asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement regarding a claim made by a spokesperson for the Irish Society of Food Hygiene Technology that an official blind eye is being turned to restaurants and food firms which do not meet strict hygiene standards because a senior Government official charged with dealing with offenders has not been appointed by his Department.
Written Answers. - Food Hygiene Standards.
183.
The standards of hygiene to be observed in restaurants and food firms are prescribed in the Food Hygiene Regulations. These regulations are enforced by the health boards and it is open to the health boards to bring prosecutions where their inspecting officers find that these standards are not being maintained.
I am extremely concerned that public health should be protected through strict adherence by proprietors to the provisions of the Food Hygiene Regulations and this is reflected by the fact that, under section 34 of the Food Hygiene Regulations, I have closed seven food premises during the past year. In addition, the health boards carry out at least four inspections per year on each premises registered under the regulations.
The post of Chief Health Inspector in my Department has not been filled since the retirement of the previous holder of the post due to the present restrictions on employment in the public service.
I will continue to use the power available to me to ensure that the conditions of food premises comply with the provision of the Food Hygiene Regulations and that appeals made to me under these regulations are dealt with as expeditiously as possible.