Ivor Callely
Question:109 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the method of disposal of all hospital waste; if such methods meet EU directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Disposal of Hospital Waste.
The current practice in dealing with waste arising in hospitals is that it is segregated into clinical waste and non-clinical or domestic type waste. The clinical waste is disposed of by incineration and the non-clinical by landfill.
It is generally accepted that the present generation of hospital incinerators would not fully meet the stringent requirements of emerging EU directives. My Department is finalising a health services waste policy, following consultation with the health agencies. This policy aims to promote good and environmentally sound waste management practices. Each agency will then prepare its own waste management plan.
In the meantime, my Department is monitoring development of a number of methods of final disposal of clinical waste with a view to forming an integrated strategy for the health services as a whole.