Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if surveys have taken place into the prevalence of MRSA in private nursing homes, geriatric hospitals or other institutions caring for the elderly throughout the State; if reports have been received by her Department or the Health Service Executive from the Health and Safety Executive, or any medical body or consultant; if complaints have been received by her Department or the Health Service Executive or if investigations have been or are being carried out by her Department or the Health Service Executive into the prevalence of MRSA in private nursing homes, geriatric hospitals or other institutions caring for the elderly throughout the State; if such reports will be published; the actions taken as a result of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40414/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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This Department has received no reports of surveys into the prevalence of MRSA in institutions for older people. An inter-divisional group has been set up in the Department, comprising the offices of the chief medical officer, community health, acute hospitals and services for older people. The purpose of this group is to engage formally with the HSE to oversee the implementation of a strategy to combat health-care associated infection and antimicrobial resistance. The HSE has submitted its national service plan for 2006 to the group and this is under consideration. This Department is continuing to engage with the HSE to agree on a series of actions over the next period of time so that MRSA can be effectively dealt with so as to see a reduction in the incidence and effects of these infections.

The Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to reply directly to the Deputy on the issues raised in the question for which the HSE has responsibility.