Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:18 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the research, if any, his Department is undertaking into the reported significant increase in cot deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10188/98]
Vol. 490 No. 4
18 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the research, if any, his Department is undertaking into the reported significant increase in cot deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10188/98]
33 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to reports that cot deaths have again increased substantially; the explanation, if any, there is for this trend; and the steps, if any, he proposes to reduce the number of these infant deaths. [10182/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 33 together.
I am aware that the number of sudden infant deaths increased from 45 in 1996 to 69 in 1997. Regrettably, there is no obvious explanation for such an increase.