Vol. 546 No. 5
140 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedure for disposal of hospital waste, including radioactive material; the number of such locations here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32457/01]
In 1994 my Department produced a health services waste policy aimed at reducing the impact on the environment of waste arising in the public health service and improving conditions for those handling the waste. The policy set out basic principles relating to the generation and management of waste, including the segregation of waste into domestic waste and the potentially hazardous fraction known as health care risk waste. A strategy of using non-incineration, shredding and decontamination technology has been pursued for the health care risk waste.
Health care risk waste from virtually all publicly funded health care agencies is now disposed of through a national contract. The contract specification covers the collection, treatment and final disposal of health care risk waste to the highest environmental and health and safety standards. Most health care risk waste is now processed in disinfection treatment plants which operate under Environmental Protection Agency licences. The main plant operating under the national contract is located in west County Dublin. The sterilised residue is disposed of to a licensed commercial landfill site under strict conditions. The non-risk waste follows the disposal route of municipal or commercial waste to authorised landfills throughout the country. The arrangements for the storage and disposal of radioactive waste arising from the administration of healthcare services in hospitals are the responsibility of the individual hospital authorities. These responsibilities are discharged under licences issued by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland.
