Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 5

Written Answers. - Incidence of Tuberculosis.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

63 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of increase in tuberculosis detection over each of the past three years; the steps, if any, being taken to limit the spread of the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22862/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

The number of cases of tuberculosis notified to my Department in each of the last three years is as follows:

1996	434
1997	416
1998 (provisional)	439

The Health Act, 1947, and the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981, provide the legislative basis for the control of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, in Ireland.

The report of the Working Party on Tuberculosis which had been established to evaluate policy on the prevention and treatment of the disease in Ireland and to make appropriate recommendations, was published in 1996. The report makes recommendations for the prevention and treatment of the disease. The recommendations cover a range of issues, including epidemiology; surveillance; screening; preventive therapy; clinical management; and laboratory diagnosis. As recommended in the report, a permanent committee, the National Tuberculosis Committee, has been established to advise on a detailed national strategy for the control and management of tuberculosis and it is developing such a strategy at present.