Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to address the over prescription of antibiotics. [37480/06]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the policy of some crèches that children with respiratory infections must produce evidence of being on an antibiotic, regardless of the cause of the infection; her views on whether this policy is leading to over-prescription of antibiotics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37481/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together.

I am aware that there has been a significant increase in overall antibiotic consumption in Ireland since 1993. Compared with other European countries, Ireland is in the high to moderate range of antibiotic consumers.

The Health Service Executive has prepared an overview of a three year plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the Strategy for Antimicrobial Resistance committee. These include the need for developments in surveillance, improvements in antibiotic stewardship, education and research, and enhanced infection control practices. Quarterly meetings between my Department and the Health Service Executive, chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of my Department, will continue to operate to monitor progress in this vital area.

The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 and Child Care (Pre-School Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 1997 provide that the pre-school service provider should maintain appropriate written records in relation to 'details of any medicine administered to a pre-school child attending the service.'

The prescribing of any particular medicinal products (including antibiotics) is a matter for the child's medical practitioner.