Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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201. To ask the Minister for Health the number of deaths annually in Ireland due to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42890/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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This matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Health the number of people in Ireland who may be unwittingly vulnerable to sudden adult death syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42891/13]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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203. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce screening to identify persons at high risk of sudden adult death syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42892/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together.

The Report of the Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death (2006) estimated that approximately 5,000 cardiac deaths are sudden cardiac deaths. These are due to coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease or other cardiac abnormalities. Whilst it recommended prevention strategies for coronary heart disease, it did not do so for mass population screening for sudden cardiac death, but rather the identification of priority groups such as close relatives of those who died from sudden cardiac death under 40 years of age for risk assessment. The National Cardiovascular Health Policy (2010) has endorsed these recommendations.

The HSE is the main agency responsible for implementing these recommendations and in its 2010 Progress Report on Sudden Cardiac Death it sets out progress in this area. I have requested that the HSE furnish the Deputy with an update.