asked the Minister for Health if any estimate has been made by his Department concerning the annual cost to the economy of rat infestation.
14.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rat Infestation.
13.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the increasing incidence of rat infestation; if he is satisfied with the extermination methods at present being employed; and if his Department will consider drawing up a national plan to eradicate this menace.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
The concern of my Department with rat infestation is primarily in relation to public health and, in the circumstances, my Department has not undertaken the economic exercise of estimating the annual cost to the economy caused by such infestation.
I am aware that there has been some increase in the number of complaints of rodent infestation received by health inspectors. The rodent population appears to fluctuate and I am not aware that it has been established with any certainty that there has been an increase in numbers in recent years. The increase in complaints to which I have referred could be due to an actual increase in public sensitivity to the presence of rodents.
Under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, as amended by the Health Act, 1947, the occupier or person responsible for the payment of rates on premises is obliged to destroy all rats and mice on such premises. Health boards are empowered to serve notices on the responsible person to take necessary control measures and court proceedings may be taken where appropriate.
In 1973 a circular to health boards was issued by my Department pointing out that rodent control can be a serious problem and recommending that health inspectors should make repeated inspections of tipheads, major rodent harbourages and likely sources of infestation. It was also recommended that consideration be given to the use of the services of specialist rodent control firms on a contract basis, the results being monitored by health inspectors. If specialist firms were not employed health boards were recommended to consider employing a full-time local worker who, with basic training, could carry out the necessary measures.
From a health point of view I am satisfied that the provisions and measures set out above are reasonably adequate and my Department is not accordingly considering the drawing up of a national plan in relation to this matter.