Jan O'Sullivan
Question:280 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider the introduction of health regulations to govern tattooing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6885/02]
Written Answers. - Health Regulations.
My Department has from time to time been asked to regulate in some way the activities of persons providing tattooing services.
The approach being adopted is to prepare good practice guidelines for practitioners rather than draw up specific regulations. It is intended that these guidelines will also serve to assist environmental health officers in their inspection of premises under the infectious diseases regulations. It is also intended to produce an advice and information leaflet for the general public about the possible risks attached to body-piercing and tattooing.
While a considerable amount of work has been undertaken to date, the guidelines are not yet finalised. Further consideration of the issues involved and further consultation with appropriate interested parties is necessary before my Department will be in a position to bring the guidelines to completion. Due to other competing demands it is not possible at this stage to put a time frame on the completion of these guidelines.
Under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981, health boards are empowered where there is reason to believe that a suspected case of an infectious disease or a probable source of infection exists, to carry out an investigation and take such steps as are necessary or desirable for investigating the nature and source of such infection, for preventing the spread of such infection and for removing conditions favourable to infection.