Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
528. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if the overall excess death rates for February, March, April and May 2020 have been analysed; if there is a breakdown of same by county; if available information in this regard will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12421/20]
View answerOn 28 May 2020, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) published a Comparison of Mortality Rates between Ireland and other countries in EU and Internationally. The report, which is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/84bc5-covid-19-comparison-of-mortality-rates-between-ireland-and-other-countries-in-eu-and-internationally/ reviews COVID-19 mortality in Ireland in comparison with a number of comparable health systems and reviews possible factors which have contributed to Irish mortality experience to date.
The Deputy may also wish to note the COVID-19 data hub which features national statistics, information and data about COVID-19 in Ireland. It is available at https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/. The data available on the site is based on official figures provided by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the Health Service Executive (HSE). Datasets, charts and maps are updated on an on-going basis and in line with newly published data. This site is built using the GeoHive platform, Ireland's Geospatial Data Hub.
It should also be noted that, in Ireland, data are collected on COVID-19 related mortality for both lab confirmed and probable cases, in line with recommendations from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in both hospitals and the community. We committed from the outset to collect the most extensive data possible in order that the information could inform and guide the public health actions necessary to respond to the very serious threat posed by COVID-19. It should also be noted that the collection of mortality data in Ireland exceeds that of many other countries in the world.
The NPHET and my Department will continue to consider all available evidence and the experience and learning from other countries as we try to keep the level of transmission of the virus as low as possible while also balancing the need for continuing restrictions with the social and economic benefits arising from the easing of restrictions in the coming period.
