Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which studies have been conducted here into the cause or causes of children born with various special needs; the extent to which some are deemed hereditary; the comparisons made with the incidents in other European countries; if sufficient information is available to determine specific causes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15404/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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Broadly speaking, there are two main sources of information in relation to children born with special needs: (1) major screening programmes such as the EUROCAT, congenital malformation register, and the national metabolic screening programme; and (2) individual studies carried out by hospitals and university departments.

Hereditary factors are prominent in many conditions to a variable degree. The incidence of individual conditions varies widely throughout the world. For example, Ireland would have a relatively high incidence of Down syndrome and phenylketonuria.

My Department has asked the Health Research Board for its advice on the matters raised and will communicate with the Deputy when the reply becomes available.