribute to sudden infant deaths.
I am sure the Minister agrees that one of the greatest calamities that can befall any family is to lose an infant through cot death. Does he accept that, following a period of apparent decline, the numbers of cot deaths are on the increase? Statistics in recent press releases from the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association suggest that cot deaths have risen to five per month. Does the Minister agree that this problem is a nightmare for those involved and that moneys are needed for further research into the causes and increasing rate of cot deaths? Will he make available, within reason, the funding required for such research?
I do not have access to the statistics to which the Deputy referred and I do not know the length of time over which they were compiled. If the amount of research available was directly proportional to reducing cot deaths, there would be a case for providing further funding. However, if the figures to which Deputy O'Keeffe referred are correct, an unprecedented amount of money was spent on research this year while cot deaths increased. It is clear that other factors are involved.
I agree that a family can undergo no more traumatic event than to find that their baby has died in its sleep for no explicable reason. Most of us are familiar with this type of tragedy through members of our family or friends whom it has befallen. I cannot explain why there was an increase in cot deaths because there is no discernible reason. It may be that there is no statistical reason but that it merely happened in recent months. However, in light of the figures to which I referred in my original reply, I am not sure how accurate it is to state that there have been five cot deaths per month in recent times. The level of research moneys does not seem to have had a bearing on the figures. The research must be carried out on its merits but there are other things we must do to ensure that these tragedies do not happen. I do not believe it is merely a matter of providing funding for research.
I do not have access to the departmental files relating to this matter. My information comes from press releases from the association which were published in the Irish Independent on Tuesday last and again today. The figures given state that there were 48 sudden infant deaths in the first nine months of 1997. That represents an alarming increase on the figures provided by the Minister. The article in the Irish Independent contains comments from paediatrics professor Tom Matthews who makes it clear that the situation relating to sudden infant death syndrome is far from being resolved. Will the Minister seek to obtain updated information on this alarming issue? In so far as further money is required for research, particularly taking account of the alarming reversal in the downward trend in sudden infant cot deaths, will he make such money available?
I thank the Deputy for the information he provided. I am not questioning its accuracy, I am merely not aware of it. The Department has enjoyed a good relationship with the association. If what has happened this year is totally against the trend, it might be timely to have a meeting with the association to review the initiatives supported by the Department and discover how it might be of further assistance. I undertake to arrange such a meeting.
