Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 2

Written Answers. - Water Quality.

John McGuinness

Question:

263 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a record available of the presence of cripto sporidium in children who attended St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, during the past three years; if this was found in the public water supply samples which were tested by the South-Eastern Health Board for Kilkenny County Council; if these samples proved to be five times higher in their aluminium content than is permitted by EU regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4711/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Statutory responsibility for the provision of drinking water supplies and for upholding the prescribed quality standards is a function of the local sanitary authorities. Health boards carry out testing and sampling of water from time to time on behalf of local authorities. Where the results of samples taken indicate a problem with water quality the health board, in consultation with the local authority, would alert the public and advise of the remedial action being taken to protect the supply.

Responsibility for the provision of services at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny rests with the South-Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer at the board to reply directly in relation to the availability the records referred to by the Deputy.