Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department has identified the cryptosporidium pathogen (details supplied), which can occur in carcasses, and can pose a threat to drinking water supplies. [34401/05]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 460: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the support she will give to local authorities when waters become contaminated with cryptosporidium through a variety of routes (details supplied). [34402/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 460 together.

Cryptosporidiosis is a highly pathogenic disease usually transmitted to humans via drinking water contaminated with either human sewage or animal manure. Water in swimming pools and theme parks may also be a source of infection. Infection can also be transferred directly to susceptible individuals from infected humans and animals.

My Department's central veterinary laboratory has, over the last few years, developed an expertise in identifying and genotyping cryptosporidium isolates from whatever source. The laboratory has been involved in studying the epidemiology and transmission pattern of cryptosporidium in farm animals for the past three years. A second study designed to develop a forecast-risk assessment model to predict when potable water is a danger to human health from cryptosporidiosis is due to start in 2006. This project will be a collaboration with the faculty of life sciences at UCD and will be funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge Programme of the European Commission. Issues relating to water quality and incidents involving contamination of waters are matters for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency and the local authorities. There is no funding within my Department's Estimates from which support could be provided to local authorities in this type of situation.