Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have contracted MRSA or other hospital acquired diseases whilst receiving in-patient hospital treatment in each of the past five years; and the steps taken to maintain accurate records of such incidents and to detail the hospitals concerned. [29937/07]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of adults who have contracted MRSA or other hospital acquired diseases whilst receiving in-patient hospital treatment in each of the past five years; and the steps taken to maintain accurate records of such incidents and to detail the hospitals concerned. [29938/07]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients in each of the past ten years who have acquired MRSA whilst receiving in-patient hospital treatment and who have died as a result of complications derived from contracting MRSA; the hospitals concerned in respect of each year; the structures in place to monitor such incidents; and when they were put in place. [29939/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 to 267, inclusive, together.

MRSA is not currently a notifiable disease. However, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) of the HSE collects data on MRSA. The data is not available in the exact format or on an individual hospital basis as requested by the Deputy. It is collected on the first episode of blood stream infection of MRSA 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 in 2006. Figures for the first six months of 2007 show that there were 292 cases.

The HPSC carried out an analysis on the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS) in Ireland data from 1999 to 2006 (inclusive). During that time there were 79 cases of MRSA BSI (Bloodstream Infection) in children aged 14 years or less, 1,185 in patients aged 15-64 years, and 2,146 in patients aged 65 years or greater. Children accounted for 2.3% of the total cases. In contrast, patients aged 65 or greater accounted for 62% of the total cases. The latter is in keeping with the HPSC's previous finding that age is a significant risk factor for MRSA BSI.

At present, it is not possible to identify the number of fatalities attributable directly or solely to MRSA as most cases involve significant co-morbidity factors. There is currently no comprehensive data on MRSA related deaths. The proposed Coroners Bill 2007 now defines MRSA as a reportable death.

A new National Surveillance System has recently been established by the HSE to collect data and provide information on a quarterly basis on four key areas, to monitor Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) in our healthcare system:

1. Staphylococcus bacteraemia;

2. Antibiotic consumption;

3. Alcohol gel use;

4.MRSA surveillance in Intensive Care Units.

The first report is expected shortly and eventually 52 hospitals and 30 local health offices will report into the system. I can assure the Deputy that tackling HCAIs, including MRSA continues to be a priority for the government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE).