Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of babies born with an illness (details supplied) each year from 1997 to 2004 in each county; the additional financial supports in place for parents of such babies; if she will consider introducing additional financial support for parents of such babies through the child benefit allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6822/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The principal source of incidence data on cleft palate and cleft lip in Ireland is the EUROCAT registry of congenital abnormalities. This is a harmonised European surveillance programme supported by the EU and covers three areas of Ireland. These are Cork-Kerry, Dublin and Galway. Data are also collected through the national perinatal reporting system. However, this source is incomplete since congenital defects identified subsequent to birth registration are not captured.

For the period 1997 to 2002, latest figures available, the total figure for the areas referred to above is 272. A special report by EUROCAT in orofacial clefts for the period 1980-1996 in 30 European regions showed Ireland to be close to the European average.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for payment of and entitlement to domiciliary care allowance and aids and appliances to which children born with a cleft palate or a cleft lip may be eligible. Accordingly, the individual should apply for assistance under either of these schemes to the relevant Health Service Executive.

One of the strengths of child benefit is the universal nature of the scheme. Child benefit is paid in respect of children up to the age of 16 years regardless of the level or source of parental income. It continues to be paid in respect of children up to and including age 18 who are in full-time education, or who have a physical or mental disability. The proposed change to child benefit would add greatly to the complexity of the scheme.