Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which the number of incidents of MRSA has been monitored with a view to setting out procedures and practices to eliminate the problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21270/06]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the most recent figures of the number of cases of MRSA in each of the past four years and to date in 2006; the number of fatalities attributable to MRSA; the steps which are being taken to reduce the incidence of MRSA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21332/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 47 together.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) collects data on MRSA bacteraemia (also known as bloodstream infection or "blood poisoning") as part of the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS). EARSS collects data on the first episode of blood stream infection per patient per quarter. EARSS was designed to allow comparison of antimicrobial resistance data between countries and possibly regions but not between hospitals. The Irish data for EARSS, which is published on a quarterly basis by the HPSC, showed that there were 445 cases in 2002, 480 cases in 2003, 553 cases in 2004 and 586 cases of MRSA reported in 2005. Data in respect of the 1st Quarter of 2006 is not yet available. It is difficult to identify number of fatalities attributable to MRSA as many people also have significant co-morbidity factors.

This year Ireland is participating in the Hospital Infection Society's "Prevalence Survey of Health Care Associated Infections" in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The survey will provide accurate and comparable data on the prevalence of Health Care Associated Infections (including MRSA) in acute hospitals in Ireland. The data gathered from hospitals can also be used to compare with similar data being obtained in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The data is being analysed over the summer and the results should be available in October/November.

The control of Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs) including MRSA continues to be a priority for the HSE. The HSE recently announced that additional funding is being provided in 2006 for a range of initiatives for prevention and control of HCAIs including MRSA. The implementation of the revised SARI Guidelines on the control and prevention of MRSA in hospitals and in the community, the "Clean Hands Campaign", the National Hygiene Audits and the development of national standards in relation to infection control and hospital hygiene are also aimed at addressing the challenges presented by HCAIs.