Phil Hogan
Ceist:136 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider establishing a training programme for food workers in good hygiene practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Training Programme for Food Workers.
Health boards in collaboration with CERT and the Irish Hotel and Catering Institute provide a 16 hour training course for food workers. Those who satisfactorily pass the examination at the end of the course receive a certificate in the principles and practice of food hygiene. This course has been in operation since 1977 and several thousand persons in the hotel and catering industry have already completed these courses at various venues throughout the country.
A new six hour training course for food workers was introduced under the CLEANWATCH programme in 1988. This course was designed by the Irish Hotel and Catering Institute in Co-operation with CERT, the health boards and the Environmental Health Officers' Association. This course is directed at personnel in the catering industry who have had no formal training in food hygiene and is designed to give an appreciation of the fundamentals of good hygiene practice. It is particularly suited to casual food workers employed during the holiday season.