Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

I thank the Senator for her comments highlighting the importance of continued action on Lyme disease awareness. I reiterate I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health.

In 2011, Ireland became one of the first EU countries to make Lyme disease a statutory notifiable disease. The notifiable entity is Lyme neuroborreliosis, a more severe form of the disease which affects the nervous system.

Between four and 21 cases of Lyme neuroborreliosis are notified annually in Ireland, significantly less than the total number of cases of early Lyme infection and family skin infection. However, the levels of Lyme neuroborreliosis serves as a reliable indicator of overall Lyme disease activity in the country.

The HSE, through the HPSC, continues to provide a wide range of public education materials, including an downloadable A3 poster and leaflet entitled, "Protecting yourself against Tick Bites and Lyme Disease", both of which are available on the HPSC website. They are designed to be clear, accessible and suitable for use by local authorities, landowners and public agencies.

The HPSC has also highlighted the availability of these matters to relevant Departments and agencies that manage publicly accessible lands. Members of the public who own and manage land on which people can walk can display the poster in a prominent position at the entrance and exit of the land.

HSE tick-warning signage provides a consistent and evidence-based approach that can be adopted widely. This ensures that the public receive accurate and practical information, particularly in areas where the risk of tick exposure is high.

I will take back to the Minister the particular point that the Senator raises. Might I also suggest that she raises the particular question she has in terms of that issue with the local government section within the Department of housing as well, but I will bring it back to the Minister and the officials in the Department of Health.