87 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed as having TB during 1992 in County Westmeath; and if the incidence of the disease in County Westmeath is higher than in other areas.

A total of 13 cases of Tuberculosis have been reported in respect of County Westmeath to my Department so far in 1992. In 1991 a total of 20 cases were reported for Westmeath and 630 cases were reported nationally.

I recently established a Working Party under the chairmanship of the Chief Medical Officer of my Department to examine all aspects of Tuberculosis. These will be examined under the following headings:— National Data and surveillance of the Disease; Treatment; Public Health control measures; Preventive Measures; TB/AIDS; Laboratory Diagnosis; Professional and Public Education.

The aims of the working party will be to ensure that data is collected for all areas on a standardised basis and there is an appropriate framework to deal with all problems associated with Tuberculosis.