Bernard Allen
Ceist:476 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he has taken to support the EU Commission programme for the world-wide tuberculosis control project. [1857/00]
Written Answers. - Communicable Diseases.
The European Union is involved in the development of a community network on communicable diseases. The programme involves the surveillance of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, and the provision of early warning in the event of a significant outbreak of a communicable disease. Ireland is represented on the EU network committee by my Department and the National Disease Surveillance Centre. Over the next few years the community network will be consolidated and developed into a permanent structure using standardised case definitions and methodology in relation to the collection of data. Co-operation with the WHO is envisaged and it is expected that the WHO will be asked to participate in various activities of the community network and to share information.