Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to develop data collection systems that are in accordance with the standards of the World Health Organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32167/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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For many decades, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has led the way in the development of standard classification systems for health data. Ireland participates fully in the work of the WHO and this includes adopting WHO standards in the area of health information. Examples of data collection systems which use WHO classification standards include vital statistics, hospital discharge data (HIPE), the national cancer registry and infectious disease notification. My Department updates the WHO Health For All database twice yearly with a wide range of health data for Ireland and follows WHO data definitions for all reported indicators.

Any development of new data collection systems will take account of and adopt, as appropriate, WHO standards. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has a central role in assessing gaps in health information and ensuring that the best possible data standards are used and maintained. Comparable health information at international level is essential in monitoring and prioritising health issues and in measuring our performance.