Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - State Laboratories.

Phil Hogan

Question:

126 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when outstanding refurbishment works at Athlone Veterinary Laboratory will be completed; if the 77 items on the snag list referred to by him in Dáil Éireann on 26 June 2001 have been resolved; if the posts of laboratory attendant and serological assistant have been filled; the date the laboratory will become fully functional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25081/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

My Department is working closely with the Office of Public Works to ensure that outstanding works are dealt with so that the laboratory can again provide a full range of services in the near future.

As I outlined to the House in June, Athlone is one of a number of regional laboratories – the others are in Sligo, Kilkenny, Limerick, Cork, and in the Central Research Laboratory in Abbotstown, Fingal County Council – that provide a service to farmers throughout the country.

The services provided by the laboratories include: examination of specimens, e.g. blood samples, milk samples, faeces, etc., received by post using the appropriate discipline of biochemistry, microbiology, and post mortem examination of carcasses of farm animals for cause of death, and badgers for evidence of TB. The laboratory at Athlone continues to provide all services except the post mortem services.

The post of laboratory attendant has been filled and arrangements are in hand for the filling of the serological assistant post which has arisen in the Athlone laboratory. I expect the post will be filled on 19 November 2001.