Vol. 518 No. 6
277 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason perinital statistics have not been made since 1993 by his Department; if he will ensure that these particular statistics are brought up to date as soon as possible, in view of their importance in giving accurate indicators on the health of children. [12346/00]
Although the last publication of perinital statistics was in 1997 and referred to data for 1993, perinatal data for all subsequent years has been collected. The delay in the processing and publication of reports based on this data has arisen due to increasing difficulties involved in recruiting and retaining technical staff and growing demands for information at all levels. In recognition of this and in line with the policy of my Department to devolve executive functions, where appropriate, to suitable agencies, the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, has been contracted to administer the perinatal reporting system. Processing of the 1999 perinatal data is presently being undertaken with a view to publishing a report later this year. Reports for interim years will follow in due course.
More up to date, key, baseline perinatal indicators continue to be published in the annual and quarterly vital statistics reports published on behalf of my Department by the Central Statistics Office.
