The Asthma Society of Ireland has 'cautiously' welcomed a fall in asthma deaths last year.
The number of asthma deaths dropped by 40% last year compared to the 2009 figure.
In 2010, 34 asthma deaths were reported, according to the CSO Yearly Summary on Vital Statistics, the lowest recorded figure to date.
The ASI said that while asthma deaths have declined over the past decade, the trend for the preceding five years had been static with mortality figures of 55-60 deaths per year.
'Any reduction in the number of asthma deaths in Ireland is very welcome news for the 470,000 Irish people living with asthma,’ said Angela Edghill, ASI chairperson.
The ASI welcomed the reduction but said that it was too soon to tell if it was a reduction that would continue into the future.
