78 Mr. R. Burke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the progressively increasing number of deaths from meningitis, in particular in the Dublin area; if so, if he has had this matter examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter to alleviate the concerns of parents. [9303/97]

Limerick East): The Department of Health is aware through its infectious diseases monitoring programme of the incidence of and mortality from bacterial meningitis septicaemia in the Eastern Health Board in the first quarter of 1997. The Department has been in further communication with the health board on the matter and the following table shows comparable figures for meningococcal disease notifications (deaths) for 1995, 1996 and 1997 for the first quarter of each year.