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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Waste.

Richard Bruton

Question:

155 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has issued a directive to all public hospitals to participate in waste recycling initiatives; if he has arranged for reports to be made to him by health boards on the extent of recycling; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no recycling at a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [5965/02]

Responsibility for waste management, including recycling in all public hospitals, rests with each relevant health board or health authority and I would not generally be aware of detailed arrangements in each hospital.

My Department has been playing an important role in promoting the environmentally conscious management of waste in the health services. In 1994, my Department issued a health services waste policy to all health boards and acute voluntary hospitals. The policy advocated good environmental and health and safety practices in the management, handling and disposal of all wastes generated in hospitals. The policy promoted the environmental principles of reduction, reuse and recycling. It placed particular emphasis on the segregation of different waste systems. A degree of waste segregation is now practised throughout our hospitals and work is ongoing to bring about further improvements. In addition a comprehensive environmental management system leading to the environmental quality ISO14001 certification, which has been on trial at one hospital in Dublin, is now being promoted amongst the health boards.
No arrangements exist at present for reports to be made to me by health boards on the extent of recycling. I have requested my Department to examine the need for such a reporting mechanism and to advise me as a matter of urgency.
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