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Distribution of Iodine Tablets.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (106, 107)

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

163 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there are plans to issue a supply of iodine tablets as were issued to every dwelling here in 2002 to the many new households existing in 2004; and the cost to the Exchequer of the initial distribution. [27915/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

164 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has satisfied herself that iodine tablets issued to dwellings in 2002 are still retained by those households; if there is a risk to public health should these tablets be consumed in any quantity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27916/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together.

In 2002, as part of the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents, approximately 12.6 million iodine tablets were distributed by post to households nationwide. Each household received a packet containing six potassium iodate tablets BP85mg, which is sufficient to provide a single dose for each member of an average sized household.

The tablets were aluminium foil blister packed and sealed in a carton containing an information and instruction leaflet. Each carton delivered by An Post was in a sealed firm envelope labelled with appropriate warning statements and the name and address of the recipient. A public notice was placed in national newspapers at the time advising persons that these tablets were medicinal products and that they should be stored in a cool dry place, in their original sealed container and out of reach of children. While all medicines should be stored safely, I am advised that there is no significant risk from these tablets given that the average household will only hold one carton containing six tablets.

A further 1.6 million iodine tablets were distributed to health boards for persons who did not receive a supply of tablets or who did not receive a sufficient number of tablets via the postal distribution. Persons who do not have a supply of tablets for any reason should contact their local health board and arrange for the collection of the tablets required. The following table sets out relevant contact details.

Health Board

East Coast Area Health Board

Community Care Area 1, Dún Laoghaire — (01) 2365200

Community Care Area 2, Clonskeagh, D. 6 — (01) 2680300

Community Care Area 10, Wicklow Town — (0404) 68400

South Western Area Health Board

Dublin South City — (01) 6486500

Dublin South West — (01) 4154700

Dublin West — (01) 6206300

Kildare/West Wicklow — (045) 876001

Northern Area Health Board

Community Care Area 6, Rathdown Rd., D. 7 — (01) 8680444

Community Care Area 7, Richmond Rd., D. 3 — (01) 8575400

Community Care Area 8, Cromcastle Rd., D.5 — (01) 8164200

Midland Health Board

Athlone — (0902) 83101

Longford — (043) 50169

Mullingar — (044) 39191

Laois — (0502) 21135

Offaly — (0506) 41301

Mid-Western Health Board

Community Care Area — Tipperary North — (067) 31212

Community Care Area — Clare — (065) 6828525

Community Care Area — Limerick — (061) 483712

North Eastern Health Board

(046) 9079483

(046) 9023333

North Western Health Board

Sligo Area — (071) 9155100

Donegal Area — (074) 9189118

Leitrim — (071) 9650319

South Eastern Health Board

(056) 7784164

(056) 7784114

Southern Health Board

Cork City — (021) 4923133

North Cork — (022) 31855

West Cork — (028) 40413

Kerry — (066) 7184516

Western Health Board

Galway Area — (091) 523122

Roscommon Area — (090) 6626518

Mayo Area — (094) 9022333

The Eastern Regional Health Authority, which managed this contract, has indicated that the cost of purchase and distribution of iodine tablets in 2002 was approximately €2.2 million. My Department is considering what further steps may be necessary regarding the use of iodine tablets as a counter- measure under the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents.

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