Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Nursing Staff.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

414 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the nursing vacancies in each hospital; the areas or specialities to which they relate; and the total nursing vacancies in September 1999 compared to September 1998. [18414/99]

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

503 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the nursing vacancies in each hospital and within each health board area; the specialities to which the vacancies relate; and the total number of vacancies at 1 September 1999. [18034/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 503 together.

The comparative figures the Deputy has asked for in relation to nursing shortages for September 1998 and 1999 are not available in my Department. The most recent survey of nursing vacancies carried out by the Health Service Employers Agency – HSEA – related to the position at the end of April 1999. The earliest survey carried out prior to that date was for weekending 5 Feb ruary 1999. I am arranging for details of both surveys to be forwarded to the Deputy. I have asked the HSEA to carry out a further study of the position at 30 September 1999.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

420 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cases of gastroenteritis reported in each of the years from 1996 to date for each of the health board areas; the procedures involved in collecting data on the incidents of gastroenteritis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17252/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

The number of cases of gastroenteritis reported in each of the years from 1996 to date for each of the health board areas is as follows:

Health Board	1996	1997	1998	1999*
Eastern	1,142	1,232	1,478	793
Midland	281	173	96	61
Mid-Western	356	348	405	213
North-Eastern	123	127	129	75
North-Western	135	66	196	147
South-Eastern	13	32	159	239
Southern	517	528	510	419
Western	430	462	506	495

*Figures available up to 10 September.

Gastroenteritis – when contracted by children under two years of age – is a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981. Under the regulations registered medical practitioners must notify their health board of cases or suspected cases of infectious disease, as soon as they become aware of such cases. The health board in turn furnishes my Department with a weekly report of the cases of infectious diseases notified to them.