Vol. 541 No. 2
530 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cot deaths for each of the past three years; and his views on whether adequate State support is being made available to the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association and otherwise for the purposes of research into causes, and counselling for those bereaved. [21922/01]
In 1997 there were 54 cases of sudden infant death syndrome. In 1998 there were 40 and in 1999 there were 35. The figures for 2000 and 2001 are as yet unavailable.
In regard to the question of state support, the National Sudden Infant Death Register was established in 1992 as part of an ongoing liaison between my Department and the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association. The register aims to identify and categorise all deaths in children from birth to two years of age and to establish the incidence and causes of mortality. My Department has funded the register since its foundation in 1992 and from 1999 a sum of £160,000 per annum has been assigned to the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association towards the cost of the register and its related research and service
budgets. It is universally accepted that the database of information that has built up since the establishment of the register is an important resource in the campaign to lower the incidence of this syndrome.
