Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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711. To ask the Minister for Health the recommendations, strategies and developments that were made at the inaugural meeting of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre Lyme borreliosis sub-committee which was held on 6 May 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20525/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Scientific Advisory Committee of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) of the HSE has established a Lyme Borreliosis Sub-Committee. The aim of the Sub-Committee is to develop strategies to undertake primary prevention in order to minimise the harm caused by Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland. These strategies will be published in a Final Report. The Terms of Reference of the Sub-Committee are:

- To raise awareness in Ireland of Lyme Borreliosis amongst clinicians and the general public;

- To identify and highlight best international practice in raising awareness about Lyme Borreliosis for the general public;

- To develop policies of primary prevention of Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland based on best international evidence;

- To explore ways in which to improve surveillance of neuroborreliosis in Ireland;

- To develop strategies to raise awareness among the public particularly in areas of higher tick populations;

- To produce a Final Report covering all the above areas.

The draft Final Report, on completion, will be presented to the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The SAC will issue the draft report for consultation with stakeholders. It would not be appropriate to comment on the work of the Sub-Committee as it progresses.