Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 3

Written Answers. - Maternity Services.

Bernard Allen

Question:

328 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of caesarean sections carried out, in view of the fact that they account for more than 20% of all births here which is almost double the estimate of 11% of all births delivered by that method in 1990. [2548/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The report on perinatal statistics for 1999 contains the most current information on a national basis. The report indicates that there were 11,033 deliveries by caesarean section in 1999, representing 20.4% of all live births.