Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 475: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the comments by a leading respiratory consultant at the Mercy University Hospital Cork that the north-side of Cork City has one of the highest levels of tuberculosis here and that the incidence of TB in this area is as high as 22 per 100,000 when the national average is seven per 100,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14977/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The most recent figures available for the incidence of TB in Ireland can be found in the Health Protection Surveillance Centre report Epidemiology of TB in Ireland 2004. The national rate of TB is 11 per 100,000 population. The Health Service Executive South has a rate of 16 per 100,000 population and rates fluctuate in each area on an annual basis due to small numbers.

Specifically looking at TB rates in HSE South since 1992, there has been a remarkable decline.

These figures show that rates are falling and that the enhanced surveillance and follow up of cases and contacts is having a positive effect on reducing rates of TB in this country.

I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy on rates of TB in the north-side of Cork city.