asked the Minister for Health if he will, in conjunction with the Health Education Bureau, introduce a campaign to promote domestic hygiene, particularly where food is concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hygiene Campaign.
22.
As part of the National Hygiene Campaign initiated by me last year, a leaflet relating to hygiene in the home was widely distributed to members of the public and to interested bodies and community groups. The leaflet contains advice relating to food storage and food preparation in the home. The campaign is a continuing one and it is my intention that it will incorporate further elements aimed at hygiene in the home.
Is the Minister aware that people, through lack of knowledge, leave food stored in places where it is dangerous for health reasons? Will he agree to inform people of the proper method of storing food in deep freezers and such places in the course of his campaign?
I am glad the Deputy has directed attention to this important area. A great deal more remains to be done. We have a small campaign directed at impoving the situation. It is being advertised on television but we hope to do a great deal more. In particular, I hope to be able to avail of the co-operation of RTE in this whole area.
In view of the widespread effect of parasites on children, particularly threadworms, will the Minister include this in the advertising campaign? He should refer to the fact that up to 75 per cent of children are affected by this parasite in certain parts of the country and concentrate a campaign towards getting rid of this parasite.
I will put that suggestion to the scientific people who are charged with these campaigns.