52 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give an overall assessment of the AIDS problem here. [19362/01]

The incidence of AIDS has been steadily decreasing in recent years. This is mainly due to the success rates which are being achieved through the use of the highly effective antiretroviral treatments or triple therapy, which prevents or delays the onset of AIDS in HIV positive patients. The most recent data published by the National Disease Surveillance Centre shows that the total number of AIDS cases declined to 21 cases in 2000 compared to 41 in 1999. This brings the total number of AIDS cases to 707. There were 13 AIDS related deaths reported in 2000 compared with 17 in 1999. This brings the total number of AIDS related deaths to 362. The NDSC which now reports statistics in relation to AIDS will publish a report in the coming weeks on AIDS in Ireland, covering the period 1983-1999.

The incidence of AIDS in Ireland is relatively low when compared with other countries throughout Europe. The incidence rate per million population in Ireland in 1999 was 6.8 while the incidence rate per million population in the same year in various countries in Europe was Britain, 11.9; Italy, 36.0, Spain, 77.1; and Portugal, 88.3.