John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding MRSA; if it is a notifiable disease; if data are available regarding the numbers who contracted MRSA or who died from same; the process or procedure available to relatives of people affected in relation to information, the right to be informed and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18365/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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MRSA is not a notifiable disease but the Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE collects data on MRSA. The data is collected on the first episode of blood stream infection per patient per quarter. This system shows that there were 445 cases in 2002, 480 cases in 2003, 553 cases in 2004, 592 cases in 2005 and 588 cases in 2006. There are no figures available to date in relation to 2007. It is not possible to identify the number of fatalities attributable directly or solely to MRSA as most cases involve significant co-morbidity factors.

I am committed to ensuring that all patients are informed if they have MRSA and earlier this year my Department raised the importance of this issue again with the CEO of the HSE. I might add that a new Coroners Bill was published by the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform on 20th April last. MRSA is listed as a reportable death for the purposes of this Bill.

Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) including MRSA is a priority for the Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). I share the public concern in relation to MRSA. The HSE has recently launched its "Say No to Infection" action plan and a new HCAI Governance Group was established. This Group will manage the HSE's approach to tackling HCAIs including MRSA and is responsible for reducing infection levels in Ireland's healthcare facilities. The Group is supported by eight Local Implementation Teams to ensure that all local facilities are focussed on achieving the targets set down.

While accepting that not all HCAIs are preventable, I am satisfied that significant steps are being taken to reduce the rates of infection and to treat them promptly when they occur. The Department of Health and Children will be monitoring and evaluating the progress being made by the HSE in the management of this issue so that patients can be assured that in the future the risk of contracting an infection will be reduced to the minimum level possible.