Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Incidence of Tuberculosis.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

971 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children his Department's current strategy in relation to the diagnosis, treatment and containment of tuberculosis here; the most recent figures for the number of cases; if a change in the trend is predicted; the role of St. Ita's in Peamount Hospital in the treatment of tuberculosis; if his Department has considered the impact of the proposed cessation of tuberculosis treatment at St. Ita's on the State-wide strategy regarding this disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/03]

The Health Act, 1947, and the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981, provide the legislative basis for the control of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis. The control of infectious diseases is a matter for the health boards and, in this instance, the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

The report of the working party on tuberculosis, which was established to evaluate policy on the prevention and treatment of the disease in Ireland and to make appropriate recommendations, was published in 1996. The report made recommendations, on which my Department's TB strategy is based, for the prevention and treatment of the disease. The recommendations covered a range of issues including epidemiology, surveillance, screening, preventative therapy, clinical management and laboratory diagnosis. As recommended in the report, a permanent committee – the national tuberculosis committee – was established to advise on a detailed national strategy for the control and management of tuberculosis. The committee meets when necessary to review all issues concerning the control and management of tuberculosis.

Data provided by the National Disease Surveillance Centre in relation to the number of cases of tuberculosis in Ireland from 1992 to 2002, inclusive, are as follows:

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

ERHA

201

148

167

154

113

128

152

180

143

173

156

MHB

38

22

30

18

17

19

10

15

16

7

18

MWHB

65

50

55

48

56

40

47

54

47

24

26

NEHB

30

30

35

26

37

28

29

25

21

38

24

NWHB

33

78

19

24

15

22

19

19

9

13

12

SEHB

47

64

43

37

27

50

35

31

41

17

52

SHB

114

127

95

112

123

90

78

75

80

72

79

WHB

76

79

80

39

46

39

54

70

38

34

33

Total

604

598

524

458

434

416

424

469

395

378

400

*Data for 2002 provisional
According to the NDSC, TB incidence rates have declined in Ireland in recent years with rates for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002 at 10.1, 9.6 and 10.2 per 100,000, compared to an incidence rate of 17.1 per 100,000 in 1992.
Services at Peamount Hospital are provided under an arrangement with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive of the authority to examine the matter raised by the Deputy and to respond directly to him.
Question No. 972 answered with Question No. 793.
Barr
Roinn