Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will develop a respiratory strategy to address the statistics in the report Ireland Needs Healthier Airways and Lungs — the Evidence published by the Irish Thoracic Society which shows that Ireland has the worst death rate in Europe from respiratory diseases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9297/08]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The study, to which the Deputy refers, has made an important contribution to our understanding of respiratory disease and the burden it poses on individuals and the healthcare system. The report has identified the contribution that lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma make to the overall burden of respiratory disease.

Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in Ireland with over 1,600 deaths in 2004 from cancer of the respiratory system. A number of measures have been put in place with respect to cancer control including the appointment of Professor Tom Keane as National Cancer Control Director to oversee the delivery of cancer services and this year an additional €35 million has been allocated for cancer control including €15 million to support the initial implementation of the cancer control programme and the National Plan for Radiation Oncology.

Tobacco control and reducing both the levels of smoking and the numbers of people taking up smoking continues to be a priority for my Department. The Smoke Free At Work legislation is acknowledged by the Irish Thoracic Society as a successful initiative in reducing the impact of tobacco.

The Irish Thoracic Society has also acknowledged and welcomed steps being taken to tackle respiratory disease including joint hospital/community initiatives such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outreach programmes, pulmonary rehabilitation initiatives and the National Tuberculosis Advisory Committee which is working on measures to control tuberculosis.

The initiatives above indicate that a range of measures are being taken to address issues raised by the Report. A national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease strategy is currently being developed by the HSE. The work of the strategy group is well advanced in providing a model of care which should reduce the impact of this condition for individuals, their carers and the health system.